I Became the Master of the Empress

242 – 246

“What are you talking about? We don’t have time to dawdle. Hurry up and deal with the Locust…”

Karl’s heart pounded as he feigned calmness, urging Philip, but after a long contemplation, Philip finally spoke.

“If both General Martin and I leave the palace, wouldn’t it be dangerous if the Locust were to attack?”

But since the Intelligence Department had anticipated this question, Karl offered a plausible excuse.

“Support from the Papacy will arrive soon. With the Holy Knights and priests here, how could the Locust possibly come? Besides, the Grand Duke himself plans to command the palace. This isn’t what’s important right now. We must kill the Locust immediately.”

Karl was anxious to send the two generals outside of Rome as quickly as possible.

His insides were anxious, but Philip’s expression was not good either.

Philip closed his eyes and pondered coldly.

The Grand Duke’s orders had arrived, but going back to confirm with the Grand Duke would mean unavoidable charges of disobedience.

Moreover, if they were to let the Locust escape, Philip thought there would be no way to mitigate the charges of disobedience.

“I will follow His Grace the Grand Duke’s orders and assemble the troops to pursue the Locust. Please bring the Holy Knights as quickly as possible.”

***

– The two lions have been sent out. Inform me once they leave through the city gates.

“Understood.”

– Crackling.

The communication ended with Alexander’s words.

“If the two leave, Minister Karl will have the authority to act officially.”

“It’s almost done.”

“Yes, but the two lions haven’t left yet, so we mustn’t act hastily.”

“I’m aware.”

As soon as the two generals step outside of Roman, it’s almost as good as a success.

‘A day? Maybe two? I’d like to have my way.’

I spoke, struggling to hide my greed and obsession for him within me.

“Is it difficult to expel them entirely beyond the walls?”

Sabinelli shook his head.

“We would need to mobilize all the soldiers of the Grand Duchy scattered throughout Roman… It won’t be easy.”

Well. All I need to do is prevent the annulment of the marriage.

After that… I can torment him slowly.

But I’ve heard it hurts the first time… I’m a bit worried, but when I think of parting ways with him for life, it’s a small price to pay…

Everyone does it, after all.

I don’t think it’ll kill me.

Anyway, what’s important now is.

“Alright, I understand. Proceed with the plan.”

From then on, silence envelops the emperor’s office.

Everyone present can’t help but feel anxious as the two generals hastily assemble troops and plan the search.

-Tick-tock, tick-tock.

The silence is so profound that even the sound of the clock’s gears turning can be heard.

-Crackling. A large troop movement is confirmed from the palace. The type is cavalry. The number is roughly 2,000.

-Crackling. Numerous movements are confirmed from the military facilities. The types are cavalry and infantry, numbering about 5,000 in total.

The gradual sound of military movement.

Everyone anxiously awaits their departure from the Roman gates.

“That’s about 7,000 in total. It seems more soldiers were left behind than expected. But something feels odd.”

Sabinelli, with a puzzled look, speaks into a wooden cup-shaped object.

“Any further movements? What about the Giant Brigade?”

-The facilities of the Giant Brigade are lit, but there are no additional movements.

The Giant Brigade, his direct unit, does not take orders from anyone except him and Agrippa.

“Hmm…”

If the Giant Brigade moves quickly, a bloodbath could ensue.

“Ask Karl if he can move the Giant Brigade with his forged orders.”

If reinforcements arrive from that place about 10 minutes away from the palace, it could be quite troublesome.

Therefore, I give the order to Karl to mobilize them…

-Crackling. “The Giant Brigade will not move unless they face the Archduke or Agrippa directly. That will be difficult.”

The room falls silent at those words.

If the Giant Brigade arrives at the imperial palace as reinforcements… blood will inevitably be shed.

This is a personal matter between him and me.

We must prevent at all costs the soldiers from battling each other and creating casualties.

“Understood. Once we subdue the imperial palace, command the private soldiers to create barricades based on the palace walls.”

Time passes after giving the order.

-Crackling. “General Philip’s flag spotted at the eastern gate. The troops consist of cavalry and infantry, about 3,000 in number.”

-Crackling. “General Martin’s flag spotted at the southern gate. The troops consist of cavalry and infantry, about 3,000 in number.”

At that moment, every second feels like an hour.

Soon… they will leave.

Please don’t notice, please don’t catch on.

With such an anxious heart, I wait for the next report.

Just go… quickly.

-General Martin leads his soldiers out of the gate.

Philip? Has Philip not left yet?

As I grow anxious…

“Has General Philip not left the gate yet?”

-Crackling. “General Philip is now looking towards the imperial palace.”

The anxiety grows, fearing he might have noticed something.

And then…

-Crackling. “General Philip’s forces are moving out of the eastern gate.”

With that word, we burst into cheers.

“It’s done!”

“We’ve done it!”

“We’ve succeeded.”

Now we must hold them for a long time.

When I ask Sabinelli for a wooden cup with my hand, he hands it over with an indifferent face.

“I announce to all personnel now. We have achieved our first objective. The next mission depends on you. If you succeed in this mission, I and the empire will never forget your hard work.”

-Crackling! Your command is received!

-Crackle. Your command is received!

“If you complete this task, I shall bestow upon you a grand reward. So… I ask of you. Do your utmost to ensure the mission’s success.”

-Excuse me… that VVIP?

A young and delicate voice searches for the VVIP.

VVIP is slang for me.

Feeling puzzled by the voice that seems like a girl’s, I ask in return.

“Are you looking for me?”

A brief silence follows, and I wonder if the child finds me disagreeable, so I say.

“If you’ve found me, speak comfortably, I won’t take offense over such matters.”

After about 5 seconds…

-Crackling. If we succeed… could you perhaps send us on a vacation, Your Majesty?

Before the sentence even finishes, Karl’s voice is heard from the cup.

-Hey! Who’s using titles during the operation? Is that you, Emilia?

“Pfft…”

I thought the intelligence service was full of stern people.

The tension eases a bit when a girl who feels somewhat cute says something unexpected.

-Shut it! You’re on a pay cut and retraining for a month starting tomorrow!

-Eek?!

“Let it be, do not punish her!”

I command firmly and soften my voice.

“Was it Emilia? Accomplish this mission. If you do, everyone involved in this operation will receive a vacation and a bonus.”

-You… really?!

-Eek! VVIP, you’re the best!

-I will stake my life to make this operation a success!

“But if you fail… be prepared, that is all!”

-Your command is received!

-It’s easy to toy with soldiers who know nothing!

-Don’t worry! Our training is harder than theirs, Your Majesty, oh! VVIP.

-Sigh…

Leaving Karl sighing behind, I couldn’t help but suppress a laugh.

“Pfft… How cute.”

This should be good enough, right?

With that, I begin to look forward to what they will send.

***

“General! There’s a suspicious person over there.”

Philip stops talking and says.

“Who are you?! Identify yourself!”

“I am Agent 001 from the intelligence department. I have been ordered by the minister to brief you, General, upon your arrival here.”

“Good. What’s the current situation?”

The man known as 001 pulls out a map from his coat and says.

“Our current location is here. The initial locust sighting was reported here… After which, our agents confirmed traces of movement near the Tiber River, heading towards the nearby mountains.”

“The mountains?”

The mountains drawn on the map. Not a very high terrain, but the area seems to have its difficulties for a search in the dead of night.

However, Philip stares intently at the man called 001, sensing something off.

“As far as I remember, locusts have wings. Why would it not fly and remain here?”

‘If it’s heading to the imperial palace, we must take the reins now.’

In response to Philip’s skepticism, 001 calmly replies.

“According to the agents who encountered the locust, its wings were torn. We must eliminate the locust as quickly as possible.”

‘Torn wings? If we fail this mission, it might be blamed on me.’

“Understood. Let’s head to the mountains first. Spread out the search formation!”

And so, they head towards the mountains, laden with various traps.

***

-Creak. Understood. Let’s head to the mountains first. Spread out the search formation!

As Philip’s voice resonates from the wooden cup.

I sense that this operation will surely be a success.