I Became the Master of the Empress

321

The enormous something visible beyond the window was hard to describe.

A large, round object was connected to a tight-fitting compartment that could barely fit three adults, and seeing it floating in the air filled Andronikos with confusion.

“What is this?”

“It’s called a hot air balloon. It’s the latest equipment made by our intelligence agency. What do you think? Do you like it? Now hurry and get in!”

The gardener he had seen before pushed Andronikos’s shoulder, forcing him into the hot air balloon, while another gardener pulled on a long rope.

-Whoosh!

As the fire blazed fiercely, the hot air balloon slowly began to rise, while soldiers rushed toward them in a panic.

The gardener shouted at the imperial soldiers on the ground.

“Ha ha! You imperial dogs! We’re taking Andronikos with us!”

“Is this thing safe?”

Andronikos, over thirty and afraid of floating in this unfamiliar contraption, cautiously spoke up, and the gardener extended his hand, saying,

“It’s safe! Our Babylonian science is the best in the world. I’m Kamiar! That friend over there, who’s grumpily controlling the fire, is Samir.”

“Nice to meet you, Andronikos.”

After shaking hands with the two, Andronikos asked,

“But where are we going?”

“Where else? To Babylon. Our Emperor is quite interested in the poor Andronikos. How about spending the rest of your life there?”

“Babylon… the Empire?”

Seeing the bewildered expression on Andronikos’s face, Kamiar replied,

“Yeah, it’s not a bad place. And the Emperor wants to help you reclaim the Kingdom of Nicaea.”

‘The Emperor of the Babylonian Empire… wants to help me reclaim the Kingdom of Nicaea…’

Andronikos was not a fool who didn’t understand the implications of those words.

‘Are they saying I should pledge my loyalty to the Babylonian Emperor rather than be taken by the Empire?’

Andronikos was the rightful heir of Nicaea, but he had no authority or power in Nicaea, which had become a direct territory of the current Emperor.

However, the notion that the Babylonian Empire would step in to reclaim Nicaea and hand it over to Andronikos…

It was akin to saying that even if he were to reclaim it, it would remain a territory of the Babylonian Empire.

‘In the end… is this the only way?’

The Kingdom of Nicaea, which had been at odds with Babylon for generations.

Andronikos, who must show a sign of submission to such an enemy in order to reclaim Nicaea.

‘There is no other way to restore the kingdom but this.’

Thus, Andronikos firmly resolves in his heart.

To take revenge on the Emperor and the Grand Duke who forced him into such humiliation and such a choice… he makes up his mind resolutely.

“Very well, I will pledge my loyalty to the Babylonian Empire to find my country… but there is someone I must kill.”

Andronikos, his eyes gleaming with a fierce light.

Kamiar looked at him with an intrigued expression and asked.

“Who is it? Who is this person you must kill?”

“The Grand Duke of the Empire… he must be killed.”

‘For he is the main culprit behind the ruin of Nicaea.’

***

One morning.

Emilia stands in front of my office, her expression trembling.

“D-Did the Grand Duke arrive?”

“Emilia, are you alright? You look pale.”

Emilia, unusually pale.

“Well… I think you should come inside quickly.”

Feeling puzzled by her strange behavior, I entered the office, and she knelt down, pulling out documents as she spoke.

“I apologize in advance, I’m so sorry!”

“Hmm? For what?”

I felt a sense of confusion at Emilia’s trembling words as I accepted the report.

At the very top of the important report, it read…

“What? Andronikos, son of Joannes, has escaped?!”

Andronikos is the head of the former royal family of Nicaea, the Angelos family, meaning he is Joannes’ eldest son.

And… the unofficial fiancé of the former Zoe.

“Is this what you call a report?! I specifically instructed that Andronikos be kept under strict surveillance from the beginning?! Are you joking right now?!”

For the first time in a long while, I felt my blood boil.

Perhaps it was the first time I had been this angry since the death of Locust.

“It’s just… I was sent to rescue you in an aircraft I had never seen before… there was absolutely no way.”

“So?! You missed them right in front of your eyes?! If they looked like they were going to escape, shouldn’t you have shot them down to catch them? As far as I know, there are five agents stationed near Andronikos! And you talk about airships and nonsense?!”

– Bang!

I quickly scanned the report.

The design of the machine that helped Andronikos escape closely resembles a modern hot air balloon.

It must have maintained a high altitude and descended in time.

However, typical hot air balloons aren’t very quick in vertical movement.

In other words… if they had aimed to hit with long-range or magical attacks, they could have.

But… they didn’t?!

“It’s because… there was an order to keep Andronikos alive…”

– Bang!

“Is that what you call saying it now?! Who’s in charge over there?! Fire them immediately!”

The news that Andronikos has escaped could cause unrest among the Nicaeans.

After all, this place has been ruled by the Angelos family for centuries, even before it was integrated into the Empire.

Moreover, I know very well how strong the pride of the Nicaeans is.

If Andronikos cries for independence, I can only imagine how the Nicaeans would react.

For now, the Nicaean nobles should be fine.

They would know that the balance of power is here.

“Who’s behind this?! Who’s behind it?!”

I had never heard of a hot air balloon or anything similar in the continent.

It’s literally something that doesn’t exist on the continent.

Who would dare create such a thing in secret and take Andronikos away…? Could it be…?

“It’s… presumed to be the Babylonian Intelligence Agency.”

Wait? Then what does Babylon want? Could it be…?

I could picture what Babylon desired in my mind.

“Damn it…. Is Müller outside?!”

As I said this, Müller, with a sleepy expression, opened the door and peeked his head in, prompting me to speak urgently.

“Immediately convene an emergency cabinet meeting, and under my authority, issue a summons to the parliament for tomorrow! It’s an emergency!”

***

Cabinet Meeting Room.

It’s not yet 9 o’clock, but I have issued an emergency summons, gathering the ministers from each department, including the Emperor, along with William, in one place.

And none of them look particularly pleased.

Perhaps it’s because I called them urgently without explaining the reason.

Especially Karl’s expression… it’s almost one of despair.

It’s understandable; this situation stems from the failure of the department he oversees.

Nonetheless, it’s not entirely Karl’s fault.

Even if Andronicus couldn’t escape, Babylon would have declared war regardless.

“I apologize for summoning you all so urgently this morning.”

As I bow my head in apology to those gathered in the conference room, William responds with a stern face.

“No, let’s begin the meeting. So… what’s the agenda?”

“This morning, we received a report from the Intelligence Department that Andronicus Angelos escaped from his residence with the help of the Babylonian Intelligence Agency.”

My words envelop the room in silence.

“Andronicus is the son of Joannes, isn’t he?”

“If it’s the Babylonian Intelligence Agency… has Babylon established something like an intelligence department?!”

“If they’ve taken Andronicus from Babylon…? Isn’t this a move to assert ownership over the Kingdom of Nicaea?!”

The room becomes chaotic, but…

“Silence! Quiet down! Duke, please continue.”

Tera steps forward to quiet the surroundings, and I begin passing the report to the ministers for them to read.

Minister of Military Affairs, Philip, trails off his words.

“This… the recent movements from Babylon have been unusual…”

“At this rate, they’ll soon declare war. We need to prepare quickly.”

“The orcs of Babylon are stronger than humans; if we’re not going to confront them head-on, we’ll need a substantial amount of magical scrolls.”

At William’s words, I turn to Philip.

“Please assess the current military supplies and report back at the next meeting. Also, Minister Philip, Sir William, and Minister Karl will need to hold a strategic meeting in case Babylon launches an attack, so for the time being…”

“Ahem… I believe foreign affairs fall under the jurisdiction of the Chancellor’s office.”

Karl interjects clumsily here.

However, it is Alexander, the Chancellor, who speaks with a troubled expression.

“What do you mean by that, Minister Karl? This is for the sake of protecting the nation…”

But Karl shakes his head and replies.

“According to imperial law…”

“Minister Karl. Are you discussing imperial law even in this situation? If so, I shall give my orders. Duke, Chancellor, and all ministers under me, listen! As the wicked Babylon attempts to attack the empire, I shall appoint the Duke as the one ultimately responsible for this situation. All divisions shall receive the Duke’s commands as if they were my own.”

At Terra’s words, Karl merely frowned.

The one ultimately responsible… Not a bad position.

Becoming the Supreme Commander right now would be burdensome, as I could only be involved in the war.

In contrast, the title of ‘responsible person’ could grant diplomatic authority as well.

And… even if things go wrong, I might be able to evade responsibility.

After all, the position of ‘responsible person’ is not legally defined.

In that brief moment, I felt that Terra’s perspective on politics had broadened with her mention of the responsible person.

“Then Minister Philip, Sir William, and Minister Karl, please gather in the Duke’s office after the meeting concludes.”

As the meeting ended… and I was about to return to the Duke’s office.

Someone grabs my arm.

“Hey, can we talk for a moment?”

“Hmm?”

Terra, holding onto me, looks around and then pulls me toward a secluded spot.

“Shouldn’t I participate in that meeting as well?”

“Hmm? You?”

Of course, as the Empress, she has the right to participate, but she knows little about the war, and she has other matters to attend to, so I intended to handle it on my own.

“What if Sir William or Karl don’t listen to your orders? If I can firmly establish my position in case that happens…”

Her words brought a smile to my face.

“Do you not trust me?”

“It’s not that I don’t trust you… I’m just uneasy because of Karl.”

At her words, I chuckled softly.

“I’ll handle that myself. Don’t worry.”