Chapter 164: Oscar’s Loyalty
“I’ve heard that Your Majesty also cares for Sem.”
“I wonder about that, I intend to be strict with him.”
My father said this and turned his gaze out of the window, looking distant.
I couldn’t help but think of the phrase “failure in parenting.”
The eldest son Gilbert and the second son Albert.
Though indirectly, my father had put both of his sons in harm’s way.
As a reaction to that, it’s not surprising that he would be strict with Sem—his grandchild.
“I believe Sem is a happy child.”
“What do you mean by that?”
My father turned to me, looking a bit surprised.
“Your Majesty’s ‘strictness’ is surely of an educational nature. To have a ruler as great as you personally guide and discipline him is nothing other than a blessing.”
“…I see.”
My father smiled faintly. After a few seconds of silence, I redirected the conversation to the main topic.
“I intend to take another measure. I believe this requires Your Majesty’s approval.”
“Hmm, go ahead.”
My father assumed a serious expression, the face he wears when it comes to governance, as the highest authority of the Empire.
“It’s about the treatment of the royals, which is increasing day by day in the Empire.”
“…Are you going to address that?”
“I have already sown the seeds.”
I continued while maintaining an expressionless demeanor in front of my astonished father.
“It’s about Arlene.”
“…I see, so that’s what it is.”
My father looked taken aback, and I nodded slightly.
Arlene, the Fourteenth Princess, is my blood-related sister.
Not long ago, she was struggling with her husband Angus Blue due to the traditions making it impossible for them to live as a proper couple.
Since I slightly broke those traditions, they were able to live a life similar to that of an ordinary couple.
From there, I came to be known as the “Emperor who intervenes in tradition.”
The moment I brought this up, my father had a look that indicated he understood everything.
“You are right, the Empire has lasted too long. By now, the allowances given to the royals have become a significant burden.”
My father said, and I nodded.
Since the moment I was born as the Thirteenth Prince, I have received a salary of several thousand Reens.
This is because I am a Prince, a member of the royal family.
Just by being a royal, a designated allowance is provided by the Empire.
This is not just for the current Prince but extends to those with some degree of blood relation until it becomes diluted, allowances are also given to the former princely families.
Just as my father has fathered over a dozen children, emperors tend to have many children for the next successor.
This essentially means passing on a burden of allowances to future generations.
In short, the Empire is supporting many royal households that are not actively contributing meaningfully.
That is also a “resource,” a resource that is monopolized.
“You’re something else, Noah; are you really going to tackle that?”
“That’s my intention.”
“But taking it away suddenly would be difficult. Naturally, there will be backlash.”
“There are traditions as well.”
“Hmm?”
My father tilted his head slightly.
“The Empire is a nation of warriors. We should make the obligatory initial battle that male royals partake in—something that has become a mere formality—into a genuine initial battle. It’s unacceptable for a male royal to have never seen the battlefield.”
“The pretext stands firm, then.”
“Yes, in essence, it’s like renewing a license.”
“That would place them on the same level as merchants.”
My father said, and I nodded.
Among merchants, those dealing in several important goods are required to have permits.
Similarly, for royals to enjoy their privileges, they should achieve military merit to renew their ‘licenses.’
“I understand the discussion. I will take that on. Any resentment or grievances, I will carry to my grave.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty. But I will handle this.”
“What?”
“This will be useful later…”
“…Incredible, Noah.”
I thought to myself how much more impressive it was that my father understood everything in an instant.
☆
After leaving my father’s chamber, I made my way to Oscar’s residence.
I broke into the estate and returned to that tower.
Oscar was still in the tower.
“Thank you for your hard work.”
“Welcome back, Your Majesty.”
The moment he saw me, Oscar stood up and tried to kneel in accordance with the formalities.
I traditionally stopped him by grabbing his arm.
It was the customary practice of offering respect and bestowing favor.
After going through that, I sat down again facing Oscar.
“How did it go?”
“I was able to talk properly; it is unlikely that anything can be resolved today or tomorrow.”
“That’s a relief.”
Oscar showed a look of relief.
“Then, why did the former Emperor do such a thing?”
“It’s true that his health has not been good. He called Noizhil over to eliminate all distractions and was organizing his achievements.”
“…A historical record, I see.”
“That’s right.”
“Then I am relieved.”
“I talked with the former Emperor a bit. Oscar.”
“Yes… Your Majesty?”
I called Oscar’s name and looked at him seriously.
He responded normally, but upon realizing my expression, he was surprised and confused.
“I have made a decision.”
“A decision, you say?”
“Yes, the decision to become a disliked person as the Emperor of the Empire.”
“A disliked person?”
“…”
I nodded and explained the plan I discussed with Father about “tightening the screws” on the royal family.
Oscar was initially surprised but quickly adopted a serious expression, becoming deeply engaged in my words.
“It’s only natural, but there will be those who try to find a way out.”
“Of course. People like me and Brother Henry are ‘current’ and filled with a sense of responsibility and duty, but for those born as collateral members of the royal family, it’s easy for them to just enjoy their privileges.”
“Exactly. They will seek a substitute or buy off heads. In any case, there will be those who will look for a loophole.”
“Yes, that’s true.”
“And then, another type of people will emerge.”
“I want to believe there won’t be…”
“There will be, without a doubt.”
I stated this clearly. Oscar furrowed his brow but couldn’t deny it.
Even without words, both of us understood.
The other type of people refers to those who oppose directly.
It’s easy to imagine these types will engage in various political maneuvers.
In fact, it could be said to be certain.
“That does seem likely…”
“Therefore, I have a request.”
“Should I try to win them over? Or suppress them beforehand?”
“No.”
I shook my head.
Then, with a serious expression—I glared at Oscar with the most serious face I’ve ever had in my life.
“I want you to play along with me.”
“Play along?”
“Those who will try to make you a figurehead will inevitably appear.”
“——!!!”
Oscar gasped.
His expression changed dramatically, and he stood up suddenly.
And stepping back another step.
That was such a weighty statement.
Oscar is my political rival.
Even though we both recognized this fact until now, we had never faced each other directly.
In fact, we had avoided making explicit statements about it.
Yet now, acknowledging that and saying that people would come to use Oscar for their own ends was a big deal.
It is only natural that Oscar would stiffen in response.
This was a moment in my exchange with Oscar where I leaped further in my life.
When I told Father, “I will use this later,” it was for this purpose.
“Your Majesty, that is…”
“I cannot forgive those who do nothing but consume ‘pensions’ as the Emperor of the Empire. Therefore, I will legally expose them and eliminate them in the hall.”
“…Why me?”
“This is a one-time thing; let’s talk frankly.”
“Eh…”
“What I am about to do is to consolidate power in the core of the Empire, and by extension, to the Emperor.”
“…Yes.”
“It’s also about pushing back against those who oppose it in the process.”
I paused for a moment, looked straight at Oscar, and said,
“They are the ones who will challenge the authority of the Emperor. In this matter alone, you are more trustworthy than anyone else.”
“——!!”
Oscar gasped and leaned back again.
It was an event that happened in just a few seconds.
Various expressions and emotions crossed Oscar’s face.
Doubt passed in an instant and transformed into determination.
Oscar knelt down.
“Leave it to me, I will surely clean the ditches,”
he declared. I had no doubts.
――――――――――――
Name: Noah Ararat
Empire Emperor
Gender: Male
Level: 17 + 1 + 1 / ∞
| HP | C+S | MP | D+A |
| Strength | C+SSS | Stamina | D+A |
| Intelligence | D+SS | Spirit | E+S |
| Speed | E+S | Dexterity | E+S |
| Luck | D+A | ||
| Fire | E+S+S | Water | C+SSS |
| Wind | E+C | Earth | E+C |
| Light | E+S | Darkness | E+B |
―――――――――――
It was clear to me that the status visible only to me, especially the exponential increase after the “+”, indicated that Oscar had genuinely become cooperative.[TN: I forgot the last time the status was shown, so I cannot say which attribute increased]
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