43. Ignite Federation!
The alliance to keep the empire in check collapsed.
Contrary to what was expected of a large-scale war, it passed smoothly.
It was induced to retreat by itself with the overwhelming power of the Empire.
Talos tried to control the media as much as possible, with the humiliating consequences of being swayed by criminal groups and forced to return.
But there was no way it could be controlled.
This is because the Empire has poured out articles that openly ridiculed Talos’ situation.
“Talos, the public order is messed up. Is perfect security just a thing of the past?”
“Talos once had the best tourist destination in the Western Continent. Is it just a country overflowing with criminals now?”
「In time to care about others, start with your own country!」
When articles that openly criticized it began to appear, Talos also refuted it in its own way.
「Circumstances that an empire is behind the criminal groups have been discovered!」
I put out an article like this, but it was meaningless.
It was because it was just an excuse to pass on the present unless evidence was presented.
Perhaps because of this, Talos did not actively refute it.
When Talos was having his worst time, the neighboring nation of Roteon also received all sorts of criticism.
This is because nothing has been achieved after intervening in Iron.
Roteon’s royal authority, which had been solid, began to shake, perhaps because he had poured in a huge amount of money and returned without any benefit.
“Your Highness, abandon Talos.”
“Don’t you know that the empire will eat you the moment it’s divided?”
“But as it is… … The nobles are hard to control. Rather gather our national strength and prepare for the war that will come later.”
Despite the advice of his subjects, King Roteon did not say anything.
If Talos is abandoned, immediate stability will be secured, but the future will be lost.
Perhaps the moment the Empire devours Iron, it could immediately turn its attention to Talos.
That’s why I had to cover it up, but public opinion was so bad.
“The situation is very bad.”
It wasn’t just the nobles who rebelled.
Due to the empire’s shadows already infiltrating inside Roteon, cracks began to go to the solid caste system.
As in Iron, the uneasy fire of a revolutionary force was planted in Roteon.
“First… … watch For the time being, I will focus only on cleaning up the inside.”
“Haona… … .”
The servant tried to say something at the king’s words, but closed his mouth.
There was no future for the empire to remain as it is. But Roteon was no longer able to afford it.
‘You’re running out of luck.’
Thinking so, the young servant sighed.
I had no luck with Iron.
If the Empire is not satisfied with the present, the first target will be Talos.
There was a possibility that Roteon would survive if he gathered national power and waged war against the Empire using Talos as a battlefield for that time.
Seongguk puts pressure on him from above, and Roteon helps Talos and drags the battlefield into a long battle.
However, King Roteon wanted to achieve stability by holding an immediate alliance rather than taking such a risk.
This is true in a broad sense, but the problem lies with the revolutionary forces within their own country.
If the shaking situation continues like now, it will definitely be a problem.
This situation was the same in Seongguk.
There was no problem because he was a strong man who reached the level of a mage himself and had been raising the kingdom for a long time.
But the pope stayed in office too long.
According to the custom of the Holy State, when it was time to step down, he prepared himself for the next pope and withdrew to the Senate, but the current pope continued to keep his position because of his desire for power.
Until now, there was no problem because there was nothing wrong with it.
“Recently, the power of the Holy Kingdom has decreased too much.”
“after… … It is definitely a crisis.”
As the cardinals said that, they looked at each other.
I can’t openly say that the pope is wrong, but I’m subtly emphasizing that the current Holy Kingdom is bad.
A paladin who watched it from afar gritted his teeth.
In the meantime, the empire was so rotten that it was hidden, but many parts of the castle were also rotten.
The vast amount of money the Empire made was enough to make the high priests abandon their faithfulness.
Many people made slush funds and made power.
It was not revealed on the outside, but it was beautifully packaged under the name of the priests who worship the gods, but the inside had been rotten and damaged for a long time.
It was the current Pope who brought it with sutures so that it did not burst.
But the cardinals and bishops who know this are the first to criticize the Pope.
“… … Maybe they’re right… … .”
Despite the fact that he was a famous paladin with strong faith, his faith was shaken when he saw the rotten high priests.
Revolutionary forces in the Holy Land.
As those who worship God, they were different from the general revolutionary forces.
Those who claim that the current bishops are misinterpreting the word of God.
It was clearly different from the general revolutionary forces, but if there is one similarity, it is that they are dissatisfied with the current system.
While the seeds of unrest were planted in even the kingdom that was thought to be solid, the empire began to prepare for transformation.
* * *
The nobles, the towers, and the collapsed Kariel was left with only development.
It was enough to rest if he had achieved a powerful emperor, but Kariel did not stop.
Rather, they whipped the ministers even more, accelerating the pace of development.
When reforms were carried out as if they were running out of time, the nobility and the established elites were busy following the reforms.
It was clear that those who were vague enough to be dissatisfied would be pushed out of the center if they rebelled against Kariel’s reform, and above all, if they followed Cariel’s reform plan well, they could benefit.
Of course, not everyone could follow.
In accordance with Kariel’s disposition to prioritize ability thoroughly, they had to prove their abilities in order to stick to the center.
“This is the first time I’ve ever been envious of the Empire.”
“I know. Still, wouldn’t we have a chance now?”
“I hope so.”
Iron’s merchants looked at the ever-changing empire and looked envious.
Merchants gathered to strike a deal with the capital of Ignite, the true center of the Western Continent.
However, it was not only the merchants who gathered.
To see the emperor who ended the civil war, many people of Iron came to the capital of the empire without hesitation.
Not to be outdone by him, many of the nobles of the duchy also flocked to the capital of the empire.
On the other hand, the Southern Kingdoms and Seongguk did not even send envoys.
Because they were busy cracking down on the inside.
Seeing this, the East Continent said:
「Their own festival!」
An imperial festival made up of only those who were pro-imperial.
The emperor’s birthday, which has already passed for a long time.
Nevertheless, the reason for suddenly wanting to celebrate the emperor’s birthday, saying it was his birthday, was simple.
After enthronement, the first birthday cannot be passed on as it is.
The second was to make an ‘announcement’ that had been delayed.
That’s why I postponed the plan to have a small birthday party, and now I’m going to open a festival under the name of the emperor’s birthday.
Even though the Southern Kingdoms and Holy Kingdom did not participate, more people than at the Continental Congress gathered.
Countless people took shelter around the square or camped there in order to see the emperor’s face at least once.
Merchants who sell food or goods to them at high prices.
Officially, it was to commemorate the Emperor’s birthday, so the nominal ‘festival’ had continued from Kariel’s birthday until now.
So many people were enjoying the festive atmosphere.
However, unlike the atmosphere in the capital, the imperial palace was busy.
Ministers and other bureaucrats were so busy that they cried out in pain every day.
“Your Majesty, the Lord of the Iron Federation and the Prince of Luminous ask to see you.”
Kariel gave a small nod to the words of the head chamberlain.
After a while, two people came into the office.
“Meet Your Majesty.”
“Meet Your Majesty.”
The two leaders, who were once called powerhouses, bowed their heads toward Kariel and asked them to sit down with a smile.
“Sorry for calling busy people.”
“No.”
At Kariel’s words, the two leaders shook their heads and answered.
“The reason I called these two busy people so early is because I have something to say.”
It was a busy time for the King of Gong and Iron’s federation.
The reason I called them so early, who should have arrived a few days later if they had come on schedule, was to ask one thing.
“I will ask you one last time. Won’t you both regret it?”
At Kariel’s question, the two leaders raised their heads and looked straight at Kariel.
“Yes.”
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Jayron Paul responds firmly.
Then the king answered.
“If we are going to unify anyway, it would be better to be embraced by the Empire as early as possible. I have no regrets either.”
At the king’s words, Jayron Paul grinned.
He was right.
If it were the present empire, it would be possible to unify the western continent.
If so, it would have been better to get into the arms of the Empire as early as possible and benefit.
After confirming their sincerity for the last time, Kariel nodded slightly and activated the engine.
Kugu Palace!
“This… … .”
When the organ was activated, part of the study opened, revealing a wall with a map hanging on it.
A huge country marked on a map of the western continent.
The Ignit Federation was written in the center.
Ignit in the center.
The Iron Alliance in the west.
To the east is the Luminous Principality.
To the south is the Tria Free Coalition.
The Ignit Federation was formed by combining these four.
Although each of the small countries occupied by the empire is small, when put together, it boasts more than half the size of Roteon.
In addition, each individuality was overflowing, and even now there were forces that rebelled against the empire.
It could have been occupied by force, but Kariel just tied them together and made an alliance by naming Tria, the name of a borough once created by those who yearned for freedom.
“Even though I am tied to the name Ignit, I intend to guarantee autonomy.”
Autonomy promised.
When he said that he would guarantee it, the king bowed his head without a word.
“Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty.”
On the other hand, Jaylon made a strange expression.
“We think the Empire can absorb it completely, but… … .”
At Jayron’s words, Kariel smiled.
As he said, the majority of people inside Iron welcomed even being completely absorbed into the Empire.
Nevertheless, there was a reason why Iron was granted autonomy.
It was very troublesome to eat all the Iron and allocate the land anew, or to select people to manage it.
For that reason, the occupied Iron and small countries in the south were classified as separate regions as before, and made into the Iron Alliance and the Tria Free Alliance.
“If you really want to be completely absorbed by the Empire later, I will.”
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Jayron smiled bitterly at Kariel’s words.
They felt that they were not yet trusted by Kariel. Sensing such a sign, Kariel said firmly.
“Don’t get me wrong. It’s not because I don’t trust you.”
After saying that, Kariel sighed.
“Right now, I am overwhelmed by just managing the existing empire.”
“You can do it slowly. Iron can wait.”
“I don’t have time.”
At Jaron’s words, Kariel frowned and said.
“A greater threat is coming. The empire must grow stronger before the threat of what will be called disaster reaches the western continent.”
“It’s a threat… … .”
“What do you mean by that?”
At Kariel’s words, Jeron and the Gong looked bewildered.
He smiled bitterly at them and activated the engine.
Then, the two people saw a lot of material on the wall.
The data collected by the Secret Guard as they toured each region of the continent were warnings of a disaster to come.
“In preparation for destruction, I intend to unify the Western Continent. Can you help me?”
In response to Kariel’s question, the two men nodded their heads blankly.
Then the center of the table opened and a piece of paper came up.
「Ignit Federation Secret Agreement」