134 – The Crown Prince’s Request (4)
And the next day, I received the emperor’s summons and went to the emperor’s throne room.
Being able to discuss politics alone with the emperor at the age of only his mid-20s is the greatest honor as a nobleman and general of the empire.
Therefore, all I have to do is be pure joy and do my best to achieve what the Emperor expects of me.
At the same time, the emotions I felt were more tension than just anticipation and excitement.
Because His Majesty the Crown Prince always gave me huge tasks every time he met me, but when I met the Emperor in person, I couldn’t imagine what kind of tasks would fall on me.
As I was dazed and contemplating between the conflicting feelings of tension and anticipation, the captain in uniform next to me knocked on the door and said,
“Director Peter Yeager has arrived. Shall I let you in?”
After a while, a deep and low voice was heard from beyond the door.
“Let me in.”
At the same time as he said that, the door opened and I went inside and saw the emperor, bowed and said.
“Viscount Peter Jaeger sees the greatest sun of the Empire.”
“Get up. There are a lot of things I want to talk about with you. “Just sit over there for now.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
After saying that, I got up and looked around, and my eyes caught the sight of incredibly colorful furniture and artwork.
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The king’s throne and other furniture were inlaid with gold, and on the walls were paintings worth hundreds of gold, including portraits of the emperor. Various swords and even the armor that was worn at the banquet.
Furthermore, the floor is covered with a red silk carpet that must have been made in the East, and the entire room is made of white marble.
However, I made no effort to show my surprise and sat down on a chair that was shabby compared to the throne but had a dignified elegance.
“Although he first requested the request through the Crown Prince, his performance in persuading the Pope’s envoy and preventing the excommunication from being extended in the Republic was truly outstanding. Thanks to this, our empire no longer has to shed unnecessary blood.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
“This matter was conducted in secret, so we cannot publicly reward you, so I will send 2,000 gold to your house later.”
I didn’t fight with a sword and risked my life in the war, but you gave me a reward of 2,000 gold.
As expected, the Reich Empire, which I serve, often demands such hard work, but it always seems to be a country that gives rewards to the point where it is too excessive.
Then now I will have to repay you with even more achievements.
“It is an honor, Your Majesty.”
When the awards for my achievements were completed, His Majesty’s expression hardened as if he was about to tell something important.
I focused all my attention on what words would come out of the emperor’s mouth.
“The report sent by the director said that we must be wary of the church in the future. “Do you have any intention of going back on that statement?”
It goes without saying, but I have no intention of taking back what I said.
Because on the Europa continent, the church has completely lost its real power and remains only as a symbol of authority.
Isn’t the reason the Reich Empire was able to exert such great influence in this war because it directly used the authority of the Deus Church and all countries except the Francois Republic agreed to it?
But now, the Pope is not satisfied with having the highest authority in religious and daily life, and is slowly losing his taste for power.
And he said that we must be wary of the choices the Pope will make because they are so obvious.
“How could I report nonsense to Your Majesty?”
“Then tell me the basis for it. “I read the report, but I think I need to hear your explanation.”
“Then, I will personally tell you what I thought while negotiating with the messenger secretly sent by the Pope.”
The emperor nodded his head in permission and I spoke with a confident voice.
“The Pope’s original purpose in this Francois expedition was to receive 200,000 gold gold in atonement from the Francois Republic in return for providing justification for the Reich Empire’s war, as well as to exercise some influence on internal affairs. Through this, he may have intended to gradually strengthen the influence of the church within the empire.”
The evidence that can be cited is that the Francois Republic handed over all leading members of the anti-war faction to the Vatican’s heresy inquisitors to establish the authority of the Pope, and spent 200,000 gold, equivalent to several months’ worth of the Vatican’s budget. And it was handed to me.
Before this war broke out, the Reich Empire, which was directly affected, requested that the excommunication of the Republic be lifted, but it was refused.
Although the initiative to excommunicate lies with the Pope, it is very obvious that his intention was to put the Empire in a disadvantageous position by maintaining the excommunication against the Republic in this situation.
“It’s a shame that I came up with a solution that will satisfy the Holy Father. “Otherwise, the empire would have either contributed a lot of money this time or made some concessions in internal affairs.”
“It sounds shocking, but it’s not wrong. That’s right. So, Director Jaeger, I authorized other measures except handing over the territory to you.”
“And if I hadn’t thrown the right bait, I think they would have demanded that a cathedral be built on the island to commemorate the victory over the Francois Republic.”
When the emperor heard those words, a clear and visible anger appeared on his face.
What if a building called a cathedral was built in the imperial capital as a symbol of its great role in this victory?
The Pope and clergy must have asked the Empire to take a good look at them since they played a certain role in winning this war.
In return, they may demand that clergy be restored to the right to serve in public office as they did two hundred years ago.
Well, I would start by asking for official recognition of the work of assistant to the village chief in a small village, which is still done by priests at the cathedral.
In the future, you may be asked to open a path for people to become city council members and central officials.
“Just thinking about it makes me irritated. Okay. Then of course there must be a solution to that, right?”
“Use our power to recommend bishops and cardinals to fill the prelates with your Majesty’s men. In addition, I think you should use money and fame to appease those who do not support Your Majesty.”
“For detailed policies. Ha, yes, you are not an administrator. If I ask any more, it may be overstepping the scope of the administrators. “I will instruct you to review the rest separately.”
His Majesty the Emperor is a very wise man, so if I just let him know that I came up with this idea, he will come up with detailed measures on his own.
In addition, the contents of my report do not end here.
“However, looking at the contents of the report you sent, it seems that the empire will be safe from the Pope’s antics for the time being. “There is definitely a basis for thinking this way.”
“Yes, His Holiness the Pope is addicted to the fun of wielding the papal power. Because now he will think of getting involved in other countries’ wars for the sake of an even stronger papacy. “It seems that he is trying to gain authority that would make the world tremble, like Innosius I.”
“Other empires and principalities will be outraged. No, at first he might welcome the Holy Father who gives him a strong justification to support the war he is waging. “He’s going to hate it so much later.”
As you said, you may think it is okay to give up a little territory or money to the Pope who provided the justification for the war in the first place.
If the Pope, who has no real power and does not move a single soldier, asks to build something like a cathedral to commemorate the victory, and to create a foundation for clergy to participate in administration…
What monarch of an empire would welcome that with both hands and feet?
“I understand. Then, let’s stop with this report and the report on the negotiations.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Instead, there is something I need to tell you. “It’s not a big deal, but our empire is preparing for war with the Principality of Switzerland.”
The moment I heard those words, I remembered the last time I was stuck in the Chief of Staff headquarters and worked overtime four days a week for a month, and I shuddered.
Because, looking at the current trend, the trend is to present a specific plan during the suspension period.
“Ah, I wanted to leave the planning of the strategy to you. This time, the crown prince will produce the draft. “There is no need to worry as the Chief of Staff will review and implement it.”
Those words made me feel relieved.
Because I desperately needed a vacation right now.
“It just bothers me that you, a pillar of the empire, have no children at your age. Additionally, it would take a year just to prepare to invade Switzerland. “Work hard during your suspension period.”
Vacation is a vacation, but even if your mind is at ease, your body may not be at ease.
“Also, make sure you manage your subordinates more thoroughly. If the crown prince inherits the throne, you will also have to take charge of a part of the imperial army. “It is too late to start building the trust of soldiers and officers.”
It’s better than spending your vacation buried in documents, though.
Often during the day, you would have to deliver consolation money or write a letter of consolation to a soldier or officer who had made a contribution but was injured or had a difficult situation.
At night, Laura and I are 100% guaranteed to leave work on time…
Thinking like that, I felt like the days ahead would be very difficult, so I answered in a weak voice.
“I will do my best to follow your orders.”