Page 375

0% The high-ranking officers of the expeditionary force were busy handling post-war affairs, but I was able to step back from the chaos.

It was partly out of consideration for my (former) injuries and partly because it would be overstepping for the Inspector to interfere with post-war matters.

The Emperor didn’t really dispatch an inspector for actual inspection, anyway.

If there was anything I had to do, it was the final distribution of titles.

Most of the influential figures had already been promised titles, but additional titles needed to be granted to the chiefs who had distinguished themselves in the final battle.

Establishing the precedent that ‘those who contribute in the most decisive battle receive proper rewards’ would make things smoother in the future.

So, I drafted the final list of prospective titleholders, but—

Is this too many?

One prospective marquis and twelve prospective counts. A whopping thirteen great nobles were born.

Looking at the North’s area alone, it wouldn’t be strange to have thirty great nobles instead of thirteen. But influence wasn’t determined by land area—it came from population. Considering how barren the North was, thirteen great nobles felt like a lot.

Still, this is the best option.

After a brief deliberation, I stamped my seal without making any changes.

Based purely on influence and merit, this was the only fair decision.

If I removed one name from the list, I’d have to remove them all, and if I added one, I’d have to add more to maintain balance.

The contributions of the prospective counts were that close.

Except, of course, for Count Kaitana—the most loyal of them all. If there had been two open marquis titles, he would’ve been one of them.

...A faction consisting of 13 great nobles, huh.

As I reviewed the final document, a thought crossed my mind. Since they were all former enemies turned vassals, newly established nobles, and nomadic aristocrats, they would naturally form a unified faction. They weren’t fools; they would understand the necessity.

And even if their territories were weak compared to the old noble houses, a faction composed of thirteen high lords wouldn’t be easy to ignore. Moreover, one of them was a marquis.

It’s going to be noisy for a while.

If the noble houses from the imperial heartland aligned with these new northern nobles, especially those who already had domains in the North, the entire political and social landscape could be shaken.

Mainland nobles would exert influence as spokespersons for the North, and the North would be able to voice opinions about the mainland, creating a tight-knit faction.

Of course, it was none of my business. That would be the crown prince’s headache soon enough.

...The abdication.

Thinking of the Crown Prince wearing the imperial crown suddenly improved my mood.

I’d have to bang my head on the ground for a few days once the Emperor declared his abdication, but it’d be worth enduring if the result was the Crown Prince’s suffering.

***Time passed quickly. As the only unemployed officer at the headquarters, my days were filled with nothing but eating, sleeping, and relaxing.

During that unemployed life, I took walks with Penelia, watched the Masked Unit’s training after a long time, and shared a meal with Father when he had time.

I wanted to contact my lovers at the Academy, but I didn’t since there hadn’t been an official end-of-war declaration yet.

A soldier contacting family for personal reasons during wartime wouldn’t be appropriate.

And so, I endured my self-imposed exile, half like a missing person and half like a grieving relative until an unexpected summons came from the Invincible Duke.

“We return in three days.”

The Invincible Duke got straight to the point at the gathering of high-ranking officials and prospective titleholders, and what a very beautiful point it was. We were now going home.

“The entire army will head to the capital via Duke Havlem’s territory. His Majesty is preparing a grand victory ceremony, so keep that in mind.”

At those words, the faces of the officers in the tent visibly brightened.

If they had wanted to return quickly, the best course of action would have been to disperse from the Duke’s lands and head straight for their respective territories or garrisons.

But if the Emperor himself was preparing a grand celebration, that changed everything.

“It’s an honor. We only did what we should as His Majesty’s subjects.”

“Indeed. The benevolent Emperor has granted us the privilege of participating in such a grand event.”

Conversations mixed with laughter went back and forth in the tent. That was how much the victory ceremony was a once-in-a-lifetime event for nobles. It was such a welcome event because considerable honor and rewards would be given.

Some were worried that the celebration might be brushed aside due to political circumstances, just like after the last Great Northern War. But now, with all doubts erased, it was only natural that everyone was in high spirits.

It’s too big to skip.

Although the scale and damage of the last war were bigger, the symbolism of this war was overwhelming. This was not just a victory over nomads who had to be ‘inevitably’ subdued.

It was the war in which the nomads had not only surrendered but had offered up their entire homeland and proclaimed the Emperor as their Khan. It was an opportunity to widely proclaim the Emperor and empire’s dignity.

Decisively, it seemed that the Emperor was pleased that there was little damage. Last time, marshals and commanders died indiscriminately, and several units were utterly destroyed. It was fortunate that there wasn’t much damage this time.

Anyway, the Invincible Duke added as the commotion gradually subsided.

“Also, when the prospective titleholders offer the Khan title to His Majesty at the victory ceremony, His Majesty will accept it and simultaneously appoint the prospective holders as officially titled nobles.”

When it was mentioned that they would receive their titles in the most glorious place, the faces of the prospective titleholders brightened.

“Congratulations. Now, you’ll become nobles recognized by all.”

“Haha, you’ll still acknowledge me even if I become a count, right?”

“Of course. How could I ignore the friendship we’ve built?”

Thanks to the bond they forged while rolling together in war and the calculation that maintaining friendships with soon-to-be great nobles couldn’t hurt, the high-ranking officials also offered warm congratulations to the prospective titleholders.

These new nobles were originally nomads?

That was irrelevant. A nomad count was still a count, and a nomad marquis was still a marquis.

Unless their noble titles were somehow deemed lesser due to their origins—something the Empire had no interest in doing—ethnic differences were a minor concern at best.

Looking at it this way, nobles seemed to be the most open-minded beings.

***After reviewing the Invincible Duke’s report, I stood up. Sitting continuously strained the body, so getting up occasionally was good for work efficiency.

It was a shame, since I could sit all day without issue until a few years ago. It was sad that my body had become tired even from just sitting.

At least it ended before I completely fell apart.

I felt relieved at the same time. Everything had concluded while I was still capable—while I still had the strength to guide the Empire with my own hands.

External threats had been crushed, and our territory had expanded.

What more could I possibly ask for? If there was any remaining mission, it was appointing the soon-to-be-born imperial grandchild as Crown Prince.

But that wasn’t something I needed to prepare for.

It was simply a matter of time, so essentially everything was over.

...Crown Prince.

A truly beautiful phrase. Unlike me, who had been born into a collateral line of the imperial family and unlike the current Crown Prince, who was an illegitimate son, this child would have divine legitimacy.

A true imperial heir born to the Crown Prince and Crown Princess—a rightful heir, a living embodiment of imperial authority.

This empire, once on the brink of ruin before even reaching its third century, had required decades of struggle to restore. I had spent years fighting not only external enemies but the very lack of legitimacy that threatened to pull us under.

At the end of those years, I couldn’t give the Crown Prince legitimacy, but at least I could pass on to him a mighty empire. And to the Crown Prince’s heir, I could give everything.

It’s the Great Emperor’s blessing.

Sighing softly, I picked up a document. It was information about the prospective titleholders reported by the Prosecutors’ Office’s Executive Manager via the Invincible Duke.

Truly a blessing.

The list consisted of one marquis and twelve counts. The moment I saw the list, I knew my trust had not been misplaced.

The Executive Manager, as I expected, awarded titles for national interest, not personal gain. He had prioritized efficiency, ensuring that the appointments aligned with the Empire’s needs. Every report I had received had confirmed his careful deliberation.

Although I entrusted him entirely with the marquis’s seal, there were no signs of private dealings with specific tribes from which he could have benefited. There was no evidence of backroom dealings or personal transactions. He had done exactly what was asked of him and nothing more.

If only he had been born a little earlier.

Everything would have been much easier if I had a vassal like the Executive Manager at the beginning of my reign. The Minister of the Imperial Household was sufficiently capable, but the chaos of that time was a difficult situation that was hard to overcome with just one subordinate.

...No, I shouldn’t complain. History was filled with rulers who collapsed because they didn’t even have one trusted right hand. Just look at the late Emperor—

“Ugh.”

The moment I thought about him, an instinctive headache struck. And the Emperor before him? I didn’t even want to remember.

I shook my head slightly to shake off the nightmare. Now was not the time to dwell on the wretched past but to think about a glorious and prosperous future, a future where I rewarded loyal vassals who had achieved great things.

The rewards for the Invincible Duke and the other noble commanders were clear. There were well-established precedents for rewarding generals who distinguished themselves in war.

But what kind of reward would the Executive Manager want?

However, the Executive Manager officially participated as an inspector, not a general.

Although he achieved military merit by killing the enemy leader, giving him the same reward as a general would mean breaking that justification with my own hands.

I wouldn’t deprive him of his deserved reward, but I also couldn’t give him the same one.

Fortunately, I have just the thing.

After brief consideration, I drafted a new document. Now that the northern nomads had come into the Empire’s embrace, the timing was perfect.

Besides, the Executive Manager would like this reward more than any wealth or honor.