Ch.254Emperor (2)

“The Great Majesty as Emperor!!”

“Emperor!!”

Under the watchful eye of the administration, the imperial faction led by Rudolf grew in strength day by day.

Of course, this wasn’t due to any lack of administrative capability. Rather, many administrative officials sympathized with Rudolf’s views and held favorable opinions. Above all, since there were no actual legal violations to address, they judged that forcibly arresting them would serve no purpose.

The common perception among high-ranking officials in the Intelligence Agency and Administration was that while they could criticize the movement for being too radical in its desire to elevate their monarch and raise the nation’s status, it wasn’t a serious enough offense to warrant arrests.

Of course, these officials were deeply loyal to Claude, and if he had ordered Rudolf’s arrest, they would have changed their attitude immediately and carried it out, but no such order came.

“Is His Majesty still maintaining his silence?”

“Yes, whenever we raise related questions, he refuses to answer and halts the conversation.”

“Hmm… I cannot fathom what he’s planning. Whether he intends to declare himself emperor, wage war, do both, or neither… It would be helpful if he gave us some indication beforehand.”

Due to the various war declarations that had preceded this situation, the nobles and commoners of Lotharing constantly speculated about Claude’s potential choices, their mouths working like grinding mills.

Normally, in pre-modern thinking, it would be considered disloyal and taboo for people to discuss what choices their monarch might make. However, in this case, since the matter would only benefit Lotharing and was filled with glorious possibilities, such reservations were significantly diminished.

Above all, Claude’s radical and aggressive social developments had given younger Lotharingians a broader mindset, allowing such discussions to flourish.

“Your Majesty, the topic currently trending will certainly arise in the upcoming Senate meeting.”

“I’m aware.”

“Then could you inform us of your decision in advance? It would ease our workload if we could prepare rather than having matters decided suddenly.”

“I cannot tell you.”

“…I apologize for my impertinence, Your Majesty.”

Claude’s own attitude had fueled these discussions.

He took no action to suppress the growing war sentiment and imperial proclamation movement, nor did he express any opinion on these matters.

This silence inevitably intensified the public mood. After all, someone’s silence on an issue is always conveniently interpreted by others according to their own standards. The concept of tacit approval exists for a reason.

Of course, this was entirely Claude’s intention.

If he had carelessly announced his intention to become emperor beforehand, everyone would know the conclusion, inevitably leading to decreased interest. That diminished interest would then be filled with war sentiment, straying far from Claude’s actual intentions.

“—Now, I declare the second Senate meeting open.”

Finally, amid the heated public opinion, the Senate, which convened regularly every four years, was called to order.

In stark contrast to the excited senators, Claude, seated at the highest position, declared the opening of the Senate in an utterly flat tone.

……….

“Your Majesty Claude! Please attack the empire occupied by evil forces and liberate God’s servants!”

“First, you must declare an empire and become emperor! Only by confronting the Holy Empire as an equal empire can we ensure that the innocent people residing there won’t feel resistance!”

“What nonsense! Are you suggesting that His Majesty isn’t worthy of admiration from foreign subjects without the title of emperor?!”

Ugh… what a commotion.

Despite holding essentially the same opinion, they’re fiercely arguing over minor differences.

Well, these agenda items certainly have strong potential to provoke reactions.

“That’s an excessive exaggeration! What I mean is that the empire’s subjects, being uneducated, tend to obey only the prestige of rank, so an imperial title is absolutely necessary for effective governance of the empire!”

“Then shouldn’t we first attack the empire and reclaim the imperial throne from the Holy Empire’s emperor?”

“Pardon? Reclaim?”

“Of course it should be reclaimed! Since the emperor was captured, Claude has rightfully been the protector of the Canaan faith and emperor of this continent, yet that patricidal monster continues to usurp the imperial title!”

The discussions that should have dominated the Senate—taxation and exchanges between different social classes—were concluded as quickly as roasting beans over lightning, immediately moving on to the agenda of declaring war to liberate the suffering imperial citizens and the matter of imperial proclamation.

I never expected the taxation issue to be resolved so quickly.

Each social class would normally be most concerned about taxes taking away their property, so the speed with which this was concluded shows how important everyone considers the current agenda.

“What? Are you seriously proposing the terrible idea of offering His Majesty the imperial throne of the Holy Empire, which is stained with corruption, greed, and sin—”

“Enough.”

The chamber, which had been filled with loud voices hurting my ears just moments ago, immediately fell silent.

I didn’t even raise my voice—just slightly raised my hand and spoke normally—yet everyone understood and stopped immediately. They must have been paying close attention to my every move.

“First, let me clarify something. Why exactly should we wage war?”

“That would be… for Your Majesty’s glory, would it not?”

“Glory? My glory is already overflowing.”

The solemn chamber stirred at my response.

Everyone knew there had been many attempts to quell the war sentiment, but this was the first time I had made an anti-war statement in such an official setting.

The senators who had been leading the war sentiment just moments ago now stared at me with wide eyes, like watching a chicken soaring high into the sky.

“Moreover, some imperial territories are meant to be fiefs for the princes. I don’t wish to declare war and make it difficult for the princes to govern afterward. Above all, if the situation becomes serious, the treaty itself might be nullified.”

“Then what if we declare war again and force them to honor the treaty? Or we could include a clause demanding they fulfill the previous treaty while ceding territory to us.”

“Rather than going through such troublesome measures, it would be better to swallow the empire whole. Then this assembly would be filled with imperial nobles, clergy, and commoners as well—is that truly what you want?”

“…Ugh.”

The senators’ eyes widened at my response.

No matter how excessively loyal they might be to me, everyone gathered here is part of the establishment—senators who can legislate and discuss policies with the monarch.

And they understand very well that a senator’s power is inversely proportional to the number of senators. They immediately realized that if we were to absorb the empire and accept its local powers into the Senate, their own positions would plummet off a cliff.

“Why do you all look like that? According to common talk, the empire’s people are merely suffering under a misguided ruler, but are essentially no different from Lotharingians. If that’s the case, shouldn’t they rightfully receive equal senatorial positions?”

“That… Your Majesty’s opinion is correct.”

Unlike the general populace and nobility, the senators immediately fell silent at the prospect of having many new competitors for their seats.

Did they really cause all that commotion thinking I wouldn’t accept imperial nobles, clergy, and commoners into senatorial positions? Good grief.

“Then we’ll consider this matter closed. Is there any senator who wishes to put the matter of war to a vote?”

Since the authority to declare war rests solely with me, and I had publicly expressed negative opinions about war while also awakening the senators to reality, no objections were raised.

‘…I need to divert attention quickly.’

“I see none. Since the matter of war seems resolved, let’s move on to the next agenda item.”

Even though some nobles still radiated dissatisfaction, clearly willing to sacrifice their standing to push for war, I quickly concluded the war issue and moved on to the imperial matter.

“Emperor… Yes, this seems reasonable.”

“…Pardon?”

“Haven’t you all been making quite a commotion about proclaiming me emperor? I’ve been pondering it carefully… and it doesn’t seem like a bad idea.”

The senators who had been focused on the war issue just moments ago could no longer maintain that focus.

The imperial proclamation, which had been barely visible through the clouds, suddenly became a decided matter that dropped right before their eyes.

“…!”

What is an emperor?

Is it not the shield of faithful believers and a position that can be called the king of kings?

“Why do you all look so surprised? Isn’t this what you wanted?”

“Yes… yes… that’s right, Your Majesty.”

Most of them had not expected much based on my dry reactions to the imperial proclamation matter, and the backlash from those lowered expectations returned as a massive shock, mercilessly tearing through the senators’ minds.

…Fortunately, things are going as planned.

“Then let’s discuss the matter of imperial proclamation. First, shall we find reasons why I should become emperor?”

“As Your Majesty wishes.”

The assembly, which had been heated over the war issue just moments ago, was no longer so.

As if collectively struck from behind, they awkwardly shifted in their seats, simply nodding and agreeing to my question.