Chapter 296 – #295 Riot

“The atrocities of the emperor and the nobles have gone too far. They are treating us as less than livestock.”

Hundreds of people were gathered in the cave. In the center, a young man was standing and preaching something to the people.

“They say we can live well if we work hard, but all they do is drink tea and have fun all day. Then, when we achieve even a little bit of success, they blame us and take away everything we have achieved.”〈 Br〉

After hearing the man’s words, the public clenched their fists and vented their anger.

They didn’t want the public to succeed. They just wanted to exist for their own prosperous life.

“So, we decided not to hold back any longer. Let’s gather those who are willing and fight against them!”

Wooooo-

“Let us offer that blood to the one who will lead us. To Professor Aslan!”

People’s voices echoed loudly throughout the cave. The cry, which was like madness, spread outside the cave and made wild animals tremble.

The unrest that occurred in the east quickly reached the imperial palace.

***

“What do you mean? A riot?”

Aria sat on top of me, her beautiful black hair flowing as she nuzzled her face into my chest.
She, who lives in the imperial palace and regularly asks for news, came running to me early in the morning and told me her amazing story.

“It’s literally true. People rose up in the eastern part of the empire. It’s so powerful… It looks like the imperial family is in turmoil right now. In some cases, we’re considering changing the name to civil war or rebellion.”

Rebellion? Under. What…

How big is it?

“I recently heard that there are similar signs here at the academy.”

“A sign?”

The momentary doubt quickly disappeared. If anything strange happened at the Academy recently, it’s because there was only one thing.

“Are you saying this incident is related to the dropping out of students from the academy?”

“Yes. I don’t know exactly why, but rumor has it that Professor Aslan is alive.”

– Eh? Tsk tsk. Hey. Do you see someone impersonating your name?

“There is a story that the instigator of the rebellion was Professor Aslan. I do not believe it as I saw his death firsthand, but… Many commoner students who followed him dropped out. And the starting point of the rebellion was Haran, near the battlefield. …”

Haran…

It feels strange to hear this after a long time.

That was the place where I first made a name for myself in my past life.

The Argentine Empire and Kshanberg, who took a side road and cut off the rear supply route, had to fight fiercely for half a year, during which I earned the following title.

A war hero from Kshanberg who slaughtered hundreds of knights.

Aslan, the knight-slayer of Haran.

“I also heard that their leader is excellent at curse magic. Few people know, but Professor Aslan is recorded as having used high-level curse magic on the battlefield.”

“Because he even captured knights with that magic.”

“Did you know?”

“Ah…”

I know it well because I am a party to it.

– So what are you going to do, Aslan? First, your impersonation seems almost certain.

‘Well.’

Now is the time of competition for the throne. I didn’t really want to vacate the capital at a time like this.

However, the commotion was big enough to be dismissed as a rebellion.

‘For now… Let’s see how it goes.’

And exactly three hours after receiving the report, someone from the imperial palace came. He bowed politely to me and spoke.

“Marquis Cranberry. His Majesty the Emperor has convened an emergency meeting. All noble families residing in the capital are ordered to participate in the meeting immediately.”

***

When I entered the conference room, people turned to look at me.

Those who greet me and those who watch with wary eyes.

– It looks like the 1st Empress gave a lot of money?

It was like that. Nearly 70% of the people showed kindness and greeted me.

A power structure created by absorbing the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th empresses’ side and some of the neutral forces. The number was so large that it could be said that all sides were on my side.

– If this is the case, isn’t it okay to just bring a cow? It would be good if you showed your face in advance. I also learned a bit about how to run a country.

‘Yes, but it’s still a little early.’

Raina is a woman. Conservative nobles do not really want a woman to become emperor.

There will probably be trouble even with a small mistake.

And the First Empress will also aim for that.

In order to judge that the fight was over to some extent, it was necessary to secure at least 80% of the forces.

– So you left it behind?

Unlike nobles who are required to participate, royal family members can freely participate in meetings.

I could have come here with Reina, but that was roughly why I left her at her academy.
There was a need to protect them until victory was confirmed.

I quietly looked around.

‘By the way, it’s strange.’

People were gathered together and whispering to each other. I heard something familiar.

“Did you hear that story?”

“What is it? Does it have something to do with convening today’s meeting?”

“Yes. They say commoners gathered together in the eastern region and started a rebellion.”

“Heh, heh.”

“So, it looks like the lord and his entire family were already dead…”

“Then you will be recruiting applicants like you did at Halstenberg.”

“Yes. Everyone thinks so.”

However, the atmosphere was quite different between then and now.

It didn’t take long to find out why.

“Your Majesty the Emperor, please enjoy!”

The emperor and his wives entered the conference hall. They all sat down, and the emperor raised his voice.

“Everyone, raise your heads. Since time is running out, let’s start the meeting right away. Mayer, talk.”

“Yes.”

Chamberlain Mayer, who had received the order, lightly cleared her throat and began to chant.

“About two weeks ago, a riot broke out in eastern Haran…”

Since this was a story that had already been told through quick-witted nobles, no one was greatly disturbed.

“The scale has gradually increased to the point where it has become so uncontrollable that it cannot be dismissed as a riot. Therefore, His Majesty has decided to award the territory to the person who handles the matter well.”

Haran is a count’s territory. The person who completes this task well will be awarded the title of count.

“Do you have any applicants?”

“…”

Actually, that was the problem. No one in the conference room raised their hand.

That’s right, most of the heads of families living here in the capital are counts or higher. It just meant that there wasn’t much inspiration for that level of title.

In that case, we have to consider the benefits of the territory itself…

– Why? Is there something wrong with the territory?

‘No. The estate itself is okay. On a suitable mountain, on a suitable plain… The problem is that suppressing that rebellion will result in greater losses than gains.’

Nobles are clever at calculating. Clearly consider gains and losses and act accordingly.

The only time they don’t make calculations is when it comes to following trends or gaining fame in social circles.

The emperor’s eyebrows narrowed sharply.

“Is there no one there?”

People who have no answer.

“Whoever solves this problem will be exempted from taxes for 10 years. Is that still possible?”

“…”

It was impossible.

– Why? Isn’t it sweet if it’s tax-exempt?

‘But I won’t do it. Let’s say you spend money, hire mercenaries, and even bring in private soldiers to get the job done. Then, when I returned to the territory, they took advantage of my weakness and came over from the neighboring territory?’

If the emperor is trustworthy, there may be some nobles who respond.

However, due to the emperor’s troublesome nature, there was a high possibility that he did not know how to handle and protect himself after death.

This was a result I brought about myself. A natural result of laziness.

In the end, the emperor’s face crumpled. No matter how emperor he is, he cannot force the nobles one by one.

At that time, my eyes met with the First Empress Angelica.

“Hehe.”

A meaningful smile appeared on her face.

It seemed like I knew what he was thinking, so I also put a smile on my face.

“Your Majesty.”

“Why are you doing that?”

“Instead, how about entrusting this matter to the Marquis of Cranberry?”

“To the Marquis?”

The First Empress smiled next to the Emperor. She glanced at me and explained why she had to.

“It’s a situation where not everyone is willing to participate anyway. But someone has to go and calm them down. In that case, if the hero of our empire were to go! Maybe even the angry commoners would change their minds, right?”

“Hmm.”

“Think about it carefully. The name they brought up was Aslan. He was once called a war hero. The only talented person who can make up for that is the hero of Florian.”

Several nobles who saw that scene shook their heads.

“Like that fox…”

“It’s very wagging its tail.”

The Emperor stroked his chin. He gave his gaze to his subjects.

“What do you guys think?”

The nobles split into two groups and raised their voices.

“The First Empress’s words are correct. The Marquis will also gladly accept this matter, as befits his reputation!”

“No, it won’t happen! The Marquis has recently settled the affairs of Halstenberg and is in the process of reconciling the territory there. To put another burden on him in this situation. This is absolutely unfair!”

The emperor’s head moved up and down.

“Of course… I think the Marquis should be focusing on finishing the Halstenberg matter.”

A slightly embarrassed expression appeared on the First Empress’s face. It seemed as if he had never thought that the emperor would not act according to his will.

“Still, Your Majesty… Think about it carefully. If that rebellion is not put to rest immediately, it will have an impact on the war. If that happens, Halstenberg and the Icecrown Kingdom are not the problem. The survival of the empire is at stake right now.”

The emperor, misunderstanding her urgent feelings, lowered his head.

“Certainly… It’s a serious problem in Jim’s opinion. I don’t think Halstenberg is the problem right now.”

Empress Angelica covers her lower crown with a fan and smiles triumphantly at me.

Perhaps their intention is to send me there and use the time to regroup and launch a counterattack against me.

The strategy seemed so obvious that I couldn’t help but laugh.

While he was wondering what to do, the two women who had been silent on either side of the emperor drew their swords.

“Your Majesty. But is there really a need for the Marquis to go? Even if he is a hero, he is only one person. Rather than sending him, I think it would be more appropriate to send ten nobles.”

“Victoria agrees with what Vivien said. Instead, how about sending 1/10th of the individual soldiers and knights to each nobleman? I think that would probably be faster. I suddenly wonder why Angelica really wants to send him. It does.”

“It’s not me! Victoria, you’re being harsh!”

“Hmph. Isn’t that right? Anyone can see that it seems more reasonable than sending the Marquis of Cranberry alone… Oh, isn’t it? Now that I see it, I guess it was because his brains were only at that level?”

“Rain, rain, Victoria! Have you finished speaking?”

Despite Empress Angelica’s thunderous shout, Empress Victoria did not blink her eyes.
As expected, the person currently receiving the most attention as the next emperor is her daughter, Reina Kshanberg.

The days of being humiliated in front of Empress Angelica have long since passed.

“There is more I want to say, but since it is in front of Your Majesty, I will be generous and leave it to this point.”

“What?!”

With that decisive evidence… Before, Empress Angelica was so rude and didn’t even pay attention to provocations, but now she was trembling because she couldn’t control her emotions.

She herself was aware of her own situation and was indignant.

The emperor caught between them looked perplexed. No matter how annoying An Ha-mu-in is, it seems that her wives can’t help but fight.

“Hmm. Calm down.”

Still, the sharp gaze did not go away.

In the end, the emperor spoke to the person next to him to divert the attention of the two wives.

“Scarlett. What do you think?”

With her calm expression, she was distant from this situation and just stared at me. Although it was only for a moment, a warm glow flashed in her eyes.

“I also wonder if there is a need for the Marquis to go.”

“Scarlett!”

“Can I ask why?”

To the emperor’s quiet question, she answered coolly with a look on her face that told her it was nothing.

“I don’t care who goes there. What’s important to me now is my children’s education. I just hope that the Marquis will quickly finish the Halstenberg affair and educate my children again.”

“Hmm. That’s right. I forgot about that.”

Empress Angelica’s face crumpled.

Well, this isn’t the result I thought. That kind of feeling just flowed into me.

“Then the Marquis should stay here and find another solution…”

In the end, it was concluded that the atmosphere of the conference room made me stay.

It was the worst situation for Empress Angelica, who could not achieve victory unless she kicked me out of here immediately.

– Tsk tsk. Aslan. Look at that sister. I can see her eyes rolling.

The 1st Empress is shaking her head so urgently that she can’t even manage her facial expressions. At that time, there was a change in her feelings.

“Your Majesty. But the Marquis of Cranberry might want to take part in this.”

“What do you mean?”

“Your Majesty must have heard recently about the dating rumors between the Marquis of Cranberry and Princess Reina.”

“…”

The emperor’s face became distorted. He had a record of calling me aside and telling me not to hang out with Raina.

Did they say that noble blood does not mix with lowly blood?

“If the Marquis who obtained Halstenberg gains the territory of Haran this time, he will possess territory and power comparable to that of the duke. This will be a good opportunity for him. Princess Reina and he is in love with each other.”〈 Br〉

There are no restrictions on marrying a prince, but a man wishing to marry a princess must be at least a duke.

This funny tradition led countless princesses to be buried alive as virgins over a thousand years.

‘That’s fun.’

Anyway, the First Empress was taunting me right now. If you want to be officially recognized and get married, accept this offer.

– Is there really a need for that? Once the cow becomes emperor, all you have to do is change the law.

‘It’s not that easy to think about.’

The emperor looked back at me.

“Is that true?”

If I say no here, the nobles gathered to see Raina and me will be confused.

There were declarations of support from the empresses, but in fact, the reason they came together like this was because they saw the potential in the two of us and followed us.

For the first empress, it could be seen as a case of quite clever thinking.

I quietly raised her head and looked at the 1st Empress. She was looking down at me with her triumphant face.

‘Sounds like fun.’

– Do you want to comply?

‘Uh. Honestly, I was secretly waiting for the First Empress to counterattack.’

Only by clashing fiercely can the gems be revealed. Which words are useful, and which words are worthless.

That will become even more evident if I, the central point, am away.

“Yes. That’s right. Princess Reina and I love each other. If you promise to complete this task and make me a duke, I will gladly complete this task and return.”

“…”

Hmm. An emperor in distress.

He doesn’t seem to like the idea of ​​giving his daughter in marriage to me.

Empress Angelica fawned next to him.

“Just do that, Your Majesty. You can’t raise your daughters in a studio forever.”

“Still, I wonder if there is a need to send the marquis…”

“If we send the Marquis, maybe we can resolve the issue without bloodshed. In any case, didn’t he finish the Halstenberg matter well without major losses?”

However, it seemed that the emperor still did not like the proposal.

The gaze moved from the Empress to her subjects.

“I want to ask you what you think. What do you think about this?”

1 The people of the Empress faction looked at Empress Angelica, and the rest all looked at me.

We both nodded slightly at them.

“I think it would be a good idea to leave this matter to the Marquis. Please do so.”

“That’s right. The love story between the marquis and the princess are already known to everyone in the capital. The marquis will do his best to make that love come true. Promise me the title of duke.”

In the end, after even supporting his subjects, the emperor reluctantly agreed to this.

“Good. If you successfully complete this task, I will grant you the territory, the title of duke, and even marriage to Princess Reina.”

That’s how I left for the eastern part of the empire.

Empress Angelica and I looked at each other in silence and showed deep smiles.