I Became the Master of the Empress - Chapter 199
199 – 203
Lucius’s demotion was finalized.
Though it was announced to the ministers and his affiliation changed to the Foreign Affairs Department.
Soon after, Theodora personally appointed him as her secretary, thus resolving Lucius’s affiliation.
Of course, there’s a high chance our information could be compromised, but as long as we can eliminate the demon worshippers, that’s a risk we’re willing to take.
It’s not just a loss, after all.
It might be good for Theodora to learn what strategic foresight is at this opportunity.
“Your Grace, last night Amon entered Roman.”
At Karl’s words, I fall into thought.
Amon had tried to expand his influence by any means, but to no significant avail.
If he’s come to Roman, then…
“He’s probably trying to establish a just cause to drive me out, isn’t he?”
“The latest intelligence suggests that’s quite likely.”
The life of the empire’s citizens is fairly stable now.
The political scene was chaotic when I first took power, with two wars breaking out, but now things have more or less settled down.
In the meantime, by circulating investment and development funds, we’ve developed the entire empire and a lot of money has been spent.
So, immediate dissatisfaction with the empire shouldn’t be too great.
If there is dissatisfaction, it would be with me governing the empire.
The empire has existed for over a thousand years.
Throughout that long history, there have been several instances where emperors were puppets, swayed by their subordinates, but the emperor’s position has always nominally existed as the ruler of the empire.
And those nobles haven’t been well-regarded.
That’s why there’s significant resistance to the current situation under my rule.
Perhaps they think that if Theodora were ruling instead of me, the empire would have progressed further.
“Hmm… How about the other demon worshippers, excluding Amon?”
Recently, we’ve discovered a few demon cultists, excluding Amon.
We’re not arresting them but closely monitoring to locate Locust, though there’s been no significant breakthrough.
“It seems we’ll have to lay low for a while. The mood at the demon cultists’ meeting was quite despairing.”
After getting caught by Sena and the demon cultists, we hypothesized they were sensitive to divine power. We had our agents surveil their meetings, and it turned out to be a great success.
Since then, we’ve been closely watching them and gathering information, but there’s not much on Locust.
“It’s clear that the demon cultists’ internal opinion has shifted from revolution to forming alliances with the empire’s lower bureaucrats, and bribing the free cities to secure a seat in the Imperial Council.”
At that, I nod, lost in thought.
Given the empire’s stable state, a revolution seems impossible, and I voice my thoughts on shaking things up from the inside.
“Are you suggesting we start from within?”
“For now, there’s no other way but to try. Plus, they must be thinking there’ll be another chance when the lower bureaucrats rise to higher positions decades from now.”
“Thinking decades ahead, huh? That’s truly tiresome.”
I have no desire to grapple with them for decades.
If that’s the case, it would be better to capture all the demon cultists, execute them, and leave.
I can’t live like this for decades.
“Sigh… Can we try to reach out to Amon as we discussed last time?”
At my words, Karl nods.
“It shouldn’t be too difficult. But will you proceed as per the plan we laid out before?”
I nod grimly.
“It seems we have no choice.”
“You’ll face a lot of backlash.”
I nod again.
“I know.”
I’m already facing criticism. A little more won’t make a difference.
But Karl’s frown suggests he’s not pleased with my answer.
“If we fail… His Grace’s honor will suffer greatly.”
“Heh… If I could wager Locust’s head with my honor, it would be a bargain.”
Honor is crucial. Without it, governance is negatively impacted.
But we can’t just leave Locust be.
For now, we’re prepared and can handle the locust swarm, but sustaining this with expensive holy water for decades isn’t feasible.
If I can gamble both my honor and Locust’s head, then it’s a high price to pay for my honor.
“The Pope might oppose us.”
“It’s not about that right now, Karl.”
Someone’s opposition and someone else’s support won’t solve this crisis.
“The demon worshipers might not fall for it either. To them, the Grand Duke who killed Balor is the main culprit who ruined everything.”
Karl shakes his head as he continues.
“We have too much to lose.”
“But on the flip side, if it goes well, they might think they can summon the Demon King.”
Baiting and fishing is my specialty, after all.
So I’ll pretend to offer them something tempting to the fullest extent.
“If they don’t fall for it, they’ll blabber about having been in contact with the Grand Duke to bring him down, won’t they?”
The worst-case scenario is the demon worshipers going around spreading the fact that they were in contact with me.
Of course, the Papacy will judge that I’m not a demon worshiper, but other state councilors might not see it that way.
Rumors might spread even further, though.
The Papacy, sincere in their desire to eradicate demon worshipers, won’t declare me as one.
“But can you really persuade the Pope? He despises demon worshipers. He wouldn’t approve of actions that benefit them, would he?”
Karl’s point is valid. However, with a high-ranking demon already descended, we can’t just sit idly by forever.
The longer we wait, the more disadvantaged we become.
“Maybe he’ll overlook it for the greater good?”
I sigh as I see Karl shaking his head firmly in response to my words.
“Then there’s no helping it. I must speak with Sister Sena first.”
Sister Sena isn’t coming to the Grand Duke’s office today, so I’ll have to talk to her again tomorrow.
“Let’s wrap it up at this for now and inform me once it’s decided.”
As Karl rises from his seat and speaks, I smile and wave my hand.
“Alright, see you at the state council meeting later.”
With that, Karl opens the door and leaves.
-Thud.
As the door closes, my expression hardens without me realizing it.
If only we could catch the Locust, everything would be over…
This grasshopper b*stard is nowhere to be found, not showing himself at all.
According to recent reports, the location of other Locusts seems to be unknown to anyone but high-ranking demon worshipers, which is frustrating.
“Phew… This is so frustrating.”
***
“Your Majesty, have you arrived?”
As I reach the office, Lucius greets me.
“Your complexion looks better, doesn’t it?”
Is it because he’s been relieved from the Grand Duke’s duties? I feel that Lucius’s face seems brighter.
“Haha… Would there be a reason for that?”
“There’s less work compared to the Grand Duke’s responsibilities, right?”
At my words, Lucius awkwardly scratches the back of his head as I sit down in my chair.
I feel the enormity of the chair.
It’s like my power.
Currently, I’m not in a position to directly conduct politics.
“Haha… How could that be? Serving the Emperor is never an easy task.”
Lucius says so, but seeing his bright face makes me irritated.
“First of all, Lucius, you are my first subject. I have a task for you.”
At my words, Lucius kneels on one knee with a solemn face and bows his head.
“Please instruct me.”
“As you know, I lead the Emperor’s faction. But I have no power in central politics. Do you know why?”
Lucius answers with his head still bowed.
“In my foolish opinion, the biggest problem seems to be that Romancy lacks an army.”
He’s right.
I have more justification and legal authority than him, but there’s only one reason I can’t fully exercise it.
It’s because I have no army.
In front of weapons and soldiers, the empire’s laws crumble into ridicule.
“Exactly.”
I need an army.
I trust him, but as the Emperor, I have my duties.
I can’t remain a puppet Emperor forever.
But can I really trust Lucius?
Currently, I’m secretly gathering funds from the nobles of the Emperor’s faction.
I’m considering forming an army that follows only me, but there’s so much to prepare.
Procuring massive weapons, training them, and dealing with their sustenance and attire is no easy task.
Currently, there are 10,000 soldiers stationed in Roman from the Grand Duchy after the civil war.
It’s practically impossible to train a number that surpasses them.
Yet, I cannot abandon the idea of raising an army.
Therefore, I’ve decided to create a force.
“Lucius…”
But if he finds out about this, he’s bound to interfere… Can I trust Lucius?
No, I must trust.
I don’t want to engage in politics as coldly as he does.
The man kneeling on one knee before me, head bowed.
I’ve decided to place my trust in Lucius, who was abandoned by him.
Once I decide to trust, I must trust to the end.
With that thought, I resolve.
“Lucius. I plan to raise a force.”
At my words, Lucius’s shoulders tremble slightly.
“So. Your mission is to plan the nurturing and growth of this force in secret from him.”
Lucius carefully lifts his head and opens his mouth at my words.
“Your Highness… I’m truly sorry to say.”
“What is it?”
“That… the army, you’re raising it with the Emperor’s faction funds.”
I never mentioned the Emperor’s faction funds. How does Lucius know?
“Huh?”
“The Grand Duke already knows.”
“What?”
My mind goes blank at his words.