Chapter 248

War was waged with swords, but it ended with a fan.

Philius immediately finished signing.

“Here you go, Duke.”

“It was an excellent choice.”

The humiliating vow was laden with countless conditions such as his younger brother Felipe’s study abroad in Solletarass, a reduction in tariffs, the demolition of border fortresses, the construction of roads, the authorization to send imperial inquisition officers, and reparations.

However, the situation had changed drastically, and it was a blessing in itself.

Until now, Philius and the knights and mages had believed they could kill Valenciaunos, and thus they could negotiate.

But with the Holy Emperor Jeilliris herself descending, what remained was only obedience or rebellion.

If not careful, vows of loyalty could be made right here, and Philius could go from King of Doroysen to Duke of Doroysen.

“I will withdraw immediately.”

Philius rallied his troops and commenced a night march, while Jeilliris chuckled languidly as she watched their retreat.

“You are quite wise for a King of Doroysen.”

Valenciaunos nodded and tried to explain the achievements he had made and the process behind them.

“Your Majesty—”

Instead of waiting for an explanation, Jeilliris stretched her ring-adorned hand to stroke the horns of Valenciaunos.

“I shall hear it in due time. For now, let us return.”

It was a voice that echoed with a strange sound in the cool night air, both joyful and sad.

Valenciaunos hesitated for a moment before nodding.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Jeilliris naturally took his hand.

Valenciaunos politely removed his white gloves, and his hand was not translucent.

In an instant, the Emperor’s expression brightened.

Her moon-white skin flushed crimson, a mismatched sense of relief clouding her face.

“You have grown stronger.”

The Duke felt pride and replied.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

* * *

The death of the Sword King Ensis spread quickly.

Given the combined total of 6,000 troops on the move, it was inevitable that rumors would spread, even if Doroysen and Solletarass kept silent.

“Did you hear the news?”

“Yes. The western sword has finally been broken.”

“They say he used the power of corruption in search of eternal life. Tsk tsk. Just because he was an outstanding swordsman doesn’t mean he was a good person.”

As usual, rumors spread, adding more flesh to the bones.

“But do you know why he invaded Solletarass? No matter how strong Doroysen is in the west, it can’t compare to the Solletarass Empire.”

“From what I’ve heard, the Sword King had many mental issues. He was intoxicated by his fame and failed to see the objective difference in strength.”

“Given that the Solletarouon suffered severe damage from the anomaly, he probably thought it was the perfect opportunity to expand his territory. But he likely never expected the Holy Emperor to take personal action.”

The lesser-known fragment of Az was diminished by word of mouth.

Ensis was a corrupter, who rashly invaded Solletarass with ambitions for territorial expansion, and was quelled by the Bandit Duke Valenciaunos and the Holy Emperor Jeilliris—this was the only easily understood fact that remained.

“They say the Emperor of Solletarass is indeed strong. He easily crushed Ensis.”

“I’ve heard that he used magic that could turn the entire sky upside down.”

“Oh, come on. Even so, doesn’t the highest circle have to be 9? A 6th circle mage is already called a great magician.”

“No, no. Isn’t he a descendant of dragon-blood? They say he can handle mana directly using incantations.”

As words passed from mouth to mouth, the achievements of the Holy Emperor Jeilliris grew larger.

“Indeed, it is your Majesty!”

“Long live Holy Emperor Jeilliris!”

“Glory to the 47th Solletarass! Before her justice, no corrupter shall survive!”

Within all this gossip, what the Bandit Duke Valenciaunos did was simply threaten Philius, the newly crowned King of Doroysen, to sign an unequal treaty, believing in the power of his twin.

“This time, Valenciaunos was truly Valenciaunos again.”

“Even though it benefits our empire, isn’t that treaty too shameful?”

“They even took the Crown Prince’s lover as a hostage—what more can be said?”

The spread of this information was spearheaded by the Amon followers from the slums, the student council of the Street of Learning, and the establishments under the Dawn Casino in the red-light district.

* * *

“As you said, we have established the construction guild. We’ve brought in several land mages from the Academy and significantly increased our workforce by accepting refugees.”

“Good. Konel. Please take care of my roads. Make them wide and sturdy.”

Spreading rumors and shaping public opinion was part of the job.

As payment for that, I entrusted Konel with part of the road construction between our two nations.

“Your Majesty. The academy that Crown Prince Felipe will enroll in has been decided. The student members will watch over and guard him day and night, so you need not worry.”

“Thank you for your hard work, Jin. Looking at his portrait, he is quite handsome. If any young ladies show interest in him, do not hesitate to bring them close. Hold balls frequently to provide opportunities for the young to meet. If my dear younger brother marries into the imperial nobility, Philius will surely go mad.”

“Understood, Your Majesty.”

“And if possible, do your best to divert Doroysen’s seasonal festivities. There’s no need to force it, of course. Just keep talented and well-natured swordsmanship students close, and they will naturally become friends.”

“I will do just that.”

“Oh, by the way. Did you plant the seeds of informants well among the purification troops? When we deploy to Doroysen, we must keep an eye on Philius.”

I had given Jin an opportunity to learn the secret swordsmanship of a great nation’s crown prince.

“Are you really granting permission for tobacco cultivation?”

“Shut up. This is smuggling. Be careful it doesn’t reach the church’s ears. Look here. This is my province, and these three villages have recently started cultivating new crops. That crop is tobacco. But this area has been wasteland for a while, so neither the village priests nor any management has been involved.”

“We’ll turn it all into tobacco fields and sell it to Doroysen.”

“Will it only be Doroysen? We can sell through Doroysen to neighboring duchies as well.”

“!”

“A war will soon break out, throwing the world into chaos. My efforts and those of the Emperor will do our best, but people will inevitably feel anxiety and fear. If they must seek solace in something, it would be better to fall into tobacco than into corruption. I’ll do my best to raise you to the light, so be ready.”

“Thank you, VIP.”

“I’ll arrange for funds, so acquire a few distilleries as well.”

“I’ll act accordingly.”

I had given the red-masked adults in the red-light district an opportunity to expand their businesses.

Of course, I would deny any allegations of connections between them and myself, as I always had.

* * *

“Thus, Your Majesty. I seem to be better at cleanup than at war. Upon hearing about the dispatch of the inquisitors, Matheos and Argos declared their love for me. It was quite heartrending.”

I sat across from Jeilliris in the annex, raising a glass.

“You have always been a jack-of-all-trades. While it’s often a waste of time to excel in various things, I don’t think so. Being good at various tasks makes each individual valuable.”

Clink.

The large glass had a bulging belly and slender legs, drawing elegant curves and producing a clear sound.

Today’s drink was ‘port wine,’ a fortified wine made by distilling and enhancing regular grape wine.

It was a rich dessert wine with a robust flavor.

Jeilliris chuckled languidly as she emptied her glass.

A sweet smile clung to her crimson lips, and a softness mixed with the Emperor’s intense gaze.

“Civil intellectuals claim that nations should be led by experts who are only good at one thing, like cogs in a machine, lacking knowledge in other areas.”

“It doesn’t seem to be a country that will be governed particularly well.”

Jeilliris clapped her hands as if she heard what she wanted.

“That is what I mean. I hold the reins of the great beast that is the empire. This beast is so large that it does not know how to move its own body. A talent like you, who knows a little about everything, should manage various experts in different fields.”

“Indeed, Your Majesty is a compassionate person. If those who speak such nonsense claim to be intellectuals, I would send them all to Wyvernfit.”

I made an exaggerated gesture of swinging my fist, and Jeilliris laughed with satisfaction, refilling her glass with the strong wine.

“Compassion? That word doesn’t suit me. But I liked this flattery.”

“It is not flattery, but an undeniable fact…”

For a moment, her lips tightened.

“You are the one who has spread the rumor that I killed Ensis and prevented the war, aren’t you?”

There was an accusatory tone in her voice.

I hesitated just for a fleeting moment before responding.

Normally, I would have immediately confirmed it, but I did not know why I hesitated.

“Indeed, it is as you say, Your Majesty.”

Jeilliris silently gestured to her glass, and we sat facing each other, emptying our glasses completely.

Since I drank a little faster, I could see her white throat move up and down.

And as the Emperor’s gaze, which had leaned backward, gradually tilted forward, it finally aligned with mine.

That gaze was as intense as the midday sun and as sharp as moonlight reflecting on waves.

No amount of strong liquor could steal away her brilliance.

The Emperor slowly opened her mouth.

“It is always gratifying to hear voices praising me. That is true. I gained the throne by bloodline and ability, and I was completed by the loyalty of the high nobles. Everything above the skies and below the earth belongs to me.”

“Indeed. It is an absolute truth with no room for counterargument.”

“Thus, I have never hesitated to enjoy and indulge as Emperor. The care and gold I devote to outfitting knights with good armor bring me more joy than if I were to wear elegant dresses. If I enjoyed wearing grand dresses and painting portraits, I would have done so without hesitation.”

However, she paused, her brows knitting together.

“Somehow, this time, it feels a bit unsettling. It feels like I’ve received something that shouldn’t have been taken. Even though I should be able to do anything, for some reason… it feels like there’s a thorn in my throat. My maid says it’s guilt.”

I shook my head resolutely.

“Your Majesty need not feel guilt. You are innocent and faultless. You cannot judge or condemn yourself.”

“……”

“You are the one who sent me on this path; therefore, it is your merit that you have used people well.”

Jeilliris chuckled.

“Is that so?”

Her laughter was languid yet tinged with a hint of melancholy.

I carefully chose my words.

“I’ve spoken of this before. If I make a mistake, you should protect me. So, may you shine like the sun, and may I be the shadow you cast; that would suit me much better.”

“Are you satisfied with that? There are times when I cannot understand you. Your desires are so very different from what others wish for.”

“I am a wicked villain who delights in watching the citizens fall for the rumors I spread and am the unbridled Bandit Duke, fascinated by alcohol, jewels, uniforms, luxury, and indulgence. So what I desire is—”

Passionately, I spoke, and the alcohol surged within me.

In an instant, my vision flickered, and the ground seemed to rise toward my head.

I held onto the edge of the table to steady myself as Jeilliris clicked her tongue.

“I forgot that my capacity for alcohol differs from yours. I can only apologize.”

I took a sip of the cold lemon tea that Rudi had brought me and blinked.

“Yes, you may feel a bit sorry for that.”

Jeilliris chuckled, relaxing her shoulders.

She no longer seemed like the Holy Emperor who could intimidate with just a glance, but rather a 19-year-old girl simply burdened by too much.

“Yes. Let’s take it slow. I shall grant you all the riches of wine, jewels, and fine garments. There is still time.”

Her yellow eyes lit up with a languid smile as she poured wine over ice into a whiskey glass.

The ice clinked gently.

“Rest well. Then report what you have consumed and how your body has transformed, and what you have created with those skills. It seems that Duke Sorelazie has already taken notice, so may I go to your comprehensive workshop tomorrow?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I actually already have a few ideas in mind. Both the characteristics of sharing and physical stability are very appealing.”

“Physical stability, indeed. If you end up making medicine, do bring me a bottle.”