Translator: “Hakou” Editor: “Weasalopes”
The margrave who took the lead in promotion race by obtaining Landbarn.
And The marquis who rushed with the expeditionary force to catch up.
Their goal is the status of the Imperial Chancellor. Currently, that seat is vacant.
(It’s my win if I can bring down Awoke which will become the impetus of the Kingdom downfall)
Thought the marquis who leads the expeditionary force.
What he meant by win is winning against his rival, the margrave.
The former government office located in the town square of Land barn. The Marquis is currently renting a room there.
When he looked down from the window, he could see his subordinates who gathered in the town square preparing to move to the east.
As soon as everything’s ready, he planned to capture a small town on the way to Awoke and set up an encampment there.
(Let’s show that we can answer His Majesty’s expectation)
The western mountain range, which used to be the border, could be seen on the far west of the city walls.
the Marquis whispered to himself while looking at those mountains in the distance.
***
A nation with the largest territory and the strongest national power in the Ost continent. That is the Empire.
However, there are signs that their influence was starting to decline in recent years.
The authority that was once concentrated on the emperor was diluted over a long period of time and distributed between the nobles and the bureaucrats.
At that time, the Empire was no longer a terrifying existence in which the absolute monarch was free to exert its power, but was becoming a group of various powers that were trying to win the emperor.
It could also be said as an institutional fatigue over the passing years.
『The Empire is nearing the end of its life』
There were many country leaders who thought of such a thing.
It was called as “the country of the setting sun” due to its territory being in the western part of the continent.
Until the current emperor climbs to his current position.
***
「How about making the crown prince disinherited?」
The time goes back to about twenty years ago.
When the present time emperor was still a crown prince, such a voice was heard from one of the people gathered in a room at the back of the palace.
The current emperor is weakening, and the generation will have to change soon at this rate.
The person who said that considered the crown prince unfit for the next emperor.
A prince who was born from the legal wife of a noble family as the eldest son.
Despite its impeccable origin, many voiced doubts about his qualities early in the palace.
That was because he hasn’t been a 『good child』
「If this goes on, it might be impossible to do public affairs」
One of the officials in charge of ceremonies said with a difficult expression.
When asked to attend a ceremony, the crown prince will always ask the ceremony officer what the significance of the ceremony is.
It’s unlikely that he will be convinced with the given answers, and he will brush it off by saying, “Such a ceremony is meaningless.”
For now, he did attend and meet the minimum obligations.
However, with how he is every time, it is not impossible for doubts about his disposition start to appear.
「You must fulfill your responsibilities as a member of the royal family」
One day, the empress, who is his mother, advised him so.
She has a gentle and serious personality, this was also the case for his father who was the emperor at that time. They were worried about their son’s actions and the way he thinks.
(I don’t want to be like father and mother)
Returning to his room, the crown prince thought.
The long and profound history of the empire contains many events.
The actions of his ancestors became precedents, and the precedents eventually changed to conventions.
The custom that is born one after another has created many ceremonies and created a wide variety of events.
Yearly, monthly, weekly, daily. Yearly, monthly, weekly, daily. It was always the anniversary of something and some kind of event was held for it.
And the royal family was overwhelmed on how to cope with those ceremonies.
(To be made participate in every meaningless events until they runs out their lives)
That is what the royal family is today.
It is the nobles and bureaucrats who steer the country.
「As if such bullshit story exists!」
The crown prince slammed his fist against the desk.
He would give up if he were told that his family line was solely dedicated to attending ceremonies.
However, the emperor is “The most powerful person in the Empire and leads the country”. That’s what he was taught.
But what lies in front of him is a completely different reality.
Used by the nobles and bureaucrats, they are forced to attend ceremonies without rest. And it wears down their life.
In fact, there were many of those who have been crowned have a short life.
「I’m going to change that myself」
He made such decisions inside his adolescent heart.
Since then, he has been observing his surroundings, studying the law, and working to gather comrades.
In that time, he still attended several public affairs although he kept his attendances at minimum, and the rest of it was pushed to his little brother who was a 『Good boy』
And finally, the time has come.
That condition was debilitating.
He might have used up all of his entire energy. The crown prince thought.
***
The stage returns to the room at the back of the palace, slightly away from the emperor’s private chamber, who was still trying his best to keep breathing.
One of the people who gathered in the room, the Empire prime minister spoke.
「The crown prince doesn’t fit to serve as the next emperor. We have no choice but to put the crown on his brother instead」
When the prime minister looked around, everyone in the room nodded once.
「Though I said that, only His Majesty had the authority to pass the crown. However, that seems impossible under his current condition」
The imperial seal can only be applied magically by the current emperor.
And if the emperor lost his life, the authority automatically transferred to the crown prince
「Therefore, let’s have the crown prince take the throne for some time. And after that, have him peacefully transfer the throne to his brother」
I see, the ceremony official nodded.
Then he asked a question with concern.
「However, this depends whether the crown prince agrees to it or not, isn’t it?」
「I will make him to. If push come to shove, there’s no choice but to resort to Lord imprisonment」
The prime minister made a nasty smile.
Lord imprisonment is a practice of forcibly imprisoning the lord, who is said to have a bad track record, by the decision of the vassals.
Although the emperor has a legal power, he has no one to control.
An emperor who doesn’t listen to the will of the nobles and bureaucrats were often abandoned in this way.
And this time, the case of such a thing happening will rise by one.
「Well then, let’s go with this plan」
Everyone in the room agreed and the meeting was closed.
***
A few days later, the news of the emperor’s death spread throughout the empire.
And as the next emperor, the crown prince took the throne.
Two days later after the funeral of the previous generation that was held grandly and quietly. The empire prime minister heads to the emperor’s office.
He went to demand the transfer of power. He also brought a few strong guards with him in case it was denied.
「Mu?」
As he walked down the corridor, he found that the door in the front was closed.
As long as he remembers in his career as the empire prime minister, this door was always opened.
The guard tried to open it, but it was locked.
(Was it His Majesty doing?)
I frowned.
We will come to make an unreasonable demand. Did he perhaps predict this would happen and do this kind of thing?
(What a meaningless struggle)
After a click of tongue, I ordered one of the guards to get the key.
And then some time passed after that.
(He’s late)
There’s also one thing that made me curious.
No one has passed by this corridor ever since I waited here.
A place near the emperor’s private chamber. Certainly, there are only a few who come and go this place usually, but that doesn’t mean no one will go through here at all.
I signaled the guards and decided to go back the way I came.
「What?」
The door on the way to the corridor. It was closed and locked.
It was still opened when I came. There’s no mistaking it.
(We’re being locked up?)
I looked outside from the window in the corridor, it was the fourth floor. There’s now way out.
「Destroy it」
I ordered the guards.
However, the thick oak door won’t budge with the guards physical strength.
「Use your sword! Is that item on your waist just a decoration, huh!?」
They pulled out their swords as ordered, but it was only a ceremonial sword. It can’t be helped.
The empire prime minister grimaced after seeing that.
(There’s something going on)
A dark cloud of anxiety began to spring in his heart.
What is happening right now is definitely not in his favor. He was sure of that.
Translator: “Hakou” Editor: “Weasalopes”
On the other hand, in the Emperor’s office was the Emperor himself sitting on a chair and several men and women in front of him.
The Emperor stood up and handed a certificate-like paper to them.
「It’s a Letter of Attorney. Though only for a limited time, I will give you the highest authority in the Knight Order and the Government」
Such a will was written on the Letter of Attorney, and the magic circle on it was emitting light.
「I have divided the Prime Minister, high ranking bureaucrats and Knight Commander. They shouldn’t be able to make a move for a while」
The Emperor squinted his eyes and continued.
「You must take control of the Government and the Knight Order immediately. Go!」
「By your will!」
They stood up and rushed to the door.
Among them are someone with pilot badges on their chests. These include a young man with short black hair, and a young woman with stern features.
Everyone except him rushed out of the room.
There’s not even a single guard. Right now, he needs every person he can move.
(What’s left is to wait whether this will bring fortune or misfortune)
Whether the practitioners obey him as their Emperor, or obey the Prime Minister and the Knight Commander. That will divide the result.
(Faced with the Letter of Attorney when their figureheads aren’t around… Speaking by the law, this should make them obey me but…)
The legislative system that he had thoroughly studied.
He found out that the Letter of Attorney by the Emperor is ranked highest.
However, in the end, it is human who operates the law. If you have a superior in front of you, then you would of course abide their orders instead.
(…What happens happens, I guess)
He sat down on the throne and glanced at the cane in his right hand.
It’s called the Emperor’s Staff and the symbol of authority next to the Imperial Seal.
While looking at its tip that glows magically, a cynical smile appeared on the edge of his mouth.
(It’s quite useful after all)
The Emperor commented on the cane’s ability.
Opening, closing, and even locking the doors that were set up inside the palace. It was able to do all of that.
Right now, all of the corridors have been separated into fragments and the rooms have been locked.
This should make the Prime Minister, bureaucrats, and the Knight Commander stuck inside the palace, unable to make a move.
(The Emperor who controls the entire Empire. However, in reality, the power I have only about this much)
Doors in the corridor that were placed at a certain interval, the entrances and exits of the main rooms. That was the extant to which the Emperor’s power extends.
An urge to laugh welled up inside him.
His father, the previous Emperor, never used this power.
Other than the Imperial family, they wouldn’t even know that the Emperor’s Staff has such an ability.
(Father too, must have wondered how to use this power)
The urge to laugh he had tried to suppress reappeared, and he laughed aloud.
He waited for the reports from his subordinates while laughing. Every single one of them he had desperately gathered.
It was a little later that his subordinates were successful in their attempts and signaled that they had control of the Empire.
Later, he used the Imperial Knights to wipe out the old regime.
「Your Majesty doesn’t have to go to the battlefield. Please leave everything to us, pilots」
His subordinates desperately tried to dissuade him, but he didn’t listen.
It is a matter of course for the Emperor to go to the battlefield in a battle with the old regime.
「I am certainly not a pilot. And of course a Knight isn’t something I could ride either」
After he said that, he pointed at the flag which represents the Imperial Court behind him.
「But, there is a power that comes along with the Emperor. As long as I’m with you, the enemy is always just a group of bandits」
And then, with a bewitching smile, he asked his subordinate.
「How is it? Are you still saying that I won’t be of use?」
The subordinate who gave in, shook his head and headed to the battlefield along with the presence of the Emperor who should never be attacked.
In actuality, the power of “Imperial Knights led by the Emperor” was enormous.
The Empire where the system itself became disordered and began creaking.
However, the Emperor’s authority hadn’t diminished yet. It even becomes more prominent the further it goes into the rural areas.
At first, the nobles were enthusiastic, but they couldn’t retain their morale before the legitimate Emperor. It rapidly collapsed starting from the rural area the moment the inferiority in numbers became visible.
「See? I became a little bit of help, didn’t I?」
The subordinates have no choice but to prostrate in front of their lord who has a smile pasted on his face.
And like that, in a short period of time, the Emperor managed to revive the powerful absolute monarchy to where it had been in the past.
The trace of sunset of the major country that became the talk of other countries’ leaders was no longer visible.
There was only the figure of a powerful country that was aiming for the unification of the Ost continent.
「The Emperor who achieve continental unification and gained the largest territory」
Those words surely sound sweet for history lovers.
The subordinates, who have understood the Emperor’s ambitions, were expanding the Empire’s border as if competing with each other.
And twenty years have passed since the present Emperor has been crowned.
The Empire was definitely in the midst of its rise.
***
And now, in the country that was at the receiving ends of the Empire’s feverish gaze the most.
The red-light district, in the royal capital, Tauro entered a luxurious building.
「I apologize for the trouble I made the other day」
I lowered my head to the concierge of Cionne. It was about the case when Herbivore Mechanic rampaged.
「No no, Tauro-sama wasn’t expecting it to turn out that way either, right? Please don’t worry about it」
The concierge said softly while laughing.
「Besides, to give this kind of set menu idea… Thanks to it, we became even more popular now」
There were no lies in that smile. In reality, I think their customer rate has indeed risen.
The time was a few days ago.
When I came and bought some confectionaries to apologize about the case with Herbivore Mechanic, they consulted me.
Due to the effects of the war, everyone has tightened their purse’s string, so the number of customers and the unit price have dropped. Do you have any good ideas? Is what they asked me.
(Increasing the number of customers while also increasing the average spending per customer…)
This is quite a difficult problem.
(To achieve that, we need to add an extra value where the customers feel they need to spend their money)
When I’m brooding over it, a certain dish that I wanted forever but haven’t gotten yet floated in my head.
(That’s it!)
After organizing it in my head for a while, I told the concierge what I thought.
「Put two women for one customer. Also, one of them is always from the sideline, is it?」
The concierge continued with a difficult look.
「Certainly, that way the average cost per customer will rise. However, would there really be a customer that’s interested to order it?」
It’s a negative reaction.
But I strongly declared.
「Please don’t worry. It’s not just a set. It’s a menu that would drive people to try it at least once」
「What do you mean?」
「The name of this menu is… Oyakodon」
Upon hearing those words, the concierge showed an expression as if he had been struck by lightning.
His eyes and mouth were wide open as he was unable to utter a word.
「It is a unique menu in Cionne where young sidelines were their selling points. The mother of such young women should still be young and beautiful」
I grinned.
The concierge swallowed his saliva.
「Certainly… It’s certainly a menu that someone would want to try. This might sell well… No, it will definitely sell!」
It’s as clear as day that he was fully interested.
「Thank you very much! We will immediately proceed with the preparations!」
I’m happy that my idea was accepted, but I wonder what they mean by immediately?
When I asked it, the answer was simple.
「That’s because some of the mothers is sitting on the platform」
Oh my, so there were some mothers and daughters working in the same store.
「But still, it’s quite a blind spot. What a blunder. …I have to confirm this immediately」
The concierge immediately spoke to women on the sideline and what seems to be their mother on the platform.
And then, he looked back at me as he made a very attractive proposal.
「Tauro-sama, would you please give it a try?」
Unfortunately, although it’s heartbreaking I have no choice but to decline.
My job to subjugate monsters awaits.
「That is very unfortunate indeed. Please, by all means, come here whenever you have some free time」
Saying that, the concierge loosened his collar while taking off his jacket. He beckoned a young concierge and left the lobby to him.
It seems that he’s going to have a taste himself and make some adjustments.
(How nice….)
I left the store while my heart was spilling tears of blood.
***
A few days have gone by since then.
And today. Since I have some free time, I immediately headed to the store.
「Well then, let me explain. First, dear customers have to choose from the sidelines」
I nodded at his words and looked at the women sitting on the chair by the wall with their thin legs crossed.
「The ones with a badge are those who are possible to come with the『Oyakodon』set」
It was unexpectedly a lot. Nearly half of them have a colorful shining badge.
「There are three types of badges, gold, silver, and bronze, each of which has a different price」
The gold ones were expensive and bronze were cheap.
「What is the difference between them?」
「Yes. Gold comes with a mother who is an active player on the platform at our shop. I can guarantee their abilities」
I listened to the explanation that follows.
Silver was a retired person who once worked in the store.
And bronze was an amateur who had no experience at all.
Looking at it, the number of gold and bronze is few, and most are silver.
「Then, the bronze please」
My eyes are gleaming.
The eyes of the concierge who were staring back at me also reflected light just as strong.
「……As expected, Tauro-sama understood」
At those words, I replied.
「I am honored to receive your compliment」
I had to wait for a little while since they had to call her mother in the house nearby.
Except for the gold badge, they don’t seem to work in the store.
During that time, the concierge spoke to me.
「About this Oyakodon but, is it okay to give Tauro-sama’s name as the inventor」
I thought about it for a while. There should be no problem.
But it’s quite embarrassing if they use the name Tauro as it is.
「I don’t mind. But if you can, please use the name Dr. Slime instead」
The concierge seemed to be happy upon hearing that.
「I’m more than thankful if we could use that name」
Is that so?
「Yes, if it’s a menu that Dr. Slime came up with, the attention it’ll receive will be on a different level」
It’s the same with the case of me being one of the matchless people in the red-light district, it seems my name has become quite well-known before I realized it.
(Well, whatever)
It’s bound to become like this if I do as I please.
It can’t be helped at this point of time.
That’s where a young girl came over from the sideline with quick steps.
The concierge looked her way.
「It seems the preparation for her mother has completed. Well then, please enjoy yourself」
My hand was grabbed by the sideline girl that came to pick me up and we headed to the second floor.
Translator: “Hakou” Editor: “Weasalopes”
The margrave who took the lead in promotion race by obtaining Landbarn.
And The marquis who rushed with the expeditionary force to catch up.
Their goal is the status of the Imperial Chancellor. Currently, that seat is vacant.
(It’s my win if I can bring down Awoke which will become the impetus of the Kingdom downfall)
Thought the marquis who leads the expeditionary force.
What he meant by win is winning against his rival, the margrave.
The former government office located in the town square of Land barn. The Marquis is currently renting a room there.
When he looked down from the window, he could see his subordinates who gathered in the town square preparing to move to the east.
As soon as everything’s ready, he planned to capture a small town on the way to Awoke and set up an encampment there.
(Let’s show that we can answer His Majesty’s expectation)
The western mountain range, which used to be the border, could be seen on the far west of the city walls.
the Marquis whispered to himself while looking at those mountains in the distance.
***
A nation with the largest territory and the strongest national power in the Ost continent. That is the Empire.
However, there are signs that their influence was starting to decline in recent years.
The authority that was once concentrated on the emperor was diluted over a long period of time and distributed between the nobles and the bureaucrats.
At that time, the Empire was no longer a terrifying existence in which the absolute monarch was free to exert its power, but was becoming a group of various powers that were trying to win the emperor.
It could also be said as an institutional fatigue over the passing years.
『The Empire is nearing the end of its life』
There were many country leaders who thought of such a thing.
It was called as “the country of the setting sun” due to its territory being in the western part of the continent.
Until the current emperor climbs to his current position.
***
「How about making the crown prince disinherited?」
The time goes back to about twenty years ago.
When the present time emperor was still a crown prince, such a voice was heard from one of the people gathered in a room at the back of the palace.
The current emperor is weakening, and the generation will have to change soon at this rate.
The person who said that considered the crown prince unfit for the next emperor.
A prince who was born from the legal wife of a noble family as the eldest son.
Despite its impeccable origin, many voiced doubts about his qualities early in the palace.
That was because he hasn’t been a 『good child』
「If this goes on, it might be impossible to do public affairs」
One of the officials in charge of ceremonies said with a difficult expression.
When asked to attend a ceremony, the crown prince will always ask the ceremony officer what the significance of the ceremony is.
It’s unlikely that he will be convinced with the given answers, and he will brush it off by saying, “Such a ceremony is meaningless.”
For now, he did attend and meet the minimum obligations.
However, with how he is every time, it is not impossible for doubts about his disposition start to appear.
「You must fulfill your responsibilities as a member of the royal family」
One day, the empress, who is his mother, advised him so.
She has a gentle and serious personality, this was also the case for his father who was the emperor at that time. They were worried about their son’s actions and the way he thinks.
(I don’t want to be like father and mother)
Returning to his room, the crown prince thought.
The long and profound history of the empire contains many events.
The actions of his ancestors became precedents, and the precedents eventually changed to conventions.
The custom that is born one after another has created many ceremonies and created a wide variety of events.
Yearly, monthly, weekly, daily. Yearly, monthly, weekly, daily. It was always the anniversary of something and some kind of event was held for it.
And the royal family was overwhelmed on how to cope with those ceremonies.
(To be made participate in every meaningless events until they runs out their lives)
That is what the royal family is today.
It is the nobles and bureaucrats who steer the country.
「As if such bullshit story exists!」
The crown prince slammed his fist against the desk.
He would give up if he were told that his family line was solely dedicated to attending ceremonies.
However, the emperor is “The most powerful person in the Empire and leads the country”. That’s what he was taught.
But what lies in front of him is a completely different reality.
Used by the nobles and bureaucrats, they are forced to attend ceremonies without rest. And it wears down their life.
In fact, there were many of those who have been crowned have a short life.
「I’m going to change that myself」
He made such decisions inside his adolescent heart.
Since then, he has been observing his surroundings, studying the law, and working to gather comrades.
In that time, he still attended several public affairs although he kept his attendances at minimum, and the rest of it was pushed to his little brother who was a 『Good boy』
And finally, the time has come.
That condition was debilitating.
He might have used up all of his entire energy. The crown prince thought.
***
The stage returns to the room at the back of the palace, slightly away from the emperor’s private chamber, who was still trying his best to keep breathing.
One of the people who gathered in the room, the Empire prime minister spoke.
「The crown prince doesn’t fit to serve as the next emperor. We have no choice but to put the crown on his brother instead」
When the prime minister looked around, everyone in the room nodded once.
「Though I said that, only His Majesty had the authority to pass the crown. However, that seems impossible under his current condition」
The imperial seal can only be applied magically by the current emperor.
And if the emperor lost his life, the authority automatically transferred to the crown prince
「Therefore, let’s have the crown prince take the throne for some time. And after that, have him peacefully transfer the throne to his brother」
I see, the ceremony official nodded.
Then he asked a question with concern.
「However, this depends whether the crown prince agrees to it or not, isn’t it?」
「I will make him to. If push come to shove, there’s no choice but to resort to Lord imprisonment」
The prime minister made a nasty smile.
Lord imprisonment is a practice of forcibly imprisoning the lord, who is said to have a bad track record, by the decision of the vassals.
Although the emperor has a legal power, he has no one to control.
An emperor who doesn’t listen to the will of the nobles and bureaucrats were often abandoned in this way.
And this time, the case of such a thing happening will rise by one.
「Well then, let’s go with this plan」
Everyone in the room agreed and the meeting was closed.
***
A few days later, the news of the emperor’s death spread throughout the empire.
And as the next emperor, the crown prince took the throne.
Two days later after the funeral of the previous generation that was held grandly and quietly. The empire prime minister heads to the emperor’s office.
He went to demand the transfer of power. He also brought a few strong guards with him in case it was denied.
「Mu?」
As he walked down the corridor, he found that the door in the front was closed.
As long as he remembers in his career as the empire prime minister, this door was always opened.
The guard tried to open it, but it was locked.
(Was it His Majesty doing?)
I frowned.
We will come to make an unreasonable demand. Did he perhaps predict this would happen and do this kind of thing?
(What a meaningless struggle)
After a click of tongue, I ordered one of the guards to get the key.
And then some time passed after that.
(He’s late)
There’s also one thing that made me curious.
No one has passed by this corridor ever since I waited here.
A place near the emperor’s private chamber. Certainly, there are only a few who come and go this place usually, but that doesn’t mean no one will go through here at all.
I signaled the guards and decided to go back the way I came.
「What?」
The door on the way to the corridor. It was closed and locked.
It was still opened when I came. There’s no mistaking it.
(We’re being locked up?)
I looked outside from the window in the corridor, it was the fourth floor. There’s now way out.
「Destroy it」
I ordered the guards.
However, the thick oak door won’t budge with the guards physical strength.
「Use your sword! Is that item on your waist just a decoration, huh!?」
They pulled out their swords as ordered, but it was only a ceremonial sword. It can’t be helped.
The empire prime minister grimaced after seeing that.
(There’s something going on)
A dark cloud of anxiety began to spring in his heart.
What is happening right now is definitely not in his favor. He was sure of that.
Translator: “Hakou” Editor: “Weasalopes”
On the other hand, in the Emperor’s office was the Emperor himself sitting on a chair and several men and women in front of him.
The Emperor stood up and handed a certificate-like paper to them.
「It’s a Letter of Attorney. Though only for a limited time, I will give you the highest authority in the Knight Order and the Government」
Such a will was written on the Letter of Attorney, and the magic circle on it was emitting light.
「I have divided the Prime Minister, high ranking bureaucrats and Knight Commander. They shouldn’t be able to make a move for a while」
The Emperor squinted his eyes and continued.
「You must take control of the Government and the Knight Order immediately. Go!」
「By your will!」
They stood up and rushed to the door.
Among them are someone with pilot badges on their chests. These include a young man with short black hair, and a young woman with stern features.
Everyone except him rushed out of the room.
There’s not even a single guard. Right now, he needs every person he can move.
(What’s left is to wait whether this will bring fortune or misfortune)
Whether the practitioners obey him as their Emperor, or obey the Prime Minister and the Knight Commander. That will divide the result.
(Faced with the Letter of Attorney when their figureheads aren’t around… Speaking by the law, this should make them obey me but…)
The legislative system that he had thoroughly studied.
He found out that the Letter of Attorney by the Emperor is ranked highest.
However, in the end, it is human who operates the law. If you have a superior in front of you, then you would of course abide their orders instead.
(…What happens happens, I guess)
He sat down on the throne and glanced at the cane in his right hand.
It’s called the Emperor’s Staff and the symbol of authority next to the Imperial Seal.
While looking at its tip that glows magically, a cynical smile appeared on the edge of his mouth.
(It’s quite useful after all)
The Emperor commented on the cane’s ability.
Opening, closing, and even locking the doors that were set up inside the palace. It was able to do all of that.
Right now, all of the corridors have been separated into fragments and the rooms have been locked.
This should make the Prime Minister, bureaucrats, and the Knight Commander stuck inside the palace, unable to make a move.
(The Emperor who controls the entire Empire. However, in reality, the power I have only about this much)
Doors in the corridor that were placed at a certain interval, the entrances and exits of the main rooms. That was the extant to which the Emperor’s power extends.
An urge to laugh welled up inside him.
His father, the previous Emperor, never used this power.
Other than the Imperial family, they wouldn’t even know that the Emperor’s Staff has such an ability.
(Father too, must have wondered how to use this power)
The urge to laugh he had tried to suppress reappeared, and he laughed aloud.
He waited for the reports from his subordinates while laughing. Every single one of them he had desperately gathered.
It was a little later that his subordinates were successful in their attempts and signaled that they had control of the Empire.
Later, he used the Imperial Knights to wipe out the old regime.
「Your Majesty doesn’t have to go to the battlefield. Please leave everything to us, pilots」
His subordinates desperately tried to dissuade him, but he didn’t listen.
It is a matter of course for the Emperor to go to the battlefield in a battle with the old regime.
「I am certainly not a pilot. And of course a Knight isn’t something I could ride either」
After he said that, he pointed at the flag which represents the Imperial Court behind him.
「But, there is a power that comes along with the Emperor. As long as I’m with you, the enemy is always just a group of bandits」
And then, with a bewitching smile, he asked his subordinate.
「How is it? Are you still saying that I won’t be of use?」
The subordinate who gave in, shook his head and headed to the battlefield along with the presence of the Emperor who should never be attacked.
In actuality, the power of “Imperial Knights led by the Emperor” was enormous.
The Empire where the system itself became disordered and began creaking.
However, the Emperor’s authority hadn’t diminished yet. It even becomes more prominent the further it goes into the rural areas.
At first, the nobles were enthusiastic, but they couldn’t retain their morale before the legitimate Emperor. It rapidly collapsed starting from the rural area the moment the inferiority in numbers became visible.
「See? I became a little bit of help, didn’t I?」
The subordinates have no choice but to prostrate in front of their lord who has a smile pasted on his face.
And like that, in a short period of time, the Emperor managed to revive the powerful absolute monarchy to where it had been in the past.
The trace of sunset of the major country that became the talk of other countries’ leaders was no longer visible.
There was only the figure of a powerful country that was aiming for the unification of the Ost continent.
「The Emperor who achieve continental unification and gained the largest territory」
Those words surely sound sweet for history lovers.
The subordinates, who have understood the Emperor’s ambitions, were expanding the Empire’s border as if competing with each other.
And twenty years have passed since the present Emperor has been crowned.
The Empire was definitely in the midst of its rise.
***
And now, in the country that was at the receiving ends of the Empire’s feverish gaze the most.
The red-light district, in the royal capital, Tauro entered a luxurious building.
「I apologize for the trouble I made the other day」
I lowered my head to the concierge of Cionne. It was about the case when Herbivore Mechanic rampaged.
「No no, Tauro-sama wasn’t expecting it to turn out that way either, right? Please don’t worry about it」
The concierge said softly while laughing.
「Besides, to give this kind of set menu idea… Thanks to it, we became even more popular now」
There were no lies in that smile. In reality, I think their customer rate has indeed risen.
The time was a few days ago.
When I came and bought some confectionaries to apologize about the case with Herbivore Mechanic, they consulted me.
Due to the effects of the war, everyone has tightened their purse’s string, so the number of customers and the unit price have dropped. Do you have any good ideas? Is what they asked me.
(Increasing the number of customers while also increasing the average spending per customer…)
This is quite a difficult problem.
(To achieve that, we need to add an extra value where the customers feel they need to spend their money)
When I’m brooding over it, a certain dish that I wanted forever but haven’t gotten yet floated in my head.
(That’s it!)
After organizing it in my head for a while, I told the concierge what I thought.
「Put two women for one customer. Also, one of them is always from the sideline, is it?」
The concierge continued with a difficult look.
「Certainly, that way the average cost per customer will rise. However, would there really be a customer that’s interested to order it?」
It’s a negative reaction.
But I strongly declared.
「Please don’t worry. It’s not just a set. It’s a menu that would drive people to try it at least once」
「What do you mean?」
「The name of this menu is… Oyakodon」
Upon hearing those words, the concierge showed an expression as if he had been struck by lightning.
His eyes and mouth were wide open as he was unable to utter a word.
「It is a unique menu in Cionne where young sidelines were their selling points. The mother of such young women should still be young and beautiful」
I grinned.
The concierge swallowed his saliva.
「Certainly… It’s certainly a menu that someone would want to try. This might sell well… No, it will definitely sell!」
It’s as clear as day that he was fully interested.
「Thank you very much! We will immediately proceed with the preparations!」
I’m happy that my idea was accepted, but I wonder what they mean by immediately?
When I asked it, the answer was simple.
「That’s because some of the mothers is sitting on the platform」
Oh my, so there were some mothers and daughters working in the same store.
「But still, it’s quite a blind spot. What a blunder. …I have to confirm this immediately」
The concierge immediately spoke to women on the sideline and what seems to be their mother on the platform.
And then, he looked back at me as he made a very attractive proposal.
「Tauro-sama, would you please give it a try?」
Unfortunately, although it’s heartbreaking I have no choice but to decline.
My job to subjugate monsters awaits.
「That is very unfortunate indeed. Please, by all means, come here whenever you have some free time」
Saying that, the concierge loosened his collar while taking off his jacket. He beckoned a young concierge and left the lobby to him.
It seems that he’s going to have a taste himself and make some adjustments.
(How nice….)
I left the store while my heart was spilling tears of blood.
***
A few days have gone by since then.
And today. Since I have some free time, I immediately headed to the store.
「Well then, let me explain. First, dear customers have to choose from the sidelines」
I nodded at his words and looked at the women sitting on the chair by the wall with their thin legs crossed.
「The ones with a badge are those who are possible to come with the『Oyakodon』set」
It was unexpectedly a lot. Nearly half of them have a colorful shining badge.
「There are three types of badges, gold, silver, and bronze, each of which has a different price」
The gold ones were expensive and bronze were cheap.
「What is the difference between them?」
「Yes. Gold comes with a mother who is an active player on the platform at our shop. I can guarantee their abilities」
I listened to the explanation that follows.
Silver was a retired person who once worked in the store.
And bronze was an amateur who had no experience at all.
Looking at it, the number of gold and bronze is few, and most are silver.
「Then, the bronze please」
My eyes are gleaming.
The eyes of the concierge who were staring back at me also reflected light just as strong.
「……As expected, Tauro-sama understood」
At those words, I replied.
「I am honored to receive your compliment」
I had to wait for a little while since they had to call her mother in the house nearby.
Except for the gold badge, they don’t seem to work in the store.
During that time, the concierge spoke to me.
「About this Oyakodon but, is it okay to give Tauro-sama’s name as the inventor」
I thought about it for a while. There should be no problem.
But it’s quite embarrassing if they use the name Tauro as it is.
「I don’t mind. But if you can, please use the name Dr. Slime instead」
The concierge seemed to be happy upon hearing that.
「I’m more than thankful if we could use that name」
Is that so?
「Yes, if it’s a menu that Dr. Slime came up with, the attention it’ll receive will be on a different level」
It’s the same with the case of me being one of the matchless people in the red-light district, it seems my name has become quite well-known before I realized it.
(Well, whatever)
It’s bound to become like this if I do as I please.
It can’t be helped at this point of time.
That’s where a young girl came over from the sideline with quick steps.
The concierge looked her way.
「It seems the preparation for her mother has completed. Well then, please enjoy yourself」
My hand was grabbed by the sideline girl that came to pick me up and we headed to the second floor.
