Imperator: Resurrection of an Empire

The Forum (square) stood packed to the edges with people.

Citizens of the Eternal City filled the marble square, their excited murmurs creating a low rumble that filled the air.

From wealthy merchants in fine tunics to rough-handed laborers and farmers, all had come to hear their King speak.

Even the Legion veterans, clad in their ceremonial armor, stood proudly in formation — silent yet powerful reminders of the force that had conquered far and wide.

Atop the grand balcony overlooking the forum, Julius stood with calm authority.

Clad in dark crimson robes embroidered with gold, and the reforged roman crown resting heavily upon his brow, he cut a figure both regal and formidable.

The murmurs stilled as Julius stepped forward.

"People of Romanus!"

his voice boomed, enhanced by the clever use of brass amplifiers stationed throughout the square.

"The kingdom of Ramie has fallen! Its corrupt king, who brought ruin upon his own people, has been defeated. His kingdom — now ours — has been freed from his greed and tyranny!"

The crowd erupted in cheers, men clashing tankards together, and women tossing petals into the air.

"But this victory is not ours alone,"

Julius continued, raising a hand to quiet them.

"It belongs to those who fought alongside us — our allies in Parthia, our brothers and sisters of Carthage, and the brave souls who joined us from the lands we now call our own."

The cheers returned, louder still.

Carthage, once a rival major power in the world, now claimed as an ally — a testament to Julius' growing influence.

"But conquest is not enough! Romanus must prosper — our farms must flourish, our roads must be paved, and our homes must be secured. The blood spilled has bought us peace. Now, we must build a future worthy of that sacrifice given."

The crowd's roars shook the forum.

Julius let the applause wash over him for a few moments before turning to leave.

"Long live the King! Long live Romanus!"

the chant thundered behind him.

~

The royal carriage rumbled steadily down the wide, paved roads of Romanus.

Gilded panels gleamed in the sunlight, the royal crest embossed on each door.

The kings's personal guards, the praetorians rode alongside, their crimson capes flowing as their horses trotted in formation.

Julius sat inside the carriage, drumming his fingers on his knee as he reviewed the latest reports both from the compiled messengers before leaving the city behind, and from the system interface itself.

The Lunan Remnant lands— stable.

The Roserun Ports — flourishing.

The Bridget Frontier — Utopia.

It was Parthia — the second newest addition to his kingdom — that required his attention most, aside from Ramie the most new of his conquered territories.

His trip there was more than ceremonial.

He would see the newly annexed lands with his own eyes — meet the governors, inspect the garrisons, and ensure that Romanus' laws and taxes were being followed.

But his first stop wasn't in Parthia.

He called to the driver.

"Stop at Balventus. We'll begin there."

~

The village of Balventus had all but been neglected by Julius even though the village fell on his own lands as a village nearest to their borders with Parthia.

His reasoning was to not enhance the village making it a choice target for the parthians to acquire, but now that Parthia was one of his provinces, the worry was lifted and the village could finally share in the splendor of the rest of the kingdom.

When Julius' carriage arrived, the people were hesitant to emerge.

Rumors had spread that soldiers would soon come to collect Ramie loyalists or press the young men into military service.

Instead, Julius dismounted alone, flanked only by two guards.

The village headman, a wiry man named Cairn, approached nervously.

"Y-Your Majesty… We weren't expecting you…"

"I know,"

Julius said.

"That's why I'm here."

His eyes scanned the simple fields, and homes of the village.

"You've had no support yet?"

Julius asked, though he knew the answer.

Cairn shifted uncomfortably.

"The roads were of course tended to, my lord. but as for making the village as grand as others... well"

He trailed off.

Julius turned back to his guards.

Doing a simple walk around the village a task that would only take about five minutes to complete if ones pace was brisk.

Let's see... oh yes lets start with a wooden pallisade around the village itself, then inside we'll put a stables, a couple of trader shops, increase the wells from 2 to 10, we'll also change the village roads from dirt to roman concrete, then as for the houses... let's go with two storey tenements to keep the rural aspect, but include a couple three or four storey taverns as well.

Then the fields, well their not bad but we can overwrite them a little to ensure the nutrients in the soil are at their peak.

Then a school to follow with romanus law that all children must attend at least a half day during the week, and finally a simple church from which they can be bless or make offerings to the gods

The build points flowed from his hand as the village itself changed as he passed by, but to the villagers the village was the same as it always had been.

To the villagers, the results would seem like a miracle — crops that had barely begun to sprout would suddenly grow strong and healthy.

The granary, once half-collapsed, would be restored and capable of holding three times as much as before.

And the wells that offered muddy water? their waters would run pure and unending forever.

Having completed his simple walk to stretch his legs.

Julius turned back to Cairn.

"How are things in the village?"

The headman bowed deeply, tears filling his eyes.

"Thank you, Your Majesty. Thank you... we as villagers could not have asked for greater than your rule provides, when harvest comes we would like to offer you an additional haul to feed the legions, and our sons and daughters who fight for our nation."

The headmans words had changed from just moments before, knowing down to his very bones that his village would prosper.

~

The convoy continued onward, moving steadily through the newly secured regions of the Parthian frontier.

Each stop brought new investment — roads were upgraded, bridges expanded, and merchant outposts established to restore trade, all the while military forts were erected as of yet unmanned but with garrisons being dispatched thanks to Julius' ability to give orders to anyone within his territory who were loyal to him.

Julius' caravan even gained followers — mostly they were the peoples of the villages he passed through wanting to trail their king to the city to become merchants, craftsmen, or even simply to just enlist in his royal army after seeing the honor and power of his personal guards.

Word of the king's personal presence spread quickly.

Villagers once fearful of Romanus occupation now cheered his arrival, hailing him as both conqueror and protector.

In one town, a mother knelt before his carriage, pressing her infant son toward him.

"Bless him, Your Majesty! Bless him in the name of Romanus!"

Julius paused, hesitant.

He was no priest, nor did he care to pose as one.

But the crowd watched, hopeful.

He knelt down and placed a hand on the child's forehead.

"May you grow strong — and serve your people well."

The mother sobbed her thanks as the crowd erupted in cheers once more.