Morning.
The air was cold. A thin wisp of steam curled up from the coffee cup in my hand. Warm.
Before me, a golf course stretched out, its grass a perfect, dew-kissed green. The sun had just begun to rise, painting an orange streak across the horizon.
I sipped my coffee. Bitter. Warm.
"Emma."
My voice came out hoarse.
"Yes, My Lord."
She was standing behind me. I could feel her presence, like a shadow.
"Sit," I said.
A chair was pulled out soundlessly. She sat across from me. I didn't look at her; I just kept my eyes on the golf course.
Silence. Only the soft whisper of the wind.
"What do you think?" I asked, finally turning to her.
"About what, My Lord?"
"This view." I let my gaze drift back to the golf course.
Emma thought for a moment, her eyes also taking in the expanse of green grass before them.
"It's very beautiful, My Lord," she answered.
I took another sip of coffee, feeling its warmth and a hint of bitterness.
"I see."
I paused for a moment.
"Emma."
"Yes?"
"After we have control of Japan, what if we create our own nation?"
I glanced at her. Her eyes widened slightly. Just a fraction.
"A nation?"
"That's right."
"That… is an excellent idea, My Lord. In fact, I had already considered it after drafting the World Conquest Plan."
"Then, My Lord… what name will you use?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.
"How about 'The Empire'?"
"'The Empire,' you say? That's a fine name, My Lord. But why not add 'Avanheim' or your own name?"
"Avanheim refers to all of us. I don't think it's a fitting name for a nation that will also include humans. So, that name is exclusively ours," I explained.
"Besides, 'The Empire' sounds good enough on its own. And using my name for a country… that's too ostentatious."
"I don't think so, My Lord. Your name is beautiful. There is nothing ostentatious about it," Emma countered.
"However, if it is your will, I will accept it. I will inform Belial and the others of this plan."
I set my cup down. I summoned a black cube from thin air. It spun above the table, projecting a blue and green map of Earth.
My finger touched Japan. A small red dot pulsed over Tokyo.
"One day," I said, more to myself than to her.
"I want all of this to be red."
My finger moved, dragging the red color across the sea. Korea. China. Southeast Asia. The red spread like an ink stain on wet paper. Silent. Fast.
Above the map, the words "THE EMPIRE" appeared.
I stared at it. For some reason, I felt… satisfied.
"It will happen, My Lord," Emma said. Her voice was certain. Like a promise.
I shut down the hologram. The cube stopped spinning.
"You may go," I said.
"Then I will take my leave, My Lord." Emma stood, then bowed respectfully. Her face flushed slightly as she added, "And if you need me or wish to see me, you can contact me directly through Message. I will come at once."
"I know," I answered.
She left. I was alone again.
I stood up, walking away from the table. The coffee in my cup was still half full. It was cold now.
…
I stood in front of a door. A light-colored wooden door.
I knocked. Softly.
The door opened a crack. I saw part of her face. Pale. Her eyes were large and a little confused.
"May I come in?" I asked.
She nodded, opening the door wider.
The room was simple. A bed. A small table. A window that looked out onto a garden inside the castle. She was wearing a white dress. Her hair was short and black.
"How are you feeling?" I asked.
"Dizzy," she answered. Her voice was weak. Like a whisper.
"That's normal," I said.
We stood in silence. Awkward.
She looked at me. Waiting.
"I'm going to Japan," I said, changing the subject.
"Do you want to come?"
She shook her head slowly. "I'm… still tired."
I nodded. "Then get some rest."
"If you need anything, just tell one of the maids. They'll bring it to you. Don't worry about their cynical attitude. As long as you don't cause any trouble, you won't have any problems."
I turned to leave.
"Sir."
I stopped, glancing back.
"Thank you," she whispered.
I gave a small smile. "You're welcome."
I closed the door behind me.
Akane… Akane Shizuha.
I'll talk to her later, after I get back from China.
…
I stood before a pulsating, bluish-black sphere. A Gate.
"Before that, I need to change these clothes." I touched the black uniform I was wearing. At the moment, I was dressed in a military-style uniform in the fashion of 20th-century European nobility. This was my favorite official outfit in Avanheim.
I used to see anime characters in imperial fantasy series wear clothes like this, and I always wanted to wear them.
Because I thought this outfit was so cool.
Back when Avanheim was still a game, I tried this style on my avatar, but my friends made fun of me, saying I had a bad case of eighth-grade syndrome. Eventually, I switched to a more common outfit. But now, with Avanheim being real, no one would dare make fun of me.
"But… these clothes really aren't suitable for Japan," I complained with a sigh.
But changing was a hassle.
Whatever. I just want to see the warehouse being built. I can change when I'm about to go to China.
I stepped inside. Darkness swallowed me. Then light.
I was somewhere else.