Chapter Text
Reinhard von Lohengramm, the Supreme Commander and the Prime Minister of the Galactic Empire, was looking out on the night lights of Heinessen city while the former Chairman's office behind him was dark. He was deeply thinking about the soon-to-come coronation and the responsibility it entails. The victory over Free Planets Alliance will make him the next Kaiser of the new Galactic Empire after dethroning the Goldenbaum dynasty once and for all. But he failed to unite the universe as he had vowed to his late friend due to his defeat at Vermillion. However, he was not concerned about living up to his promise, he will conquer Alliance at a later date considering how weak their governance was. No, his concern relayed on finding a new purpose to live after completing his task to Kircheis. The desire to fight an enemy to fulfill the empty hole his other half left behind cannot remain the main meaning of his life. After all, it was the reason behind his defeat against Yang. His impatience and desire to win made him blind to figuring the trap out in time. He has started to realize his mistake in not only his actions but the motive behind them.
“A ruler, as great as you, is exceedingly rare. It is only natural that your accomplishments and your failures also stand out” - came Yang’s words into his mind suddenly. Back then, he believed it to be empty praise, but he only realized what it truly was: a warning. He was on the edge of creating something great that would benefit generations or establishing the next centuries of chaos. He touched his pendant while closing his eyes and thought about their childhood. How they have befriended, played, and watched his sister walk away on the order of one old man. He remembered the anger and the powerlessness he felt. Yang was telling something about the sin of dictatorship that lay in another disadvantage: it is the deprivation of freedom and rights of people that he experienced at such a young age. And he was to become the next supreme Kaiser of the Empire which would provide more freedom to the citizens than before, it was severely dependent on him as Yang stated.
He opened his eyes and looked out the window again. While watching the city, a new worry came to his mind. One day, the Alliance will be part of their lands which raises another problem. What would happen to the newly conquered lands? Based on history, the defeated nations have often become colonies of the winners. Treasures would be taken, the citizens would be forced to work, and considered secondary to the Empire people who would believe themselves superiors. Like nobles did to commoners. That is something that Reinhard would never tolerate again. Maybe he could control with severe punishment and strict laws, but it might show that he preferred the new land over his own people.
He clenched his fists as his anger raised. This is something that he cannot allow to happen, he would not repeat other supreme leaders' mistakes, and to accomplish that, he needed help. Yang Wen-Li deeply believed in democracy which he still did not leave behind even after betraying him. His words hinted at his belief in the right to choose a leader and suffer under their own decision if necessary. The problem here also was the corruption as it used to be on Empire's side. But he had no deep understanding of democratic principles to truly judge the true value of the system. Each institution had its inefficiency, advantages, and disadvantages that can be measured and corrected via experience and knowledge.
He looked behind on a shelf where several books stood, one of them being the Constitute of the Free Planets Alliance while another the writings of Heinessen on his ideas of democracy. Maybe he can observe where they made their mistakes and allowed corruption to sneak as deep as it did with Trunicht. Maybe he could correct those or combine them with Empirical laws to create a new system that would value equality, and freedom benefitting the whole Universe for centuries.
He looked down at his pendant and opened it. For a millionth time, he was wishing to have Kircheis beside him who would know the answer without asking him. But, only his last remaining tuft and their picture were looking back on him.
“What do you think, Kircheis? Would you prefer to have democracy as part of our promise?” he asked from the gold pendant. Only silence followed his words, but he felt something enveloping him: calmness. For a moment, he could believe that his friend showed his acceptance of his new purpose so he knew: the idea would have pleased his friend. He grabbed the two books, sat down, and started to read and take notes in an empty red notebook.
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As the Coronation Ceremony came to its end, Reinhard asked Kissling to take him to Kircheis’ grave. The full moon lit the midnight sky as he was approaching his friend’s last resting place. He recalled how heavy the crown felt on his head, not because of its true weight, but the responsibility it represented. As he was looking at his subordinates, he realized that his days of immaturity came to an end. Kircheis was his patience and his wisdom, the true reasoning behind his greatest decisions, so from now, he needs to adapt it by himself.
The picture carved into the stone hasn’t changed at all. Kircheis’ kind eyes and warm smile were looking back at him, making the heartache almost unbearable. His friend should have been standing beside him, looking proud and happy. He should have been pursuing love with Annerose while they would be planning to establish a perfect form of government so he would not need to spend hours now to figure out all these alone now. Maybe it was just his naivety and grief talking to him. He raised the crown to his head after taking it and knelt in front of his friend while putting his hand on the tombstone.
“I made it Kircheis, I am the Kaiser of the New Galactic Empire. I wish you could have been there with Annerose as we accomplished our greatest dream. I still have my promise to fulfill to you don’t worry, I will unite the Universe into one. I came here to make a vow that I will keep until the end because I know that it was your wish. I am sorry for realizing this so late. You have always wanted a world where people can make their own decisions and life without being denied by the country. I, Reinhard Von Lohengramm the Kaiser of the New Galactic Empire, vow to you that I will create a new system that history has never seen before, which allows people to define their own life while I keep my promise to you. Be my witness, that I will do everything to have your approval of my life and achievements so when we meet, I don’t need to be ashamed of my actions as I used to be. I miss you.” A single tear escaped from his right eye hitting the stone under him, sealing his vow. He was kneeling there for a while in silence when he felt a light breeze moving his cloak. A small smile spread on his face as his friend sent his approval on his new purpose in life.