Chapter 133: Noah’s Role
The next day during the day, inside the carriage.
While I was discussing future plans with Henry, I received word that Neil had returned.
I immediately called him into the carriage for a report.
When Neil entered the carriage, he glanced at Henry and then knelt down, bowing his head.
“I have returned as I took over the transport mission.”
“Good work, speak closely.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Neil stood up and approached.
Although it was inside the carriage, the room was spacious enough that he wouldn’t hit his head while walking.
Neil came closer and stood in front of one of the chairs placed across the table.
After I granted him permission to “sit,” he took his seat.
“So, what do you think, Henry? Just as I said, right?”
“Indeed. I accept defeat.”
As Henry and I shared a laugh, Neil looked puzzled, not understanding what we were talking about.
That said, it was unclear to him if it pertained to himself, so he could only wear a bemused expression, unable to ask.
“Henry had warned me that your attitude was indeed excessive.”
“That was—”
“Don’t get flustered; I shared what I permitted, that it was allowed only in the absence of others.”
“Ah…”
“Even so, Henry mentioned that if you are overly pampered, you will become arrogant, so he suggested it would be better to be strict.”
“Your Majesty, that is an overly simplified summary.”
Henry chided me with a slight smile.
Naturally, being the one who pointed out Neil’s behavior, he had a more elaborate and courteous way of saying it, but the essence was about the same.
“So, I made a light wager. I wanted to see how you would act when Henry was around.”
“His Majesty naturally believed that you would handle things properly. I must admit, I’m completely defeated when it comes to judging people. As expected of His Majesty.”
I chuckled softly and neither affirmed nor denied it.
For the Emperor, humility is not necessarily a virtue. Just as Neil behaved correctly in Henry’s presence, the Emperor is expected to be magnanimous without humility before his subjects and the people.
“Now then, let’s hear your report.”
“Yes. I escorted him partway and conveyed Your Majesty’s words.”
“And how did it go?”
“At first, he was surprised, and then he was in tears.”
“I see.”
“Afterward, I had a trusted subordinate escort him to the capital.”
“Very well, good work.”
I nodded. With this, that matter should be settled — or so I thought.
“However, Your Majesty. Isn’t that rather too lenient?”
Without everything being settled, Henry brought up the point of “too lenient” once again.
“Hmm?”
“To do something like that in front of everyone, isn’t it problematic to let it go without reprimand? Moreover, to send him to the Ministry of Justice…”
“Is sending him to the Ministry of Justice bad, Henry?”
Neil asked with a puzzled expression.
“Your Majesty was once the Minister of Justice.”
“Yes.”
Neil nodded, still looking confused.
I laughed softly and explained in place of Henry, whose expression seemed to say, “Do you not understand?”
“Actions have evaluations beyond right and wrong, good and bad. There is also how they are perceived by others.”
“Ah…”
“I once administered the Ministry of Justice as Minister. In that case, a direct judgment of sending someone to the Ministry of Justice would be seen as me acknowledging that individual.”
“I see…”
“The way others perceive changes as well. To say ‘too lenient’ implies that meaning.”
Henry added a supplementary explanation at the end.
“That may be so, but I believe this is fine.”
Henry looked at me silently with a face that said, “Why is that?”
“There are two reasons. First, simply being able to act with the resolve to uphold righteousness in such a situation is a kind of talent. That talent is precious.”
“And the second?”
“A Test.”
I smiled lightly.
“As Henry said, if I send him to the Ministry of Justice, others will see it as me being lenient. Then various individuals will approach that man. Temptation will increase.”
“…So, it’s about whether he can endure such temptations?”
“Exactly.”
Nodding, I took a breath before continuing.
“Even if one can uphold honesty in a position like that of a captain of a hundred men, it doesn’t necessarily mean they will continue to do so after rising in rank. I want to gauge this at this time for future reference.”
“I see… that’s quite impressive.”
“Honestly, I think the Emperor is overestimating that soldier.”
Henry said with a bitter expression.
“Is that so?”
“Acting on impulse to give direct advice isn’t particularly difficult.”
“Humans can sometimes become intoxicated by righteousness, can they?”
When I said this, Henry silently nodded slightly.
“If that’s the case, then so be it. For now, let’s observe the situation while training at the Ministry of Justice. Giving direct advice shouldn’t inherently be something to reprimand.”
“…That’s true.”
Henry nodded slightly, seeming to have come to an understanding for the time being.
“Now, let’s change the subject. There’s something I would like to ask both of your opinions on.”
“What is it?”
“—!”
Henry replied calmly, while Neil straightened his back slightly, showing signs of tension.
When it’s just the two of us, it’s not like this, but with Henry present, I seem to be acting more like the ‘Emperor’ than usual, which appears to be causing Neil’s tension.
Without pointing that out, I continued.
“Ultimately, I will consult with Oscar, but I want to hear your opinions before that.”
“So, it would be about domestic affairs, I suppose.”
“I want to create a new official position.”
“A new official position?”
“Yes, a position solely for giving direct advice to the Emperor—let’s tentatively call it ‘Office of Inspectors.'”[TN: or should I use ‘Danjokan’]
“Office of Inspectors.”[TN: “弾正官” {Danjō-kan} was a historical government position in ancient Japan, particularly during the Ritsuryō system (a legal and administrative system modeled after Chinese law during the Nara and Heian periods). ]
“The role, as I mentioned, will be solely to give direct advice to the Emperor. We will also have to amend some parts of the Imperial laws to make disrespect laws with only a few exceptions.”
“Are you planning to go that far?”
Henry asked me with a somewhat troubled expression, as if he was hesitant.
Unlike Alice, Henry immediately seemed to understand.
It is likely due to that soldier’s direct advice serving as a catalyst for me wanting to properly ‘institutionalize’ this.
I nodded clearly.
“Yes.”
“Why to such an extent?”
Henry pressed further.
“It leads to the same point again, but I must prove that the judgment of the late Emperor, who appointed me as Emperor, was correct.”
“Your Majesty…”
I looked up at the ceiling.
The carriage’s ceiling was made of canvas to minimize weight, and I could faintly see the blue sky.
Gazing at the distant sky, I continued.
“I believe that is my foremost mission since ascending the throne. By establishing the Office of Inspectors, one thing is— as I said earlier, how will those around us perceive it?”
“…Indeed, it depends on the authority granted to the Office of Inspectors to speak, but it can emphasize that Your Majesty sincerely seeks direct advice, thus showcasing you as a wise ruler.”
I nodded firmly at Henry’s words.
This term, wise ruler is referred to me, but in reality, it meant “a wise ruler who appointed a wise ruler,” so in context, it was actually praising my father.
“Another benefit is practical. I too will make mistakes at times. Things that Henry or Oscar might hesitate to counsel on could be addressed if we have multiple Inspection Officers in place to give advice, thus reducing errors. If my mistakes are corrected, I’ll naturally become a wise ruler.”
“Is that how it is?”
“What do you think, Henry?”
“I have no objections.”
“I see. Then there shouldn’t be any problems. Oscar likely won’t oppose this either.”
“That may be overestimating Oscar—no, never mind.”
“I see.”
I nodded slightly, feeling relieved.
Suddenly, I realized Neil hadn’t said anything for a while, so I decided to prompt him.
“What do you think, Neil?”
“Uh? Um… well…”
“Yes?”
“Um… it’s amazing, I suppose.”
“What does that mean?”
I chuckled.
“Well, normally, one wouldn’t think of having someone to keep an eye on them so closely around…”
“Your Majesty has that kind of personality. Ever since his childhood.”
Unlike Neil, who was taken aback, Henry wore an expression of understanding.
Well, that’s fine.
Given the situation, it didn’t seem like Neil had any particular opinions, so I planned to send a letter later to properly hear Oscar’s thoughts.
Oscar, who holds the belief that the Emperor is absolute, might initially oppose this, but… he’ll likely understand that this is necessary when one wants to be a wise ruler.
Well then, what’s left is――.
“E-excuse me for interrupting you,”
Suddenly, I heard Luke’s voice from outside the carriage.
“What is it?”
Henry asked, not me. In situations like this, it’s not uncommon for someone of lower status to respond instead of the person in charge.
Following that, Henry asked Luke, but perhaps because he was asked by Henry rather than me, or because he felt intimidated, there was a noticeable tension in Luke’s voice.
“A-um, well… it’s a g-guest.”
“A guest? What do you mean?”
“Oh, um, sorry, it’s not a guest. It’s someone who has come to request an audience with His Majesty.”
“Who is it?”
Perhaps noticing Luke’s tension, Henry chuckled softly and asked in a gentler manner.
“Uh… was it No titled General? I mean Jerry Eisen-sama.”
“No Title… Titleless General, huh. Who is this Jerry Eisen?”[TN: There’s this play of words by Luke where he somehow mispronounces, and I cannot describe how to write this properly.]
Henry tilted his head in confusion.
“Jerry, huh? That brings back memories. Let him in.”
“Y-yes!”
“Your Majesty, do you know him?”
“Henry knows him too, you know?”
I chuckled quietly.
“Eh?”
“Remember, he was the leader of the band of thieves that attacked me during the Nisir incident.”
“……………………………. Oh.”
With a hint from me, Henry seemed to recall for the first time, making a face of realization.
“Now that you mention it, I do remember such a person… You knew about him?”
“Of course. He became a treasure for me.”
“Your Majesty… that’s amazing…”
Henry was astounded, his tongue almost caught in admiration.
[Why is always there so much amazing, truly wonderful, bla blaaaaa]
(Sponsored Chapter ~5/5) [I apologize for this much delay, but I can finally say that this is over now.]
There is –>discord<— to get update notifications and releases? I am a bit lazy these days.
Thanks for the treat.