Ch.266To the Edge of the Cliff (6)

“All instigators and those incited by them must face severe legal consequences, and simultaneously, we must not distribute the gains from this war to the people.”

[…I understand the first part, but what’s the reason for the latter?]

“It’s because they believe that wars will always be won and that winning wars brings them benefits. That’s why they clamor for war so desperately. We need to erase such notions first… That’s my opinion, what do you think?”

[Ex…cellent. Hmm. I’m moved to see you’ve grown so admirably already.]

“Thank you, Father.”

What should I call this… radical, perhaps?

Of course, Claudia’s words are correct. Until now, I’ve used not only taxes but also all gains from wars to run the state, which naturally benefited the people.

They say that where there’s war, there’s wealth. Such sayings reveal how the people of Lotaring currently view my policies.

They don’t fear war; rather, they greatly desire it.

‘…This isn’t right.’

Based on my judgment that common people would suffer during wartime, I’ve implemented policies to minimize harm to citizens during conflicts and established support funds to recover from war damages.

Moreover, since we always win wars with favorable terms, people no longer properly consider the shock of defeat or the fallen soldiers.

In other words, these facts have merged to make people no longer fear war.

This is obviously not good and such customs should be eliminated… but Claudia’s proposal is too radical.

What people hate most is having something given and then taken away, isn’t it? If we completely erase all the pro-civilian war policies we’ve implemented so far, it will certainly provoke fierce resistance.

Above all, oppressing citizens during wartime to instill fear of war is far too unreasonable.

…Alright.

“I am in the presence of His Imperial Majesty. I’ve prepared a bath for you, as you must be tired from your long journey.”

“Thank you. However, I have matters to attend to first, so wait a moment.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Then I’ll have to find another route to make people realize the fear of war. Historically, the most effective tools for anti-war movements were testimonies from veterans and civilian victims, weren’t they?

Of course, I must first deal with those who make a mockery of the law.

……….

“It was a good opportunity, wasn’t it? Why on earth did you refuse?”

Meanwhile, the Duke of the Empire, who had attended a matchmaking meeting arranged by Claude, listens to his parents’ resentful lamentations.

The opportunity to marry a princess from a powerful nation wouldn’t come easily, yet this foolish son kicked away such a good chance of his own accord.

“Don’t tell me it’s because the princess’s maternal lineage is inferior? If you truly thought that, what foolishness—”

“…That’s not it.”

The duke’s heir dismisses his father’s words with a single sentence.

Refusing marriage because the princess’s maternal lineage is inferior? Anyone who thinks that way would be an unparalleled fool.

What does it matter if her maternal lineage is inferior? Her paternal lineage is the Emperor who reigns over this era.

She’s not an unacknowledged illegitimate child; she was recognized as a member of the imperial family from birth and raised as a princess. Her manners and education are impeccable. Anyone who would say otherwise deserves a slap across the face as self-defense.

“Then what? What was so displeasing? Why on earth did you reject such a beautiful princess that anyone would desire?”

Above all, attractive children of powerful figures are rare, so the Duke who arranged the meeting cannot understand why his son rejected such a good prospect.

“…Her personality.”

“Her personality? What about it?”

“She felt no goodwill toward me whatsoever.”

“Aish… you fool! That’s how all first meetings are!”

The Duke loudly scolds his son for his naive answer.

Of course, destined couples might fall in love at first sight.

But that’s exceptional, and most men and women don’t feel goodwill toward each other when they first meet. If he rejected the match over something so trivial, it was truly a foolish act.

“…It’s not like that. She didn’t have even the minimum goodwill that one person should naturally have toward another.”

“What do you mean?”

“In short, she looked at me as if I were an animal wandering the streets.”

The man who had been scolding his son until just now can no longer continue.

This is not simply a joke.

He is speaking earnestly, recounting what happened without adding or subtracting any emotion.

“At first, I thought the princess was joking. But she wasn’t. Like a weed one might find while walking, or an insect, the princess was looking not only at me but at others with such eyes.”

“…Could it have been your imagination?”

“I wished it was, but it wasn’t. From the moment we met, the princess wanted the match to fail. To ensure I wouldn’t misunderstand, she even confirmed it verbally.”

The heir makes a complex expression mixed with various emotions as he recalls meeting Claudia, and the Duke is momentarily struck speechless.

What can he say when his son, who met the princess directly, felt this way?

“Ahem… well, couldn’t you still have a marriage in name only, benefiting strategically, and then each marry someone you love?”

“No. Why would the Emperor and Princess of Lotaring, who wield hegemony, need a strategic marriage? What the Emperor of Lotaring wants is simply a husband who can live happily with the princess, and what the princess wants is also a husband who can live happily with her. Judging by her attitude toward me, the princess must already have a man in mind.”

—Or she has no intention of marrying at all.

With the heir’s final words tinged with lamentation, the room that had been filled with anger just moments ago completely sinks into a chilly atmosphere.

……….

“Your Majesty! Your Majesty!”

“Please spare me! If you spare my life, I’ll do anything for Your Majesty!”

“I have always been loyal to Your Majesty!!”

Ugh… how noisy.

After recklessly inciting the volunteer army and turning citizens into uncontrollable mobs, why do they have so much to say?

At least that Rudolf fellow stopped his incitement immediately after hearing my words. These people didn’t even pretend to listen and acted as they pleased.

“I… used all my strength for Your Majesty! The wicked Emperor of the Empire poisoned Your Majesty—”

“Enough! What poison are you talking about?!”

“—ugh…”

At my thundering voice, the square that had been noisy with many voices instantly falls silent.

…If only it were always like this.

“I was truly ill then, but didn’t I recover quickly? As subjects and citizens, instead of worrying about your sovereign when he falls ill, you tried to commit murder. I truly doubt your loyalty to me.”

“My, my loyalty is sincere! I have always looked up to and served Your Majesty!”

“…Yes, that may be so.”

“Then—!”

“But what of it? Does loyalty to your sovereign mean you can break the law?”

As my final words end, the faces of the criminals on the scaffold instantly change color.

…Wait, did they really think that if they were loyal to me, they could break the law to some extent?

“You have broken many laws. Using loyalty as a pretext, you committed murder, looting, arson, and assault as a baseline. You also violated laws prohibiting private armies, armed riots, unprovoked engagement with foreign countries, killing of prisoners, and even disobeyed imperial edicts—you’ve committed countless illegal acts.”

“But, but! That was to eliminate Your Majesty’s enemies—”

“I choose my enemies. Not you.”

After finishing my sentence, I look around. The eyes of all the citizens gathered in the square are directed at me.

…Most of those gazes probably belong to people who committed the crimes I just mentioned. I should make sure they understand clearly.

“Were you truly loyal to me in the first place? Or did you just use me as a convenient tool to justify your evil deeds?”

“No, no! Truly not!”

“Proceed with the execution. We seem to have said all that needs to be said.”

“Please, please—!”

At my signal, the attendant beside me swiftly lowers the red flag he had been holding up, and simultaneously, the sharp blades suspended above the criminals’ necks fall down with a thud.

…Though I’ve seen this scene many times since becoming a sovereign, I still haven’t grown accustomed to it. My stomach churns.

Well, that’s actually fortunate.

If one becomes accustomed to the sight of death, one might start to take human life lightly.