Chapter 55: Crown of the Empire (Volas)

There is nothing I can do to shake away that odd feeling. It is here on that marble floor where I became a General of the Cinaris Army. It is here where my knees were soaked in the blood of my peers because they couldn’t prevent the fall of the South. Their failures, their responsibilities, and our people’s hope are now weighing on my shoulders.
A simple room, beautiful like anything in the palace, but so simple. I suppose I am used to the decor. No longer am I in awe of the gold trims, the green marble sculptures, or the throne of our Empire. This room is just like any other. The blood is gone, washed away, so no one can suspect the executions of what might be a few hundred officers took place.
Yet, despite it all. It’s cold. Detached from everything. Maybe it is the weather giving me this gloomy feeling, perhaps I am tired of this war. The snow that falls onto the window only to slide down like a pathetic raindrop. I relate to it. It is off-putting to relate to something so inefficient. Yet for some reason, I find myself just one of many people. It just so happens that I am running this whole operation. This isn’t one of those days, but I recognise more often that I am a piece of snow hitting the hard glass. Sometimes being noticed, but rarely getting the attention I need.
I can’t help but feel alone in a palace of servants, members of high society, and some of the greatest military minds in the Empire. Huson is a good friend; he keeps me company from time to time. But his absence when he spends his time with Jack makes me sink into a deep isolation. Olivia sticks around, but she doesn’t offer the friendship or mutual understanding of the situation that a peer or comrade offers. Deep down, my heart yearns for familiar company again. All of this makes me wish Hannah were still here. Even if I find someone, I also doubt they can really know what I have to go through or understand the person I have to be to get what is needed for us to survive.
The hard clicks and claps of high heels echo in the room. Empress Rebecca smiles at me, wearing a dress of silver and lapis blue. She stands before me, looking out of the window. It’s strange to see her alone and without an escort following her. But seeing her form and her as she stands, I doubt she has anything to worry about me. I suppose I should be honoured, yet that doesn’t stop the doubt from eating away at me.
‘Bold, to ask me what you want in person.’ She says to me in a stern voice. Seems like the Empress isn’t impressed with a formal letter to investigate the Dragon Master.
‘Someone has to look into it, my lord. When our home is under threat, everyone needs to take up arms without exception.’ I respond automatically, the words not feeling like my own. It just comes out as a pre-prepared script, my body being a puppet to regurgitate those words.
Rebecca smiles, not as the typical smile she gives to all of her subjects as a way to acknowledge what they said. But a smile that is almost warm, honest even. Like she appreciates something I said.
‘No need to be formal with me, Volas. I believe we are secluded enough to speak our minds.’ She turns to examine my confused expression before continuing. ‘Tell me, Volas. Why do you want to go there? What are you trying to find?’
I gulp, taken aback by her question. ‘I want him to prove that he isn’t holding back imperial resources when we are at war against the Dogs. If he is, justice must be served, and I, as well as the other military leaders, will vote on his replacement.’
Seconds pass while she examines my words. Digesting them to find any holes in my logic, or maybe to see if my reasons have grounds.
‘I understand,’ she says, her expression softening, followed by a satisfied nod. ‘I just hope you find anything sufficient enough to help you.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘It’s a bit late to tell you,’ she mumbles. ‘Usually, people go behind my back for this sort of thing. Organising investigations on their peers to find any foul play, it is rare to see a subject go to me for permission.’
‘Is that a bad thing?’ I ask.
‘I am speaking from experience, Volas.’ She tells me, her voice stern and to the point. Like she wants me to pay attention to what she has to say next. No matter how cryptic it is. ‘You are already aware of the political game, who to talk to, who to be friends with, who is your enemy.’ Rebecca lets out a soft chuckle. ‘But you, you have faith in the people around you. You rarely lie; you don’t hide behind a mask. It’s refreshing to see and stand alongside someone honest.’
‘I have no purpose to lie. There is no point in dishonesty when we are staring down at the possibility of defeat. I am here to do my job, not to make friends.’
‘Even if it makes you stand out from other leaders.’ Rebecca comments nonchalantly, ‘but I want to know, what is the war looking like now? Give me the details.’
I straighten my back to rehearse the summarised version of a series of reports. ‘The eastern front is being bolstered and entrenched after the Dogs' defeat and retreat from the area. I have that area in the defensive position until I can fully mount a counteroffensive. The western front is going well, Dragon River is being held by the Pretorian Guard, and they are pushing back the Dogs. Our south is holding the line as expected, and they are encountering fewer and fewer Dog forces. The Dogs have taken a few towns and cities and two mines; they have also reinforced their ranks. However, I believe we can turn this war around.’
‘But…’
‘But I need the Dragon Fleet,’ I continue. ‘I want to ensure a swift victory at the western front and to prepare the southern front to push them back to encircle the Dog forces of the east. I want to win this war with as few casualties as possible. Hence why I demand an investigation.’
Rebecca gives me a nod before looking away. ‘And this, Marak. You know him?’
‘I crossed paths with him, but I don’t know him in person, no.’ A strange question to ask. I’m not sure why she expects me to know the enemy leader.
‘What do you think of him?’
‘He is a dangerous man and…’
‘I don’t care about the mutt’s achievements.’ She swiftly cuts me off in a modest tone. ‘I ask what you think of him. You are repeating what you know of him, which everyone on this island already shares the same opinion. He slaughtered his way to take the South and he made a mockery of my army. There is no need to be redundant with the facts.’
I raise a brow, unsure what she means. ‘I… I suppose he is terrifying. In a way, I respect him. No one has pushed us like he has.’
‘He is,’ Rebecca glances at me before turning back to face the open garden covered in snow. ‘He and I are not that much different. We are both faces of the flags that fly behind us. Both of us carry the responsibilities of our nations and its ideals, regardless of our involvement. However, we have our differences. Marak is far more involved in his cause than I can ever imagine being.’
‘I’m sorry, I’m not sure I follow.’
She chuckles, ‘not yet, Volas. Just know that you are too young to be a General.’
‘Do you regret giving me the position?’ I ask.
From her tone and how she is framing her words, I have a feeling she is trying to say something. Or at least, speaking down at me about how the war is going without coming off as rude. I don’t blame her. From where I stand, this entire war is a shitshow.
‘Sometimes I do.’ She bluntly admits with a slight grin. ‘A young man taking up the highest position in the military, making changes and pushing for support is not ideal. You lack key experiences. Knowledge that can help you. But from what I saw, what I have observed. You make do with what you have.’ She takes a deep breath before she continues. ‘A brilliant Commander, but not a General, certainly not a politician.’
‘I am trained to fight, not to talk to oligarchs.’ I remark.
‘A Commander fights, a General negotiates with those oligarchs to get the resources they need. I also understand that a soldier was taught to lead, not just pick up a blade and kill the enemies of the Empire.’ Rebecca sharply says to me with her arms behind her back. I can tell she wants to say more, but she stops herself from continuing. ‘Don’t joke about the game of politics, Volas. Not when your words and ideas carry with them unintended consequences. Trust me when I say this, and hold my advice to heart. But changes don’t happen in a vacuum and they often exist because of death. And the dead are not easy to forget, especially if they weigh heavy on you.’
With nothing to add, I gave her a nod of acknowledgement. I don’t think it is wise to extend my stay with her. ‘Understood.’
‘That is good to hear, General Regali.’ She replies, reverting to her usual stern tone fit for an Empress. ‘I suggest you head to the webgate connecting to Thatic. The sooner you finish the investigation, the better.’
‘I won’t waste a single second, your highness.’ I respond while bowing to the Empress. ‘May the Gods bless you.’
‘May the Gods guide you, General Regali. For you need it more than I.’