Chapter 190 69th Contactee

A week passed.

I was playing with my two daughters at the manor of the Weaverpool territory.

"Eobubububu!?"

"Goo Gaga ebobu!"

"Huwooong, airplaneee!"

"Ungkehehehehehe!"

Playing with my daughters was more fun than I expected? It even felt like I was enjoying it more than them.

Every time I saw my daughters’ clear eyes, I felt more energized. What’s more, their hair was already growing rapidly for some reason.

"So incredibly cute!"

Holding Levi and Wish in each hand, I swung them up and down.

"Double Elevator!"

"Kkyahauueeut!"

"Heubehehe, Heehehe!"

The kids simply loved it purely. As a father, it felt rewarding.

To think they liked it so much. I hope they don’t cause me trouble, always listen well, and grow up freely.

Because if they ever said something like, "I hate Daddy," I feel like my heart would be wounded.

Surely, that day won’t come, right?

I saw a Weaverpool Ranger urgently entering the manor. Wondering what was going on, I faced them.

"Lord, it’s a big problem!"

"...If it’s the ’big problem’ I’m thinking of, then someone else is wielding planet-destroying power again."

"Huh? No, an envoy is coming from the capital right now."

"An envoy? Why?"

What is this? Why are they coming?

I’ve already undergone all the investigations. And I sometimes exchange messages with the Empress, so there shouldn’t be any problems.

"Wait, the Empress isn’t pregnant already, is she? No way, surely not."

My mouth suddenly went dry for no reason. Come to think of it, this is also a problem.

If the Empress gives birth to my child, what happens then? Do they become royalty?

"It feels like the family tree will become a mess."

The Ranger shook their head at me, who was lost in thought.

"I don’t know. You should prepare to receive them in advance."

"What is it now? Understood."

A sigh escaped me naturally. I was just about to play with the kids. Ah, what a shame.

I’ll have to play more later. I even want to play all night?

After entrusting my two daughters to Fiora and Piery, I left the manor in comfortable clothes.

Just then, I heard the sound of hooves, and someone was dismounting from a horse.

A black flag was attached to the saddle. That truly signifies an urgent situation.

"Welcome to Weaverpool."

"I have come from the capital. This is an urgent message, please receive it."

"A message?"

The man, who looked quite young for an envoy, laboriously handed over a letter.

As I took it, the envoy knelt on one knee. I waved my hand.

"Ah, there’s a bench over there, please have a seat."

"Huh? But you’re still reading the letter..."

"Yes, so you can make yourself comfortable. You must have had a hard journey to get here, haha. You should rest."

At my words, the envoy finally sat on the bench. I’m not even royalty, why would they kneel?

I tore open the envelope and took out the contents.

—I intend to resume the postponed northern subjugation. By the name of I, Iron Karl Dharma, I command you to show your loyalty!

A sigh escaped me naturally. Iron Karl Dharma.

He was the only child of the previous Emperor Mesiray and a fucking idiot.

He was the Emperor’s only bloodline, and his reputation was so bad that he was called a half-wit.

The current Emperor Iron, oh dear, oh dear.

"Isn’t this a bit much?"

At least the Demon Lord subjugation force, which was a more urgent matter than this, wasn’t mandatory.

But this bastard was happily forcing this whole charade.

The envoy unnecessarily glanced at me, as if they had done something wrong.

"Baron Vane, are you alright? Your expression..."

"This is mandatory, right? Everyone who received the letter has to go, without exception."

"Yes, however, since you are the only person specified, you may come alone."

Right. Only my name was here; there were no other members’ names.

No, they probably wouldn’t know. There’s no way they would. Fucking idiot.

"Ha, well, this is something."

I shook my head and rested my chin on my hand. I thought I’d finally get some rest, but then out of nowhere, they resumed the subjugation of the northern barbarians.

"Excuse me, isn’t the Second Northern Barbarian Subjugation quite large in scale?"

"That’s right."

"As far as I know, the capital hasn’t even finished its recovery work yet. The Imperial Palace is the same. They’ve barely restored the living quarters for the imperial family, but the rest of the nobles and officials are living in makeshift homes or hotels, aren’t they?"

"...How did you know? That’s correct."

It’s accurate because it’s information sent by the Weaverpool Rangers. As expected, the trustworthy Weaverpool Rangers!

But this situation was frustrating.

"In this situation, they’re provoking the northern barbarians again? I’m not trying to defy the Emperor’s will, but is this right? The nation is in such a state right now, you know?"

"I think the same, but the current Emperor is pushing for it, so..."

If there’s one thing the Dharma Empire is as bad as Earth at, it’s this.

If the leader is a fucking idiot and uneducated, you really have to go along with it.

A government that’s distracted by irrelevant matters when it should be strengthening the nation’s foundations, despite a mountain of bills to deal with.

The Dharma Empire was trying to subjugate the northern barbarians. Our country gave investigative powers to incompetent police.

"Haa, this really isn’t it. Ah, I didn’t say anything treasonous, so please ignore that."

"Hahaha..."

The envoy laughed awkwardly. The situation was utterly ridiculous.

"The damage from the Demon Lord subjugation alone was considerable, and though the capital was half-destroyed and rebuilt, it’s not complete. Another war in this situation? This bastard’s crazy, isn’t he?"

How can he be dumber than me, who has no strategic foresight?

Does he not know how the country works? He must have received an education from the Imperial Family, right? What is he trying to do?

"Well, is it better than Goblin? Still, this isn’t right. Ah, I can’t go head-to-head with the Emperor, what should I do?"

This was surprisingly a huge concern. If they tell me to do it, I’ll do it, but if it proceeds like this, everything will go to hell.

"I’ve read the letter well, but if you’d like to rest for a day before leaving, you may. Hahaha."

"I cannot do that."

"You don’t have to decline. Weaverpool, the city of artisans, is perfect in every way. Especially, a cafe that makes excellent coffee recently opened here. The Lord’s manor is also perfect."

The envoy firmly shook their head.

"Thank you for the offer, but I still have many people to deliver messages to."

"Huh? Aren’t there multiple envoys? Or are there just that many people to deliver to? Hmm."

"Well, many officials died during that past incident, so they haven’t been replenished yet."

"...And they’re sending this out now? How much work has piled up?"

The envoy briefly took out their notebook and looked at it. Then they pointed to a small box attached to the saddle.

"For now, I have 100 people to deliver to. This is the 69th."

"No, what kind of work processing is this...? They’re not even nobles’ slaves, and one official is delivering to 100 people?"

"Hahaha, that’s right. That’s the current situation."

It was enough to make one’s jaw drop. Of course, officials could be called the Emperor’s slaves.

Still, in terms of treatment, they were much better off than a noble’s slaves.

And now, those very people were being worked like dogs. Wow, is this even right?

"It’s dizzying, truly dizzying."

I clasped my forehead and massaged the back of my neck. There’s nothing for it.

"Understood. I will go, even if I’m alone. May your journey be comfortable."

"Thank you, then."

The envoy left immediately. Their departure seemed even more hurried.

Because if they were late, they’d be fucked. The position of an official is truly ambiguous.

"Huuuuh."

I sat on the bench. I was dumbfounded.

"Peace that was so hard-won, and now they want me to fight again? Why is it becoming more and more like Earth?"

The problem is that those in high places have no self-awareness or objectivity.

I continued to ponder. This situation wasn’t easy.

"First, I need to raise my realm."

"I’ll think about whether to go or not for a bit. Actually, I don’t need companions. I have the Goddess with me."

The Goddess suddenly let out a moan. Like a woman who had a dick shoved into her pussy while on the phone.

"I knew this Emperor was stupid, but to this extent. If I go, I’ll have to meet the Empress first in the capital."

"Right now, the only one who can control the Emperor is the Empress. I’ll have to meet her and tell her to calm him down."

I stood up. I felt needlessly bitter.

Is this how war veterans feel?

They risked their lives to fight and barely achieved peace. A reality where they’re just exploited by external forces without any reward.

I wasn’t much different from this. No, rather, because I became a Lord, I was going to be pinpointed and exploited.

"Does everyone become like that when they sit in a high position? I’m confident I won’t."

I had to prepare to leave. Ah, I really hate parting with my daughters.

I went into the Lord’s manor and relayed the news to Fiora and Piery.

The two women were naturally surprised. Fiora frowned.

"Isn’t this too haphazard?"

"Is there no order to anything? Did the Emperor really issue this directly?"

I shook my head at Piery’s question.

"Yes, I confirmed it. Anyway, I’ll be back. Nothing much will happen."

This is a good chance to see how strong the northern barbarians are. They must have gathered every single warrior tribe there is.

And the powerful figures from the East, whom I’ve never met, will probably be helping out too.

"It’ll be almost like a summit battle."

Ah, I said I wouldn’t take it out anymore. My beloved sword, Dawn.

My Dawn is thirsty for blood....

"Ahem, yes?"

I lifted my head. Fiora was looking at me with concern.

"But if it’s the northern barbarians, most of them would be the Kroz tribe, a warrior race, wouldn’t they? And the powerful figures from the East will probably be cooperating too."

"This seems too reckless... Are you really going?"

Piery also expressed concern. The war was that absurd. So much so that I didn’t even know why I was going.

Ah, I understood.

"A fool who just became Emperor. To build a political foundation, achieving feats is the best way. Among the achievements a leader makes, those built by sacrificing others’ lives are the easiest and last the longest."

It was also why most of human history was war.

Because ideals were different? Because they didn’t get along? Of course, those reasons exist, but.

The more fundamental reason was simply that some pathetic bastard was waging war to solidify their political foundation.

War isn’t grand. It’s not cool either. It’s just nothing but a dick.

"There’s nothing more useless in the world than worrying about me. I’ll be back!"

I figured I could pack my bags roughly. But Fiora grabbed my arm. As soon as her pure white hand touched my clothes, they seemed to glow.

"Wait."

"Yes?"

"Go to Ravenscoft. Angela Breene sent a letter yesterday saying her labor had started."

"That’s right! It arrived late last night, didn’t it?"

I unconsciously gaped. What, there was a big problem!

"Aargh, you’re telling me now... Thank you!"

I hastily warped to Ravenscoft. Before warping, I smiled. Worry and excitement gripped my chest.

"Is it the third one?"