Chapter 51

Thus, striking the Magic Tower is the worst of all strategies.

The losses would be enormous, and even if we succeed, there would be no real gain.

“The Holy Kingdom is even more complicated. There are quite a few believers within the Empire, and across the continent, non-believers are rare. Merely attacking the Holy Kingdom would make managing the continent difficult. Not impossible, but truly arduous. Furthermore, if we attack the Holy Kingdom directly, we will inevitably have to face Kiriya, and as of now, I cannot guarantee victory against him.”

“Your Majesty…? Did you just say you cannot guarantee victory against Kiriya?”

Well, that was understandable.

Hearing that I couldn’t guarantee victory against the main god of the continent, the God of Light, was not an easy thing to accept.

“This is what I mean."

In an instant, a surge of violet energy erupted, enveloping Marquess Pell in its protective embrace.

He was a well-known count, so he must have received divine blessings before.

“This… isn’t this divine power, Your Majesty?”

“It’s something similar. I am the Emperor, so I am unsure if ‘divinity’ is the right term, but I have yet to name it.”

“Then that means…!”

“Come to think of it, I have never stated it explicitly. During the process of defeating Edelvine, I made some achievements. From now on, within the Empire, no god shall stand above the name of Arhan.”

“Congratulations, Your Majesty.”

“Thank you, Fried.”

Marquess Pell and Duke Triell, who lacked martial prowess, seemed unable to grasp the full meaning of my declaration. Only Duke Fael, who had ascended to the rank of Master, and Fried nodded in understanding and congratulated me.

“But that’s not what we gathered here to discuss. Regarding the governance of the continent, I have some thoughts. Would you care to listen?”

“We are all ears, Your Majesty.”

Duke Fael responded on behalf of the others, and I continued speaking.

“First, Tamiel. Duke Fael was assigned to oversee it. I plan to use it as a place of exile. I will send criminals there, so you may manage them as you see fit. I apologize for burdening you with such a heavy task, but I cannot find anyone else capable of handling guilty nobles without being swayed by them.”

“There is no need for concern, Your Majesty.”

“Endure it for now. In return, in due time, Riel Fael shall be known as a Prince-King.”

“Your Majesty? A Prince-King? While I do not doubt Lady Riel’s capabilities, there has never been a Prince-King in the Empire’s history.”

“You’re right, Fried. But the Empire has also never ruled over the entire continent before. Now that we’re on the topic, I’ll make this clear. You shall also oversee the southern territories.”

“…Pardon?”

“Pardon? Yes. From the start, I only intended to keep the central region as the core of the Empire. The rest will be separated into independent kingdoms, and above them all, the central region—more specifically, the capital—will reign in the name of Arhan.”

“Your Majesty, if you do that, the Empire may end up completely fractured.”

“I am aware. But in a hundred, perhaps a thousand years, such an order will become familiar. A continent made up of different kingdoms, all loyal to Arhan.”

“A thousand years… That sounds far too distant.”

“At the very least, I intend to remain until that order stabilizes, so there is no need for excessive worry.”

“If Your Majesty has resolved to do so, then we have no choice. What about us in Triell? Are we just left out?”

“Of course not. While the central region will belong to Arhan, the Imperial Family must oversee the entire continent. We cannot focus solely on the central region. That duty falls to you, Triell.”

At my words, Duke Triell nodded, seemingly satisfied.

“Next is the Eastern region. To be frank, Marquess Pell, I respect you, but you are not yet fit to be elevated to the title of Prince-King.”

“I understand completely, Your Majesty.”

“However, I have a mission for you. Marquess, how familiar are you with the Academy?”

“I know it is an educational institution Your Majesty established to provide learning opportunities for all.”

“Indeed. To put it more bluntly, it was a means to raise those without powerful backgrounds into my personal elite.”

At my straightforward words, Marquess Pell coughed awkwardly, looking slightly flustered, but I continued.

“However, I recently discovered an unexpected outcome. The students at the Academy have a surprisingly strong sense of belonging.”

As soon as the topic of the Academy came up, Fried raised his hand, as if he had something to ask.

“Hmm? What is it, Fried?”

“Your Majesty, since we’re discussing the Academy… There was that student we spoke about before. The half-baked Master who protected Princess Rael.”

“Ah, you mean Cadet Ari?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Where is she now?”

“She has become Sir Giel’s apprentice.”

“…Pardon? I thought Sir Feltz was considering her as his successor—”

“He was, but after the recent disaster, he seems to have had a change of heart. To put it nicely, he has gained enlightenment; to put it bluntly, he has become a little twisted.”

“…Ah.”

“In any case, let’s return to the main topic. The Academy itself has provided young students with a strong sense of belonging. Of course, there are factions within it, but at the end of the day, they all consider themselves Academy cadets. That was what Count Darhan reported.”

“That led me to a realization. The governance of the continent is not something that can be accomplished overnight. It must be approached on a generational scale. In the end, it is not the current rulers, but their successors, that must be the true focus.”

“You mean…”

“Marquess Pell, I will establish an Academy in the East. A facility of an unprecedented scale. The location is ideal, making it a place where not only citizens of the Empire but all talented individuals from across the continent can gather. I hear that Jer and Anon have their own academies, so we will merge them as well. For now, other nations may send their children with the mindset of offering hostages, but before long, it will become a place where everyone wants to enter voluntarily.”

“Are you saying you are entrusting such a great task to me?”

“Of course, since it will involve handling the heirs of all the continent’s most powerful figures, I will officially be its head. However, you will oversee its actual management.”

“I swear, Your Majesty, I will never disappoint you.”

As I watched Marquess Pell overwhelmed with emotion, I thought to myself—what a sentimental man.

“I will entrust it to you.”

“Your Majesty, what about the North?”

“The North? It remains the North.”

“So, then…”

“As always, the Grand Duke will govern it.”

“Ah, Your Majesty, speaking of which—where is the Grand Duke?”

“He has entered seclusion.”

“Pardon? Seclusion?”

“He was unable to kill the wolf and was surpassed by his own disciple—me. It seems he was troubled by it. He has decided to train for a while and does not wish to be disturbed.”

“…Ah.”

“Well, he is a strong man. He will eventually overcome it and return. In any case, the North remains his domain, and I will leave it as it is.”

“So, Duke Fael will oversee Tamiel, I will govern the West and South, Roze will handle the central region, and Marquess Pell will be in charge of the Academy in the East?”

“Yes, that sums it up well.”

“Ah, Your Majesty. Speaking of which, what will you do with the one you summoned to the Imperial Council?”

“Oh, you mean Flu Keyas?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Do you truly intend to establish him as the King of Daman?”

“I do, Duke Fael.”

“I have no objections, but isn’t he a rather unexpected choice? From what I hear, five noble houses were responsible for imprisoning Daman’s former king. Keyas may be the strongest among them, but he isn’t overwhelmingly so. Won’t the other nobles oppose this?”

“Of course, they will. And they should.”

I recalled Flu Keyas’s bewildered expression and smirked.

“If even you find it questionable, Duke Fael, imagine how the nobles of Daman must feel.”

“You traitor!”

The first words Flu Keyas heard upon returning to Daman—now renamed Chamber —and gathering his allies for a meeting.

Even visiting the Empire had been a gamble with his life.

The entire continent knew of the Emperor’s ruthless nature. His list of assassinated political rivals was too long to count on both hands, yet Keyas had gone to meet him directly.

He risked being accused of conspiring with the deposed king or, worse, being executed by the Emperor, who undoubtedly had the ambition to rule Daman himself.

And now, after surviving such a perilous mission, this was the reception he got?

“What nonsense is this, Count Minar ?”

Thankfully, Keyas still had some allies among the nobles who had plotted together with him.

One of them immediately rose to his defense.

“Nonsense? He visited the Empire on behalf of Chamber , and in return, he was granted the title of Count and appointed as Chamber’s  king by the Emperor. And yet you say—”

Before Count Minar  could finish speaking, a blade was suddenly pressed against his throat.

It was one of the Imperial Shadow Knights—the warriors assigned to escort (or rather, watch over) Keyas.

“Show proper respect to His Majesty.”

Gulp.

Minar’s  own guards stood behind him, but they didn’t dare draw their swords against an Imperial Shadow Knight.

At this point, unsheathing a blade could very well mean the immediate execution of their lord.

None of them wanted to test that possibility.

“Sir Erga… If you would kindly lower your sword?”

Keyas asked cautiously, glancing at the knight. Only then did the man slowly withdraw his blade.

“Be careful with your words.”

Only after that warning did the Imperial Knight step back.

Minar’s  face turned red with rage, but he had no choice but to suppress it.

He clenched his fists as his personal knight quietly whispered behind him.

Despite being one of the wealthiest noblemen in all of Daman, a man whose riches ranked in the top three of the kingdom, Count Minar  found himself completely powerless before a single knight.

Even though he was humiliated, there was nothing he could do but swallow his anger.

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