1st January, Space Era Year 105.
The bells of Berlyn rang through the domed skies of the capital, their echoes reverberating across the simulated heavens — a grand celebration marking the fifth anniversary of the founding of the Centory Empire, a nation forged from chaos by the indomitable hand of Lord Aelyzabeth von Thors, the Iron Lady of the New Age.
Yet this year, the air was heavy with a quiet unlike any before.The great leader of Centory lay confined within the Imperial Medical Chamber, recovering from a perilous operation — the restoration of her failing sight.
For years her right eye had been blind, her left dimmed to twilight's haze.But after eight hours beneath the precision of imperial surgeons and three long months of convalescence, light returned to her once more.Her vision was still faint — yet it was enough to behold the faces she loved, enough to glimpse her world again.
During her long absence from the Council, command of the Empire fell not to the Regent General Aelaera von Escheinsen, as protocol dictated,but to her thirteen-year-old son — Aerys Vilozyver.
He was chosen not merely by blood, but by will — a test ordained by his mother herself.
"It is time," said Aelyzabeth before the surgery."Aerys must learn to lead — not by my command, but by the voice of his own heart."
And thus, before the eyes of seasoned ministers and hardened generals, the boy took the high seat of the Council.Calm-faced, sharp-eyed, he spoke with the weight of command.His tone was steel — steady, unyielding — and even the eldest of ministers bowed their heads in respect.
In that same season, the aging Prime Minister passed away of sudden heart failure.By the counsel of General Aelaera, Walter von Yigzorch, once the Deputy Minister of Culture and Director of Imperial Propaganda,was appointed as the new Reich Supreme Minister — a man tasked with guiding Aerys through the furnace of real governance.
Each week, Aelaera and Walter visited the hospital to report progress to their ailing Lord.
"My Lord," said Aelaera with quiet pride,"Aerys has surpassed all expectation. His mind is precise, his voice composed — no child of his age could ever stand beside him."
Aelyzabeth smiled faintly beneath her bandaged eyes.
"I am glad… I only wish I could see his face again — to know how much he's grown."
Though her body was frail, her spirit remained a fortress of iron.For within her heart, Aerys was more than a son — he was the living symbol of Centory's tomorrow.
Even in recovery, Aelyzabeth refused idleness.With the aid of dictation machines and vision-assist devices, she began to write once more —a book titled "Aerys : The Son I Am Proud Of."
It chronicled every step of his life:his birth, his first words, his early lessons in reason and restraint,the day he first read political scripture at six years old,and her vow — never to rule her child with fear, nor strike him even once,for leadership must be forged in understanding, not cruelty.
When the book was released, it spread like starlight across the Empire.It became a work of philosophy and devotion — hailed as "the greatest testament of love between mother and son in the Astral Age."
At last, the day came when Aelyzabeth opened her eyes and truly saw again.Before her stood Aerys — no longer a boy, but a young sovereign in bearing.
She reached out, trembling fingers brushing the face of her child.
"My son… you've grown, haven't you?"
Aerys smiled softly.
"I've done as you taught me, Mother — every word, every act. You always took me with you, even to the Council."
Aelyzabeth laughed weakly, her voice like fading dawnlight.
"Good… In three years, you will take my place. You shall be Lord of Centory."
Through the tall window of the Imperial infirmary, starlight spilled upon them — mother and son, silent beneath the hum of the medical monitors,their heartbeats synchronized like the pulse of the Empire itself.
And on that day, under the eternal heavens of mankind's dominion,the galaxy bore witness to the birth of a new monarch —the Young King of Centory, heir to the empire of iron and light.
"From the blood of the Mother, the Star shall rise anew."— Chronicles of the Centory Kingdom Reich
Thus ends Chapter C-XXV.