Chapter 154: Non-Essential
When night fell, after parting ways with Henry, I returned to my tent, where Alice was waiting for me.
“Welcome back, Your Majesty.”
“Hmm.”
As I responded, Alice eagerly approached and carefully removed my armor.
Just like when I return home and take off my coat, I felt relieved as I removed my armor after returning to the bedroom tent.
While Alice was helping me, I casually looked around the tent.
The bedroom, yes, the bedroom.
This tent serves as the sleeping quarters among the several tents of the Emperor.
Though it’s a tent—in other words, outdoors—inside, there is a proper bed and a beautifully decorated table.
The floor is covered with a plush carpet, making it feel so pleasant that it hardly feels like being outdoors.
Though it’s not there now, in winter, air passage can be dug underground to create floor heating.
The Emperor cannot do anything that is technically impossible, but he is in a position where he can do almost anything if more personnel are added.
This is the case here as well, since it’s practically impossible to rebuild the structures daily, we are using tents and, as long as more labor is available, transporting furniture is not difficult.
“…Hmm.”
“Is something the matter?”
“I think Oscar is taking this a bit too seriously.”
“Oscar-sama… the Eighth Prince?”
“Yeah. You can see that this bedroom has become even more luxurious compared to two to three days ago, right?”
“Eh? Ah, yes! It’s amazing, like… as if we were in the capital.”
Alice replied while carefully choosing her words.
“It was Oscar who arranged to have the supply convoy deliver this. From here on, it’s a triumphant return, he sent these items to emphasize the Emperor’s dignity.”
“Dignity… you say.”
“That’s right. The palanquin we rode in, it’s going to be even more luxurious on the return journey.”
“Even more than that!?”
Alice exclaimed in astonishment, and I understood her feelings.
When we left the capital, she was bewildered by the opulence of that palanquin.
If she hears it will be even more lavish than “that,” it’s no wonder she would be surprised.
“Since it’s a triumph, we will attract even more attention when we return to the Imperial Capital. Oh, right, let me mention something first.”
“What is it?”
“With this victory, those good at flattery will easily start to deify me. You might end up being called… let’s see, perhaps ‘Goddess of Victory,’ they’ll elevate you like that.”
“Goddess of Victory… no, someone like me…”
“Ah, I mentioned those skilled in flattery.”
I laughed and lightly patted Alice’s shoulder.
“I have to play the fool too, so bear with me for a while.”
“Y-Yes! If it’s for Your Majesty!”
“Please.”
“…”
Suddenly, I noticed Alice’s gaze.
She was looking at me with somewhat dreamy eyes.
“What’s wrong?”
“Ah… well, it’s impressive that you predicted he would flatter you, and yet you are able to stay calm and not get carried away.”
“Is that so? If you expected something is coming, you could prepare yourself accordingly.”
“That’s impressive.”
“Is it?”
I thought Alice was being a bit flattering, but it was cute enough compared to the people back in the capital, so I decided to let it slide.
After removing my armor, I approached the desk where several documents were stacked.
Seeing my gaze stop there, Alice spoke.
“Those were just brought by a government official.”
“I see.”
“Are you going to be working in the bedroom as well?”
“Yeah, I had them sorted in advance. Those that are non-essential or could be looked at during free time, I ordered to be sent here.”
“I see.”
“For example—”
I said this, picked up the top report, opened it, and began reading.
“…Ha.”
“W-What’s wrong?”
“Look here.”
I smiled slightly and showed the report to Alice.
She took it and skimmed through it once but then made a troubled face.
“What’s wrong?”
“I’m sorry, I struggle with the complicated writing of the officials…”
“Oh, so you can’t read the unnecessarily ornate ‘official documents,’ huh?”
I smiled and received the report back from her, summarizing its contents to explain to Alice.
“It’s a petition for the palace musicians to compose a new piece to celebrate my victory, asking for a name to be given to it.”
“Um, does that mean… could it be?”
Alice hesitated.
The long pause she took clearly indicated that, while she understood correctly, she was confused.
“You see? Those skilled in flattery begin to act quickly.”
“Amazing… really, already…”
Alice showed a complex expression, both impressed by my deduction and dismayed by the memorial document.
“Well, it’s just that these matters can be dealt with fairly casually. They won’t be a burden.”
“Y-yes.”
“Let’s take a look at another one. In the meantime… how about a drink?”
“Understood!”
Alice quietly stood up and headed toward the entrance of the tent.
She beckoned toward the entrance, which was draped like a curtain, and whispered something to the maid outside.
Ignoring her, I took a report in order to process another case as declared.
“…Hmm.”
After reading it thoroughly, I organized my thoughts and picked up a pen to write my response.
It turned into a slightly lengthy sentence, but since it wasn’t a complicated topic, I was able to write it smoothly until the end in one go.
After completing it, I double-checked it once more and nodded slightly with a satisfied, “Alright.”
“Thank you for your hard work. Here you go.”
“Ah, thank you.”
As I acknowledged her effort, I took a sip from the cup I received.
In the imperial capital, it would be permitted only for the nobility to have this cold drink but in the outdoor setting like this, only the Emperors can have them.
I took a sip while rubbing my earlobe, feeling a bit feverish in my head and wanting to cool it down.
“Would you like a shoulder massage?”
“No, that’s fine.”
“I see…”
For some reason, Alice showed a slightly disappointed expression.
Noticing her gaze, I quickly changed the subject.
“Um, what were you writing? You seemed very focused.”
“Don’t worry. It’s another non-urgent matter.”
“Oh…”
“Ha, it’s a reply to Zoe.”
“Lady Zoe… from the Emperor’s residence previously?”
“Yes, the maid named Zoe. She’s currently in a foreign land.”
“What did you write to Lady Zoe?”
“Zoe reached out to ask for permission regarding my tomb—she found a suitable piece of land for the mausoleum. What do you think? It’s not urgent, right?”
“Y-your Majesty!?”
I laughed jokingly, but Alice was so shocked that her expression changed dramatically.
It was intense enough that I almost felt unsettled just watching her reaction.
“Calm down, it’s a common situation.”
“Eh?”
Alice looked puzzled.
I signaled for her to “sit down.”
As instructed, Alice hesitantly took a seat beside me, and I began to explain.
“Have you ever seen the Emperor’s tomb? For example, one from several hundred years ago?”
“Um… Ah, there was something like that near my mother’s hometown.”
“It was huge, right?”
“Yes, it was the size of a small village—no, a town.”
“Indeed. How long do you think it takes to build a tomb of that size? It’s not a matter of one or two months; we’re talking years.”
“Yes, I would think so.”
“From planning and design to actual construction, it could easily take ten years or more. After all, it’s at the level of a town, and it also needs to be visually impressive. Depending on the case, there might also be some ritualistic designs incorporated, making it even more complicated.”
“Hmm…”
Alice, now sitting more comfortably, nodded slightly.
“So, if we wait until after the Emperor’s death to start, it won’t be finished in time. It would be rather cruel to not be able to lay them to rest for ten years after their passing, don’t you think?”
As I said that jokingly, Alice suddenly understood.
Embarrassed by her earlier panic, she blushed.
“Y-you’re right.”
“Therefore, among a hundred Emperors, ninety-nine are likely to promote the construction of their mausoleum while still alive. By the way, the previous Emperor’s mausoleum is already completed, with three in total, including dummies.”
“Dummies… oh, tomb raiding…”[TN; Lara Croft Speedrun ANY% — loot, roll, leave][TN: meme aside, it was written something like grave robbing, but tomb raiding sounds fun, and I liked the Tomb Raider King Manhwa]
“That’s right.”
I chuckled.
“So it wouldn’t be odd for me to construct a mausoleum, rather, it’s something I must do.”
“Must do?”
While Alice understood the necessity of building mausoleums, she still found it strange when I said I “must” do it.
“Essentially, it’s a public works project. Civil engineering costs money, and spending money benefits the community. If workers thrive in civil engineering–well, those kinds of people must be connected to your fellow workers, Alice.”
“Ah, that’s what His Majesty always say…”
“Exactly.”
“I see… That’s amazing, Your Majesty. Even the construction of tombs has such a reason behind it.”
“Yes.”
I nodded and stated seriously.
“When the country is in a good position, we should carry out public works projects without wasting resources.”
“That’s amazing, Your Majesty.”[TN: please Author, give me some new phrases]
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