"The Borders - Defended. The Immortal Soul - Extinguished. The Holy City - Reclaimed. Everyone is welcome to the Holy City. Rebuilding will begin soon; the regions are now ours and secured. Whoever wishes to come - come. We do not have everything, but we promise you this: The City will be rebuilt, the Silver Legions will flow, and we will reclaim the Great Wall. May the celebrations begin and may the scale of justice always tip in your favour!"
"HURRAY! HURRAY! HURRAY!"
"AURELIAN IS BACK! AURELIAN IS BACK! THE GREAT WALL WILL BE RECLAIMED!"
Massive cheers resumed all over the Empire. Aurelian and Aurelia waved their hands at everyone, and the Imperial Announcement ended, leaving every city, town and village to celebrate.
Priests, soldiers, builders, businessmen - they all prayed as they started preparing one by one. There were plenty of safe passages, and soon millions of people would flood the city, participating in its restoration.
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The Aurelians walked side by side with the Emperor and Empress. Behind them was a massive line of soldiers, as everyone was now entering the city.
It took them quite some walking until they arrived in front of the Palace, but they did, eventually. It was from here on that the guards would assume their duty, while only the officials and high-ranking members would enter.
Aurelian and his fiancée were in the throne room; it looked dusty and unkempt, as it had remained such for years. Behind them, their relatives were conversing, while the doors were closed. Only family members were allowed now, not by tradition, but per their wishes.
"So, why don't you sit?" The Emperor asked as he pointed towards the throne. He even dusted it off himself.
"It is just a chair. Plus, you are the Emperor, uncle. You sit on it." Aurelion said as he smiled, his words shocking the Emperor.
"You truly are not greedy for power. Yet it is that mentality that brought you here. What do you think about the throne and rulers?" The Emperor's face changed as he was now Alaric Dane, and then he turned back to his real appearance. He was teasing Aurelion.
"Hehe... The throne and the rulers, you say... Well, uncle, I have a few better questions, to which I will answer you myself - What makes a ruler a true monarch? Is one a Ruler because he sits on a throne, or is a normal chair a throne because a ruler sits in it? It seems to me that you know the answers yourself, so I will refrain and just listen," Aurelian said as he pointed towards an old, dusty chair and compared it with the throne.
"Truly, you are wise, son-in-law. It is not the throne that makes one a ruler; it is the ruler that makes a chair into a throne. Whether I sit here or there, I will be the emperor, and every chair will be my throne. Sadly, not every ancestor of mine understood these principles. Power changes people. I understand now why the Goddess chose you. Severin told me; however, now I can see and understand it myself. I am proud of you; you have come far. Thank you for not dying." The conversation was interesting, and their relatives were listening to them. It was obvious that the Emperor and the new Archduke had a very good relationship.
Archdukes were on a level that could change the throne of the Empire, quite a few times more important than normal Dukes. It was why some ministers and officials of the court preferred it when there were no Archdukes most of the time, yet it appeared that there would be no reason to worry in this century about any political storms.
"So, uncle, what will you do now? I would prefer it if you stayed. Whether you are in the capital or here, I believe Leeroy Jenkins will soon unseal the whole Holy Mirror. It will not make a difference anymore." Aurelion asked as he seemed reluctant to part with his uncle, the Emperor, as well as everyone else here.
"It is father-in-law now. I will go back to the capital, in name. I will remain here for quite some time. Have you two picked a wedding date?" Alexander corrected him as he looked towards Aurelia and Aurelion. His daughter was blushing as she shook her head - the date had not been set.
"Well, it will be soon. I would like for the city to be restored before we marry. I can't have a princess living in ruins...but first, a baptism must be held here." Aurelion smiled as he pointed towards the now sleeping Axel in Louis's hands.
"Father, Godfather...you will remain here with me, correct? Godmother, mother, you too, right? Uncle Thomas? Dain? We have not yet restored the city, but I will make sure that living quarters are soon established." Aurelion looked towards his relatives, who were now smiling towards him.
"Aurelion. We are all staying here. It is no big deal if the city is in ruins. That's why we are family, to build things together. Don't be asking silly questions like that from now on. Everyone will be by your side." Thomas stepped up and spoke for everyone, as they just smiled and nodded. There was a lot to be said, yet also nothing. The feeling and happiness of relief had tired them; a period of peace was coming, and family should stick together.
Aurelia stepped forward then, whispering something in his ear and causing him to laugh as he looked towards the Emperor.
"Father-in-law, come with me!" Aurelion led the way as they headed towards what was once a glorious garden. There was nothing but dirt and ruins, but it was massive as it led towards the mountain forest.
The Emperor looked amused, but he followed Aurelion at a fast pace. He was a Master; he could probably move faster than the eye could notice. Eventually, the sound of flowing water was heard. It was unknown when Leeroy had come, but he was next to Alexander now, smiling as he was expecting something as well.
"So, father-in-law, I have a confession to make, you see..." Aurelion said as he led the way towards the gushing water. A light spring was revealed, and there were some wild bushes around. Greenery was abundant here now.
"Feel free to confess then; it's your day today..." Alexander smiled wryly; he did not know what to expect.
"See, I sinned twice against you. The first day I saw you, I was a Page for the Marshal, and you were fishing, so I called you a fisherman in front of your guards. I learned that it was more than just a hobby, and someone told me that you have no fishing pole now..."
A silver roc flew above them, as it dropped a ball of silver, not just any silver - Living Silver. It was something that could only be found on Mount Aire, and only the most skilled dwarves and Aurelian himself could forge it into a magical treasure.
Aurelian caught the glowing silver ball and fiddled with it. In his hands, it was woven and woven all over again, until a beautiful silver fishing pole was in sight. It looked simple, but it was far from that. He passed it towards the Emperor, causing him to smile as he stroked the fishing pole gently. It was now his favourite object, but his smile now faded away as he asked with expectancy, "What is the other sin?" Leeroy Jenkins was also looking at him, expecting to hear it.
"See, there was this event ', Maker's Night,' and I went there in disguise. Long story short, I met two lads who work for Uncle Leeroy, and I used your name - Alaric Dane. They don't seem to be that much of big wigs, but I thought you should know..." Aurelian said as the Emperor and Leeroy Jenkins looked at him before bursting into a laugh.
"During your time there, young Aurelion, did you say something like 'You could fall in love with an orangutan'?" Leeroy Jenkins asked as he was laughing, causing Aurelion's face to twitch.
"I've been had, it seems. There is plenty of fish here, father-in-law, however there is also plenty of Living Silver. Tell me, what is it that needs to be forged?" The Emperor pondered for a bit; however, Leeroy Jenkins was the first to speak up.
"Aurelion! I want a wand! Armour as well!"
"Actually, son-in-law, remember that armour I gave you? I will make a short list for you..."