Chapter 105

The royal family, having high-ranking nobles as their maternal relatives, wrote letters in their own unique styles.

Some logically persuaded others that anticipating Jeilliris’s long reign based on history and numbers, and joining forces quickly would be the way to receive favorable treatment during the new emperor’s reign.

Others, against their will, found themselves daily involved in fasting prayers, ascetic practices, and trivial matters at a secluded monastery, nearly driven to madness, shedding tears of frustration.

The commonality among them all was their desperation.

“I need a lot of trust to command my troops. My uncle must join forces soon.”

“The strengthening of imperial power is a fait accompli over the long term. The governorate is also expanding. It might be beneficial to tidy up the provinces and join the court nobles in the capital. Is that going too far? No, they must have noticed this level already, considering how many factions they effectively control.”

“I have that rare talent for spirit magic… it must flourish properly. Sererassie, that girl my age, has already established a fine guild…”

“This cursed secluded monastery!”

Valenciaunos passed on tasks to the royal family members and boldly stepped away.

“After rotting for seven months, everyone must have thought that I wouldn’t return. They would have seen the capital stabilize. They will make the right choice.”

Humans are creatures of adaptation and inertia.

Those who lived lazily want to continue that way, those who lived diligently want to keep being diligent, and those who lived cruelly want to live cruelly.

The citizens are more afraid of the city thugs than the emperor’s tyranny, and more fearful of the bread prices in winter and the time of hunger than the infiltrators.

If Jeilliris raised taxes, there might have been rebellions by now, following the history before the return.

Consequently, Valenciaunos sent Sererassie to plunder the red-light district to fill the treasury.

Thanks to this, the Minister of Finance was able to bring a budget proposal for military expansion aligned with Jeilliris’s intentions, while simultaneously avoiding the topic of tax increases.

“Taxing without raising rates and catching those thug scum is the mark of a wise ruler. A coronation tainted with blood is common in the empire’s history. There were times when an emperor switched six times in a year.”

As Valenciaunos thought this, he headed to Jeilliris’s office.

“I’ve come at your call. Is His Majesty inside?”

The attendant, visibly disciplined, nodded.

“Yes, yes! His Majesty is inside.”

Elder Brother Valencius.

The notorious wasteful who kidnapped a saint for a month and flew over the cathedral walls on a wyvern.

A debauched nobility who receives tribute from thugs and court nobles, hosting extravagant feasts with fine courtesans from the red-light district, while living a life of excess.

With platinum hair flung back carelessly and a pleasant yet arrogant, somewhat bittersweet smile.

Dressed in a white uniform like armor, with inhuman yellow eyes.

A mad royal family member who lives recklessly and seemingly carelessly.

“Very well, I’ll enter.”

“Yes!”

Unusually kind towards attendants and maids, this incomprehensible young duke, given the rumors.

Valenciaunos crossed the vast, opulent office towards Jeilliris.

Administrative officers and attendants waiting around to assist with tasks subtly murmured.

Instances when they both entered together were rare, and though their clothing styles differed, it was easy to forget—they were twins.

The administrative officer thought, as he saw the brutal laughter mirrored in their inhuman yellow eyes.

That emperor and that elder brother, that brother and that sister.

“Your Majesty, it has been dealt with. They will do their best to persuade the eight high nobles.”

“You have worked hard. At the very least, we can avoid the situation where the high nobles band together to refuse a pledge of loyalty.”

“Indeed. No high noble would want to join hands with someone who might betray them at any moment.”

The administrative officer realized.

From the beginning, the aim was not to persuade the high nobles using the ‘eight survivors.’

It was to let the other high nobles know that letters had been sent to prevent them from uniting.

“That guy might stick to the royal family again at any moment.”

Instilling this perception in the other high nobles was the first step.

“Given the situation, should we just stick with the royal family?”

The second was making the eight high nobles think this way.

If those two were involved, they could create a ripple of loyalty within that atmosphere, embracing everyone.

Then, their emperor would once again become the one who rules half the continent.

And then?

The administrative officer swallowed and took a deep breath.

His heart raced too quickly, making him feel strange.

That was likely the natural awe felt by someone witnessing a colossal flow.

* * *

I sat across from Jeilliris’s desk, having lightly finished reporting on the movements of family members.

I hadn’t intentionally ignored them or put them in an environment to be neglected.

The request to send Helena to the Bronze Knights was because the Bronze Knights were the only knight order related to military command.

The problem was that the world was too peaceful right now.

Though one might argue it was peaceful considering the infiltration issues erupting everywhere, it was so compared to before returning.

At that time, Jeilliris flew daily, raining down spears of wrath and flames.

Naturally, the pre-return Bronze Knights were extremely busy, and Helena climbed the ranks as the emperor’s vanguard.

However, the empire had not yet fallen into civil war, and during the peaceful era, the Bronze Knights lived in much more comfort than the remaining three knight orders could envy.

Of course, this comfort involved training and war games, but it was certainly more convenient than the duties of the ‘platinum’ and ‘black iron’ knights or the missions undertaken by the ‘blue silver’.

Hadrian was the same, and Denia too.

War is a monster that consumes resources, and any clever talent should be utilized immediately.

Denia was also a versatile mage who had distinguished herself on the battlefield using various spirit magic.

In turbulent times, heroes are born, so the absence of heroes may be proof that the world is at peace.

Thinking this way, it wasn’t necessarily a bad thing that the three of them were leading a languorous daily life, but if I mentioned it, I would be met with resentful glares, so I would keep that to myself.

After all, I couldn’t let capable individuals just idle away; I had to assign them tasks.

While contemplating a suitable opportunity for them to gain experience, Jeilliris’s voice interrupted my thoughts.

“…However, there is a high noble that must be pre-emptively brought on board.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

That was crazy.

I almost lost the flow of conversation.

Let’s think about those three later.

Jeilliris casually smiled and asked.

“Do you know how many duke titles exist in the empire?”

I quickly answered.

“I believe Your Majesty and I have significantly reduced them.”

“Hahaha!”

Jeilliris laughed brightly, nodding.

“Yes, that was so. The question was misleading. I am asking without considering the royal family.”

“Then, isn’t there only one?”

Dorcasys and Antares were names of royal families from hundreds of years ago.

The empire was forged by conquering numerous nations, and most royal families or their territories, once in the empire’s submission, were demoted to counts or countships.

Typically, it’s traditional to offer a duke title when a royal family submits, but if that were the case, there would be hundreds of dukes in the empire.

That was an unavoidable measure to prevent title inflation.

Thus, excluding royalty, currently in the empire, there was only one person holding the title of duke.

“The Duke of the North, Septentrion.”

Jeilliris nodded and continued speaking.

“Yes. He is the empire’s greatest lord, holding back the aberrations and monsters from the north. The reason the empire can consume its national power without end, unlike other nations on the continent, is thanks to him.”

I knew him well, too.

He was the only sword master who nearly killed Jeilliris before the return.

At one time, he had closed off all the magical realms in the north and had been a hero against aberrations and monsters.

He had remained silent for a while during the civil war, but once he learned that Jeilliris was “purifying” the territories of the rebellious lords using the saint, he began to be cautious of the royal family.

Ultimately, he led the northern forces into the fray, unable to bear watching the people he had protected fight and perish among themselves.

I did my utmost to sway him, but in the end, he aligned himself with the noble coalition, and we became enemies afterward.

He was skilled enough that even Jeilliris would struggle against him in swordsmanship.

Utilizing the grand fortresses of the north for defensive battles made it impossible to breach.

Eventually, I became the one to capture his family as hostages, causing him to take his own life.

… It’s a bitter memory just to think about.

“He’s an important figure, and the royal family is accommodating most of his demands. However, sometimes a carrot isn’t enough; a stick may be needed. Do you know how the royal family controls the north and Septentrion?”

I confidently nodded.

Jeilliris tapped her ringed fingers on the desk, urging me for an answer.

“Grain.”

“Correct.”

She smiled as if genuinely pleased.

“I don’t know when or how you learned that, given that you’ve only been drinking and playing, but I’m glad you know. Yes. The empire manages its belly with grain. Even if there is famine leading to deaths and starvation among farmers and cities in the south and central regions, we must send grain to the north.”

Having experienced implementing that, I couldn’t muster a smile.

Taking grain from those starving to give to those fighting was the order of the day.

Even the strictest tax collectors would eventually shed tears, and Jeilliris would drink harsh liquor that day.

I too must have had all sorts of thoughts back then.

I repeated to myself thousands of times that if the north fell, the empire would fall.

Jeilliris continued, her voice a mix of knowing and feigning ignorance.

“This year, we plan to send over 30% more grain compared to last year for wheat, barley, corn, and beans. We have gathered all the quantities that can be sent while not overwhelming the poor and starving in the central region.”

The empire’s economic foundation is agriculture, and it’s difficult to increase production in agriculture.

Saying they would send 30% more meant that 30% of what was originally destined for other places would be diverted.

Noticing my face hardening, Jeilliris clicked her tongue.

“It couldn’t be helped. The northern harvest last year was poor. It decreased by 15%.”

“!”

Contrary to public perception, the black soil of the north is a place of high agricultural yield.

A 15% decrease from there meant that even sending 30% more than usual would only barely make up for the shortfall.

“If we don’t send more grain now, there won’t be anyone left in those grand fortresses to fight.”

“Yes. It truly cannot be helped.”

Jeilliris laughed with a hint of sadism.

“Favors need to be given timely, and maximum gains should be taken when they can be. The Duke of the North should understand this too.”

That would be the case.

“I will send you along with the grain transport convoy. Go meet the Duke of the North and convey my favors. If he wants the same amount of grain next year, he should come to the capital this summer.”

“I will carry out your orders. Then, shall I proceed to the north to meet the duke?”

Jeilliris shook her head.

“He is already here. You should go up together.”

* * *

I headed towards the central canal docking station with Rudi and Lady Trentia.

“It’s just now spring, and you’re heading north again? Go there and freeze, and catch a cold.”

“I don’t feel the cold thanks to Yongchan. Enjoy the pollen and sneeze away this spring.”

Sererassie was so engrossed in the development of magic tools and free research that she did not leave the royal magic guild.

“Take this with you. Since there’s only one, make sure to use it only when absolutely necessary. Who knows if you, my foolish younger brother, will recognize that moment.”

“A blue pill?”

“I’ve completed it for now. It’s a prototype, so there might be side effects. Don’t be surprised if your limbs fall off; just take the red pill again.”

“Pray for me to die outside.”

“… Have a safe trip.”

“… You too, do well with your research.”

So, we would not see each other’s faces for a while.

… I hope she won’t get killed while dabbling in free research.

“It won’t happen.”

“Yes, it won’t.”

Rudi, carrying a travel bag, spoke as if reading my thoughts.

Lady Trentia laughed gallantly.

“Your concern for your kin is truly commendable.”

“Commendable? … Look there.”

I pointed with my finger toward the dock.

“They seem embarrassed… Oh!”

Lady Trentia exclaimed, and Rudi’s voice trembled.

“That’s amazing.”

Hundreds of concave cargo ships lined up there.

Countless workers moved like ants, loading sacks of grain onto the ships.

There seemed to be many more ships waiting outside the canal that hadn’t yet arrived.

We looked around the high-end restaurants and coffee houses near the dock searching for the Duke of the North and his vassals.

After wandering for about ten minutes, someone called out to me.

“Duke Valencius?”

It was a voice I had heard before the return.

I took a deep breath and turned around, bowing politely.

“Your Highness Septentrion.”

This time, I sincerely hoped for a good outcome between the royal family and the north.