Ch.180Epilogue. The King’s Inspection (1)

At some point, I began to speak less.

It was because I could accomplish everything I wanted without having to open my mouth.

…

In the reception room that was once the Emperor’s workspace.

I was sitting on the throne, staring at the ministers.

“Your Majesty. We have completed the business plan for preventing waterborne diseases in farming and mountain villages. The targets are small villages where wells are the only source of drinking water. …We will ensure disinfection work is completed before summer arrives.”

“The prototype for mine drainage equipment has been completed. Would you like to see it in person?”

“The elves are again…!”

A meeting with ministers and vice ministers from eight departments.

The organization had grown much larger compared to the past. The volume of agenda items produced after each meeting was almost equivalent to an entire book.

And this was despite delegating minor administrative matters to each department.

It wasn’t just the size that had changed.

The composition of meeting participants had also transformed.

In the past, all who carried the title of minister were court nobles.

There was even discrimination among court nobles themselves. For barons, vice minister was the promotion ceiling, while minister positions were essentially titles rotated among counts.

However, this composition had begun to change gradually over the past few years.

“For next year’s nationwide census, we plan to add six items including housing conditions. Though it will take time, it will help with policy development.”

The Interior Minister making these commendable remarks was one of the symbols of that change.

I simply replied, “Do so,” and gave him a brief glance.

That person wasn’t even a quasi-noble, let alone a noble. He was the first commoner in imperial history to receive free education and climb up from the bottom through sheer determination.

Though he was still the only commoner to rise to minister, more than half of the two vice ministers in each department had already been replaced by the free education generation.

While there were commoners and quasi-nobles, the position of court nobles who once enjoyed privileges was gradually diminishing.

This wasn’t something I deliberately caused but a natural phenomenon.

It was obvious this change would continue. There was simply too much to do.

Fortunately, there had been almost no conflicts between the old and new generations.

…Only occasionally did they reveal differences of opinion.

“Excuse me. Lord Necker, what was your intention with that statement?”

“My dear fellow, I have no particular intention. I merely expressed concern as one of the ministers.”

A minor verbal dispute between a young vice minister and an elderly minister.

The former was from a humble quasi-noble family, while the latter was “Lord Necker,” who could be considered the most senior official after myself.

A once-former Justice Minister and one of the notable figures who was ruined by Cordana some 23 years ago—an aged nobleman with liver spots on his face.

If I clicked my tongue just once, both would immediately bow their heads, but right now I wanted to quietly observe what they were arguing about. Not to guarantee free discussion, but out of pure curiosity.

“Lord Necker. Didn’t you just suggest that the resources and manpower invested in artillery research are being wasted?”

“…I merely conveyed that some feel the effectiveness doesn’t quite match the investment. The Empire currently has six Masters, and the Demonic Land remains quiet.”

“Effectiveness, you say? Forgive me, but since the ‘Weapons Bureau’ was first established 19 years ago, the Empire’s metallurgy has developed exponentially. Those achievements have reached every corner of the Empire. Why are you dismissing this?”

“I’m not dismissing it, but there have been explosive accidents that killed people in the past…”

“For every life lost, a thousand more were saved by their sacrifice.”

“…Yes, I suppose that’s true.”

Lord Necker’s face gradually filled with embarrassment as he engaged in this not-quite-argument with someone young enough to be his son.

He was in his late sixties, an age where death wouldn’t be surprising.

Moreover, he held the position of ‘Court Minister,’ somewhat removed from actual governance. While he had the highest rank among ministers as the overseer of imperial household affairs, he had little real power. His duty was essentially to support the imperial family.

‘If I leave him be, he might end up humiliated.’

I looked at him briefly and decided to rescue him.

I didn’t particularly scold anyone; I just sighed barely audibly.

Simultaneously, several officials suddenly cleared their throats and gave meaningful looks to the two arguing men, ending the situation.

It was evidence that everyone was carefully observing my expression even during the meeting.

I had never demanded they tremble before me. I had never created an atmosphere of fear by brandishing a hammer, nor had I ever lost my temper. Why would I need to get angry when everyone faithfully followed my words?

But I couldn’t very well ask them not to be so attentive to my moods either, so I just had to accept it.

“Are there any more agenda items to discuss?”

“No, Your Majesty.”

“The meeting is adjourned.”

With my announcement, the ministers each paid their respects and quietly slipped out.

Shortly after, I could hear them whispering among themselves outside the reception room. I didn’t particularly want to eavesdrop, but my extremely developed hearing made it unavoidable.

“Do you think I appeared disrespectful when I raised my voice to Lord Necker earlier? I got excited without realizing it.”

“No, don’t worry. His Majesty actually prefers ministers who actively express their opinions. He just doesn’t show it.”

“That’s a relief.”

“Didn’t you see how readily he approved my census proposal when I spoke earlier? If you just work hard, you can earn his trust.”

They were trying so hard to earn my praise or avoid offending me. Perhaps they were even speaking loudly hoping I would hear them.

A few years ago, I might have chuckled at hearing this. Now I felt nothing in particular.

After all, every official around me behaved this way.

***

After the cabinet meeting, I met with the Emperor.

Emperor Simon, now in his 10th year of reign.

I had an audience with him once every two weeks. It was to formally report on state affairs and receive his post-approval.

However, we rarely had serious discussions about governance. It was basically a light conversation.

“…Lord Necker seems ready for retirement now. He himself seems concerned about being criticized for clinging to power in his old age.”

“But Your Majesty should have at least one person you feel comfortable with. If you have someone you’d like to recommend as his successor, I can arrange it.”

“There’s a friend currently working as the imperial ceremonial director. You probably know him…”

“He’s Your Majesty’s sixth cousin, correct? It’s unusual for a collateral imperial family member to take a ministerial position, but it shouldn’t be a problem. It might actually be better to appoint someone from the imperial family. After all, the Court Ministry oversees imperial household affairs.”

“Thank you for your understanding.”

The sight of the Emperor, master of the Empire, seeking my consent to appoint someone he wanted as minister.

It might seem strange, but the Empire had been operating this way for a long time.

These days, I was even having officials prepare legislation to codify the imperial family’s authority and status.

Originally, the imperial family reigned above the law. After all, laws themselves were norms that existed to control commoners and quasi-nobles.

But now, it seemed necessary to create laws just to preserve the imperial family’s status. Without them, the imperial family might truly become irrelevant.

Naturally, all of this was being done with the Emperor’s consent.

The current Emperor had, well, a sense of having let go. He soon began sipping wine and randomly bringing up the topic of my children.

“Ah, speaking of which, your eldest son…”

“He joined the Foreign Ministry last week. He’s been interested in international relations since his school days. I decided to respect his wishes.”

“I heard your second son takes strongly after you?”

“Spencer? That boy takes after both me and my wife. He has quite good swordsmanship talent, and he’s even manifested holy power.”

“From what I’ve heard, it’s more than just ‘quite good.’ Well, a son born between The Hero and the Saintess should be at least that capable.”

Now he was even looking after my children.

It was an affectionate gesture, but somehow it made me feel strange.

My first son from Ember was sharp-witted and interested in politics, while my second son born to Hannah was better with a sword than I was at his age. …Of course, in my childhood I often missed not just medicine but even meals, but talent is talent.

No one doubted that those two would each play significant roles in the Empire’s future. Their younger siblings would likely follow suit.

It couldn’t be helped if it seemed like people with the Wellesley surname were gradually taking over the Empire. Because it was true.

‘It’s not like I can tell them to just stay home and do nothing.’

The Emperor must feel this change more keenly than anyone. Perhaps that’s why his gaze upon me seemed so melancholic.

“You seem to evade even the passage of time. That too is a blessing.”

This was the Emperor’s casual parting remark.

Upon hearing this, I instinctively glanced at the decorative mirror hanging on one wall.

As the Emperor said, my face still hadn’t left the category of youth.

It had been 21 years since I massacred over a hundred high nobles and took control of the Empire.

Initially, my plan was to return power to the imperial family after setting reforms on track, but that plan had failed long ago. Even at this moment, the power in my hands was growing stronger by the day.

As if it had belonged to me from the beginning.

‘In the end, I brought this upon myself.’

I wasn’t suddenly feeling bored. I had overcome that about 10 years ago.

However, I did have one impulsive, contextless desire.

I wanted to leisurely tour the country I governed.

Although I frequently went out to resolve various incidents, this time I wanted to go around purely for inspection purposes.

Not knowing how many more years I would continue doing this, turning my gaze elsewhere might be helpful. With these thoughts, I slowly left the imperial palace.