Episode 29. Building a real emperor (4)
Around three days later, Lufen got a call.
He was told that he would be handed over to the publican, and that he should prepare a speech upon ascending the throne.
Sherry was at a loss for what to say, but he spent two full nights preparing his speech.
And today, I visited the imperial palace for a speech announcing the new emperor. The previous day, the royal family and nobles had gathered together and held an emperor succession ceremony.
He had already held the coronation ceremony, but it was difficult to do it again in two months, so he decided to just give a speech.
The publican stood bewildered in the uniform worn by emperors. Surprisingly, he also looked good in his pants.
“Whoa…… I’m nervous.”
Surrounded by her servants, she said, rolling her feet.
“Nothing to do. Because it was originally where you were supposed to stand.”
As original.
To be honest, I wondered what the original work meant.
So many things have changed that it was not easy to predict the future.
“It feels a bit dated, but really, as Prause said, Princess Se-ri became the emperor.”
Tori said calmly with his arms crossed.
“I don’t think our efforts went wrong.”
“…… I hope so.”
How much did you sacrifice to get here?
But that’s half the time. There is still a long way to go. It was only after defeating the demon king that it could be said that it was over.
“I can relax for a while.”
“Uh, how is it? Prause. Duke Tori.”
Seri was looking at me with her long golden hair tied back in a ponytail. The makeup was also considerably darker than before.
Brilliant jewels on top of the white uniform she was wearing enhanced her appearance.
“It suits you well. Emperor tax collector.”
“Wow, the emperor…….”
“The emperor is right now, Your Majesty the Emperor of Taxi.”
“That’s right, but… ….”
She mumbled and crossed her fingers.
“It will take time to be acknowledged as emperor by the people of the empire. But I’m sure you’ll do well.”
“Yes.”
Still, my words seemed to have comforted him, and his expression improved a bit.
Smart.
A servant entered with a knock.
“Princess tax collector.”
“Yes?”
“Now is the time to go up.”
“Oh, yes.”
Seri answered with her nervous face.
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“Seri, don’t use honorifics to servants. You are now in a higher position than anyone else.”
“Yes. Now, there is nothing good for the person who will become the emperor to recklessly exalt his words.”
At Tori and I’s point, she pursed her lips. She appears to ponder for a moment, then nods her head.
Whoa!
Seri takes a deep breath with her eyes closed. When she slowly opened her eyes, she revealed a keen, cold gaze.
“…… I get it.”
A solemn tone.
To be honest, the tone of voice doesn’t really suit Seri’s appearance and personality, but even this was something I had to adapt to.
“Prause, Duke of Aus. Thank you. Really.”
“No. Your majesty.”
“…… Egg plant.”
A big step forward.
The red cloak flutters and follows her light steps. Behind her, numerous servants, knights, and our party followed.
* * *
“…… You just arrived.”
Loupen finishes his speech and turns around and finds us. The servants took a few steps back almost simultaneously and lowered their heads.
As he walks over, Chris, who was next to us, also stands boldly in front of us.
“Brother Chris.”
“Abama.”
Seri lowered her head. Lufen tried to pat the tax collector on the shoulder, but withdrew his hand.
She didn’t recognize her abilities until now and didn’t seem to have the nerve to encourage her neglectful daughter.
“Se-Ri, you have finally succeeded in ascending to the throne of the emperor after four years. No, Prause, should I say that your plan succeeded?”
Loupen hit him in the chest at the direct remarks made by many listeners. A provocation must be treated as a provocation.
“…… Did you enjoy living as an emperor for two months?”
“This… This guy, all the way…… !”
“What can I do? All your efforts have gone in vain.”
“Whoa… Don’t talk like you’re anything!”
Chris points her face at me. Just as the warriors in the back were about to intervene, Lufen shouted.
“Stop!”
“…… Tsk.”
Chris clicks his tongue and turns his head away.
“Prause, be careful with your words. No matter how much Chris stepped down from the position of emperor due to health problems, the fact that he is the ruling family of the empire remains unchanged.”
“Health issues… …. I get it.”
I said with a shrug. The pride of the imperial family, which only has a façade, will be protected until it dies.
“Prause, I will avenge you someday…… !”
“Revenge… ….”
I held back the fact that I almost laughed at Chris’ words. I’m sorry, but will you resign before you get your revenge?
“If you become an emperor, prove that he is fit for an emperor.”
Lupen said to the tax collector right before going up. She nodded her head without hesitation.
“Okay. Obama will not be disappointed. It will be a little different from the empire so far.”
“… ….”
At her tax collector’s calm reaction, Lufen looked at her as if she was surprised.
I don’t know what she’s thinking, but she seems to have succeeded in breaking the image of her daughter as her incompetent years ago.
“Yes. You are strong.”
He raised the corner of his mouth and smiled. He even glances at me.
Lupen must have known about it too. Making Seri the emperor makes it much easier for me to intervene in the empire.
But I didn’t blame myself, I had to blame my children for their incompetence. I was just looking for a justification and digging into that incompetence.
“Now, go up.”
Lupen pointed to the terrace. It was where Chris climbed about two months ago.
Seri looked at it from afar, then turned her head away. See me What, are you asking for support?
“…… Buy and come.”
“Yes!”
She gave a strong reply with a smile on her face as if she was overwhelmed by my words. She looked at her back as she strode away, and she was relieved. I’d be fine in that state.
Standing in front of her loudspeaker, she takes a deep breath.
“Nice to meet you, fellow citizens of the Empire. I am Seri Aether Pretium, the youngest daughter of His Majesty the Emperor Rufen.”
The murmur heard from beyond the terrace gradually grew louder.
Since Chris had said that she was stepping down as emperor due to health problems, everyone seemed to have predicted that Alter, the second prince, would surely be next.
However, when her youngest daughter, who was rumored to be incompetent after ignoring all the other princes, took the throne, everyone could not help but be puzzled.
“Starting today, I will lead the empire in which you will live.”
But tax collectors have to face each other.
Whether you are pointed at by others or insulted by others, you have to move forward.
This will save her and at the same time save her world.
“I am sure many of you here will be puzzled. It’s not my other brother, it’s because I’ve been designated as the next emperor.”
Continue talking calmly.
“But I am no longer the incompetent princess you know. As those of you already know, I’ve been doing things that benefit the Empire behind the scenes. And I am standing here with recognition from His Majesty, Emperor Rufen.”
If I had stood here without doing anything, I would have received a lot of criticism.
But ever since I brought the tax collector to Duke Ausu’s residence, I have been making him work steadily. Everything I’ve done so far has been for this very moment.
“There is only one thing I want to say as I stand here as the emperor. I intend to give true freedom to all beastmen and elves in the Empire by giving them equal rights with humans.”
The buzz grew louder at the sudden mention of another race. Occasionally, I even heard swear words. It was a reaction of why he was considerate of other races.
“Even before I stood here, I had thought that different races should not fight and criticize each other in front of a common enemy, the Demons. I always thought it was an act that hastened the destruction of mankind. I intend to break that chain.”
She shouted confidently in the midst of her hum.
He spits out quite long speeches without stuttering. She had been listening to what she had to say, and the end of her speech had come.
“I will make the empire develop in a more beneficial direction than it is now, and I will try to make sure that your lives are not threatened by the demons. So, I want you to believe in me and follow me.”
She said that and bowed her head.
The emperor’s head is heavy.
It’s only natural that you shouldn’t bow down because you’re above everyone else. But now she bowed her head with honorifics.
I don’t know how this will be received by the people of the Empire.
However, this could never happen in an empire with a caste system. This part was not a good act for the imperial family or the nobility. You might think that you have lost your reputation.
But because of that, he can be liked by the overwhelming majority of the imperial people, who have the status of commoners.
Because this could be an indirect meaning of respecting them.
After a while, applause is heard.
“Thank you.”
As Se-Ri shook her hand, she even cheered loudly.
This isn’t a cheer that comes from acknowledgment.
No matter what their thoughts were, Lufen pointed out the publican, so she resigned herself to obeying.
But in a slightly different way of speaking, they will look at the publican. It will be interesting to see how she leads her empire.
I think that alone made this speech a success.
If you do well in the future, everything will flow smoothly.
After giving her speech, the tax collector turns around. She walks looking at me I gave a thumbs up. Then she smiled and showed her gums.
The tax collector did a good job, so now it was my turn to take care of things.
* * *
A few days after Seri ascended the throne, Maria and I entered the palace.
We already knew that Chris slept in the bedroom next to her office.
“Maria, as I expected, Loggia might be protecting Chris. You must stop him.”
“Don’t worry. I will never let you get in the way.”
“Good.”
I opened the door to the bedroom next to the office. Perhaps awakened by the sound of the opening, he jumped up in surprise.
“Ph, Prause…… ? How are you guys here?!”
“Why do you think you are here?”
“What are you thinking! As you said, I have come down from the emperor’s seat! But how are you doing this?!”
I pulled vengeance.
“I’m here to settle the bill.”
“What are you saying…… !”
He pointed to the back of his hand with vengeance. He hurriedly grabbed his wrist and curled up.
“I don’t think you have any memories of making a contract with Lagor, but you made a contract with the demons.”
“What am I supposed to do with a demon?!”
“I don’t know about that. However, it is an undeniable fact that the contract was signed. So I can’t let you live.”
As I was about to swing my sword, I thought it would be a waste to kill him without hearing his sincerity.
“Yes. I’ll have to listen to your thoughts before I kill you.”
Sitting down on the bed, I muttered quietly.
“The Mantra.”
Hearing my voice, his eyes go blurry.
“If you come up with an answer you like, I will spare you.”