Chapter 72

The voice was haughty, but I sensed no hostility or malice.

Most of all, the “+” in my status has increased.

It’s not an enemy; rather, it’s something that follows me, like Leviathan and Behemoth.

Then, I thought.

I linked it to the armor ring, just like Leviathan and Behemoth, and materialized it.

The material of the ring quickly transformed into a bird with enormous wings (relative to its body).

“My name is Ziz. I am the magic bird that symbolizes the sky, paired with Leviathan and Behemoth.”

The grandiose tone echoed in my mind.

At the same time, I heard a familiar name.

Leviathan, and Behemoth.

All of them are under my command.

This Ziz claimed to be a similar existence to those two.

“Then, obey me just like Leviathan and the others.”

“...As you wish.”

In the next moment, an image flowed into my mind.

An image of wielding—Ziz’s power.

“Interesting... I’ll try it out right away.”

As I said this, Ziz dematerialized and retreated back into the feather ornament.

I held it, focused, and poured my strength into it.

Immediately, wings sprouted from my back.

Huge wings, perhaps twice the span of my outstretched arms.

White like a swan, but they seemed to shine, like wings of light.

“Wow...”

Goran, who witnessed this, let out a gasp of amazement.

I tried to flap my wings.

“Mm...”

Just like when I first walked on two legs after reincarnation, it was hard to put strength into them.

I could feel they were connected to my body, but I couldn’t control them well.

Still, I tried to move them, and my whole body trembled as I poured more strength into it.

Gradually, the wings began to move.

Flap, flap, flap, flap—.

The flapping became smoother and smoother—until finally.

“I, I flew!?”

My feet left the ground, and my body was slowly lifted.

By flapping with almost all my strength, I managed to fly up to about my own height.

I was so happy that I relaxed, and the flapping stopped, causing me to fall.

Since I fell straight down, I didn’t lose my balance and landed smoothly.

“Amazing! His Majesty can actually fly like an angel!”

While Goran praised me, more images from Ziz flowed into my mind.

I understood the basics.

Practice, and training.

With practice, I could move the wings more like a part of my body, and by increasing my level and abilities, I could improve my flight skills to a practical level.

This—seemed like a useful ability, I was certain.

☆

The next morning, while I was handling state affairs in my study, the Fourth Prince, Henry, requested an audience.

When I let him in, Henry knelt and bowed with a very serious expression.

“What’s wrong, Henry? You look troubled.”

“I received this report and didn’t know what to do.”

“Show it to me.”

I took the report from Henry and read it.

It was a report addressed to Prince Minister of Military Affairs, Henry.

It came from the magistrate of a small border town, stating that a group of bandits had occupied a nearby mountain and were showing suspicious activity.

The report stated that they would do their utmost to eliminate them.

“The number of bandits is 5,000, you say?”

“Yes. Reremo is a small town I had never heard of, but with 5,000 bandits showing suspicious activity, it’s a serious matter. If we’re not careful, the town could fall, and the rebellion could spread rapidly.”

“Hmm.”

“I thought we should send troops from the capital to suppress them and seek your approval, Your Majesty.”

While listening to Henry, I reread the report from the beginning.

Then—

“Huh...”

Involuntarily, a cold, one-sided smile crept onto my face.

“Your Majesty? What’s so funny?”

“You’ve fought rebels many times, but you’ve never dealt with bandits in the border regions, right?”

“Yes, but...”

Henry looked at me with a “So what?” expression.

I smiled back at him.

“Reports like this, where bandits are to be eliminated, tend to exaggerate the number of enemies—no, they often overstate it significantly.”

“...Why is that?”

Henry frowned and asked.

“There are two main reasons. One is about money. The more enemies there are, the more reinforcements we need. If the actual number of enemies is smaller, we can take the budget without actually reinforcing.”

“That’s what you pointed out when you were Lys, right?”

I smiled faintly.

It’s nostalgic.

Back then, Henry was the Prince Minister of Military Affairs, and I was just an assistant.

Now, Henry is still the Prince Minister of Military Affairs, but I am the Emperor who has surpassed him.

The difference in our positions was a bit amusing.

“And the other reason. If the number of enemies is greatly exaggerated, the achievement is greater when we win, and it creates an illusion that it was inevitable if we lose. In fact, you probably thought that it was beyond your control locally and that the capital had to do something about it.”

“Indeed.”

“First of all.”

I laughed more and handed the report to Henry.

Henry took it, and I continued.

“If it was so bad that you came to me for advice, it’s just a ‘report’ with no mention of reinforcements.”

“...Indeed. There’s only the phrase ‘do our utmost to eliminate them.’”

“It would be more troublesome if there were reinforcements.”

“Indeed. As expected, Your Majesty, I am impressed by your insight.”

As Henry bowed, Don entered the study.

“Your Highness, I apologize for the intrusion. Were you in the middle of an important conversation?”

“Don’t worry, we’re done.”

“I see.”

“What is it?”

“I have something for Your Majesty.”

Don said this and handed me a box.

A Fwawa box.

A box I had given to trusted individuals scattered across the regions for secret reports.

I took it and used Fwawa’s power to open it.

Inside was a letter, which I took out and read.

“Huh... Hahaha.”

Henry and Don looked puzzled.

I laughed and handed the letter to Henry.

When Henry read it, he also chuckled.

“Just as I said, right?”

“Yes... The actual number of bandits is 500. Only one-tenth of the reported number.”

The secret report was from Reremo.

It was true that bandits had occupied a nearby mountain and were showing suspicious activity, but their number was at most 500, even with a generous estimate.

“There was no need to send reinforcements.”

“Indeed, Your Majesty’s insight is remarkable.”

Henry’s worried expression from when he rushed in was completely gone, and he looked relieved.

“Still, it’s not good that bandits are frequently appearing in various places.”

I looked at the report Henry had brought.

I intended to expand the empire’s territory in the future.

If I were to send troops outward, I needed to stabilize the domestic situation.

If bandits were causing trouble here and there, I couldn’t focus on sending troops.

I had to do something about it...

“Why not manage them like a monster nest, and use them to train new soldiers?”

Henry suggested.

“It’s a good idea. But we can’t keep doing it forever. We will eventually have to go out and fight.”

“I see...”

“Alright, let’s think about it more later. Henry, keep it in the back of your mind.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Henry bowed once and then, as if remembering something.

“By the way, Jerry Eisen’s group has achieved another military feat.”

“Really?”

Jerry Eisen.

I had sent him to the military under the pretext of military service because he used to be a bandit and seemed useful.

Since then, he has achieved military feats, and his punishment has been lifted, making him a regular soldier.

“Military feats and honor—and women.”

Henry chuckled.

“Give them that, and they’ll work to the death. Your Majesty’s insight in recognizing their potential and placing them in the right positions is truly remarkable.”

“...That’s it!”

I found the solution.