37. Preparing for the Future (2)
When Kariel moved, the imperial palace went into an uproar.
In the name of the Prime Minister’s visit, a Daejeon meeting was held to urge a solution to the shortage of personnel.
When the high-ranking aristocrats of the aristocrats opened the Daejeon meeting with an order to attend, everyone entered the Daejeon with a tense expression.
Everyone knew that Kariel’s patience had reached the limit.
The reason why Kariel, famous for being cold-hearted since the days of the Crown Prince, was evaluated as a little harmful after becoming emperor is because the nobles sneakily climbed over him.
When you see it from the outside, you’ll wonder what kind of bullshit it is.
This is because it was only recently that he killed the rebels and, using that as an excuse, picked out and purged the nobles who opposed him.
However, if the nobility had a cause and objected, Kariel took it one step at a time.
Contrary to what I thought would bring about a radical change when I became emperor, there was a reason why it did not change significantly.
But that ended today.
“His Majesty has drawn his sword.”
“You’ve got enough weapons… … You don’t have to be patient any longer.”
The ministers thought that this time the aristocracy would be divided.
This was because the aristocratic house had no justification to stop the emperor holding a weapon.
An emperor who has secured legitimacy.
Insufficient manpower.
Nobles who couldn’t find an answer even though they gave them a chance.
Lastly, the situation became more urgent due to the sudden change of Iron.
All of this is to become a weapon for Kariel.
Even the two dukes had already given up on the throne, so there was no way to keep Kariel in check.
Even so, the nobles had no place to back down.
The moment they accept the revolutionary forces, the common people they have been trying to block enter politics.
To prevent that, the aristocrats of the aristocrats made up their minds with firm expressions.
“Has everyone gathered?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Sitting on the throne, Kariel looked at the nobles coldly with her chin resting.
Then, the eyes of the aristocrats, who were holding their hearts together, shook.
Kariel, who looked at the nobles with an expression several times colder than usual, quietly opened her mouth.
“As everyone knows, the current empire is in crisis. I was driven into a situation where I had to go to war with the Holy Kingdom and the southern kingdoms. In addition, Iron is also divided into two factions and is fighting.”
As soon as the civil war was over, the war broke out with the powerful countries of the West Continent.
I couldn’t back out either.
The moment you step down from here, the glory of the empire will be lost forever. The honor of being the strongest in the West Continent, and the position of an empire that is only a facade will completely disappear.
Even the nobles knew that, so they couldn’t stop the war.
There was no option to retreat to the Empire.
“As everyone knows, the war that will begin in Iron will be more than just a war fought by warlocks. That’s why you have to take good care of the inside of the empire… … .”
Kariel blurted out his words and frowned. Then everyone looked at him with nervous expressions.
“The work is going crazy and the work is going to be paralyzed. But, can’t I find a way to solve it, and I can only find it?”
When Kariel looked at the ministers, they bowed their heads with an apologetic expression.
Then everyone looked at the Jaesang with a subdued expression.
Because now was the time for him to go.
Whenever Kariel secretly tried to hire revolutionary forces, it was the prime minister who stopped them in the middle.
But this time, even the prime minister was silent.
Because he was showing his hardship on his face.
‘James will die too.’
Kariel bowed her head and smiled inwardly as she looked at Jae-sang, who was standing still.
Last night, I sent a letter with a short sentence to ask if I couldn’t do it anymore.
Excluding the introduction and conclusion, in fact… … .
“Please do as your Majesty wills.”
It was no different than this.
In other words, even the prime minister surrendered.
“My answer is one. To select and use talented people. But the nobles objected. Then shouldn’t you guys come up with a solution on your own?”
This time, I asked while looking at the nobles, but the two dukes kept their mouths shut. Then other high-ranking nobles panicked.
At least the dukes knew how to object.
As the two leaders of the aristocrats remained silent, the other high-ranking nobles also silently bowed their heads.
“My answer is still the same. First of all, bring in and use the revolutionary forces.”
“However, they are too dangerous.”
“If you’re afraid of what they might do, shouldn’t you just keep an eye on it so that the thing you fear so much doesn’t happen?”
The nobleman who stepped forward closed his mouth at Kariel’s answer.
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Just then, a woman stepped forward.
Looking at the woman bending her waist as if asking for permission, she nodded slightly and opened her mouth.
“Your Majesty, the result of using the revolutionary forces only in Salem as you wish is the present East.”
“It’s the present eastern part… … .”
As if to say more, Kariel gave permission to speak, and the nobleman, who gained courage, brought the plate he had prepared and showed it to everyone.
There were aristocrats who lost their territory, the cause of which was the departure of the territories, and the decline of the authority of the nobles due to the oppression of wealthy commoners.
In particular, the fall in the authority of the nobility was the biggest.
The empire was clearly a caste society.
Still, it didn’t make sense that wealthy merchants had an advantage over the ruined nobles.
“your majesty! In the East, the number of people buying and selling the status of nobility has increased significantly. It shakes the very foundations of the empire. Even though I only appointed Salem, if you appoint a revolutionary force at the center at this rate, the entire empire will be in danger!”
It was definitely a valid statement.
“It is not just that the beliefs are opposed to it. We are aware that an increase in the number of wealthy commoners makes the empire more stable and prosperous. However, such a radical change would bring a barely stable empire back into chaos.”
Seeing the woman speaking with a genuinely worried expression on her face, Kariel put on an interesting expression.
“Jim doesn’t want that either. I have said many times that the authority of the nobles will be guaranteed. Do you not believe in Jim?”
The woman who bowed more at Kariel’s question opened her mouth.
“Is that possible? Contrary to Your Majesty’s intentions, they will be greedy even more, and I am concerned that confusion will come in the end.”
Kariel smiled as she watched the woman who trembled as if she was afraid, but ended up saying everything she had to say.
“It’s fun. So what is your answer? Surely you didn’t oppose it without a solution?”
“… … It will not be the revolutionary forces currently in the East.”
“then?”
“There are still scholars from commoners in each province. Please prioritize them.”
“It will be far from enough.”
“It doesn’t. for example… … .
The woman’s plan, which began to calmly explain to Kariel, who shook her head as if that was not enough, was this.
1. Priority is given to semi-nobles who have been pushed out of the center.
2. When their abilities are recognized, even commoners are sealed as semi-nobility (baron status limited to the time period).
3. If it is still insufficient, it is allowed to appoint revolutionary forces that have not yet headed east.
After hearing her explanation, Kariel quietly thought.
Then, everyone stared at Kariel’s face with nervous expressions.
In fact, even this kind of plan was unacceptable from the point of view of the aristocrats. Nevertheless, the reason that the woman’s horse was left uncut is because, considering the momentum of Kariel seen today, it seemed that the entire revolutionary force in the east would be brought along, so the calculation was laid to block it at this level rather than cutting it.
“What is your name?”
“It’s called Shasta Thatcher.”
As Kariel tilted her head as if she had never heard of it, the waitress, who was waiting nearby, whispered quietly.
It was a family that had been in the central political world long ago, but was pushed out when the era of the dark army began.
Originally, the family did not belong to the aristocratic faction, but as the woman became the head of the family, they changed to the aristocratic faction, and eventually entered the central political world.
‘That’s amazing.’
Kariel looked at the woman and was genuinely impressed.
It’s not that there aren’t cases where women become household heads in the empire, but it was very difficult. However, it was not enough to achieve that, so he switched to the aristocratic faction and entered the central political world at the time.
But the most remarkable thing was that the woman’s face looked very young.
“It’s fun. As you said, if too many revolutionary forces are hired, problems can arise. However, there is a serious shortage of manpower. As you said, the semi-nobles and officials from commoners who have been relegated to the provinces are hired first. If that’s still not enough, I’m thinking of bringing in eastern personnel only for the insufficient positions… … How is it?”
Thatcher could not answer Kariel’s question and bowed his head. In the end, he looked resentful for not being able to stop it.
Since she couldn’t fulfill her mission, her use in the nobility was also exhausted.
He had to go through all kinds of hardships to get to this position, but eventually he was pushed back to the provinces.
After reading her thoughts, Kariel smiled and said.
“Still, since I’ve presented a worthwhile opinion, I’ll give you a chance.”
“… … Yes?”
Kariel said to her, who raised her head with a blank expression.
“I will give you the authority to monitor the revolutionary forces on behalf of the nobles.”
“Ugh!”
“As you said, rapid change can lead to chaos. Block it. Also, try to lead the flow so that you can change appropriately.”
Thatcher, who had been dazed by Kariel’s words, hurriedly knelt down.
“lung… … I will definitely repay your grace.”
Kariel nodded at Thatcher’s words and looked at the ministers.
“Get it right this time. I won’t give you any more chances, so if something like the last time happens again… … .”
When Kariel looked sideways at the sword without saying anything more, the ministers who became contemplative hurriedly bent their backs.
Satisfied with that appearance, Kariel nodded and moved on to the next item.
“An army led by Talos and the Master of Roteon entered Iron.”
“I will go with my convictions.”
Cariel put on an apologetic expression at Duke David’s words. He said with a sigh at the sight of the duke voluntarily stepping out before Kariel gave the order.
“I am sorry to send you back to the battlefield not long after the war. When the war is over, your sacrifice will surely be repaid.”
After saying that, he gave the authority to move part of the central army and moved on to the next item.
“The Principality has requested assistance from the Empire.”
“no way… … .”
“I heard that Roman is leading a large army and preparing to attack.”
Having said that, Kariel handed out the materials brought by the shadows. Based on the news he had heard as the Pirate King, the shadows were investigated and the completed materials were scattered, and anger began to appear on the faces of the nobles.
“Talos and Roteon are clearly enemies of the Empire as of today. Is there anyone against it?”
Everyone gathered in Daejeon bowed their heads at Kariel’s question.
The circumstances in which Talos and Roteon entered into a secret pact with Roman and Roman’s movement of the army in time were not possible unless they were prepared in advance.
“I’m thinking of appointing a commander for the troops to send to the principality… … .”
“Your conviction… … .”
“You will remain.”
As the Duke of Wilkshire was about to step forward, Kariel shook his head resolutely.
“You will be closed from today. This is Jim’s order.”
“your majesty… … .”
“Break walls and rise to great heights for the sake of the Empire. That should be a top priority.”
The Duke of Walkshire, who was on the verge of becoming a mage.
Unlike the Sword Master, the wizards needed time to contemplate what they had learned through meditation whenever they reached a wall.
Knowing that he could attain the status of a mage only after re-examining all of the magic he had learned, Kariel decided to give the Duke of Walkshire some time.
“The Principality will let the Marquis of Achelio go.”
“your majesty! There must be one master in the capital.”
At the words of the Duke of Walkshire, Kariel shook his head.
“The capital of an empire is powerful even without a master. And if you’re nervous, wouldn’t it be okay for you to become a mage?”
At Cariel’s words, the Duke of Walkshire widened his eyes and bowed his head.
“… … I will surely live up to Your Majesty’s expectations.”
“But don’t be too hasty.”
Having said that, Kariel called the Marquis of Akelio.
After a while, when the Marquis of Achelio arrived, Cariel took the sword and handed it to him.
“I will attach one group of knights in the Imperial Palace and two groups of knights in the Central Army. The Knights of the Archduke will also join.”
“Yes.”
“I will help the iron wall with the commander of the east.”
“I take orders.”
When Marquis Akelio replied with his head bowed, Cariel nodded satisfactorily and broke the meeting.
With this, all preparations for the great war in the Western Continent were completed.
The only thing left now is to triumph confidently and regain the glory of the past.