He Became The Most Insane Emperor Of All Time [EN]: Chapter 4

I Became the Crazy Emperor – Episode 4

I Became the Crazy Emperor 4

Another week passed.

Of course, I spent it training and reading whenever I had the chance.

In other words, I neglected state affairs and just had fun.

So what? Complain and become the Emperor yourself.

I was currently training and sparring with the knights of the Royal Guard, sweating buckets.

[Imperial Swordsmanship has reached Level 2.]

[Horsemanship Level 1 has been learned.]

[Basic Martial Arts Level 1 has been learned.]

Just as I saw the status window messages listing the skills and traits I had acquired through training, the Captain of the Royal Guard ended the training for the day.

“We will conclude training here for today.”

“Good work. I’m a little dissatisfied because the progress doesn’t seem fast enough.”

I asked the Captain of the Royal Guard, wiping away the constant stream of sweat.

The Captain of the Royal Guard immediately shook his head in denial to that question.

“Not at all, Your Majesty. You are learning faster than anyone else.”

Is that so? It was hard to feel, as I hadn’t experienced anything tangible besides looking at the skills in the status window.

But it must be true since the Captain of the Royal Guard didn’t seem to be lying.

“But I want to get stronger faster.”

“You are already quite fast, but is there a particular reason you are in such a hurry?”

He looked at me as if he were watching a toddler who had been going to Taekwondo for three days whine about wanting to get a black belt.

Of course, it was true that I was impatient enough to deserve that look.

“Well, I can’t just play around every day, can I? I’m a busy Emperor, you know.”

Of course, I have no intention of working.

Still, I needed to get stronger quickly.

For my own sake, and for the sake of the Empire.

According to my plan, the Empire will become stronger as I become stronger.

“Then the only way is to gain practical experience.”

The answer the Captain of the Royal Guard gave was clear and straightforward.

“Practical experience, practical experience… Then should I go hunting right away?”

“I am afraid it is too early for practical experience, considering Your Majesty’s safety, so I think it would be better to put aside your impatience.”

“You have an unexpectedly old-fashioned side.”

The Captain of the Royal Guard’s face seemed to say, ‘It’s not old-fashioned, it’s obvious,’ but I deliberately ignored it.

Besides, Chancellor 칼 브라이트 [Kal Bright] approached from the side.

“Your Majesty.”

“It’s you again today. So, have you come to discuss state affairs again today?”

I retorted to the stiff and gaunt man, whose business was obvious, with a smooth attitude.

“The time for the Imperial Council has already passed. Yes, I hope you will look into state affairs even late today.”

But this stiff man simply replied in a very dry manner, as if he had no sense of humor.

A subordinate who urges his superior to work – this is very precious.

Of course, I have no intention of working.

“It seems to me that you all still haven’t properly carried out my orders.”

In fact, I am neglecting state affairs, but I do check the agenda briefly in the morning.

But still, the officials have not been able to bring up an agenda that satisfies me.

“Your Majesty, please sternly rebuke us for our shortcomings and instruct us. We, your foolish servants, cannot come up with the answer you desire.”

Repeating this, I have not taken care of state affairs even after ascending the throne.

As the Chancellor, he was naturally anxious, but I also had my own reasons.

“Well, fine, I can see that things have gotten a little better than before.”

As I left the training ground and walked through the Imperial Palace, the Chancellor showed expectant eyes when I said that.

But my next words made him feel dejected again.

“However, those are still not the right answers.”

Perhaps because they are the last elites of the Empire, I can see many traces of their 고민 [agonizing; deep contemplation].

But that’s not enough.

Not enough to revive the Empire heading towards 망국 [ruin; collapse].

“The agendas you have brought up are all related to the Empire’s macro-level governance. Taxes, military power, issues related to the lords. Issues related to external enemies.”

“They are all pressing issues.”

As the Chancellor said, they were all problems facing the Empire.

But you don’t prescribe medicine for every symptom of a critically ill patient with multiple complications.

At least, that wouldn’t be the only absolute cure.

“That’s right, the Empire’s situation is bad, so they are serious problems. But the order is wrong. Right now, we need to put all that aside and focus on one thing.”

We must focus on the most fundamental, the most critical problem.

The accurate expression would be ‘we have no room to focus on anything but one thing’.

“We must focus on the problems of this capital city.”

The whole country has become a mess.

But just like you have to clean your own room or front yard before you start cleaning the whole neighborhood, you have to look at the capital of the country before you look at the whole country.

Because if the capital collapses, the country’s last breath will soon be cut off.

“Whether it’s that taxes aren’t being collected from all over the Empire, or the border issues including the north, they are all important issues, but I don’t know why you’re worrying about the provinces when the base is in danger.”

It sounds like I’m ignoring the provinces, but unfortunately, the country’s greatest power comes from the capital.

“It’s such a simple fact that I hoped everyone would realize it on their own, but it’s a shame.”

Of course, that’s a lie. I just wanted to play.

“We were foolish. But then you must take care of state affairs even more. As you said, there are countless problems even in the capital.”

The Chancellor agreed with my opinion, but he spoke even more 정론 [orthodoxy; right argument].

Well, I’ll have to work someday, as he said.

However, before answering his words, I glanced at a message window that had appeared a while ago.

[The God of Valor, 레오니스 [Leonis], has given you a quest.]

[Quest: Training through 실전 [actual combat]]

[Quest Objective: Win in 실전 [actual combat] in any way]

[Reward: 레오니스’s [Leonis’s] Favor]

[Failure: Cannot regain 레오니스’s [Leonis’s] favor for 1 week]

It was a quest that appeared when I heard the message 실전 [actual combat] from the Captain of the Royal Guard earlier.

Seeing that, I smiled and said, thinking of a good idea.

“So, let’s work together on one thing, Chancellor.”

It was time to go out for the first time.

* * *

Kings of the 조선 [Joseon] Dynasty used to do 미복잠행 [undercover excursions].

They would disguise themselves as ordinary 양인 [commoners] and tour 한양 [Hanyang; old name for Seoul] with only one or two guards.

It’s a scene that usually appears in historical dramas, but in fact, the 조정 [royal court] officials didn’t really like the king doing 미복잠행 [undercover excursions].

“Your Majesty, no matter how I think about it, this is too…”

“Too what? Is there anything I, the Emperor, can’t do?”

But I don’t need to be 눈치 [mindful of others’ feelings] like those 조선 [Joseon] Dynasty kings.

“It’s not that, I’m worried about your dignity and 체통 [face; decorum]. And most of all, it’s not safe.”

Of course, the Chancellor was still 꼬장꼬장 [stubborn; fussy].

I had no intention of being 고분고분 [obedient; docile] either.

“I’ll take care of my own dignity and 체통 [face; decorum], so you don’t have to worry. And saying that I’m not safe right now sounds like you don’t trust the Captain of the Royal Guard right next to me.”

I said, glancing at the Captain of the Royal Guard.

The Captain of the Royal Guard, who was suddenly 돌리기 폭탄 [stuck in the middle], didn’t have a particularly unpleasant expression.

He was just silently there with an expression that showed his 강직함 [uprightness; integrity].

Soon, only the Chancellor sighed and said.

“I didn’t mean it that way.”

“Then stop complaining.”

After shutting the Chancellor up, I turned my gaze to another person.

“Housekeeper, are we almost at our destination?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. It’s right there.”

[유르겐 하이넨베르크 [Jurgen Heinenberg]]

[Position: Imperial Palace Housekeeper]

[Disposition: Ambitious, Cunning, Bright]

[Traits and Skills: Liquor Appraisal, Excellent Spy, Social Butterfly, Skilled Orator…]

It was Imperial Palace Housekeeper 유르겐 [Jurgen].

He was the superior of the 부집사 [butler] who took care of me in small ways, but fundamentally, he was my secretary and in charge of the intelligence department.

He was virtually the head of the intelligence department in the Imperial Palace, where there was no official intelligence department.

“It looks like a shabby bar? Well, that’s where the guys who do the 뒷치다꺼리 [dirty work] of the merchants would gather.”

“That’s right. However, I don’t have any more information than this.”

“That’s enough. Isn’t it something we can find out little by little?”

I said to 유르겐 [Jurgen] with confidence and a smile.

What is the root of the problem facing the Empire? Or who is it?

In fact, this is not a problem with one answer.

Corrupt officials.

Nobles like the so-called 악덕 [wicked] lords.

Or the Emperor who neglects work and is busy playing.

The Empire was in such a chaotic state that you could argue that any of those reasons were the correct answer.

But if I had to pick one group that could never be innocent, I would say it was the merchants.

And this place we have arrived at now was a collection of trash where the 끄나풀 [lackeys] of those merchants gathered.

쾅!

“Come here!”

“Your Majesty, 체통 [decorum]…”

I kicked down the shabby door of the pub and shouted.

The Chancellor 잔소리 운운하며 체통 [nagged about decorum], the housekeeper 음흉하게 웃었으며 [smirked slyly], and the Captain of the Royal Guard 근엄하게 주변을 살폈다 [solemnly surveyed the surroundings].

“What?”

“Who are you guys?”

And the rough-looking friends inside the pub were 무엄하게도 눈을 부라리고 황제에게 [audaciously glaring at the Emperor].

Of course, they don’t even know I’m the Emperor because I’m in disguise.

They’re not as systematically trained as knights, but they’re somewhat 우락부락 [burly] or large 건달 [thugs].

Those 삼류 양아치 건달 [third-rate gangster thugs] were walking towards me with expressions as if they had caught something.

“Hey, you 기생오라비 [effeminate man] like bastard. What’s with the 행패 [trouble-making] here?”

I’ve even heard the word 기생오라비 [effeminate man] in my life.

But there was a part that I somewhat agreed with.

I was a typical Korean man in his 20s, but now I’m a handsome young man with silver blonde long hair.

Honestly, the feeling of receiving a handsomeness buff is a bit strange.

“Haha, it’s funny that 양아치놈 [gangster] like you are talking about 행패 [trouble-making]. Your existence itself is 행패 [trouble-making].”

Perhaps because of the power of handsomeness, I didn’t feel bad even after hearing the 욕 [curse], but on the contrary, they didn’t seem to feel that way.

불한당 [ruffians], thieves, 소매치기 [pickpockets], scammers, 강도 [robbers], murderers, 납치범 [kidnappers], etc.

The guys gathered here were all in that category.

Even in the midst of 망국 [national ruin], they are parasites that are not eradicated, but rather 부류 날뛰는 더 망조 [a group running rampant, further foreshadowing ruin].

But they were also guys with strong 자존심 [pride] in their own way.

“This 시발 것이 [son of a bitch]!”

As soon as he heard the insult, he took out a dagger as if he had been waiting and 내질렀다 [lunged] to me without hesitation.

타악! [Thwack!]

I blocked it by raising my sword with the 검집 [scabbard] intact. The dagger that was trying to stab was accurately blocked by the 검집 [scabbard].

퍼억! [Whack!]

“억! [Ugh!]”

And without hesitation, I swung the lower part of the 검집 [scabbard] and hit his 사타구니 [groin].

The guy, who was hit in the 급소 [vital point] without any preparation, sat down with a 바람 빠지는 [deflating] sound.

“Are you not going to use a real sword?”

Even though the Emperor was fighting with 천한 [lowly] things himself, 울프만 근위대장 [Wolfman, Captain of the Royal Guard] asked quietly rather than stepping forward.

It was a question of why I was bothering to hit them when I could just kill them.

“I don’t want to make my first kill with guys like this. Ah, but is this not practical?”

울프만 근위대장 [Wolfman, Captain of the Royal Guard] shook his head at my 반문 [question].

“Subduing without killing is more difficult. It would be more effective as training.”

“Then I don’t need to draw my sword.”

At the same time as that 말 [word], I sat down and kicked the guy’s face, who was 꺽꺽대는 소녀처럼 [sobbing like a girl].

“You bastard!”

“Catch that guy! Kill him!”

“How dare you touch us!”

They were 덤비는 while 뱉으면서 대사를 악당들의 전형적인 엑스트라 [rushing while spouting lines like typical villainous extras].

Some of them had 장검 [longswords] that they had stolen from somewhere, starting with bare hands, but even 평민 [commoners] were difficult to have.

“Oh, yeah. Come at me all at once.”

I wasn’t even a little intimidated when dealing with those guys.

Could this also be the influence of ‘천부적인 무골 [innate martial talent]’?

Maybe I would have frozen psychologically or physically if I were my 전생 [previous life], but now I wasn’t afraid at all.

“Are you just going to watch, Sir 울프만 [Wolfman]?”

“If it’s according to Your Majesty’s 각오 [determination], you should be able to do this much.”

퍼억! [Whack!] 파악! [Pow!]

빠가각! [Crack!]

I 날뛰며 놈들을 사자처럼 쥐어팼다 일방적으로 양 떼에 뛰어든 [rampaged, beating the guys like a lion unilaterally jumping into a flock of sheep].

Even the guys who drew 장검 [longswords] or swords of the 숏소드 계열 [short sword type] didn’t have anyone better than me, who had only been 익힌 검술 [practicing swordsmanship] for exactly 2 weeks.

Of course, there were some thrilling situations where the 칼날 [blade] almost grazed me because it was 실전 [actual combat], but I was able to 일어나갈 수 폭행 일방적으로 without a little injury [get up and walk away from the one-sided assault without a scratch].

It was as if it was a lie that I was a modern person who was far from violence, and I was even 취할 정도 아드레날린에 주는 폭력이 [getting drunk on the adrenaline rush of violence].

“Call more 애, 애들 [kids, kids]! This is not enough!”

About a dozen people 덤벼들었지만 [rushed at me], 모조리 떡이 되도록 얻어맞고 쓰러졌다 [they were all beaten to a pulp and collapsed].

Only then did they realize that they couldn’t 상대가 [compete], and they started 부르기 지원을 [calling for backup].

Then someone else 몰려 우르르 내려오더니 [rushed down in a crowd] from the upper floor, and the number increased to about thirty.

“Isn’t it a little difficult?”

Following what the Chancellor asked earlier, this time 유르겐 [Jurgen] asked the Captain of the Royal Guard.

The Captain of the Royal Guard nodded his head slightly and stepped forward.

“I’ll add a little, 주군 [my lord].”

“I can do it alone?”

“Yes, but I was wondering if I should teach you the next stage now.”

Next stage?

I was watching him, wondering what he was going to show me.

But the Captain of the Royal Guard showed me the 검집 [scabbard] like me, but he didn’t 뽑진 [draw] it, and he said, 짚으며 땅을 지팡이처럼 [touching the ground like a cane].

“Kneel.”

The moment he said that, his 중후하지만, 위압적인 [heavy but imposing] voice filled the pub.

And everyone there was 강제적으로 위축되었다 in that place [forcibly shrunk back].

Strangely enough, there was no problem with me, the Chancellor, and the housekeeper, but the 불한당 [ruffians] were 벌벌 떨면서 무릎을 꿇었고 [trembling and kneeling], some were even 거품을 무는 지경이었다 [foaming at the mouth].

“주군 [My lord], this is the power that distinguishes 기사 [knights] from 범부 [commoners].”

A special power that distinguishes 기사 [knights] from ordinary people.

It wasn’t simply 완력 [brute force] or 무술 [martial arts] that distinguished them, as in 지구 [Earth].

“It’s 오러 [Aura].”

A power that I, a 지구인 [Earthling], had only imagined in 판타지 [fantasy].

My heart was 뛰고 미친 듯이 목격한 정수를 힘의 그 [racing like crazy, witnessing the essence of that power].