Chapter 36: I have become the Child Emperor

As Spear looked out the window of her carriage, she immediately noticed a severed head placed on a pole at the entrance of the Capital Gates. Below it was a signboard where people were gathered, either staring at the severed head, reading the board, or gossiping among themselves.

On the signboard, a proclamation declared, "This is the head of Zank the Beheader. Let it be known that anyone who threatens the peace within the Empire will know the Emperor's wrath. For the Emperor keeps his promise to bring peace and prosperity to his people." Reading the words, Spear couldn't help but reflect on the rumors she had heard during her travels about the young Emperor, stories ranging from him being incompetent due to previously being easily manipulated by Honest, to tales of people loving him for the positive changes he was initiating for the Empire as a whole.

The recent shift in public opinion mostly came from the new tax reforms he was strongly enforcing, as well as the General Inspector's actions in cracking down on corrupt military officials. It was a slow and steady progress, but Spear could already see the small changes happening throughout the Empire.

As Chouri contemplated his daughter's words, he rubbed his beard thoughtfully and spoke, "I like his approach. The statement symbolizes that he possesses both compassion and ruthlessness, but it's crucial to strike a balance. Being overly compassionate could lead people, especially nobles, to perceive you as weak. On the other hand, excessive ruthlessness might label you as a dictator, someone who must be eliminated".

"Just like how the Revolutionaries were born in response to Honest's ruthless ways," Spear commented, wincing suddenly from a surge of pain in her abdomen. "Ouch, that hurts," she remarked while checking her bandaged wound, thankfully it wasn't bleeding despite the carriage's bumpy ride.

Observing his daughter's discomfort, Chouri sighed, "I told you we could have taken a few more days to rest, but you're as stubborn as your mother."

Annoyed at being treated like a child, Spear retorted, "I already told you I'm fine. The wound is already healing."

Chouri gazed softly at his daughter, feeling a tinge of guilt. After receiving news of Honest's demise, Chouri initially planned to head directly to the Capital and support Emperor Makoto. However, an opportunity to aid the Emperor presented itself on their way, so Chouri altered their course and headed to the Headquarters of The Way of Peace.

As a former Prime Minister of the Empire, Chouri secured a meeting with the leader of The Way of Peace, known only as The Lord. It was during this meeting though that a former spy and ally of Honest, tried to secure power for himself. With a number of mercenaries, he ambushed the meeting place of Chouri and the Leader of the Way of Peace.

But despite Bolic having superior numbers, he failed to account for one thing. The undying loyalty of the guards protecting the Leader of the Way of Peace. Without caring for their safety whatsoever, those guards defended and attack Bolic with crazy-like-intensity and with the help of Chouri's guards led by his daughter, they were able to kill Bolic in the end.

Now, despite them surviving the ambush, Spear sustained injuries during the skirmish.

Though her wound wasn't fatal, Spear still required adequate rest. However, his daughter vehemently opposed the idea of being confined to a room for an extended period of time, even if it was for her own well-being. With great reluctance, Chouri decided they would travel towards the Capital, taking utmost care to minimize any strain on his daughter's injuries.

During a fleeting moment, Spear locked eyes with her father and uttered, "Fine, I'll rest a bit in the villa we have in the capital."

Immediately seizing the opportunity, Chouri insisted, "You need three days of bed rest."

"But---"

Before she could protest, Chouri remained firm and declared, "Three days, and that's final."

"You're no fun", Spear murmured while pouting which caused Chouri to smile at his daughter's antics.

Soon, their carriage passed through the capital gates. Although she initially felt dissatisfied with her father's decision to confine her to bed for three days, her sadness didn't linger for long. Curiosity got the better of her as she took in the sights of the capital. Despite being born here, her memories of the city were faint. During her childhood, she mostly stayed at their villa. Moreover, after her mother's passing and her father's removal from the position of Prime Minister, Spear hadn't returned to the capital since.

For Spear, it was like she was experiencing the grandness of the Capital for the first time.

An hour later, upon arriving at their villa, they were greeted by an elderly man accompanied by multiple maids and footmen, ready to take care of their luggage.

"Ah! It's good to see you again, sir. I hope your travels were pleasant," the butler stated, giving a small bow to Chouri.

With a faint smile, Chouri replied, "As good as can be."

Detecting a hint of something amiss, the butler inquired further, "What do you mean by that, sir? Is there anything we can do?"

To avoid unnecessary details, Chouri answered, "We had a minor skirmish on the way here, and Spear got injured. Is one of the rooms ready?"

"Oh dear!" the butler exclaimed in worry, turning his attention to Spear. He asked, "Are you okay, my lady? We'll fetch a doctor quickly!"

But before Carlson the butler could give out the order, Spear spoke up and said, "That would be unnecessary. I just need to rest".

"Are you sure, my lady?" the butler asked again, concern etched on his face. He had been in the service of Chouri's family ever since he was young boy, in fact he was even older than Chouri himself for only a few years.

When Spear was a little girl and Chouri was occupied with his duties as Prime Minister, and her mother was too ill to look after her, the butler personally watched over her and made sure she remained safe while playing around in the villa. Since he had no family of his own, he saw both Chouri and Spear as his own family, and any hint of distress in either of them made him worry.

"Truly, I'm fine, Carlson. Father just tends to exaggerate. I just need to go to my room and rest," Spear replied, her smile trying to reassure him.

Reluctantly, Carlson agreed, but not without ordering one of the maids to escort Lady Spear to her room.

Once Spear left, Chouri asked his butler, Carlson, "How was your stay here? Did you encounter any issues?"

Realizing what Chouri was referring to, Carlson quickly responded, "We mostly kept to ourselves, sir. We did not disturb the other nobles and servants in the area."

It was due to Chouri being removed as Prime Minister that he left the Capital. He was worried that due to his absences his servants within the Capital might be attack or bullied by the surrounding nobles and their households.

"I see. That's good to hear, then," Chouri acknowledged, glad that everything was fine.

"Besides, there's no need to worry anymore, sir," Carlson continued.

Intrigued, Chouri asked, "What do you mean?"

"It was discovered that most of the nobles in the area were neglecting to pay their taxes, and as a result, the crown confiscated their villas within the capital. Right now, you have very few neighbors left, sir."

"I see," Chouri replied, lost in thought as he pondered the implications of the Emperor's actions toward the nobility.