Leo's march towards the Unity Palace was unforgettable.
Every brigade captain, from the first division to the 180th, saluted him as he made his way to the palace. At the end of the procession, citizens from the slums and the downtrodden lined the streets with banners and flowers in hand, their faces alight with hope and joy.
"Lord Boss, please fix the plumbing in the slums!"
"Lord Boss! We're so happy to see you assume the throne!"
"Long live the Emperor! May your rule bring us into the golden age!"
The commoners cheered for him wholeheartedly, their voices filled with a desperate longing for change. They wanted him to lead them into a new era, and their unexpected love for him genuinely baffled Leo.
He had half-expected the common populace to hate him after everything he had done. Yet here they were, showering him with adoration. At least a few, it seemed, still appreciated him.
As Leo reached the Unity Palace gates—the very place where, not too long ago, he had committed the massacre of a lifetime—the scene that unfolded before him was anything but grim.
Flowers of every imaginable color blanketed the gates, forming a vibrant, fragrant carpet that rivaled even the red velvet path he had just walked. The scent of lilies, roses, and wildflowers mingled with the cool morning air, their petals scattered by gentle breezes.
Garlands adorned the statues in the garden, each one a symbol of the rebels' hope and reverence for their new ruler.
To Leo, however, they were mere opulence. He had no care for flowers or their natural beauty, and so the effort, while elaborate, felt mostly wasted on him.
As he approached the palace gates, the atmosphere shifted dramatically.
The disciplined, stoic presence of soldiers faded, replaced by an entirely different kind of reception. Lining the grand entrance and stretching into the palace's opulent halls were countless women, each more dazzling than the last.
Clad in silken dresses and adorned with glittering jewelry, they greeted him with exuberance. Their voices, soft yet enticing, rose in a chorus of cheers and playful giggles.
"Lord Boss, welcome!"
"Your Majesty, you look so dashing today!"
Some cast him bashful glances, their cheeks flushed with anticipation. Others, more daring, leaned forward to accentuate their curves. A few pressed their hands against their chests, squeezing just enough to highlight their cleavage, hoping to catch his eye. The air grew thick with their perfume—a heady mix of jasmine, roses, and exotic spices—creating an intoxicating haze.
Leo couldn't help but laugh at the extravagance of it all, his deep chuckle reverberating through the corridor. But his stride remained steady and focused. He paid them no heed, his sharp gaze fixed ahead. Beside him, Dumpy hopped with an air of indifference, while ChaosBringer followed closely, his expression a mix of pride and nervousness.
"ChaosBringer," Leo said, his tone laced with amusement. "Did you organize this little spectacle as well?"
ChaosBringer hesitated, his painted face twitching slightly. "I... thought it would be a fitting tribute to your greatness, Lord Boss."
Leo chuckled again. "I already have a woman," he clarified, his attention already shifting back to the grand hallway ahead.
The procession of beauties continued to cheer and swoon, but none succeeded in breaking his composed demeanor.
Finally, the massive double doors of the throne room loomed before him. As they swung open, revealing the vast chamber within, the chaos of the outside world faded, replaced by an almost reverent silence.
The throne room was cavernous, its high ceilings and polished floors already scrubbed clean of the bloodstains Leo had left behind during his last visit.
The room was nearly empty, save for the topmost leaders of the rebellion. They stood in a semicircle near the base of the dais, their heads bowed low in deference. Each represented a pillar of the Uprising's strength—strategists, warriors, and diplomats who had worked tirelessly to bring this moment to fruition.
Leo's gaze moved past them, drawn to the throne itself. It sat atop a raised platform, an imposing seat carved from a single block of black marble veined with streaks of gold. Its high back was crowned with the symbol of the phoenix, its wings outstretched as if in flight.
For a moment, Leo stood still, his eyes fixed on the throne. A faint smile played on his lips as he let the gravity of the moment wash over him. This was what he had worked for—what he had fought for. The throne of the Unity Empire was finally his.
Taking a deep breath, he strode forward, each step echoing through the silent hall. ChaosBringer and Dumpy remained at a respectful distance, watching as their leader approached the culmination of their efforts.
As Leo reached the base of the throne, he paused. He turned to face the gathered leaders, his piercing gaze sweeping over them before finally ascending the steps. Each movement was deliberate, calculated, as though he were savoring the significance of every second.
At last, he stood before the throne. Placing a hand on its armrest, he felt the cold, smooth surface beneath his fingers. Closing his eyes for a brief moment, he inhaled deeply, letting the weight of the moment settle into his bones.
Then, with a calm, confident motion, he lowered himself onto the seat.
The room held its breath.
And then, with a resonating chime, the system spoke.
[Global Notification: - The Unity Throne has been claimed by player 'TheBoss.'
He is now the Fifth Emperor of the Unity Empire.
Congratulations to player 'TheBoss.']
The notification rippled through the world of Terra Nova, flashing across the interface of every player, no matter where they were. A hush fell over the game's countless regions as players paused to process the news.
In the throne room, the leaders dropped to their knees in unison, their voices ringing out in a chant.
"All hail Emperor Boss! Long live the Emperor!"
Leo leaned back in the throne, one hand resting on the armrest as his other gently scratched Dumpy's head. A smirk tugged at the corners of his lips as he surveyed the flood of notifications on his screen.