The Incompetent Emperor Who Changes the World from the Shadows: Iron, Gunpowder, and the Young Maidens of Favor

Chapter 2: Awakening as the Incompetent Emperor

Just moments ago, I was enveloped in blinding light and the stench of blood—or so I thought.

But when I open my eyes, I’m surrounded by a pearl-colored canopy and silk sheets.

“…Where am I?”

The words slip from my mouth.

From a battlefield to a luxurious bed—the sudden contrast is too much for my mind to process.

“Your Majesty! You’re awake?”

A woman’s voice comes from beyond the bed.

Through the thin fabric, I can’t see clearly, but I can tell she’s a woman wearing something like a maid’s outfit.

“Where am I?”

“I’ll fetch the doctor at once. Please wait a moment.”

With that, the woman hurries out.

She didn’t answer my question.

As I’m idly pondering this, a response comes from an unexpected source.

…Finally awake?

A strange voice, like that of a young girl or a small bird, resonates in my ear.

When I turn, grains of light float gently, coalescing into the form of a tiny girl.

Jade-green hair, translucent wings—something out of a dream or hallucination.

This is the imperial capital, Garava. And this building is the Brunhilde Palace.

Her matter-of-fact tone forces reality upon me.

Hearing such a voice so suddenly by my ear, I reflexively bolt upright with a rustle.

“Eh?!”

You don’t have to be that startled.

Something bizarre is by my side.

An insect? A bird? No, a girl? …But far too small.

I recoil slightly, startled, but any further and I’d fall off the bed.

I’m Sopina. I’m like you, so relax.

“Like me? What does that mean?”

Her appearance… like a fairy from a fairy tale.

Yes, like Tinker Bell from Peter Pan.

About 20 cm tall, but with the form of a girl.

She even has wings on her back, flitting about with them, so it feels like a dream beyond mere surprise.

Like you, I came from outside this world.

Green hair, slightly upturned eyes—a face that could be called quite pretty.

“What do you mean?”

That weird new weapon, remember? It didn’t function as intended, but by some astronomical fluke, it triggered a distortion in space-time.

“A trigger?”

Because you’re from another world, it had a significant effect on you.

“A significant effect? Sure, I’m not from this world, but…”

Same here. I’ll explain the details later. For now, just play the part of your reincarnated self.

“My reincarnated self? I was just a lowly soldier.”

My reincarnation was as one of the frontline soldiers, wasn’t it…?

Not anymore. You’re the king of the Garava Kingdom and the emperor of the Bresian Empire.

“Huh?”

The Bresian Empire was formed with the Garava Kingdom as its core.

So, the current emperor must be someone of the old Garava royal bloodline.

Formally a king, but in practice an emperor… something like that.

Though you don’t have much real power.

“Oh, I see.”

And your name is Lichtel Galateus Alberto von Garava.

Even though it’s supposedly my name, it’s too long to remember.

But more importantly…

“Hold on, what’s going on?”

I said I’d explain later. People connected to the emperor will be coming to this room soon.

Act like the emperor and play along.

Otherwise, they’ll think you’ve lost your mind.

You’ll be locked away for life, never seeing the outside world again.

True, if someone as high-ranking as an emperor suddenly seemed “insane,” it’d be a big deal.

From what I heard earlier, this country’s situation seems close to Imperial Germany.

The emperor appears to have some authority, but not enough to sway the entire parliament.

Given that even low-ranking soldiers mock him, he probably lacks charisma.

I understand that the country and its people don’t bend to the emperor’s will.

“Got it. But what do I do? I barely know anything about being an emperor.”

You can see me, right?

“Yeah.”

My form is probably invisible to the people of this world.

So, I can whisper advice to you.

“Advice?”

I can draw out information from people I touch—their past memories, their current status, and their roles.

Sopina suddenly glances toward the door.

For example… that maid earlier is Lily Nelius, an imperial household maid.

18 years old, 160 cm tall, weighs 53 kg, measurements 91-59-87.

Her hobby is fortune-telling.

“You know all that?”

Pretty useful, right? Though I can’t read people’s hearts.

Seeing other people’s stats like that feels like a bit of a cheat ability.

“You said to act like the emperor, but what about my tone or demeanor?

Can’t you read that from my body?”

I can only read data, so I can’t get your usual tone.

Just pass it off as temporary amnesia.

“Got it.”

There’s no time to doubt.

I have to avoid being thought mad and losing my freedom.

※

A doctor-like figure measures my blood pressure, watched by three other silhouettes.

It’s a primitive method—manually pumping a cuff around my arm and listening with a stethoscope.

Still, the concept of blood pressure exists, so medicine must be somewhat advanced.

This aligns with my earlier guess of an early 20th-century setting from my time as a soldier.

“Blood pressure is within normal range.”

He’s the court physician stationed in the castle, named Elias Creel, but there’s no real need to remember his name.

If I say, “Call a doctor,” he’s the one who shows up.

After a few questions—a medical interview—he looks relieved and gives his diagnosis.

“No physical abnormalities.

There seems to be some amnesia, but it doesn’t appear to impair daily life, so we’ll monitor it.”

Next to the doctor stands a military-looking man, about 60, with a scar on his cheek, addressing me.

“Your Majesty.”

He continues.

“I’m relieved nothing serious happened. When I heard you collapsed, my heart nearly stopped.

Please take care of yourself. Your Majesty’s body isn’t yours alone.”

Sopina whispers in my ear.

He’s Andreas van Vogler, the imperial chancellor.

He’s effectively the one holding real power in the Empire.

She adds.

He’s a difficult man, so be careful how you handle him.

Even as the emperor, having to tiptoe around this guy feels unfair.

“Your Majesty, I’m so glad you’re safe! I was listening to the doctor’s judgment, but I couldn’t rest easy until I saw your face. Please don’t overexert yourself.”

Next to the chancellor is… not a boy soldier, but a short woman in a military uniform.

Her short, boyish haircut almost fooled me into thinking she was a young soldier.

Sopina chimes in with commentary.

She’s Leonora Weissheit, captain of the imperial guard.

She leads an all-female imperial guard unit handpicked by the emperor.

The previous emperor called them the “Star Maidens.”

“There are no abnormalities, so the maids can handle His Majesty’s care without issue.”

The doctor informs the chancellor and the captain.

“Then, Your Majesty, please rest well. We’ll handle the military council matters. As for the new weapon’s developers and those who recklessly pushed the experiment, we’ll make them take appropriate responsibility.”

With that, the chancellor leaves the room, followed by the doctor and the captain.

Only one maid remains in the room—a different one from the one who fetched the doctor.

“Your Majesty, is there anything you’d like to eat?”

Sopina whispers more information.

Her name is Agnes.

One of your personal maids.

19 years old, 155 cm tall, weighs 55 kg, measurements 90-68-91…

Did you know her duties include “nightly companionship”?

Sopina’s whisper lingers in my ear, sweet but laced with an unsettling poison.

Since no one else can see her, I ignore the information and respond to the maid.

“…For now, just get me something warm to drink and something light to eat.”

“Understood. I’ll prepare it immediately.”

Agnes leaves the room and returns shortly, pushing a silver wagon.

From a covered silver tray wafts the savory aroma of bread.

Small black bread is accompanied by golden butter and honey, alongside grilled ham, a soft-boiled egg, and thinly sliced cheese.

Steaming café au lait is poured into a ceramic cup, with seasonal fruits artfully arranged beside it.

“I’ve prepared a simple meal. I hope it suits your taste.”

Honestly, I wasn’t that hungry, but when I tear off a piece of freshly baked bread and pop it into my mouth, a rustic sweetness spreads across my tongue.

The ham’s mild saltiness warms my stomach.

The café au lait’s bitterness is oddly calming.

“…Thanks. It’s delicious.”

Agnes smiles and bows.

Watching her, I finally feel it sink in: “I’ve really come to another world.”

She has semi-long red hair and a curvy figure—not fat, but her fullness feels strangely sensual.

For some reason, my lower body reacts intensely.

Perhaps noticing something, she leans in, peering at my face.

“Your Majesty?”

My rationality is slowly eroding.

I can’t tear my eyes away from her chest—damn it…

The urge to devour her glossy lips and ravish her overwhelms me.