He Became The Most Insane Emperor Of All Time [EN]: Chapter 133

Becoming the Greatest Crazy Emperor – Episode 133

Becoming the Greatest Crazy Emperor 133

The age of pioneering is undoubtedly an age of hardship.

But it was also an era where life felt vibrant and full of possibilities.

“Giddy up! Drive them that way!”

Doo-doo-doo-doo-!

The vast, untamed prairies and wastelands of the Western Territory are home to both dangerous magical beasts and animals that can be domesticated, like bison.

And right now, I was fully embracing my inner Western cowboy.

Of course, I didn’t have weapons like revolvers; at best, I had a magic-triggered pistol that could only fire one shot per minute.

The clothes I was wearing were also far from those of a Western cowboy, leaning more towards distinctly medieval attire.

“Haha! Silver’s having fun too, right?”

-Woof! Woof!

But there was a certain charm to this in its own way.

Riding the giant wolf Silver across the expansive prairie and herding cattle gave me a sense of liberation.

“Whoa there! Everyone, get inside the fence now!”

-Woof! Woof!

After herding the cattle, I guided them into a ranch in a nearby frontier settlement.

Settlers were working hard on the ranch today as well.

“Thank you always, sir.”

“It’s nothing much.”

About half a year after I started helping Golak, the development of the Western Territory was progressing smoothly, and the settlers had more breathing room than ever before.

“No, sir. We’re always getting help while you stay in the village. I baked a pie here; would you like some?”

“I will. Looks delicious.”

I took a bite of the apple pie offered by the kind settler woman who called me ‘sir’ and looked around the ranch.

One surprising thing was that there weren’t only humans on this ranch.

“Keh, the smell of cow dung is always awful!”

“Lunch is coming up if we work a little harder. Cheer up, Goblin Squad. This time, I’ll make you a meat dish with butter.”

“Wow, exciting!”

There were also Greenskins [goblins or orcs, depending on the context].

In short, goblins were cleaning up cow dung or helping with all sorts of miscellaneous farming and ranch work.

“They’re adapting surprisingly quickly.”

I had somewhat intended to encourage interaction with the Greenskins, but it was surprisingly well-received without much resistance.

Of course, at first, there was some resistance to ‘exchanging’ with Golak’s Greenskin kingdom.

However, the harsh environment of the West 오히려 accelerated their exchange.

“Sir! The village militia is fighting a giant magical beast!”

“Alright, I’m going right away!”

At the news hastily delivered by a young man from the village, I immediately rode Silver again and dashed out of the frontier village.

-Krooooaaar!

“Aim for the left! The right flank, fall back!”

In the distance, I could see the village militia fighting a giant worm-like magical beast, a Giant Worm.

Leading them was Igrid, who had been staying here with me for a while.

And those she commanded were a village militia comprised of both humans and Greenskins.

“Waaaah! For blood and glory!”

“Come on! Magical beast! I’ll show you the power of the Greenskins!”

The Greenskins, mainly composed of Orcs, were able to easily stand at the front lines thanks to their superior physique compared to humans.

Thanks to that, the militia’s strength was far superior to other parts of the Empire. It’s almost unfair to compare it to villages where only humans live in the first place.

Anyway, thanks to them being ’employed’ as villagers or village security personnel, the defense capabilities of the settlers rose dramatically.

This is how the exchange with the Greenskins took place.

Humans teach the Greenskins economic principles, various knowledge, and technology, and the Greenskins lend their strength and manpower in return.

“No reason to just watch; let’s lend a hand.”

[Blade Whip Deployed]

[Multiple Shadow Blades Deployed]

Shoosh shoo shook! Chwaaaak!

-Kieeeek?

The Giant Worm, which had been rampaging against the militia, was bound by Silver Rose, which had turned into a blade whip, and shadow blades.

Chwaaajajajajajak!

And then, ‘tighten’.

Silver Rose and the shadow blades chopped the Giant Worm into pieces.

“Hey, Igrid. Did I interfere unnecessarily?”

“……No. But the warriors could have caught it on their own.”

“Oops, looks like I got in the way a bit.”

Igrid’s warriors, that is, the village militiamen, were impressed by the sight of me instantly dicing the Giant Worm, but Igrid had a slightly dissatisfied expression.

“Well, I’ll buy you a drink to make you feel better. Everyone, I’m treating today!”

“Wow! Lord Shadow! Hooray!”

While the militiamen were all happy with my declaration, I took Igrid’s hand.

“Now, let’s go too.”

“Ah, okay…….”

Igrid, who had been strict until just now, became a little more docile, perhaps because she felt a little better that I was treating.

And as promised, I headed to the village’s humble tavern.

It wasn’t appropriate to drink inside with the village militiamen, so I bought some 술 [Korean for “alcohol” or “liquor”] and food with Igrid and came outside to drink separately.

“Hoo, living here isn’t so bad. Ah, is it a bit boring for you?”

“……No, it’s not.”

“Really? That’s unexpected. I thought you’d want a bigger adventure.”

“That’s true, but…….”

Igrid trailed off, looking at me.

Today, Igrid’s eyes, which had been strong, looked a little tender. Is it because the alcohol is kicking in?

“……There’s another reason besides that.”

“What is it?”

“I won’t tell you.”

“Ah, I’m disappointed, hahaha.”

Igrid seemed to be hiding something for no reason, but I didn’t bother to pry. Even friends have secrets, right?

“More than that, can you keep staying like this?”

“Huh? What’s wrong with staying like this?”

“Well, you’re the Empire’s…….”

Igrid trailed off.

It seemed like she was thinking that someone might hear.

“Well, doing this now is also a kind of official duty.”

I answered jokingly, but it wasn’t a lie at all.

The structure I had envisioned in the Western Territory was created while 정리 [organizing/settling] the affairs between Golak and the Greenskins.

But the essence of that work is to make sure that the development of the Western Territory is properly 이루어지게 [carried out/achieved].

So, I had to watch directly like this for at least half a year.

Of course, is it okay for the Emperor to leave the Imperial Palace for so long? Isn’t it 새삼스러운 [something new/out of the blue] to be 따지는 [nitpicking/questioning] that now?

“You can’t know if the 신민 [subjects/citizens] are actually living well just by looking at documents in the Imperial Palace.”

“You care about that, even though you’re in a 신분 [status/position] that doesn’t need to.”

“Well, it’s also because I like 돌아다니는 [wandering/roaming] outside.”

I gave that answer and looked at the western sky as the sun set.

“But it’s about time to go back.”

Even now, several calls for 귀환 [return] were coming.

In particular, the Pope wanted to meet me, but it seemed like Mirror, who was 구르고 [toiling/struggling] in my place at the Imperial Palace, couldn’t handle it, so I should go back soon.

“Hey, Igrid.”

“Hmm?”

“I’m going back now; would you like to go back with me? Ah, I’m not 강요하는 [forcing/coercing]. You said you wanted to do more adventures as a 용병 [mercenary]…….”

Igrid might not have fun if she followed me for no reason.

“I’ll follow you.”

“Really?”

Igrid smiled happily, as if she was glad I asked, and continued.

“It seems like adventures won’t stop if I follow you.”

Igrid’s 모습 [appearance/figure] looked different from usual.

* * *

“Ugh…… Will I be able to 알현 [have an audience with] His Majesty today?”

Leobrant III, the Pope of the Imperial Church, was 전전긍긍 [anxious/restless] in the Imperial Palace.

For the past few months, he had been trying to 알현 [have an audience with] the Emperor for urgent matters, but he had not been able to meet him.

For some reason, the Emperor had 계속 거부 [continuously refused] his audience under the pretext of being ‘바쁘다는 [busy]’.

“It’s difficult……. The Imperial Church is in danger of 분열되어버릴 [splitting apart].”

Of course, the Purification Order has already 떨어져나간 [broken away/separated].

The remaining Courage, Justice, Prosperity, and Mystery Orders are also in danger of 갈라져나갈 [splitting away] from the Pope’s leadership.

Ironically, this happened as the Empire, which had been 쇠락 [declining], overcame the recent civil war and 명운 [destiny] was shining.

“Damn guys…… At times like this, we should be 찬양 [praising] the Emperor’s 위업 [great achievements]. 같잖은 교단독립이나 읊다니 [spouting nonsense about denominational independence]…….”

The Pope 욕 [cursed/swore at] the archbishops of each 하부교단 [sub-denomination].

Unlike the Pope, who knows that the Emperor is clearly God’s 대리인 [representative], the archbishops were trying to 깎아내리려 [belittle/undermine] his 위업 [great achievements].

Of course, the Pope 코웃음을 치면서도 [scoffed at] that ridiculous act, but he was worried.

He was worried that they would 떨어져나가는 [break away] from the Papal States, but he was also worried that they might 잘못들어서 [get on the wrong side of] the Emperor’s eyes and 당하면 피의 숙청이라도 [face a bloody purge].

No, 숙청이면 차라리 다행이다 [a purge would be a relief].

“감히 To the 대리인 of God…… I’m worried about 천벌이라도 받으면 어떡하려고 [what if they receive divine punishment]…….”

“Your Holiness.”

“으아앗 [Eek]!”

The Pope, who was 혼잣말 [talking to himself] in the 복도 [corridor] of the Imperial Palace, was 화들짝 놀랐다 [startled] at the 시녀 [maid]’s words.

“His Majesty has 허락하셨습니다 알현 [granted an audience].”

“Oh, really. Finally.”

The Pope 황급히 정돈 복색하고 알현을 준비했다 [hurriedly tidied his clothes and prepared for the audience].

‘황궁 시녀…… 듣기로는 황태후 전하께서 첩보원으로 부린다는 소문을 들었는데 [Imperial Palace maids… I’ve heard rumors that the Empress Dowager uses them as spies]…….’

잠깐 시녀의 뒤를 따라가며 잡생각을 하던 그는 잠시 후 소(小) 알현실의 문을 지났다 [Lost in thought as he followed the maid, he soon passed through the door of the small audience chamber].

지금처럼 간소한 알현을 할 때 이용하는 곳이라 근위병을 물린 상태였고, 황제는 근엄하게 왕좌에 앉아 있었다 [Since this place was used for simple audiences like this, the guards were dismissed, and the Emperor sat solemnly on the throne].

“폐하, 실로 오랜만이옵니다 [Your Majesty, it has been a long time indeed].”

“그렇군. 내 지난 몇 년간 바빠서 만나지 못했네. 서운하게 했다면 미안하군 [Indeed. I have been busy these past few years and haven’t been able to meet you. I apologize if I have made you feel neglected].”

“아, 아닙니다, 폐하 [Ah, no, Your Majesty].”

교황은 서운할 틈도 없이 ‘신의 대리자’인 황제를 만난 게 황송하다는 태도로 일관했다 [The Pope maintained an attitude of being overwhelmed to meet the Emperor, the ‘representative of God’, without even having time to feel neglected].

“그런데 나를 만나고자 한 이유는 무언가 [But what is the reason you wished to meet me]?”

“그것이 말이옵니다만…… [That is to say]…….”

교황은 곧 황제에게 자신과 교황청이 처한 상황을 말하려고 했다 [The Pope was about to tell the Emperor about the situation he and the Papal States were in].

하지만 무언가 강렬한 위화감을 느끼곤 잠시간 황제를 힐끔힐끔 쳐다보았다 [But feeling a strong sense of unease, he glanced at the Emperor for a moment].

“왜 그리 날 쳐다보는가? 내 얼굴에 무언가가 묻었나 [Why are you staring at me like that? Is there something on my face]?”

“아, 저 그것이…… 그, 조금 위화감이 든다고나 할지 [Ah, well, it’s just that… I feel a little uneasy, perhaps]…….”

‘늘 격식 없이 말하던 황제와는 다르다 [This is different from the Emperor who always spoke informally].’

혹은 무언가 다른 사람 같은 위화감이 든다는 말을 최대한 돌려서 말하려고 했었다 [Or rather, he was trying to put it as subtly as possible that he felt a sense of unease as if he were a different person].

“내가 다른 사람 같다고 [That I seem like a different person]?”

“앗, 그, 그것이 아니오라…… [Ah, no, that’s not what I meant]…….”

황제의 대답에 교황은 식은땀을 뻘뻘 흘렸다 [The Pope was sweating profusely at the Emperor’s reply].

황제에게 감히 그런 말을 해선 안 되는 일인데, 교황은 자신이 뭐가 씌었나 싶은 생각이 들었다 [He shouldn’t have dared to say such a thing to the Emperor, and the Pope wondered if he was possessed by something].

“……대단한데? 어떻게 알았지 [……Impressive. How did you know]?”

“네 [Huh]?”

그런데 황제는 뭔가 기괴한 대답을 돌려주었다 [But the Emperor gave a strange answer].

“여, 교황. 신성력이 없더니 대신 신통력이라도 생겼나 [Hey, Pope. Did you gain some kind of divine power since you don’t have divine strength]?”

그리고 등 뒤에서 누군가의 목소리가 들렸다 [And then he heard someone’s voice from behind].

황제의 목소리와 똑같은 [The same as the Emperor’s voice].

“어? 어 [Huh? Huh]?”

그리고 그 뒤엔 정말로 황제와 똑같은 사람이 있었다 [And behind him was indeed a person identical to the Emperor].

“놀랐지 [Surprised]?”

“어, 어떻게 된…… [H-How is this]…….”

교황은 황제가 두 명이란 사실에 소스라치게 놀랄 수밖에 없었다 [The Pope couldn’t help but be startled by the fact that there were two Emperors].

“놀라지 마, 집에 돌아왔을 뿐이니까 [Don’t be surprised; I’ve just returned home].”

황제는 그리 말하면서 입을 떡하니 벌린 교황을 지나서, 도플갱어인 미러가 앉아 있는 왕좌로 향했다 [As he said that, the Emperor passed the Pope, who was gaping, and headed for the throne where his doppelganger, Mirror, was sitting].

그리고 그 대신 왕좌에 앉은 그가 말했다 [And he, sitting on the throne instead, said].

“그래, 황제인 나에게 고할 일이 뭐지 [So, what is it that you wish to tell me, the Emperor]?”

오랜만의 귀환이었다 [It was a long-awaited return].