Ch.244Conflict (11)

“Haaa…”

How did it come to this?

I pride myself on always making right and proper choices. I could swear to it even if I were to stand before God after death.

But why am I in this situation now? What went wrong?

…No matter how much I think about it, there’s only one answer.

‘The Bastard King.’

He is the root of all this evil. Everything from the assassination of the Emperor to the once-proud Empire with its long history being reduced to rags—all of it is his doing.

Of course, wars large and small would have happened even without that fellow, but things would never have become this chaotic.

He commits countless sins as easily as eating meals, knowing nothing of morality or ethics. He must surely be under the protection of demons who desire discord and chaos in the world.

…Come to think of it, even his status as a bastard is suspicious from the beginning.

It’s certain that he has a lowly woman as his mother, but honestly, there’s nothing definitive about his paternal lineage, is there?

I’ve heard that his mother was driven from the Dijon palace merely for being pregnant, and no one witnessed the Bastard King’s birth. If that’s the case, there’s a strong possibility the baby was switched. If he truly has demonic protection, that must be when the switch happened.

No, no, perhaps his mother received another man’s seed—a demon’s seed—and lied about being pregnant with the Duke’s child—

Knock, knock—

“Huh?!”

“Your Majesty?”

“Ah, yes… is that you? Come in.”

The Emperor, or rather the rival Emperor, Margrave of Meissen, who had been sinking into a swamp of malicious thoughts, was startled by the knock as if caught in some indecency. Quickly realizing someone was outside, he regained his composure.

The rival Emperor collected himself, cleared all malicious thoughts from his mind, adjusted his posture and attire, then granted permission for the attendant outside to enter.

“…Judging by your expression, I doubt this is good news either. Well, what is it?”

“The Holy Emperor has issued an excommunication order, and the church territories have declared their disobedience to Your Majesty accordingly. To the extent that the army supporting the Elector can pass through church territories without any resistance.”

“Hmm…”

Everyone in the world knows that the current Holy Emperor is merely a puppet of the Bastard King.

Even the clergy, who must unconditionally obey the Holy Emperor, are convinced that all current orders from the Holy Emperor are fabrications.

Yet now these same clergy suddenly change their attitude and follow the Holy Emperor’s orders?

This means only one thing: the church territories, which had been reluctant to get involved in the civil war, have finally chosen a side after watching from the sidelines.

“Well… excommunication at this point? Did they perhaps consider others’ reactions? If that’s truly the case, I can only say it’s utterly pathetic.”

“Your Majesty…”

“Both the Elector and the Holy Emperor are being manipulated like puppets on strings, and everyone knows it… Haha, these damned fools.”

I can understand the clergy’s reluctance given my position as what could be called the leader of the Canaan Church reform faction.

But what about the nobles? Weren’t there over fifty witnesses when the Elector himself announced his abdication?

Above all, since the Elector is confined in Dijon by the Bastard King and unable to return to the Empire, it’s clear that the various proclamations written in the Elector’s name were not written by the Emperor but by the Bastard King who desires the Empire’s division.

Everyone must know this, yet they still act this way… Nobles are said to move according to their own interests, but I’ve never felt such disgust before.

‘…Should I just abdicate too?’

Thinking about it, it’s not a bad choice. Of course, the position of Emperor of this Empire is a great honor in itself, but honestly, from my perspective, the Empire is beyond salvation. Even in the short time I’ve been on the throne, the Empire’s problems are painfully clear.

No matter how hard I try, no matter what I do, the Empire has fallen too far to be restored. The future Empire will essentially be an Empire in name only—merely a collection of various lords.

And that future is slowly unfolding now.

No matter how just the order, no matter how legal the command, the Empire is full of people who refuse to obey, making all sorts of excuses. How can one govern a nation with such people?

I could simply maintain the imperial position, abandon governance, and just preserve dignity, but that goes completely against my nature. I almost miss the days when, as the Margrave of Meissen, I exercised my electoral vote and kept various nobles and lords of the electoral territory in check.

‘Very well, I’ll abdicate.’

Finally, the rival Emperor resolves to abdicate.

Even in the medieval era, where honor and dignity are everything, this imperial position holds no honor or dignity—only cleaning up after others’ messes. With no further merit to the position, the decision came quickly.

Of course, if a truly capable person were to ascend to the throne and reform the Empire, the imperial position could once again become a symbol of honor and dignity. Unfortunately, the Empire’s nobles will use the elective monarchy system to ensure that only incompetent individuals sit on the throne, so such a future can be ruled out with certainty.

If a capable person were to become Emperor, the nobles would desperately try to prevent it, as it would threaten their vested interests. For a competent person to become Emperor of the Empire in the future, they would need tremendous political skill and the determination to resort to dark methods without hesitation.

“Arrange a meeting for everyone. I have something important to say.”

“By everyone, you mean…?”

“Gather all the nobles you can.”

“…Yes, Your Majesty.”

The attendant, guessing the rival Emperor’s intention, simply nods glumly.

……….

“Well, it’s about time for you to leave. You could stay in Dijon if you wish. What will you do?”

“I choose to return, of course.”

“That’s unfortunate. Well, I’ll give you some of the grape jam you enjoyed in Dijon as a gift. Please enjoy it, and if you run out, come back again.”

“…If I run out of jam, I’ll send an attendant. I won’t come myself.”

“They say even bad connections are still connections—why be so cold about seeing each other once or twice more? Perhaps you’re upset because something you were plotting was discovered?”

“…”

News of Chloe’s punishment, which was close to imprisonment, spread throughout the palace in an instant. Not only did Ines, Jeanne, and Ellen hear about it, but even the Empire’s Emperor and Albion’s King, who were confined in Dijon.

While Albion’s King was confused about what had suddenly happened, the Emperor was reportedly greatly alarmed upon learning why Chloe was being punished. It’s clear that the Emperor was indeed trying to use Chloe to pit the children against each other.

Even though Chloe was deceiving them, to think he tried to use her to incite fratricide… tsk.

I’d like to confine him in Dijon forever, treaty or not, and make a human zoo, but if I did that, Jean-Claude, Michel, and the other children wouldn’t be able to receive their imperial titles, so I’ll have to endure for now.

“I truly didn’t know you were plotting such things.”

“…Will you cancel the matter of the titles?”

“No? What parent would dislike their children receiving titles? All I want… is for you to faithfully fulfill the terms of our contract. If you try to use the children for strange schemes, I will immediately lead an army to make you pay the price.”

“Well… I understand, don’t worry.”

…He still doesn’t get it.

It’s common for children who have left home to develop their own ideas, and for good people to be blinded by power. The Emperor seems to have decided to focus on these aspects to incite the children.

Of course, since it’s not direct intervention, and if the children claim they acted of their own will, it becomes difficult to argue that it violates the treaty.

Well… even if it doesn’t violate the treaty, I can’t simply do nothing. If I see any intention of such behavior, I can preemptively remove the Emperor, so I’ll let it slide for now.

……….

“Everyone, judging by your expressions, you seem to know why I’ve come here.”

“…Your Majesty.”

“Don’t be so serious. It’s merely the rightfully enthroned Elector returning to his throne. Why is everyone so grave?”

This is the end. No need to endure unnecessary stress anymore.

Having declared my own abdication to return the throne to the Elector, the situation in subsequent treaties should be considerably better. Even if I lose some reparations and territory, I should be able to preserve my position as Margrave.

“It seems everyone who needs to be here has gathered, so let’s get to the point. I—ugh?!”

“Your Majesty?”

However, the rival Emperor is unable to complete his abdication declaration.

The nobles are bewildered by the Emperor’s sudden abnormal behavior and call out to him, but he cannot properly respond.

Gulp—

“Kuhurk…!”

“Y-Your Majesty!!”

The blood filling his throat has completely blocked his airway.

Coughing up a tremendous amount of blood, the Emperor collapses, staining the floor red, while those nearby rush toward him in shock and dismay.

“…Heh heh.”

“Is he still thirsting for blood?”

However, some do not rush to the Emperor.

Those who immediately realize who caused this catastrophe and why the Emperor suddenly vomited blood merely let out hollow laughs and lament, while the rival Emperor, sprawled on the floor covered in blood, inwardly wails that the Bastard King truly must be a child of demons.