Chapter 16
Back at the Imperial Palace, Empress Mirian Althanis sat atop her gilded throne, her crimson robes pooling around her like liquid fire. A long procession of nobles, governors, and other would-be sycophants lined up before her, droning on about land disputes, trade routes, and tax exemptions.
One by one, they pleaded their cases. One by one, she either offered a crisp, decisive solution—or, when they annoyed her, a curt wave of dismissal.
Mirian leaned slightly on her throne's armrest, resting her cheek against her knuckles as her ruby-red eyes drifted lazily across the chamber. how many of these worms still think they can sway me with cheap flattery, in order to get what they want?
It was all a tedious affair. But, with her impending absence from court looming, Mirian knew she had to clear the backlog before she disappeared for "personal training"—an excuse only a handful of her closest advisors truly understood.
Finally, the last simpering noble bowed and scurried off. Mirian exhaled deeply, resisting the urge to tear off her crown and fling it across the room. Instead, she rose gracefully from her throne and descended the stairs.
The moment she reached the grand hallway, her personal attendant, Julie, was there to meet her—dressed sharply in her usual butler uniform, posture rigid with nervous energy.
"Julie," Mirian said with a tired sigh. "Please tell me it's nothing important."
Julie bowed deeply and handed her a sealed scroll. "Your Majesty… the man you requested arrived earlier this morning. Along with his party."
Mirian's eyes lit up with excitement. "Finally! Where are they? Bring them to my office immediately!"
Julie stiffened. "They… left, Your Majesty."
Mirian's lips pursed into a sharp line. "Left?" Her voice lowered into a growl. "Why?"
"They… waited a long time without being seen. I informed them you were busy and would be with them shortly, but…" Julie trailed off, head bowed, trembling slightly.
Mirian pinched the bridge of her nose, exhaling sharply. Of all days…
"It's not your fault," she said eventually. "I underestimated how tedious today's council would be." She straightened, rolling her shoulders to work out the kinks. "Fine. I'll go find them myself."
Julie's eyes widened. "Y-Your Majesty! That's highly improper—you can't just wander the streets unguarded!"
Mirian laughed, an easy, musical sound. "Julie. Who in this city could possibly pose a threat to me?" She glanced down at her royal garb and frowned. "Though… you're right about one thing. I can't exactly go parading around in this."
"Then at least allow me to acompany you, your majesty." Julie pleaded
She turned on her heel. "Meet me in my chambers. Ten minutes. Wear something casual."
Julie bowed hurriedly and scurried off, heart pounding.
⸻
Ten Minutes Later
Mirian peeled off her royal dress, exchanged her giant sword for a simpler dagger tucked into her thigh strap, and donned a fitted tunic, leather breeches, and a heavy traveler's cloak. She tied her hair up in a loose braid and pulled the hood low to conceal her face.
Julie knocked once and slipped inside. She wore a modest dress with a ribbon in her hair—a far cry from her formal butler attire.
"You ready, Julie?"
"Yes, your majesty."
"Dont call me that once we get outside, Ms.Ria will do."
"As you wish your maje- Ms.Ria."
Mirian grinned. "Perfect. Let's go."
⸻
They descended into the city, weaving through the bustling twilight streets of the Capitol. Colorful lights strung between buildings illuminated the cobbled roads, while vendors hawked roasted meats, sweet breads, and glittering trinkets.
They stopped at several stalls, asking about Basil's group. At first, they found nothing—until they spoke with a food cart owner closing for the night.
"Oh, those folks?" the man said, wiping his hands on a greasy cloth. "Yeah, they stopped by earlier. Bought some stew. One of them—brown-haired fella—wandered off on his own. The others went toward the inns."
"Perfect! Thank you, and here for your troubles." Mirian placed a sack of GC in his hand roughly around 5,000 coins.
"Ah! Thank you kind miss, your to gratious!" the shop keeper said while looking inside the bag full of coin.
"We head toward the inns, then," she said, determination flashing in her eyes.
Mirian turned and left "Julie, wheres the closest inn?"
"By the library around the corner." she responded
"Perfect lets go!"
Julie nodded, hustling to keep up.
⸻
Meanwhile, on the streets…
Basil strolled back toward the inn, hands tucked into his pockets, humming softly. His mind was relaxed, his senses heightened by the mana circulating in his body. He caught movement out of the corner of his eye.
A man, cloaked and hunched, was creeping up behind two women.
Within a split second Basik thought of what to do but couldn't act! The man rushed the women.
Dammit, they're too far!
"Behind you!" Basil shouted.
Mirian heard him, but she didn't need the warning. In one fluid motion, she sidestepped, grabbed the attacker's wrist, and slammed him to the ground with a loud thud. Pinning his arms behind his back.
"Who are you?" she demanded coldly, twisting his arm behind his back.
"Just a poor beggar, miss! I swear!" the man cried out.
Mirian narrowed her eyes. His clothes were filthy, and he smelled like rotting fish. But… something's not right.
She hesitated for a second too long.
The man scooped a handful of mud from the ground and hurled it into her face.
"Ha! You'll never catch me, you uptight whore!" he screeched, taking off into the night.
Mirian stood frozen, her face dripping with muck, fists clenched.
Basil sprinted up to them, laughing under his breath. "You alright? I can chase him down if you want."
"No need," Mirian growled, taking the handkerchief Basil offered and trying to wipe her face. It only smeared the mud worse.
Basil chuckled and, without hesitation, reached forward, cupping her chin in his hand as he gently wiped the mud from her lips and cheek.
"There," he said warmly. "Now you're perfect again."
Julie watched in horror, her soul nearly leaving her body. He touched her… he touched her face… he touched the EMPRESS'S FACE!
Mirian froze. For a brief moment, under the pale moonlight, she saw Basil's face clearly: rugged, confident, handsome in a way that was somehow both mischievous and kind.
Her heart skipped a beat.
"I'm Ria, its a pleasure to meet you." she stammered, forcing a smile.
Basil laughed. "Basileus. Pleasure's all mine."
He gave a playful salute and strolled off inside the inn, whistling. "Welp y'all have a good night!"
Julie stared at Mirian, aghast. "Ms.Ria… um that was him."
Mirian blinked. "What?"
"That was Basileus! The man who came here to teach you."
Mirian's face turned crimson. She glanced after Basil's retreating figure. Did he… did he just treat me like a normal girl? "Do you think he thought I was weird?"
Julie, seeing the confusion and strange giddiness crossing the Empress's face, stood there star struck that the empress could even act that way. The cold blooded killed who killed both her brothers and countless people while claiming her empire is now embarrassed to the point her face is as red as her hair.
"Your makejsty if he did Id have his head cut off." Julie responded coldly. Still remembering how Basil put his hands all over the empress.
"Ah- no, nevermind. Lets just go back we know where they are now so well just send for them in the morning." hopefully he forgets what I look like and I can just forget this ever happened.
The two headed back to the Imperial Palace, and the encounter played over and over in mirians head as she walked back.
⸻
Basil returned to the inn to find that his party had gotten 2 rooms. Laces master plan to share a room with Gyra, but Adian quickly spoiled it by claiming dibs on the second bed in Laces room before Lace could even ask Gyra to room with him. Gyra had claimed one of the two beds in the second room and went to sleep figuring Basil wouldn't be back tell late.
He flopped into the second bed, hands behind his head, staring at the wooden ceiling.
So that was Empress Mirian Althanis, huh? Level 146… Stronger than any one I've ever meet. Back before I got locked away no one was even past level 70. Times sure have changed!
Basil had scanned both their stats the moment he walked up to them, Julie was average, level 63 and nothing special about any of her skills. Mirian was level 146, with skills that could wipe an entire battlefield and a strength stat so high she could have ripped that guy in half like tearing a piece of paper.
Despite the rumors of cruelty and ruthlessness surrounding her, she had seemed… genuine. Her laughter had been real, and oh man that smile would make any normal person fall in love with her on the spot. Maybe she's not the tyrant everyone makes her out to be. Basil thought to himself before closing his eyes and meditating.
⸻
Morning
BANG! BANG! BANG!
Gyra groggily rolled out of bed and opened the door. Julie stood outside, flanked by two imperial guards, looking stone cold.
"Apologies for the early disturbance," she said. "Her Majesty requests your presence at the palace."
Julie's eyes darted past Gyra to where Basil stretched lazily, shirtless, revealing his scarred, perfectly sculpted body.
She flushed beet red. "Ah—I'll give you a moment to… ahem… compose yourselves." Not because she saw Basil shirtless but because she could only see his bed and assumed him and Gyra slept together.
Gyra slowly closed the door shut, face burning.
"Put a damn shirt on, Basil!" she hissed, tossing his tunic at him.
"What's the big deal?" Basil yawned. "It's comfy."
Downstairs, Lace and Adian waited, fully armored and ready. Julie explained the situation, bowing profusely to Basil.
"Relax," he said, chuckling. "It's water under the bridge."
They followed her to the palace, entering through the grand halls lined with banners of conquest and legacy. Bringing them to the entrance of the throne room.
Julie reminded all of them about what to do and how to properly greet the empress. "Right, now if you'll excuse me I have other matters to attend to. Her majesty waits for you beyond those doors. Goodbye!"
⸻
Throne Room
The doors opened with a grand creak.
There she was—Empress Mirian Althanis—seated on her opulent throne, bathed in light from the stained-glass ceiling above.
She wore a black and gold, military-style dress that exposed her chest in a daring, provocative cut. Gold shoulder pads adorned her shoulders, each trimmed with golden tassels that cascaded elegantly down her arms. The bodice of her dress featured intricate golden designs, shaped like flames rising from her waist to the upper curve of her chest, the fine, precise lines accentuating the dramatic hourglass of her figure. She wore golden armbands that wrapped from her wrists to her forearms, and a skiny golden necklace centered with a brilliant purple gem that caught the light whenever she moved.
Her crown, forged entirely of pure gold, twisted into a thorn-like design, set with alternating ruby-red and magenta-purple gems that glinted like embers. She sat upon her throne with regal posture, both hands resting firmly on the armrests, one leg crossed over the other, surveying the room below her with sparkling, crimson eyes.
Her hair was a vivid, luscious red, cascading down her back in smooth waves, with a single braid running from above each ear and weaving together at the back of her head. Her expression was a striking blend of scorn and curiosity—the arch of her fine black eyebrows and the flicker in her long, dark lashes conveyed her intrigue, while her plush, red-painted lips were set in a faint scowl.
Her crimson eyes locked onto Basil as he walked to the edge of the bottom of the stairs.
Basil knelt first, wow I couldn't really tell last night but, she really is a beauty. On par with the goddesses id say.
The others knelt as well a few feet behind basil.
"My name is Basileus Narciss, and I greet her majesty, Empress Mirian Althanis of the Althanis Empire."
A faint, amused smile tugged at Mirian's lips.
[]
End of chapter notes:
Stats Window:
- Name: Basileus Narciss
- Age: 22 (639)
- Level: 75
- Job: Eldritch knight
- Title: Goddess's Guardian
- HP: 200/200
- Mana: 33,000/33,000
- STR: 205
- VIT: 80
- INT: 170
- AGI: 112
- PER: 60
- XP to Next Level: 25,300/30,000
- stat points available: 0
- Skill Points Available: 0
Skills Window:
Basic:
- Innocence (F)
- The King (A)
- Swordsmanship (S)
- Mana Control (SSS)
- Charisma (F)
- Crafting (B)
- Longsword Mastery (S)
- Mana Manipulation (F)
- Rune Knowledge (B)
- Healing (C)
- Scholar (A)
- Mana Vision I Guess (C)
- phantom step (E)
- mana slash (D)
- Earth spike (B)
- body reinforcement (D)
- Kneel (F)
- nova bomb (A)
- Mana regeneration (S+)
- poison resistance (E)
- GO AWAY CAN'T YOU TELL I'M BUSY' (A)
Unique:
- Immortality (EX)
- Oversight View (EX)
- Haggle (SS)
- Misfortune (D)
Inventory
- HP Potions x1997
- MP Potions x2000
- Winter Clothes (B)
- Summer Clothes (B)
- bread x100
- jerky x100
- piece of Tess (Removed)
- piece of Rob (Removed)
- piece of Lark (Removed)
- abomination horn x10 (S+)
- jagged dagger (?)
- mana sword (?)
Gold: 60,504
GC: 4,800
Rias stats
Stats Window:
- Name: Mirian Althanis
- Age: 26
- Level: 146
- Job: Reaper (S+)
- Title: Mirian the ruthless
- HP: 700/700
- Mana: 1,000/1,000
- STR: 612
- VIT: 400
- INT: 225
- AGI: 180
- PER: 135
Skills Window:**
Basic:
Soul Siphon (S+)
Cleave (A)
Dash (A)
Rulers Aura (A)
Self Heal (A)
Swordsmanship (S)
Broad sword mastery (A)
Aura blade (B)
Strengthen (C)
Wraith Armor (S)
Blades of Harvest (S+)
Etc.
The rest are b Rank and below that are not important.
Julie is a short woman with average looks blonde hair and blue eyes. Wears a butler uniform during work hours but like pretty things so she only has dresses when she goes out that all she wears. She lives in the palace along with the other maids and butlers but is the leader of them all. She holds the empress to a high standard admiring her deeply and see her as a goddess.
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