I Became A Hidden Powerhouse Of The British Empire [EN]: Chapter 513

< Side Story – The Weight of the Crown >

The 19th century was marked by celebrations of unprecedented advancements in human history.

With less than 20 years remaining, voices anticipating the arrival of the new century echoed from every corner of the globe.

Just as new wine requires new bottles, the British Empire began its preparations for the 20th century.

Killian, who had elevated the British Empire to an unparalleled superpower, began to step back, bringing his son Edward to the forefront.

– Stagnant water rots, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

– For the sake of the British Empire’s 300-year plan, it is paramount to cultivate a worthy successor.

It is often said that power cannot be shared, even with blood relatives, but Killian generously shared his authority and knowledge with his heir.

The British Empire and its directly controlled territories were entrusted to the Crown Prince, who was destined to become the next Emperor.

The vast wealth Killian possessed was distributed equitably among his sons and daughters, and he expanded the influence of the Imperial Family not only in Europe and the Americas but also in Oceania and even Asia.

The primary objective assigned to Crown Prince Edward was the successful integration of Oceania into the United Empire.

As rumors circulated about Oceania’s potential incorporation into the British Empire, the British territories in Asia began to stir with their own ambitions.

“Shouldn’t we also be integrated into the British mainland, like Canada or Oceania, instead of remaining mere territories?”

“How would that be possible? Do you believe the British Empire would ever allow it?”

“If we demonstrate a strong economy and a substantial population, the conditions would be sufficient!”

“You know very well that we lack the necessary population.”

“Then, shouldn’t all the British territories in Asia unite to achieve this goal?”

The idea of integration naturally arose within Taiwan, Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Singapore, and word of their premature aspirations reached Edward’s ears.

These four locations were indispensable geopolitical hotspots in Asia.

The ideal approach was to nurture them carefully and utilize them effectively, preventing them from falling into other hands, but their location in Asia presented a challenge.

The reason Canada and Oceania could be integrated into the British Empire was primarily due to their predominantly white populations.

While Canada had a significant number of Black citizens and immigrants, it was undeniably a country with a white majority.

However, Asian countries had virtually no white population, and their cultural identity was firmly rooted in Asia, making their incorporation into the mainland practically difficult.

Still, if these scattered territories were united, given a distinct identity, and gradually assimilated into the British Empire, it might become feasible.

Wouldn’t that be a situation worth considering in 50 to 100 years?

Moreover, reports of the Qing Dynasty [the last imperial dynasty of China (1644–1912)] in Asia steadily declining beyond recovery were flooding in, further complicating the calculations of the great powers.

“A rebellion has reportedly broken out in Sichuan Province of the Qing Dynasty.”

“Yunnan and Guangxi have also formed an alliance, opposing the central government.”

“The Hong Kong Governor-General’s Office is suggesting that Guangdong should be separated from the Qing Dynasty altogether.”

The Qing Dynasty is collapsing?

In fact, Edward had been briefly informed by Killian that such a day would eventually come.

However, he did not anticipate such rapid developments, and at times like this, he once again recognized the extraordinary abilities of his father.

“What is the likelihood of the Qing Dynasty’s complete collapse?”

“It remains uncertain. Currently, all Asian experts are collaborating to review numerous scenarios, and a conclusion should be reached within a few days.”

The catalyst for the explosion of local discontent was, of course, the Qing Dynasty’s crushing defeat by the Joseon-Japan Alliance [referring to the First Sino-Japanese War, where Japan and its Korean ally defeated Qing China].

The shock of losing to Western powers like the British Empire or Russia could not compare to the humiliation of being defeated by a former vassal state that used to pay them tribute, so the unrest was understandable.

“Uniting the British territories in Asia and… if the Qing Dynasty collapses, how should we leverage this effectively… or perhaps, should we make a recommendation through the UN [United Nations, though it didn’t exist in its current form at this time, this could refer to an international body for cooperation]?”

The parliament and the administration watched with satisfaction as the Crown Prince calmly analyzed the situation and devised various countermeasures.

As expected, the foresight of the great Emperor Killian was undeniable.

If he continues to gain experience and mature in this way, the prestige of the British Imperial Family will undoubtedly continue to grow in the future…

* * *

“…Haa. I can’t do this. This sucks.”

Expanding prestige is nonsense.

I’m more likely to die from overwork before that happens.

To some extent, I even miss the days when I sacrificed sleep to absorb as much knowledge as possible.

Successor experience is a joke.

I want to inflict bodily harm on my past self, who was teary-eyed and touched by his father’s consideration when he received this position.

It’s obvious that he just wants to retire and dumped everything on me so he can relax.

However, the constant stream of articles praising my father, as if everyone is under some kind of mass hypnosis, is making my head spin.

“Leadership without attachment is a load of crap. This is a dump!”

Of course, that’s just my internal monologue. My father’s logic is impeccable.

No matter how capable he is, he can’t rule forever, so the Crown Prince must gain experience in state affairs in advance.

It’s an undeniable argument that even Edward agrees with, and all his siblings even sent their congratulations.

In particular, Adelaide, that schemer, even asked with a look of envy.

“Wow~ I’m so jealous. My beloved brother, can you give me a position too?”

“Aren’t you busy running the company?”

“These days, things are running smoothly, so all I have to do is set the general direction. I have more than enough time to help my beloved brother, so please contact me anytime.”

She must have ambitions to get involved in the operation of the empire now that she has experience running a company.

Edward saw through his sister’s intentions so clearly that he immediately set boundaries, telling her not to talk nonsense.

However, after starting work, exactly one month later, Edward sent an SOS to his twin sister.

“…Adelaide, about the request you made before, I’ve somehow managed to create a position that you can take on. So, starting next week, you should also come to work here…”

“Aaaah~ what should I do? I’m so sorry? Our company is starting a new project again, so I don’t have time anymore?”

“What? What nonsense are you talking about? You said all you had to do was set the general direction.”

“Hmm? Did I say that? Uh… wait, they’re looking for me downstairs. Sorry, brother, try hard alone for the time being.”

“Hey, hey! Are you really going to live like that? You have to keep the promise you made…!”

Click.

All that remained when I grabbed the phone, which had been disconnected mid-sentence, and shouted loudly was the cold dial tone.

My heart was warmed by the familial affection of my blood relatives, who ran away as soon as they realized the workload was enormous when they had asked for a position.

“Ah… it’s hard, it’s hard. There’s no one in the world to trust.”

Edward, dragging his tired body, returned to the bedroom and collapsed on the bed, using his wife’s thigh as a pillow.

“Was it hard again today?”

“You have no idea. I really feel like I’m withering away every day.”

“Why don’t you ask others to help you?”

“I already talked to my dear twin sister, but she immediately hung up the phone and ran away, you know?”

“Oh dear… shall I ask her?”

If Gisela, who is loved by all her family, speaks directly, Adelaide might reluctantly help for a while.

Having made such a statement, she should, in good conscience, take on a position.

“Oh, well, it’s a relief that at least you’re here. My siblings only tell me to cheer up, but when I ask for help, they all say they’re busy and ignore me.”

“Everyone has their own roles to play. I want to help you, but I’m always sorry because I don’t have the ability to do so.”

“What are you sorry for? Thanks to you, even when I’m exhausted from overwork, my fatigue disappears when I come back.”

Edward buried his head in her chest and rubbed against her, and Gisela smiled and stroked his face.

People who know him or his family would be shocked if they saw this, but this was the usual scene between the two in the bedroom.

Edward was confident that a husband exhausted from work was entitled to be a little spoiled with his wife, and Gisela also found such a husband endearing, so wouldn’t it be fair to say that they were a match made in heaven?

“By the way, when will Father come back? When Father comes back, you can go back to being the Crown Prince.”

“Father? He’s probably enjoying a vacation disguised as an inspection in the Bahamas with Mother right now, so it won’t be for a few years. He said that after the Bahamas tour, he’s going to go to California and rest for a few months.”

“Ah… hahahaha.”

Edward, who was lying on Gisela’s body, got up and laughed, loosening his stuffy clothes.

“It’s better to go to bed early today because I’m tired. Right?”

“Really? But why are you taking off your pajamas when you said you were going to sleep?”

Again, she knows everything.

Instead of answering, Edward laid her back down on the bed and fell on top of her.

“Oh my, you’re doing this again. Okay, just wait a moment, I’ll prepare too… Aing, please wait a little longer.”

Even though he was exhausted from work, his passion remained.

The Crown Prince’s night was just beginning.

* * *

The Caribbean countries offer a different charm compared to the resorts in the Atlantic or Pacific Oceans.

In particular, the Bahamas was a place where you could always admire the sapphire-colored ocean thanks to the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf Stream, unless a hurricane was raging.

Thanks to its reputation as a tourist destination since the 19th century, it was already well-developed when I arrived.

Here, the news that the Emperor and Prince Consort of the British Empire were taking a short break was added, and the Bahamas quickly became one of the most famous resorts in the Americas.

“Your Majesty, this is a rum cake that we are trying to develop as a local specialty here.”

“Hmm, it’s edible.”

“Gifts have been sent from all over in response to the news of Your Majesty’s arrival. The agents are inspecting them at the annex, so it would be a great honor if you could take a look at them later.”

“Yes. I will check them one by one after confirming that they are safe.”

Enjoying the fantastic colors of the sea that cannot be seen in London or England, and relaxing with the warm wind as a blanket.

Here, you can indulge in the specialties of the Caribbean Sea and take a leisurely rest, so what else is this if not paradise on earth?

“I’m going to take a boat and try fishing tomorrow, would you like to try it too?”

“Fishing… shall I give it a try? But I don’t know if we can just rest comfortably like this. Edward must be having a very hard time right now.”

“It’s all a learning experience for that child.”

I clearly warned him that there would be a lot of work, and I definitely received an answer that he was prepared.

Of course, I didn’t even hint that his thoughts would change once he actually experienced it.

“Ah, if I had known that resting was this good, I would have handed it over sooner and relaxed. I wasted half my life.”

“Wouldn’t he be upset if you go back too late?”

“What can he do if he’s upset? If he gives me cute grandchildren later, I can take care of them instead, so tell him to work hard on that.”

Yeah, I’m going to tour the Caribbean countries from the Bahamas, then play in California, and come back in at least two years.

This is all my happy retirement… no, it’s my fatherly affection to train my beloved son to be independent, so I hope you don’t feel too bad.

Well, I can’t help it if you feel bad. What can you do about it?

One day, while enjoying the freedom of not doing anything for the first time in my life,

“Your Majesty! Your Majesty!”

“What’s all the fuss at this hour?”

I was still in bed when I opened the door, disturbed by the noise coming from outside.

“Why are you making such a commotion when the Emperor is sleeping?”

“I’m sorry. But I had to come and tell you because there was news you had to know.”

“Tell me.”

“Engels of the South reportedly died around midnight yesterday.”

My eyes, which were about to close from sleepiness, widened as if I had been splashed with cold water.

“…Engels died?”

“His Highness the Crown Prince said that since Your Majesty is in the Bahamas, you should take care of it right away.”

“I should take care of it? The Emperor’s proxy is that child now, so he should do it.”

“That… he says it’s an order as the Emperor’s proxy.”

Oh, he got me.

Is he going to get revenge in this petty way?

Yeah, that’s my son.

I chuckled, put on my clothes, and left the bedroom.

Engels, you should have held on for a few more years, why did you have to go when I was here?

As I was grumbling, the faces of the young people who explained their ideals with their old passionate faces flashed through my mind for a moment.

‘Your Highness, in order to establish an ideal communist state, an ideal leader like Your Highness…’

I stopped walking for a moment as I was about to leave the room and poured a glass of whiskey that I had saved to express my condolences.

Towards those old memories that are now fading from my memory.