Exalted Champion: Void empire Book 3: CH 1 (rough draft) (Patreon)

Chapter 1: Arena Aftermath

The silence of the black sand held my feet as the gaze of thousands poured their intent upon me. Crowned in the silence of the moment, Emperor Amuilius Tagin rose, the world bending to his will, the river of intent flowing up to the imperial box. Amuilius stepped forward, raising his hand and drowning every soul in the weight of his judgment.

Hard eyes found me, eyes devoid of emotion, the eyes of an emperor. His gaze swept across the crowd, the black sand, and the lifeless body of the ignoble Prince, left broken and bloody at my feet.

The tambor of his voice was a thousand thunderstorms crushing all in the silence, “Victor,” I met his pronouncement with a bow of my head, “Eternally devoted, Exalted Lord Eric Grayson, stands with his emperor. Forever, Exalted Lord Eric Grayson defends. Under Ack, he obeys. By Alleystra, he thrives. By Sippsie, he is pleased. And by Roxclou he is served!”

Amuilius lowered his hand, “By imperial law, custom, and right, I do her by confer the title of Prince unto you, Exalted Prince Grayson. All holdings, lands, wives, slaves, and accounts our given to you, Prince Grayson. The heir of King Palebreaker of the East is dead. Another from his line shall succeed him. His crown and inheritance are the only things I take from you, in victory, Prince Eric.”

Time to put on a good fucking show Eric, I thought as I went to one knee facing the imperial box. I held my sword before me, pointing it down, just like I had seen all the knights in movies do. I figured it would be properly dramatic for this ass hat.  

“By your command, Emperor,” I spoke clearly, the silence so absolute my words seemed a yell.

“Go now, Prince of the empire, you have classes to attend.” His tone gave no illusion that classes were the only obligation I had. The emperor had set me another deadline, ten needles, ten weeks.

I rose to my feet and bowed once more, leaving the black sand and the broken body of the Prince for the vulture gaze of the assembled nobles.

The cool of the stone room eased my breath and chilled the light sweat I had. I threw my sword into my storage ring. Fuck, well I’m Prince now, and I’m going to have to deal with that fuck wits entire household. Shit, Tiffany and Adelia also. Those are two unpleasant bitches if I ever met one. Now they’re supposed to be my wives, Fuck Ashley HATES, yeah, all cap hates Tiffany… and Rachel isn’t far behind in her loathing either. Prince, what the hell does that even mean?

System message:

Title gained: Exalted Prince.

I checked the start of my individual statistical analysis sheet.

-

Individual Statistical Analyses.

—

Name: Eric Grayson.

Imperial rank: Exalted Prince.

Race: Human.

Level: level 40 45,101 XP / 100,000 XP.

—

Titles:

Deed Holder to the House of Stars.

Legion Champion (hidden).

Primal Fire blessed (hidden).

Abyssal Adversary (hiiiidddeeennn*$#@-the Abyss knows all).

-

That last one is still creepy as fuck, I sat on the benched carved from the stone along the edge of the room, “Right, Eric. What the hell, Prince? I’m a Prince. What the hell does that even mean…”

The door to the room was pushed open, and I tensed before I relaxed. Ashley walked in, followed by Rachel, Sasha, and Milly. “Prince husband,” Ashley said, using my new formal title to let me know we were in no way free to talk.

“Wife, did you enjoy my victory?” I said, trying to think of the blandest thing a lord might ask after winning in the arena.

"You fought with great honor, my Prince," Ashley's eyes sparkled with calculated admiration, her voice carrying just enough volume to be heard by any listening ears. Her fingers brushed mine as she bowed.

Rachel stepped forward, her posture perfect as she performed a flawless curtsy. "The Einvigi Holmga has not seen such mastery in generations, husband. Your victory brings great honor to our household." Her words were honeyed and precise.

"Your praise honors me, wives." I straightened my back, feeling the weight of unseen eyes upon us. The stone walls seemed to breathe with secrets. "The emperor's generosity knows no bounds."

Sasha and Milly maintained a respectful distance, heads bowed in deference. Their presence reminded me of the new hierarchy I'd have to navigate, now a prince, not just a master, husband, and student.

"The carriage awaits, my Prince," Ashley announced, her voice carrying the practiced lilt of nobility. "We should return to the college before nightfall."

"Indeed." I nodded, "Knowledge waits for no man, not even princes."

Rachel's laugh was musical and measured. "How fortunate we are to have a husband who values education as much as victory."

We moved through the shadowed corridors of the coliseum, now a royal procession with my new elevation in title. Guards snapped to attention at our approach, eyes fixed forward but minds undoubtedly recording every word, every gesture. My footsteps echoed against ancient stone worn smooth by centuries of victors and vanquished.

Sasha and Milly trailed behind us, their steps measured and silent. The Kitsune's white ears twitched occasionally, betraying her heightened awareness of our surroundings.

We emerged into the blinding sunlight of the coliseum's outer courtyard. Nobles clustered in colorful knots, their whispers dying as we approached, replaced by forced smiles and calculated bows.

"Prince Grayson," a silk-voiced lady called out, "such magnificent prowess—"

"The prince must return to his studies," Ashley intercepted smoothly. "The emperor himself has commanded it."

Our carriage waited, Timmothy standing beside it with impeccable posture.

"Exalted Prince Grayson," he announced with a deep bow, opening the carriage door with a flourish. "Your carriage awaits, Master."

"Excellent timing as always, Timmothy." I nodded, helping Ashley and Rachel into the carriage before me. "The college awaits."

Sasha and Milly entered after, taking their designated servile positions on the floor at our feet. Timmothy secured the carriage door, now a vault door of fate and the future, the soft click a sealing off of the world beyond.

The carriage moved, and my new centaur slaves easily navigated us away from the colosseum. I pulled Sasha’s head between my legs and idly stroked her head as we turned on main avenues and streets, headed back to the college.

“Any idea when my winnings will be delivered?” I asked, keeping my tone proper and formal. There was no telling who would be listening.

Rachel smiled, hints of amusement dancing in her eyes as she answered, “Lord husband, all transfers are immediate. I imagine when we return to our apartments we shall receive visitors from the imperial bank, Prince Leonard’s household head attendant, and from a priestess of Alleystra.” I nodded my understanding. I spent the ride quietly sorting my thoughts.

Okay, Eric, just get back to the apartment and organize everything. I need to talk to Titus, set up a dungeon run time, Harness, at least we can start. I need to speak to Rakthanos about the amulet.

I’ve got ten weeks to make ten needles for the emperor. I need to find a new weapon. Fuck I should probably make one, in fact I should make one, no half assing it. We need to announce our new home acquisition gala soon. Tests are coming up also, during the winter solstice.

I used up most of the celestial thread of healing closing the rift, so going to need to make more of that. Right, we got this, Eric, lots to do.

Timmothy opened the carriage door, afternoon light spilling onto the east college courtyard. I stepped out onto the road of the round helping Ashley and Rachel out of the carriage, letting Sasha and Milly fall in behind us with their heads bowed.

“Timmothy, send a message to the Titan’s shield. This evening I want to speak to him about our upcoming dungeon dives and prepare the house for the arrival of my new slaves.” I commanded heading into the east college tower atrium.

“At once, master Eric,” Timmothy said to our backs. I knew he would be bowing. I knew he would get it done.

We walked into the atrium, marble stone floors echoing the footsteps of my boots. There were so few students about, most must have gone to the arena and not returned yet. Those who were here openly stared, but from a distance.

We moved to the elevators, and the bronze veins of the towers would take us up to our apartment. Some of the students had open mouths, shock clear on their faces, apparently, the fact that I won was clearly not what people thought was going to happen.

We rode up to our apartment, the attendant stopping on our floor, floor 25, in the second layer of the dormitory layer of the tower.

Once more, I opened the door to room 25-50, and found a semblance of sanctuary.

Rachel closed the door behind us and held a finger to her lips. We moved into the living room. I flopped into the large sofa chair, letting my head fall backward. Rachel set up the disk that would prevent the imperial spies from hearing the truth of our words.

“Safe,” she said with a deep exhalation as she fell onto the sofa.

“Oh, gods, finally,” Ashley moaned, flopping down next to her and collapsing her head onto her lap.

“We’ve got a few minutes at least until the solicitors arrive. Ugh, paperwork.” Rachel said, kicking her feet up on the coffee table.

“Right, you said the bank, a priestess, and the head slave?” I asked again.

“Yep, the bank will be easy, they’ll just want you to confirm the transfer of coin and anything from his person vault. The priestess of Alleystra will transfer the titles of his properties, if he has any, to you, making that official. The head slave, well, you just have to take the slave ring he will bring and add it to yours, then give commands.” Ashley said, kicking off her boots.

“Let's relax before we have to put on a show for them.”

“I couldn’t agree more,” Ashley agreed.

“Agreed,” Rachel added.

We relaxed and waited, getting into more comfortable clothes and settling into the apartment after so much time away.