The Age Of Arrogance

꧁༺The Power Of The Empress ༻꧂

 

The year after Carlyle’s ascension, news of the monsters’ reappearance began to trickle in.

 

This time, it was the eastern part of the empire.

 

“I thought Gabriel had used up all the magic and the monsters were gone, but it looks like some pretty vicious ones have appeared this time.”

 

Carlyle said to Asha as he changed his clothes.

 

The urgent messages sent by the lords of the affected areas described a situation that was too urgent to delay.

 

The region was one with a weak military force, and they were being helplessly attacked. The letters were written in a trembling hand, as if the writers were terrified even as they wrote to beg for help.

 

“Will the Imperial Knights be enough?”

 

“Why? Do you want me to request support from Pervaz?”

 

Carlyle chuckled at Asha’s concern.

 

Since he ascended to the throne, the Haven Knights had been absorbed into the Imperial Knights, and the knights who had been Carlyle’s close aides had taken over the main positions, effectively overhauling the order.

 

Those who had entered through connections had been demoted, and the sound of screams had been heard from the training ground for over half a year. Thanks to this, the Imperial Knights had become considerably stronger in the past year.

 

Moreover, the religious law had been changed to allow the dispatch of the Holy Knights when monsters appeared, so this time dealing with the monsters would not be as difficult as before.

 

“Are you still not confident in the Imperial Knights?”

 

“I don’t think one year of training is enough…….”

 

“They will get stronger by going through actual combat.”

 

Of course, there would be casualties. He did not know the weight of that sacrifice.

 

However, the army that protected the people and the country could not afford to shirk its responsibilities.

 

In fact, Carlyle was more concerned about Asha, who would be staying in Zyro, than himself, who was leaving.

 

“Are you sure you’ll be okay?”

 

“Yes? Why me?”

 

“You’ll be alone in the palace. Even though you’ve been given my authority, there will surely be those who will try to take advantage of the situation and attack you.”

 

In the past year, Asha had shown that she was no pushover, but the nobles who tried to pick a fight with her never stopped.

 

As Carlyle said, there was no way they would miss this opportunity while he was away from the capital.

 

“If I get into trouble, you’ll come and clean it up, right?”

 

“That’s a good attitude. ……But don’t kill too many people.”

 

“I said I’d get into trouble, I didn’t say I’d kill people.”

 

“Why do I have the feeling that you mean the same thing, wife?”

 

Asha savored the sweetness of the word “wife” but couldn’t help but feel wronged.

 

‘None of those bastards are dead yet.’

 

It seemed that Carlyle didn’t quite understand how patient she was.

 

No, but above all, killing someone just because they’re in a bad mood is a crime. Asha was an educated person with that much sense.

 

“Don’t worry about this side and take care of yourself. It happens in an instant.”

 

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

 

Carlyle kissed Asha’s forehead, cheek, and lips lightly, and stroked her cheek with a regretful hand.

 

“I’ll be back soon.”

 

“I’ll wait.”

 

He felt a pang of emotion in his heart at Asha’s answer that she would wait, but he turned around. As much as he wanted to hug Asha and spend hours doing nothing, Asha would never allow it at a time when people were dying.

 

He led the Imperial Knights and the Holy Knights, who had prepared for the expedition in a short time, to defeat the demons.

 

And from that afternoon, the leader of the Chad Empire became Empress Asha Evaristo, who had been entrusted with the authority of the emperor.

 

Those who had been dismissive of her until then did not miss this sudden opportunity and began to move diligently.

 

“It’s been a year since she was officially married, and there’s still no sign of an heir to the throne. Isn’t that a problem?”

 

“I heard from a physician that if a woman rides a horse for a long time, she won’t be able to have children.”

 

“She killed so many people. Will God give her a child? She must be cursed.”

 

Rumors of all kinds spread.

 

Especially in the imperial family, the birth of an heir was important, and usually the responsibility for pregnancy was placed on the woman, so it was a perfect target for attacking Asha.

 

However, Asha did not bat an eye at the noble meeting where such rumors were circulating.

 

“Your Majesty, I would like to say a word as an elder of the nobility.”

 

Lubach, a fairly powerful count who seemed to have planned something, spoke up among the nobles who were exchanging glances.

 

Asha noticed their sinister expressions, but nodded with an indifferent face.

 

“His Majesty the Emperor is still young, but the elders cannot help but worry about the successor to the imperial family because he is so busy with his duties.”

 

“I see.”

 

“Moreover, considering the examples of previous emperors who were married in their mid-20s at the latest and had heirs immediately, the current imperial family is even more worried.”

 

“So what?”

 

Lubach frowned slightly at Asha’s attitude, which was just as short as Carlyle’s and did not give an inch to the nobles.

 

To him, Asha was an empress of humble origin who would easily be overthrown without the emperor’s favor. If Carlyle’s succession to the throne had been normal, she would never have been able to become empress, nor would she have been able to speak to him informally.

 

“If Your Majesty the Empress truly cares about the future of the imperial family, I think you should let His Majesty the Emperor take a concubine and have an heir as soon as possible.”

 

“A concubine? Isn’t our country a country that observes monogamy?”

 

“Of course. However, the birth of an heir is a more important issue.”

 

Asha smirked at his words.

 

“It’s only been a year since we were officially married. You all know how busy His Majesty and I have been for the past year. If you’re acting like this, I can only assume you have ulterior motives.”

 

“What are you talking about, Your Majesty! We are only concerned about the future of the Imperial Family…!”

 

“You’re concerned about the future of the Imperial Family, but you’re thinking of making a mess in the Imperial Court? Are you all trying to take concubines under the pretext of having a Crown Prince?”

 

At Asha’s opposition, nobles glared at her, ready to refute her. Asha pretended to be indifferent, but she scanned them with a cold gaze.

 

“Let me make a prediction. If you’re all so worried about the birth of an Imperial heir, the moment I get pregnant, I’ll be faced with several times the number of assassination attempts as usual. Just like Her Majesty the late Empress Ivelina.”

 

The nobles, including Count Lubach, stood up in shock when Ivelina, who had to hide her pregnancy until she gave birth to protect Carlyle in her womb, was mentioned.

 

“How dare you twist our loyalty to the Imperial Family into treason!”

 

“It seems that Your Majesty is more concerned with your own glory than with establishing a successor.”

 

They shouted at her, scolding her. These were the men who would not have dared to raise their voices if Carlyle had been sitting in this place.

 

“If the issue of an Imperial heir is so important and urgent, why didn’t you go directly to His Majesty and talk about it?”

 

“Isn’t it because His Majesty doesn’t want to upset Your Majesty? In this kind of matter, it’s easier for both of you if the wife makes the suggestion first.”

 

“Oh, so you’re saying that it’s a wife’s virtue to let her husband take concubines and have children?”

 

Asha started to laugh, chuckling to herself.

 

Her laughter grew louder and louder, until she was laughing so hard that she was wiping tears from her eyes.

 

However, the conference room was eerily silent, as if someone had poured ice water over it.

 

It was because it was rare to see Empress Asha Evaristo laughing out loud, and it was the first time anyone had seen her laugh so hard.

 

It was a chilling sight, just like the sight of Crown Prince Carlyle laughing out loud at an official event.

 

“Ha, it’s been a long time since I’ve laughed like this. I never thought I’d hear such nonsense in person. Ahahaha.”

 

Asha, unable to contain her laughter, sat down with her legs crossed and a haughty expression on her face. Then she held out her hand to Lionel, who was standing guard by her side.

 

Lionel glared at Count Lubach before handing over the sword that Asha had left with him.

 

“Chamberlain.”

 

At Asha’s call, the chamberlain, who had been fidgeting nervously, flinched and nodded.

 

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

 

“Recite the second paragraph of Article 2 of the Imperial Code.”

 

At those words, the conference room became even colder.

 

And in the silent conference room, the chamberlain’s trembling voice began to ring out.

 

“Article 2, Paragraph 2 of the Criminal Code states that the Imperial Family is above all citizens of the Empire, and anyone who insults their dignity, regardless of their status, shall be punished by death.”

 

Even after the chamberlain finished reciting the short article, Asha remained silent, her jaw clenched as she stared at Count Lubach and fingered the hilt of her sword.

 

The brief silence must have been torture for them, but the moment she opened her mouth, they became even more afraid.

 

“My husband knows me well. He must have anticipated something like this happening, because he told me not to kill too many people, even if I got angry.”

 

Then she smiled again.

 

“But he also said that he would clean up whatever mess I made. That’s the power of the Empress.”

 

Her gaze sharpened.

 

“Drag them out. I will question them for their crime of treating the Empress as a broodmare. No, not just me, but all women. Disgusting things.”

 

At her command, the guards surrounding her quickly moved to arrest Count Lubach and the nobles who had sided with him.

 

“Y-you can’t do this! Your Majesty!”

 

“It wasn’t me! It was all Count Lubach’s doing!”

 

“Please forgive me, Your Majesty! Your Majesty!”

 

Their screams echoed, but Asha did not waver. And their aides, who knew all too well the fear of Carlyle and Asha, did not try to stop her.

 

‘She’s been patient enough up to now.’

 

Lionel thought about the aftermath and glared at Count Lubach, who had given him additional work.

 

But it would be better if things ended here, on Asha’s terms.

 

‘If His Majesty had heard about those bastards, it wouldn’t have ended with just a few people being beheaded.’

 

In that sense, Asha was truly a merciful Empress.

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