I Became the Master of the Empress - Chapter 270



270 – 274

– Squeak.

– Rustle… rustle…

“Umm… what is it?”

I woke up to the sound of someone entering.

“Did I wake you? I’m sorry.”

It was the familiar voice of Theodora.

It seems she has returned.

“What time is it? Haaam…”

I couldn’t open my eyes, so I had no sense of time.

But she seemed to have come later than usual.

“It’s 11 o’clock.”

“You’re late, huh? Did you have a lot of work?”

She must have been quite busy because of the aristocrats.

From the looks of things, they seemed to intend to escalate matters even if they lost.

I thought she was probably very busy preparing for war, which is why she was late.

“Yes, there was a lot. But is it all done now?”

Her unexpected words made me think I had misheard, so I asked again.

“All done? It wasn’t because of the aristocrats that you were late?”

– Thud.

She lay down on the bed and answered in a bright voice.

“Yes, I was delayed more than expected because I had to receive oaths of loyalty from the still rebellious aristocrats.”

“What?”

Oaths of loyalty? Still rebellious?

I couldn’t understand what was happening, so I said it out loud.

“What do you mean by that?”

– Peck.

The sensation of her lips touching my cheek.

“Hehe… I will protect you.”

“No? What do you mean by that?”

“Ahem, let me explain what happened.”

Thus began her story.

She had sent a private warning to the aristocrats to induce internal collapse.

“What? What did you warn them about that caused the internal collapse?”

In fact, there were a few carrots to turn some of them this way.

I had intended to maintain their power as much as possible, leading me to consider resigning my position, so it was quite late.

So, I was planning to start the process of loosening the bonds from now on?

“That’s a secret. Anyway, so…”

From noble mtl dot com

And they say the remaining self-respect forces were coerced into pledging loyalty with a contract mimicking a blood oath.

“Uh? Those prideful guys signed the contract so willingly?”

After all, at the point they planned an armed uprising, they must have been prepared to face death, right?

Did they give up just because they were captured?

Did the collapse of their unity lead them to follow the tide?

That’s impossible.

Nobles value their honor.

Everyone who knows is already aware that they are preparing for an armed uprising.

Yet, to resist and face death just because they were captured benefits their family.

Because… they will leave their name as a noble family.

That will become a significant asset in the future.

The authority of the nobility, in other words, that is justice to them.

There’s a high possibility they would be treated as heroes sacrificed for justice.

Thus, I didn’t understand Theodora’s words in between and asked again.

“What did you warn them about?”

“Hehe, that’s a secret, you know? Anyway, it’s all been handled, so you can just go about your duties…”

“Ah?”

In the end, the thought that what she did today was to prevent my retirement filled me with embarrassment.

“No?! How can you handle it like that?!”

My carefully prepared retirement life?

My plan to wander the entire continent, including the United Kingdom and Nicaea, has been thrown into disarray.

No, putting that aside…

“Why are you shouting? You can’t even give me a compliment?”

Theodora said angrily, but that’s not what’s important right now.

“Then… what about the Duke’s study?”

—

She spoke as if she were sulking, driving a wedge into my anxiety.

“It’s going to be maintained. Hmph!”

“Ah…”

I felt the ground crumble beneath me as I clutched my head with my hands.

“Why? Why are you so disheartened?”

What should I do? Does that mean I have to endure that hell of overtime again?

“My life is ruined…”

“Pardon?”

*

Theodora, who successfully suppressed the complaints of the aristocrats.

Because of her, my heart shattered.

My retirement, my dreams…

“Your Grace? You don’t look well.”

Though she couldn’t see my eyes, it seemed Sena caught onto my mood.

“I feel like the world is collapsing.”

“What?! The… the world is collapsing?”

“I feel a fear and helplessness greater than when facing the locusts.”

“W-What? The Demon King… is resurrecting?”

What nonsense is this?

Why would the Demon King resurrect? I wondered if perhaps a prophecy had been delivered.

“What? The Demon King is resurrecting?”

“Didn’t the Saint say she felt the world collapsing first? Doesn’t that mean she received a divine prophecy?”

I found Sena’s bewilderment absurd.

No, I’m saying I’m falling into a hell of work; what does a prophecy have to do with it?

“Ha… that’s not what I meant.”

“Then that’s a relief.”

– Swish…

Sena gently unwrapped the bandages around my eyes.

She spoke cautiously.

“Please, open your eyes a little.”

—

As I gently opened my eyes at her words…

The intense brightness made it hard to see.

“It’s so bright that you can’t open your eyes, huh?”

“Is that so? Then I’ll help you.”

Sena gently held my eyes and helped me open them.

Behind her, I could see a brilliant halo of light.

After observing my eyes for a moment, she released my eyelids and said,

“You should be able to remove the bandages by next week.”

That’s a relief. I’m glad I’m not blind.

Since I didn’t fully grasp the initial blindness, I can’t quite believe I’ve regained my sight.

“Thank you, Sister Sena.”

As I tried to rub my eyes, something grabbed my hand.

“You shouldn’t rub your eyes yet. They’re not fully healed.”

At her words, I closed my eyes and nodded.

“Yes… I see…”

– Smack.

I was startled by the sudden sensation.

Huh? Did you… just kiss my cheek?

As I opened my eyes wide in surprise…

“Ugh…”

The brightness was too much, and I closed my eyes again.

But in that fleeting moment… tears streamed down Sena’s face.

“Sister Sena?”

“I… I’m sorry.”

Her voice, filled with emotion, caught me off guard.

Why is she crying?

I didn’t understand her reaction, so I waited for her to calm down.

“Sniff… I’m so sorry. I acted terribly towards His Highness.”

I calmly asked her about her strange behavior.

“Is something wrong…?”

“I will soon… leave the capital.”

“Pardon?”

I asked back, surprised by the sudden statement.

“You’re leaving the capital?”

“I will be departing for the New World… for missionary work.”

“When?”

“Perhaps… when the Grand Duke regains his sight.”

Could it be because of me that she’s leaving?

“Is it because of me…?”

“No, no, it’s nothing like that…”

Even if she insists with a voice full of tears…

“I originally came to the capital as a candidate for the saint. However… given the judgment that the Demon King will not be resurrected for the time being, I must return to the convent.”

“Ah…”

“That’s why I applied to join the missionary group going to the New World. I need to convey El’s words to them as soon as possible.”

She is a candidate for sainthood.

Since the demon they had painstakingly sent to the surface has died, there will be no way for the Demon King to resurrect for a while.

At least for the next 10 to 20 years, it should be quiet.

Is that why? Sena, heading to the New World on her own.

Perhaps she felt the need to make such a decision because she believed she was no longer useful.

“I’ve heard that the New World is difficult to pioneer.”

While there are some areas that have been developed, missionary groups typically do not visit those places.

They engage in proselytizing activities targeting indigenous forces that have yet to be explored.

I’ve heard that people get hurt or even die during such endeavors, which worries me.

“Why not go to an orphanage instead?”

“I want to do what brings joy to God.”

In this denomination, they teach that the work God is most pleased with is missionary work, so I understand what she means, but…

It doesn’t sit well with me that she, who has made remarkable contributions to capturing the Demon King, is entering unfamiliar lands.

Perhaps it’s my selfishness, but I feel that I cannot let Sena slip away now.

Even if it means she might be fleeing to the New World to escape me.

“From now on, the Empire will change a lot. We will expand the schools that have only been run by the existing papacy and cultivate many talents.”

—

That’s not all.

“I’m also considering preparing relevant policies to support those in pain.”

In truth, this is a lie.

To be honest, I’ve only researched how to have fun in a way that’s enjoyable.

Anyway…

“We need people like Sister Sena for that work.”

It’s only in the Vatican that her value has diminished; in my eyes, she is nothing short of an exceptional talent.

While spreading the word of God in the New World is important, there are many other things just as crucial.

“I believe it’s important to awaken those who do not know about God in the New World, but I also think it’s vital to care for the hundred million subjects. So please, think about it once more.”

With my words, a brief silence fell.

“Do you… love me?”

“That’s…”

I do not love Sena. No, I cannot love her.

After all, a man and a woman should be one-on-one.

Moreover, I find it utterly repulsive for a married man to engage in an inappropriate relationship with another woman.

“I’m sorry.”

“But why do you keep making me feel attached? When you make such proposals… it only makes me more attached, doesn’t it?”

I felt a pang of guilt at her voice, thick with emotion.

“I know Sister Sena has feelings for me. However, I am a married man; we cannot be together. But can’t we get along well as friends?”

Her character is upright, a person I can trust.

That’s why I want to be with her a little longer.

On top of that, she is quite capable, and our department is always in need of talent.

“I’ll… think about it.”

I smiled at her voice, which seemed slightly sulky.