episode_0161

Byzantion, the capital of the Kingdom of Nicaea.

There, Agrippa and William live a busy life every day.

He saved the face of the Nicaeans who lost the war, and explained the punishment for King Ioannes’ treason so that the Nicaean nobles would not be harmed.

He maintained security to prevent any revolt by the citizens of Byzantine, and exterminated all but the ringleader of the mercenary group that killed King Ioannes.

Thanks to this, the evaluation of William and Agrippa, who saved the Nicene people’s face and held a grand funeral for Ioannes, is not the worst.

“Somehow, it was resolved.”

Agrippa spoke and William nodded.

“Nothing major will happen for a while.”

Of course, I don’t know what will happen when the news is announced that the Angelos family will be stripped of the Kingdom of Nicaea, but the current situation in Byzantium is not that bad.

at that time.

-smart!

[An emergency report has arrived from Thessalonica.]

Agrippa and William’s heads turn at the sound coming from outside.

‘Emergency report? In Thessalonica?’

Currently, the nobles are still watching the eastern part of Nicaea lukewarmly, so they are watching carefully, but in Thessalonica, which is to the west, there are not many problems that can cause problems, so the two feel suspicious.

Agrippa tells the messenger to come in.

“Ask them to come in.”

-Squeak!

Agrippa and William can’t help but sigh as they see the messenger bleeding here and there with abrasions.

Just by looking at that picture, you can guess what is going on in Thessalonica…

“Sabinelli led 60,000 troops and attacked Thessalonica… and captured it.”

However, what the messenger reported went far beyond what the two people imagined.

“What… what?! How can a castle wall be so thick that it can withstand 100,000 degrees?”

“What does that mean? Come on, tell me in detail.”

Agrippa is also embarrassed and urges the messenger, and the messenger sheds tears and looks at Agrippa and William with venomous eyes and says:

“Nicaea people rioted at night and opened the gates, but they tried to stop them somehow. There were too many numbers, so in the end…”

Agrippa and William speak with bewildered eyes as they see the messenger crying and unable to continue speaking.

“Didn’t you send scouts to patrol the surrounding area?”

“No, aren’t the citizens of Thessalonica unarmed? But how?”

The messenger answers those words.

“Well… I don’t know much about the skirmishers, but the citizens of Thessalonica raided the armory, armed themselves, and created unrest in the city. So, while they were there to stop the unrest, the gates were taken away by the hidden rioters…”

Seeing the messenger speaking hesitantly, both of them can’t control their anger and shout.

“That’s it! Are you calling this an excuse?!”

“What happened to the soldiers in the castle?!”

The soldier cannot respond to the shouts of the two men.

“I don’t know. I just did as I was ordered…”

-bang!

“Does that make sense?!”

William, furious, shouts.

“Hurry and put that guy in jail!”

At William’s shout, the soldiers outside the door come in and drag the messenger toward the prison.

“Phew… I’m sorry. Commander Agrippa.”

Agrippa waves his hand at William’s words and says:

“No. How could you have predicted this situation?”

“The problem arose because I assigned a worthless guy as commander.”

“It has already passed. We must occupy Thessalonica as soon as possible. If we leave it like this, most of Adria will fall.”

William nods his head at those words.

“Understood, I will go and capture Savinelli.”

At those words, Agrippa shakes his head and says:

“No. I will go. Haven’t you already accumulated a lot of military merit?”

“No, you occupied Byzantium and got a higher major than me.”

Two people tell each other that they will go.

Both men think it would be more comfortable on the battlefield than in complex domestic affairs.

That’s right… It’s been a long time since both of us have been able to sleep properly due to Devian’s crazy workload from the capital.

“No. I only got a spoon for Sir William’s military service. I will go.”

After several hours of heated discussion, it was confirmed that Agrippa would go to Thessalonica.

***

So time passes.

“Your Majesty, here is the document you sent signed by the king and nobles of the imperial faction.”

Take the paper handed by Lewis and check the contents.

“Hmm…”

It makes me smile to know that with this, the Emperor faction has become my support base.

“Hehe, I confirmed it. If the bill is passed by Congress, I will exercise my veto.”

Lewis nods his head at my words.

“Yes. Please take a look. Your Majesty.”

I nod my head at what Lewis said.

“Am, I swore loyalty to Jim. Of course, I have to protect you.”

I am satisfied that this gives us one means of keeping Debian in check.

“Then I’ll just leave.”

I nod my head at those words.

“Let’s take a look.”

“Yes.”

Louis retreats like that.

As soon as the living room door closes, I become lost in thought.

He probably doesn’t know that I embraced the imperial faction, right?

His personality is meticulous, but seeing as there has been no checks so far, I think he really doesn’t know what’s going on.

If I had known that I was making the Emperor faction my force, I would have interfered in some way.

With that in mind, I take a sip of tea and get lost in thought.

Even if I gain the Emperor faction, I still don’t have enough people to follow me.

When any problem arises. I need people to give me advice on the matter.

Of course, I have my maternal grandfather and mother now, but they are not up to the level of Debian.

Debian himself is an outstanding genius, but there are more than one person who follows him.

First of all, Agrippa, Victor, and Mary, who are talented people from the Grand Duchy, as well as Müller and Lucius, who were acquired while performing the duties of the Grand Duchy.

and other Ministers of the 5th Department.

It’s too lacking to compare to him.

First of all, I… It’s hard to say that it’s better than Debian.

It’s been a while since the war ended, so it’s time for a little rest…

When I see them working late in their rooms, I feel that their effort and responsibility are truly remarkable.

Plus… how much did Finance Minister Frank like that the report from the recent Cabinet meeting showed that there was an increase in tax revenue last quarter?

On the other hand… I…

I think he suits the emperor better than me.

Can you beat him?

Although I became depressed at such thoughts, I clenched my fists and decided to think positive thoughts.

no! you can do it!

Debian is said to be a genius, but it is not perfect.

There are more people who hate Debian, and those who are pressured by his power and have no choice but to follow him.

It might be worth a try if I embrace people who hate Debian.

Chairman Charles and my mother also told me.

An emperor must select good people, but he must not rely on others for politics.

therefore. Don’t think it’s already impossible.

Yes, the situation is definitely not worse than before.

In the past, there was no one on my side, but now I have my own power.

That’s how you gain courage.

***

-smart

“Who?”

A familiar voice comes to me.

[Empress Dowager.]

I speak to the head maid’s voice.

“Please come in.”

The door opens and the head maid comes in, bows and speaks.

“I have obtained the aphrodisiac you mentioned last time.”

“Is this really true?”

I speak with my voice trembling in response to the calm voice of the maid.

“Yes, it was finally completed after requesting it from the Alchemist Guild.”

“Oh…”

The head maid comes in front of me and places a small leather pouch on the tea table.

“It is said to have no side effects and is a medicine favored by many nobles.”

“Ah…”

Looking at the aphrodisiac, conflict arises within me once again.

Is this really true as a mother?

No matter how important the empire is… Is it morally and ethically right to give your son-in-law an aphrodisiac…

That moment.

I feel the Ian and Rene I saw in my dream calling to me.

A dream about my lovely granddaughter, Renee, from before.

[Grandma, what is the name of this flower?]

Renee, who looks about 6 years old, with an innocent smile on her face, holds a white ajax flower in her granddaughter’s cute fern hand.

[This is an Ajax flower.]

When I said that, Rene took some beautiful flowers and made a wreath…

[grandma! This is my grandmother’s.]

Put it on my head.

iced coffee…

How cute is Ian?

[Grandma!, Grandma! Dad keeps harassing me!]

When his son-in-law tried to scold him for not doing his homework, Ian ran away to his room.

I remember my cute grandson hiding under the hem of my skirt, shivering as if he was scared of my son-in-law…

It’s so cute, right?

“Keuhm… When can I feed this to my son-in-law?”

“I asked the person in charge of His Majesty the Archduke’s meals… It seems difficult now because the Grand Duke’s maids are maintaining a calm relationship with His Majesty the Grand Duke and the royal family.”

Ah… I can’t… I need to feed him quickly…

I want to see Ian and Renee so much that I say this as if urging them on.

“Is there no way?”

“That…”

I feel depressed seeing the head maid unable to answer.

“Mama, I heard that an improvement ceremony will be held soon. At that time, Kimi’s attendant would not be able to check all the food in the banquet hall. Why not aim for that time?”

iced coffee…

At those words, I nod with a bright smile.

“Okay, I understand. I will only trust you.”

“Yes, please believe me. Mama.”