A New Home and an Open-Door Policy
“Wouldn’t something like this work?”
The words Ieorum whispered into my ear carried a tone that could easily be misunderstood. Two days later, she led me to a mansion just outside the palace grounds.
“Where are we?”
“From now on, this is your home, Sir.”
“Pardon?”
Her abrupt declaration left me stunned. I could only stare at the mansion. It was magnificent and, at a glance, impressively spacious.
“And the one beside it is my residence.”
She pointed to the side with a mischievous glint in her eye. There stood an identical mansion, perfectly symmetrical in design.
“Well? Do you like it?”
“It is indeed a splendid residence, however…”
“However?”
“It feels rather sudden…”
Ieorum burst into bright laughter and patted my back.
“I worried you might dismiss my words as empty promises. That’s why I went to such lengths to prepare this.”
Empty promises? She must mean what she had whispered in my ear. It was pleasant to hear such things from a beautiful woman who stood at the center of power. But I wasn’t naïve enough to accept them at face value. Those in authority often used honeyed words to manipulate their subordinates.
“Besides, we have that promise between us. The one where I said I would give you a house. I prepared this to keep my word.”
“However…”
I had never once said I wanted this house, much less one right next to hers. I swallowed the words I couldn’t bring myself to utter. As if reading my mind, Ieorum nodded.
“True. You never specified which house you wanted. On that point, you’ll have to understand my circumstances a little.”
Ieorum offered an awkward smile.
“A house isn’t something I can simply hand over the moment you ask for it. Especially if it already has an owner. The current situation can hardly be called stable yet.”
She glanced at me with a coquettish tilt of her head, one corner of her mouth lifting. Her eyes seemed to ask, You understand what I mean, don’t you?
It did sound like an excuse, but there was no point pushing the matter. She wasn’t my direct superior, but as both a high official and a real power in the court, I couldn’t simply insist on my own preferences.
“His Majesty’s grace is already so vast and profound. How could this humble subject dare insist only on his own convenience? I have no objections whatsoever.”
“Is that so? I’m grateful you see it that way. Now then…”
Ieorum flashed an innocent, almost childlike smile. She leaned in slightly and poked my side.
“It’s not that you dislike the idea of living next to me… is it?”
“Pardon? Of course not. That couldn’t possibly be the case.”
“Really?”
Only then did she withdraw, seemingly satisfied. As she stroked the back of her neck with an intrigued expression and stole glances at me, her gaze suddenly dropped to my waist.
“Hmm. Things have been so hectic I never found the chance to ask, but… is that the medium you use as an Artifact Master?”
What she indicated with her chin was the large nail hanging at my left hip like a sword. It resembled a noble’s decorative cane. She appeared quite fascinated by how I wore it like a blade.
“It is exactly as you said. The object I manipulate as an Artifact Master is ‘nails.’”
Artifact Master. A term for mages born with magic wavelengths that perfectly match a specific physical object. It was a unique setting found only in the world of Everyone Likes Me When I Rule with Blood and Iron.
I once asked my sister why she had included such a thing.
Why? Because it’s fun.
The monster who shared my blood justified it by saying it was good to have distinctive elements. My feedback that the setting lacked true originality and only complicated things unnecessarily was completely ignored.
Still, it was a setting that directly benefited me after my possession of this world. Perhaps unwilling to waste her creation, she had made it an exceptionally rare talent.
Furthermore, simply being an Artifact Master granted absurd destructive power capable of overwhelming most ordinary mages.
“A single Artifact Master can face an entire Magic Tower.”
That proverb perfectly illustrated the power balance of this world.
She probably hadn’t given much thought to such details since it was a romance fantasy novel. Foolish girl.
“I see.”
Having heard my answer, Ieorum showed no further interest. Well, it wasn’t as if she had never seen an Artifact Master before. She seemed far more intrigued by me as the Chief of the Ministry of State Security than as an Artifact Master.
“In any case, if you ever desire a different house, feel free to tell me. I will accommodate you as best I can.”
“Thank you.”
“And if I may add one small personal wish, I would prefer you take your time choosing?”
“……”
She smiled softly as she teased me, forcing me to respond with a strained smile of my own.
Personally, I wanted to move to another residence as quickly as possible. Having my superior living right next door? That was hell.
Moreover, it didn’t feel like pure goodwill. Though she wrapped everything in smiles, I had no way of knowing her true intentions.
After all, she was the woman who had conspired with her brother to overthrow their young nephew. I would be a fool to trust her completely.
After following Ieorum back to the imperial palace, she continued leading me somewhere without pause. We arrived at a room containing a luxurious mahogany table adorned with intricate carvings. Several people dressed in splendid robes were gathered around it.
“It seems the ministers of each department have already assembled. Please forgive my tardiness.”
At the words “ministers of each department,” I flinched and lowered my voice to ask Ieorum.
“Your Highness, what is this place…?”
“Exactly what you think. This is the Privy Council Chamber.”
The Privy Council. An advisory body to the Emperor, comprised of the ministers of the six departments and the Grand Chancellor who served as prime minister. In short, this was where the people who truly moved the empire gathered.
“Now that you have become Chief of the Ministry of State Security, it is only proper that you greet His Imperial Majesty, is it not?”
With those words, Ieorum gave me a casual wink.
“This servant greets the Grand Chancellor.”
“Welcome.”
The ministers rose from their seats to greet her. Ieorum exchanged pleasantries with them before taking the highest seat at the table—the position from which she could look down upon the ministers on both sides. It was the Grand Chancellor’s seat.
I couldn’t simply stand there awkwardly, so I hurried to my assigned place. Though this was my first time seeing it in person, I had heard descriptions.
My seat was located on the raised platform where the Emperor’s throne stood. In the middle of that platform, one level below the throne, were two small side tables, one on each side.
I quickly sat at the one on the left.
A short while after I took my seat, a palace attendant entered and announced in a loud voice.
“His Imperial Majesty the Emperor arrives!”
Ieorum and the ministers rose, and I followed suit. A man in magnificent imperial robes entered through a side door at the base of the platform. He was a young man with light blue hair similar to Ieorum’s, sharp eyes, and a long mane of hair resembling a lion’s.
The ministers bowed deeply at once. He was Jerold von Valarican, the current Emperor of the Valarican Empire.
The Emperor ascended to his throne, followed by a woman in armor. She was exceptionally tall, with red hair. Ieorum was already tall for a woman—roughly my height—yet this woman stood a full head taller than her.
Wearing armor that proudly displayed her toned abdomen, she climbed the platform and moved to the side table opposite mine.
So that was the Chief of the Imperial Guard.
The Imperial Guard. If our Ministry of State Security managed intelligence, counter-espionage, and shadow operations, they served as the Emperor’s personal elite force. They protected and attended him directly. Like us, they were a special agency answering solely to the Emperor.
For reference, although we sat on the platform directly beneath the Emperor—unlike the ministers below—this did not mean we outranked them. We stood below the Grand Chancellor position held by Ieorum and on equal footing with the ministers.
Our placement directly below the throne was a form of performance, indicating that these two departments did not officially belong to the Privy Council.
“Everyone, be seated.”
At the Emperor’s command from the throne, we all sat once more. He continued.
“Then let the meeting begin.”
“Your Majesty! Before we proceed, I wish to introduce a newly appointed talent to you.”
When Ieorum, the Grand Chancellor, turned and spoke, the Emperor nodded.
“Proceed.”
“Roy.”
At Ieorum’s call, I stood and bowed deeply to the Emperor.
“Everyone, please greet him. This is Sir Roy Macrobyce, the newly appointed Chief of the Ministry of State Security.”
Applause rippled through the ministers.
“Raise your head.”
When I lifted my gaze, I met the Emperor’s eyes directly. He studied me with a piercing, lively stare before nodding.
“Hmm. If this is someone my sister selected, he must be trustworthy. I look forward to your future contributions.”
“I shall devote myself with the resolve to grind my very bones to dust.”
“I expect no less. Be seated.”
Afterward, discussions on various matters of state began. The Ieorum who had only shown me smiles now wore an endlessly serious expression as she conversed with the ministers about national affairs.
Although I was a department head directly under the Emperor, I had no right to speak without his permission and could only observe.
Out of boredom, I let my gaze wander and eventually landed on the Chief of the Imperial Guard, who shared my level.
Unlike me, she remained standing at attention rather than sitting at her table, as though it were her solemn duty. Didn’t her legs grow tired?
“I shall conclude the meeting here.”
After a lengthy session, the Privy Council meeting finally ended. Throughout it all, the Chief of the Imperial Guard had not moved a single inch.
“Chief of the Ministry of State Security, Chief of the Imperial Guard, and the Grand Chancellor, remain behind. I have matters to discuss with you.”
Once the other ministers departed, we followed the Emperor down from the platform.
“Your Majesty. Is there a separate command you wish to give us?”
Ieorum, who was both his younger sister and the Grand Chancellor, asked.
“Hmm. It concerns the Deposed Sovereign.”
Deposed Sovereign. A term for a dethroned ruler. In this case, it referred to their own nephew, whom they had overthrown.
The Emperor stood with his hands clasped behind his back, deep in thought.
“I still cannot decide how best to deal with him.”
“My, did you not already resolve at the previous meeting to confine the boy so he could cause no further trouble?”
“Why do you speak like this? You are clever enough to already understand. That measure alone is insufficient.”
Ieorum smiled faintly.
“Are you worried about something?”
“Cheeky girl. Are you testing me? If we leave him as he is, he will become a rallying point for those seeking his restoration. Yet if we execute him, those already nursing other ambitions will grow furious and revolt at once. You cannot be unaware of this logic.”
“Please forgive this unworthy girl. I feared my brother might have grown complacent after becoming Emperor and let his vigilance slip, so I dared to commit this rudeness.”
“Heh. Enough. Rather, do you have any good ideas?”
“If the movements of those with ill intentions worry you, would it not be simplest to eliminate them all?”
At Ieorum’s suggestion, the Emperor let out a dry laugh.
“That would only be possible if we could even guess their inner thoughts. Even I, the Emperor, cannot easily read the hearts of men. We must first identify who among them dreams of restoring the Deposed Sovereign before we can speak of elimination.”
“There is no need to take the long way around. Why not simply consult an expert?”
“An expert?”
Instead of answering, Ieorum turned her gaze toward me. The Emperor followed her eyes.
Me?
“If it is Sir Roy Macrobyce, Chief of the Ministry of State Security, he should be able to identify those who harbor disloyal intentions toward Your Majesty.”
“Oh? The Chief of the Ministry of State Security? Very well. Since the subject has arisen, let me ask directly. Chief of the Ministry of State Security. Can you solve this dilemma?”
How would I know? Naturally, I could not answer that way.
Fortunately, from the moment I became Chief, I had long prepared myself to answer any question the Emperor might pose. A solution came to mind after only a moment’s thought.
“Ah, and there is one more thing I wish to ask you. Because of my ascension, the public sentiment in the capital remains turbulent. They must sympathize with the Deposed Sovereign. I reduced taxes once to calm the people, but it has shown little effect.”
The Emperor clicked his tongue.
“Thus, I wish to consult you on this matter as well. Controlling public sentiment could also be considered part of the Chief of the Ministry of State Security’s duties, could it not?”
He had not said it outright, but the Emperor might be testing me. After all, my appointment had been entirely his sister’s decision.
“Then, with Your Majesty’s permission, I shall first present a plan to root out those who dare harbor rebellious thoughts against you.”
“Speak.”
“I humbly beg you to lift the house arrest imposed upon the Deposed Sovereign and allow him to interact with the people.”
“What?”
The Emperor frowned. Ieorum’s eyes sparkled with interest.
“What do you mean? Are you telling me to release his confinement?”
“Precisely. If you lift the house arrest and permit the Deposed Sovereign to mingle with the populace, those who harbor unjust intentions toward Your Majesty will inevitably reveal themselves.”
Ieorum’s mouth fell open in realization, and the Emperor soon showed understanding as well. Only the Chief of the Imperial Guard remained confused. Though it was not for her benefit, I elaborated.
“The house arrest order prevents those with rebellious hearts from attempting foolish tricks, but it simultaneously prevents us from identifying who those individuals are. However, if you open the cage and allow the Deposed Sovereign to connect with the people, their disloyalty will surely surface. You will naturally come to know exactly who harbors treacherous and unjust thoughts toward Your Majesty.”
Both the Emperor and Ieorum nodded slowly. I drove the point home.
“Thereafter, I, your humble subject, shall personally step forward to uproot those traitors who have revealed their ugly tails, tearing them out root and branch without exception.”
I had not even mentioned the second measure to prevent further alienation of public sentiment, yet the Emperor smiled with clear satisfaction. He looked between Ieorum and me.
“Excellent. And I thank you, Roy Macrobyce. You have proven that my sister’s judgment was not mistaken.”
His words revealed both his trust in his sister and his praise for me.