He Became The Most Insane Emperor Of All Time [EN]: Chapter 275

It was late at night, and the streets of the southern port city were illuminated by gaslights, even beneath the darkened sky.

Drunken sailors staggered through the streets and taverns, singing and brawling, creating minor disturbances. But to the passersby, even their drunken antics were a form of entertainment, and small groups gathered to watch.

Even during the war, the city remained vibrant, with markets bustling daily. Commoners debated whether to buy goods and food from stalls and street vendors, while the wealthier citizens and former nobles headed to more elegant restaurants or theaters.

It was an incredibly peaceful scene for the Empire, something unimaginable just over a decade ago.

Disguised, I stood with my guards near a street stall, observing the scene. Seeing the people enjoying their own forms of happiness, I felt that what I had done so far had not been in vain.

Then, someone called out to me. It was the owner of the chicken skewer stall. He handed me a delicious-looking chicken skewer, the one I had ordered.

I smacked my lips and took a bite. The rich juices blended well with the slightly spicy sauce, making it incredibly delicious.

“Very tasty, owner.”

“Thank you, sir. But is this your first time here?”

“It’s not my first time in the South, but it is my first time in this particular city. I heard it was originally a small fishing village, but now it has developed into a city?”

“That’s right. Back then, I never thought it would develop this much. It’s all thanks to His Imperial Majesty.”

The stall owner spoke with a look that genuinely showed he was satisfied with his current life. It was a sight that would bring a smile to anyone’s face, but soon his expression turned serious.

“In that sense, I am truly grateful, Your Majesty.”

“…You recognize me?”

“Even if I am a humble man, how could I not recognize Your Majesty’s face?”

The stall owner kept bowing. In his eyes, I could see fanatical loyalty.

Only then did I recognize his true identity. At first glance, he looked like a friendly middle-aged man you could find anywhere, but in reality, he was a local collaborator highly trained by the Intelligence Agency.

To spread an intelligence network throughout the vast empire, it was not enough to rely solely on directly operating intelligence agents.

So, we cultivated many local collaborators. We preferred instilling fanatical loyalty to the Empire and bestowing favors, rather than simply buying them off with money.

“I owe an unpayable debt to Your Majesty. If it weren’t for Your Majesty’s grace, my family would already be cold skeletons in the fields.”

This man was no different. Of course, the person who directly bestowed the favor was not me, but one of Hendrick’s intelligence agents, but it wouldn’t make much difference to him.

This man has probably been involved in many missions so far, especially in purging local influential families or nobles who didn’t listen.

He was a reliable assistant to the Empire and me, and at the same time, a deep shadow.

“Today, I would like to repay Your Majesty’s grace even a little. I have already gathered the guests Your Majesty invited.”

After saying that, the stall owner led me and my guards naturally.

We passed through the bustling market and arrived at a tavern in a slightly deserted back alley. It was clearly a place where unsavory characters would frequent, and as soon as we opened the door, we saw several ruffians with rough beards or scarred faces lurking in the shadows throughout the tavern.

All of them looked like they had lived a rough life, as harsh as the strong rum they were drinking. But the stall owner soon spoke to them as if giving an order.

“Bring them here. The Supreme Ruler of the Empire wishes to meet them.”

Even these men were local collaborators like the stall owner. At his words, they seemed to recognize that I was the Emperor, and the suspicion and wariness in their eyes instantly changed to respect.

They quickly brought several people wearing robes from one side of the tavern. They had their faces deeply covered by their robes, so they just looked suspicious, but I could easily discern their identities through their gait, mana signature, scent, and other subtle signs.

“Are you the resistance forces of the Beastmen Kingdom?”

‘Beastmen’ was too broad a term, but in reality, they were from a wide range of sub-species such as Lycans [werewolves], Lizards, Nagas [snake-like humanoids], Kobolds [small, dog-like humanoids], and so on.

All of them came from the Southern Continent. And now, the Southern Continent was under the control of the Beast King, and they were the resistance forces of the old kingdoms.

“One thing is wrong. We are not the resistance forces of the ‘Kingdom.’ We support a republic.”

“So you weren’t restorationists. What happened to them? Why are only you here?”

It wasn’t particularly difficult to deal with republican independence fighters. Of course, it might be a bit awkward for an autocratic monarch to deal with supporters of a republic, but as someone who had experienced modern society, I personally had no problem with it.

However, I wondered why the restorationists who were supposed to come with them were not present.

“Those bastards betrayed us. They talk about restoration and royalism, but in the end, they are just acting for their own interests, so they were easily swayed by the Beast King’s appeasement.”

“That’s unfortunate. But it’s fortunate that you arrived safely despite that.”

“It wasn’t exactly safe. Many comrades died in the traitors’ attacks. But thanks to the people you sent, nearly half of us were able to come alive…”

The journey here had not been easy for them either. As if to prove that, the Lycan Beastman who had been speaking until now took off his robe and showed a bandage wrapped around a recently formed wound.

“Then we have a lot to talk about. We both have things we want from each other, so why don’t you start?”

I gave them the opportunity to state their demands first. I was the one in the superior position here, so I could afford to show some leeway.

Knowing well that they were in the inferior position, they knelt down and petitioned me in a humble manner.

“Emperor of the Empire, please help us liberate the Southern Continent from the Beast King. We will never forget that grace.”

It was a heartfelt request, but there was an element in the vocabulary that made my guards uncomfortable.

They said they would not forget the grace, but they did not swear allegiance. As republicans, they had no intention of serving a king.

It was natural given their tendencies, but it was also a bit irritating given their position of asking me for help. It seemed like they were trying to receive help from me and only repay me with words.

“If that’s what you want, are you willing to accept any conditions I demand?”

“…We will accept any conditions that we can accept.”

“What if I told you to serve me?”

So I tested them. I wanted to see if they were truly people with conviction, or just loudmouths.

“…That is something we cannot accept. We have no intention of serving any kings of the old system. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. Our kings have already proven that.”

“Insolent fools! How dare you utter such words!”

Swish-!

The knights of the Intelligence Division, who were accompanying me as guards, were enraged and drew their swords. Not only them, but also the local collaborators guarding the tavern also held daggers with fierce eyes. It was a touch-and-go situation where anyone could stab them.

“Stop. Everyone, put your swords away.”

But I stopped them. I was just testing them, so there was no need to shed blood here. Of course, his answer was offensive to the Emperor’s subjects, but it was no problem for me at all.

“Interesting. Do you know the weight of those words?”

“Of course. Unlike the kings of the old system, we will lead the country according to the will of the people.”

In the eyes of the Lycan Beastman who said those words, I could see conviction and will. But I wasn’t very pleased.

“I highly value your firm will regarding your beliefs. But I find it suspicious.”

“Our belief in independence and republicanism is unwavering!”

“No, that’s not it. I don’t doubt your sincerity. What I doubt is something else.”

Republic. That ideal is certainly good. The modern society I lived in was also a democratic republic, and I believe without a doubt that the universal happiness of the vast majority can be achieved in a republic rather than a monarchy.

But if you think that the process is easy just because it is right, you are mistaken. Moreover, if you think that everything that happens in that process is justified, you are even more mistaken.

“If the people you speak of do not want the republic you are shouting for, what are you going to do?”

“That can’t be. There’s no way they wouldn’t want it…”

“There’s no way they wouldn’t want it? That’s a truly arrogant thought. To think that the people who have lived in a monarchy for thousands of years would follow your empty cries, how is that different from the words of an arrogant king?”

“……”

It was a mistake that revolutionaries easily fall into: the illusion that the ideals they are pursuing are so noble and good that the people can be easily moved by those ideals.

In reality, the people can also reject the republic or revolution in the midst of complex interests and desires.

For example, the bourgeoisie [middle class] or intellectuals in the city may be dissatisfied with the kings and nobles who restrict and plunder their wealth, but would the farmers in the countryside feel the same?

They will refuse change because they are only engaged in extremely conservative agriculture, even while suffering from the tyranny of landlords and lords. Moreover, within the old system, farmers tend to create hierarchies among themselves.

Overthrowing that is a more repulsive task than you might think. It was also one of the reasons why it was difficult for the Empire to completely abolish the class system even after reaching this point.

“Tell me, young revolutionary. If the people you claim to be for do not want you, how are you going to treat them? Are you going to treat them as mere reactionaries and kill and oppress them?”

If so, how are you different from the tyrants you reject?

“We, we won’t do that. We will… we will persuade them to the end.”

“I can’t believe it with words alone. But I will watch. I will see what ideal you truly cherish, and whether you will sacrifice yourselves for that ideal, or leave countless people to drown in blood under the pretext of a mere ideal.”

Depending on which one it is, remember that I can be your savior, but at the same time, I can be your punisher.

“…I will keep that in mind, Your Majesty.”

Accepting my warning, they became the new allies of the Empire.