He Became The Most Insane Emperor Of All Time [EN]: Chapter 7

I Became the Unrivaled Mad Emperor – Episode 7

I entered the world of the game.

Of course, even though it’s the world inside the game, this world is clearly reality. However, in some aspects, there were things similar to the game.

“Just like this.”

[Available Decision]

[Sponsor Merchants]

[If you adopt the Sponsor Merchants decision, the following effects will be triggered]

[Corrects the administrative and diplomatic power of the merchants you sponsor, increases the probability of success for the sponsored merchants’ commercial activities, improves the favor of merchants who know the sponsor]

[Additional effects may be granted if additional measures such as legal improvements are taken]

One of the abilities I have is ‘Decision,’ that is, ‘policy decision.’

It was an extremely familiar concept to me, something I had already done dozens of times.

However, it contained more meaning than I had experienced in the game.

“Just by choosing a policy, I get an internal affairs buff [a bonus or improvement], is that what this means?”

It means that just by choosing a policy, talents are easily fostered, and the efficiency of already hired talents increases.

It’s a very intuitive and efficient structure.

However, naturally, there has to be a penalty for such a cheat ability.

[200 Imperial Authority is consumed.]

[Current Authority Remaining: 125]

Decision-making consumes a certain amount of Authority, Diplomacy, and Military Power, with Authority being the primary cost.

If this Authority is not continuously supplied, naturally, these policy decisions cannot be made indefinitely.

“Since my Authority stat is 10, it’s at maximum speed, but I need to consider the opportunity cost [the loss of potential gain from other alternatives when one alternative is chosen].”

I have to choose carefully, considering selection and focus.

This was a very basic know-how in strategy games.

“But I can’t just rely on Decisions.”

This is a world inside a game, but it’s no different from reality.

If I simply choose a Decision and expect everything to go well, all that awaits is game over.

I had to actually do something to expect proper results.

It was the same with gathering the merchants and persuading them just now.

“The problem is how to pressure the lords, as I told the merchants.”

I made a bold statement to them.

It wasn’t a lie or a bluff, and I can think of ways to do it.

But I need staff to execute the schemes I devise.

Not just staff, but also middle managers to direct them.

Finally, there must also be a leadership to decide on schemes and policies.

Of course, I can’t do all this alone.

Butler Jürgen seems useful in this area, but he alone seems insufficient.

“I wish there was someone perfect to use as a strategist at times like this… um?”

“Your Majesty, excuse me, but the Empress Dowager has come to visit.”

While I was continuing my *gomin* [Korean word for ‘worry’ or ‘contemplation’] in the palace’s private room, a butler politely announced someone’s visit.

“Let her in.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The Empress Dowager, my mother.

It had been two weeks since I possessed this body, but she was someone I had overlooked without even seeing her face once.

‘For now, she’s my only maternal relative in the imperial palace.’

Whether it was due to some kind of suppression, the previous emperor did not take any concubines besides the Empress Dowager.

The only child born under his care was me, ‘Franz.’

Of course, the imperial family exists, but for now, I am the only direct descendant, and there are no relatives I need to remember immediately.

However, the Empress Dowager is my mother, but at the same time, she is a maternal relative.

And in any dynasty’s country, maternal relatives can be the king’s helpers, but at the same time, they can turn into political rivals or powerful families.

“It’s time to see if she’s on my side or not.”

An emperor must manage his family well.

Fortunately, for me, I only need to confirm her true feelings, so a complicated political battle is not expected.

“It’s been a while, Your Majesty. This is the first time I’ve seen you since your enthronement.”

The Empress Dowager, who soon entered my room, spoke in a very stiff tone.

I nodded slightly as I looked at her, quietly checking her status window with the Emperor’s Eyes.

[Selina Heines von Orland]

[Position: Imperial Empress Dowager]

[Stats: Administration 5, Diplomacy 9, Combat 3]

[Traits: Competent, Intelligent, Slight Compassion, Self-Sacrificing, Ambitious]

She looked very young despite having an 18-year-old son.

Considering her youthful appearance, she must be in her early or mid-thirties. She had an early marriage with the previous emperor and had a child early.

“I have been negligent in not offering my greetings, Mother. I will be sure to greet you starting tomorrow.”

“……!”

Her expression showed a slight surprise at my answer. But she seemed to be trying to hide it.

[Franz called me Mother… Why suddenly?]

Thanks to the Emperor’s Eyes, her thoughts were read as they were.

Fortunately, I was able to gain some clues by reading the *ieojineun* [Korean word meaning ‘continuing’ or ‘following’] thoughts as well.

[I thought Franz would hate me because I had ignored him for so long.]

“There is no need to spare time for this unworthy mother. Today, I merely visited because I was somewhat concerned about Your Majesty’s well-being.”

The Empress Dowager spoke dryly, contrary to her troubled heart.

There must be a story behind it, and to know about her, I would need to find out what that story is.

“It seems my recent actions have been quite different from before, causing you concern. But it’s not a matter of health, so there’s no need to worry.”

“Is that so? Then I will step down now. I apologize for disturbing your rest.”

“Wait, since you’re here, there’s something I’d like to discuss with you, Mother.”

She was about to leave right away, as if she had only come to offer greetings, but I called her back.

[What does he want to discuss?]

While her thoughts were being read, I reconsidered my own thoughts several times.

Would it be okay to tell her about the plan I’m about to carry out?

Although she seems to be showing me favor, wouldn’t she betray me?

Naturally, these questions followed.

“Mother, let’s talk while walking for a bit. I want to take a walk together for the first time in a while.”

But instead of being impatient, I had patience.

Believing in her maternal love and proposing to be on the same boat could be a foolish act.

Of course, I’m not just believing in that.

Leaving my room for a moment, passing through the palace corridors, and strolling through the palace gardens, which are good for taking walks, I told her about my plan to establish an absolute monarchy.

“What do you think?”

“……It’s an amazing plan. But it seems to have excessively daring aspects.”

Is it because I’m her son? She doesn’t hold back on direct words.

It was a part that couldn’t be read even with the Emperor’s Eyes, but if she were treating me only as an emperor and not as a son, she wouldn’t have said such direct words.

That means she has affection for me as her son, but I was even more curious as to why she was acting like that.

And she immediately expressed her opinion.

“Schemes are not one-sided. As much as I try to dominate the opponent, the opponent also tries to dominate me.”

[And there’s no one to protect that child right now from Franz’s *chinga* [Korean word referring to relatives on the father’s side of the family]. On the other hand, if Franz antagonizes the lords, our family will definitely get involved. That shouldn’t happen.]

I didn’t show it outwardly, but I was quite surprised to read the Empress Dowager’s mind.

She was concerned about my maternal relatives, that is, her *chinjeong* [Korean word referring to a married woman’s parents and their household], exerting influence on me.

In other words, she doesn’t want her family to shake the emperor, me, or plot something more than that.

It would be politically unconditionally beneficial for the Empress Dowager herself for her *chinga* to rise as a powerful family, but it was a very unexpected situation.

That means the ambitions of the maternal relatives are that great.

But she herself wants to protect me from those ambitions?

The only thing that can explain this irrationality was one thing.

Maternal love.

The unconditional affection that is uniquely held for blood relatives is only that.

As someone who grew up without *chin hyeoryuk* [Korean word referring to close blood relatives], I had never felt it before, so it felt very unfamiliar.

“If you wish to achieve Your Majesty’s will, you must gather those who share the same intentions.”

The Empress Dowager plucked a thorny rose from the garden.

And giving the rose to me, she asked.

“Beautiful things have thorns. You are a beautiful person, Your Majesty. But unfortunately, you don’t have thorns to protect yourself right now.”

Are there advisors to help me? No.

Is there a shield to die for me? Other than the Imperial Guard or the Imperial Guard Commander, nothing comes to mind.

Are there comrades who will willingly step forward for me? Sadly, there is no one who comes to mind yet other than the Prime Minister and the Butler.

“I was arrogant.”

Only then did I realize that I had been greatly arrogant.

Clearly, this world is a game.

It’s the worldview that made up the game, and I can definitely use the rules given to that game to fight advantageously.

But that’s it.

Will the people in this reality of the game act like AI data fragments?

No. Clearly, they will move more diversely.

To face such people, my knowledge and force alone are not enough.

I need those who will become my hands and feet, become my eyes, and sometimes even give their lives for me.

“But I have no intention of withdrawing my decision.”

“It’s dangerous, Your Majesty. It will definitely be a thorny path.”

Surely it would be.

Things may not flow as I intend.

Maybe I’ll fail and die.

“But it’s something I have to face anyway.”

I smelled the scent of the rose that the Empress Dowager handed me, and then handed the rose back to her.

“If I have to remain as emperor until the day I die, wouldn’t I jump into sulfur fires rather than thorny paths?”

It’s not a decision for the empire.

It’s solely a decision for me.

But if I find people to walk with me, there’s nothing I can’t find.

Just like the merchants I met yesterday.

Even if it’s a decision for myself, there are many who will pursue their own interests from it.

They will gladly become the thorns to protect me.

But I wasn’t confident that I could persuade just one person with such interests and relationships alone.

“But I don’t think I can walk without Mother.”

“……!”

Everyone pursues their own interests.

But occasionally, there are those who transcend such interests and relationships in the eyes of others.

If I were to name who they are one by one, there would be countless.

Whether it’s a firefighter, a police officer, a soldier, a nurse, or a truly devout religious person.

But for children, the ones who usually don’t care for themselves are parents.

So it was more difficult to persuade the existence of a mother.

What should I offer for my mother to help me?

It was difficult for me, who had no experience with family, to come up with a way.

“Will you help me?”

So all I can do is honestly ask.

I was always full of confidence, but I was very unsure right now.

But Empress Dowager Selina gave me an answer with a deeply regretful expression.

“I will gladly do so, Your Majesty.”