"Aaron?" Leo, the first to come in contact with Aaron, questioned. His voice carried a mix of surprise and curiosity, his eyes widening as he took in the changed figure before him in the grand hall of the castle.
"What’s the matter?" Aaron asked, confused by the lost look on Leo’s face. He tilted his head slightly, the polished marble floor reflecting the soft mana lights overhead, the air thick with the scent of incense and polished stone.
"What the hell happened to you, man? You look different," Leo exclaimed, staring at Aaron with envy. His gaze traced Aaron’s matured features and long white hair, a pang of jealousy hitting him like an unexpected status debuff in this reincarnated world.
"Don’t give me that look," Aaron scowled, his brow furrowing, the envy in Leo’s eyes making him uncomfortable, as if he were on display in his own empire.
"My lord. Where have you been?" Alice asked, her voice soft but laced with concern, stepping forward with graceful poise, her dress rustling like a whisper in the hall.
"Lord?" Aaron asked, unable to follow through with the honorary. The word felt foreign on his tongue, a title that clashed with his casual self, his mind racing to catch up with the changes around him.
"You should get used to it, Your Grace. You have to start working the part of the emperor. Your new looks are helping in that department. Thanks to the Codex, we have been able to stabilize the empire, even with your absence. But now that you are back, there’s a lot to catch up on," Blade informed Aaron, bowing humbly. His posture was respectful, his armor gleaming under the lights, a testament to his new role’s demands.
"Oh, and Duke Leo, merit points will be deducted from you for disrespecting the emperor," Blade informed, his tone firm but neutral, glancing at Leo with a hint of reproach.
"What’s going on here? Care to explain? And I’m pretty sure I made Leo into my adviser and not the duke," Aaron was totally lost. His mind reeled, the familiar castle hall feeling alien with these shifts, the throne’s distant shadow looming like a reminder of his responsibilities.
"Well, thanks to the Codex, some positions were re-evaluated. Please to the courtroom so you can be brought to speed," Isobel said, her voice steady, gesturing toward the grand doors with a confident nod.
"Okay. I would love that. And the others?"
"Waiting already in the courtroom," Blade replied dutifully, his bow deepening slightly before he straightened, ready to lead.
"Alright then. Let’s go," Aaron instructed, strolling coolly toward his castle. His steps echoed through the corridors, the stone walls adorned with banners bearing Athanys’ sigil, a sense of authority settling on him despite his confusion.
"So? Someone fill me in," Aaron asked, tapping his hand on the arm of his throne, Alice and Rose sitting by his sides. The courtroom was majestic, high ceilings arched with mana crystals that cast a soft glow, the air filled with the faint hum of the empire’s new order, his throne a symbol of his growing power.
"With the Codex, we were able to create a better structure based on merit. Roles were also assigned based on competitiveness. Empress Alice ruled in your absence. Duke Leo was stripped from his role as special advisor for failing in his duty. Blade, after proving himself, was appointed to be your advisor, doing splendidly well in his assigned role," a new face to Aaron, Elena, explained. Her voice was clear and precise, her robes marking her as a court official, her eyes meeting Aaron’s with respect.
From her explanations, Aaron realized that some changes occurred during his absence. The Codex had restructured everything, merit points recalculating positions like a system update, the empire evolving in his sleep.
Isobel retained her role as archduke which could only be changed by the emperor as well as Michael. Their positions were secure, anchored by the Codex’s rules, a foundation for stability in this immortal realm.
Isobel remained the archduke. But unlike Aaron’s decision of making her in charge of the army, the military force of the empire was spread evenly amongst the current two archdukes, with provision made to evenly spread it when the third archduke. The balance was designed to prevent power concentration, a smart safeguard against rot in an eternal empire.
After much deliberation, three houses for the archdukes were created with three distinct purposes and goals. The structure was ingenious, a web of duties that wove the empire together like a lucky draw system optimizing stats.
House Valedor – Arch Duke of Dominion (Order & Authority) -
Eternal Name: The Crown of Silent Fang
Code: "By Fang and Law, the Eternal Throne Stands."
Symbol: A wolf crowned with thorns, scales of judgment hanging from its fangs.
Oversees laws, justice, and hierarchy within the sanctuary.
Serves as the Emperor’s hand in maintaining divine order—settling disputes, ensuring loyalty, and regulating noble influence.
Symbolizes the unyielding stability of Athanys, preventing decadence in paradise.
Duke of Chains – Binder of Oaths
Duty: Keeper of eternal vows; seals contracts in blood, ensures none escape their word.
Symbol: A pair of shackled fangs encircling a blazing sigil. Follow current novels on N0v3l.Fiɾe.net
Code: "None Escape the Bond."
Duke of Blades – Executor of Judgment
Duty: Hand of punishment; carries out final decrees when laws are broken.
Symbol: A fang-pierced sword balanced upon a crimson moon.
Code: "Judgment is the Final Fang."
House Aurethiel – Arch Duke of Providence (Prosperity & Advancement)
Eternal Name: The Chalice of the First Dawn
Code : "We Drink, We Endure, We Create."
Symbol: A gilded chalice overflowing with liquid light, from which rises a tree with roots dripping crimson.
Responsible for the flow of knowledge, art, and innovation—ensuring Athanys does not stagnate in luxury.
Guards the secrets of creation within the sanctuary (forbidden research, relic archives, mystical libraries).
Embodies the forward gaze of the empire, making paradise not just eternal, but ever-growing.
Duke of Ink – Curator of Memory
Duty: Guardian of records, memories, and forbidden texts; ensures knowledge never perishes.
Symbol: An open tome spilling ink that turns into rivers of blood.
Code: "Nothing Forgotten, Nothing Lost."
Duke of Flame – Patron of Creation
Duty: Oversees artistry, invention, and sacred crafts that keep paradise flourishing.
Symbol: A hammer striking a chalice, sparks turning into blooming roses.
Code: "From Flame, All Is Made."