He became the most insane emperor of all time - Chapter 13

“The merchants would be pleased to hear that, but I wonder if we are fully prepared yet?”

“Is that what you think, Chancellor?”

After finishing the hunt, Chancellor Bright joined us on the way back to the palace. Unlike me, who answered leisurely, he sighed and spoke.

“Developing the wasteland is not as easy as it sounds.”

“I know. It requires logistics on the level of a war. But that’s why it’s even more important to do.”

Gathering artisans to make arrows, crafting bows, and assembling crossbows. Hammering out armor and spears, and establishing systems to secure food—these were all things that cost money, and nothing about it would be easy.

“It would be a wartime economy. Naturally, if we’re not careful, the imperial finances won’t be able to withstand it.”

“That’s why we’re targeting the wasteland. It’s not just a war that consumes resources; by developing it, we make money from the land itself.”

For instance, the pelt of the giant wolf beast we just hunted.

Not only was the quantity of the pelt far greater than that of a normal wolf, but the quality was exceptional.

Moreover, it wasn’t just the pelts that were valuable.

The blood of these monsters, depending on the species, had different uses, such as in alchemy or various magical rituals.

Their bones, too, were used for medicinal or magical purposes, but some very special beasts had bones that were as strong as steel and could be polished and used as armor.

“Why only monsters? We could secure more grazing land or farmlands as well.”

The wasteland itself could serve as a resource, or even additional real estate or territory.

In a wasteland, there might be rare herbs hidden away that aren’t found elsewhere. Moreover, there could also be abundant mining resources.

“You’re not wrong, but the cost might exceed the profit. That’s why, in the past, the empire was hesitant to develop the wasteland.”

While continuing our conversation, we exited the wasteland.

At the hunting camp, where we had set up a base, soldiers were already skinning the animals they had hunted.

Just this alone made it clear that the training wasn’t just a wasteful consumption.

“Chancellor, there’s a saying: if you’re too thrifty, you’ll end up with nothing.”

“I’ve never heard that saying, but I think I understand your point.”

Still, the Chancellor wasn’t the kind of person who would pass up an opportunity to make money just because he was worried about costs.

If someone lacked that kind of boldness, they wouldn’t become the Chancellor of a country.

“But such projects usually lead to tremendous inefficiencies.”

“You mean there will be corruption.”

Just as the Chancellor said, he was right.

Where there’s money to be made, parasites always follow.

Even if the goal is to maximize efficiency in management, there will always be people trying to pocket something for themselves in any human endeavor.

This is not something that can be resolved by leaving it to the palace officials or merchants. Both of them, if they take bribes, will take the money, but it’s hard to expect them to be upright.

“That’s why I plan to create a department dedicated to inspections.”

“What do you intend to do?”

On the way back to the palace from the hunting grounds, the Chancellor carefully asked, checking if anyone might be listening nearby. He knew that this kind of matter wouldn’t be good for other officials to hear.

“A spy organization. I plan to formally create a spy organization.”

Inspections are, in the end, about gathering information. And a spy organization is a group that gathers information.

Inspections involve gathering information within your own faction, and while it’s not too dangerous, it’s not an easy task. But that’s exactly why inspections are a good way to train spies.

Even if something goes wrong, it’s unlikely that valuable spies would end up dying.

“By identifying and eliminating corruption, we can simultaneously train spies to spread information outward as well.”

Right now, I am in the process of gathering the Blue Team. However, as it becomes more of a team effort rather than individual work, there will inevitably be trolls or traitors among the members.

That’s why a spy organization is essential.

“Then who will you entrust with the task?”

As we neared the palace, the Chancellor asked who I would appoint for the position. The head of the spy organization couldn’t be just anyone. Ability was required, but most importantly, loyalty was needed.

I couldn’t entrust someone I didn’t trust to be my eyes.

Luckily, there was a perfect candidate for the job.

“Welcome, Your Majesty. Was the hunt enjoyable?”

“Jurgen.”

Jurgen, the head butler. He had held the position of head butler for generations in the royal family. While he might want to further his own ambitions, he wouldn’t betray me.

With his excellent abilities, he was the ideal person to lead the spy organization.

“You can now discuss the matter with the Chancellor. He’s aware of it now.”

“I see, that’s why I thought you were with Chancellor Bright.”

Although Chancellor Bright seemed uneasy about him, it was understandable given the Chancellor’s meticulous nature and the butler’s cunning disposition.

But what could I do? I commanded that they get along, no matter what.

***

Selina Heines von Orlant was the daughter of the Duke of Orlant, one of the seven founding noble families of the empire.

Originally, she never intended to become a member of the royal family.

“Has my father not moved yet?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Even his ally, Marlenberg, is silent.”

However, now, she was more loyal to the royal family than to her own family.

Although it had been an unwanted marriage between two noble families, there had never been anyone she had cared for as much as the previous emperor.

Therefore, she despised her own family, who were trying to manipulate her to control the emperor.

“Keep watching. Give extra pay to the maids we’ve planted.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The maid loyal to her took the gold coins and kissed the Empress Dowager’s hand.

The scene was a display of proper subordination, not unlike the way male spies would behave, showing respect and obedience.

“So, my father is still not paying attention. That’s fortunate.”

This delicate balancing act wouldn’t last long.

The Empress Dowager sat by the window, sipping tea, reflecting on the political situation.

“Soon, my father will start paying attention.”

Until now, she had purposely acted as though she had been mistreated by the emperor, cutting ties with her family.

But as long as her son, Emperor Franz, was expanding his power for his own ambitions, it was only a matter of time before her ruse was uncovered.

“Therefore, increasing our intelligence network is a good choice, but…”

Even so, there were limitations to that.

Spying was like seeing—it involved gathering information. Those who could see could also perceive who would attack and use military power appropriately.

But ultimately, spying was only like having eyes.

Even if an attack is recognized, without the power to stop it or allies to fight alongside, one could be overwhelmed and defeated.

Although Jurgen, the butler, and the Empress Dowager had trained male and female spies to dramatically improve their intelligence network…

It wasn’t a perfect solution to eliminate future instability.

“Increasing military power has its limits, so eventually, we’ll need to expand our alliances…”

Though they were gathering lesser nobles, these smaller nobles weren’t reliable enough to trust with their backs just yet.

To keep in check powerful factions, one needed powerful allies.

The challenge was whether such people even existed.

“The most comfortable option would be a political marriage.”

As she herself had done, the easiest and quickest way for a noble to gain allies was through a strategic marriage.

But even then, there were few suitable candidates for such a union.

Those from families who could be useful were hostile to the royal family.

Those who weren’t hostile, however, weren’t of much use.

“Besides, I don’t even know what Franz thinks about this.”

Now that Franz had come of age and become the emperor, there was no reason he couldn’t be engaged to someone immediately.

However, it was uncertain whether Franz would want that.

He likely recognized the need for alliances, but he would probably think, as Selina did, that there was no suitable candidate.

Still, the Empress Dowager was curious if Franz had any ideas or plans for making alliances, so she decided to ask him directly.

“Is anyone outside? I would like to see His Majesty.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I will accompany you immediately.”

As soon as she made the decision, the Empress Dowager left the room and headed to where Franz was.

According to the butlers and maids, the emperor was currently training at the training hall.

Upon reaching the indoor training hall, the Empress Dowager quietly opened the door and peeked inside.

“Ah…”

Inside, the emperor, shirtless, was holding a sword and closing his eyes, focusing as if meditating.

His well-defined muscular body, complemented by his long silver hair, made for a striking and impressive sight.

-Srrrrr.

From his sculpted body, a blue aura spread out, and the wooden sword he held absorbed the energy.

Chik, shasha-shak! Perbuk!

The emperor suddenly opened his eyes, swung the wooden sword, and cleaved through bundles of straw set up as targets.

Although the wooden sword had no blade, the aura that enveloped it served as a substitute, cutting through the straw with precision.

Clap, clap, clap—

“Excellent, Your Majesty.”

“Mother.”

Seeing her son, now grown into a handsome and impressive young man, the Empress Dowager couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed with emotion and unconsciously clapped her hands.

As the maids wiped the sweat from the emperor’s face and body, the Empress Dowager approached him.

“It’s good to see you working so hard on your training.”

“There’s still much more to be done in my training. But what brings you here?”

“It’s about something else…”

The Empress Dowager then spoke about her concerns.

The intelligence network was steadily growing thanks to working with Butler Jurgen, but that alone wouldn’t reduce the growing attention they were attracting.

Eventually, opposition would arise, and without a solid alliance, she needed a reliable friend.

She stopped at that point, not mentioning anything about a political marriage.

However, the sharp-minded son would surely understand the hidden meaning behind her words.

“An alliance. While the lack of a suitable candidate is a problem, there is also the issue of trust. Even if a political marriage is arranged, there’s no guarantee of no betrayal.”

Franz took a more negative view of strategic marriage from a different angle.

Unlike Selina, who couldn’t objectively assess her own son, the emperor didn’t overestimate his own charm.

Even if someone entered a strategic marriage with him, there was no assurance that she or her family wouldn’t betray him.

It was a thought that only Franz, who had no illusions about family, could have.

His belief was that, unless one could hold leverage over others, anyone who joined forces could also betray them.

“However, there is one friend with a weakness.”

“Who is it, Your Majesty?”

A friend who, despite having power, was in a difficult situation and desperately needed the authority of the emperor.

“I think it would be wise to bring the Church into this, Mother.”

The Pope happened to want to meet the emperor.

Although it wasn’t clear what he wanted, it seemed like they had many expectations from the emperor.

Franz decided to make them a friend to move forward with.