Bronti was clearly excited to be discussing the emperor. This alone gave away that this Imperium very likely had some high-level indoctrination in its people. Or the emperor could just be that amazing, though unlikely.
"Well, how about you start at the beginning? How’d the emperor become the emperor?" I asked, quite curious how such a large nation came about and how one becomes its leader.
"What?! You don’t even know about the first Emperor? Wasn’t he the one who brought your people into the Imperium?" Bronti asks back, confusion written on his face.
"Oh, well, you know us Valleymen, we aren’t much for history and don’t really pass on stuff like that," I replied, quickly making up an excuse that should sound reasonable given everything I know about these people thus far.
"I guess. You Valleymen sure are peculiar," he mutters lightly as if ruminating on it before agreeing with it.
Bronti then smiles and continues his storytelling, which he is clearly enjoying. "It all started on a cold, desolate battlefield, when this continent had nearly a hundred different nations littered about!" he explains as if just reiterating a story someone else once told him or read to him.
"A powerful warrior arose on that battlefield and rampaged across the continent; battle after battle, foe after foe fell to his blade! His name, Ulthuan Val Bludvesker; this legendary man then took the beautiful maiden Vathenika as his bride and founded the Imperium!" Bronti exclaimed with great enthusiasm.
He then took a breath and looked at me as if expecting the same excitement from me, for which I gave an encouraging smile, and he spoke again. "He conquered many lands and people, then ruled this Imperium for a little over three thousand years! Yet he sadly passed away due to old age, unable to reach a new realm of cultivation."
As the last word rolled off his tongue, he wore a saddened look that continued into his next statement. "The next Emperor was the seventh son, who had won the Imperial Blood Trial! Titus Val Bludvesker, the second Emperor, followed in his father’s footsteps of conquest until the fateful day he fell in battle, having only ruled for eighty years."
His tone grew more somber with each word he spoke, as if he was there himself when the emperor died. However, the sad atmosphere didn’t last, as Bronti soon picked himself up as if excited for the next part.
"Then, our current Emperor came into power, his sword sharp and his mind divine! He was the second son and also won in his Imperial Blood Trial, and thus far has been ruling for nearly two hundred years!" Bronti’s eyes sparkled as the excitable energy radiated off of him.
It was a fascinating story, especially how long these people lived for or didn’t live for. It’s almost absurd to think that a nation that has existed for nearly three thousand years has only had three rulers.
"Oh yeah, what’s the current emperor’s name? And what’s that Imperial Blood Trial?" I asked, even more curious about this Imperial family and their ways.
"Right! How could I forget to mention our glorious Emperor’s name?! The incredible and magnanimous Valkor Val Bludvesker! He is said to be among the highest echelon of cultivators in the world!" Bronti said as he looked aghast at not having mentioned his ruler’s name.
After clicking his tongue, acting like he committed the gravest of sins, he then continued. " As for the Imperial Blood Trial, it’s where all the sons and daughters of the current Emperor who wish to compete for the throne fight to the death in an epic tournament against each other! The Emperor himself can initiate it at any time to choose the crown prince or princess, as long as it’s been at least fifty years since his last-born child."
"Wait a minute. You’re telling me that pretty much all the emperor’s children end up dying in this trial? I guess that’s one way to prevent succession issues," I reply, almost wishing I were a son of the emperor so I could partake.
"Not all, not always. Like I said, those that wish to vie for the throne. Any child of the Emperor can willingly give up their claim on the throne and live ordinary lives, no longer part of the Imperial family. Not many do, though. In the end, only the strongest shall deserve to sit upon the Aeskir Throne!" Bronti explains, clear anticipation in his voice.
’How interesting. I am really starting to like the sound of this Imperial family and their way of life. I guess I really did pick the right side to follow back,’ I thought to myself, as I already had the next questions, I wanted to ask ready. "Have you seen one of these trials yourself? And what does Aeskir mean?"
Bronti’s excitement seemed to peak as he answered. "Nuh-uh, the last one happened nearly three hundred years ago, when the current Emperor won, and even my grandfather wasn’t alive for that one. However, the Emperor’s current youngest child is already forty-eight years old, so in only two more years the Emperor can declare the trial at any time. As for Aeskir, no idea; it’s from some old language, and I think it has something to do with dragons."
Oh, I will definitely have to watch this blood trial if I get the chance; it sounds awesome. I always hated that I never got to live during the time of Earth’s gladiatorial eras. Well, first I need to enjoy my battles for survival, as tomorrow looks bleak yet fun as hell!
My thoughts drifted away when I heard the young man next to me start to yawn. "Oh, it must be quite late now; we should get you to bed so you’ll be rested for the battle tomorrow at dawn." Bronti states as he stands up, beckoning me to follow.
I didn’t disagree, so I silently followed as he led me to the far back end of the warehouse-sized tent, with the pair of gauntlets in my hands. He eventually led me to what looked like a small barracks at the very back where a few hundred small cots could be seen, with most occupied by sleeping individuals.
"Here, you can sleep here tonight, since I doubt they have a tent prepared for a single peasant to sleep in," Bronti said as he got into his own cot and pointed to another empty one nearby.
I nodded, while letting loose a slight yawn of my own, having forgotten how tired and injured my body is. Though I am just now realizing that my body doesn’t hurt nearly as much as it did earlier, thinking that maybe I heal faster or something here. Anyways, that’s a question ot be answered at a later date.
Putting the pair of gauntlets underneath the cot, along with my boots I took off, I lay down and quickly fell asleep, anticipating the battle in the morning.