Chapter 65
Chapter 65
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 65
Chapter Title: The Second Demand
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The content of the demand was utterly beyond expectations.
But what made Luise burst into laughter was Victor's matter-of-fact tone, as if he were stating something perfectly obvious.
After laughing heartily and clapping her hands for a while,
"Right. There's no way you'd make such a predictable demand."
She wiped away the tears welling up from laughing so hard with her fingertip.
Victor sat there steadily and solemnly, gazing at her without a hint of wavering.
"You want me to become the true absolute ruler, don't you?"
"Yes. The reason is..."
"...No. You don't need to explain."
Having finally caught her breath, she rose from her chair and slowly approached him where he sat.
"It might be because the stronger my power as your backer, the better off you are—or maybe there's some other motive."
"..."
"But it doesn't matter. I'm planning to accept your demand anyway."
She walked behind Victor, who sat ramrod straight, and gently draped her arms over his shoulders.
"What I'm curious about isn't the reason, but the method. Of course, I'll do my best, but stripping power from nobles who've ruled their regions for generations won't be easy."
"...That's true."
"How do you want me to do it?"
Luise pulled his upper body slightly toward her so he could hear her heartbeat, burying his head between her breasts.
"Shall I become a tyrant and crush everyone with force? Or build power steadily and slowly wrest it from the nobles?"
"..."
"Well? I'm still not used to human politics. I'd like you to suggest the right path that fits your goals."
She leaned down and whispered into his ear.
Even with the soft sensation pressing against him from behind, Victor maintained his composure.
"Just continue doing what you've been doing."
"...?"
His curt reply left Luise dumbfounded.
Her fingertips trembled faintly.
"What do you mean by that?"
"Exactly what I said. Your Majesty need only gradually build your influence without provoking the nobles' backlash."
He lifted her limp arms from his shoulders, stood, and turned to face her.
"There's no need for risky policies or forcing the nobles down."
"..."
She unconsciously swallowed and met Victor's eyes.
"Since Your Majesty has appointed me as the commander of your direct legion, they will see my actions as your will."
"...That means."
"I will continue achieving even greater feats that no one can question or oppose. Those feats will become Your Majesty's achievements, leaving the nobles unable to hold their heads high."
Victor stared at Luise without the slightest falter, then stepped to the side of the chair and knelt on one knee.
"Please use me to become the empire's absolute ruler."
"..."
"So that arrogant and insolent nobles cannot raise their heads, and they bow and obey at Your Majesty's every word. I will do my utmost."
Only now did Luise realize why Victor had made his second demand so cautiously.
She couldn't know what bold reason lay behind it,
"Rise."
"Yes."
But now, she was no longer truly curious about the reason.
"I do not go back on my promises."
"..."
"As you demanded, I shall reign as the absolute ruler of this Dragonia Empire. In the way of Luise Zeinburg, of course."
Every word and action from Victor had wildly stirred her expectations.
She wanted to see how his story would unfold, no matter what.
Even if usurpation of the throne, the empire's collapse, or worst of all, forced termination of the game awaited.
Just witnessing the process of his heroic saga building up would satisfy her.
"And one request."
That was why.
"I won't ask for anything else, so please grant this one."
"...?"
"Don't run away until the story reaches its conclusion."
With a strange flutter in her chest, Luise made her final plea to him.
Victor didn't see it, but her cheeks were flushed red.
Though phrased indirectly, Victor understood quickly.
"I will never run away."
"...Good."
"...!"
Luise suddenly embraced Victor tightly.
She didn't realize it, but it was akin to an instinctive marking.
"I hope you exceed my expectations next time too."
"..."
"As you said, do your utmost."
"...Understood."
"Then, I'll take my leave."
Leaving those final words, she released Victor, straightened her attire, and walked toward the balcony door.
"Won't you watch the festival?"
Victor posed his last question to her retreating back.
"No need now."
Her vertically slit pupils captured Victor's image as she gave a concise reply, opened the balcony door,
"Because you won't run away."
And returned to the banquet hall, murmuring so softly no one else could hear.
"You've returned, Your Majesty."
"Mm. With so many awaiting me, I must move briskly."
She stepped forward once more as the cold emperor, Luise Zeinburg.
In the end, things had gone as desired, but it was a conversation that left much to ponder.
Before returning to the banquet hall, he sat in the chair, mulling over his exchange with Luise.
"She ultimately accepted... but..."
More than the content, her attitude had deviated greatly from his expectations.
Especially her reaction to the second proposal—it had been more intense than anticipated.
His demand was to avoid repeating the Ruth Kingdom's tragedy, and he calculated that moving one person, Luise, would be far easier than persuading divided factions of nobles.
Yet she didn't stop at acceptance; she kept asking him what method to use.
"...Hmm."
And even pressed her body against his multiple times.
In those two embraces, he could hear her heart pounding loudly.
Even accounting for her body being made for amusement, this was no light matter.
Did she like the request to strengthen her power that much?
In any case, such close physical contact was never described in the game.
No matter how much she liked humans, getting this intimate was another issue.
Was it like a human hugging and playing with a dog?
He doubted his own heart would race if he suddenly hugged a dog that could communicate, had superior intellect for working together, and even dressed itself.
Moreover, he couldn't quite grasp what her final plea not to run away meant.
Was it not to flee the empire, or a roundabout way of saying not to die?
The words were simple, but the intent didn't feel trivial.
"...No idea."
He shook his head.
Being as clever as she was, she'd handle it well on her own. As long as he did his part, there'd be no issue.
His heart felt a bit heavy, but such pressure could be quite helpful in pursuing his best.
At least until he ended the 'crisis' and completed world conquest, he had no intention of leaving the empire.
"The west... hmm."
He naturally thought of the western nations as his next target.
If something erupted in the south, he'd head there, but otherwise, to the west, where he could seize numerous commercial hubs.
The continent's west was a hotbed of competing commercial nations, making conquest difficult due to countless mercenaries and immense wealth.
To ease that, he'd devised the deal with Anchester Kingdom.
The dwarf kingdoms in the empire's southwest were extremely isolationist, so few knew yet, but at this point, they had already developed flintlock muskets.
Information spread slowly since they hadn't waged major wars.
Currently, only some western mercenaries used hand cannons or early matchlocks at exorbitant prices.
He planned to accelerate that with Luise's funding.
The Red Dragon Legion would mainly consist of artillery and musketeers, using local imperial troops for infantry.
As the emperor's direct legion, with permission from the emperor or Gerhard, they could operate alongside other legions.
Of course, early firearms weren't omnipotent, and the dwarves would try to sell outdated matchlocks at high prices, but he had plans for that.
He wasn't an engineering student who knew every firearm structure inside out, but he had useful knowledge.
Lost in thought with the distant festival sounds as backdrop,
-Swish.
"General Victor."
"...Anna?"
Anna entered through the balcony door, looking slightly sulky.
He greeted her as usual.
"What did you discuss with Her Majesty? Surely not work here too?"
"...Ahem. Her Majesty wanted a more detailed report."
"It took quite a while. Did she issue separate orders? ...If so, I can't pry."
"..."
She approached him as he sat and strongly massaged his shoulders from behind.
"I'm worried you're pushing too hard. You should enjoy the banquet. There were never such events in the kingdom."
"...True."
"Work can wait for tomorrow, the day after, next week. Focus on the banquet now."
He could sense her concern in her slightly subdued voice.
Swallowing a cry of pain, he stood.
"...Did it hurt?"
"No, it's fine. Come on, let's go."
"Yes."
Enjoying the banquet would be tough anyway, but as she said, they returned to the hall.
The banquet hall was still rowdy.
"Oh, Legion Commander Victor! There you are."
"Field Marshal Gerhard."
"Haha! Still sounds awkward, but I like it. Now that you're commander of the Red Dragon Legion, how does it feel?"
"It's an honor that Her Majesty trusts me."
As expected, Gerhard and various nobles approached to speak with him.
"I hear you've been put in charge of Her Majesty's direct legion."
"Yes."
"I'd like to offer what little help I can to Her Majesty's legion. What do you think?"
"Hmm..."
Not wanting to clash with anyone, he conversed with many from both the Emperor Faction and Noble Faction.
Time flew as he tried to discern their hidden intentions.
"...Don't look at me like that. It makes me feel guilty."
"You said you'd enjoy it, but the banquet's already winding down."
"So it seems."
Before he knew it, the hall had emptied considerably, feeling sparse.
Having rushed about without respite, even Anna's usually impassive face showed traces of fatigue.
"Mind if we have a bottle? I tried a sip earlier; the aroma was excellent."
"Of course. Here, take this one. Need a glass too?"
"No, this is fine."
"...General?"
He took an unopened bottle from a servant and held it up to her.
"Just us, let's have a little fun."
"..."
He hadn't forgotten that before Luise summoned him, Anna had said she wanted to talk privately.
"Don't want to?"
"Sounds good."
Victor and Anna sat in a quiet corner, enjoying drinks with conversation as anju.
Her face flushed quickly, perhaps the alcohol not fully worn off, and her expression softened more than usual.
"Can you tell me now?"
"Mm. The empire's liquor tastes better than the kingdom's. Can't deny that."
"..."
It was a pleasant time.