Chapter: 822
It may sound cliché, but the Empire is the number one nation on the continent. Not just a leading power among many, but a superpower that looms over the rest! It’s a realm that doesn’t just compete with the second in command, but reigns supreme as the ultimate authority.
If it couldn’t pull that off, it wouldn’t even have the audacity to call itself an Empire. An Empire that can’t even crush one measly nation? That’s not an empire led by an Emperor, but a kingdom ruled by a mere tyrant.
And astonishingly, even before the rise of the fantastic Dark Monarch line, the Empire managed to hold its ground as an Empire. Royalty from other kingdoms might have eyed it and thought, “That dude ain’t what he used to be,” but nobody dared to deny that Krasius was the Empire.
The reason was simple. Even with the Dark Monarchs making waves, the weight of the Empire was just too much. It’s like a hog gobbling up all the prime territories of the western continent, the area that humanity has cultivated longest.
‘It’s weird to think of my homeland as a hog.’
But what can you do? It’s hard to find a better metaphor.
Historically, the empires of Muno, Trika, and Apels have all resided in the western continent. This happened because new empires traced their roots back to the old ones.
The first Empire rose from the western continent, indicating that this region was the most developed at the time. The subsequent empires that arose also used the west as their base, making it the central heart of humanity and the epitome of prosperity.
‘When your tier is overwhelming, you can still coast along even if you’re a bit dim-witted.’
This was true until a brilliant and notable monarch rose to save the day.
Of course, there were also times when we felt like, “Okay, we might actually be in deep trouble” because of external and internal disasters, like with Kagan and the second prince. Yet, we somehow overcame it and regained our former glory. The Empire became a true Empire, leading and uniting the continent.
Therefore, the Empire symbolizes a hub where everything converges, making it an unremarkable place.
“Too many options, huh?”
“Yeah, I didn’t expect it to be this much.”
Setting our honeymoon in our own country means we’ve got endless possibilities.
Unique regional cultures born from vast lands. Tons of attractions shaped by a long history. Lavish cultures built up by countless nobles. An economy supported by a population in the hundreds of millions. The Empire’s domestic affairs are nothing short of magnificent and imposing.
Honestly, you’d think just going to another country would be cheaper.
‘In truth, even a single principal duchy rivals an entire kingdom.’
The Boyar Duchy has been entangled in trade disputes with the Jerano Kingdom. The first father-in-law has been taking the eastern kingdoms to task. Even with the Empire’s calling card, the stature of a duchy can parallel that of a nation.
So, as soon as I unfolded the domestic map, a sigh escaped my lips. Where do I even go to get some compliments? This isn’t something that can be sorted out by throwing darts.
‘One or two throws won’t cut it.’
First, we have to decide which direction—east, west, south, or north—and then which major region to go to, followed by picking the smaller regions and then which specific place within those regions. It’s a mess of choices like I’ve never seen before. Is this the fate of a great nation?
“I guess we can’t avoid this.”
“Hmm?”
While I contemplated asking the Minister of Territory if he had any good tourist spots, Eris stood up seriously.
She then laid the map out on the floor.
“Minister, just a moment!”
“Uh, sure.”
I nodded begrudgingly as Eris vanished in an instant.
I was uneasy. Based on past experiences, whenever Eris made a decision, it was never ordinary. Some insane idea that would leave ordinary folks trembling in their boots usually popped out.
“I’m back!”
“Wha—”
Should I try to stop her now? I wondered for a moment, but before I could decide, Eris returned holding Ferentz.
I felt even more anxious. Why on earth did she bring Ferentz?
“Okay, Ferentz! Use this to poke anywhere you like!”
“Poke?”
“Right! Just poke it!”
Eris handed Ferentz a little toy sword and gently placed him in front of the map. It was an adorable sight—he stood there, toy sword in hand, ready to pick our destination.
“You can’t be serious.”
“If we can’t decide, let’s let Ferentz choose! A trip chosen by our child! How wonderful is that?”
Her bold declaration left me speechless for a moment.
‘Is she right?’
I found myself surprisingly accepting that logic.
It doesn’t seem wrong. Instead of throwing darts again and again, wouldn’t it be more meaningful to ask our lovely Ferentz to choose? It’s still random, but it feels like a precious gift he’s given us.
“Ferentz, just poke wherever Mommy said!”
I crouched down in front of Ferentz and softly encouraged him.
A honeymoon location chosen by their child sounds utterly bizarre, yet it surely will be a memorable trip. For coming out of Eris’s mind, it’s a rather sweet and normal idea.
“Hmm…”
As both mom and dad asked, Ferentz started waddling around.
“Here!”
With confidence, he waddled over the map and poked a region with his toy sword.
“Oh.”
“Huh? Is that spot okay?”
As soon as we saw the area Ferentz had chosen, both Eris and I felt a bit uneasy.
The place where Ferentz’s toy sword landed was a direct territory of the royal household located in the southern part of the Empire. It used to belong to a notable family just a few years ago, but it became a royal territory after a series of events.
To get more specific, it was once part of a marquisate but got ripped off due to the royal family’s displeasure.
‘Hauzentz, huh.’
This territory was seized when the Eiselon Marquisate was downgraded to a count family. When the royal family forcibly transferred ownership, it turned into a royal territory.
And that was our Ferentz’s choice for our first honeymoon location domestically.
“Umm… is this alright?”
“If it had been a bit lower, that would’ve been a pickle, but since it’s a royal territory, it should be okay.”
It used to be the land of the Eiselon family, so naturally, this royal territory is right next to the current Eiselon Count family’s domain. If Ferentz had poked a little lower… we’d have had to plan a trip to the Eiselon Count territory, which would have made everything super awkward.
Even I could go confidently, but wandering into the land of the family that crushed me wouldn’t be fun. What if I bumped into an Eiselon or one of their servants? That would be so cringe.
Plus, if I went to Eiselon, people would think I’d gone there for a little revenge trip after all these years, right?
‘So thankful.’
Letting out a sigh of relief internally, I gently patted Ferentz on the head.
Thanks, my son. You’ve saved your father’s reputation.
Currently, the Hauzentz area has been downgraded to a count family territory and split into northern and southern regions.
However, back when it was still a marquisate under the Eiselon family, Hauzentz enjoyed one of the highest prosperities within the Empire. Being the Emperor’s in-laws and the leading family among the marquises, it was destined to develop.
Therefore, the northern region taken by the royal family was quite wealthy and continues to boast decent income even today, meaning there’ll be plenty to see when we visit. Except for the fact that it used to belong to the Eiselon family, it’s a suitable travel destination.
‘Who would’ve thought I’d visit this place again.’
Smirking slightly as I watched Ferentz giggle while playing with his toy sword, I realized I had no intention to forcibly change the travel plans he chose.
After all, the Eiselons suffered enough consequences for their sins; they aren’t wholly innocent victims either. I have no reason to avoid it just because I might not like it.
That said, since it’s a place that used to be Eiselon territory, there’s someone I should definitely reach out to about this.
—Minister? What’s wrong?
“I have something important to discuss.”
He’s the current owner of the royal territory who harbors deeper grievances against the Eiselon family than I do.
Since he wiped out the previous Eiselon family leader and their sub-lord, he might have stopped the blade dance, but he still holds a memory of Eiselon.
—Don’t use the word ‘important.’ It only makes me anxious!
“I apologize.”
—But, this must be crucial if you contacted me directly. Speak.
“My wife and I wish to personally experience the Empire’s greatness and beauty, but it seems we’ll be visiting the northern Hauzentz region.”
—What.
That’s the Emperor talking. The Emperor who had almost lost his life at the hands of the Eiselon family. I need to clarify things here because it’s the right thing to do.
If I were to just go without a word and the Emperor found out later? It wouldn’t matter one bit whether that territory is currently a royal territory or not. He would most likely lose his composure and revert back to that crazy guy from back when he first became the Crown Prince.
That wouldn’t be a good outcome. I can’t bring back the bloodshed to the recently peaceful royal family and Empire.
—Why there…?
I could clearly hear the uneasiness in the Emperor’s voice from across the communication link.
I swallowed nervously. Even though I was voluntarily reporting in, it was this effective. What would’ve happened if I had traveled without letting him know? The thought alone gave me shivers.
“I let my son Ferentz choose the travel destination, and he poked the northern Hauzentz region with a toy sword—”
—Poked it with a sword?
“Uh, no, it was actually a toy sword that Eris handed him—”
—Is your wife Erzhabette, the Section Chief? Visiting the Hauzentz region with the Section Chief from the Interrogation Division?
I’ve messed up. It’s clear that the Emperor isn’t thinking about a honeymoon right now; all he can picture is “the Minister of Information and the Section Chief visiting Hauzentz.”
‘Oh boy, this is a mess.’
Should I rethink the destination right now…?
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