Jobless Rising! ~I’ve Become a NEET. I Acquired Lewd Skills and Lived a Life of Sex in the Other World and in Japan. Before I Knew it, I Was Impregnating A Harem of Ladies?!~

Chapter 51: The State of the Empire

The meeting ended right after the emperor left. The main agenda was done, and the stench of vomit was starting to spread.

I followed Erinabel out of the castle, and now we were in a carriage heading to the eastern capital’s Seventh Outpost.

“Ugh… I’m exhausted already this morning…”

“This country’s wild, huh? The emperor… uh, I mean, you know…”

“It’s fine, you can be honest. You think he’s unbelievable as a ruler, right?”

“Well…”

The guy barged into the meeting room hungover, stirred things up, puked, and left. Hard to believe he’s fit to govern.

“That Zeppenbar guy was definitely pissed.”

“He’s the Minister of Military Affairs. Yeah… he was probably furious.”

So that old man’s the Minister of Military Affairs, head of the Knight Corps.

On another note, I asked about something that was bugging me.

“Hey, what’s up with that Cerialis the emperor mentioned?”

He’d said something about Cerialis alone being enough to secure the capital, even in front of Erinabel and Amberta, two of the strongest knights.

Depending on how you take it, it’s like saying those two aren’t absolutely necessary for the capital’s defense.

“…Cerialis Markride, one of the Twelve Radiant Generals and the First Seat. In the truest sense, the strongest imperial knight.”

“Huh? First Seat…?”

“Fine. Once we get to the outpost, I’ll give orders to my subordinates, and then we’ll have time. I’ll explain more about this country over lunch.”

And so, we arrived at the outpost. Erinabel rattled off orders to her subordinates, confirmed today’s schedule, and we started lunch.

“Oh… this is good.”

“You say that about everything…”

“Nah, I don’t like spicy stuff. So, you’re gonna teach me the bare minimum I need to know?”

“Yes. Listen carefully.”

As we ate, Erinabel explained the state of the empire.

“You know the Kainzbern Empire is in a civil war, right?”

“Yeah, some old guy here told me about it before.”

The previous emperor died, sparking a succession dispute for this massive empire. The current emperor, the older brother, holds the capital.

Meanwhile, the younger brother’s faction is strong, splitting the empire nearly in half. Since the elder brother controls the capital, those opposing him are collectively called the rebels.

“No way everyone trusts that emperor to run the empire. That’s why the rebels keep gaining traction.”

Otherwise, a dangerous guy like Alkrom wouldn’t be sneaking around the capital.

There might be rebel sympathizers in the capital helping out, but either way, the rebels have manpower and momentum.

“But everyone’s surprisingly obedient to that emperor. You’d think some nobles would defect to the rebels.”

“Aranx-heika lacks charisma, that’s true. And yes, plenty of nobles side with the rebels. But… the scales don’t fully tip in their favor.”

So it’s not like the rebels have a clear advantage. Are there really that many nobles loyal to Aranx-heika…?

My confusion must’ve shown, because Erinabel frowned while sipping her soup.

“Aranx-heika, for better or worse, is a noble supremacist. He has no intention of shaking up the current system.”

“Huh? Meaning?”

“In simple terms, he won’t dismantle a system that benefits the high nobles.”

The empire’s history is long, with a solid structure of nobles managing commoners.

It’s a rigid class system, where those at the top reap the most benefits.

“The high nobles have built frameworks to secure their privileges. It’s not all bad—those systems helped the empire grow to dominate the continent.”

Powerful leaders probably took charge and pulled everyone along. Top-down rule has its flaws, but when the top is competent, the benefits are huge.

“And the younger brother… Yugdovarn-denka is a reformist.”

“Reformist, huh?”

“He places capable people in fitting roles, regardless of bloodline or noble rank. Even magic-wielding commoners or low-ranking nobles like Alkrom are valued.”

So that guy’s a noble… A pretty dangerous one at that. Though the loli knight noble in front of me is pretty fierce too.

“I’m not saying meritocracy is bad. But it means high-ranking nobles could lose their positions to those of lower status…”

“…Got it. Aranx-heika’s a flawed ruler, but the higher nobles get to keep their massive privileges under him.”

Take that meeting earlier—everyone there, including Erinabel, was a high noble.

But in a pure meritocracy, those seats could go to lower nobles.

For prideful high nobles, that’s absolutely unacceptable.

“Exactly. The empire doesn’t reject meritocracy entirely. High nobles have always taken capable people as retainers. But some claim their retainers’ achievements as their own. In noble society, that’s almost a natural right.”

“Retainers are property, so their achievements are yours… huh. Can’t completely knock it if you consider the ability to spot talent…”

If they’re okay with it, it’s not necessarily a problem.

Though in reality, it’s probably rarely problem-free.

“You were pretty bold making me your retainer…”

“Oh, I recognize your abilities, Onii-san.”

My cock’s abilities, right? I recognize Erinabel’s body too, so it’s a win-win.

“Anyway, that’s why commoners and low nobles who see hope in Yugdovarn-denka join the rebels. But most high nobles stick with Aranx-heika. They’ve got overwhelming resources, land, and funds.”

Even if the rebels attract talent, they lack the resources and funds to use it effectively.

That’s why Alkrom’s resorting to guerrilla tactics in the capital.

“Wait, didn’t the meeting say they’re short on funds and manpower?”

“It depends on the place and affiliation. The Knight Corps is the emperor’s direct force. But some high nobles rule large territories and have private armies.”

So other territories have forces supporting the empire. Those lords can move their armies to some extent under the emperor’s will.

Big territories are like semi-independent states within the empire, right?

“What’s lacking is manpower for the emperor’s Knight Corps…”

“And funds. Not to brag, but the capital has people actively supporting the rebels.”

Even within the Knight Corps, some are suspected of rebel ties. The capital’s only holding on thanks to high noble aid.

“…How’s the capital poor when the system’s built for the higher-ups to hog everything!?”

“There are reasons… Mostly because of Aranx-heika…”

Erinabel finished eating and rubbed her forehead like she had a headache.

Is he blowing money on women and booze? Making a pool of wine and sticking meat on trees or something?

“I get the general picture. But what about Cerialis? You said she’s the First Seat of the Twelve Radiant Generals.”

“No more, no less. The Twelve Radiant Generals are the empire’s twelve strongest knights. Their seat rankings are based on political influence, wealth, or family status.”

So it’s a power struggle among the empire’s top knights. Erinabel’s Fifth Seat, which is pretty high up…

“But seats above Fifth consider battlefield achievements too.”

“Hm? …Wait, so you…”

“Yes. Right after becoming a Radiant General, I went to the battlefield. I achieved a major feat by conquering a rebel stronghold fortress.”

“Whoa…”

She’s seen real combat. No wonder she didn’t hesitate against Alkrom.

In a chaotic era like this, there are probably kids way younger than me fighting on the front lines.

“But the First Seat is different. Political influence and achievements matter, but historically, the strongest knight of the time always takes that seat.”

Erinabel locked eyes with me.

“The current First Seat, Cerialis Markride. Known as Cerialis of the Glimmering Moon Sword. Undefeated in battle, literally the strongest… imperial knight.”