I Became the Master of the Empress

215 – 219

Today, I have decided to meet with the Pope directly regarding the issues with the Papal States.

“Your Grace, it has been a while.”

“Your Holiness, have you been well?”

Inside an ordinary black carriage.

We had to meet in disguise like this, for it would not do well if the fact that the Pope and I met became known.

“Ha, this old man’s days are all the same.”

The Pope laughs heartily as he looks at me.

Both of us being busy, I get straight to the point.

“Your Holiness, as you might have already heard from Sena, the Locusts desire the dissolution of the Papacy. I intend to dismantle it, yet practically keep it intact and suppress any opposing forces.”

The Pope nods slightly, his expression troubled.

“It’s not as easy as it sounds. As you know, if we dissolve the Papacy, the priests, the paladins, and the faithful citizens of the Empire will rise up.”

This is the part that worries me.

It’s difficult to quell the backlash from dissolving the Papacy, and that backlash could lead to conflict across the entire Empire… perhaps even with all nations.

No matter how much it’s for the sake of eradicating the demon worshippers, it’s not easy to proceed with something that could lead to war.

“What if you, Your Holiness, personally order to prevent any disturbances…”

I honestly know it won’t work.

Everyone will think it’s a statement I coerced out of the Pope under duress.

“For me to officially declare using the doctrine of infallibility, the College of Cardinals must agree. However, Your Grace, you are known to be dismantling the Papacy and arresting me, making it difficult to follow the formal procedures.”

“Is it also difficult to issue secret orders to those you trust?”

The Pope nods at my words.

“It’s not easy.”

“Not even if you take precautions in advance?”

The Pope nods again.

I had subtly written to the uncle of the United Kingdom, but he expressed his reservations.

He warned me in a strong tone that it must not be done.

Therefore, depending on the situation, I plan to dissolve the Papacy and reveal all information to my uncle at the appropriate time.

If that letter works well, I believe my uncle will help restrain the parliament of the United Kingdom.

It won’t last long, but where does that leave us?

If we can buy time externally like that, then the internal issues become the problem.

If it becomes known that the Papacy has been dissolved and the Pope arrested, the citizens of the Roman interior will rise up.

My soldiers might be quite discontented to stop them, but I will create a pretext to dismantle the Papacy, so it shouldn’t come to the worst-case scenario.

To be honest, I don’t know either.

The reason Balorang could push the Papacy aside was due to a forged cause and the active intervention of devil worshippers.

And it was possible through his own charisma and force.

Of these, the only thing that applies to me is the forged cause.

In the end, if I forcibly dismantle the Papacy, I can only assume there will be strong backlash leading to civil unrest.

“If we can’t control it… there will be a lot of bloodshed.”

At the Pope’s words, I close my eyes and sink into thought.

“Isn’t there another way?”

Many people will get hurt, and in the worst case, die.

I’m preparing various plans to at least prevent death, but it’s hard to say that no one will die.

And that’s not the end of it.

Even after pushing through the Papacy, the paladins must be preserved completely.

Even with a strong army, fighting the Locusts without paladins is not easy.

Simply put, the compatibility is too unfavorable.

“Regrettably…”

Watching the Pope shake his head, I fall into thought again.

If it comes to this, I really have to consider the worst-case scenario.

To suppress the bloodshed within Roman, I’ll have to use the intelligence department and the Party of Justice, and it seems I’ll have to go in the direction of capturing the paladins using the Pope as a hostage.

“Your Holiness, would it be possible to appoint my people as priests or bishops?”

I need to detect the movements of the divided Papacy and manage the level of danger.

For that, it would be good to plant agents from the intelligence department.

“It’s difficult for a bishop, but a priest or a sub-priest is possible.”

Thinking that too high a position would be conspicuous, I speak of a fitting rank.

“Good. Then I will send you a list. Please appoint the people on that list as priests or sub-priests and spread them throughout the Papacy.”

At my words, the Pope nods.

“That won’t be difficult. However, you’ve found a way to disrupt the blood contract, haven’t you?”

“Yes, thanks to the Papacy distributing the blood contracts.”

At my words, the Pope makes the sign of the cross.

“It’s natural as an apostle following God, but on the other hand, it’s a bitter affair.”

The Pope closes his eyes.

It seems to be a prayer for the souls of the victims who participated in the experiment.

Honestly, experimenting with human lives is not my cup of tea.

I only did it because I couldn’t think of any other way to ensure my safety… to deceive the demon worshipers.

“Yes, I also found it quite bitter.”

They may be criminals deserving death, but I don’t take pleasure in toying with lives.

It’s just that someone has to do what needs to be done.

“Well, I should be going now.”

“May God watch over you.”

I bow my head in response to the Pope’s words.

“May God watch over you.”

***

Time has passed since then.

I read the letter sent by Amon.

“Hmm…”

They are willing to concede the part about the hero.

I ponder over the letter suggesting a settlement: to release the Papal States and hand over the citizens of Roman and the Emperor.

Getting a bit impatient, are they?

We’re not quite ready on this end yet.

Currently, we’re experimenting to see how far apart the blood contract and its master can be while still being bound.

The artificial skin has improved significantly, so there’s no issue, but confirming the distance at which a contract can be made is the most crucial thing right now.

“First, let’s handle this…”

-Knock knock.

“Who is it?”

-The Emperor has arrived.

Upon Theodora’s visit, I put the letter in my drawer and say,

“Show her in.”

-Creak.

As she enters my office.

“Have you been very busy?”

I rise from my seat and speak as I sit down on the sofa.

“Not busy? What’s up?”

At my words, Theodora makes a pouting face.

“Tch, you say that but you’re busy every day.”

At her words, I scratch my head with an awkward expression and say,

“Well, I’m less busy now, but what’s the matter?”

In fact, compared to before and after the civil war, it’s quite calm now.

“Ahem… You seem to be having financial difficulties lately, is everything alright?”

Financial difficulties… Honestly, the empire’s finances are a mess right now.

The main reason is that the revenues from Epirus and Egypt are not entering the imperial treasury.

The traditional imperial finances are 60% from the nobility, cities, and temples, and the remaining 40% is supplemented by Roman, Epirus, and Egypt.

Currently, Epirus and Egypt are entirely Theodora’s territories.

The issue arose because I have no authority to interfere with the taxes sent to the empire from these two regions, other than what they already send.

Sigh… It’s regrettable, but we can hold out for about a year.

After all, once she takes control in a year, the finances of Epirus, Egypt, and Nicaea will merge with the imperial treasury, so it’s not a big problem.

“Why ask if you know everything? The problem is the shortage of revenue without Epirus and Egypt.”

The only regret is that the development and public works sectors have inevitably shrunk.

Not much time is left until the end. I don’t want to hand over the bankrupt imperial treasury.

“I will cover the shortfall in revenue.”

Her words bring me surprise.

“Huh? Suddenly? What’s going on?”

Clearly, Theodora, who seeks to dethrone me.

I suspect there’s an ulterior motive behind the hand she extends.

So, I look into her eyes.

“I’ve heard that the fund has dried up recently and there’s no additional support.”

“Is that so?”

Whether to increase or eliminate it next year is her decision.

I no longer have the financial power to operate.

“We can’t reduce the fund that has been driving the imperial economy recently. So, I will provide financial support for that part.”

Hearing her words, I fall into a brief contemplation.

The fund that is currently leading the great development of the empire.

If we reduce the fund, the side effects could be quite significant.

The emperor’s faction, still reeling from the civil war’s aftermath, and the cities and minor nobles who had been borrowing heavily to make grand investments.

And with the activation of investments, the growing domestic market is also expected to take a considerable hit.

Haha… Even if I dislike it, I’m reaching out for the empire’s development.

I think that includes proposing some sort of deal to me.

The basics of politics: give something to get something in return.

It’s not a bad proposal for me.

It’s regrettable to reduce the fund.

After all, all the power I hold will soon return to her.

So, there’s no loss in making a generous concession.

Right now, before such political thoughts, I’m a bit moved.

She’s always been emotional, but now she’s acting rationally.

She’s grown a bit. She knows how to think on a national scale.

“Alright. Then, what do you want in return for supporting the finances?”

At my words, she blinks her red eyes and looks at me.

“I don’t expect a return.”

“Huh?”

“I’ve only done what I should as the emperor for the empire’s development.”

Her words, implying she wants nothing in return.

Is she keeping this and planning to ask for something bigger later?

As I think this,

Theodora turns her slightly flushed face away.

She adds a little more.

“Besides… you seemed troubled by that matter recently.”