Stray

The first emperor of Alban, Sampson Alastair, died peacefully ten years ago at the age of eighty-three.

To be fair, Ann’s father was a wise king.

More than 20 years ago, Alban was in full-scale war with Willard, who was at the peak of their strength. The iron-blooded emperor turned the tide with his amazing judgement and strategy. During Sampson’s reign, he befriended the current Pope Quinn. Alban’s national strength grew my leaps and bounds, and the economy no longer looked like it was on the state of collapse. Although small-scale wars on the border have continued, the number of refugees and criminals had significantly decreased and the standard of living for ordinary citizens had increased bit by bit.

In most of Albanian’s impressions, Sampson was tough, but overall was a good emperor.

However, he wasn’t a good father.

Sampson Alastair had three sons and two daughters.

The two oldest princes were born to Queen Grizelda, who died unexpectedly when she gave birth to the second prince. A few years later, Sampson married his young lover Theodora, and brought his illegitimate son into the palace, and she gave birth to a pair of twin princesses.

The eldest Prince Ettram was destined to inherit the throne after Sampson’s death. Except for being born weaker, Ettram’s personality was almost a replica of the first emperor— Smart, stubborn, and decisive. Unfortunately, some years ago, he fell ill and was kept alive by precious herbs and the efforts of numerous healers.

The second prince, Abbas, had an amazing talent for magic, but was too gentle and unambitious. In order to show his brother that he really had no desire, he didn’t even want a fiefdom, so he went straight to become a mercenary. After the Tin Soldier Mercenary Regiment became famous all over the world, he would occasionally return to the palace to tell the then not yet emperor the interesting things outside, as well as important information that could not be known in the palace.