40. Are you crossing the line? (2)
The fact that Kariel entered training was known externally as the news that he had collapsed from overwork.
In the meantime, I was working overtime as if I was eating rice, so the words of recuperation from overwork came to me persuasively.
Then, the momentum of the inspection department, which wielded power in all directions, also weakened.
Of course, the aristocrats who were under pressure from intense work were able to breathe, and the merchants who had shrunk a lot as a result were able to stretch.
“There is only one His Majesty, but… … .”
The prime minister stared blankly at the unbelievable scenery.
Obviously, it was a painful situation for the Empire to have the emperor lying down.
It is not a common situation, and the news that the emperor collapsed from overwork during the war is because it lowers the morale of the people of the empire.
In addition, it also lowered the morale of the army in the midst of the war.
Nevertheless, there was a faint smile on the lips of the officials.
Seeing this, Winston coughed and hurriedly lowered his head and passed by while controlling his expression.
“Kuhm!”
Occasionally, when Winston noticed, he would hurriedly hide his expression, but the chancellor himself would smile from time to time.
Despite the lack of work due to the emperor’s absence, the ministers were making faces as if they were going to live.
There was no one to say anything about even if things were a little behind, so it seemed like I could live with that alone.
But apart from this, things got worse and worse.
Contrary to the Empire’s expectations, the southern kingdoms’ resistance was persistent.
Due to the emperor’s absence, the Daejeon Hall was unavailable, so instead, major meetings had to be held at the Prime Minister’s Office.
And after a few minutes, when we arrived at the meeting room one by one, the chancellor opened his mouth.
“First of all, let’s listen to reports about the southern kingdoms.”
At the Chancellor’s words, Tarion reported what had been going on.
“You are more persistent than expected.”
Winston, who received Tarion’s report on behalf of Kariel, sighed.
It was because Roteon, who thought it was almost over, was persistently biting the Empire’s intelligence department.
“Even from Roteon’s point of view, I am pouring all my energy into thinking that it will be the end if I step down here.”
At Tarion’s words, the chancellor nodded slightly.
From the Empire’s point of view, it would be nice if they would step back in moderation, but from Roteon’s point of view, that was not possible.
Talos also succeeded in attracting some of the criminal groups to their side by pouring huge amounts of money.
Perhaps because of this, huge funds were flowing into the border area between the Empire and Talos.
As the situation was like this, the rebels within the Iron also did not die. Because the southern kingdoms endured, the rebels also endured without surrender.
Then even the Roman Empire had to be checked, but that wasn’t easy either.
Unlike the Pirate King, who was friendly to the Empire, some of the pirates were reluctant to join the Empire’s plans.
For the pirates, a chaotic time like now was just right.
“It’s a piece of shit.”
“Since they are pirates, it will be difficult for even a pirate king to completely lead.”
At Tharion’s words, Winston sighed.
There were people who wanted to remain in the same position as they are now, rather than becoming a dog of the empire by creating a country.
As a result, plans to support Roman’s neighboring countries were being delayed.
The problem is that, because of this, horses began to emerge from within the empire as well.
Even the empire under the world could not continue to use its enormous budget forever. Ultimately, the time comes when you need to set priorities and postpone or overturn existing plans.
It would be nice if the emperor with a strong imperial power pushed them out, but the emperor who would lead them was overworked.
And the tower was aiming for that gap.
“I think they are crossing the line more and more… … .”
“Your Majesty’s command was to leave it alone.”
At the Minister’s words, Winston nodded heavily.
All those already in this place were individually ordered by Kariel.
By clearly defining what to do in their respective positions, they are able to cope with unexpected situations as they arise.
“But it still seems dangerous, shouldn’t I tell His Majesty?”
He shook his head when Winston asked as he looked at Tarion, the captain of the bodyguard and known as the Emperor’s closest confidant.
“The chieftain has decided that the time is not yet.”
“Um… … .”
A judge’s judgment.
The ministers gathered here may feel humiliated.
Because they were all high-ranking nobles or elites.
However, the valet who takes care of Kariel now is not a common class.
Read at noblemtl.com
Just being a member of the Secret Guard was enough to be respected, and that alone was not enough, and Kariel had greatly elevated his authority for the current chieftain.
That is why even Prime Minister Winston respects his judgment.
“It seems that he decided that the tower did not completely cross the line.”
“after… … I do, but… … It’s getting dangerous.”
Winston looked uncomfortable.
Unlike the beginning, now they have been tackling the central government department as well.
Seeing that the tower was slowly trying to interfere with the plans of the empire, it seemed like it would become an irretrievably large force if left alone.
“Anyway, that’s why I sent a petition to the aristocrat that he should condemn Matota.”
The Minister of Home Affairs showed me the petition sent by the aristocrat and said.
The influence of the aristocrats continued to decrease as more local nobles attached to the tower saying they could not trust the central nobles who surrendered to the emperor.
Then, feeling a sense of crisis, the aristocrat began to file a petition saying that sanctions should be imposed on the horse tower.
As if he didn’t like the punishment of the cotton bat of the inspection department, he found corruption related to the mage tower himself and handed it over to the central ministry.
But this time it was different.
Unlike the individual submissions, this time the petition was sent to the Minister of Home Affairs through a formal meeting.
“With this, the justification has been sufficiently accumulated.”
When the chancellor, who had read the entire petition, spoke in a heavy voice, everyone nodded.
“Yes, all that remains is your Majesty’s secret plan.”
“Is that when it started?”
At the words of the Minister of Finance, the Chancellor looked at Podolsky and asked.
“Yes, when the secret plan is completed, you ordered the Inspection Department to move first.”
“If they come out aggressively… … .”
“He told me to move the army and wipe out the towers first.”
This time, the military commander said.
I hope not to go there, but if the tower crosses the line, the history of the tower in the Empire will end.
They know it too, they try not to cross the line, but where is it going?
Those blinded by greed were trying to cross the line, and even if they crossed it occasionally, if the punishment was weak, it would be a little bit more.
If that happens repeatedly, you will end up crossing the line completely without knowing whether you are going to die.
“please… … I hope nothing of concern happens.”
Everyone nodded heavily at the words of the Prime Minister.
Wizards of the Mage Tower are also an important resource for the empire. If such beings cross the line and die, one of the powers of the empire’s development will collapse.
In my head, I thought they would not cross the line, but somehow the chancellor felt anxious that they would do something irreversible.
And the chancellor’s prediction was unfortunately correct.
* * *
One day, a month before Kariel’s 18th birthday.
Finally, what I was worried about so much happened.
When the emperor, who was said to have collapsed from overwork, lay longer than expected, voices began to come out asking if there was a problem with his health.
Strange rumors began to circulate, ranging from the recurrence of a childhood illness to the fact that the cause was an internal injury sustained while trying to prevent a volcanic eruption.
Rumors that Kariel’s condition was gradually getting worse began to circulate, causing chaos in the empire.
As the empire faltered, the central government also faltered.
The Inspection Department was also unable to escape the chaos, and as the Inspection Department’s surveillance network was loosened as a result, the Mage Tower attempted to sell some of its magic tools to the south.
Of course, from the Mage Tower’s point of view, it was a really insignificant magic tool.
The problem is that the magic tool is an important resource that can be used as a weapon if processed.
It was an attempt to substitute some of the resources from the south for magic tools to maximize profits, but the problem was that the target was an enemy country that was currently waging war.
Despite the warning not to sell it, in the end, the Mage Tower couldn’t stand its greed, and the chancellor, who received the report from the inspection department, moved.
It was because, in Winston’s eyes, it was judged that he had completely crossed the line.
“Looks like the timing to report to His Majesty.”
“All right.”
When the Prime Minister came and spoke, the old chamberlain nodded as if agreeing.
I knew from before that they were trying to sell major magic tools to the south through smuggling. Nevertheless, the reason I waited until now is because of Kariel’s secret plan.
After the chancellor returned, they entered the emperor’s palace with the palace knights blocking their way.
He then activated the engine to open a passage to the basement, and descended.
Then we arrived in front of a huge iron gate made underground.
“Looks like the time has come. Please tell His Majesty.”
-… … do it
As I lowered my head and talked to the small fireball guarding the door, the fireball nodded slightly and disappeared in front of the door.
And after a while, the huge door started to open.
Kugu Palace!
When the iron door opened, what was visible was countless fireballs spread all over the place and Kariel controlling them.
One by one, the fireballs that had filled the training room permeated into Kariel’s body and soon disappeared completely, and the chief chamberlain opened his mouth.
“your majesty.”
“Did the magic tower cross the line?”
“It seems that the chancellor judged that.”
Kariel’s expression distorted at the report of the head chamberlain.
In the end, what was feared happened.
“What is your secret plan?”
“It is said to be in the completion stage.”
“The time has come.”
Kariel’s eyes lit up because the time she had longed for had come.
“Go up first and secretly summon the ministers.”
“Yes! your majesty.”
As soon as he gave the order, Kariel calmly organized her thoughts while watching the chamberlain go upstairs, and slowly left the training ground.
Finally, the plan he had made began in earnest.
Because the first button to completely occupy the western continent begins with subduing the Magic Tower.
Kariel, who came up from the underground, activated the engine.
Then, the grand plan that was kept only there was revealed.
Stage 1
Destroy the Magic Tower – Development of Magic Engineering and Industry – Expansion of the middle class – Breaking down the social class system
↓Step 2
Iron’s Revolution – Southern Realms Rift – Conquest or Subjugation of Southern Realms
↓Step 3
Seongguk Pressure – Continent Control – Unification
Only by allowing cracks to occur in the rigid caste system can we turn countless people oppressed in each country into resistance forces.
If you reach that point, unifying the western continent is not a dream.
“It’s a magic tower… … .”
Kariel bit her lip as she thought of the Mage Tower, the first sacrifice that would make her grand dream come true.
Kariel, who had been immersed in thought while looking at the plan she had made for a long time, activated the engine at the call of the chief chamberlain and went outside.
“I see your Majesty.”
Indeed, the chancellor and the ministers made happy faces seeing him for the first time in a while.
Although the strict supervisor returned, he was also the one who could chastise the cheeky horsemen who tried to interfere with them.
“Are you ready?”
“It’s all over.”
Cariel, who smiled at the response of the prime minister, looked at the ministers and gave the order.
“It’s time to cheer up the cheeky horseman. Start.”
“Your Majesty’s orders!”
The ministers who received Kariel’s orders were scattered all at once, not a single one was left on one knee.
The ministers, who moved as if waiting, began to attack the horse tower from all directions.
Although he was briefly embarrassed by the sudden attack of the central government, as if the time had come, they began to resist through the forces they had gathered.
As the empire plunged into chaos again, public newspapers were scattered across the square.
“His Majesty has returned!”