Emperor! Can You See Stats!?

Chapter 121: As An Emperor

“I can see the capital.”

“Ha! We can finally rest a bit.”

The knights of Scharnos looked exhausted.

It was understandable, since they had fought a fierce battle in the capital and then headed straight to Heavengard, where they had to defend the city.

‘I did make them do something terrible. It was a cycle of marching and fighting for almost ten days.’

Eurius gave a bitter smile and ordered.

“Once you arrive in the capital, you can rest for a while. I have to report to Father.”

But as soon as they reached the gate of the capital, an unexpected event disrupted their rest.

A crowd of enthusiastic people greeted them as soon as the gate opened.

“Waaaa! Long live the First Prince!”

“Huh?”

“Long live the Scharnos Knights!”

“…!?”

Eurius and his knights had no choice but to march slowly through the capital, receiving the inexplicable welcome.

When they reached the halfway point of the procession, someone came out of the palace to greet them.

“First Prince! The Emperor is waiting for you.”

“They are very tired, so please prepare a place for them to rest in the palace.”

Only after the servants and knights who came to greet them dispersed the crowd like a cloud did they manage to enter the palace quickly.

Eurius headed to the room where the Emperor was waiting, tilting his head.

‘What is going on?’

He had promised with the Emperor that he would not announce his rebellion until he returned, at his request.

‘But judging by the atmosphere, something seems wrong.’

It was unlikely that the Emperor had carried out a massive purge before he returned.

But the crowd just now seemed like they were celebrating a victory, didn’t they?

“Oh! You must be tired from repeated battles. How are you feeling?”

“Greetings, Father.”

‘Huh? Battles?’

The Emperor welcomed him with a smile, which was unexpected.

Normally, he should be slightly angry at him for leaving after suppressing his rebellion and then running off to a faraway place for no reason.

And what did he mean by repeated battles?

He hadn’t reported that he had fought with the black market in Heavengard, and the Emperor didn’t know about it.

Eurius gave a bitter smile and asked for an explanation.

“It seems that something happened while I was away.”

“I had no choice but to do so because you asked me not to announce anything about that bastard. Don’t you need another reason to detain all the nobles who were there?”

The Emperor chuckled.

The incident of attacking the palace a week ago, which he had explained, was announced like this.

The citizens of the imperial capital had roughly this reaction.

“They say that while His Majesty, who is ill, was suffering from a serious illness, the terrorist group that attacked the capital before targeted the palace this time. How dare they attack the heart of the empire? They have no fear!”

“Tsk! That’s not important. Do you know who repelled them?”

“Of course it must be the Imperial Guard Knights who guard the palace. Who else could it be?”

“Tsk! You’re slow on news! Of course, the Imperial Guard Knights helped, but it was none other than the First Prince and his knights who defended the palace decisively!”

“Huh… Really? It hasn’t been even two years since he returned from the northern war, but every time I hear from him, he brings back one great merit after another…”

“There was an official announcement from the palace about last night’s commotion, so there’s no doubt about it. And now, they say that the First Prince and his knights have left the capital to wipe out their remnants.”

“Now that you mention it, I heard a rumor that there was a loud cheer from the gate around dawn.”

“Anyway, it’s amazing. Except for His Majesty, has there ever been anyone who accumulated such achievements before becoming emperor?”

“That’s right. And yet, they say that he hasn’t even ascended to crown prince yet because he cares for his younger brother who hasn’t reached adulthood yet. Not only is he brave in war, but he is also virtuous like that. He truly has all the qualities of an ideal ruler!”

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After hearing all the explanations, Eurius looked dumbfounded.

It was true that an emergency situation required a plausible announcement, but why did he have to praise him so much?

The Emperor spoke again with a relaxed tone.

“Now that there is no more Grand Duke, what difference does it make if I add some more merits to you? Just accept it comfortably.”

“…”

Eurius could only give a bitter smile.

He knew that it was a prank by the Emperor who deliberately gave him all the credit.

“That’s how it is and let’s get to the point.”

The Emperor finally erased his smile and became serious.

“I already heard that the Grand Duke saved your life. But that doesn’t erase his treason.”

Eurius bit his tongue inwardly at his stern tone.

‘As expected, Father has no intention of forgiving the Grand Duke.’

“I’ll ask you first. He’s already dead, but what do you think we should do with those related to him? Just in case, I’ll tell you, I have no intention of being swayed by sentiment now that this has happened.”

The Grand Duke was not only the leader of the nobles, but also the Emperor’s cousin.

The fact that the Emperor said such a thing meant that he was determined to carry out a ruthless purge.

‘But I can’t let that happen!’

Eurius answered quietly but firmly.

“I oppose the purge of the nobles.”

“…”

For a moment, there was a long silence in the room.

It was the first time that Eurius had opposed the Emperor’s opinion so firmly, even though he had pleaded with him earnestly before.

“You must have a valid reason, right?”

The Emperor’s expression was slightly angry and cold to Eurius, which was rare.

From his perspective, this was a golden opportunity to sweep away all the nobles.

Eurius did not avoid his cold gaze.

Rather, he raised his head and met the Emperor’s eyes.

‘This is important.’

If he failed to persuade the Emperor, the outcome would be no different from his previous life, except that he was the victor.

“First of all, it’s the chaos of the political situation.”

“Chaos?”

“If we kill all the nobles in the south now, there will be backlash. If we use such a hardline policy, we will only give them an excuse to unite.”

The Emperor frowned at the first reason.

Eurius’s opinion was too orthodox.

“That’s obvious. But without the Grand Duke, they will be wasting their efforts.”

“What about the blood that will be spilled?”

“That’s something I’m prepared for.”

“…”

The Emperor and Eurius’s eyes clashed again.

“If that’s all you have to say…”

“Sigh…”

Eurius sighed.

It was inevitable that it would be rude to talk to the Emperor like this, even if he was his son.

He widened his eyes and glared at Eurius.

“What else are you dissatisfied with?”

“I’m sorry to tell you the second reason, Father.”

“…!?”

The Emperor was already quite angry, but he couldn’t help but wonder why he was acting like this.

“Tell me the second reason. This is an imperial order.”

Eurius finally opened his mouth reluctantly.

“I found some of the manuscripts that the Grand Duke wrote himself in his castle.”

“Manuscripts?”

“Yes. According to them, the reason why he openly supported the nobles was because…”

The Emperor jumped up from his seat after hearing the next part.

He started to look at Eurius with a terrifying gaze.

“Are you saying that you’re on his side now because he saved your life?”

Eurius did not stop speaking in front of the enraged Emperor.

“But it’s a reasonable argument. It’s true that Father’s ascension to the throne and killing all the nobles and imperial family members who opposed him helped the development of the empire, but I think that resulted in the Grand Duke’s rebellion.”

“I would have cut your throat if someone else had uttered such nonsense!”

The Emperor was furious.

It was obvious why.

The reason was that he had suppressed the power of the nobles with blood and caused this situation.

It was no different from denying his entire reign.

But Eurius’s tone was calm from beginning to end.

“I’m not saying that Father’s way was wrong.”

“Then what are you saying?”

“I’m saying that there is no need to spill blood anymore. Civil war leaves nothing behind. The only thing left is the blood of innocent people who are swept away.”

“…”

Eurius was not talking as an emperor right now.

He was trying to have an equal conversation with his father as an emperor from his previous life.

He had always tried to avoid civil war and after reading the Grand Duke’s manuscripts, he became convinced of that.

‘The Grand Duke became estranged from Father because of bloodline issues, but also because he spilled too much blood in the beginning and the nobles who needed someone to protect them turned to him!’

There was no one who could be their leader now, but who could guarantee that there wouldn’t be another Grand Duke in a few years?

He didn’t know what would happen in decades, just like the current Emperor.

The current Emperor who strengthened his power by spilling blood!

Eurius who got caught up in a civil war because of his weak power in his previous life!

It was a clear difference between the two rulers.

But Eurius knew too well that there was nothing left for either side in a civil war.

The losing side would take all the blame, but in reality both sides were responsible.

[The trait ‘Emperor’s Dignity’ is activated.]

[Your charisma and charm increase.]

The Emperor couldn’t help but look at Eurius with surprise at his serious aura.

‘When did he grow up so much?’

Eurius, who was now having a dignified conversation with him face to face, had grown up enough to express his opinion logically in front of him.

‘To be honest, I think he’s too soft, but anyway he’ll be running the country in a few years…’

The Emperor thought rationally that Eurius’s opinion had some merit, even though it was different from his position.

And crucially, he was old and he couldn’t guarantee how long he could run the country.

‘Now is the time to sway Father’s heart.’

Eurius brought up the last reason. It was the bond of blood.

“And the last reason is Leonhardt.”

“Hmm…”

“He may be your son, but he is also my brother. Do you really intend to cut his throat or exile him for life?”

He brought up the third reason of blood ties because if he appealed to his petty feelings when the emperor’s mind was set, it would backfire.

‘But if his mind is somewhat moved, this third reason is the most powerful weapon!’

No matter how much the emperor favored him, he used to compare children to ten fingers that all hurt when bitten.

The third reason was a decisive blow to him, whose momentum was already broken.

“Ugh…”

“I apologize for being so rude to you, even though you are the emperor. Please forgive me.”

Then Eurius knelt down on the floor and bowed his head cheekily.

“Enough! Fine, do as you wish. Ugh, you’re such a scoundrel…”

The emperor finally surrendered.

He agreed to accept Eurius’s opinion.

It was not just because he was persuaded.

He was secretly very satisfied, even though he did not show it.

To be honest, he had been supporting Eurius for a while, thinking that he was just helping a smart kid.

But now his mind has changed!

‘This guy, who just turned twenty, thinks like a benevolent ruler who has accumulated a lot of merit. If he can understand the damage and suffering of the people caused by the civil war, there won’t be much problem if I leave it to him.’

The emperor was not lying when he said that he felt guilty for the bloodshed.

Especially when he talked about Leonhardt, he could not help but waver.

He had brothers too.

He just pushed them all away with power struggles and became the emperor.

‘It’s admirable that he cares about his brother, who could be a thorn in his eye for the throne.’

Considering all these points, the emperor decided to follow Eurius’s opinion.

There was no parent who did not rejoice at their child’s growth.

But there was something he had to point out.

“Then, if I agree to your words for now, how do you plan to explain the absence of the Grand Duke?”

‘Success!’

Eurius had brought up an opinion that could have been out of favor with the emperor, but he had no choice but to be grateful that the emperor accepted his opinion.

“Thank you very much, Your Majesty.”

The emperor sat back in his chair and answered in a grumpy voice that did not match his inner feelings.

“Tsk! You’re such an brat… You don’t have to make such a fuss. You must have planned how to deal with the Grand Duke since you brought up this opinion, right?”

Eurius also lifted his head and smiled.

“Actually, I have something in mind for that too.”

At the same time, an alert rang in his head.

[The trait ‘Emperor’s Dignity’ rises from B rank to A rank.]