He Became The Most Insane Emperor Of All Time [EN]: Chapter 298

Became the Crazy Emperor – Episode 298

“Give us bread!”

“Establish a parliament!”

“Don’t ignore our voices!”

Somewhere in the back alleys of Augsburg, the capital of the Western Empire.

The imperial capital, Augsburg, now the capital of the Western Empire, felt very unfamiliar after so long.

Compared to the last time I saw it, there were more high-rise buildings, and the steampunk-esque changes in various places were also unfamiliar.

But what was even more unfamiliar was the Imperial Palace.

The Imperial Palace, once a symbol of prosperity, had become a symbol of oppression.

Protests occurred daily on the streets leading to the Imperial Palace, but the usurper residing within chose repression over listening to their voices.

“Suppress them!”

“Long live the true Emperor!”

“Kill the traitors!”

The mounted suppression forces began attacking the unarmed crowds. They had been protesting daily, but with weak unity and no means of resistance, they could only be unilaterally beaten.

“Aaaagh!”

“Kyaaak! Save me!”

“Everyone, run away!”

It was a pathetic result compared to the brave slogans they had shouted just moments before. I clicked my tongue, watching it from a back alley.

“Is that the usurper’s answer to the desperate pleas of the people? Even if he’s a usurper, he still claims to be the Emperor.”

“That’s why he’s suppressing them more sensitively.”

A voice returned from the shadows. It was the person I had come all the way here to meet, with that familiar voice.

“Long time no see, Mirror.”

“Emperor.”

“You recognize me right away?”

“Well, I knew about your son Kyle’s plan.”

Mirror hadn’t aged a bit, even after all this time… but then again, aging doesn’t mean much to a doppelganger [a shapeshifter or someone who can perfectly imitate another person].

“But what brings you here?”

“What if I said I came to lend a hand?”

“I don’t really need it. Sabotage and uprisings are already prepared. Helping out won’t make much of a difference.”

Although the Western Empire was larger in scale than the Eastern Empire or the Demon Realm, it had one problem.

Thanks to overturning the previous Emperor’s reforms, the general populace was very dissatisfied with his rule.

Coupled with a poor harvest, even the conservative support base of farmers began to lose faith. The low-wage workers in the cities were also impoverished.

Those who shouted for bread among those just suppressed were such people.

In fact, their starvation was more due to the embezzlement of those who had thwarted the reforms and regained their positions.

“I know. However, let’s add just one thing to that plan.”

I soon told Mirror what I had discussed with Daphnen. Mirror’s expression became subtle.

“Hmm… so you really intend to become an immortal symbol?”

“Yes.”

“Certainly… if you spread the fact that someone revered as a Great Emperor will appear whenever the empire is on the verge of collapse, people’s thoughts will change. But I’m… a little cautious.”

Unlike Daphnen, Mirror didn’t completely agree with my idea.

Surprisingly, it was because his thoughts were similar to mine.

“If the world is only sustained by someone’s care, what’s the difference between that and livestock being raised in a model garden?”

“Oh, so you’ve come to say things like that now?”

“Even so, I’ve lived quite a long time.”

That carefree guy had become like this; truly, the 100 years hadn’t passed in vain.

“You’re right. There’s no difference from livestock.”

“Yes, if that’s the case-”

“Only if it’s really such a world.”

“……!”

I said that much and looked outside. I could see the protesters, fleeing from the suppression, gathering again tomorrow.

“You’re watching too. People’s hearts have a longing for freedom. They also have the instinct to correct what’s wrong. As long as that exists, they won’t just rely on superhumans or gods.”

Rather, those who have tasted humanism and liberalism will never try to become slaves again. They will fiercely resist any oppressor.

Of course, such resistance may sometimes collapse in vain. That’s why I intend to be there.

“I intend to be a watcher and judge for that. If rulers forget their duties, become corrupt and degenerate, and drive people into misery-”

Swish-

Before I knew it, a sword was in my hand. It was Silver Rose, the Empire’s holy sword that had been with me for a long time.

“I will be the destroyer who breaks their model garden.”

Having said that, I headed towards the army that was suppressing the protesters.

“Emperor… if you do that, there will be no turning back. Forever, eternally, you will not be able to escape the cycle of reincarnation. Is that still okay?”

Before answering Mirror’s question, I turned to look at him.

“Yes.”

And I smiled.

“Because all these people are with me.”

As long as I love this world, I will not be lonely.

* * *

Everything needs a trigger. No matter how much people long for freedom, they also tend to seek stability to a corresponding degree.

It’s natural. Perfect freedom is not freedom. Is living on a deserted island, with no laws or regulations, freedom? Even such a person will change their mind after living 24 hours a day solely for survival.

But even so, people harbor the instinct to feel dissatisfied with injustice and to explode that dissatisfaction if a trigger is provided.

“I announce the results of the convocation of the Estates-General [a representative assembly of the three estates of the realm: the clergy, nobility, and commoners]! The agenda regarding taxation of the First and Second Estates has been rejected!”

“What! So you’re still saying only we, the Third Estate, have to pay taxes!”

“Don’t be ridiculous! Can’t you see how the country is doing?”

In other words, if there is just one appropriate trigger, people will explode immediately. And now, the Western Empire was providing that trigger itself.

There is no result without a cause. As soon as they seized power, the Emperor and vested interests of the Western Empire revoked all tax clauses and strengthened the class system, showing a corrupt state of affairs.

Naturally, internal problems and complaints arose, but they thought that they only needed to maintain high military spending and receive cooperation from the Human Federation.

If they did that, they believed they could make both the Eastern Empire and the Demon Realm kneel, and they would live in luxury.

But wouldn’t the world be boring if things went so easily?

“The usurper can eat shit!”

“What! You insolent-”

Clack-

“Heok!”

“You must pay the price for speaking so insolently!”

Taang! Tatatatatang!

The lined-up army fired their triggers without hesitation. But even though the guns were fired, no one fell.

“……?”

“What, what happened…….”

“No!”

Before the crowd, who were helpless before the guns, I was standing there.

Hair turned pure white, radiance shining as if overflowing, the bullets fell uselessly in the air, unable to penetrate that sacred imperial soul.

“It is sad that my descendants do not cherish their people.”

Thud- Thud-

I approached the executioner who had just ordered the shooting. He was startled and tried to reload his gun, but it was useless.

Kagaak!

“Heok!”

Silver Rose cut off the barrel of the pistol in one stroke.

Not only his, but dozens of shadow blades extending from his body also shattered the soldiers’ guns.

Seeing the overwhelming difference in power, they lost their will to resist.

At this rate, they would be killed by the crowd even if the man in front of them didn’t kill them.

“Step back.”

Then no one will get hurt.

“Heok!”

But soon, everyone was overwhelmed by the telepathy echoing in their heads. Soon, they were forced to kneel.

“Everyone, let’s move forward.”

“E, everyone! Let’s follow that person!”

“Let’s go! Comrades!”

I left the subdued army behind and led the people forward.

At first, I thought of targeting the political prison, but I changed my mind.

It seemed good to go straight to the Imperial Palace. After all, since I was there, there was no need to liberate the prison and arm the crowd.

“L, let’s go to the Imperial Palace!”

“Is this really okay? The Imperial Palace still has…….”

“Don’t worry! Just trust the person over there!”

“But who is that person?”

The crowd followed me, wondering about my identity.

Of course, they couldn’t even guess who I was.

My people know Kyle’s plan, so they recognize me, but they have no way of knowing if I am that ‘Great Emperor Franz.’

“Stop!”

But just as I reached the front of the Imperial Palace, there were those who blocked my path.

They were not ordinary people.

“Legion.”

The most powerful warriors I had forged. Superhumans forged with the Imperial Soul, the sharpest swords of the Empire…….

“Stop! This is the palace where His Majesty the Emperor resides. We are not unaware of your grievances, but we will not allow you to approach any further!”

Such people were blocking my path. I felt a sense of regret. What were they feeling, supporting the usurper?

Have they also become corrupt? Did they oppose the reforms? No, that wouldn’t be the reason for them.

“My children, forged with my blood. I ask you.”

“…Y, you are!”

As I said that, the captain of the Legion Guards looked shocked.

He was not the previous captain of the guard. But he seemed to recognize me.

“Why are you there? Is that where you should be?”

“Your Majesty… you have returned.”

He took off his helmet and knelt down as if paying homage, bowing his head solemnly.

“Your Majesty, we have been waiting for Your Majesty to return.”

“Me? Did you also know I would come?”

“Yes… the former captain of the guard told us. When the Empire falters, the Great Emperor will return. Therefore… protect the Empire and the Imperial Palace, and the throne worthy of the Great Emperor.”

Indeed, they had not simply become corrupt and followed them.

They had protected this place with a naively upright loyalty.

Loyalty to the Empire, and at the same time, loyalty to me.

Looking at them, I felt a sense of satisfaction. But that wasn’t all good.

Loyalty to the Empire may be a positive thing, but loyalty to me could be a problem because it still remained.

‘Originally, I should have died and been forgotten, but at this rate, I’m living as a ghost even after death.’

I felt bitter. But I couldn’t just stay like that.

“Yes, so I have returned. But will you still block my path?”

“No. Everyone! The Great Emperor has returned! Escort the Great Emperor! Enthrone the Great Emperor back on the throne!”

The captain of the Legion Guards shouted in a booming voice. At that voice, the Legions immediately lined up.

“T, the Great Emperor has returned?”

“Really?”