DSB 151

Mahan rushed toward the Empire accompanied by several carriages. Most of the carriages were loaded with Lebel’s belongings. It was absurd that he had brought so much luggage all the way to this distant place. In contrast, Mahan’s own luggage consisted of nothing more than a single small bundle.

Lebel asked if there were any important items, but he replied that what was right beside him was sufficient. There were also Yutis’s belongings in the carriages, but they were no match for Lebel’s. Yutis, too, acted as if bringing Lebel’s things was more important than his own.

“You must not let your guard down just because the weather in the Empire is warm. Here is the fur coat that the young madam cherished.”

“We have those in the Empire as well.”

“Isn’t the quality different? It shouldn’t just be pretty. It is the same now. That thickness is insufficient.”

Then, he finally rummaged through the luggage, pulled out an outer coat with a fleece lining, and wrapped it around Lebel.

“I heard that the imperial capital is still in disarray. You probably don’t have proper attendants. I will stay by your side.”

“Mahan, I am counting on you.”

“Yes. Just leave it to me.”

Lebel shrugged his shoulders as he watched Mahan and Yutis talking to each other about him.

Life in the Empire had become somewhat familiar. Although the influx of nobles every day was a nuisance, he could endure it if he viewed it as a process of settling in. In fact, those who had become central nobles were constantly watching Yutis’s every move.

Since most of them had essentially been given their positions through his appointment, they had no choice but to be cautious.

Just as Yutis had established himself as Emperor, Lebel managed internal affairs as Empress. Naturally, he came to command a vast number of people, and consequently, he attracted as much attention.

Warning of the new Emperor’s arrival, Lebel ruthlessly weeded out figures from the noble faction who were trying to plant their eyes within the imperial palace.

“Get rid of that one.”

“Yes, understood.”

They had not done anything to arouse suspicion, nor had they displayed any suspicious speech or behavior. Many members of the aristocratic faction were expelled for a mere greeting. Those expelled by a simple wave protested, but since those who had already adapted to the imperial palace and secured new positions had no complaints, no issues arose.

As always, Lebel operated strictly according to his own standards. He possessed a magnanimity that overlooked human mistakes or trivial pranks, but he retaliated when the line was crossed.

Yutis also spent busy days as Emperor.

While proceeding with the reconstruction of the capital, he provided compensation to those who had lost family members and accepted migrants into the ruined cities. Since the region was close to the North, they were primarily people from the North, marking the first step toward formal exchange between the Empire and the North.

Furthermore, Yutis’s father, Edmund, was promoted to Grand Duke as the lord representing the North. His duty became to protect the south from encroaching upon by demonic beasts.

The people of the Empire had also experienced the terror of demonic beasts firsthand. Moreover, as the North was home to a dragon known as a guardian deity, there was a general atmosphere of welcoming their integration. However, there were those who voiced opposition to Yutis’s actions.

“No matter how much it has fallen into ruin, it was originally a city of the Empire! To think you would accept people from the North there!”

“I know. But if people don’t live in the village, won’t it remain nothing more than abandoned land forever? Since few people leave their hometowns to migrate, I intend to accept everyone. Besides, the people of the North now belong to the Empire. Do you still intend to discriminate against them?”

Yutis let out a sigh and continued speaking.

“The byproducts of demonic beasts were well-received in other countries and were a great help in replenishing the depleted national treasury. No one is unaware of that.”

“But…”

“Or do you intend to leave several major cities abandoned in ruins? A city will only fulfill its proper role if people live in it. One of them is even a food supply zone for the Empire.”

“Therefore, we must be even more careful in selecting immigrants! Those who know cultivation methods and management techniques…!”

“I suppose I can pick one of you to take charge. A lord is necessary.”

A nobleman, who seemed to know exactly what Yutis was thinking, tried to intervene, but Yutis silenced him by tossing him a few crumbs. Moreover, Yutis’s aura, imbued with demonic energy, remained as overwhelming as ever.

The nobles would vehemently object, but when he coldly rebuked them, they would quietly bow their heads. He was a saint of the gods, a being possessing power beyond the realm of the human.

“Next is the discussion regarding taxes on the citizens who suffered damages from the war.”

Tension filled the meeting hall. Traditionally, the very last agenda item was the most important one.

“It is fortunate that the North has been incorporated into the Empire, so there is no longer any reason to discuss compensation. The lives of the people have been devastated by the reckless war preparations of the past few years. You all know this better than I do.”

“In that sense, if you could reduce the tax rate collected by the imperial famil​unauthorized copy​y even slightly…”

Yutis tapped the table with his fingers.

“If you lower the tax rate collected from the subjects for three years, I will accept your demands.”

“Then nothing changes!”

“Why wouldn’t it? I set a deadline, but you have no deadline. In the long run, your gains are significant.”

Since Yutis’s remarks were valid, the nobles hesitated, but they did not back down.

“We, too, paid enormous taxes to the imperial palace during the war!”

“Are you referring to this meager statement of account? It seems the Empire was even poorer than the North.”

At Yutis’s mockery, the nobles’ faces turned red.

“The imperial family is responsible for the war. That is why the imperial family personally provided compensation for the reconstruction of the capital and for the war victims. As nobles of the Empire, shouldn’t you also bear some responsibility?”

Yutis had become Emperor, but the nobles remained the same. Their interest lay solely in power, and they made no attempt to improve the lives of the people.

They shouted that they had faithfully paid their taxes, but their contribution was negligible. It seemed a separate investigation was needed to determine if they had actually paid the full amount they claimed. Selling just a single brooch adorning their clothes or a gem-studded ring would yield enough money to cover a year’s living expenses for a commoner family.

They seemed incapable of even considering [stolen content]the need to conceal the traces of their illicit activities. Yutis had to bear the brunt of the fallout from this rotten corruption.

There were certainly nobles known as the “imperial faction.” However, it was beyond their power to fix their mindset. They were few in number, and above all, their loyalty was not born of genuine sincerity but was closer to being forcibly drawn out under pressure.

Unless they faced direct harm, they would not go out of their way to confront the noble faction. Yutis sensed that arguments with the nobles would soon resume. Whenever this happened, he felt fortunate to have risen to this position.

At that moment, the doors to the hall burst open.

“H-His Majesty the Empress is here.”

It was Lebel who entered with a calm demeanor, completely out of place in the heated atmosphere of the meeting hall. Without giving a single glance to the nobles, he approached Yutis.

“What is bothering you that the meeting is dragging on? Are those people bothering you?”

At those words, the nobles’ faces turned even paler than when they had faced Yutis. They bowed their heads, barely able to breathe.

“My wife, what brings you here?”

“You’re late. I came to pick you up while I was at it.”

“Ah… so it’s already this late.”

Yutis furrowed his brow and clicked his tongue.

“If you just wait a little longer…”

“Never mind. Was that the one who was just shouting?”

Lebel pointed at a noble with the tip of his chin. The noble, who had been shouting just moments ago, was now trembling so much that his chair was shaking.

“Let’s see.”

Yutis unhesitatingly handed the contents of the proposal to Lebel. The latter quickly skimmed through the document on the spot.

It is troublesome that humans cannot live like decent human beings without money. If they were demons, it wouldn’t be strange for them to hand over everything they possessed to Yutis due to the logic of power.

“Funds again? Shall I help you?”

“It is alright. Please use that for your own sake. It is now their turn to make concessions.”

Yutis’s cold gaze swept over the nobles. Especially those who had opposed the proposal, citing the poor state of their estates. Lebel remained silent for a moment. Just then, something stirred beneath him.

“Hmm… I heard gambling dens are famous in the west.”

As soon as those words were spoken, the noble who had been opposing until just moments ago jumped to his feet and shouted.

“I-I agree with His Majesty’s proposal!”

The mention of gambling dens coming from the Empress [Read on]was by no means a good sign. It was better to wrap things up appropriately before any further complications arose.

“Count Ansen?”

His fellow nobles glanced at him, but he made an effort to look away.

Lebel was infinitely generous to those who kept their distance, but merciless to those who crossed it. The reason the nobles feared Lebel even more than Yutis was simple.

He would dig up things that someone wanted to hide–secrets that absolutely must not be revealed–using methods unknown to anyone, and display them with a nonchalant expression, just as he was doing now. And without fail, the downfall of a family followed those words.

Therefore, they had no choice but to be careful with their conduct.

Count Morwin, who used to run a large merchant guild, was caught engaging in the slave trade with other nations while the Empire was in turmoil. It was Lebel who discovered this.