Chapter 1: The Foundations

It was in the year X205 of the Northern Calendar with the coming end of winter and since the "Great War" came to a end just three months ago. The kingdoms united under the High Bureaucratic Empire, the empire that tackled the Northern Peninsula strongest kingdoms, the Nine Kingdoms under her iron thumb rule though not without having destroyed the Kingdom of Purity and leaving it as a barren wasteland, making it the Eight Kingdoms.

One an early morning in the kingdom of Vanaheimr, the kingdom's capital Nóatún is a wall-surrounded fortress, a city-state almost as people in the interior went about their busy, trading and doing what they wish. However what is a catching eye is the enforced laws on sentient races, giving humans specifically "high status" in comparison to demihumans or beasts, being treated as second-class citiens or less. The law stats non-humans are treated anything but as something more similar to a pet or animal, having almost no rights and forced into slavery thanks to the Bureaucratic laws unleashed by its ruler, Alessia.

"You need to get going there Lord Arden, the queen-empress requested you at the Citadel at the High Bureaucracy itself." The current reigning Governor, a man looking his mid-forties in regal attire informed the Lord of Nóatún, a noble position created by Alessia as recognition to those who fought and kept their loyalty. Lordship is handed out to a select family, giving rise to noble houses in the North, specifically "High Houses" for those in greater authority roles, and lower houses for special privileges but not in the same league as the High Houses. "Since the war ended three months ago with the defeat of Izumo, she will need assistance in turning this kingdom into a glorious place for humanity!"

A man, the Lord of Nóatún of much younger stature in comparison to Governor wearing battle-worn gear. "Alright, be good to meet the queen-empress after some months here in Vanaheimr, all well is good with the small council and getting things back on track." The Lord said as he jumped onto his horse as two armed men on their own horses trotted closely. "I expect depending on what she wants, I might relinquish my Lordship title over Nóatún." However the Governor shook his head as an servant girl appeared next to time.

"Nonsense my Lord, your title as the Lord of Nóatún stands eternally granted to you personally by Alessia herself. I have no such authority to remove to hand it to another, the only way is for your son, Ser Turalyon you son is more to likely become the new Lord of Nóatún if ya wish to do so." The Governor explained to the Lord who acknowledged the response. "He is only seventeen, gonna need to wait another year or so before he can be of legal age to inherit the title."

"As long the Maester overseeing his education is doing his job properly, he'll be a fine one. Now excuse me Governor, the Citadel awaits me." The Governor bowed respectfully as the Lord of Nóatún and his two escorts began to ride out of the walled city and towards the distant Citadel, capital of both the High Bureaucracy and the High Bureaucratic Empire.

In the esteemed capital of the Citadel, the castle-fortress of the Hyland family now retroactively transformed to become Alessia's most heavily fortified city in the Kingdoms, and the entirety of the North. Armed with the most skilled and strongest warriors as the royal guard that does her bidding without question. The queen herself however in her usual armoured attire with a cape she wears with a fluffy coat that goes on her shoulder as she sat on the Hyland Throne. A messenger soon arrived as he knelt down towards the Queen-Empress.

"Empress, the people you called for had arrived." The courier informed as seven individuals walked into the throne room, each of distinction to each other. four were young to to their thirties, two were at least in in their late forties with the last being exceptionally elderly in a wizard garb with white long beard and hair, of course one of them also had a squire that tended to them. All six, including the squire kneeled as the courier departed to deliver a set of letters for other purposes.

"Thank you all for coming under short notice." Alessia acknowledged as she stood from the throne. "Please follow me, we're going to work things out at the Council Chambers." As she said this, she lead the seven to an semi-large room below the fortress, a elegant table situated at the centre of the room of fine detail. As Alessia walked into the room, the seven followed and waited for her sit, which prompted the rest follow suit as they all sat patiently on what Alessia wish to speak about. "Now, while we wait for the Commander of the Royal Guard, please look over the documents I had prepared which summarizes the topics we'll look through, and one other individual."

"So..." One of the six spoke up after reviewing the parchment. "You're getting the rest of the positions filled, since you have the Master whispers and War sorted, that leaves Master of Coin, Law."

"Don't worry, we have a Master of Coin and Whispers already." Alessia confirmed as two other individuals walked into the room. "Welcome Commander, and Tyrion." As soon Alessia stated the latter's name, everyone turned to face the esteemed alchemist and Cryptozoologist. "Please sit." The two sat and with that, everyone Alessia wanted to speak was present. "Before we continue, let us introduce and talk about ourselves." Alessia then turned to Merlin, who stood up from his chair.

"I am Merlinus Ambrosius, the Grand Maester of the Order of Maesters, Archmage of the Academy of Arcane Arts. Born and raised in the Slane Theocracy, I came to the North and joined the Order to expand their knowledge. I assisted Queen-Empress Alessia in the later years of the Great War in advising her in each kingdom's ethnic culture and backgrounds. I shall continue to do so. Pleasure to met you all." Due to Merlin's reputation that proceeded him, everyone in the room was in quite a shock, not expecting a major magical figure to be a high ranking official under Alessia's High Council. The next one to stand was the white haired, messy man that walked in with the Royal Guard Commander.

"Hello there, I am Tyrion, and I am the Master of Coin." Tyrion introduced himself as he wiped his nose. "I wont tell you where I was born, but I assume most of you know what I do. I am a man of research in beast and creatures, alchemist as well who assisted our lovely queen in the Philosopher's Stone." As soon he said this, the only woman in the room that has yet to speak looked towards Tyrion with a surprised look.

"You're... Nicolas Flamel?" She said as Tyrion smirked. "Cool, time to introduce myself then." The woman stood from his chair. "I'm Amber Windsor, a native of Anaheim and part of the Windsor noble house." She'd bowed. "Now a High House as I am now the Lord Paramount of Anaheim, and I believe I now serve as the Master of Law?" Ember looked towards Alessia who nodded in confirmed before setting down.

"I know you lot know of our Commander of the Royal Guard, so," Alessia turned to the Master of Whispers, who did not stood but still went to introduce himself.

"I am Robyn, the Master of Whispers who has been selected this position very early into Alessia's great war. I was born in a rather poor family, but have a knack of covert operations and stealth, espionages in order to survive." Robyn coughed. "I joined Alessia as it might lead to a better life, and a purpose." Robyn sat as Alessia smiled.

"Thank you, now we been introduced, let's get underway." Alessia coughed as she began to speak. "The war came to a end three months ago thanks your assistance and the followers and commanders of the Alessian Faction. But now it's time to get the functionality and order throughout the Northern realms." Alessia then turned to Robyn. "Since you established a impressive collection of spy networks through the North during the war, have anything to share?"

"I do actually, but not concerning us." Robyn raised his hand as a squire positioned far behind walked over to place a map detailing not just the North, but the mainland as well. "You see during your conquest, I had the thought of sending some spies into the inner mainland as a precaution and to prepare for this meeting." Alessia looked at the Master of Whispers, clearly not having expected something so quickly to established not only spy networks in the North but even to the foreign nations beyond the Southern Mountain ranges. "You see, I may have some concerns involving one of the more closet kingdoms, the Roble Holy Kingdom."

"A concern you say, what's the concern?" Alessia questioned. "They're across the sea, as well extremely far on land."

"Yes... I got word that at least some week ago, two at this point something occurred in the capital." Robyn paused awaiting a response from Alessia who listened closely. "A coup d'état was initiated by one of the Holy Queen's trusted official, Duke Zelgius Seifer Nox and failed..." Alessia raised a eyebrow, curious on what had the Duke failed. "A angel appeared Queen-Empress, an Empyrean Overseer." In the room everyone's eyes were widen with Alessia having a visible look of confusion and shock.

"Are you sure Master of Whispers, an Empyrean Overseer, the highest ranking angel in all of existence appeared in the Holy Kingdom's capital and stopped the coup d'état?"

"Yes Queen-Empress, that is something my spies will never lie about." He responded as Alessia leaned back on her chair. "Considering the magnitude of even such a thing, we might need to act." As he said said, Merlin decided to speak up in against it.

"My lady, while a Empyrean Overseer is something of grave concern." Merlin then looked towards her. "However the Holy Kingdom is effectively across the world, or at least very distant across the Narrow Sea, I doubt that angel will look towards our direction. I recommend we keep our distance, and send in my spies to cover ground of information gathering on what that kingdom shall do." Alessia listened to both and decided on a course of action.

"I agree with the Grand Maester, Robyn send in more spies into the Holy Kingdom and keep me updated on any changes specifically revolving that angel." Robyn bowed, acknowledging the command as Alessia now faces Tyrion. "So Tyrion since I had ya selected somewhat later in the war, got anything for me?"

"Ah yes, the finances of your glorious empire." Tyrion coughed as he pulled out a parchment. "I gotta admit, this place is quite wealthy but we need to spread it to the kingdoms in order to repair, and fortify defences and any weaknesses that aroses in the war." Alessia agreed as Tyrion smiled. "As Master of Coin, I also.. somehow how architectural construction, and I suggested some renovations with the border fortresses that act as our first line of defenses."

"Agreed, "Alessia confirmed. "The fortresses more so to the Southern mountains needs repairs, and I need the border outposts back to full capacity, please deal with it Tyrion."