The Empire's Rise: An Emperor's Ambition (1)

Whether during the existence of the Shurima Empire or after its fall, it has always been a favorite subject for historians, explorers, and archaeologists worldwide. ♖👤 ♔😾

Opinions on Azir, the Last Emperor, are mixed:

Some say he revitalized the long-declining empire, while others say he was the culprit behind its demise.

Regardless of which version is used, his personal story is extremely fascinating.

Because of their passion for conquest, the Shurima Empire royal family has fluctuated, and Azir is now the forty-first generation.

Due to certain special circumstances, only Azir and his sister Nashramae survived in this lifetime among their direct bloodline.

Of the thirty-nine emperors throughout history, more than half died during their Ascension Ritual. Nashramae did not heed this warning and was also taken away by the sun in the thirteenth year of his reign.

Before her ascension, almost everyone opposed the decision, especially Grand Maester Nasus, who strongly disagreed with her ascension.

But Nasus was, after all, a subject, and once the emperor made a compromise, he couldn't be too forceful.

Nashramae's compromise was to perform three acts of merit recognized by the people: she quelled a large-scale rebellion in the south, conquered an ancient city in the east, and killed a large Void Burrower.

And so, amidst the praise of the people, Nashramae began his Ascension Ritual.

At that time, her child was only three years old, and her younger brother Azir was twenty-eight. Before ascending to the throne, she decided to let her brother inherit the throne.

The scene of Nashramae's failed ascension became a nightmare for Azir. Unlike his ancestors, he didn't understand why his sister, father, and grandfather had held such a terrifying ceremony.

Seeing him trembling, Nasus felt relieved. To this day, he would rather meet a weak emperor than a monarch with lofty ambitions.

In fact, Azir's weakness had other reasons, not just the failure of his father, sister, and others to ascend.

The royal palace grounds are not a harmonious place, especially for a super-empire Shurima Empire, which has lasted for over a thousand years.

When Azir was born, he had twelve older brothers and nine older sisters, all of whom were direct members of the royal family and were vying for the position of crown prince.

However, these troubles did not affect Azir and Nashramae, because their mother was just a palace maid of low status, and the children were not eligible to inherit the throne.

Azir, in particular, often played outside the palace, and some people didn't even know that such a Prince existed.

His life outside the palace was very fulfilling; he could play with children from various families and even get along well with slaves.

Among these friends, his closest friend was a slave boy named Xerath.

The two were about the same age and often confided in each other. Azir's worries were simply that his mother and sister were too strict and he had little time to play.

These troubles, however, are something Xerath envies, because neither he nor his family are free; even when they sleep after they become adults, they have to wear shackles.

Xerath complained about Shurima more than once, feeling it was unfair that people were born as slaves.

Azir would always change the subject at this point, because he didn't want Xerath to know that he was a member of the royal family, and that these systems were established by his ancestors.

But the truth couldn't be hidden forever. Later, on a peaceful afternoon, while Azir was chatting and laughing with Xerath, two palace soldiers suddenly rushed over and held a scimitar to Xerath's neck.

It turned out that the Guard Captain had discovered them while on leave, and he happened to know Azir.

"Your Prince, how can you associate with slaves? It is beneath your dignity."

"Let go of Xerath! This has nothing to do with him!"

Under Azir's reprimand, the Guard Captain ordered his men to sheathe their scimitars, but the contempt in his eyes was still hard to conceal.

After they left, Azir noticed that Xerath was both shocked and frightened, and unconsciously kept his distance, which made him very uncomfortable.

"Don't be afraid, Xerath, it's alright now. With me here, they can't do anything to you!"

"You are... Prince?"

"Yes, I am Father's youngest son."

"So, you told the Emperor everything I said before?"

"How could that be? Actually, I've only seen my father a handful of times in my life..."

At first, Xerath was terrified and also somewhat wary of Azir, thinking that he didn't genuinely want to be friends with him and that it was just a noble child's wicked hobby.

Unexpectedly, he genuinely didn't care, and even brought up many things, including things he couldn't talk about before because of his identity.

He used to envy Azir's freedom and the discipline his mother and sister gave him, but now that he heard that Azir couldn't even see his father, he suddenly felt that Azir, despite being Prince, was actually quite pitiful.

In some ways, they are quite similar.

Azir's status in the palace was similar to Xerath's in the outside world; both were inferior to others. Azir might have a better material life, but he lacked much of the warmth of family.

Even strangers to each other, slaves would greet each other with a smile and even offer help, while in the royal palace, even Siblings would kill each other.

Such a life, constantly caught in the vortex of power, is far less comfortable than a life of physical toil.

After chatting for a while Azir suddenly made a request to Xerath: to go to the palace and keep him company.

In truth, Azir had no choice but to give Xerath order, but he still brought it up in a pleading tone.

This was undoubtedly a blessing for slaves, because becoming a nobleman's private slave in the palace meant they wouldn't have to endure hardship and toil, and their treatment would be much better.

However, this also means that Xerath will be separated from his parents and will no longer be able to see them freely.

Xerath was about to go back to discuss it with his parents when he found that they had already arrived. They had just overheard the last conversation between the two, so they quickly knelt down before Azir and agreed to let Xerath enter the palace.

Azir hurriedly helped the two up and treated them with the respect due to an elder, feeling somewhat sorry for them when he saw their frightened expressions.

Xerath didn't hesitate any longer and immediately left with Azir, otherwise his parents wouldn't be able to rest easy.

Thus, a Prince and a slave formed a master-servant relationship, and beyond that, they became friends.

Azir's mother was a kind woman who treated Xerath very well. Although Nashramae would occasionally scold him, it wasn't the kind of domineering attitude a master would have towards a slave, because she treated Azir the same way.

In short, his new life was much better than Xerath had imagined; he could eat his fill every day and had a comfortable place to sleep.

What made him happiest was being able to study and learn to read with Azir!