Chapter 134
Chapter 134
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 134
Chapter Title: The Crown Prince's Request (4)
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And the next day, I received a summons from the Emperor and made my way to the audience chamber.
At just over twenty-something years old, being able to discuss politics one-on-one with the Emperor is the greatest honor for a nobleman and general of the Reich Empire.
Thus, I could simply feel pure joy and do my utmost to live up to the Emperor's expectations.
Yet the emotions stirring within me went beyond mere anticipation and excitement—there was a tension as well.
Because every time His Highness the Crown Prince met with me, he always dumped an enormous workload on my plate. So I couldn't even imagine what kind of task would befall me upon directly facing the Emperor himself.
As I stood there lost in thought, caught between the contradictory feelings of tension and anticipation, the captain in dress uniform beside me knocked on the door and announced,
"Major General Peter Jaeger has arrived. Shall I let him in?"
A moment later, a deep, resonant voice came from beyond the door.
"Send him in."
With that, the doors swung open. I entered, paid my respects to the Emperor, and said,
"Viscount Peter Jaeger greets the Reich Empire's most radiant sun."
"Rise. I have much to discuss with you. Sit over there for now."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
As I rose and glanced around, my eyes fell upon incredibly opulent furniture and artwork.
The furnishings, including the king's throne, were adorned with gold filigree. The walls bore the Emperor's portrait along with hundreds—nay, thousands—of gold worth in paintings, various swords, and even the armor I'd seen him wear at banquets.
Moreover, the floor was covered in crimson silk carpets from the Orient, and the entire room was clad in white marble.
Still, I composed myself to hide my awe and sat in a chair that, while modest compared to the throne, exuded a dignified elegance.
"Though I made the request through the Crown Prince, your success in persuading His Holiness the Pope's envoy and preventing the extension of the excommunication on the Franco Republic was truly commendable. Thanks to you, our Empire won't have to shed unnecessary blood."
"I am deeply honored, Your Majesty."
"Since this was handled in secret, I can't reward you publicly, so I'll have two thousand gold sent to your estate later."
Not for wielding a sword on the battlefield and risking my life, yet receiving a reward of two thousand gold.
Indeed, the Reich Empire I serve often demands the impossible but always bestows rewards so generous they overflow.
Now, I must repay that with even greater achievements.
"It is my glory, Your Majesty."
With the commendation for my efforts concluded, His Imperial Majesty the Emperor hardened his expression, as if about to broach a weighty matter.
I focused every nerve on what words might come from the Emperor's lips.
"In the report you sent, you advised vigilance against the Church going forward. Do you have any intention of retracting that?"
Of course not—not even a speck of dust's worth.
Because on the Europan continent, the Church has already lost all real power and remains only as a symbol of authority.
Wasn't the great influence it wielded in this war due to the Reich Empire directly invoking the authority of the Deus Church, with every nation except the Franco Republic agreeing to it?
Yet now, the Pope—unsatisfied with supreme religious and everyday authority—is gradually losing his mind after tasting real power.
And the choice such a Pope would make is all too obvious, hence my warning to stay alert.
"How could I dare utter falsehoods before Your Majesty?"
"Then explain your reasoning. I've read the report, but I feel I need to hear it from you directly."
"Very well. I shall recount the thoughts I had while negotiating with His Holiness's secret envoy."
The Emperor nodded in permission, and I spoke with confident resolve.
"In this Franco expedition, His Holiness's original aim was to receive 200,000 gold in penance from the Franco Republic as payment for providing the Reich Empire with justification for war, while also gaining some influence over our internal affairs. Through this, he intended to steadily strengthen the Church's foothold within the Empire."
Evidence abounds: the Franco Republic handed over all the hawkish heavyweight congressmen to the Papal Inquisition to bolster the Pope's authority and forked over a whopping 200,000 gold—equivalent to months of the Holy See's budget.
Yet before this war, when the Reich Empire—having suffered direct harm—requested the lifting of the Republic's excommunication, it was refused.
Though the Pope holds the initiative on excommunications, maintaining the measure against the Republic in this situation to disadvantage the Empire reeks of obvious intent.
"It was fortunate that I offered a resolution satisfying His Holiness. Otherwise, the Empire would surely have had to pay a fortune or cede some ground in domestic affairs."
"Outrageous, but not wrong. Indeed, that's why I authorized measures short of territorial concessions for you, Major General Jaeger."
"Furthermore, had I not dangled proper bait, they would undoubtedly have demanded a grand cathedral in the capital to commemorate the victory over the Franco Republic."
At those words, visible anger flickered across the Emperor's face.
And rightly so. If a grand cathedral symbolizing the Church's pivotal role in this victory were built in the imperial capital...
The Pope and his clerics would claim they contributed to our triumph and ask the Empire to look favorably upon them.
In exchange, they might demand the restoration of clerics' right to hold public office, as in the days two centuries ago.
Starting modestly, perhaps, with formal recognition of priests' current roles assisting village headmen.
But later, pushing for access to city council seats or central bureaucracy.
"Just thinking about it irritates me. So, naturally, you have countermeasures for that as well?"
"Use our rights to nominate bishops and cardinals to fill high ecclesiastical posts with Your Majesty's loyalists. For those who don't support you, employ gold and honors to win them over."
"As for detailed policies... Ah, right—you're not an administrator. Pressing further might infringe on their domain. I'll have the rest reviewed separately."
His Imperial Majesty is profoundly wise; merely informing him of this idea will suffice for him to devise the specifics.
Besides, my report doesn't end there.
"Still, your report suggests the Empire is safe from His Holiness's schemes for the time being. Is your basis for that conviction solid?"
"Yes. His Holiness has grown addicted to wielding papal authority. Now, to wield even greater power, he'll meddle in other nations' wars. He seems the type aspiring to the secular-shaking authority of Innocent I."
"Other empires and duchies will tremble. Though at first, they might welcome a Pope providing strong justification for their wars. Later, they'll despise him utterly."
As Your Majesty says, they might initially yield minor territories or gold to the Pope who grants them war's pretext, deeming it a generous gesture.
But when a Pope with no real power or soldiers demands grand cathedrals for victories or footholds for clerics in administration...
What monarch would embrace that with open arms?
"Understood. That concludes your report and the negotiations."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Instead, there's one thing I must inform you of. Nothing major, but our Empire is preparing for war with the Swisserland Duchy."
At those words, I shuddered, recalling my month buried in the General Staff Headquarters, working four nights a week overtime.
Because the current flow screamed of being ordered to produce concrete operational plans mid-suspension.
"Ah, I'd love to entrust operations planning to you, but this time, the Crown Prince will draft the initial plan. The General Staff will review and execute it, so no need to worry."
At that, I could finally breathe a sigh of relief.
For I desperately needed a vacation now.
"However, it troubles me that you—a pillar of the Empire at your age—have no heirs. Preparations to strike Swisserland will take at least a year, so make good use of your suspension to work hard on that."
A vacation in name, but my mind might rest while my body wouldn't.
"Also, manage your subordinates more rigorously. When the Crown Prince ascends the throne, you'll bear a major pillar of the Imperial Army. Starting to build trust with soldiers and officers then will be too late."
Better than drowning in paperwork, at least.
By day, I'd deliver consolation grants or condolence letters to soldiers and officers who'd earned merits but were injured or in dire straits.
By night, probably with Laura, who was guaranteed to clock out on time 100%...
Realizing this, I foresaw grueling days ahead and replied in a deflated tone.
"I shall exert myself to the utmost, as commanded."