Chapter 25

　　Over the next month, Kal spent every free moment he had to spare in the Virtual World of MechTech BattleWarrior.` His skills improved dramatically under Tamara`s and Talha`s combined tutelage. Firearms, tactics, even unarmed combat he noticed that against his peers in the game, he was markedly ahead.

　　He was earning a bit of a reputation, to the point where several of his contacts in the game would join him on missions. He didn`t encourage it or communicate with them much, but the Quests became a breeze with their joining forces against inferior opponents.

　　Kal soon upgraded his gear, replacing his old, worn-out armour with a brand new set, shining black with a helmet that obscured his face. He added a Lasrifle to complement his pistol, preferring the interchangeable battery cartridges and the accuracy of the Lasrifle over the ballistic alternatives.

　　He had also located Triton on the Galactic Map. Part of the Scutum-Centaurus Arm, it was hundreds of thousands of light years away from Caledon but only a single jump by Starship.

　　In the real world, it was part of another Duchy, one of the thousands of planets administrated by Duchess Samira, a contemporary of Kal`s that he had never met, her having come to power during his time in stasis.

　　Much of the construction on the estate had been completed during this time. And while it didn`t have the grandeur and majesty of the Palace of Kal`s youth, it was adequate for what they needed. The roof had been repaired in the Palace Throne Hall, with a new, simple chair replacing the opulent Throne that his father had preferred.

　　The grounds, a place that Kal preferred to visit each day for solitude and peace, were thriving. The summer sun and the attention from the gardeners had brought back the green lawns and colourful flowerbeds.

　　As Caledon healed and flourished, the lives of the people improved. The smell of woodsmoke in the estate was gone, replaced with the scent of roses, lilacs, lilies, and freshly cut grass. Clean-up of the environment was progressing, and each day brought new challenges to Governor Sylla and her government.

　　With the repair of the estate, hearing petitions from amongst his citizens would need to be reinstated. It was a task that the reigning Noble was responsible for performing.

　　As the Emperor`s representative, it would be up to him to administer the law, and hear the appeals of the wrongfully accused, or those hoping for clemency.

　　During his Father`s time, the Duke mainly ignored the citizens` pleas, preferring to focus more on his own pursuits. During his Grandfather, Emeritus` reign, people would travel from all over the Duchy to meet with him, requiring careful scheduling and an in-depth vetting process to eliminate those who were a waste of time or whose verdicts from Sylla`s magistrates Kal agreed with.

　　Still, even reducing the number to the bare minimum, Kal remembered his Grandfather meeting with thousands of petitioners during those forums. Everyone, from business magnates to the poorest citizen, was entitled to be heard.

　　Sylla had scheduled a citizen`s forum to coincide with unveiling the recently renovated estate. It would also be Kal`s debut to the planet`s public. Most of Caledon`s inhabitants had only seen him through his trial`s old holos.

　　He preferred to communicate through Sylla to ensure a proper chain of command and to allow her to be the face of the government.

　　Walking up the steps to his throne` on a raised dais, Kal assessed the room around him. A long red carpet ran the length of the room, plush and perfectly clean, while chairs and seating had been arranged in rows to each side. Large banners had been commissioned to hang from the walls, and the red stag of Caledon stood prominent.

　　House guards, wearing newly created uniforms and wielding Lasrifles, stood at the entrances and spaced evenly throughout the space. All were trusted Veterans from the Marauders, Kal preferring familiar faces to surround him on such an important day.The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

　　Next to him, Governor Sylla stood beside his Throne, wearing a black dress with a large, crimson stag broach above her heart. Her hair and makeup were perfect, and she exuded calm and control despite the anxiety and nervousness that flooded through her.

　　If someone had told her she would be leading a successful government of Caledon two months ago, she would have laughed in their face. Now, however, things were looking better than ever for their world.

　　"Ready?" Kal asked, turning to the governor beside him. He waited until she took a deep breath and nodded before gesturing to the guards to open the doors.

　　A sea of people entered the palace hall. Reporters, petitioners, business owners, magistrates and government employees from around the planet, everyone was interested in seeing the Baron. Holo recorders hovered above them, transmitting the scene to everyone on Caledon and the Imperial Net beyond.

　　The chairs quickly filled, and still more people arrived, standing along the walls and wherever they could find a space. Each of them stared unabashedly at Kal. His perfectly pressed and tailored uniform, handsome appearance and noble temperament drew the eye, even without a throne.

　　To many, he was a historical figure, looking like he had stepped straight out of the recordings of his trial 500 years before.

　　Kal waited until everyone had filed into the hall before addressing the crowd.

　　"I am Baron Kalen of Caledon. I must administer Imperial Justice on these lands by the Grace and Benevolence of the Emperor of Humanity. Step forward and be heard. I stand ready to listen to petitions on behalf of our Sovereign. " Kal stated, keeping his speech simple, like his interactions with those closest to him.

　　Kal had a job to do, one that he would perform as expected. He wasn`t a jester, entertaining the masses. He preferred to keep the pomp and pageantry to a minimum, abhorring his parent`s behaviour of soaking up attention with garish spending to elevate themselves above others.

　　The day was scheduled to provide a forum for nearly a hundred people to state their concerns or requests to Kal. All had provided a summary beforehand, allowing him to review and prepare his response, further hastening the process.

　　The first petitioner was a business owner from Trier who was on the verge of losing his company due to the new environmental and labour laws. He requested an exemption on taxes for the year to balance the new costs. Kal approved it, provided the company adhered to regular assessments from Sylla`s government to ensure they met their part of the bargain.

　　The next few were similar until a small group stood before Kal. Dressed in plain clothes, they were representatives of the workers of Trier.

　　"Milord, we request your support in forming a Worker`s Union. We have interested members from all over Caledon, but most of our people are worried that there may be punishments or repercussions for joining. With your support, we can finally stand up for our rights." Their leader, a young woman, stated.

　　"You will have it. You may form your union, and any implication of corporate retaliation will result in their expulsion from Caledon. You have my word." Kal replied.

　　The rest of the petitions passed quickly, although only a few were memorable to Kal. As the issues had already been reviewed before the public forum, it was more of a public declaration than a drawn-out deliberation process.

　　That was until the last petitioner of the day stood before Kal. A middle-aged man, he looked as if he had been through hard times, his clothes well-worn and faded. To Kal`s recollection, the man was from off-world, seeking permission to expand his business operations into Caledon.

　　The reality of the man`s appearance made Kal doubt that explanation.

　　"Milord. I am Alexander Burns of Rathmus. Before the Rebellion, my family were the administrators of our world under your family`s rule." Burns explained.

　　Kal looked to Sylla, who subtly shook her head. She had no idea that Burns would be a petitioner. His purpose here today, including his provided name on the schedule, was falsified to allow him entry. She was about to call the guards to remove him when Kal halted her with a small gesture.

　　"I am aware of your family`s honoured past, Mr. Burns. However, as you know, Rathmus is no longer under the purview of my Barony. What brings you to Caledon?" Kal asked, curious.

　　Caledon wasn`t the only planet he owed a debt to, but he was powerless to assist anyone out of his sphere of influence. He would not defy the Emperor by pushing beyond what his title granted him.

　　"I am here to request your help, Milord! Our planet is in anarchy. My family is destitute. Please, Lord! We have served the Caledons loyally for thousands of years. Please help us!" Burns cried, dropping to his knees and pressing his forehead to the ground.

　　Kal frowned, knowing that other planets needed his help was on the forefront of his mind, but his hands were tied. In a sense, Kal was imprisoned on Caledon and bound by the Emperor`s will like his iron chains had on Terra.

　　He wanted to help every one his family had wronged, but he was powerless to do so at the moment.

　　Standing, he walked down the dais. Kneeling beside the man, Kal helped him to his feet. Gripping his arms, Kal spoke.

　　"I understand. And I will help you. I will petition the Emperor, asking for permission to bring his justice and mercy to Rathmus." Kal stated, patting Burns on the shoulder.