182 – reverse-1

The dragon appeared, but the world did not change.

The imperial family handed over their responsibilities and declared that they could not lead the knights because of the ‘threatening behavior’ of the other imperial family.

The whole empire was shaken. This confusion was not limited to the capital city.

Local lords were dissatisfied that the new emperor was not crowned. Even for those not involved in central politics, the monsters appearing in the forest were no small threat.

Even if the monsters that appeared once or twice could be stopped by the soldiers and guards of the territory, all fights could not be fought without damage.

Even if it wasn’t, it was a situation where men who could fight were lacking because of the war with the Demon King’s army.

In territories where the situation was good, veteran soldiers who had accumulated combat experience by catching and killing demons comforted and led others, but there were also regions where so many men were sacrificed that they couldn’t even do that.

The lords, who thought it was a fleeting accident that would happen in the process of changing emperors, had to forcefully suppress their growing anxiety.

The Demon King’s army was much larger and more powerful, but at least at that time I was confident.

The confidence that the trusted emperor who had ruled this empire for a long time would safely protect many regions and would order an evacuation if things didn’t go well.

However, no matter what letters the local lords sent to the capital, they could not receive a response. The emperor’s elders could not afford to reply, nor had the power to issue orders or recommendations.

There is no promise that there will be support from the Imperial Army anytime soon. The nearby territory is dangerous, so there is no order to send reinforcements. At least the empire can’t defend the area, so there’s not even a desperate answer to evacuate all personnel.

The quick-witted lords started to build networks with the lords around them who were friendly with them. No matter how miscellaneous the monster was, if this state continued, a huge group of monsters would appear.

In many cases, two or three estates shared a single forest, and the rangers risking their lives to watch over it exchanged information with each other. This ‘exclusive union of territories’ gradually appeared.

The empire was slowly disintegrating.

The capital wasn’t a good thing. Rather, the anxiety directly felt by the citizens was greater.

The monster’s attack had at least a hint. Temporary guard posts and watchtowers were being set up, and young men were recruited as recruits.

Citizens may have fallen into anxiety, but it meant that they were in danger ‘in the absence of soldiers’.

The monsters were not much of a threat in the face of hundreds of well-trained soldiers prepared with flaming arrows and polearms to kill them.

At least they could be safe within the soldiers and walls.

However, they were not citizens of the Empire. Although there was no full-scale war, there were vicious rumors that someone was about to be assassinated when they woke up.

Merchants in the capital and heads of various guilds, most of them were nobles standing in line.

In the past, who the noble was was not very important to them.

Even if the head of the blacksmith guild had lined up with Count Franz, not Baron Hans, nothing much had changed.

The important thing was that there were nobility who could give them political influence when they were wronged.

When the emperor and his inspector had their eyes wide open, even if they were attached to a more powerful noble, they could not do anything unjust. Conversely, there was no need to suffer an unfair loss even if you made friends with a weaker nobleman.

However, as the political situation in the capital became chaotic, they had to carefully examine whose side the nobles they served were on.

The imperial family associated with the blacksmith guild tried to control the weapons and equipment that other soldiers would enter, and the royal family associated with the tailor’s guild ordered exorbitant prices for clothes from those who served the imperial family who were hostile to them.

People in the capital were worried that other humans would kill or threaten them, not monsters. It was a painful and unpleasant sensation that the citizens of the Empire hadn’t felt in a long time.

However, there were people who changed.

“I will become emperor.”

Eleanor spoke with a nonchalant face.

“What is that…”

“Have you finally decided!”

The reaction of the Platinum Knights was split in two. Now, there were people who looked at me worriedly, asking why I had made that decision, and there were people who jumped in anticipation, asking why I had made that decision only now.

The vice-captain belonged to the former.

“Can I ask you one thing?”

“of course.”

“His Majesty’s will is circulating. Actually, it’s difficult for me to understand, but… I can’t help but believe Sir Reinhardt’s words, even if others don’t know.”

If it was an ordinary royal family or aristocrat, there were too many motives to manipulate the emperor’s will.

After all, Eleanor was the one who had been marked as the successor for the longest time, and had overwhelming support among citizens and soldiers.

Neither the specialty he had built as a knight nor his personal strength were comparable to those of other members of the imperial family.

It is said that there were flaws due to the heroic incident, but if other members of the royal family approached the position of emperor in earnest, so many mistakes and evil deeds would be revealed that they were incomparable to that.

Since he was the strongest emperor candidate, it was natural to be checked.

However, Reinhardt is different. It was a fact known to all in the Empire that he served only the Emperor.

He, who had been the model for all knights before Eleanor appeared, was Eleanor’s teacher and was more intimate with Eleanor than anyone else here, so he couldn’t have fabricated the emperor’s will.

“It’s true.”

Eleanor readily affirmed the emperor’s will that ‘she must not become the next emperor’.

“that…”

Even the knights were familiar with the rumor. It was only because the messengers spreading the rumor had little credibility, and it wasn’t a will worth hiding.

However, confirming the rumor after she said that she would become emperor was a development they did not expect.

Everyone here knew how deep Eleanor’s loyalty was and how filial she was.

“That, but can’t help it! The Empire is in chaos, and among the imperial family, the one most worthy of being an emperor is Princess Eleanor.”

However, there were also those who rejected the emperor’s will.

That the future of the empire was uncertain was a fact known to everyone here.

They believed in Eleanor’s strength.

“The problem of monsters is already getting serious in the provinces. In the capital, there are so many garrisons, so there is no such problem, but…”

“I see.”

Others defended her by spewing out the seriousness of the situation, but Eleanor’s attitude was too calm.

“Still, didn’t the dragon appear not too long ago?

“The dragon and the royal family protection have nothing to do with it. Neither do I.”

“…yes?”

The knights were twice surprised by Eleanor’s words. I was also surprised by her attitude of concluding that the blessings of the dragon and the imperial family were irrelevant, but what they were really afraid of was the words that followed.

“I’m not the emperor’s daughter. If I had to argue… should I say I’m an adopted daughter who cheated everyone except him? Anyway, it has nothing to do with the protection of the imperial family. Even if I become emperor, monsters will appear.”

As if she had no strength left to lie, Eleanor spewed out the truth casually.

“You tricked us into that!”

“I didn’t even know until His Majesty the Emperor passed away.”

The Platinum Knights are in chaos. There were people who couldn’t help but be amazed with their mouths wide open, and there were people who jumped up from their seats and glared at their leader.

Eleanor, who was at the center of it, just kept her seat cold, not showing any reaction.

“Then, why are you in the seat of the emperor…”

“Because I need to shoulder that burden.”

The commotion grew. The vice-captain tried to defuse this situation somehow.

However, he could not hide his doubts.

“Well, but rather than the empire falling into civil war, it’s better to be attacked by monsters…”

Before the vice-captain could finish his words, the chair on which a knight was sitting fell violently backwards.

“Doesn’t that make sense!”

A bloody knight stepped forward and aimed a sword at her.

“I’ll admit it. That you’ve been deceiving us all, and that you’re greedy for the position of emperor now! I’ll admit that it’s inevitable. But then, calmly pretending it’s nothing…”

“sorry.”

Eleanor bowed her head too easily.

“We are humans too. This time, if the knights don’t help Her Highness, what are you going to do!”

“It’s okay not to help. Rather, I wish I didn’t help. There’s no deep meaning in the position of emperor, so if it goes on for a long time, you’ll be in trouble with me.”

“No matter how high the princess is, she can’t ascend to the emperor’s seat alone…”

“have.”

Eleanor’s eyes burned coldly and quietly, without a hint of doubt.