Over the next month, Hades spent his days learning about the Kingdom and spending a little time with his children, building a bond with them.
At night, he kept company with the women in his life. Once again, he gave himself over to indulgence, freely venting the desires he had bottled up for three years.
A newcomer joined them as well: Metis, the Kingdom Chief Strategist's daughter.
She had inherited her father's remarkable intellect and had unique insights into many areas of the Kingdom's development. She was a strategic genius in her own right.
"As the Kingdom develops, many things are no longer what they used to be. The Family needs to change how it nurtures its young people, too."
"What are your plans for your children, Hades?"
In a quiet courtyard at the heart of a garden, Hades sat across from his uncle Bane.
Hades did not have to think long about the question.
"The Family has its own methods for raising them, but every one of them must attend the Royal Military Academy."
"They'll start at six. I don't need useless children. They'll begin building their reputations at the Royal Military Academy."
Despite its name, the Royal Military Academy covered a vast range of subjects. Those without the talent to become fighters could choose other paths.
But attending was the bare minimum.
In the future, anyone who wanted a high-ranking position in the Kronos Kingdom would need the Royal Military Academy on their record.
Without it, they would remain outsiders.
It was easy to imagine that most of the Kingdom's future elite would come from the Royal Military Academy.
"How are the officers' children doing?"
Hades had not forgotten the powerful bloodlines of those who served under him.
Compared with searching for outstanding talent among the Kingdom's tens