The Imperial capital: Zhenqi. It was a sprawling city situated in the central mountains of the continent. It was constructed after Hongwu conquered the continent 1000 years ago. It was built within an area that wasn't part of any of the conquered countries' former territory, the reason being to show that all conquered nations would now be equal under the rule of the new Emperor. Hence why the Empire was named after the continent itself rather than the state that conquered it.
Great General Tenjin and his army had arrived to report on his efforts to put down the rebellion in Gangwon to the Imperial Court. The city center was overseen by a massive palace, known as Blackwing Palace. The palace's exterior was made entirely of shimmering black marble with intricate carvings and designs throughout the structure. Though its size and designs were impressive. It didn't have many of the accoutrements that one would expect to see in an Imperial palace. There were no precious stones or gold or silver seen anywhere throughout the palace.
The interior was rather plain, and some areas of the palace were in disrepair, the walls in the throne room that once displayed the banners of the all the conquered kingdoms was far more spacious and empty compared to how they used to be. In some ways the palace mirrored the Empire itself. Fractured, crumbling, missing pieces, all together lacking its former greatness. In both cases, this state of affairs was not due to lack of funds or capable people to fix the problems (both in the palace and the Empire itself), but rather it due was a single man's selfish wish.
Great General Tenjin and Gaileo awaited their turn to speak with the Emperor to report the results of their battle. They had to wait as there were many other Generals and officials who were giving similar reports. The Empire was fighting many wars and dealing with many rebellions after all. When it was finally turn they entered the throne room and were presented to the Emperor.
"Next your majesty, Great General Tenjin and the Second Prince Gaileo Shukure." A court official announced.
"No you oaf! When discussing military affairs, he is to be simply referred to as "Deputy General." Is that clear?" A haggard and labored voice spat out.
"O-Of course sir my apologies!" The official replied nervously. "Ahem, now presenting Great General Tenjin and Deputy General Gaileo Shukure and their retinues. They are here to report on the siege of Gangwon."
The entourage came into the center of the throne room and they all bowed before the Emperor. All except one.
"Oh? Aren't you going to bow before your Emperor? Your father?" The withered voice said.
"You AREN'T my father." Gaileo replied sharply as he remained standing.
"How dare you? Don't you now what an honor it is to be called the son of the Emperor? Many would kill for that honor." A booming voice shouted out from behind the Emperor's throne.
The man shouting was Gerard LeFont, he was another of the 7 Great Generals of Arikasia. He was a large old man with blonde hair and beard. He wore shining purple armor, purple was the color of the Empire and purple armor was reserved only for the strongest Generals in the empire. Even among the 7 Great Generals there were only three who were allowed to wear purple armor.
"Ahaha! It's no problem LeFont. It's nothing new for this boy to act like a cheeky brat." The Emperor said.
The Emperor was an ancient looking man. He was so decrepit and emaciated that he looked almost like a corpse that had been sat on a throne. His skin was wrinkled and peeled, his fingernails blackened and unkempt, his eyes were so dim that they were practically completely white. Though despite his age, his hair remained as jet black as it was in his youth, and he wore exquisite robes of purple and black. Despite his feeble appearance he still had the presence and aura of the Emperor, his very name struck fear into men the world over.
His name was Hongwu Shukure, the very same man who conquered the continent 1000 years ago. Somehow he'd survived for 1000 years, he'd outlived sons, grandsons, and every other member of his family. Eventually he had lived so long that he had no more living heirs. So he adopted Gaileo and his two "brothers", they were three boys who showed potential. He decided to raise them with the hopes that one of them could develop into a warrior that would be worthy to inherit his Empire.
"So you've taken back Gangwon. So tell me, Great General Tenjin, why have you not presented the rebel commander's body to court so we can hang it from the city gates?" A member of the Imperial Court asked.
"Hohoho, it was actually the young lord who took the city. Me and my men didn't lift a finger. So, if you're curious about what happened during the siege I'd suggest directing your line of inquiry towards him." Tenjin said with his usual carefree attitude and twirling of his mustache.
This caused murmuring and whispers among the court.
"Him? The "Dud" Prince?"
"The useless second son?"
"That failure?"
"Did he really conquer Gangwon with only 15,000 men?"
So at the court's request, Gaileo recounted the events of the Siege of Gangwon. As he finished his report, the Emperor started cackling.
"Ahahaha! so let me get this straight. First, you ruined one of the 4 Great Walls of the continent that I worked so hard to have built. Then you charged a bunch of peasant soldiers and when you met some real warriors you lost almost half your men. And to top it off you managed to lose the rebel leader! I bet you were expecting a reward or a pat on the back or something?" He laughed.
As the Emperor started to laugh the rest of the court joined in. After all, if the Emperor was laughing then it was only natural for the groveling flatterers of the Imperial court to join in.
"Why are you all laughing? I'm allowed to laugh at my son, but where do you all find the nerve to laugh at the Emperor's son?" The Emperor said as he stopped laughing. His tone instantly become more serious and the room was filled with an oppressive aura that silenced the room immediately.
"You can't keep looking down on me like I'm some sort of child!" Gaileo howled as his own aura started to ignite and rage.