Ruler Of Iron And Flesh

Marc watched the bodies of the officers drop in front of him. He was breathing heavily and sweating profusely.

'I need to change things; it's my responsibility now.'

Marc took off his exosuit so none of the guards back at the palace would recognize him, then he picked up the General's dead body and put it on his back.

He walked back towards the keep, where he saw no guards located at the entrance. He stepped inside without any resistance and found the remaining guards and administrative workers talking amongst themselves.

One of those people was Marc's date that he went out with before he became a guard. She looked up at him; tears stained her eyes as she saw the Emperor's dead body, along with all the advisors.

Her mouth dropped, seeing Marc carry the dead Emporer. Everyone's talking stopped as they watched Marc come in, the General's blood trickling down and staining his body.

Marc dropped the General in front of the onlookers, "this is the man who's killed the Emporer. He and his consorts conspired against the Empire and hoped to bring it down from the inside. I've taken the liberty to kill his allied officers as well. In this dark hour, there is no more of the Kotus line. I know I haven't been among you the longest either, but choose to follow me in their stead. Most all of our nation's leaders have fallen tonight, but I am here, ready to lead this nation now. Make your choice, will you follow me to greatness?"

Marc's charisma shocked everyone watching. Most of the guards were wary of him as he was a newer join to the Emporer's guard. Many were frightened and confused because they are with almost no leadership.

The woman Marc went out with went to one knee first and seeing her actions, the other administrative workers followed.

The guards stood for a moment in hesitation, but then dropped onto their knee, one by one.

"All hail Emporer Marc..." said his date.

"All hail Emporer Marc!" cried out the remaining people on their knees.

"Good." was the simple reply he gave.

"It's time to start repairing the damage done to this Empire. First of all, guards go back to your posts. Watch for any further intruders. Secondly, I'm going to need a report on our nation's resources and troop numbers. After that, I want to get in touch with the research department. So go now!"

Marc's voice carried with it no room for conversation, so the guards jumped up and ran back to their posts. Several administrative workers ran off to go and get him reports as well as contact the research department.

"Go and find some people to gather the dead bodies; we will give them an honorable burial."

Another administrative worker went off to find someone, then Marc's date went up to him.

"Is this the right thing that we're doing Marc?" She asked him. He smiled to reassure her.

"This is something we must do Sophia. The Empire is without it's Emporer, so I am stepping in to fulfill that duty. I will show the world that corruption will not be tolerated, and everyone will feel safe under the Empire's embrace. I will make a safe place for our people."

He gently c.a.r.e.s.sed Sophia's face, wiping away the tears that streamed down it.

"Okay then, I'll make arrangements for a funeral service for the Emporer." She walked away with her head down, not making eye contact with Marc.

Marc headed to the room where the Emporer lay. There was nobody else around as he had sent them all away to perform different tasks.

The Emporer's eyes were still open, wide in shock after realizing Marc was the one who killed him.

Marc whispered, "I'm sorry young Emporer. There are too many wrongs in this world that need to be fixed and not by your fault; you were in the way of fixing it. I'm sorry." Marc closed the Emporer's eyes, then prayed over him.

Marc went to the throne room in the keep where a massive granite throne covered in a silky purple velvet rested.

He walked through the long hall to the end where the throne was. He didn't sit down on it but just observed. He ran his hand along the armrest and waited for the workers to return. He didn't have to wait long when one worker came up to him with a report in hand.

"The report...your majesty," He said. Marc was unused to being called 'your majesty,' but it didn't shock him as much as he thought. 'Perhaps I was born for this role of destroying corruption,' He thought.

Marc took the paper report and sat on now his throne. He read through it:

Total troop count: 209,000

Financial income: 200,000 Diamond coins a month

Nations conquered: Syukha, Trostan Kingdom, Weton, Rudor

Nations at peace: Ranid Kingdom, Irigia, Predo Dynasty

The report also stated many other things, such as the specifics between their relations and the Empire's technological resources.

The worker even took the initiative to bring information about Imperial etiquette as the Emporer, so Marc can start acting like one in public.

"Thank you, and please bring the head of the research department here."

The worker bowed and left the throne room, and an older man entered soon after he left.

"Hello your majesty, I am currently serving as head of the research department. What would you like to know?"

Marc put down the reports, "It's not so much what I'd like to know as much as it is something I'd like you to do. A little bit outside of the keep is the rest of the officer traitors. There is a suit of armor I'd like you to take. I believe it is a high-tech exosuit from the Trostan Kingdom. I want you to take it and begin research into version 4 exosuits. Your funding will be doubled for the task."

The man's eyes widened in shock, and he excitedly bowed before the Emporer. He ran off with a skip in his step to retrieve the armor left behind by Marc.

Marc watched him leave, then got right down to business.

Over the next couple of days, Marc set up construction projects to increase the defense of the city, as well as increasing the amount he spent on the military budget.

He went and got garments worthy of an Emporer from the royal tailors. He needed to look the part of an Emporer.

The people who he interacted with were wary of him at first, but seeing how he treated them kindly and with respect, they let their guard down around the new Emporer.

He continued to set up projects and readjust funding until it was the day of the Emporer's funeral.

Thousands of citizens showed up. Marc had built a platform in one of the open squares of the city so that more people could fit.

Walking onto the platform, the people gasped and talked in hushed tones as Marc was dressed and stood proudly. His regal appearance helped the citizens accept him as the new Emporer.

Marc stood above the body of the young Emporer, who was laid out on a wooden pyre and raised an arm to silence the hushed tones.

"People of the Kotus Empire, today I grieve with you. Our young Emporer has been slain, and none other than our military officers slew him. It is a dastardly thing, and one where I wish they were still alive so I could prolong their suffering, but alas! I have killed them with my own hands."

Marc paused for dramatic effect, and the people chattered among themselves after hearing the corruption.

He raised his arm again, "I tell you now that I won't stand for it! I have taken on the heavy burden left behind by our former Emporer, and I will see this Empire rise to greatness! Others will see it as well, as we will have the whole world thanking us soon."

Marc took a torch and lit the pyre on fire, "I will make us a more safe nation than ever before. I will wear the role of the Emporer, and keep this promise to you, citizens, that I will always be for you!"

Marc stopped speaking and stood in front of the blazing pyre.

"All hail the Emporer!" came the shout of a soldier, and it was followed with the resounding cries of the citizens, "All hail the Emporer!"

Marc waved and walked off, surrounded by the Emporer's guards. 'I will take the rest of the world, and by doing so, make it safe, so nobody else gets hurt.'