He Became The Most Insane Emperor Of All Time [EN]: Chapter 71

The Mad Emperor – Chapter 71

“Kee-ack! It’s the Rangers!”

“Chase them down!”

The Greenskin army had retreated, but remnants of them were still scattered everywhere.

Even after establishing the Western Knights Order, stabilizing the region remained the top priority.

“Only shoot the Orcs. Use nets to capture the Goblins and Wolves.”

“Yes, sir!”

Following my command, the Rangers immediately began targeting only the Orcs among the remaining Greenskins.

The Goblins and the Wolves they rode were valuable, so we aimed to capture them alive using nets.

“Come on, human! Let’s fight like warriors!”

“Alright.”

*Swish!*

“KreoOOOOOO!”

I was considering sending the captured Goblins to Go-Tae Sik to train them as Wolf handlers. I also had other potential uses for them if they proved capable.

However, Orcs are essentially useless. They’re too difficult to tame.

“Kwaroooaroooar!”

*Clang, Thwack!*

“So noisy.”

Even at a disadvantage, the Orcs didn’t lose their fighting spirit, charging fiercely. A red energy emanated from their bodies and axes, seemingly a unique Orcish aura, not just high morale.

Of course, their resistance was futile. I easily parried an axe and swiftly decapitated the Orc.

“Keee-ack! Let me go!”

“Capture complete!”

-Krr, Woof woof!

“Capture complete here too!”

As we systematically eliminated the Orcs, the remaining Greenskins were quickly subdued.

We were forced to kill those who resisted violently, but the remaining Goblins were easily ensnared in the capture nets.

The same applied to the Wolves, though the larger giant Wolves thrashed wildly even after being caught.

-Krrr, Woof woof! Woof!

-Kwoong?

Just then, Silver, a Wolf with silver fur, approached and began barking as if trying to calm them. They soon became docile.

“Your taming skills have improved. Can you tame adult Wolves now?”

“Yes, sir. We can train Wolves even if they’re not pups anymore.”

“Good job. This will be useful in many ways. Persuade those Goblins and put them to work.”

“Kee-ack, is that really okay?”

“Why else would we have bothered capturing them?”

Go Tae-sik was jumping with excitement, clearly thrilled to have new subordinates.

I plan to use Go Tae-sik to expand our Wolf breeding program.

They’ll primarily be used for combat or hunting, but they might prove useful in unexpected ways.

Ideally, they could even replace warhorses, like the ones the Orcs ride.

“Your Majesty.”

“Butler Jurgen, you’ve arrived.”

“Because Your Majesty summoned me.”

“That’s right. What are your impressions after seeing all this?”

Jurgen paused, considering the question before answering.

“Turning the entire Western Territory into a Knights Order… a kind of autonomous territory or duchy?”

“Something like that. It’s still part of the Empire, but the West governs itself.”

“Then, are you planning to elect a King?”

“The head of the Knights Order will be the governing body. Whether they call him the Knight King or not is irrelevant.”

At my words, Jurgen’s eyes narrowed, and he immediately identified the central issue.

“That sounds like… electing a King.”

“Even the Emperor is nominally elected by the Prince-Electors, so what’s the problem?”

“The Rangers of the Knights Order are not Prince-Electors. Moreover, they are commoners.”

“Exactly. The Western Territory will be governed by commoners. More precisely, by the Knights Order.”

“……”

A region where the lords had rebelled and public sentiment was at its lowest.

No matter which nobles we brought in, it would only lead to more rebellions.

However, if the Imperial Family ruled directly, we’d struggle for a long time after the civil war ended.

Therefore, the goal is to expand the ruling class to include commoners, at least in the Western Territory.

“…It’s too radical.”

“You’re not saying it’s impossible?”

“I think I understand Your Majesty’s intentions. Then, who will be the head of the Knights Order? That Shadow person?”

“I’m still considering it, but I’m leaning towards entrusting it to Van Horn.”

“My concern is whether authority will be established. Sir Van Horn is also of commoner origin, I believe.”

Jurgen’s concern was valid.

The difficulty for a commoner to become a King stems from the inherent lack of authority associated with their class, with the concept of “blue blood” itself.

However, this situation was slightly different.

“Due to their outstanding performance in the recent battle, the Western Rangers’ status and authority have skyrocketed. Public sentiment is also on their side. If they become the head of the Knights Order… in effect, the ‘King,’ no one in the West will oppose it.”

To be precise, the remaining nobles had fled south, but I planned to deal with them soon.

“Besides, I, the Emperor, have recognized them, right? That provides sufficient authority, at least in the Western Territory.”

“But if that’s the case… they might not remain an autonomous territory and could seek independence.”

“They won’t do that during my reign. As for what happens after… let them do as they please.”

I won’t be ruling for ten thousand years, so I hope my descendants can handle their own problems.

I feel like I’m going to die just trying to restore this patchwork Golem of a country to its former state.

“Well, they’re just learning to stand on their own, so they’ll need guidance. That’s why I called you, Jurgen.”

“Is there anything I can do here?”

Jurgen feigned ignorance, but judging by the anticipation in his eyes, he clearly expected this.

He’s like a slippery eel… but that’s precisely why he seems like the right person.

“You’re too talented to remain solely in the intelligence department. While your approach differs from Prime Minister Bright, you’re qualified to be the Prime Minister of a country. So… how about taking on that role here?”

“Thank you for your high evaluation, Your Majesty. If you entrust it to me, I will do my best.”

He accepted immediately, without even a token show of reluctance.

Well, it’s better to be honest about your ambitions. At least you know where you stand.

Even if such a person is cunning, you can trust them as long as your interests align.

“However, Your Majesty, there is one thing I must inform you.”

“What is it?”

“The Wizard Lord, Prince-Elector Elroyd, has requested negotiations with the Knights Order. It seems they desire peace talks.”

The Wizard Lord’s territory is where the remnants of the separatist lords of the West have gathered.

He’s the only Prince-Elector [one of the high-ranking nobles with the right to elect the Emperor] in the Western Territory, but his allegiance is unclear. He has maintained a neutral stance thus far. However, the separatists seemed to believe he was one of them.

Or perhaps they were simply seeking his mediation.

“Those guys haven’t learned their lesson. Do they think this is the time to propose negotiations?”

Of course, I have no intention of accepting anything other than unconditional surrender.

“Still, it might be beneficial to meet him once.”

“Why? We won’t be reinstating the existing lords in the Western Territory.”

“Yes, that’s correct. But it seems the Wizard Lord is aware of that.”

“Hmm?”

He knows, yet he’s still proposing negotiations?

“The Wizard Lord doesn’t seem to have any intention of protecting the lords.”

“Then we should meet.”

It seemed the Western Territory would be settled without further bloodshed.

* * *

“The gate is open! Charge!”

“Ugh! Wizard Lord, you dirty traitor! Kuaaack!”

They say that if you’re betrayed once, the betrayer is to blame.

But if you’re betrayed twice, the betrayed is the fool.

In that regard, the separatist lords, betrayed first by the Greenskins and then by the Wizard Lord, were fools.

“Magic Guardians, huh? Impressive. It would have been quite difficult if we had to fight them.”

I remarked quietly, observing the soldiers fighting while radiating magic from their enchanted armor.

The castle was in the midst of battle, but it seemed the Wizard Lord’s soldiers and the Rangers could handle it without my intervention.

“We had no intention of opposing Your Majesty. There’s no need for a fight.”

“I see. If that’s truly your intention.”

I gave a noncommittal answer, but Elroyd, a blonde man whose age was difficult to determine, simply offered a relaxed smile.

“Oh, what can I offer to prove my sincerity? Isn’t handing over all those rebels enough?”

“Not enough.”

Of course, it’s not enough.

I could have crushed those rebel bastards myself.

Now that they’re offering them to me, it just looks like an attempt to escape punishment.

However, as if anticipating my response, the Wizard Lord smirked and said, “I thought you’d say that. Then how about this? We will assist the Knights Order.”

“Assist the Knights Order? You?”

“Yes, we Wizards, or rather, even those who aren’t Wizards, we have many scholars. Scholarship doesn’t discriminate between commoners and nobles, and public sentiment in the West isn’t entirely negative towards us.”

So.

They’ll send scholars to the Knights Order to aid in governance.

“What’s the price?”

“Grant us Wizards autonomy as well. Oh, of course, it can be in the form of being absorbed into the Knights Order.”

“It sounds like you’re planning to swallow the Knights Order whole.”

On the surface, it sounds like a tempting offer, but it’s a poisoned chalice.

No matter how cultured the Rangers are, they’ll struggle to match the scholars in terms of administrative expertise.

If such individuals, as civil officials, gradually gain control of the Knights Order, they might eventually take it over completely.

“It’s unfortunate that our good intentions are being misinterpreted, but I won’t deny that it’s a possibility. But Your Majesty, can the West truly function effectively with just the Knights Order, without our assistance?”

“That’s debatable.”

There will undoubtedly be significant trial and error.

Even now, less than a month after establishing the Knights Order, problems are emerging.

They’re not critical yet, but if they’re not addressed, even the public support the Rangers currently enjoy might wane.

“Then I’ll accept, provided you agree to one condition.”

“What condition is it?”

“You must follow the orders of the head of the Knights Order, the Knight Commander. Furthermore, I will approve the elected Knight Commander, but the election itself will be limited to members of the Knights Order. Do you understand what this implies?”

Upon hearing my condition, the Wizard Lord’s previously confident expression quickly darkened.

“…You mean Wizards who are not members of the Knights Order have no right to vote.”

“You understand perfectly. If you accept this condition, the autonomy you desire will be guaranteed.”

Of course, neither my orders nor the Knight Commander’s orders can be overridden by this autonomy.

If I simply let things be, the Wizards will consume everything, so I needed to establish this safeguard.

“That’s a rather… difficult proposal.”

“You’re free to decline if you wish. But if you do, I’ll have to reconsider how I treat you from this point forward.”

I didn’t want to eliminate the Wizards of the Empire, so it would be a shame, but I had no intention of leaving rebels unpunished.

“Well, I have no choice. I’ll agree to that condition.”

“Wise choice.”

Fortunately, the Wizard Lord chose to compromise.

Or perhaps he anticipated some form of restriction from the beginning.