Chapter 119: The Emperor’s Selfish Desires
“…What do you mean?”
“Ha ha, good, that’s just what I wanted to hear.”
Indra smiled cheerfully and clapped me on the shoulder.
“If you’re going to show your flaws just because I tested you a little, you won’t be able to handle being an Emperor.”
“…”
I gave a slight bitter smile. I didn’t dislike Indra’s straightforward way of speaking, but since he hit the nail on the head just moments ago, it was a bit harsh right now.
“If he hadn’t had so many kids, things wouldn’t have been such a problem either.”
“…Hmph.”
With that single remark, I realized that Indra’s words weren’t just teasing; I sighed quietly, also symbolizing my surrender. Seeing this, Indra smiled brightly.
“Doesn’t that seem right?”
“…I have no comments on that.”
“Don’t you want to hear your father’s badmouthing? But I’m his uncle, so at least I can lecture him.”
“…”
I smiled bitterly again. Indra was just too straightforward. If someone like Oscar were here, he would be furious again.
Huh? If Oscar were here? Something caught in my mind.
However, Indra didn’t give me the time to ponder that. He continued speaking.
“Albert and Gilbert. The main reason for their mischief is, of course, that he has hung around too long, but having too many kids and too many of them capable of outshining their brothers contributed to it as well. Isn’t that right?”
“…That might be true.”
“Albert, Gilbert, Henry, Oscar—and the kid. In future generations, they’ll probably write about it as ‘The Five Kings Striving for Succession.’”
“That’s not a very flattering way to put it.”
“The struggle for that throne continues even now. Even after the kid ascended the throne. It’s no wonder the kid wants to reduce the number of offspring; he’s one of the parties involved.”
I sighed again. It had been a while since someone dug deep like this, so it was natural for my sighs to increase.
“I’m nowhere near the former Emperor. If I can suppress the internal conflicts that even that former Emperor couldn’t handle before they start, that would be even better.”
“I understand the reasoning. I won’t scold you.”
“Is that so?”
“I just want you to handle Audrey well.”
“Got it. I promise.”
When I said that, Indra seemed satisfied and cheerfully patted my shoulder again.
“That’s what a man should say. If the kid ever says he’ll ‘do his best,’ I’ll knock some sense into him.”
“Technically, I am the Emperor, you know.”
“Haha, I’ve kicked your old man’s behind before; it wouldn’t be surprising now.”
“True enough.”
I felt a bit troubled, but I laughed with Indra. Honestly, having someone like Indra, who doesn’t care about titles, is incredibly valuable.
Being an Emperor is lonely. My father said as much, and I’m slowly starting to feel that way too. The people around me either tread carefully or expect me to act a certain way, which can honestly be suffocating.
So having someone like Indra, who doesn’t care about titles, is really precious.
“Hey, kid, let’s have a talk between men.”
“A talk between men?”
I tilted my head in confusion. I was curious as to why now.
“I understand your reasons for not increasing your children; it’s a political consideration. I get it. If I were in your position, I might do the same.”
Then he paused for a moment and abruptly changed the subject.
“But you’re a man too, right? Aren’t you lacking in the company of women?”
“Uh… is that so?”
I replied vaguely. While I had been somewhat vague throughout, my tone now completely faltered, returning to the time when I first met Indra during my days as the Wise Prince.
“You’re not enough. So, let me ask, how many women have you been with so far?”
“That is…”
“Three, right?”
“Why do you—oh, wait, right, you can find out.”
I thought about asking him how he knew—but stopped midway. The Emperor’s night activities are all recorded.
When, where, and with whom I was with, all of it is documented through the eunuchs to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The Emperor is lonely, and at the same time, there is absolutely no personal life—no privacy at all.
Of course, this is confidential information not accessible to the common people, but someone like the grandfather of the empress who holds the title of ‘Thunder’ can easily obtain that information.
“Both your old man and I, or rather, all your brothers have had their fair share of women. More than you. If you trace back through history, you’ll find that your count is surprisingly low.”
“…”
“Kid, do you know what ‘True Love’ is?”
“Huh?”
I was a bit surprised by the sudden change of topic. The subject had shifted multiple times in a short period.
I thought for a moment and answered with the more likely possibility among the two I had in mind.
“Are you talking about true love… the ‘noble and common love’?”
“Yes, that’s the one. The ‘true love’ of nobles and commoners is something else entirely. For nobles, marriage is an obligation; it’s not something they can decide for themselves. When I heard you didn’t even ask for names during Audrey’s time, I thought, ‘What an impressive boy!’”
“Because it’s an obligation.”
“Honestly, even if you had a taste for same-sex relationships, you would still have to marry Audrey and have children. Isn’t that right?”
“Because that’s the obligation of a noble.”
I answered without hesitation. Yes, that is the obligation of a noble. Nobles must marry to unite their families or for political reasons and must produce heirs.
As Indra said, even if I have a taste for same-sex relationships, I need to engage with Audrey as an obligation and have children.
This is true for Princes and even more so for Emperors.
Therefore, it is said that there is no love in the ‘marriage’ of nobles, and ‘true love’ is considered to exist only in relationships with class differences.
In plays, it’s a classic trope where the wife or husband, or official partner, is often viewed as an obstacle to ‘true love.’
“So, I thought you were just accepting of Audrey, and that you would have no problem having a mistress or something, but there are no signs of that at all.”
“Is that so?”
“Hey, don’t you have any interest in that sort of thing?”
“Not that I wouldn’t be interested…”
I was troubled about how to respond. I am a man, so I couldn’t say that I had no interest at all.
Physically, I feel like I’m at my peak, and it seems even stronger than in my previous life. So, I can’t bring myself to say I’m not interested.
I couldn’t say it—but…
“I think fulfilling the responsibilities of the Emperor inherited from my predecessor comes first.”
“That’s a rare way of thinking.”
“Is it?”
“It’s not just about women; don’t you have any personal desires?”
“Personal desires.”
The topic changed slightly again.
“Oh?”
“Of course, I have them.”
“For instance?”
“Uh, well… for example…”
I wasn’t sure how to respond. When I considered my own desires, I struggled to think of any.
“See? You can’t think of anything.”
“It’s not that I have none…”
I let out a wry smile for two reasons: I was judged right away as having none, and I couldn’t come up with a quick answer. I chuckled at both of these things.
Indra clapped his hands and grinned at me.
“Alright then, let’s do this.”
“Huh?”
“When you return in triumph, I’ll teach you how to have fun.”
“Have fun?”
“That’s right, the noble way of having fun.”
“Sounds a bit scary.”
I had no idea what to expect. Indra’s answers weren’t completely off the mark.
I tried to imagine what the noble way of having fun could be, but I couldn’t grasp it. I could answer about noble obligations easily, but…
I thought for a moment and nodded.
“…Alright.”
This might be something useful for the future. If there really is a “noble way of having fun” that I don’t know about, it wouldn’t hurt to learn about it.
…
“It might be a bit of an exchange, but…”
“Hmm?”
Indra looked at me with a curious expression.
“I remember that my brother-in-law is about to reach the age for his first battle.”
“Your brother-in-law? …Ah, Ethan, right? He is indeed approaching that age.”
“We should arrange that, make it a grand occasion.”
When I said that, Indra opened his eyes wide in surprise.
In the Empire, it is mandatory for members of the imperial family to participate in their first battle at some point after turning ten. They now fight in a “farmed” monster’s nest, completely under human control.
By fulfilling this duty, they are recognized as full-grown men.
Audrey’s biological brother, who would be my brother-in-law, Ethan, is around that age and has not yet participated in his first battle. Normally, the Emperor wouldn’t bother himself with matters concerning a side branch like Indra, but Ethan’s connection to Audrey had stuck in my memory.
I brought this up and made a suggestion to Indra.
“Are you going to set it up, kid?”
“Yeah, extravagantly. Can we gather around 1—no, maybe 2000 people?”
“…………Haha.”
After staring at me for a while, Indra burst out laughing. Then he patted my shoulder again, joyfully.
“You’re amazing, kid. You plan to use me like that?”
“I haven’t said anything yet.”
“You’ve suddenly reverted back to being the Emperor.”
Indra laughed even more joyfully.
“I’ve always been the Emperor.”
“That’s right.”
“That said, I am still human. If my grandfather has a desire to watch his grandson’s first battle closely, I feel that this should be granted from a humane standpoint.”
“Haha, that sounds good. I’ll personally lead around 3000 to watch over it.”
“……”
I looked at Indra and slightly lowered my chin. First battles are usually held near the imperial capital.
If Indra is saying he will “watch over” it, he will naturally be near the imperial capital. And he said he would bring “3000” soldiers.
In other words—while I’m away, I will have 3000 soldiers who are on my side lying in wait near the capital.
That is greatly appreciated. Right now, I need any soldiers I can get.
Under normal circumstances, the Emperor wouldn’t have to worry about such things even when leading troops personally. My late father, the previous Emperor, had led campaigns multiple times, but as far as records show, none of them were anything like what I’m doing.
I wanted to know what kind of historically distinguished ruler my father was and researched various things, but to my disappointment, I found almost nothing.
But after considering it all, I quickly realized. It was because my father had no “political rivals.”
Though my father was born the third son, most of his siblings had died young. There was a second son—my father’s older brother—but he was also sickly and had already lost vision in one eye due to illness by the time my father ascended to the throne.
In other words, there was no one who could contest the throne.
In contrast, my father’s children, who survived childhood, number more than ten. All of them are in perfect health.
Furthermore, this is the most significant reason—humans are, for better or worse, creatures of precedent.
Without precedent, one wouldn’t even think of it; if there is one, it suddenly becomes an option on the table.
In just the last few years, there have been two movements to usurp the throne. The former first Prince, Gilbert, and the crown Prince, second Prince Albert. All of these were handled as secretly as possible, but those who know are aware.
Those close to the imperial throne—especially Princes—are even more aware of everything. This means that in this era, the option of usurpation has become one of the choices.
As a result, unlike my father, during my campaigns, I now have to worry about rebellion and usurpation.
So right now, I want any troops I can get, even if just a little. Troops that will be on my side.
I looked at Indra. The tempestuous, carefree Prince of Thunder, who has a reputation for being full of spirit. This Prince of Thunder seems to like me.
Moreover, he is also a relative. Indra’s granddaughter is my legal wife, Empress Audrey.
In logic and emotion alike, I believe Indra is someone I can count on.
I nodded slightly and looked straight at Indra once again.
“Will you do it for me?”
“Is it okay?”
“Hm?”
I was taken aback. It was unexpected for Indra to ask back.
By the time the conversation had progressed this far, I didn’t think he would suddenly ask, “Is it okay?”
“What do you mean?”
“I don’t mind, but isn’t that a bit ‘too provocative’?”
“…The message should be conveyed well enough.”
I looked up at the sky outside the pavilion. I understood what Indra was trying to say. It was a kind of confirmation to emphasize the point.
Indra is known as a reckless Prince, which leads to a lot of mixed opinions about him. However, there’s no doubt that Indra is a capable person. If he weren’t, it would be impossible for him to receive the title “Thunder” from the Emperor. It seems I can assume that he is fully aware of the situation between Oscar and me.
“I calmed him down and treated him like a regent. The message should have been conveyed well enough. If he stays as he is, I will value him highly; otherwise, all preparations will commence.”
“But even if he hesitates, won’t he still harbor discontent?”
Indra said this, and I looked at him.
“The law is something that regulates actions and punishes them.”
“Hm? Where is this coming from all of a sudden?”
“It doesn’t break the law just by thinking. To put it in extreme terms, even if someone thinks in their heart of hearts about wanting to tear the Emperor apart, it won’t become a crime unless it manifests in actions—no, in words or attitudes.”
“Oh, I see.”
“The same goes for Oscar. If he can refrain, it doesn’t matter what he thinks in his heart.”
After taking a breath, I continued.
“I’ve learned two things from all this.”
“What are they?”
“Oscar is an indispensable asset to the Ministry of Finance, and even though he aims for the throne, he still effectively uses his abilities for the sake of the Empire.”
“You’re saying you’d drink poison as long as it doesn’t kill you, huh?”
I nodded slightly. Indra’s analogy was quite accurate.
Oscar right now is indeed “poison.”
However, that poison is mixed in with a feast, and we cannot separate the two.
Then… I have no choice but to brace myself and drink it.
“Impressive, kid… You’ve achieved that level of perspective?”
I smiled gently.
“Of course, it’s better if there’s no poison at all.”
“Then just don’t drink it.”
“But Oscar is a necessary talent for the Empire.”
“In that sense, you and that kid seem to agree.”
I was a bit surprised by Indra’s words, but I quickly accepted it. It was indeed true.
If we think in terms of what’s best for the Empire, both Oscar and I are aligned in the same direction. So, if—
“If Oscar had been given the throne from the beginning, there wouldn’t have been any problems. The reason I can’t abdicate is that I want to protect my father’s ‘discernment.'”
I recalled a conversation I had with my father some time ago.
Even the Emperor, who was called a wise ruler, my father said that nine out of ten spoil their later years.
In order to avoid it being seen as a mistake for him to have handed the throne down to me, I can’t afford to abdicate to Oscar either, nor can I allow a rebellion to arise.
It seems that the tightrope-walking days are about to continue once more. While thinking that, I engaged in a hypothetical discussion.
“Haha, who knows about that.”
“What?”
“If Oscar had gotten the throne, Henry would probably be stirring up trouble now.”
“…”
I was at a loss for words.
“Well, there’s no use in discussing ‘if only’ scenarios.”
Indra patted my shoulder and stood up straight.
“Leave this to me.”
“I’m counting on you.”
Indra smiled slyly, turned, and left. As he waved his hand in the air without turning around while crossing the bridge, he conveyed a reassuring presence.
“……”
Seeing Indra’s back, I pondered for a moment.
It was the snag I had picked up during our earlier conversation. Since it was during my talk with Indra, I had put it off, but now I reconsidered it.
“…… Something I can’t give up on, huh?”
I’m talking about Oscar. He seems to believe that the Emperor must be something absolute in every regard.
“If that’s the case, it contradicts itself.”
I muttered to myself, sipping the cold tea. If he truly thought the Emperor was absolute, it would be strange for him to entertain thoughts of usurping the throne.
—But that’s not how humans are, is it?
Even though a person may have strong convictions and things they can’t compromise on, there are always “exceptions,” to a greater or lesser extent. A person who could adhere strictly to principles and rules wouldn’t be very human.
So, I thought further. It’s clear that, for Oscar, the principle of the “Emperor being absolute” holds true. The real question is how far he would accept “exceptions” to that rule.
“…… Call the Prime Minister.”[TNL: I like both Grand Chancellor and Prime minister, I am confused what should I stick with, I am thinking using Prime minister for this and for other Chancellors]
I instructed a eunuch to relay my command.
――――――――――――
Name: Noah Ararat
Empire’s Emperor
Gender: Male
Level: 17+1/∞
| HP | C+B | MP | D+C |
| Strength | C+S | Stamina | D+C |
| Intelligence | D+A | Spirit | E+B |
| Speed | E+B | Dexterity | E+B |
| Luck | D+C | ||
| Fire | E+S+S | Water | C+SSS |
| Wind | E+C | Earth | E+C |
| Light | E+B | Darkness | E+B |
―――――――――――
Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of my status.
The discord link down below is just out of my habit. No real essence there
Do not Join me on –>discord<— to get update notifications and releases. I am lazy af these days.
Thanks for the treat.