The Holy Capital Ciceli is the hometown of the ancient hero, Aria Ciceli, and the star of the Divine Karciel empire. It is the originator of divine faith, and the main source of the continent's divine might, producing a staggering number of Knights, Paladins, Saints and Saintesses, in mere decades, thanks to the help of the Vitalis academy.
Besides Ciceli's overwhelming divine military might, it also serves as a vital trade center, with highly developed trade routes leading to allied kingdoms, even ones outside of the empire, cementing Ciceli as one of the driving factors for the continent's era of prosperity.
Why is Ciceli a "Holy" capital?
That begins with my ancestors and me, Emperor Alduin Karciel. With the continent's history of faith, and servitude to the divine, once I was seated as emperor, I formalized the empire's transition over the years to an era of faith and divinity. Declaring Ciceli as the empire's capital, swearing fealty to the divine faith, and spreading the religion throughout the kingdoms under the empire's banner are already the proudest achievements I gained during my rule.
But one problem troubles me. I am an accomplished emperor, and I am faithful, yet I am not sinless. My greatest shame haunts me every waking moment.
"Where could she possibly hav-" My thoughts paused.
**Knock** **Knock**
"You may enter."
The door swung open, a paladin entered, clad in pure white armor kneeling before me.
"Your imperial majesty, an urgent report from the Vitalis academy has arrived." The paladin hastily reported.
"And?" I asked dismissively.
"The-" The paladin hesitated.
"Come on then, spit it out." I hurried him impatiently.
What could have possibly transpired to have him hesitate? I thought in my head. Clueless on what I would hear.
"The 3rd prince had beheaded a student at the academy, sire." The paladin announced.
"He… What?"
…
"Estelle!" Exclaimed Ophelia, shaking me as I was face down on the table.
"Huh?" I replied, dizzy from the alcohol.
"How many did you even have?" She asked.
**Hic**
"I only haaad one~"
"Sure…" She said, eyeing me and the glasses scattered atop the bar's counter.
"You know, a little alcohol isn't so little when you drink 9 glasses in a row, right?"
**Hic**
"Ehehe~"
"Don't you laugh at me, how am I supposed to get around without you helping me out?" She said, irritated but still tolerant.
"Jus- *Hic* oooone laaast drink~" I said, trying to catch the attention of the busy bartender.
**Plap**
Ophelia slapped my hand down.
"Nuh uh uh!" She gestured, sliding a glass of water towards me.
"Drink that. Sober up, there's still 2 more days you can go drinking." She argued.
**Sigh**
"Fine, fine." I drank the glass, lifting it and showing her that it was empty.
"Seriously, what am I going to do with you?" She leaned over the counter, her chin rested on her hand.
"Wha- What? Why are you looking at me like that?"
She's looking at me as if I had just hypnotized her.
"Nothing, just appreciating the gorgeous view." She said flirtatiously.
"Are you sure you're not the one who's drunk?" I replied, chuckling.
"My head's clearer than yours, that's for sure." She smiles.
Her comments hit the right spots. She had me blushing and everything.
"Did that sober you up?" She asked with a pompous smile.
"Just enough." I said, smiling back.
Ophelia had long been like this, she was witty, flirtatious, but she would always look out for me whenever I would go overboard, something that I've always appreciated. She was like my knight and shining armor.
"Ophelia, you like me don't you?" With drunken courage I asked.
She stumbled, clearly struck.
"I- Yeah, of course I like you. You're my friend afterall." She meekly replied, turning her head.
I leaned in closer, turning her head towards me with my finger, shocking her.
"You know that's not what I meant~" I don't know where this confidence came from, even with the alcohol, I knew I was being bold.
With my comment, she shifted nervously in her seat.
"So? Where'd all that spunk go?"
She blushed and started swaying shyly.
O' Ciceli, please protect this woman.