Chapter 497
I chuckled as I read the report submitted by the Wisest Duke, who insisted on confirming a priority.
‘Looks like I won’t be clocking out anytime soon.’
With that conclusion, I decided that for the time being, this office would be my bedroom and dining room, and I would have to give up on seeing the Empress and the Crown Princess for a few days.
‘The World Tree reviving.’
Thinking back to the contents of the report made me laugh again. The report from the Wisest Duke wasn’t long; it merely contained a few short and punchy sentences about the World Tree’s revival, the return of Constantina, and the appearance of spirits.
This brevity instead put my mind at ease. If it had been filled with long-winded embellishments, I’d have been sighing the entire time. But with something this short, I could only think, “Well, it was bound to happen.”
“I didn’t expect it to come so quickly.”
In a moment of bewilderment, I murmured to myself.
Yes, I knew the World Tree was going to revive. It wasn’t my first time hearing about it, and hadn’t I been keeping an eye on it since last year? The revival of the World Tree was a miraculous and beautiful event that I believed would happen during my reign.
But I never thought it would happen in just a year. I assumed that divine timing differs from human timing, and I figured the World Tree, being divine, would revive at a leisurely pace compared to us humans.
Even though I’d gotten reports from the Minister that its revival was imminent, I thought it would still be in about five or ten years.
‘Guess divine will can’t be fathomed by mere humans.’
Yet, my human predictions were spectacularly off the mark. Moving forward, I should refrain from recklessly speculating about divine matters and consider all possibilities.
Of course, if this were to happen twice, I’d surely collapse from overworking myself.
‘Lucky that there’s only one World Tree.’
With a slight sigh, I grabbed the communicator. The timing of the revival was quite unexpected, but thankfully, I had already prepared action plans for when it did. Anyone who fails to prepare for something they know will eventually happen is either lazy or not very intelligent.
– Long live Your Majesty the Emperor. This is the Minister of the Imperial Household—
“Skip the formalities since it’s urgent. Gather the ministers in the conference room immediately.”
– Yes, Your Majesty. I’ll have them ready in 30 minutes.
“Good. I’ll see you then.”
The Minister of the Imperial Household bowed stiffly as he followed my quick and straightforward command.
Although I hadn’t shared any information about the World Tree’s revival, I was sure the Minister could sense that something extraordinary was happening just from the sound of my voice. If he couldn’t pick up on that, he wouldn’t have survived in the Imperial Household.
‘It’s best the Minister knows beforehand.’
As soon as I cut off the line, I sent a brief document to the Minister of the Imperial Household.
If even the Minister of the Imperial Household, the top-ranked official, showed signs of ignorance, the other ministers might start questioning his authority. I couldn’t allow my lifelong administrative partner to appear shackled like that. Just as I am the new Emperor, the current Minister of the Imperial Household is also a newly appointed minister, so it’s only right to help him establish his authority when the opportunity arises.
‘Authority.’
I leaned back in my chair, setting the communicator back on the desk.
Authority—good. Mighty authority makes impossible things possible, while lacking authority can cause legitimate power to collapse. That’s the power of authority.
And the revival of the World Tree is undeniably an event that would enhance my authority. The World Tree, which lost its divine mandate during the Apels era, was resurrecting during the Kfellofen Empire under my reign. It proved that divine mandate resides with the Empire and the Imperial Family.
‘A good thing indeed.’
So, I held it in. Despite picturing the face of the Minister, who left for a wedding and then caused the revival of the World Tree, I desperately suppressed the urge to unleash a tirade.
The day the Minister was enjoying his wedding in a protected area, the World Tree revived? Many might see it as mere coincidence, but I don’t. If something goes awry where the Minister is, that’s not a coincidence—it’s the Minister’s fault.
That guy is just that kind of guy. Have I not known him for a day or two?
‘…Damn it.’
Ultimately, I ground my teeth. He was on a honeymoon, yet here I was left to deal with all this, with a daughter who hasn’t even turned one!
Just you wait, Minister. Even if you have your first child, I won’t show you mercy—
‘Huh?’
While I was mentally vowing sweet, sweet revenge, the communicator vibrated briefly. It seemed someone had sent a document.
“Oho.”
I quickly checked the contents and couldn’t help but gasp in admiration.
[ Although I’m newlywed, how could I possibly mention personal matters when the future of the Empire and the continent is at stake? I shall swiftly return to the system to help alleviate Your Majesty’s concerns, and there can be no greater honor for me than that. ]
It was the Minister’s voluntary postponement of his honeymoon and a declaration of surrender.
Impressive. The moment his future darkened, he instinctively dodged it. The Minister’s instincts were truly primal.
‘Guess there’s no choice but to postpone the honeymoon.’
Yeah, it’s not like the Minister, who hates chaos, would deliberately revive the World Tree. Something must have happened. No, how could a mere human interfere with the affairs of the divine?
The Minister was a victim too. It’s not right for victims to hold a grudge against each other.
I decided to just think that way.
*
After wrapping up the wedding reception, I hurried towards the Imperial Palace.
It pained me a bit to leave my bride right after the wedding, but thankfully, Trixy, being the Chief of the Magic Tower, could adequately grasp my duty as a public servant and even sent me off with assurances that she’d be waiting for my safe return.
I left with the words to expect a vacation from her. Given that an order to gather the ministers came down while I’m out, the longer I took, the more I’d have to hear from the Emperor. He’s probably thinking of all the work he wants to throw my way as we speak. That guy would definitely do that.
‘The World Tree itself is a gift.’
Suddenly, an unjust feeling washed over me. Not just anything, but the World Tree. One of the factors behind the losing of Apels’ divine mandate is reviving during my reign! If a subject were to grant such a gift, wouldn’t they be the very definition of a loyal minister? Why should I feel uneasy?
Of course, that’s nonsense. I’m the Emperor; how could there be a minister capable of reviving the World Tree during my reign? I’d be furious if I were in his shoes. Honestly, though, the timing isn’t dire like right at the beginning of my reign where authority was crucial, yet he throws work at me that really didn’t need doing. I’d honor him for his merits but not without a few reservations.
‘This is bad.’
As I concluded this little mind game, a cold sweat trickled down my back.
May the Emperor grant me lenience.
*
When I arrived at the Sun Palace, I realized that the ministers had already returned to their respective departments, leaving only the Emperor behind.
I felt a bit scared. If there had been other ministers present, the Emperor’s attention might have been divided, but sadly, since I was alone, he would be focusing solely on me.
“Is the Minister here?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I beg your pardon for seeing you only now.”
I hastily bowed at the Emperor’s nonchalant greeting.
“Pardon? The mere fact that the Minister came here right after a wedding is proof of your loyalty, so how could I blame you?”
That made me shiver. It was as if he were saying that had he leisurely enjoyed his honeymoon instead, I would surely have been ripped apart.
‘My conscience saved me.’
I released an inward sigh of relief. I had postponed my vacation due to my thoughts about my father, who would struggle dealing with the fallout of the World Tree’s revival, but if I hadn’t followed my conscience and simply held out, I would’ve shown up for forced work with my head split open.
What a relief. Voluntary attendance and forced attendance are hardly indistinguishable.
“By the way, since you’re here, let’s have a chat. The World Tree is fundamentally a tree, so that’s fine, but what about the spirits?”
As I glanced up at the Emperor, who wore a smile, he sat in the main seat and spoke in a calm voice.
“Surely they were beings living in the continent hundreds of years ago, but nowadays spirits have become something only seen in fairy tales. I envy that you were the first to witness such spirits.”
“If it weren’t for Your Majesty protecting the divine mandate properly, this wouldn’t be the case, would it? If Heaven had not been touched, today’s miracle would not have occurred.”
I initially let that flattering remark slip to gather my thoughts.
If I didn’t mean it, it would not sound like a backhanded compliment. Knowing the Emperor’s personality, if he intended to throw shade, he’d come up with a more colorful and elaborate way to do it. He wouldn’t put in minimal effort like that.
If that’s the case, then he must have genuinely asked out of curiosity…
‘He’s reached enlightenment.’
Finally, after all the head-scratching over the World Tree, he’d reached some form of enlightenment. Since overworking myself is now a given, I entered a phase of enjoyment.
“A miracle.”
I said, and the Emperor nodded.
“Indeed, a miracle.”
When he repeated the same word twice, anxiety surged within me. What’s going on? Why is he stalling like this?
The very fact that the Emperor entered a phase of enjoyment was odd. He possessed skills and intelligence that directly contradicted his temperament, and he had experienced enough of life’s bittersweet flavors. Even minor issues could be handled smoothly, but is he really so enlightened due to an event he’s been preparing for since last year?
‘Something’s off.’
There must be something significant that even put the Emperor’s mind at ease.
“Minister.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Command away.”
After a moment of silence, the Emperor finally spoke again.
“I need to go on a business trip abroad.”
“…What?”
And I blurted out, utterly stunned by the unexpected command.
A sudden overseas business trip? Even if I postponed my honeymoon, I should still be enjoying my newlywed bliss—
“The Pope has summoned all the cardinals across the continent. No matter what work they’re involved in, they’re ordered to assemble immediately in the Holy Kingdom.”
…
“Is it a council meeting?”
“Yes. The Pope has been watching for chances to hold a council, and upon learning of the World Tree’s resurrection, he wasted no time in announcing it.”
Upon hearing that, I finally understood why the Emperor was so enlightened.
‘He’s seriously going to hold it.’
A bit shocked, yes. The revival of the World Tree and the return of Constantina truly present a miraculous opportunity that could lead to a council meeting in the Dawn Sect. However, there’s a distinction between ‘an event worthy of a council meeting’ and ‘actually holding one’.
The current Pope is a progressive figure dreaming of significant reforms in the sect. He was always waiting for the right moment to convene a council, yet such an event was historically rare and would disrupt the sect’s values and identity. It faced tenacious opposition from conservative cardinals.
Having his lifelong wish thwarted repeatedly, the Pope wasn’t about to miss out on this significant opportunity.
“I hear this council aims to reassess Constantina’s role as a deity and establish the value of the World Tree. As a dawn sect devoted to the one true god Enen, it’s impossible to serve Constantina, but it’s equally unfeasible to reject the deity who granted us the World Tree.”
Rubbing the back of his neck, the Emperor glanced at me with a somewhat fatigued expression.
“And the Pope has invited the Minister as a reference for the council.”
Crap!
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