I Became the Master of the Empress - Chapter 264



264 – 268

That night, when I conveyed my intentions to Victor.

How should I tell Theodora about this?

She certainly wouldn’t look kindly upon me, spending all day on the sofa these days, if I said I wanted to rest and withdraw from all official duties…

She would probably be strongly opposed, right?

If that’s the case, I should say that I’m stepping back not to play, but because they want me to.

Although I’ve given up on living leisurely in the New World, I have never once given up on the idea of a leisurely life.

If I can just persuade the aristocrats with this method, it should work, right?

She’s not a fool; she must know that if a civil war breaks out and all the aristocrats are thrown into prison, the imperial administration will collapse.

I think there’s a chance she might sympathize, but there’s one thing that bothers me.

The last time I led her to sit on the throne with me.

That was clearly an intention to bestow upon me the authority of the emperor.

She must have thought ahead, considering what I would do after my eye surgery.

-Creeeak.

I respond to the sound of the door opening.

“Theodora?”

—

“Are you doing well?”

She approached me and pressed her lips to my forehead.

– Smack.

“Yeah, I’ve been good.”

Her voice, more vibrant than usual, lifted my spirits and brought a smile to my face.

“But I heard you met Minister Victor? Are you finally feeling like working?”

No? I met him to quit my job.

I tapped my fingers on the side of my seat as I spoke.

“Yeah, sit next to Theodora.”

“Just a moment.”

She sat beside me and took my hand.

“It’s too close.”

“What’s wrong with that?”

Well…

This is a crucial turning point. I need to make her understand so we can find peace moving forward.

“Ahem… I have something to say about calming the aristocrats and avoiding civil war.”

Her voice brightened.

“Really?! I knew you would! I was worried that living on the sofa lately meant you’d lost your sharp edge!”

Huh? I feel a bit guilty about that.

Anyway, since I told Victor to negotiate, Theodora needs to know too.

What I’m trying to do can only happen with the approval of the imperial parliament and the emperor.

“So what’s the plan?”

“The aristocrats oppose me taking power and reforming the empire. The reason they’re preparing for rebellion this time is that they think they’ll wither away if things stay as they are.”

The emperor’s faction, devastated by civil war, is receiving massive investments from the territorial development fund to restore their lands.

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As a result, they have to repay enormous debts, which means they’ve had to be cautious of the central government until now.

However… there are now limits on the taxes they used to collect without restraint.

In other words, they are worried that I might be plotting to undermine the power of the aristocrats.

On top of that, with the Pope’s absolute support and my actions against the demon race, I have overwhelming backing from the people of the empire.

This means I’ve reached a position where I can push them away without hesitation, accelerating the reforms.

In other words… they’ve concluded that if they don’t act now, they won’t survive before the next opportunity arises.

“I know that. Please don’t beat around the bush, just tell me what the method is.”

Seeing Theodora, who is asking directly for the method as if it’s a matter of life and death, I decide to continue speaking rather than elaborating unnecessarily.

“I think that if a civil war breaks out, we will win, but we must do our best to prevent unnecessary bloodshed.”

“I agree with that. I’m trying to make them retreat without fighting, but I don’t think it will be easy.”

I hold onto a glimmer of hope in Theodora’s voice, which carries a hint of uncertainty.

Right, we can’t just kill them all, can we? So…

“That’s why I’m saying this. I’m thinking of setting conditions and negotiating behind the scenes.”

She shows no reaction to my words.

“Hmm… Do you think that will work? As you know, your reputation in politics is filled with negativity, right?”

Her skeptical response is what I expected.

“Yes! I will make a proposal they can’t refuse.”

“A proposal they can’t refuse? What is that?”

“First, I’ll give up the emperor’s privileges I gained by marrying you.”

Theodora replies with a hint of indifference.

“Is that really enough?”

I hold up three fingers.

“That’s not all. Abolish the title of Grand Duke, transfer the rights above Grand Duke to Mary, and give up all privileges I have as a state document, of course excluding the pension. With this, I…”

-Thunk!

“Is that even a proper statement?! Who are you to decide that you should give up such privileges?”

A loud sound startles me for a moment, but I try not to show it.

Right now, this moment is the most important.

I steady my breath and act with the intention of giving up my rights for everyone.

“For the empire and its people.”

Good, my tone of voice is just right now.

I deliberately continue speaking as if I’m an elderly man filled with regret.

“They fear my rule. They can’t stand to see their vested interests threatened. But I can’t bear to see the people of the empire make great sacrifices… If that’s the case, it’s right for me to give up politics.”

“That’s nonsense! How much have you worked for this empire and humanity?!”

Her sharp voice cuts through the air.

I’m grateful for her words, but I have to escape this hell.

“But there’s no other way to stop the aristocrats. And the damage will fall entirely on the people of the empire.”

“Ugh…”

She couldn’t respond to my words at all.

“…I will.”

Her voice was so small that I had to ask again.

“What did you say?”

“It absolutely can’t be like that! I will find another way.”

“Really? Is there another way?”

I pondered and pondered over a clever plan.

Aside from this method, the only other way is to sever the connections of the aristocrats.

If a few traitors emerge among them, they would gain a tremendous advantage.

There’s no choice but to aim for this part and persuade them.

“There will be. Even if there isn’t, I will make one.”

– Snicker.

“How long? It seems like they’re determined to blind me! Is that possible?”

There isn’t much time. Honestly, I have no idea what those guys are plotting.

I need to finish the negotiations before crossing the river of no return.

Otherwise… only catastrophe will remain.

“I need to make contact with the aristocrats as soon as possible.”

“Do you have a method?”

At my words, Theodora strikes my chest with something.

“I’ll handle it myself. Stop thinking unnecessarily. Got it?”

At Theodora’s sharp words, I can only smile faintly.

*

A few days after the meeting with the Grand Duke.

Victor met with the aristocratic lawmakers.

Upon meeting them, he conveyed that he was aware of their situation and suggested reaching an amicable agreement before things escalated, to which Otto von Wilhelm, famous for being an aristocrat, responded positively and agreed to hold a secret meeting.

“It’s been a while, Minister Victor.”

“It’s been a while, Duke Wilhelm.”

The two shook hands with smiles.

“Now, please sit down.”

Victor sat down at the duke’s invitation.

“Well, what brings you here?”

Wilhelm spoke brazenly, fully aware of the armed uprising being prepared.

Of course, in the political world, such behavior was to be expected, so Victor remained calm.

“Recently, troubling information has come to light.”

As Victor cautiously broached the subject, Wilhelm responded.

“Troubling rumors, you say… Is it the rumor that the newly appointed saint might go blind? I hear he underwent secret surgery?”

The imperial palace was a place where security was managed to the extent that the intelligence department was involved.

However…

There was no way to silence everyone within the palace.

“I won’t deny that you possess some knowledge. But I also understand that there are forces dreaming of an armed uprising taking advantage of this situation.”

At Victor’s words, Wilhelm stroked his beard, lost in thought.

“Indeed, the saint undergoing surgery… This suggests a collusion between the duke and the pope, or that the duke is oppressing the pope. Thus, the righteous gather to set things right.”

The justification for the armed uprising was the duke’s acquisition of a false title of saint, the manipulation of the empire, and the violation of tradition…

Yet, if they were to rise up, they would face the overwhelming advantage of Deviant and the emperor.

“Do you not realize this is a fight you cannot win?”

“One must measure the long and the short; in war, those who seem destined to lose can sometimes win, and those who seem destined to win can lose unexpectedly.”

Feeling Wilhelm’s resolute will, Victor let out a sigh.

“Very well. You are fortunate. His Grace the Duke has made a proposal.”

At those words, Wilhelm’s expression shifted to one of skepticism.

“The duke is cunning; whatever he proposes is not easily…”

“He has offered to relinquish all privileges guaranteed by the emperor’s decree, except for the pension outlined in the decree, to abolish the ducal office, and to transfer the title of duke to Lady Mary.”

At this rather shocking statement, Wilhelm’s expression hardened.

This was not a negotiation… Wasn’t it a declaration of surrender?

The thought of the duke, who clearly held the upper hand, making a declaration of surrender left Wilhelm with a sour expression.

“That is quite the jest; the duke would never say something so absurd…”

“He commanded me to bring this proposal to you and to secure peace, so I ask you to believe it.”

As Wilhelm looked into Victor’s eyes, filled with strong resolve, he felt an internal conflict.

Deviant’s past dealings with those who had treated him well had not ended favorably.

“Hmm… This requires further discussion on our part; I will provide an answer in a few days.”

Victor nodded as if pleased and stood up.

“I will await good news.”