The Empire's Tangled Intrigues
The Barhart Imperial Palace. Rather than leaving behind achievements worthy of history's pages, he preferred the freedom to enjoy even one more cup of tea. Instead of wielding power that could make his subjects tremble with a single gesture, he favored a hazy, almost invisible presence. It was said that the man known as Dominique Loop Barhart, the current Emperor of the Barhart Empire, preferred the comfort of a personal armchair over an ornately decorated throne.
As if to prove the rumors circulating among his retainers were true, he lounged in an utterly relaxed manner, swaying along with his chair as he read through a report.
"……."
However, if the person who had submitted that report were asked whether such a sight was acceptable, the answer would likely be less than favorable. While it was understandable that even those in power needed moments to unwind in private rather than remaining tense at all times, there were still limits to such behavior. At times, it was a retainer's duty to offer candid advice, even if it meant speaking harshly, to guide their ruler onto the proper path. Ordo von Devien, the Empire's Chancellor, spoke with sincere concern.
"Receiving reports in your private quarters rather than the office is one thing, but please maintain some decorum, Your Majesty. Even this old body of mine endures the lash of overwork day and night, yet this seems excessive."
To be precise, there appeared to be a touch of personal grievance mixed in with that sincerity. Though the remark was overly disrespectful toward the Emperor, the man in question showed no sign of minding as he replied.
"Calling yourself old doesn't change much between you and me. Enough with the dramatics."
"What if you collapse from overwork?"
"Rest assured. Even if it means emptying the imperial treasury, I'll have potions and healers restore you to perfect condition. How could I begrudge mere wealth when caring for a treasure of the Empire like yourself?"
Though it sounded at first like the gracious words of a benevolent ruler devoted to a single retainer, the Chancellor's expression did not improve in the slightest. Wasn't the malice overflowing in the implication that he'd force a revival just to keep working him? Whether or not he sensed the Chancellor's desire to sigh, the Emperor, who had been leisurely scanning the report, finished reading and held it out to the side.
After glancing at the attendants who naturally accepted and organized the document—long accustomed to the Emperor's ways—the Emperor spoke.
"Nothing particularly noteworthy. It seems they're handling things well. Shall I just stamp it?"
"……."
"It was a joke. Loosen that expression."
With a shrug, the Emperor decided to comment on a few points that had caught his interest.
"They've captured someone who appears to be an accomplice of the culprit behind the Mars Duchy incident. It seems the name Midas has been coming up quite often lately. Wasn't he involved in the previous terrorist attack as well?"
At the Emperor's subtly nuanced remark, the Chancellor replied.
"He seems to enjoy meddling in all sorts of affairs. He's connected to every minor incident. Judging by how the other students aren't behaving this way, the academy's curriculum doesn't appear to be particularly lenient."
Though it sounded like an odd tangent, the Emperor chuckled.
"True enough. If he were only getting entangled in terrorism-related matters, that would be one thing, but if he's sticking his nose into everything, it's probably just coincidence. Still, keep an eye on him. Having seen how my son was thoroughly crushed, anyone with sense wouldn't act recklessly—but there are more fools in this world than one might think. Even the clever can become fools when blinded by jealousy."
"Understood."
Feeling a faint headache at those words laced with subtle cynicism, the Chancellor nodded even as a sense of regret washed over him. If only he would show even this much diligence on a regular basis.
"Next is… 'Pro-Empire Morian noble students and anti-Empire Morian noble students are in conflict. The leaders are Prince Kian Danach of the Morian Kingdom and Eagle Pendevig, the legitimate son of the Margrave.'"
Emperor Dominique wore an incredulous expression.
"Should I lament that they're playing politics in a facility meant for study and self-improvement, or be dumbfounded that such childish squabbling among brats has reached my ears?"
"You know full well it's not that simple."
Though the Empire prided itself on having the entire continent in its grasp and frequently used such propaganda, this perception contained a flaw. While the Ivestan Empire beyond the Eastern Mountains could be dismissed as mere "demon pawns" and thus ignored, even the vassal kingdom of Morian had never shown a particularly obedient attitude.
During the Hegemony War era when the four kingdoms had clashed in conquest campaigns, Morian had been so powerful that it was openly said the victor would have been different without the living legend known as the Great Emperor. Even after becoming a vassal state, its thick layer of nobles possessing numerous outstanding mages continued to act independently without directly smearing the Empire's face.
Of course, if the Empire were truly determined, turning Morian into a sea of blood wouldn't be impossible, but fighting among allies while facing the common enemy of Ivestan would be a great loss in itself. Absorbing Morian's formidable magical military strength intact had long been one of the Empire's desires. To that end, they had attempted to follow the same method used with other kingdoms—marrying imperial royalty to the royal families of vassal states—but due to various complicated circumstances, the genealogies of the Empire and Morian had become quite bizarrely entangled.
The sole legitimate successor of the former Morian royal family was Lyla, but she was also the daughter of the Empire's Emperor. The current Morian royal family merely bore the royal name; their bloodline stemmed from the Danach ducal house of Morian nobility combined with an imperial relative who had been far from the line of succession. As a result, most Morian nobles—aside from those who had submitted to the Empire—did not recognize their legitimacy.
Dominique waved his hand dismissively.
"I know. In short, now that it looks like Lyla, whom they thought would become their bride, is seriously entering the imperial succession race, they're feeling uneasy and have come rushing out. Isn't that it?"
The best means for the Morian royal family to control uncooperative nobles was to bind the Prince and Lyla together. This was also a method the Empire's bureaucrats had actively supported, as it was the most effective way for the Empire to absorb Morian.
However, now that Lyla—who was supposed to marry into the Morian royal family—had suddenly set her sights on the path to becoming Emperor of the Empire, the royal family had no choice but to panic.
"'Some of the imperial noble students are showing a favorable attitude toward Prince Kian.' This must be the work of the first or fourth child. Rather than having more competitors, they'd prefer Morian to just disappear quietly. The opposition from the Pendevig Margrave's side seems like a form of check, but… is there really a need? After all, from their perspective, having their bloodline return wouldn't be a bad thing either."
As the Emperor stroked his chin with interest while making various speculations, the Chancellor asked.
"How should we respond?"
"Naturally, we should try to ensure Lyla and Prince Kian are properly connected. …Though I suppose that answer would suit your tastes better?"
"How could a mere retainer arbitrarily control the will of Your Imperial Majesty? Please withdraw such excessive words."
"Is that so? May I speak honestly?"
Despite feeling a twinge of anxiety at the Emperor's repeated confirmations, the Chancellor had no choice but to nod. He couldn't very well refuse here.
"Leave it be. Whichever side she chooses, she'll handle it herself."
"…The chaos could grow larger."
"Wasn't it you who asked me to speak honestly? If you want, I can give you the answer you desire even now. What do you say?"
"……I will obey your command."
Another major disturbance was bound to occur. Though the Chancellor lamented this inwardly, once the Emperor had made his will clear, there was nothing more he could say.
"Next is the new species of magic beasts in the Eastern Mountains. Their numbers are increasing day by day?"
"Letters requesting permission for military operations have been arriving from the Eastern Legion Commander. At this point, when military reorganization and the training of magic users are underway, the civil officials believe clashing with Ivestan would be unwise. At the same time, the military officials argue that if Ivestan is researching ways to exploit this militarily, we need to stir things up before they finish."
"Which opinion is prevailing?"
"Currently, it's evenly matched."
"Then wait until one side gains a clear advantage. However, grant the Eastern Legion Commander somewhat greater discretion in the field. We can't remove the leash entirely, but we should at least let them use their hands and feet freely."
"That level should be acceptable to both sides."
"Lastly… this is also related to Midas. Hah, while commoners rising to nobility has happened throughout history, it's quite rare at under twenty years of age. By the way, are you alright with this? You seemed to have your eye on him. Once he becomes a noble, won't he be harder to use?"
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"No, no. Having experience running a territory would make him easier to employ as a worker later, so you don't think it's a bad thing?"
"……."
The Chancellor fell silent, and the Emperor stamped the seal with a sly grin. It was the moment Chrome officially became a Baron of the Empire.