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Emperor Commodus issued a decree to summon his army.

This wasn’t an army gathered through other noble lords, but one trained using the country’s funds and established by the emperor himself. The emperor’s Imperial Guards.

Sure, he could gather a massive force by calling on the other nobles, but that would take a lot of time, and the troops wouldn’t obey his orders properly. Thus, he relied on the army he personally trained.

Of course, the size of his force was smaller compared to what could be mustered from the other nobles. However, an army that follows only his commands was incredibly reassuring.

“Indeed, it seems wise to follow your suggestion. There’s no point in issuing mobilization orders to the other nobles; they wouldn’t gather properly, and even if they did, they’d be full of complaints and wouldn’t listen well.”

“Only the emperor can wield the emperor’s sword. Isn’t that splendid?”

The emperor nodded slightly at the old man’s words.

Neither the uptight knight order nor the lord’s army, cobbled together from various retainers, could compare to this.

If the emperor decreed it, this elite military trained to the point where they’d leap into hell itself. The emperor’s Imperial Guards.

With this force, they could easily subdue the elves and dwarves in that small city and take it over.

And so, the emperor bore a confident smile.

—

“Do you really think that’s feasible?”

“Isn’t it natural not to know? You’re a man who can’t even muster a hint of military talent.”

In a room illuminated by the faint glow of candles, several people sat gathered around a large table, talking.

They had their hoods over their heads, as if trying to conceal their identities, yet they all recognized each other.

These were high-ranking nobles associated with the North Romania Empire.

Great nobles leading factions from various regions. They would seem eager to devour each other at first glance, but this time, all shared a common purpose.

“This situation is… not good.”

“What can a few thousand Imperial Guards do against the elves and dwarves? It’s questionable even if we pull together the troops from North Romania.”

“It’s clear they’re trying to ruin the country!”

The nobles voiced their discontent regarding the emperor.

“All the greater problem is that, should such an event actually occur, South Romania wouldn’t stand by idly.”

“They are itching to snatch away the legitimacy of North Romania.”

The capital of the Romania Empire. North Romania, in possession of Sirius, held more legitimacy than the south.

It was based on this legitimacy that many nobles were rallying together.

That’s why, despite being immeasurably wealthier than the North, South Romania had not been able to act against it.

“Even if the emperor’s Imperial Guards were to be annihilated, it wouldn’t weaken the borders of South Romania; however… the elves and dwarves pose a real problem.”

“Well… so far, they’ve lived together without major issues, but if the emperor preemptively attacks them, they’ll surely have to start preparing defenses.”

From the North Romania’s perspective, they were simply keeping an eye on South Romania, while only needing to watch out for the Rattkinia and nomads flanking them. Now, the elves and dwarves had become enemies as well.

Moreover, there was no guarantee that, even if they concentrated forces from North Romania, they could hold them back.

“Surely, trouble will arise.”

“Yup… this is quite troublesome.”

The emperor doing foolish things and stirring up trouble with his army was nothing new, so it wasn’t worth stressing over.

It was all happening within North Romania. The foolish emperor would just be his usual silly self. Whether the common people suffered didn’t matter much to them, as long as no major issues arose.

But this time, things were different.

With the South Romania ally, Rattkinia, lengthening the defensive lines and causing headaches, the elves and dwarves became enemies?

It felt like having two sharp daggers aimed at the back of one’s neck.

Such a thing must not happen.

“Indeed, it seems I have no choice but to take action.”

“Do you have a good plan?”

All eyes turned to the old noble sitting at the head of the table.

He was the noble with the largest power under that foolish emperor, so he surely had some good ideas.

Normally viewed as a rival, but in this situation where everyone needed to unite, he was extremely reassuring.

“It seems the time has come to bring the emperor down.”

“Bring the emperor…?!”

“Are you suggesting rebellion?!”

Whispers of shock spread among the gathered nobles.

Bringing down the emperor.

Rebellion.

Everyone understood the weight of those words.

“How could… such a…?”

“But it’s become an unavoidable choice.”

“We cannot leave that fool of an emperor as he is…”

Some were inclined to agree with his words while others wanted to deny them, but everyone’s thoughts converged on one word.

A word they had been desperately trying to avoid. Rebellion.

That weight was anything but light.

“It’s clear this isn’t something to be done lightly under normal circumstances. However, if we leave him alone, North Romania will cease to exist.”

“But… rebellion…”

“I know. So I’ll take the responsibility.”

Whispers spread once again.

The head of the greatest noble faction was willing to take responsibility.

“Once everything is over and the problems resolved, I’ll retire and pass the title to my son. It’s about time my boy grew up.”

“B-but…”

“Would I have even entertained the thought of uttering rebellion without such a resolution? Of course not.”

The nobles nodded at his words.

Some found it amusing at the thought, yet none showed it outwardly.

A heavyweight in North Romania politics was voluntarily stepping down from the stage; it was quite funny indeed.

“Rebellion. It would be great if it could happen… But how exactly will we bring him down?”

“We’re pressed for time. If that foolish emperor leads the Imperial Guards to attack Betelgeuse, we’ll be too late.”

“It’s urgent.”

The old noble scanned the room filled with nobles before speaking.

“In this kind of situation… we must take measures with the Imperial Guards.”

“The Imperial Guards?”

“But they only follow the emperor’s orders. How can we…?”

The emperor’s Imperial Guards. The emperor’s military. They listened to only his commands.

Even if they followed the foolish emperor, they were skilled enough that the armies of the other lords couldn’t touch them.

“Even if we summoned troops right now, it would be too late.”

“What about using the knight order?”

“They wouldn’t act easily.”

“Well then, how do we target the Imperial Guards?”

All eyes turned to the old noble, who opened his mouth.

“Hasn’t everyone placed people within the Imperial Guards?”

At those words, the nobles momentarily held their breath.

“That is…”

“Let’s discuss this openly. Surely everyone has placed someone they have connections with in the Imperial Guards.”

None could answer the old noble’s statement.

It was the truth.

Placing someone in the emperor’s Imperial Guards to keep an eye on their movements was a given for any noble with some standing.

“Let’s make use of them. Instead of us directly toppling the Imperial Guards and rebelling, it’s better for the emperor’s army to openly defy his commands.”

“Truly… if we claim it was the Imperial Guards defying the emperor’s orders… it will lessen the impact on us.”

Direct rebellion was too much of a burden.

Those involved would bear the label of traitor, forever stained with infamy.

Thus, using the Imperial Guards was the way.

“If each of the nobles here has placed their people, we could get a few dozen together. Let’s spread rumors about the Imperial Guards.”

“Rumors… about what?”

“That the emperor has lost his mind and is about to pick a fight with the Church of Life.”

The more exaggerated a rumor, the more powerful its influence.

If they spread the rumor that the emperor had lost his mind and was about to make a dreadful choice, the effect would be even stronger.

And most importantly, all the details would have to be true.

“The emperor, lustful as he is, aims for the beauties of the elves and dwarves, planning to attack Betelgeuse, and subsequently persecute the Church of Life and shut them down… Hm, should I add some more dramatic elements…?”

“What about using the Dragon Priestess as a dramatic element?”

“The Dragon Priestess?”

“Yes. I heard one was discovered recently.”

The Dragon Priestess. The Saint of the Church of Life.

That name carried a weight unmatched.

“Indeed… if the Dragon Priestess is involved, it could turn the whole Imperial Guard upside down. It might be wise to spread rumors that the emperor, enchanted by her, intends to shut down all the temples of the Church of Life in North Romania.”

The old noble nodded and said.

“Then let’s disband for now. There is much to do from here. Each of you can take care of spreading rumors through those you’ve planted in the Imperial Guards. If news involving the Dragon Priestess spreads, the Church of Life won’t remain silent… and we should be able to stop that foolish emperor.”

Thus, the nobles of North Romania resolved to rebel against the foolish emperor.

 

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