Chapter 259: The Emperor’s Acclamation

“Serves you right! Serves you right! This is exactly what your greed has brought upon you! You should have simply accepted Valiere’s fair-price offer. And now, judgment has finally been dealt to you greedy pigs who couldn’t even do that!!”

A girl so emaciated that her ribs were clearly visible.

The girl known as Emperor Maxine read the newspaper handed to her by her attendant—and let out a cry of triumph.

“Congratulations, Emperor Maxine.”

Her attendant offered words of congratulation.

It was unmistakably good news.

She had managed to exact revenge on the Citizen Council—against which, due to my political standing, I had been powerless.

I had nearly killed half of them—a “half-killing,” if you will—but that was enough.

My desire for revenge was more than fully sated.

And those who survived would no doubt have had their fortunes plundered.

It was a pleasure unlike any I had ever known in my life.

“Now, I feel like having a meal, attendant. Ah, even a wine I’ve never tasted—a glass or so will do. Bring me the finest quality. I like it sweet… something as sweet as honey.”

“Yes, just for today that should be fine. I’ll have it ready right away—please wait.”

The attendant departed with a truly delighted smile, wiping tears from his eyes with his finger.

Hunger gnawed at me.

Emperor Maxine, who had long been unable to enjoy her meals due to the traumatic memory of witnessing her father’s starvation, now felt genuine hunger for once.

As though my father were bestowing his blessing upon me—just as if Valiere were rejoicing over this outcome.

“Sigh.”

While my attendant prepared my meal, I sat down in my chair and pondered.

Contrary to what the newspaper reported, it must have been Duchess Astarte who carried out the bombardment.

After all, Valiere was at the Colosseum then.

But honestly, the facts don’t really matter.

That accursed Citizen Council has finally been dealt its judgment.

What mattered was that it filled my heart with satisfaction.

“I must offer some form of thanks.”

I need to ensure that Valiere’s regard for me only grows higher.

Specifically, to get closer to Lord Polydoro.

But beyond that, I’ve come to feel a strong personal affection for Valiere.

She did what I could not—if only in name.

For that, I must be grateful.

Of course, I must also thank Duchess Astarte for her role.

“――”

Hmm, but what should I offer in return?

Money, or even a position—I wouldn’t mind either.

I could even, if need be, relinquish the imperial throne to Valiere—but…

Well, that’s probably not what she desires.

I’ll refrain from that.

Either way, I must prepare some sort of gift.

Or perhaps confer some honor?

Maybe I could come up with some pretext and bestow a title or something in my capacity as emperor—

No, or perhaps I should set this newspaper in stone for posterity?

I might even have the fame of the blood-fairy Valiere permanently etched into the annals of the Gusten Empire.

Valiere’s name would surely become legendary among knights.

In any case, I must offer her some praise.

“Hmm.”

I re-read the newspaper from cover to cover, folded it neatly, and set it aside.

I’ll read it again later.

Until the meal was ready, I had nothing better to do.

Until then, I read one of my recently favored books.

“――”

It was a book titled 『Guns, Cannons, Knights』.

An incredibly fascinating read.

I marveled at its content.

The fact that it was written by a 9‐year‐old was utterly fascinating, and the fact that Lord Polydoro supervised it was equally delightful.

Surely, the battlefield would progress exactly as it was described within.

It introduced the emergence of the artillery branch.

Even if guns are introduced or cannons appear, knights will never disappear.

However, the nature of warfare would undoubtedly change.

Even the new-technology cannons mentioned in the newspaper were intriguing.

Cannons that could discharge hundreds of projectiles in a single shot.

Certainly, if such weapons were to proliferate on the battlefield, the old dense formations would no longer suffice—they’d mow down troops without mercy.

But still, dear Martina, the author.

And you too, Duchess Astarte, who brought this book.

It might be odd to speak to the two who aren’t here, but…

“Without that, we cannot win.”

We’re critically short of the crucial element needed to defeat the Mongols.

I hate to admit it, but the power of the Gusten Empire is rather insignificant compared to that of our enemy.

And yet, even the prince‐electors are scattered.

At the very least, the seven prince‐electors should gather under the emperor’s name, the Pope should declare a crusade, and knights should be rallied from across the empire.

Even mercenary bands and knight orders from foreign lands must be amassed—and that, at the very least, is the minimum requirement.

Ridiculous.

Is such a thing even possible?

But if it were—

Yes, a single counterattack would suffice.

A one-off battle would do.

If I could manage that, I’d be considered more superior than any of the so-called superhumans in this empire.

Toktoa Khan will die of old age.

Then, the enemy nation would probably soon be plunged into a succession crisis and civil war.

After all, their interest in a country as remote as the Gusten Empire was always minimal.

They go simply because Toktoa says so, and because our sovereign wishes to witness the ends of the world.

In the end, that is all their motivation ever was.

An astonishingly enviable charisma, indeed—but that very charisma is a weakness; if she weren’t there, it would all be over.

Thus, even if I can only force them to retreat once, that will suffice.

I need only counter them and drive them back—just once.

That is—

“If only that were possible, it wouldn’t be such a struggle, would it?”

As expected, it’s a naïve notion.

It was precisely because I considered even that single blow impossible that the Pope and I had contemplated selling out the nation.

I don’t intend to change that idea, though.

However, to claim that I have no interest in the new technology would be a lie.

To say I’m not fascinated by the new-technology cannons that avenged my father would be nothing short of a lie.

“――I had planned to quickly yield the imperial throne to Katarina of Virendorf and leave the imperial capital, but—”

That would be a misstep.

If I were to leave, battlefield technology might advance on its own.

I may not care about the imperial capital or even the empire, but it would be unacceptable if even my homeland were to fall without a fight.

At the very least, I must hear what that girl, Martina, has to say.

How does she see the battlefield?

“――”

It’s far too early to draw any conclusions.

Duchess Astarte, having read our state of mind so well, had put the new technology to use against the Citizen Council.

I suppose so.

It’s still too soon to give up, I thought.

That Duke of Anhalt is the only one who still hasn’t given up on me retaining my imperial position.

The entire empire still clings to the hope of uniting as a single fist to counter the Mongols.

Not only do they hope for it—but they’re also scheming something.

“――Shall I give it a try?”

I murmured to myself once again.

By “giving it a try,” I certainly don’t mean a battle against the Mongols.

I’ll listen to what they have to say.

If it doesn’t amount to anything, then that’s that.

Either way, I have various rewards to dole out to Valiere, and I also must negotiate with Lord Polydoro.

After all, I am to carry his seed within me.

“For that, I must summon Valiere, Lord Polydoro, and Martina—their attendant.”

I’ll invite them to the palace.

Valiere’s reward can be decided later.

Nevertheless—I’m hungry.

My heart is positively fluttering with excitement.

“Your Majesty, your meal has arrived.”

The attendant brought over the meal, carried on a wagon.

“Hmm, once I’ve finished my meal, we’ll go take a look at the Citizen Council’s assembly hall. Prepare the guards.”

In any case, I must see the results of my revenge up close.

Ideally, while the aftermath—with the councilors’ blood and bits of flesh still splattered about—is still fresh.

I must properly verify that they have truly become “miserable.”

“Understood. I will have the carriage prepared.”

The attendant complied, thereby satisfying me.

Now, let us dine.

“Ah, attendant, also have some extra bread prepared. I’m truly starving today. Even I, for once, can enjoy a proper meal.”

“Y-yes!”

I dunk the bread into the soup.

I take a bite.

I repeated that simple act, finally filling my small stomach for the first time in ages.

As my blood circulated, I began to feel a bit drowsy, yet I kept pondering.

“Now, I eagerly await: Valiere, Martina, and—Faust von Polydoro.”

I shall host my guests as soon as tomorrow.

Yes, three guests.

I wonder how much these three will satisfy my pure curiosity and benefit me.

Just the thought made my blood and flesh tingle with excitement.