chapter_0068

67 – The Fundamental Ideology of the Empire is Reward and Punishment

67 – The Fundamental Ideology of the Empire is Reward and Punishment

The Prince, having lost all his support in an instant due to Daniel Steiner, had no choice but to raise the white flag semi-voluntarily.

Thanks to the Prince giving up the fight for succession, Selvia was able to exert her influence in the Imperial City and the Imperial Palace without any problems.

After a month had passed, Emperor Bertham, who had been watching all of this from afar, decided that waiting was meaningless and summoned the key figures of the Empire to the Imperial Palace’s main hall under the pretext of selecting a successor.

Naturally, Daniel Steiner was also included among the ‘key figures of the Empire.’

Being invited to the Imperial Palace when important state matters were decided was a great honor, but Daniel found the occasion uncomfortable.

‘I’d rather go back to my room, have a cup of coffee, and read a book…’

He couldn’t understand what he was doing on a golden weekend.

Daniel secretly sighed and looked around.

Court officials, including Duke Belvar, were gathered in the Imperial Palace’s main hall, which was notable for its splendid and sophisticated architectural style.

In addition, general-level Officers, who were key figures in the military, and ministers, who were responsible for one pillar of the state, were lined up in rows.

From Daniel’s perspective, awkwardly stuck among them, this place was like a bed of thorns.

‘It seems like a lot of people are glaring at me…’

Everyone was glancing at Daniel, even though they weren’t talking to him.

It was only natural that a soldier who was barely a Major was attracting the attention of the higher-ups by occupying a seat in the Imperial Palace’s main hall.

Thinking that he shouldn’t make eye contact with them, Daniel stared straight ahead.

There, Emperor Bertham was sitting on the throne, wearing a white uniform symbolizing the Imperial Family.

It seemed that clothes really did make the man, as he couldn’t see the weak appearance he had seen in the bedroom.

“Raise your heads, my children.”

At Bertham’s solemn voice, Selvia and Arno, who had been kneeling on one knee on the red carpet, raised their heads.

Selvia and Arno were also wearing white uniforms symbolizing the Imperial Family.

“I believe you both know why I have called you here in front of so many outstanding individuals who lead the Empire today.”

Selvia and Arno swallowed hard at Bertham’s words.

It was the same action, but Selvia was reveling in a sense of elation, while Arno was feeling a sense of defeat.

“Everyone here knows that I am increasingly unable to properly handle state affairs due to my worsening health. So, let’s skip the formalities. Today, my successor will be born here.”

Everyone already knew this, so they remained silent without showing any surprise.

Bertham, as if pleased with the silence, chuckled softly and looked down at his children.

“Are you both prepared to accept my decision?”

“I will accept it.”

That was Selvia’s immediate answer.

However, Arno hesitated for a moment before opening his mouth.

“I will accept it…”

Bertham, having received his children’s consent, nodded once and said.

“Then, I will now decide on the successor. Selvia von Amberg!”

Selvia, who had been called, rose from her seat.

Seeing this, Bertham continued.

“I value your abilities and have seen that you are fit to be the future Emperor. Can you prove that my foresight is not mistaken?”

“Yes, Your Imperial Majesty. I will definitely prove it.”

“Good. Then, from now on, you must inherit my will and work for the Imperial Family and the Empire. Also, remember to respect all people and usher in a righteous reign.”

Bertham, having spoken to Selvia, looked around.

“Also, has everyone heard! The person who will succeed me is Princess Selvia von Amberg!”

This meant that now that the successor had been decided, no one should raise any further objections and should give all their support to the next Emperor, Selvia.

Those who understood the Emperor’s meaning bowed their heads in unison.

─ Yes! Your Imperial Majesty!

The unified voices echoed grandly within the main hall.

Bertham, having scanned them once with a sharp gaze, opened his mouth again.

“Now that the successor has been decided, I must teach her state affairs before it’s too late. I intend to entrust Selvia with ruling on my behalf, but what do you all think?”

At the mention of ruling on his behalf, there was a momentary stir in the hall.

Just as everyone was hesitating to answer rashly, Duke Belvar stepped forward and bowed his head.

“Your Majesty. I believe that ruling on your behalf may be premature for Her Highness the Princess. I believe it is right for Your Imperial Majesty to handle state affairs a little longer.”

“Duke Belvar. That is truly too much to say. You want me, who has more days when I am not of sound mind than days when I am, to handle state affairs even more? Do you intend to work me to death?”

Duke Belvar, who had been watching the situation, lowered his head even further.

“I have spoken out of turn. Your Imperial Majesty. Please forgive my rudeness.”

As Belvar stepped back, the others also remained silent.

Bertham, having enjoyed the silence for a moment, said.

“Since there seem to be no more objectors, I will proceed with ruling on my behalf. From nine days from now, Selvia will handle state affairs with me, so you all should know that.”

The people in the main hall bowed their heads again in unison.

─ Yes! Your Imperial Majesty!

Bertham, having received their unanimous agreement, waved his hand as if he had finished speaking.

“Then, everyone may leave now.”

At Bertham’s words, the ministers and officials who had bowed their heads slowly left the main hall.

After them, the generals and businessmen moved in a line, but Daniel, who was the lowest in rank among them, simply stood still, waiting for his turn to leave.

Bertham, who was sitting on the throne and watching this scene, was lost in thought.

‘Most of the people gathered here today probably don’t know.’

Those who were not politically astute thought that Daniel Steiner was merely the Princess’s closest aide.

A high-performance horse that moved according to the Princess’s orders.

However, Bertham, who had observed the incidents that had occurred so far, knew.

Daniel Steiner had not moved according to the Princess’s will, but according to his own will.

‘So…’

It was not Selvia herself who made the Princess the Emperor’s successor here today.

Nor was it Emperor Bertham.

Only a man named Daniel Steiner had led everything from beginning to end.

‘A guy who said he wasn’t interested in politics…’

Bertham, feeling absurd, let out a hollow laugh and raised his hand, beckoning with his finger.

Then, the Head of the Inner Court, who had been waiting nearby, approached.

“Your Majesty. Did you call?”

“Yes. Do you see that man over there? The man wearing the Major’s insignia.”

“Yes. I see him clearly.”

“What does he look like on the outside?”

The Head of the Inner Court blinked slowly and tilted his head.

“If you’re asking about his appearance, he seems a bit lacking in stature, but he’s a handsome man. Also, judging by the dark circles under his eyes, he seems to have a lot of work to do. I think he’s a young man who worries about the future of this country.”

Daniel Steiner worrying about the future of this country? Bertham burst into hearty laughter at the funniest thing he had heard in a while.

As the Head of the Inner Court, who did not understand the sudden laughter, was sweating profusely, Bertham stopped laughing and opened his mouth.

“The Head of the Inner Court always makes me laugh. Anyway, go to that man and tell him. Tell him I want to talk to him at the shooting range.”

Although he did not understand the meaning of the laughter, the Head of the Inner Court nodded obediently.

–

A little later.

Daniel, who was about to leave, was stopped by the Head of the Inner Court and arrived at the shooting range set up on one side of the Imperial Palace.

At the shooting range’s firing line, Emperor Bertham was holding a double-barreled shotgun in his hand.

‘…Why did he call me to a place like this?’

Tension rose amidst the confusion.

Approaching Bertham with caution, Daniel saluted.

“Your Imperial Majesty. I heard you called for me.”

“Huh? Ah.”

Bertham, having found Daniel, playfully accepted the salute and placed his hand on the shotgun’s trigger.

His gaze was fixed on the blue sky above the lawn in front of him.

“I’m sorry for calling you so suddenly. Have you ever done trap shooting?”

“I’ve only heard about it because I had a friend who enjoyed trap shooting during my cadet days.”

“Then you can learn from me on this occasion. Watch carefully.”

No sooner had Bertham finished speaking than the sound of a whistle was heard, and two clay pigeons soared high into the sky.

As soon as he spotted the clay pigeons, Bertham raised his shotgun and pulled the trigger in quick succession.

Bang! Ba-bang!

The flying buckshot lightly shattered the two clay pigeons.

Bertham, satisfied that he had hit the target, lowered his shotgun.

“It’s a sport like this. You’re probably better than me when it comes to shooting skills, so it won’t be difficult.”

“…Your Majesty? Am I to assume that you called me here to enjoy shooting?”

“Of course not. This is just a game to build rapport with you.”

Bertham grabbed the shotgun’s barrel and lowered it, causing two shell casings to pop out and fall to the floor.

Seeing this, a servant approached Bertham and handed him new ammunition.

“My primary purpose in calling you here is to give you a reward.”

“…A reward, you say?”

“Yes. Didn’t you work hard for my daughter this time? I was secretly hoping that Selvia would become the Emperor, so I am very grateful for your efforts.”

Bertham, having received the ammunition from the servant, loaded the rounds with slow movements.

“So, I’m thinking of giving rewards not only to you but also to those who helped you this time. Of course, if you’re okay with it. So, can you tell me who they are?”

Bertham, wearing a good-natured smile, finished loading by raising and locking the barrel.

Then, Bertham raised his hand as a signal, and the servant stepped back.

Bertham’s gaze was once again fixed on the empty air above the lawn, as if it was his turn for the clay pigeons to come out soon.

Daniel, who was watching this scene from the side, said with a troubled expression.

“Your Majesty? Those who helped me? If you’re talking about arresting His Highness the Prince’s private organization, I have nothing to say other than that it was purely good luck.”

Clay pigeons fly into the air.

Instinctively raising his shotgun, Bertham pulled the trigger in quick succession.

At the same time as the muzzle flashed, the two clay pigeons were once again shattered into pieces.

After confirming that he had hit the clay pigeons, Bertham lowered his shotgun and lowered the barrel.

Two shell casings pop out.

“Major Daniel.”

At the same time as the shell casings fell to the floor, Bertham shrugged his shoulders once and turned to look at Daniel.

“I’m not asking you a question right now. It’s more like an order. So, I’ll ask you again.”

A cool breeze blows from afar.

After a brief silence, Bertham continued.

“Tell me where and what the hell are the forces that helped you.”

Bertham’s mouth was still smiling, but his eyes were coldly sunken.

At that subtle change in expression, Daniel was able to be certain.

‘This…’

He was definitely not asking for a reward.

Author’s Note

I hope you all had a pleasant day today.

Thank you for always reading.

Then, I’ll see you again tomorrow!