He Became The Most Insane Emperor Of All Time [EN]: Chapter 216

Became the Crazy Emperor – Episode 216

“This is the Ratmen’s warp gate… Well, for this planetary scale, it’s quite a level of technology.”

When the warp gate dismantled in the north was brought to the capital, Ambassador James commented with a ‘not bad?’ kind of tone.

“Is this common in the Human Federation?”

“It’s not just common, it’s quite primitive. I mean, we have a transdimensional alliance system, so would we even notice a warp function within this planet?”

“I suppose so.”

At the level of those playing on a dimensional scale, not just a global one, this might be insignificant.

“It’s just that in this ‘Game of Gods,’ technical knowledge is restricted by the rules, so even this is appreciated. Hmph, if there were no restrictions, a single space fleet could occupy this kind of planet.”

“You sure say creepy things so casually.”

“Oh, don’t worry. Even if that happens, His Majesty’s throne will remain intact.”

“Stop with the nonsense and talk about the work I entrusted to you.”

The work entrusted to the allied Human Federation was naturally internal affairs.

Of course, it wasn’t just them; I was also working with Sarah in many ways to quickly advance our tech.

“Things are going smoothly in many ways. As you can see, the capital, Augsburg, is growing daily, and factories are being built everywhere. Rather, there’s concern about growing pains due to excessive growth.”

“Growing pains, huh… You’re not going to completely destroy the rural areas, are you?”

This is similar to the modernization process. No, it’s not just similar, it’s almost exactly the same.

Except that various elements are replaced with magic instead of science, making the conditions much more favorable.

For example, even if there’s no nitrogen fertilizer in this world, the spirit magic (…cough) plundered from the Elven Kingdom can replace it to some extent.

Steam engine? It’s difficult to do with science, but if you mix in some magic or spirit magic, it’s easy, right?

However, the areas that are not easily resolved are still the economic aspects.

“Why wouldn’t it be? Building factories to increase productivity is good. But factories need workers, right? Oh, but the empire is a complete agrarian society? Good heavens, who should we bring in as workers?”

“Of course, we need to turn farmers into workers. But we can’t completely destroy the rural areas.”

I didn’t want to see the empire become like England during the Industrial Revolution. Excessive or rapid industrialization inevitably leads to that.

“Well, we know that too. But the easiest and fastest way is for the people to become the foundation of that modernization. Frankly, other methods are just compromises in efficiency.”

“If there’s no compromise, I’ll have to reconsider collaborating with you. However, I know that sacrifice is inevitable. Try to adjust to a reasonable level. It would be good to actively accept Sarah’s opinions.”

I worried that in a few hundred years, red ideologies [communistic ideologies] might circulate here as well.

Of course, I won’t be in this world by then, so it might be obvious that such an ideology will arise…

But there’s no need to create it right now, so I ordered a slowdown.

“Are you sure? I’m fine with taking it slow, but the longer the empire has to endure hardship.”

“That’s something I and my people will endure together.”

Unfortunately, it’s not something I can handle alone. If it could be solved by me swinging my sword more, I would have done it already. No, I’m already doing it, in a way.

“Besides, maintaining traditions a bit more isn’t necessarily a bad thing in this situation.”

Someday, everything in the empire will change due to technological advancements.

For example, let’s start with the conscription method. The empire has traditionally ‘recruited’ soldiers when needed.

But this recruitment is quite arbitrary. In principle, mercenaries were hired or professional soldiers were recruited with salaries.

But even this was mixed with feudal customs because the empire’s governing structure was severely damaged when I took power.

So, except for the central army directly under my command, all the local armies were ruled by lords and vassals, and most of them were conscripted farmers.

If the empire was in proper shape, it wouldn’t have been like that, but it was on the verge of collapse, so it was like that. So, what about now?

Yeah, still conscripting farmers.

Instead of the lords exploiting them as ‘labor’ without paying a penny, they are now properly paid, which is the only difference.

In addition, armor and weapons that had to be prepared at their own expense are now properly provided… Naturally, enormous military expenditures are incurred.

Where did all that money come from? Where else, I earned it all back. I also shook down the pockets of the nobles who had been purged as if dividing the empire in half, and mainly extorted from the elves…

“But if farmers disappear overnight, there will be no one to conscript. That’s problematic in many ways. It’s also impossible to bring in skilled workers from the factories.”

The latter overwhelmingly raises more children among urban factory workers and rural farmers.

Which is more valuable as a conscription resource? Again, the latter. Well, there’s the issue of more or less education, but the number of the latter is overwhelmingly larger.

It’s hard to understand in modern society, but this world, being a pre-modern agrarian society, is exactly like that.

But if we need modernization and industrialization right now, are we going to completely wipe out the rural areas? Then who are we going to send to the battlefield with swords? Who will give birth to those people? And who will raise the wheat and cattle that will become military rations?

“So, it’s a strategic decision in its own way. Well, that’s good. Now that I know His Majesty’s intentions, I have no complaints either.”

Ambassador James, who finally agreed to my words, waved his cane around and added.

“But Your Majesty, about the dark knights we recently recruited.”

“What about them?”

“They’ve been doing quite impressive things lately.”

“Impressive things?”

What, are those guys doing something without my permission? Could it be betrayal?

“Oh, it’s not betrayal or anything like that… It’s just that I doubt they received His Majesty’s permission.”

“What is it?”

Ambassador James smiled and said.

“Proselytizing. They’ve been spreading their faith…”

These bastards?

* * *

Regardless of East or West, ancient or modern, proselytizing was a very sensitive matter.

Because if someone says, ‘We only believe in A here. Please leave, others,’ and suddenly someone appears and says, ‘Believe in B, everyone. You’ll go to heaven if you believe in B,’ who would like that?

Of course, there are more complex reasons. Religion is inherently a double-edged sword, as it can be a means of governance but also a potential bomb.

Even if you leave one religion alone, they can bite and fight each other, but what if other heterogeneous religions are mixed in? As a ruler, you naturally want to crack down on that ‘heresy.’

“So, you have something to explain to me, Dark Knights Commander Kaliel.”

“It’s a misunderstanding, Your Majesty. We absolutely did not proselytize.”

“Then is Ambassador James lying?”

“That’s… not a lie.”

“It sounds like you’re trying to play word games with me.”

They didn’t proselytize, but James’s words aren’t a lie either. What, did they drink alcohol but not drive under the influence?

“Please give me a chance to explain, Your Majesty.”

“Go ahead.”

“About those who were kidnapped by the Celestials last time.”

“Those people? Why are you suddenly mentioning them?”

“Some have returned.”

“What?”

“Of course, they returned secretly. Naturally, they are all spies.”

I didn’t know this? If a report didn’t come to me, Hendrick wouldn’t have known either.

Hendrick wouldn’t have been negligent… It’s just that Hendrick was probably too busy to find out.

“Don’t blame Your Majesty’s intelligence agents. It’s just that the methods used by the Celestial traitors are so cunning.”

“Okay, so what about it?”

“They are spies, but they don’t even know they are spies. They have all been subtly brainwashed.”

“…That’s quite difficult.”

That means that in their right mind, they only know that they have simply returned alive.

“What’s more cunning is that the families they contact are infected with the brainwashing. In other words, they become slaves of the Celestials.”

“Good heavens. Is there no way to stop it?”

“There is. That’s the measure we took.”

“Could it be, that’s…”

“Yes, that’s the identity of the proselytizing you mentioned. In other words, it is proselytizing. If they believe in our Dark Orthodoxy, the Celestial brainwashing will be undone.”

The whole story was like this. They discovered the spies and proselytized as a preemptive measure against the brainwashing they were spreading.

If that’s the case, it wasn’t intentional, so there was room for consideration.

“But even so, it’s not without problems. I cannot allow the defection of imperial citizens from the Imperial Church.”

This wasn’t simply a matter of allowing or not allowing religious freedom.

In this world, human power is extinct except for the empire.

If the empire survives in the distant future, it may be divided into kingdoms again and several countries may arise, but now there is virtually only one empire.

One of the things that gives the empire its identity is the Imperial Church.

If this collapses, not only the future but also the current system could become unstable.

“I know that too, Your Majesty. But the faith of the Dark Orthodoxy is essential to fight against the Celestial traitors.”

“Do you think it’s impossible with the power of the Imperial Church?”

“It will be possible if we take the time to prepare. But if we allow them time, the damage will be uncontrollably large.”

“Hmm…”

Indeed. What if we let the Celestial spies infiltrate without stopping them right now, even though there is a way to stop them? It would be troublesome if a religion that deceives and confuses people were to spread.

“Okay. Then I will allow you to proselytize.”

“T, thank you, Your Majesty!”

“But there is a condition.”

“If you mean a condition?”

“You must become a denomination of the Imperial Church.”

“……!”

The Imperial Church is not a monotheistic religion. It is a polytheistic religion that believes in five gods divided into courage, prosperity, purification, mystery, and justice.

There… Even if one more person is added, wouldn’t it be okay? In this case, it would be ‘Darkness.’

“T, that’s…”

“Is it difficult? Does your god not allow it?”

“Of course. The god we believe in is the first Celestial Knight Commander who was exiled by the traitor…”

“You mean you can’t come under the empire. Then I’ll make you change your mind.”

Your god doesn’t allow it? Then I’ll make him allow it.

“I, the agent of the Empire’s Guardian God, will challenge your god. Convey my challenge to him.”

Kaliel’s expression was filled with astonishment.