FIRST ROYAL D-ECR-E-E OF )(-ER IN-EVITABL-E COMMUNION, -EMPR-ESS F-EF-ERI P-EIX-ES By t)(e aut)(ority of t)(e t)(rone and under t)(e endless gaze of Alternia’s sacred seas, I issue my first decree as -Empress. Let it be known across every )(ive, trenc)(, battles)(ip, and imperial corridor t)(at loyalty to t)(e crown is no longer to be measured solely t)(roug)( fear. Fear is easy. Any brute wit)( a weapon can inspire fear. I require devotion. From t)(is moment onward, all members of t)(e imperial court, military officials, and noble )(ouses seaking favor beneat)( t)(e t)(rone must present t)(emselves openly and swear personal allegiance before t)(e -Empress )(erself. No more )(idden knives be)(ind re)(earsed smiles. No more )(ollow obedience offered only out of survival. If you serve me, you will say so proudly. If you disobey me, you will fall in line. Furt)(ermore, t)(e needless execution of lowblood subjects for minor insolence, entertainment, or decorative punis)(ment is to be reduced under crown scrutiny. Cullings will remain a necessity of Alternian order, but wastefulness weakens t)(e empire. A living worker is often more useful t)(an a dead one staining palace tiles. Do not mistake mercy for softness. I did not ascend t)(is t)(rone by being weak. T)(e former -Empress rotted in silence w)(ile t)(e empire )(eld its breat)( around )(er sleeping corpse. I ended t)(at silence. I claimed t)(e future wit)( my own )(ands. Now Alternia belongs to a new tide. Serve well, and you may flouris)( beneat)( it. Resist, and t)(e sea will take you. 38D



