Due to its great power, however, ambitious would-be emperors and evil warlords often sought the Sword to further their own end.

Alois Hrunta had merely been the most successful of the would-be emperors of space.

Was it conceivable that the scientific genius and the would-be emperor were the same person?

"If I may advise," he began humbly, "we have yet another rich line of attack against our would-be emperor, and that is the empire itself."

The would-be emperor of all the world dared to send bands of his agents into dwarven lands to pursue his edicts!

Quickly, the would-be emperor turned the conversation back to an earlier subject.

The drake who had reported to the would-be emperor hissed and bared his claws.

The would-be emperor had taken over their caverns, stolen their birthplace.

But the young would-be emperor was philosophical.

The would-be emperor escaped the prospect of war with his father by hastily departing the camp with a few close followers.