The echoes of the unified chant – "Long live Grand Prince Alexius! Long live Leo!" – faded into a suffocating silence within the Great Hall, a silence broken only by the ragged breathing of the survivors and wounded, fading moans of those beyond help. Alexius stood still in front of a lying headless corspe, the blood of Duke Valerius still warm on the sword now lying at his feet. fAnd all of the sudden,
[System Update: Completed.
Congratulation! You have officially become a sovereign of the nation. Although your nation is small among this enormous world it is a start point to step the conqueror path. Long Live Grand Prince Alexius! May the Gods Bless your noble path.
System updated to Principality System. You can access to details of the whole Principality and manage remotely. You can now have experience points and level up. By leveling up you can get skill points and allocate them to your status: such as strength, mana, stamina, aura etc…. Do your best in conquering the world. Good Luck!]
Strength? Mana? Aura? Level up? Michael Sano, the programmer, felt suprised and confused. This wasn't just a geopolitical simulator anymore; it had become into the realm of the fantastical powers he'd only read and dreamt about in his former world. A Principality System? Remote management? Experience points? He was, for a moment, utterly stunned, the foul smell of blood and death momentarily forgotten. This is a game chager.
Before develving deeper into the updates of the system, he forced his attention back to the present, to the terrified faces of the kneeling nobles. Tehy don't dare to move nor breath heavily. In fact, The fate of Duke Valerius could be their next.
"Rise, Noble Lords" Alexius commanded, cutting through the silent. Without futher ado, immediatley, the nobles got to their feet, their fine clothes stained and torn, their expressions a mixture of fear and awe.
"Captain Gregor," Alexius said, turning to the blood-spattered Sword Master. "Secure this hall. Separate the dead. The traitors who rose with Valerius will be given no honors. Their bodies are to be disposed of as befits their treason. Throw it into the Sea of forest, let monsters eat them Those nobles who fell victim to this treachery… they will be treated with respect. Ensure any Valerius loyalists still cowering in the palace or the city are apprehended immediately. If they resist, I order you to execute on the spot regardless of status. I want a full accounting by nightfall."
"As you command, Your Majesty!" Gregor bowed accepting the order. He and his men moved immediately.
Lord Chamberlain Astolfo, who had miraculously survived by fainting behind the dais at the first sign of trouble and had only just been revived, was babbling incoherently. Alexius fixed him with a cold stare. "Lord Chamberlain. Compose yourself. You will oversee the preparations for my father's state funeral. It will be swift, somber, and dignified. Following that, arrangements for my coronation will be made. It too will be austere. This is not a time for lavish celebration, but for mourning, reflection, and the embracing of a new era."
Astolfo, could only bow down in receving the royal command, his face pale as parchment and afraid this changed Prince's fury fall uon him.
Alexius then turned his gaze to the two most powerful nobles remaining: Duke Marius Thorne and Marquess Tiberius Varrus. Thorne was shocked, his usual stoicism shattered by the sheer brutality he had witnessed. Varrus, though wounded and leaning heavily on one of his men, met Alexius's eyes with a complex expression – shock,and respect.
"Duke Thorne," Alexius said. "Your initial support for the rightful succession, though… conditional, is noted. Leo needs stability in the East. See to your duties. Maintain the borders. Your counsel, when sought, will be heard." It was not an offer of partnership, but a command.
Thorne bowed low, lower than he likely ever had to Alexius's father. "Yes, Your Majesty. I serve Leo, its true Grand Prince Alexius and I will be a shield for the Principality." Alexius nod in approval and,
"Marquess Varrus," Alexius continued, "your decisive support in the Council was pivotal. Your wounds will be tended by the finest royal physicians. When you are recovered, I will have need of your military expertise. The armies of Leo are in dire need of reform. You will have a role to play, if you are willing."
Varrus inclined his head. "I live only to serve the Crown, Your Majesty. Leo's strength and safety is my only desire." replied with determination.
With the immediate directives given, Alexius addressed the remaining, terrified assembly. "What you have witnessed here today, is the end of an era. An era of weakness, of corruption, of nobles who believed their ambitions outweighed the needs of the common people and the security of this realm."
He gestured to the carnage. "Duke Valerius was a symptom of a infactious disease. That disease has been… now thoroughly treated. From this day forward, loyalty to the Crown will be absolute. Noble privilege will be a reward for service, not a shield for avarice or treason. The laws of Leo will apply to all, from the highest Duke to the lowest peasant, and I will be their ultimate enforcer. I the Grand Prince Alexius Demetrieo Leo is the sole judge for everyone's fate in this realm."
His gaze swept over them, each noblebow deeeper as it passed afariad to meet his gaze. "This Noble Council, in its current form, has served its purpose. This Council is dissolved. I will reorganize the government structure and this assembly. It will all be on my terms, whoever resist will be declare traitor and be execute for three generations. Now, go. Attend your wounds and mourn the deads. Remember on what has transpired here. And understand this: a new Leo has been born today from the ashes of the old. Serve it faithfully, or you too will become ash."
There was no resistance. The surviving nobles are terrified, each and everyone bow down deeply and began to flee from the Great Hall, their earlier arrogance and ambition replaced by a fear or newfound respect.
Later, in the quiet, blood-free sanctuary of his solar, he begin to check System's update. Elias had ensured the room was guarded, no one allowed near. Alone, Alexius focused his mind, and the new "Principality System" interface bloomed in his vision. It was far more complex, more detailed than before.
A status screen appeared, shimmering like heat haze:
[Name: Alexius Demetrios Leo]
[Title: Grand Prince of Leo]
[Level: 1 (0/1000 XP)]
[Status Points: 5]
[Attributes:
Strength: 8 (Physical power, melee impact. Average human: 10) – My physical capabilities are still subpar.
Stamina: 9 (Endurance, resistance to fatigue/illness. Average human: 10) – Barely average. The original Alexius was not one for exertion.
Agility: 11 (Dexterity, reflexes, speed. Average human: 10) – Slightly better. Perhaps from his riding and occasional fencing.
Intelligence: 14 (Learning, problem-solving, magical aptitude. Gifted human: 15) – Michael Sano's contribution, no doubt.
Willpower: 16 (Mental fortitude, focus, resistance to influence. Exceptional human: 18) – The will to survive, and perhaps the burden of rule, has forged this.
Mana: 7 (Capacity for magical energy. Untapped.) – The System noted: 'Raw potential for arcane arts. Requires study or innate awakening.'
Aura: 6 (Personal presence, leadership projection. Latent.) – System noted: 'Natural projection of authority. Can be developed to inspire loyalty or instill fear.']
He possessed 5 undistributed status points. With focused intent, he directed one point into Strength. A distinct, almost electrical warmth surged through his muscles, a tangible increase in his physical presence. It wasn't just a feeling; he felt undeniably stronger, his limbs more solid. He then pushed a point into Mana. A cool, clear stream seemed to awaken within his core, a nascent pool of energy he hadn't known existed. The sensation was subtle but exhilarating. He held back the remaining three points, a new sense of caution guiding him. These were precious resources.
Then, he delved into the 'Principality Management' tab. The interface expanded into a complex, multi-layered projection that seemed to hover before him, navigable by thought. It was like the most advanced strategic command console imaginable.
An Overall Dashboard presented itself first:
Principality Stability: 45% →62% (effect of coup's resolution).
Treasury (Gold Lions / Silver Stags): 12,500 GL / 88,000 SS (Critically Low). Monthly Deficit: -1,800 GL.
Food Security: 2.8 Months National Supply ( Winter approaching).
Military Readiness Index: 35% (Poor – Reflects depleted ducal levies and under-equipped Royal/City Guards).
National Morale: 45% (Low – Fear mixed with uncertainty).
He mentally swiped to the Population Tab:
Total Population: 483,277 (Decrease of ~3% due to recent noble deaths, ensuing chaos, and Valerius's purges before his arrival).
Regional Breakdown: Capital District (Aethelburg): 85,600. Thorne Duchy (East): ~150,000. Valerius Duchy (West - now Crown Controlled): ~130,000. Central League (Varrus aligned): ~70,000. Various Baronies/Knightdoms: Remainder.
Demographics: Children (0-15): 38%. Working Adults (16-50): 48%. Elderly (51+): 14%. Skilled Labor: 15% of working adults.
Public Order: Aethelburg (Green - Secure). Thorne Duchy (Yellow - Wary). Valerius Duchy (Red - Unstable/Resentful). Central League (Yellow - Cautiously Loyal).
Happiness Index: 3.2/10 (Overall populace is suffering).
The Military Tab was sobering:
Total Active Forces: 15000
(Royal Guard: 1000 [Elite/Loyal]. Capital City Guard: 3000 [Trained/Loyal]. Ducal Levies (Thorne): ~3000 [Loyal]. Valerius Levies: ~1000 [Disbanded/Leaderless - Potential for recruitment or rebellion], Marquess Varrus and allies levies 2000[Loyal] Other minor and major noble houses 5000[Loyal]).
Unit Quality: Displayed via color codes and descriptors for each unit.
Equipment Status: Royal Guard: 70% well-equipped. City Guard: 50%. Ducal Levies: 30%. Marquess levies 85% well-equipped Other minor and major noble houses levies 10% poorly equipped.
Commanders Captain Gregor (Skill: S-Rank Sword Master. Loyalty: Absolute). Key City Guard Commanders (Skill: B-C Rank. Loyalty:Absolute) . Duke Thorne (Skill: A-Rank Strategist. Loyalty: Moderate). Marquess Varrus (Skill: S-Rank Commander. Loyalty: High).
The Economy Tab painted a grim picture:
Taxation: Inefficient, widespread evasion in formerly Valerius-controlled areas. Multiple unauthorized ducal taxes. Primitive taxation system.
Key Resources: Grain (Deficit), Timber (Surplus), Iron Ore (Untapped Potential - Varrus Lands), Stone (Adequate), Fine Wool (Thorne Lands - Exportable).
Trade: Heavily disrupted. Kalian Empire (Hostile Embargo). Republics (Minimal, high tariffs). Southern Kingdoms (Predatory).
Corruption Index: 78/100 (Critically High – Siphoning estimated 40% of potential Crown revenue).
Finally, the Infrastructure Tab:
Roads: Major arteries: 60% Poor, 30% Fair, 10% Good (mostly around capital).
Fortifications: Border Forts (East/North): Deteriorating (60% require major repair). Valerius Castles (West): Well-maintained but now leaderless.
Key Buildings: Royal Granaries (Half-empty, some disrepair). Port of Aethelburg (Underutilized, requires dredging) no navy currently.
This flood of quantifiable data was staggering. Before, he had impressions, whispers, Elias's reports. Now, he had cold, hard facts, a diagnostic of his dying nation. The term "manage remotely" seemed to imply he could issue directives through this System, perhaps adjust tax rates or allocate resources with a thought, though he sensed there would be limitations, consequences, and a need for loyal agents on the ground to enact his will.
The brutal necessity of the massacre in the Great Hall still left a bitter taste, a cold knot in his gut where Michael Sano's conscience perhaps still flickered. But the sheer potential of this new System, this path to tangible power not just politically but personally, was intoxicating. The "conqueror path" the System had mentioned… it no longer seemed like a distant, abstract goal. It felt like a destiny he could actively forge.
He had cut out the cancer of Valerius. The cost had been horrific, a spectacle of blood and fear that would forever stain his ascension to soverign path. But from it, he had gained absolute authority, and now, tools that could reshape his own capabilities and his entire realm.
His gaze on the Principality map within the System brighten, focusing on the red threat icons pulsing along the northern border—which represent the monster outbreak getting nearer and nearer to his border where Duke Thorne guarded. Food security was critical, and the northern farmlands were vulnerable. That was the first, immediate crisis he needed to address. With his new authority, his loyal (if terrified) nobles, and the power of the System, perhaps he could do more than just react. Perhaps he could strike.
And Alexius, armed with a bloody crown and a System of unimaginable power, was finally ready to play.
(Continue…..)