Chapter 288 – 67. Mission. (3)
It was only half a year after the new emperor ascended the throne.
There was a hunch that the emperor’s end would not be good, but some did not expect that his end would be so quick and sudden.
To be honest, I’m not sorry that the emperor, who was nothing more than a puppet of the old and savage court aristocrats, died… , The problem is that even the savvy successor who succeeded him died.
Even in such a chaotic situation, the reason why the empire at least maintained its shape was because it had the roots of the empire that had been passed down for a long time.
The reason why the local nobility suppressed their desire to wipe out the emperor or the empire was because they were afraid that the stigma of being a traitor would be engraved in history. The stigma once stamped like that will remain forever unless the family name disappears.
… However, as long as the emperor and his savvy heir are dead, the leash that restrained the nobles is also gone!
Court nobility did not even have the time to investigate who was behind this catastrophe. First of all, the priority is to fill the empty throne first.
Therefore, he hurriedly searched for a person who would become the half-brother of the deceased emperor, that is, among other children of the previous generation, who could become emperor. The problem was that those who had grown up had already left the imperial palace, and the only remaining bloodlines in the imperial palace were children under the age of ten.
– Now is not the time to argue about this and that. Let’s put someone on the throne for now and then take a closer look.
The new emperor chosen by the courtiers was a boy who was only six years old.
Even the child’s mother was a low-class laundry woman who worked at the palace laundry. Without even thinking about what the future holds for herself and her child, she turned her eyes to the position of emperor and readily accepted the offer from her nobles.
Thus, on a hot summer day, the youngest emperor in the centuries-old history of the empire ascended the throne. Of course, the debt-stricken royal family couldn’t even think of a splendid coronation ceremony, and just held an assortment of coronation ceremonies.
It was ridiculous to see a child sitting on a throne wearing a crown much larger than the circumference of his head. It is both a comedy and a tragedy at the same time.
And the moment the young emperor ascended the throne, some felt that the last line of revival of the empire had been severed.
– The fate of the empire has run out.
From then on, the court aristocrats began to act as if they were the masters of the empire. There was no one who would stop their runaway, either in the imperial palace or in the capital. Following the reign of the young emperor, the continent had to suffer from higher tax rates than before.
Of course, Vermandois could not be free from their tax pressure. … No, rather, the court aristocrats treated the mercenaries as insignificant sources of money and drove them even more harshly. The tax rate, which was 40%, has now been raised to 50%.
“Fuck. Let’s get rid of it all It is right that an empire like this is ruined.”
Danzoo, the blood club Jione, now stood in the position of unconditional opposition. The attitude that there is nothing to be afraid of in an empire that has already become like a paper tiger.
Of course, Allen and the soloist of the viola, who were crazy about money, were in a position that they could not accept 50%. Even more so, he couldn’t do that, as long as he knew that money like his own blood would go into the stomachs of those fucking noobs who parasitize the court.
And since then, there have been many changes in the state of mind of Granzo Danju, the fire-ghost.
At some point, he stayed away for a long time, not showing up well at the end of the world or in reality. Occasionally, when Allen visited to say hello, Granzo Danju was always locked in a closed room, surrounded by thick cigarette smoke.
However, Allen was not particularly worried about him despite his unusual appearance. He is already a man who has realized the truth and is a superman who has surpassed human limits. The moment he makes up his mind after worrying about it, he will come out of the world again and go on the path he has decided on…
Allen, who came out of the room after saying hello and having a few conversations about the situation on the continent, saw a person sneaking in front of him.
The opponent is Grenzo’s daughter, Roseanne. … Her lady, ignorant and sassy many years ago, has now become a true sorceress who fumbles through the dark world in search of the truth.
“How have you been, Danju-nim?”
“Oh, well, it always is. How have you been?”
“I’ve been unscathed, but…”
Roseanne’s gaze moved anxiously to the door where Grenzo was stuck.
“Since my father has been around like that for about 15 days, everyone is worried about me.”
Hearing that, Allen smiled lightly.
“I don’t know anyone else, but what if her daughter doesn’t know her father that much?”
“… Yes… ?”
“Don’t worry. When you make up your mind, you will come out. Until then, your job is to prepare, not worry. Don’t become a victim of the great archmage’s steps.”
The money ghost talked only that far, and after lightly patting Jeanne on her shoulder a couple of times, passed her by. She called his name softly again, but as if he had nothing more to say, he waved his hand lightly and left the hideout.
Returning to the hideout’s office, Allen stood by the window overlooking the still-flowing river and pondered for a long time.
The inner heart of Granjo Danju, which he sneaked a peek at, was the determination for change.
… Me too, now is the time to be determined. I’ve waited long enough…
The problem is that he is a mercenary.
Of course, resolution is important for big changes, but more important than that was justification. A justification that the continent could understand. … However, he was just a mere mercenary with only strength.
Allen, who was immersed in deep thought, suddenly woke up to the sound of a knock knocking on the office.
The servant notified that a group had come to the hideout. And the head of the bunch is a very surprising guest.
“Long time no see.”
“Majesty… !”
The Duke of Murloc, who should have been in his estate, suddenly came all the way here.
As soon as the money ghost Allen saw the face of Lord Murloc as he entered the office, he realized the reason for his visit. … In this chaotic situation, there is only one reason why he came here.
“How have you been?”
“It’s me, I’m always the same.”
The middle-aged Duke, whose wrinkles had deepened because of the bird he hadn’t seen, let out a dry laugh.
“Sit comfortably.”
The two sat facing each other on a soft sofa in the corner.
The slightly cooled tea water, still slightly smoked, poured into each other’s cups.
“It’s been a long time, Your Highness. I’ve been so busy I haven’t seen you in a while.”
“Right. Still, I’ve heard of you often. You did a great job in the north last time, didn’t you?”
“Haha, what… , A comrade is in danger, and I can’t just watch it.”
“It’s a very cold town in the north.”
“So I almost froze to death.”
When Allen said that half-jokingly, the Duke laughed out loud and nodded his head.
Then, after taking a sip of the tea, he pulled out an envelope from his bosom. It is a letter from Allen to the Duke.
“The tax collectors put a 40% tax rate on this place…”
“Now it has risen to 50%. We couldn’t find a way, so we wanted to ask for advice…”
Big hum. Lord Murloc let out a pitiful groan.
“The country looks like… , That’s not a word.”
Allen Danju stared blankly into Lord Murloc’s face without saying a word.
“What a tragedy… I didn’t know that the empire would collapse so miserably in just a few years.”
“Even if it takes a long time to build it, it only takes a moment to collapse. It takes a long time for a life to be born and grow, but isn’t death an instant?”
The murloc lord, formerly called the Imperial Shield, let out a devastated sigh.
“You are right. The empire… , Now hopeless. … That I was too complacent They only believed in the power of the empire. I thought I could get through the crisis on my own. However, by the time I realized something was seriously wrong and acted, it was already too late.”
Lord Murloc poured out to Allen what was inside of him he hadn’t told anyone.
“Like you said, it collapsed in an instant… In an instant…”
“… It’s not your fault.”
“Okay, it’s not my fault… But I can’t say I’m not entirely responsible for it.”
There is nothing wrong, but there is responsibility.
Those words represent the upright character of Lord Murloc.
So Allen liked the Duke of Murloc as a human being. Just like the monster Raiga liked Danju because he was a mercenary but an honorable human being.
The conversation ended, and there was a long silence.
Allen, who was unaware of Lord Murloc’s deep worries, let her laughter ooze out from inside her.
Allen Danju, who has power but no justification.
A murloc duke who lacks power but has a cause.
They both had what the other lacked. Like fate.
Allen was well aware of the circumstances in which Lord Murloc had come to this place on his own, but he could not easily come up with the reason.
So the money ghost decided to protect his opponent’s humanity.
… After all, he is a mercenary with no mercy who knows nothing but money.
“Majesty.”
Allen clasped her hands together and rested her chin on the table.
At this moment, the eyes of the money ghost shone brightly.
“I will be your sword.”
Lord Murloc’s gaze slowly moved up from the teacup and landed on Allen’s face.
The two men’s intense gazes collided in the air.
“Become emperor.”
