Chapter 148
Chapter 148
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 148
Chapter Title: Reorganizing the Empire
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Among the empire's masters, a few who had been cloned using sacrifices and the emperor's loyalist masters were imprisoned in the underground dungeon of the imperial palace.
The masters summoned from other kingdoms returned home joyfully now that the war was over.
The Western Continent Allied Forces executed dozens of major war criminals, imprisoned the rest, and withdrew.
Now the empire had fallen into my hands, and I had set up base in the imperial palace of Durham, the capital of Exbrian.
My guess was that Alex and Nella knew each other, but it turned out Alex was actually a spy from the Western Continent.
As the emperor's closest confidant and a spy at the same time, Alex had often acted as the emperor's brake. To prove this, he had even volunteered for Nayeong's mind control.
From his testimony, it was clear that without him, the number of people who would have died under the emperor's tyranny would have multiplied several times over.
Alex had no choice but to get his hands dirty at times, and each instance tormented him with guilt.
But he knew that if he stepped down from his position as second-in-command and someone obedient to the emperor took his place, the damage would be even greater, so he endured.
However, as the recent war intensified, he could no longer stand by and watch, so he conspired with the Western Continent to assassinate the emperor. The initial attempt had been thwarted by Joshua, and after that, Joshua never left the emperor's side even for a moment, foiling their plans.
Recognizing his abilities and character, I entrusted him with managing the nation as a whole. There was no way things would go smoothly if I suddenly barged in and started giving orders left and right, so I just put a capable person in charge.
"Alex, Nella sent the allied forces back to the Western Continent, but they could return if problems arise. You can handle it, right?"
"Yes. I've already won over those dissatisfied with the late emperor's atrocities, and I've weakened the emperor's faction. I will ensure there are no inconveniences in Your Majesty's rule."
"Good. First order: summon the kings of all nations under the empire."
"Yes."
He responded, but his expression suggested not everyone would come.
Alex used the communication orb to invite each nation's king. The human-majority kingdoms all confirmed their attendance. But.
"Who do you think you are, daring to order the elven king around?"
An elf spoke arrogantly from within the communication orb.
"If you're not coming, we'll come to you."
Alex was sighing, so I interjected.
"Wha... what?"
"You said you don't want to come? We'll bring all the kings and their escorts from the 13 former imperial vassal states. How many would that be, Alex?"
"At least a few hundred, up to thousands in the worst case."
Catching on to my intent, Alex replied with a smiling face.
"....We'll come."
The dwarf kingdom initially resisted but changed to acceptance upon the same proposal.
One by one, representatives from the kingdoms arrived at the imperial palace. Normally, there would have been welcome banquets and ceremonies, but after losing the war and having to pay reparations, such luxuries were impossible, so I called the kings straight to the conference room.
As I entered the grand conference hall, the waiting kings from each nation reluctantly stood from their seats.
Having limited their escorts, most nations had brought their top three strongest. Many had sharp auras unbecoming of defeated generals.
"First, thank you for coming at such short notice."
"....We came because you threatened to march in if we didn't."
The king of the southern minor nation Phrea muttered.
"Pardon? What was that, King of Phrea?"
"Ah.... Nothing!"
Thinking I wouldn't hear, he jumped in surprise when I singled him out.
His knight behind him covered his face in shame.
"Ah, my hearing isn't great. Please speak loudly if you have something to say from now on."
"Y-Yes.... Yes...."
"Everyone, sit."
Their gazes toward me were cautious, but the kings of three nations looked at me unkindly.
King Philarion of the elven kingdom Wihol, located in the great forest east of the World Tree.
King Dalrovit of the dwarf kingdom Eilstovik, in the high mountains south of the World Tree.
King Lowell of the major nation Velia, southeast of the empire.
I didn't know why those three were like that, but I started talking regardless.
"You all must have many worries. What will happen to the empire? What about the Eastern Continent going forward? I'm not great with words, so I'll get straight to it. The empire ruled by the emperor is finished."
Murmurs spread through the conference hall.
"So we're each on our own now?"
The elven king spoke up.
"No."
"What?"
"I said no. Didn't you hear?"
".....No, I heard."
"Good. Next time, raise your hand before speaking."
The punk is talking down to me.
"As the elven king said, we're not going each on our own. All nations formerly under the empire will transition to a federation system."
The king of Hartport cautiously raised his hand.
"Yes, King Nathan, you have the floor."
"The empire just changing its name to federation means it's still the same, with a new emperor, doesn't it?"
"No. First, the lands directly ruled by the emperor will be renamed the Newus Kingdom, and I will rule as its king."
I had considered democracy or a parliament, but Alex strongly opposed it. With so many changes and problems already, he said overly radical shifts wouldn't be accepted by the people.
Accepting his view, I took the throne first, planning to decide the rest based on the situation.
"But Newus holds an equal position with all former imperial vassal or ducal states. It's not above them. Therefore, there will be no more taxation or conscription like before."
"Ooh...."
Faces brightened at the news of no taxes.
"How you run your nations is up to you—I won't interfere. As someone from another world, I can't fully understand this world's culture. However, there are a few conditions from the Western Continent Allied Forces, victors of this war, that must be followed. First: abolish slavery."
Right away, some kings' expressions darkened.
"Second: ban black magic."
Little reaction to this.
"Finally: legally prohibit racial discrimination."
"....Those aren't easy changes. The first two are tough, but racial discrimination is deeply ingrained in people's minds."
The king of Phrea said cautiously.
"Can't you do even that? If not, step down from your throne. I'll manage your nation too."
He averted his eyes as I glared.
"If rumors reach me that any of these banned practices are occurring, Newus forces led by me will visit your nation and stay until the issues are resolved."
Everyone swallowed hard.
"Naturally, you'll cover the garrison costs. I eat a lot, so don't let your treasury go bankrupt—handle it yourselves."
"Ahem...."
"I'm not saying start tomorrow. You have a one-year grace period. Report progress monthly. For any laggards, I'll visit personally and help—for an appropriate fee."
They were all speechless, like bees with honeyed mouths.
"Finally: war is banned. If you're unhappy with a neighbor, tell me. I'll go and settle it fairly."
"If we can't build armies, how do we handle gates?"
King Lowell of Velia said.
"Who said not to build armies? Build them. You gonna leave gates unchecked?"
Surprised by this, they all murmured.
"To bolster the federation's strength, we'll open an academy northwest of the World Tree. Send promising talents from each nation."
"Hostages.... Urk!"
The Phrea king let the word slip unconsciously and hurriedly covered his mouth.
"Not hostages. It's to build strength against gates. Why do you think you lost this war?"
They all looked at me with eyes saying, "Because you killed Joshua."
"It's not because Joshua died. Even without me, the empire would have lost. The Western Continent already holds regular tech exchanges with Earth and advances daily. You think the Eastern Continent can lag behind forever? Monsters from gates are only getting stronger."
"....You're saying you'll share technology for free?"
King Lowell said.
"Where's free in this world? We'll charge academy fees and trade tech only with nations that have something to offer. Send your best. This isn't the time to fight among ourselves or with the Western Continent. We must unite, grow stronger, and face the destroyer god's armies from the gates."
They all fell silent.
"I'll take that as understanding. Details will come from Count Alex. Now, devote yourselves to recovering your war-ravaged nations."
* * *
Without much thought, I read the documents Alex handed me and stamped them one by one with the imperial seal. But they kept piling up until a wave of paperwork flooded my desk.
"Wait. What's all this? Didn't I say each nation handles its own affairs?"
"These are only internal matters for Exbrian—no, Newus."
I knew nothing about being king, yet there were endless decisions only I could make.
"You expect me to approve all this?"
"I don't have the authority."
Alex was quick on the uptake, having survived the emperor's tyranny. Knowing I didn't touch hard workers, his attitude had shifted noticeably.
It was a bit cheeky, but since he was grinding away for Newus even skimping on sleep, I could tolerate it.
Intellectual work wasn't my thing. It just gave me headaches. Punching the disobedient suited me better.
"Oppa, want me to do it?"
"Sure?"
"No. This is for the king to decide."
"Anyone but the king?"
"The prime minister could, but the position is vacant."
"Ahem. Bae Nayeong. Stand."
I picked up the crown rolling nearby, placed it on my head, and spoke in a solemn tone.
Nayeong caught on and stood.
"From this moment, I appoint you as Newus's prime minister."
Alex shook his head with a half-resigned look.
"Shall we try?"
Nayeong rolled up her sleeves.
She slowly swept her staff from left to right, and the documents floated neatly into the air for her perusal.
She grasped contents with a glance and sorted them methodically.
"Your Majesty, stamp here."
Nayeong lowered a stack to me, and I mechanically slammed the new seal down. Having a capable girlfriend was great.
"Oppa, two big issues. One: food and water shortages. Two: unrest from dissatisfaction over abolishing racial discrimination."
"Racial issues will take time. Normalize the nation first, get everyone fed, and complaints about new laws will fade. Food and water shortages are the priority now. Alex, did the empire always have food problems?"
"The late emperor conscripted even farmers for the war. Neglected farmlands from the long war are ruined. To make matters worse, unprecedented heatwaves and droughts continue."
"Drought relief and farmland restoration. We'll need food stockpiles in the meantime."
"You make it sound simple—how do you plan to do it?"
"Why would I figure it out? There's someone better than me."
Time to call him back from Earth.