Whispers erupted in the throne room.
— "He… he's lost his mind."
— "Debt? Now? After the collapse of the Royal Bank?"
— "What in the gods' names is he planning…!?"
But Aureluis VI — once Caelum Noctar — stood tall, motionless.
His icy gaze swept the room like a hawk circling above prey.
— "I see the word debt frightens nobles. Like some crude beast lurking in the dark."
He raised a hand.
— "But debt… is power."
Silence fell.
He descended the throne's steps slowly — each footstep echoing like a funeral bell.
— "Debt is the invisible chain that binds the world to whoever dares to sign first. It turns the weak into slaves, but gives the bold the weapons to rule."
He halted in front of Duke Varnen, locking eyes with the older man.
— "You don't understand? It's not money we lack. It's daring."
> "And I… have all the daring in the world."
A younger noble stood, his mustache freshly trimmed: Count Reffario.
— "But… Your Majesty, who are we borrowing from? No noble house is willing to lend to the state."
— "I'm not borrowing from nobles."
He turned to face the assembly.
— "I'm borrowing from the people."
An uproar.
— "Unthinkable!"
— "A public debt!?"
— "The stock market will collapse!"
— "It's administrative heresy!"
But Caelum raised his hand — and to his own surprise, silence returned.
— "Tomorrow, I will open the first Imperial Reconstruction Bond. Every citizen will have the right to lend to the Empire. In return? High interest, legal security, and the prestige of rebuilding their Empire."
He snapped his fingers.
— "A patriotic debt. A lever. A promise."
He turned back toward Varnen, a predatory smile on his lips.
— "I'm sure Duke Varnen will invest a generous amount. Won't you?"
The duke's face turned ghostly pale. His swollen neck vein throbbed.
— "O-of course, Your Majesty…"
— "Perfect. Our first noble contributor. Note that down, Secretary."
> "It's always easier to stab the powerful… with their own ideas."
He returned to his throne with serene confidence.
Then came the voice of concern:
— "But Your Majesty… how do you plan to repay them? You promised high interest — even if the entire population contributes, reaching forty billion is impossible."
— "Duke Varnen… I mentioned forty billion, yes. But debt was only the first step. This will fund the roads and public buildings. I estimate maybe one hundred million will come from the people."
A new wave of murmurs burst across the room.
— "He's completely mad."
Aureluis smiled faintly.
— "Hahaha… like I said — give me five days."
An elderly noblewoman spoke slowly. Her silver hair was braided to perfection.
— "Your Majesty… I remember you being more… restrained."
He recognized her at once: Duchess Sirella d'Orm, the most cunning of them all.
— "The dead are always restrained, Duchess. But as you can see — I'm alive."
She raised a brow.
— "Perhaps too much. That often hides something."
He replied without missing a beat.
— "Yes. A rebirth."
---
FIVE MINUTES LATER – END OF COUNCIL
The council adjourned. Aureluis VI exited the hall, flanked by silent guards.
His pace quickened in the corridors.
> "Three days to raise forty billion… in a ruined kingdom, with no network, and broken banks… this is going to be tight if the plan fails.
Since when do you doubt yourself, idiot."
A smile spread across his face.
> "I've seen empires bought with scraps of parchment.
I can buy this kingdom with nothing but promises."
At the corner of a hallway, a tall, lean man awaited, dressed in a modest coat, a quill in hand.
— "Your Majesty. I am Navir — your new archivist and personal scribe."
— "Finally. A new face. Can you write fast?"
— "As fast as you think."
— "Good. Follow me. I need thirty letters sent before dawn — each one must bring tears to the eyes of some greedy banker or merchant."
They disappeared down the corridor.
---
LATER – IMPERIAL BALCONY
Night had fallen on the Thirteenth Empire.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK
A sudden knock at the door.
Aureluis VI — or rather, Caelum Noctar — knew exactly who it was.
— "Come in, Soraya. You've kept me waiting."
She entered and bent the knee in formal reverence.
— "Apologies, Your Majesty."
— "I heard you've learned of my planned announcement to the people tomorrow."
— "Indeed… and if I may speak freely — this seems reckless. How do you expect to raise forty billion?
If you fail to deliver on your promises, the nobles who want your head will strike."
— "And furthermore — you're the Emperor. How do you plan to leave the palace to reach the merchant district without anyone noticing?"
---
ELSEWHERE IN THE EMPIRE – VARREN ESTATE
In a noble manor bearing the crest of House Varnen, two men shared a glass of wine in a richly furnished study.
— "Hmph… that arrogant brat. Who does he think he is?" snarled Duke Varnen.
— "Calm yourself, Duke. Hah… You really think that child, who can barely walk without help, will gather forty billion just like that?" said Marquis Storne, amused.
— "You're right, Marquis. It's practically impossible. Haha…"
— "There you go! That's the spirit. Once he fails, we'll paint him as a fool and take this Empire. Haha!"
— "Indeed. Hahaha…"
---
BACK AT THE IMPERIAL PALACE — TWO MINUTES LATER
Sweat beaded on the maid's brow.
The calm she usually wore like armor… had cracked.
She stammered:
— "Your Majesty… have you lost your mind? This is suicidal — I can't even call it a plan."
— "May I ask something, Majesty?"
— "Try."
— "If the people find out the Emperor is borrowing because the treasury's empty… won't you lose their trust?"
He slowly turned to her.
— "I'm not seeking their trust, Soraya. I want their commitment."
> "And what better way to turn peasants into creditors… than a promise of repayment?"
She lowered her eyes.
— "I understand."
He whispered — more to himself than to her:
— "I will build an Empire that can sell itself to the world…
Then buy the world back."
> "And if I must burn everything to make that happen…
Then I will."