I Became the Master of the Empress - Chapter 186
186 – 190
Council of State.
An important meeting to discuss major issues of the country.
“We must increase the security forces now that the activities of the protesters have increased.”
As Minister of Internal Affairs Gaston and Minister of Justice Sabinelli finished speaking, the conference room te Council members, including Theodora, stared at me coldly.
I felt burdened by their gazes, as if they were demanding an explanation.
From their perspective, the civil war is over, and there is no longer any need for the Information Bureau to operate the Justice Party. They probably think that continuing to operate the Justice Party is a waste of administrative power.
However, it is difficult to say that the Justice Party is a trap to catch the Demon Worshipers who are involved.
Although I am sure that the members of the Council of State who participate in the meeting are not in collusion with the Demon Worshipers, if the information is leaked to the Five Departments, other nobles with vested interests may notice.
In the first place, the ministers of the Council of State unofficially know that I am behind the Justice Party, but the fact that this story has not spread means that they have been keeping it a secret.
However, if the Demon Worshipers are involved in the Justice Party, the story is much different.
We will need a lot of information to catch the Demon Worshipers, who are the enemies of mankind, and the information we have collected so far will flow into the Five Departments.
Then most of the people working in the Five Departments will know.
Considering the possibility that some of them may have contact with the Demon Worshipers, it is not easy to release this information.
To be honest, so far, it is enough for me, the Information Bureau, and the Vatican to know about the Demon Worshipers.
I organized my thoughts like that.
“My companion, why don’t you give the order to disband the Justice Party?”
Theodora asked on behalf of the State Council members.
“I can’t tell you about that yet. It’s not a private operation.”
During the last inn explosion, all the Demon Worshipers whose identities were confirmed except for Amon went into hiding.
I know that Amon is currently training protesters while traveling around the provinces within the Justice Party.
If the Justice Party is disbanded here…
Amon will run away, and the Demon Worshipers will return to the darkness.
Or, they could change their behavior to terrorism with the Locusts.
“Then explain that part.”
Sabinelli said, his expression full of interest.
“That’s Information Bureau confidential, so I can’t tell you.”
The other ministers’ expressions were not so good at my words.
“Are you saying that you want to continue wasting your administrative power?”
“We are the ministers of the Empire. We have the right to know, no matter how confidential it is.”
Except for Victor, who has served my family for generations, everyone’s expressions were not good.
“Your Highness, do you want the Assembly to intervene in this matter?”
When Sabinelli said with a frown, I replied with a relaxed expression.
“If the Assembly tries to hold a hearing, I intend to exercise my veto.”
Their expressions worsened when I said this.
I had to say it strongly so that the Assembly would not intervene.
If they intervene half-heartedly and I exercise my veto, it would be embarrassing for them.
“You, I am the Emperor of the Empire. Why can’t you tell me about this?”
I answered Theodora, who frowned.
“You will know when the time comes. However, it is difficult to disclose it now.”
Once again, silence falls over the conference room.
“Your Highness, if you insist, we will have no choice but to recommend to His Majesty the Emperor that we summon the Minister of Intelligence, Karl.”
As Savinelli spoke with determination, I replied.
“I will exercise my veto on that matter.”
-Bang!
“Your Highness! The veto is not something to be used so recklessly.”
“That’s right. The purpose of the veto is to prevent disruption of the Assembly, not to commit tyranny.”
“If Your Highness is going to act so arbitrarily, I will resign as Minister.”
As Savinelli, Gaston, and Marcus protested, I looked at them coldly.
“This veto was granted to me by the Assembly and His Majesty the Emperor. What is wrong with me using it when necessary? Also, if Minister Marcus wishes to resign, I will formally accept it. Please submit your letter of resignation by the end of today.”
The Ministry of Military Affairs currently has the least authority among the five ministries.
Originally, it should have been a department that could exercise great power, but the only military force they commanded was the Roman army.
“Fine! I will submit it here and now.”
Marcus began to write on a piece of white paper in the conference room, seemingly angry.
-Scratch! Scratch!
“Wh… Minister Marcus?!”
At that sight, the other ministers all wore expressions of surprise.
“Your Majesty… you must stop him.”
Savinelli, who was taken aback by the sight, asked Theodora to intervene, and she stepped forward.
“Minister Marcus. Why do you speak of resignation? Did you not swear loyalty to the Empire?”
Theodora tried to dissuade him in a hurry, but…
“I swore loyalty to His Majesty the Emperor and the Empire, not to that despicable tyrant, Debien. Rather than endure such humiliation! I would rather resign.”
I shrugged as I watched Marcus growl.
“Do as you wish. That is your right.”
It is unfortunate to lose Marcus, who is respected in the Ministry of Military Affairs, but the most important thing right now is to eliminate the Demon Worshippers.
It is a pity, but… it cannot be helped.
“Hah! Your Highness! This is too much!”
As Savinelli shouted at me, I responded coldly.
“What do you mean? If you also wish to resign, please write a letter of resignation.”
At those words, Savinelli’s face turned pale.
-Groan…
I watched him tremble with anger leisurely.
“Ahem… Your Highness, your words are excessive. Isn’t this happening because you are being unreasonable?”
I admit that I am being unreasonable.
However… right now, I have to reject their demands, even if it means being unreasonable.
“Your Majesty, I apologize, but please understand that this is for the sake of the Empire.”
At my words, Theodora’s eyebrows twitched.
“If you say it is for the sake of the Empire, why are you hiding it so tightly?”
Theodora also seemed to be in a bad mood.
“Your Highness, you may claim to be doing this for the sake of the Empire, but don’t you have ulterior motives?!”
Sabinelli shouts, his expression twisted.
“The Roman bombing incident… I happened to see it then. That dark purple light.”
Gaston and Victor’s eyes widen in shock as if they were taken aback.
“I-Is that true? Minister Sabinelli?”
“H-Huh?! Isn’t that magic?”
Sabinelli glares at me with cold eyes.
“Surely you can’t be telling us that the Intelligence Service and Your Highness don’t know about it? You must know about it, don’t you?! I heard that at that time, the Intelligence Service agents and the Grand Duchy’s soldiers controlled the site of the explosion. If it’s true that the demon worshippers are active, you should rightfully share the information with us and the Holy See.”
The hall is struck with astonishment.
I look at Sabinelli’s gaze fixed on me and smile coldly.
Amazing.
I thought I had hidden it well.
I had also carried out purification work on the scene with holy water just in case he could sense the magic.
“What are you trying to say?”
As I speak calmly, Sabinelli opens his mouth.
“Are you… colluding with the demon worshippers, Your Highness?”
-Clang!
At Sabinelli’s words, Theodora jumps up from her seat and shouts.
“Count!”
“H-Huh! The Minister is going too far.”
A moment later, Theodora trembles and speaks.
“Your words are excessive! Didn’t I tell you before?! His Highness isn’t that kind of person.”
“However, the information that His Highness is hiding is very suspicious in light of the circumstances.”
“Count, couldn’t you have seen it wrong?”
At Theodora’s words, Sabinelli shakes his head and speaks in a confident voice.
“If what I saw that day was false, I’ll offer my neck. Please listen a little more. Is it possible that the Justice Party is helping the demon worshippers through the Intelligence Service? In my territory, Lazio, the Justice Party is inciting demonstrations. Isn’t it possible that they’re trying to create chaos in the Empire and create a vessel for the Demon King?!”
No? Why would that be the case?
Wait a minute, the one who’s hiding the magic is me, and the one who’s hiding the activities of the demon worshippers is also me?
I got quite the inspiration from Sabinelli’s words.
Well, that’s that, and this is this.
“I have no such thoughts or intentions.”
“There are no cases of criminals saying that they’re criminals either.”
I sigh at those words.
“So? Are you going to sue me?”
At my words, Sabinelli nods.
“Is there any reason not to?”
Ha… It’ll be dismissed anyway since I don’t have the right to be prosecuted.
One of the Emperor’s rights is the right to personal inviolability.
To put it simply, it’s the right to be protected legally and not be prosecuted in court.
Of course, it’s obvious that it’ll be dismissed in court, but saying that he’ll sue is nothing more than an empty threat.
“Don’t bother; I don’t have time to engage in a pointless argument.”
I said to Marcus as I stood up from my seat and looked at him.
“If you’ve finished writing your resignation letter, please hand it to me.”
Upon hearing my words, Marcus stood up abruptly and threw his resignation letter on my desk.
“Do it yourself! You’ll fall into hell, you son of a b*tch.”