Chapter 45

In the morning, in the garden of the mansion.

I lifted a massive boulder, which was part of the landscape.

The boulder, which was about twice the size of a human in both height and width, I lifted effortlessly and swung it up and down as if I were doing weight training.

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Name: Noah Ararat

Prime Minister

Gender: Male

Level: 10/∞

HP: SSS Fire: SSS

MP: SSS Water: SSS

Strength: SSS Wind: SSS

Stamina: SSS Earth: SSS

Intelligence: SSS Light: SSS

Spirit: SSS Darkness: SSS

Speed: SSS

Dexterity: SSS

Luck: SSS

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I glanced at the status sheet that was magically generated, representing my official stats, then placed the boulder back in its original spot. I then drew the longsword I had prepared and lightly threw it straight up.

The longsword, which floated up gracefully, fell with the tip pointing downward.

However, instead of piercing the top of my head, it bounced like rubber and rolled on the ground.

My abilities are outstanding.

To put it modestly, I am probably the strongest in the world right now.

"Amazing... Have you become even stronger, Lord Noah?"

"Hm?"

Turning around, I saw a familiar face in shock.

Cindy Alan.

She was a ten-year-old girl when we first met, but now, at almost twenty, she has grown into a beautiful woman.

"You came."

"Yes. I received a letter directly from Lady Ada, and I wanted to show it to you, Lord Noah, and ask you about the future."

"Letter? What kind of letter?"

"Here it is."

Cindy took out the letter and handed it to me.

Ada is the concubine I recommended, who later entered the harem.

Although she hasn't given birth to a child yet, the emperor has taken a great liking to her, and she is now the most favored among the concubines.

I opened the letter and read it.

It didn't contain much.

The emperor is leaving the palace for a summer retreat, and all the concubines will accompany him.

That's all it said.

"I see."

"With this, we can't tell how the emperor is actually doing. I want to ask Lady Ada more detailed questions, so I came to consult with you, Lord Noah."

"No, that's not necessary."

"Eh?"

"This letter tells the whole story."

I chuckled.

"What do you mean?"

"The emperor is in great shape."

Given the situation, I deliberately used a vulgar expression.

"Great... shape?"

"The fact that he's taking all the concubines is proof. What are concubines for? To be favored by the emperor—to be embraced by him."

"Oh..."

"If he were really ill and needed rest, there would be no need to take all the concubines. The emperor is probably quite well."

"I see."

"On the contrary, it would have been a problem if he had taken the empress."

"Why is that?"

"If the illness were serious and the issue of succession arose, it would be impossible to completely ignore the empress, who is the head of the harem. Either way, it's clear."

Cindy looked at me with admiration.

Compared to when we first met, she seems much more emotionally expressive now.

Anyway, it's clear that the emperor is relatively well.

Then, regardless of his true intentions, there is only one thing I need to do.

Focus on governance—prioritize the people.

☆

As the Prime Minister, to handle the vast amount of government affairs, I had a larger study built in the garden because the existing one in the mansion wasn't enough.

In this study, I processed the government affairs with Olivia Coil, who was dressed as a maid, serving me.

"The next one is an impeachment of the governor of Colonia, Ames."

"What did he do?"

"He apparently misappropriated the year's tax revenue, which was being transported to the capital, without authorization."

"Hmm... Hmm?"

"Is something wrong?"

Olivia tilted her head.

"Let me see that."

I held out my hand, and Olivia handed me the document.

I opened it and examined the contents.

Government documents typically include a summary in addition to the main text.

The empire is vast, and it is so large that even the emperor has difficulty managing it.

Therefore, it is common to include a summary on the actual document for matters that require the emperor's approval.

The chancellors, from the first to the fourth, are responsible for writing these summaries.

By doing this, the chancellors can review the documents first, and if the emperor is unsure, they can consult with them.

The documents transferred from the capital already have summaries written by the chancellors.

So, Olivia read the summary, and when I was intrigued, I opened the document and carefully read the main text.

"I see."

"What do you mean?"

"Something was off from the start. The summary suggests corruption, but it's strange that he used the tax revenue while it was being transported."

"Indeed! If he were trying to enrich himself, he should have done it beforehand."

"Exactly. The tax revenue being transported is already accounted for and is public money. No one would be foolish enough to touch it. That's why I looked at the details."

"What did it say?"

"Colonia had a major fire just before this. The air was dry, and the wind was strong, causing a fire that destroyed 80% of the city."

"---!"

Olivia gasped.

A fire that destroyed 80% of a city is a major disaster.

"Everything was burned. So, Ames caught all the tax revenue transport vehicles and used the contents to buy food from nearby towns, which he then distributed to the affected people."

"That's... a difficult situation."

I glanced at Olivia.

Given that she was born into a noble family, even though she is a servant, it's understandable that she would think so.

Once the transport began, the money belonged to the national treasury—indeed, to the emperor.

Using the emperor's money without authorization is a serious offense.

However, the purpose was disaster relief, so it was unavoidable.

A commoner would undoubtedly cheer for Ames, but Olivia, though a commoner by birth, was born into a prince's family and said it was a difficult situation.

"Seeking the death penalty is absurd."

"But—"

"I said it's absurd. People are treasures, and the people are the greatest treasure."

"Ah—"

"The resentment is clear in this impeachment. It was probably written by someone who has a grudge against Ames."

I took a pen and paper and began writing the decision.

"Ames is innocent. Instead, he should be given a raise for his disaster relief efforts."

"Yes."

"The accuser will receive a 'reprimand.'"

The emperor's "reprimand" is not just a scolding.

It is a serious punishment, equivalent to a substantial pay cut.

"Of course, Lord Noah. But is this appropriate?"

"What do you mean?"

"By making such a judgment, it might set a precedent. In the event of a large-scale disaster, the amount of revenue deposited in the national treasury might decrease, and... the royal family might suffer."

Olivia swallowed the words "the emperor."

She probably hesitated to say it.

Since she swallowed it, I pretended not to notice.

"They can tighten their belts. Prioritizing the weak and tightening their belts is also a privilege of the nobility."

"...Amazing. I've never seen a noble who can stick to such principles..."

Her comment about sticking to such principles probably came from her background as a servant in Gilbert's household.

After that, I issued a series of orders: food aid from the granary region of Hojoi, providing "convenience" to the empire-licensed slave traders, and prioritizing the delivery of building materials and labor for reconstruction.

Throughout the process, Olivia continued to look at me with admiration.

☆

At night, in the outer garden of the mansion.

I called the maid Zoe to the study.

"There's a place I want you to go, Colonia."

"Colonia...?"

"Yes. The area that had the major fire."

I explained the situation in Colonia to Zoe in detail.

Her face gradually stiffened.

"So, I'm sending you as an inspector with full authority. Keep an eye out for anyone who disobeys my orders."

"Understood! I'll do my best!"

Zoe was very enthusiastic.

In the past, Zoe's hometown, Doss, had suffered from a flood.

She had sought help, and I had responded.

Having experienced a flood herself, she would not overlook any wrongdoing in the reconstruction efforts.

"I'm counting on you."

"Leave it to me!"

Zoe left the study with enthusiasm.

A short while later, two men entered with a knock.

Foster and Howard.

Both were once Albert's subordinates, but after the incident, they lost their master, and I took them in as my own subordinates.

"Did you call for us, Your Highness?"

"Yes, I have a favor to ask."

I told them about sending Zoe as an inspector.

"I need you to go with her, disguised as soldiers."

"Are we to protect Zoe?"

"Not just that, but the most important thing is to keep an eye on her surroundings."

Foster and Howard looked at each other, puzzled.

They didn't understand the order.

"I'm sending Zoe, but unlike Evelyn, she is a maid in my mansion. As a naive maid, there will definitely be people who try to deceive her."

Howard suddenly understood.

"Do you understand now? Yes, that's why I'm having you disguise yourselves as soldiers."

"I see, as former attendants to the crown prince, we can lull them into a false sense of security as soldiers."

"Exactly, that way we can uncover any tricks they might try."

"Got it."

"Of course, Your Highness."

"Being able to anticipate and handle potential failures is impressive."

"I'm counting on you both."

"Leave it to us."

"Your Highness, we can finally repay the favor for saving our lives."

Both of them, with faces as enthusiastic as Zoe's, knelt and bowed in response.