Chapter 47

The history of the Empire is long.

Longer than any human civilization, except for the Holy Kingdom. From the very beginning, it was an empire.

And, as with any long history, war was a constant. 

During the reign of the 7th Emperor, the Empire fought against a demon that had awakened from its seal. Countless battles were waged against the great beasts that appeared once every few decades.

Of course, the most frequent wars were against other kingdoms.

There were occasional defeats in localized skirmishes, but they were rare—most battles ended in victory.

For every war, there was a victory. And for every victory, there were those who contributed to the triumph.

The most common way to reward these contributors was through titles. As a result, the Empire had an overwhelming number of nobles.

Of course, no matter how vast the Empire was, its land was finite. Many noble houses were left with little more than their titles, devoid of real power.

However, the situation had shifted.

Beyond the central and western regions, the east and south remained largely unclaimed. Most of the land visible to the eye lacked a ruler, and beyond the Empire’s borders, there were still territories waiting to be conquered.

“Now, let us begin the meeting.”

It was the second day of the Imperial Assembly.

After yesterday’s first session, I hosted a banquet in my name. Not a single drop of alcohol was served.

It was a message—today, we would be discussing matters of the utmost importance, and I would not tolerate anyone being intoxicated.

The nobles understood the implication, and as they entered the hall, their faces were tense.

“Let us begin with the matter of Daman.”

At the mention of Daman, the nobles—especially those without their own territories—perked up.

While the entirety of Tamiel had been granted to House Fael, no official announcement had been made regarding Daman.

“The former king of Daman was nothing more than a puppet of Edelvine, manipulated to do their bidding. He was beheaded by Grand Duke Fael, and his son was nothing more than another dog of Edelvine. However, not all in Daman bent to their will. There were those who punished their own rulers for daring to challenge the Empire and rose to take a stand.”

At my gesture, the doors of the hall swung open. A man clad in blue robes entered.

He was well into his years, and from the look on his face, he hadn’t expected to be summoned.

Flanked by the Imperial Guard, he appeared tense but carried himself without making any grave mistakes.

“Flu Keyas of Chamber greets His Imperial Majesty, the great ruler of the Arhan Empire.”

“Everyone, look upon this man. A man who stood against the traitorous Daman nobles, cast them out, and upheld the righteous cause.”

At my words, Grand Duke Fael and Marquess Grepa began clapping.

Following them, Duke Triell joined in. Soon enough, all the nobles in the room were applauding Flu Keyas.

“Y-Your Majesty, I am honored beyond words, but…”

He tried to speak, clearly caught off guard by how quickly this was unfolding, but I raised a hand to silence him.

“As such, I hereby grant Flu Keyas the title of Count of the Empire, and in addition, I appoint him as the King of Daman.”

At that, murmurs rippled through the hall.

However, I turned to Flu Keyas and asked, “What was your original title?”

“… I was a Count, Your Majesty.”

“Indeed. You were already a Count, yet now you must rule over an entire kingdom. It is only natural that you would lack the experience and the men needed for such a role.

Thus, I shall assign an experienced noble of the Empire to aid you. Do you understand?”

“… Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Good. You may take your leave.”

With that, Flu Keyas was escorted out by the Imperial Guard, just as he had entered.

His expression twisted in frustration—he had been summoned, celebrated, and dismissed like a mere performer.

No doubt he had much to say, but that was not my concern.

As soon as he left, the nobles turned their eager, expectant gazes toward me.

“You have heard it yourselves. The ruler of Daman has changed. Chamber, as they now call themselves. However, as I have said, he lacks the experience to govern.

He will require capable men to assist him.

Those who previously served under the Daman monarchy cannot be trusted. Therefore, I must rely on nobles who are both honorable and loyal to aid him.”

In other words, Flu Keyas was nothing more than a puppet, and I intended to divide Daman among the nobles.

Unlike the barren, savage lands of Tamiel, Daman was a prosperous territory—one that many nobles would covet.

But I had yet to name those who would receive the land.

Nor would I announce it here.

This was leverage—an incentive to ensure their obedience.

Follow my will, and that land may be yours. That was the message I would let linger.

“And it is not just Daman. The Empire still holds many lands without rulers.

We cannot leave them unattended forever.”

The southern region of Giorei had fallen, and the eastern lands once granted to Xian had been reclaimed.

Many territories remained without lords.

In truth, the decision regarding the south had already been made.

Count Pell.

The last remaining count in the southern region and a noble renowned for his unwavering loyalty to Arhan.

By name and merit alike, there was no one else more suited to become a vassal lord.

I had briefly considered granting the position to Sir Feltz, but for now, he was still needed as the commander of the knights.

Originally, I had intended to entrust the south to Arga once she came of age at the academy, but leaving it vacant for that long was no longer an option. She, too, was ruled out.

“Count Pell.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

At my casual call, Count Pell stood up, his voice trembling with emotion.

He must have understood the significance of me calling his name at this moment.

“Count Pell, you have long devoted yourself to Arhan and worked tirelessly for the peace of the Empire. Even when those treacherous Giore scoundrels rebelled, you refused to align with them and instead stood against their treachery. You are a true loyalist.

In recognition of your unwavering loyalty, I hereby grant you the title of Marquess and bestow upon you all that once belonged to Giore.”

Tears welled in Plll’s eyes as he repeatedly expressed his gratitude. Unlike with Flu Keyas, the applause from the other vassals carried genuine celebration.

Having maintained influence even under Giore’s rule, Marquess Pell would have no trouble asserting dominance over the south with my support behind him.

His temperament ensured that only those loyal to me would gain power in the region. That meant I wouldn’t have to concern myself with the south for some time.

Next was the east.

But in truth, there was no need to rush the matter of the east.

There was barely anything left there. For now, reconstruction was the priority, and when new merits were earned, I would divide the land among the deserving.

“Now, let us move on to a more painful topic. As you all know, the Empire was attacked not long ago.”

The previously lively atmosphere of the assembly hall froze at my blunt statement.

“Well, as you are all aware, those beasts put up a decent fight but were ultimately defeated.

The god they worshiped was slain—cleaved in half by Archduke Audas… rather, Marquess Audas. Their leader and their elite warriors perished, nameless and frozen in the wilderness.

Yet remnants of their kind and their land remain.”

When I referred to the beastkin as mere ‘beasts,’ several nobles visibly brightened.

For me to make such a statement in an official setting—especially at an Imperial Assembly—meant that the Empire would never again recognize them as diplomatic entities.

Some nobles turned their gaze toward Xian, but he remained silent, merely lowering his head.

“Those insolent creatures dared set foot upon Imperial soil. Surely, they must be punished?”

The nobles nodded in agreement. Some of the more fervent ones even shouted, “Indeed, Your Majesty!”

“Their crime is great enough to warrant extinction, but I shall show them mercy.”

“Count Megan.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

A noble who had lost family to the beastkin.

A count of the Empire’s central region.

Not as unshakably loyal to Arhan as Pell, but not treacherous enough to be a threat, either.

“I entrust you with an important task.

Regardless of east, west, or central divisions, gather those who bear a grudge against the beasts and lead them into the beast lands. The Imperial Knights shall assist you. Together, you will guide these creatures onto the right path.

Are you capable of this?”

“…And what might this ‘right path’ be, Your Majesty?”

“That they serve the proper master instead of being nothing more than oversized wolves.”

Go and enslave them all.

At my words, Count Megan sharpened his gaze, his eyes brimming with unfiltered malice.

“I shall meet Your Majesty’s expectations without fail.”

“I appoint you as Governor of the beast lands. You will have full authority—use it as you see fit.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Unlike Tamiel and Daman, which required governance over human subjects, the beast lands had no such concerns.

Nobles who held grudges against the beastkin, like Megan, would bring their households and settle there.

For the time being, they would be too preoccupied subjugating the beasts to entertain any treacherous thoughts. Even if I took no further action, they would lack the capacity for rebellion.

Though, judging by the look in Count Megan’s eyes, it seemed he was already too consumed by vengeance to entertain any other notions.