144 – 148
Several days passed since that morning.
Carefully holding a stack of reports piled in a red envelope marked as urgent from the intelligence department, he wondered, “What’s this…?”
– Rip!
Urgently opening the envelope, he read the contents.
A report stating that the King of Locusts, ruler of the Babylon, had appeared.
In a land where arable land is already scarce, the appearance of the demons who indiscriminately devour crops in the Babylonian Empire will lead to many deaths.
Come to think of it… How did he die in the original?
As far as I remember, around the beginning of the original work… the King of Locusts was already deceased.
Though his exact demise is not elaborately described, the appearance of the demons causing a global food shortage, known as the scourge of humanity, was depicted.
“First, it was decided to report to the State Council…”
Thinking about the State Council makes my head ache.
Theodora…
Since that day, I’ve been avoiding meeting her as much as possible.
During the regular State Council meetings, we do come face to face, but it can be said that we try to avoid talking to each other as much as possible.
Both she and I…
I don’t feel the need to mix words.
Of course, despite not speaking, both her actions and mine are reported to the Information Department.
Recently, I heard that she meets her maternal grandfather, Duke Jens, frequently.
Duke Jens used to be quite hot-headed when he was young, but after his daughter became the Empress, he rarely involved himself in imperial politics, advocating neutrality.
He must have had a hard time dealing with many requests from the family of the former Empress, who was favored by the Emperor and the Empress.
I am a bit curious about what they talk about when they meet.
If Theodora plans something strange, it will be troublesome to deal with it afterwards.
Just in case, I decide to issue a warrant to the Information Department to keep an eye on it, and that’s how my day begins.
**
Regular State Council meetings.
Important matters from all over the empire are discussed periodically.
Apart from the Information Department, five ministers, the Emperor, and myself participate in the State Council.
Currently, Minister of Finance, Frank, is addressing the current issue.
“If this situation continues for more than a month, the national treasury will be emptied. We should issue government bonds now.”
As his speech ends, everyone’s gaze falls on me.
Facing the silent pressure as if to solve the war I started, I calmly respond.
“There is a way to issue government bonds, but I’ve received a proposal regarding sponsorship from the Pieta Society recently, and I would like to share it with you.”
Originally, we had planned to issue bonds and have the Pieta Society receive interest, but I changed my mind a bit.
I open the envelope next to me, which contains the proposal from the Pieta Society, and share the proposal I wrote with the members of the State Council.
“The head of the Pieta Society wishes to show loyalty to the empire and the Emperor by offering a substantial sponsorship.”
Currently, the Pieta Society is swiftly liquidating securities other than technology investment sponsorships.
All State Council members, except Theodora, cannot hide their surprise at the proposal to return most of the substantial profits I had previously gained to the state.
“Is this… Is this really true?”
“Unless one is insane… to surrender most of their wealth to the state?”
How could any society decide to relinquish most of their wealth to the state just because of a civil war within the country?
Such a strange society does not exist in the long history of the empire.
As I need to dispose of the money quickly, I am merely postponing this absurd situation to transfer the society’s funds to the national treasury for management.
In other words, the society’s money is nothing but black money.
It is money not linked to me.
By transferring that money to the imperial treasury, except for important financial assets, I will donate the entire amount to the national treasury in a way that is easy to manage with the existing complex financial methods.
If it turns out that financial manipulation is disclosed, the backlash will be significant.
Of course, this method is not the best.
Given this strange situation, some may try to link me to it, but there is no evidence.
Anyway, the situation of donating most of the society’s wealth will surely astonish everyone.
“Is all of this not about loyalty to His Majesty?”
However, Theodora, whether she knew that I was the head of the Pietà Company or not, made a sullen expression.
“It must be loyalty to the Duke, not to Jim.”
Watching Theodora speak sharply, I shrug my shoulders and say, “If we have the Minister of Finance, will it be resolved?”
After my words, the Minister of Finance, with a vacant look, briefly opens his mouth after nodding.
“High-ranking demons have appeared in the Babylon Empire. As some of you may know, it’s the King of Locusts, Amon.”
Compared to the Demon King, they might not be powerful, but relatively, the Demon King is overwhelmingly stronger.
Demons are tens, if not hundreds, of times stronger than humans by nature, especially the King of Locusts, Amon, who has swarms of locusts causing significant harm to humans, so we need to be prepared.
“D… Demons have appeared?”
At my words, the room becomes noisy once again.
“Is that really true, Your Grace?”
I nod my head as I look at the surprised faces of Theodora and the ministers.
“Yes. They are causing significant damage in the Babylon Empire’s farmlands. We need to observe a bit more for now, but we must prepare our farmlands within the empire.”
There is no pesticide here, but recalling the vulnerability of the farmlands to the locust swarms led by demons from the original, I plan to purchase pesticides from the Holy See and spread them in the farmlands.
It will cost a lot of money, but… there’s no other way.
“Demons… if this continues, I’m not sure if the Demon King might actually appear.”
When Victor expresses his concern, I nod my head.
“It’s not a coincidence that demons have appeared this time. Right now, demon worshippers are probably dreaming of summoning the Demon King.”
Considering the fact that Amon approached the rioters, it must be to secure the sacrifices needed to summon the Demon King.
“It is indeed worrisome. Report to me if there are any new developments regarding the Duke.”
I nod at his words.
“I will distribute reports on demon worshippers to all ministers above the Minister of Finance as soon as they come in.”
With that statement, I almost had a peaceful day today.
If Theodora hadn’t detained me after the meeting, that is.
“Your Grace, Jim has something to discuss with you, so please stay for a moment.”
Despite her words, the other ministers look momentarily puzzled but soon leave the conference room.
-Clang…
As the heavy conference room door closes,
She looks at me with red eyes and says,
“There was no report on the war situation in the Cabinet meeting. Why is that?”
I shrug my shoulders at her words.
“It’s classified, but I do report confidentially to the Imperial Council’s War Committee.”
In reality, the only place where I am obligated to report on the war situation is there.
“No, as the Emperor of this country, I have the authority to oversee the Duke’s Office. I need to know what’s going on.”
I nod at her words.
“Then come to the Duke’s Office yourself for oversight.”
I am already too tired from the overwhelming amount of work.
Before the fighting even begins, with Theodora’s workload now transferred to me, I lead a life so arduous that sleeping in two-hour intervals twice a day is all I can afford.
At my words, Theodora makes a provocative expression.
“Are you calling me in for a serious talk?”
Without much thought, I nod at her words.
“Yeah. Come and do some work…”
At my words, Theodora gives me a cold, chilling stare.
“I will make you fail.”
Huh?
“And I will take away all the power you hold. But still, are you calling me in for a serious talk?”
I was slightly surprised by her unexpected words.
Isn’t she declaring war on me?
Listening to her words implying that she plans to make me fail but still expects to be called in for the job, I think to myself.
Anyway… I will be leaving in two years, won’t I?
To prevent a failure or a power vacuum, it’s better for her to be in charge.
Besides, she needs to gain experience.
Wasn’t that why she brought me in to work immediately after being crowned as the emperor?
Hmm… It’s not actually a bad idea.
Theodora has no chance of making me fail on her own.
She needs to build influence and maintain good relations with them.
Honestly… unless I plan to rule for a short term like me, it is essential to maintain a good relationship with them.
As one’s reign extends, there will be many nobles whose interests clash.
Sometimes you need to be conciliatory, sometimes firm, and in those times, having your faction on your side would be helpful.
From Noble mtl dot com
When she builds good relationships with them and transfers power, stable and efficient power transition becomes possible.
“Why? Are you scared now? Did you expect me to be this way…?”
Interrupting her mocking words as if she knew I wouldn’t come out, I say,
“Come. Come out and try to make me fail.”
Perhaps Theodora doesn’t realize that it might actually help me.
The bitterness in my mouth at that thought is palpable.
Saying that, I turn around to leave the conference room.
“Do you think… you can’t kick me out?”
In her angry tone, I reply,
“It’s up to you. Whether you kick me out or make me fail, just make sure to eat well first. You look like you’ve lost weight since I last saw you.”
Indeed, every time I see her recently, it seems like she’s lost a bit of weight.
Given that she’s already on the slender side, if she loses more weight and falls ill… it will be a headache later, so I say that and leave.
***
“I look like… I’ve lost weight…?”
His sudden remark.
Lately, I haven’t been eating well, so I have lost weight.
It’s a surprise that he noticed something my family didn’t, but I quickly change my thoughts.
Am I underestimating my ability to make him fail?
Huh… Just wait and see. I will definitely strip you of all your power.
It was originally my power. Just wait and see how long I will stay like this, so carefree.
I leave the empty conference room behind.