I Became the Master of the Empress

322

That night, we discuss the basic plans for the war.

“Nicaea has long prepared plans for war against Babylon.”

William unfolds a map of Nicaea as he explains.

“If the enemy attacks, we will retreat, cross this river, and withstand their offensive, blocking their advance while organizing the main forces of the empire to strike back.”

Certainly, the river flowing in the east of Nicaea seems to provide a significant defensive advantage.

“If we send 200,000 imperial troops along with the Golden Knights or the Giant Brigade, we should be able to break the enemy’s spearhead.”

“Ugh… What is the current status of our supplies?”

At my words, Minister of Military Affairs Philip unfolded a paper and showed it to everyone.

“It’s based on what we confirmed last month, so it should be fairly accurate. I’ll share the latest report as soon as it comes in.”

I sensed that the numbers on the Fireball Scroll indicated a decent stockpile.

“It seems we might be a bit short on arrows and spears. Please place an additional order for those.”

I had instructed Agrippa of the Grand Duchy to assess the supply status and report directly upon arriving in Roman.

Damn… The Grand Duchy was undergoing reductions.

The Grand Duchy had historically prioritized military strength, which had significantly slowed national development.

Thus, they were planning extensive reductions alongside economic development. But this had turned out to be a blunder.

While the main force, the Giant Brigade, was being maintained, the overall available military strength was inevitably decreasing.

For now, I could only think about what could be done at this moment.

“First, we need to issue a large-scale conscription order at the borders.”

At my words, Philip awkwardly scratched his cheek with his finger.

“Well, while the large-scale conscription order is within my authority… I believe the parliament will send an overseer. However, to carry out the duties properly…”

I nodded at Philip’s words.

“Don’t worry. The parliament will provide absolute support for this matter.”

With our nation on the brink of invasion, neither Terra nor I would sit idly by while they nitpicked and obstructed.

“First, let’s prepare for war this way, and it seems we need to discuss the diplomatic aspects. Chancellor Alexander and Minister Victor?”

To keep Karl’s disobedience in check during this meeting, Chancellor Alexander and Foreign Minister Victor had also agreed to participate.

When it came to diplomatic matters, he would be more knowledgeable than I.

“Please, go ahead.”

“We need to prevent Babylon from rashly starting a war through as many behind-the-scenes negotiations as possible before this war breaks out. Why on earth are they trying to wage war?”

Honestly, they had already secured the resources they wanted, and even with the aggressive Orcs involved, it didn’t seem like a valid reason for war in my view.

“Well… it seems that the recent rebellion led to the Emperor’s replacement, doesn’t it? I think it’s about internal cohesion and building achievements.”

Victor’s words made me pause for a moment in thought.

Creating an external enemy to unify the internal front is quite a classic strategy.

In other words, it’s a historically proven method.

If it’s simply that, the nature of the war is likely to devolve into a long, tedious standoff.

“Karl? What does the intelligence department think?”

“The current Emperor Darius has made several aggressive statements about the Empire even before this rebellion. I suspect it’s not just about building achievements… but rather targeting Nicaea itself. So, he will likely take Andronicus and claim ownership of Nicaea.”

I, too, am most concerned about that part.

Nicaea has now become the emperor’s direct territory due to Joannes’s rebellion, which led to the revocation of his title.

However, erasing a family that has ruled for thousands of years is no easy task.

Considering that, I had left Andronicus in Byzantion, ensuring he lived well for show…

And yet, things have turned out this way.

As if he could read my thoughts, Karl bowed his head and apologized.

“I’m sorry, Your Grace.”

“No, well, war would have happened regardless… Don’t worry too much about it.”

Missing out on Andronicus was a significant mistake, but at least I can grasp Babylon’s intentions.

Their true desire to invade the empire.

“First, through our diplomats in Babylon, lodge a protest regarding the abduction of Andronicus and demand his return to the homeland.”

“I’ve already instructed that, but… it’s best not to have high hopes.”

“Yeah, I’m not expecting much either. They’ll probably deny it. In this case, request a private meeting with someone from Babylon’s diplomatic side or the emperor, and make it clear that we believe they will declare war.”

A surprise attack won’t work. So, if they want war, they must be prepared for significant sacrifices.

Thus, the strategic meeting was coming to a close.

***

After wrapping up a long day of work and entering my room, Terra was there, gently patting Ian’s back to aid his digestion.

“How did it go?”

I dragged my weary body to the sofa and sat down.

“It seems almost impossible to avoid war? I’m trying to resolve it diplomatically while preparing for war, but it won’t be easy.”

As I loosened the tie that was choking my neck, Terra nodded.

“No matter how I think about it, it seems like we should have killed Andronicus back then.”

I forced a bitter smile at her words.

In the original story, Babylon was simply devastated by the locusts, so predicting this situation was difficult.

“It’s too late to think that way now. If I had known they would take him from Babylon, I would have considered killing him too.”

But the outcome of that decision was Babylon’s intervention.

“Hmm… By the way, how is your mother? Is she still opposed to what I mentioned?”

Last time, I had suggested Lucius’s political retirement as a mediation plan for the marriage between Joy and Lucius.

“She said she would think about it a bit.”

Only then did a sigh of relief escape me.

“Phew… I’m relieved. I didn’t want to stress over those two before the war really begins.”

At least the good news lifted my spirits.

“Hehe, honey? Do you know that Ian recognizes me these days?”

“Wha?!”

“What?”

When I looked at parenting materials last time, they said babies can start talking around nine months old, right?

“Ian? Mommy, can you try? Huh? Just like earlier, try saying Mommy?”

They say that boasting about your child is foolish, but who would have thought Terra would do that?

“Umm? Mami?”

“Huh?”

“Did you hear that?”

Did he just say Mami? But it sounds more like “mamma” than “Mommy,” doesn’t it?

Could it be… Ian thinks of Terra as the one who gives him food, not as his mom? I thought, but it felt silly to assign too much meaning to my son’s babbling at not even three months old.

“Our son must be a genius like you? Our Ian will do great when he becomes an emperor later.”

Seeing Terra’s eyes sparkle, I couldn’t help but smile.

Whether it’s mamma or mommy, what does it matter? As long as Terra and the baby are happy, that’s all that counts.

***

Andronicus arrived in Babylonia.

As soon as he arrived, he headed for the imperial palace.

Upon reaching the impressive audience room of the palace, with its blue walls and grand dome, he saw a man in his forties with curly black hair seated on a large throne, dressed in exotic and lavish attire.

Of course, this audience room was splendid, like any royal palace, but…

What captured Andronicus’s attention wasn’t the emperor or the audience room.

It was the decadent music and the frivolous laughter of women.

Around the throne, dozens of women covered their mouths with red cloth, while others barely concealed their important parts with sheer fabric, all surrounding the man seated on the throne.

The women were desperately trying to catch the attention of the man on the throne.

As Andronicus observed the slender woman feeding him fruits and another discreetly fanning the emperor, he felt a sense of bewilderment.

“I had heard Babylon practiced polygamy… but I didn’t expect it to be so debauched…”

It was quite shocking for Andronicus, who believed in a religion that forbade s*xual decadence, but what could he do? He knelt on one knee and said,

“I present myself before Your Majesty.”

At Andronicus’s words, the music stopped, and the man on the throne turned his head to look down at him.

“I am Andronikos of the Angelos family. Thanks to His Majesty’s benevolence, I have safely arrived at this place.”

As Andronikos spoke, he felt an intense sense of self-loathing and shame towards his ancestors, who had clashed with the emperors for generations.

But…

“In the end… to become the ultimate winner, there is no other way.”

And so, Andronikos suppressed his anger within.

The emperor, who was watching him, opened his mouth.

“You, the descendant of the Angelos royal family, who have blocked our path for generations, rise up. I do not intend to humiliate the descendant of a hero like a pretender to the Roman throne.”

At the mention of “pretender to the Roman throne,” Andronikos felt a sense of puzzlement.

This was because there was a clear existence of Emperor Theodora Augustus.

However, separate from that thought, Darius, who was sitting, looked at Andronikos with a satisfied expression.

He glanced around and said,

“I have heard the sorrowful news that the Angelos royal family, which has clashed with our empire for a long time, is on the verge of collapse. Although we have been enemies for many centuries, even thousands of years, we respect the Angelos royal family and the Nicaean Kingdom. They are a worthy opponent that has withstood our empire.”

In this way, Darius praised the Nicaean and Angelos families.

He then turned to Andronikos and said,

“I will help you reclaim your country. What can you do for me?”

In response to Darius’ words, Andronikos spoke with a resolute gaze.

“If you accept my loyalty, I will devote everything to you and the Babylonian Empire.”

“Good. From now on, your enemy is my enemy, and your friend is my friend. I will liberate the Nicaeans, who are being oppressed by my pretenders, and take the vacant throne of Rome.”

At these words, Andronikos felt a thrill.

“Darius… is he planning to destroy the empire? But… the vacant throne? I don’t understand, and I feel a little confused.”

– In Babylon, women are not allowed to rule. Women are subordinate to men, and it is unthinkable for such a being to become a ruler.

At that moment, he heard the voice of Kamyar in his mind, or rather, felt it.

“Since you have become my loyal subject, I will give you the head of the lion you desired.”

In response to Darius’ words, Andronikos knelt down and bowed his head to the ground.

This was a gesture of gratitude to the emperor in Babylon.

As a subject of the empire, it was a detestable act, but at this moment, Darius’ words, which promised to avenge him, filled him with emotion.

“Long live Your Majesty!”