I Became The Leader Of A Revolution In A Romance Fantasy

< Chapter 32: The Empress’s Reign – 1 >

The vehicle carrying the Prime Minister left the estate and headed to the official residence. There were still mountains of documents on his desk waiting for his approval.

“Eugene Hastings, huh.”

Prime Minister Mycroft Holmes savored the ominous aftertaste left by that name.

Then, from the driver’s seat, a brown-skinned man glanced at the Prime Minister.

He spoke with a tone that revealed aristocratic dignity, accompanied by a colonial accent.

“The boy who knew nothing but swordplay suddenly became a salon revolutionary. Or perhaps just a common coup leader. Didn’t you say it would be one of those two?”

It wasn’t a tone a mere driver should use with the Prime Minister.

However, Prime Minister Mycroft showed no sign of displeasure and simply nodded.

“I thought that was the most likely. No, aside from those two, I didn’t consider any other possibility. Fools who think they’re smart fear every possible scenario, but in truth, there’s always a cause and effect in the world.”

In other words, the past is the future.

If you want to know about someone, watch their past actions.

And when a country fell into the hands of a makeshift revolutionary gang led by a young war hero, the Prime Minister had thoroughly analyzed the young hero’s past and reached this conclusion.

– That country will soon fall.

But it was a miscalculation.

A medieval madman who had thrown himself into enemy lines with a single sword. A figure of respect, but a man made of ice and steel that no one could like.

When such a person became completely different within a year, he almost threw the report away in frustration.

Does it make sense?

He seriously wondered if ancient black magic had been resurrected. Unless possessed by a demon, how could a person change so drastically?

If this were the medieval times, he would have actually called the Vatican exorcists.

(Of course, even now, exorcists are fighting the demons of hell. Contrary to public belief, demons are real, and possession is a genuine threat.)

「Anyone in a position to lead others is naturally granted privileges. These are not given for free. Those with privileges must also fulfill their social responsibilities.」

「Do not block the citizens from coming to me. I am a servant of the Republic, and the Republic belongs to the citizens.」

「Long live the Revolutionnnnnnnnn!」

‘Ssuh, should I call the Vatican even now?’

No matter how he thought about it, it seemed like demonic possession.

When he thought of the ‘Hastings Congressman’s Famous Quotes Collection,’ which made his head throb just from looking at it, the Prime Minister kept shaking his head.

The Prime Minister’s Driver, the Empire’s Hidden Blade, and the Captain of “a Certain Ship,” Known as “He Who Abandoned His Name.”

The captain of the Nameless (≒ Neemo) glanced at the Prime Minister.

“I think this is the first time I’ve seen you so troubled. Your principles of action have always been clear and simple, haven’t they? Always for the national interest of the Empire.”

“…That’s right. For the national interest of the Empire. For the national interest of the Empire…”

Congressman Hastings’ proposal certainly had merit.

‘A limited economic community.’

A delicate design that does not infringe upon each other’s industrial capabilities. As Congressman Hastings mentioned, the Empire could also enjoy the limited benefits of government expenditure expansion, which only the Reds would typically employ.

Moreover, with the surplus from the transaction, a portion of the war reparations would be repaid over ten years, and the rest would effectively be written off.

It seemed like only the Republic would benefit…

‘It’s not a bad proposal.’

Anyway, the war reparations were at a level that could not be collected. It was basically a demand for the nation to pay until it collapsed.

However, the Empire did not wish for the Republic to collapse and disappear. It was better to secure certain benefits, even if the amount was reduced.

Especially the fact that a market would emerge where the troublesome raw materials from the colonies could be sold at a decent price was most appealing.

For the Empire, this might be the most needed solution. It could be the compromise that breaks through the most frustratingly blocked issue.

But if there was a problem…

“So, does this mean the treaty is effectively abolished?”

The defeat treaty that bound the Republic.

Without nullifying that, a new agreement could not be achieved.

And since the Republic, being the defeated nation, could not declare on its own, ‘We won’t pay!’ the Empire had to assert it on their behalf.

“…It’s burdensome.”

It was very burdensome, but ignoring it wasn’t an option because the conditions offered by the Republic seemed quite attractive.

And the Prime Minister realized belatedly.

That he, an experienced politician and the one who should hold overwhelming advantage, was already entangled in the hand extended by that young congressman.

“!”

Considering the overwhelming difference in positions between the Empire and the Republic, the Empire’s choices, which should have been virtually infinite, suddenly vanished into the fog, leaving only two options in hand.

1. Ignore the Republic’s proposal. And gain nothing. No, since the absolute policy of continental checks would collapse, it would be a negative, not zero.

2. Accept the Republic’s proposal. Scratch each other’s needs, and feel that the Empire benefits a bit more. But it comes with a huge diplomatic burden and leading the charge in shedding the Republic’s yoke, making the cost-benefit very ambiguous.

‘Reason says it’s beneficial, but instinct warns it’s a hugely losing deal.’

However, having heard such a proposal, the Prime Minister would inevitably have to review it with his ministers.

Since option 1 was not viable, he would eventually choose option 2.

“Perhaps the game was set from the moment I agreed to the meeting.”

Prime Minister Mycroft chuckled dryly.

###

The night at the manor was quite enjoyable.

As the red dye of revolution in my veins faded a bit, it felt like the blue hue I was supposed to carry returned.

Congressman Roche approached and asked,

“Did your conversation with the Prime Minister go well?”

“We’ve opened the floodgates.”

“…It will pass. I realized it once the draft was completed. So, this is what an ‘offer you can’t refuse’ looks like.”

Despite the assurance in Congressman Roche’s voice, there was a slight tremor.

“With just one visit, you’ve realized the Republic’s aspiration, Eugene Hastings. The yoke of the defeated nation binding our country will disappear amidst the confusion and greed of the victors.”

“Your praise is too generous. This is just the beginning.”

Congressman Roche lifted his head.

His eyes were filled with pure doubt.

If this was just the beginning, what more needed to be done?

I was confident that the plan I proposed and Visenya completed was the best.

But (not only was the persuasion not yet finished) would everything be resolved just by convincing the Empire?

To break the grip of the victors holding the defeated nation’s leash, more countries’ support was necessary.

‘It’s not feasible to chase them down one by one for persuasion.’

Therefore, the Empire must be made to act more aggressively.

To make it feel compelled to confront the hardliners who would never want to see the Republic’s burden eased.

Instead of forcing unreasonable reparations and watching the Republic collapse, a sensible new agreement should be established among the victors.

Since we can’t say that ourselves, we must use the Empire as our speaker.

And to move the Empire…

“Let’s move the Empress.”

“?!”

I gave a sly smile to Congressman Roche, who was silently astonished.

The Imperial trip was not over yet.

……

And ten days later.

###

Perpetua II.

The meaning contained in that title is ‘the eternal one.’

It was a name and an honor too heavy for the young Empress to bear.

This was because the great Perpetua I was a virgin empress who left the words, “I have married the state.”

A great and grand ruler who led the ‘kingdom’ of Logres, a mere frontier island nation, to defeat the strongest nation of the time and successfully declared an empire.

(Note: The fact that this involved state-level piracy isn’t particularly important.)

Therefore, the title ‘Perpetua II’ would be challenging for anyone, but how was it for the young Empress who ascended the throne while the Empire was collapsing?

“Sigh.”

Mycroft straightened his attire.

Then, he nodded to the attendant.

The attendant, theatrically lifting his chin, shouted in a resonant voice.

“Your Majesty, the Prime Minister requests an audience with you.”

“Let him in.”

The voice of the girl from inside was delicate and young.

As the ornately decorated doors opened, the interior of the Empress’s office was revealed.

Mycroft saw a petite girl in a light dress struggling to lift her head.

But when the lips of the young lord moved to call the old Prime Minister—

“Sir Holmes.”

Mycroft frowned deeply.

“Oh, please, Your Majesty.”

“Hehe.”

But was it because she slightly stuck out her tongue?

The huge old lady standing like a statue next to her glared sharply.

The girl with coral-colored hair slightly hunched her shoulders under the terrifying gaze of the head maid, then straightened her chest again and stammered.

“W-what? Why? Can’t I call my subject whatever I want?”

However, the gray eyes of the old head maid sternly suppressed the small rebellion of the young lord.

“Yes.”

“What?”

“In this sacred office, there is no ‘whatever you want,’ Your Majesty. As long as you are in this place, you are not an individual but the state itself, residing in the realm of the sacred beyond the secular.”

“Ugh…”

The girl’s eyes, reminiscent of high-transparency aquamarine, moved busily, seeking the Prime Minister.

And she implored for help.

Mycroft stifled a laugh with a “Ahem” and a cough.

He bowed towards the head maid.

“Lady Gail, if it were an official occasion, you would be right, but now this old servant is just having tea time with Her Majesty. Please understand.”

Perpetua looked at the head maid with an anxious face. The head maid, letting out a disapproving sigh, reluctantly nodded, and the young Empress’s face brightened.

Only then did Perpetua smile broadly and poured tea with her own hands, filling Mycroft’s cup.

“Sir Holmes.”

“Oh, please… Sigh, what can I do? If Her Majesty wishes to call this old servant whatever she pleases.”

“Hehe, that’s right, Sir Holmes. I heard an interesting story recently.”

“…An interesting story?”

The Prime Minister, deliberately ignoring the terrifying gaze of the head maid that seemed to ask, ‘Does that tea Her Majesty just poured even go down your throat?’, sipped the tea bestowed by his lord.

But at Perpetua’s next words, he spat out the hot tea.

“A politician from the Republic is ranting that the second war is approaching?”

“Splutter!”