Chapter 219 – If It Works, It’s a Revolution (17)

“What did you just say?”

“I’m saying marry me, Dian. Become the imperial consort and help lead the Empire with me.”

“No thanks.”

The Second Princess’s expression didn’t change. She simply asked:

“Why?”

“I just don’t want to. Politics, scheming… I’m not into that stuff.”

“You’re not a fool. If you were, you wouldn’t have survived the war—let alone the aftermath.”

“When your body’s strong, your mind doesn’t need to be. And, well, I ran away ten years ago because I hated all of this. You want me to jump back in? No way.”

“Then how about this: forget everything else and just become my partner.”

“Why?”

“Because I like you.”

The Second Princess said plainly.

“There’s no one on the continent I could stand beside but you.”

“Is that so? Then I’m afraid you’ll have to live single.”

“Dian. This isn’t the Emperor speaking. It’s me—as a woman.”

“Well, I’m answering you as myself too.”

The Second Princess’s smile faded.

“Is it because I’m not attractive? Or…”

She raised a hand and touched the scar running down the left side of her face.

“Is it because of this?”

“It has nothing to do with looks. I think you’re a great person. Smart, firm, brave. A woman like you is hard to find.”

“Then why?”

“Because liking someone and marrying them are two different things. You don’t just marry someone because they’re decent. And even if you say you’ll remove all politics from the equation, marrying an Emperor is still marrying into the eyes of the entire world. I don’t want that.”

“I see. Then there’s nothing more to say.”

The Second Princess let it go surprisingly easily.

The smarter a person is, the quicker they know when to give up.

“No more questions, right? Can I head back? I left my coffee to come here.”

“Yes. You can go.”

Just as I was turning to leave the office, her voice called out from behind.

“Dian.”

“Yes?”

“There’s something I’d like to ask.”

“What is it?”

“It’s about the Emperor’s final words to me before he attempted suicide. I haven’t told anyone yet—there’s no one I trust.”

His final words, huh. That must’ve been a crash course in ruling—advice on what to do once she ascended the throne.

Well, I’m still sticking around until this whole affair is wrapped up. No reason I can’t listen.

“Go ahead.”

I sat back down, and the Second Princess began to speak.

As expected, it was a high-speed heir’s tutorial—succession protocol, noble assembly dynamics, elite officer handling, and more.

For a paranoid old man who could barely stay upright, the insight was razor-sharp.

Then again, he had ruled this enormous empire for a long time.

His personality was severely flawed, but his capabilities weren’t garbage. I’ll give him that much.

If he’d been a total idiot, the Demon King’s early-game blitz would’ve drowned the entire human alliance in the sea.

“What do you think?”

“Every bit of it makes sense.”

“I see. Then, would you give me your own perspective? Your advice?”

“Me?”

“Yes, Dian. You spent the entire war traversing the continent. In strength, you stand at the top of humanity. What do things look like from your view?”

“…Let me think.”

After a moment of consideration, I decided to offer some advice. After all, everything I’m doing here is for the Empire’s stability—and that includes the academy and my own peace.

If my advice can help the Second Princess build a prosperous reign, that’s a win for me too.

“Integrate the northern nomads into the Empire.”

“The northern nomads?”

“The same ones who betrayed the First Emperor after helping him build the Empire.”

I was talking about the tribe of Celine, the hunter from the Demon King Slayer Special Force.

“They hold a deep hatred for the imperial family. But since you’re an illegitimate heir ascending the throne, this is the perfect chance to reconcile. You’re not that stuck-up ‘legitimate’ Emperor they despise. They might just accept you.”

“You make a point. But beyond the emotional aspect—what does the Empire gain from taking them in? Don’t tell me this is just a ‘sorry, let’s be friends’ thing.”

“Of course not. This isn’t some child’s game. Recognize them as an official people of the Empire and give them autonomy over their own lands. They’ll take care of the region themselves.”

The Second Princess mulled over my words, then snapped her fingers.

“I see. The north has always been home to squabbling tribes. If we give territory to these nomads…”

“They’ll have something to protect. They’ll fight tooth and nail to hold it against the other tribes. Conveniently, they’re also situated at the southernmost edge of the north—which makes them perfect for defending the border. Congratulations, Your Highness. You’ve just secured a free border patrol unit with a single imperial decree.”

“I understand. And is there more?”

More? Hmm…

Ah. Right.

“Become a formal patron of the Illusionist School of Magic.”

“The Illusionists? Aren’t they just dreamers wasting talent and time on nonsense?”

“They’re not. You saw their work at the last exhibition. Illusion magic holds endless potential. If you just provide the funding, the mages will take care of the rest. They’re crazy enough to willingly join a fringe, unpopular, broke school—give them some encouragement and they’ll show results.”

“I see.”

“And call in Nemara. Give him an official position—say, ambassador to the Dark Elves, if that’s even a thing. Print him a title and let him work on mending ties with the scattered Dark Elf clans.”

“The Dark Elves? That’s out of the question.”

The Second Princess’s voice hardened.

“They are not a trustworthy people.”

“Then why did you entrust them with your personal protection—Zakrion and Sharian?”

“That’s…”

“Dark Elves don’t betray contracts—so long as they’re paid and treated fairly.”

“But they were the enemy of humanity during the war. How could we welcome such people?”

“What if those Dark Elves were hired by factions hostile to the Empire?”

She fell silent.

“Right now, the Dark Elves are backed into a corner. Desperate. Whoever reaches out first will win them over. So reach out. Give Nemara full authority and absolute protection. The Dark Elves will come to you on their knees.”

“But Nemara is also hated by his people, isn’t he?”

“It’s been ten years. And right now, the Dark Elves are likely starving. Plus, the Blackwood Forest is in bad shape.”

I explained to her what had happened in Blackwood.

Her surprised reaction confirmed she hadn’t known what went down inside the forest.

“Nemara and his eldest son are already trying to recruit others to rebuild their clan. If you approach it through cultural and tribal customs, I think you’ll get good results.”

“…I see. That makes sense. But one thing.”

The Second Princess narrowed her eyes.

“All of this assumes that the surviving Dark Elves are desperate enough to accept help from anyone. What’s your basis for that?”

“Basis? You need evidence?”

I laughed.

“They fled a war crimes tribunal and vanished for ten years, yet no one’s ever reported being attacked or kidnapped by a Dark Elf—except Nemara’s group. They’re not like Elves. Dark Elves need some contact with civilization to survive.”

“What are the chances they’re already all dead?”

“If they’re dead, then it’s over. Simple as that. Why complicate things?”

“…Fair enough.”

“Oh, right. One more thing—you should dismantle the Security Office.”

“The Security Office? That’s my source of power. I can’t give that up.”

“You should. The current Security Office is too perfect. It’s like a loaded gun.”

“A… gun?”

I gave her a quick explanation of what a gun was.

“There’s no such magic tool in our world…”

“Exactly. A loaded gun allows even a toddler to kill. The Security Office is that gun. There’s no guarantee a ‘Second Princess 2.0’ won’t rise one day.”

She fell silent.

“Dismantle it. I don’t mean abolish it. Break it down into separate units, spread them out, and have them keep each other in check. That way, no one stabs you in the back. Same goes for the Esto Trading Company.”

“The Esto Company too…?”

A front organization for her special forces, loyal only to her.

“Private armies are dangerous. Especially when they operate outside the law like Esto does.”

“…I see.”

She nodded slowly.

“What should our relationship with the Church be like?”

“Just offer the occasional public endorsement and leave it at that. Don’t get too involved. Clerics are surprisingly greedy.”

“What about Sir Linus?”

“Honor his ten-year paternity leave. Linus has no interest in anything but his kid right now. You haven’t seen him here, have you? Despite all this chaos?”

“Any other places we should conquer or take military action?”

“Oh, how would I know that?”

I laughed and waved my hand.

“That’s all I have. Can I go now?”

“Yes. Thank you, Dian.”

Just as I turned to open the door, the Second Princess spoke again.

“Dian. One last question.”

“What is it?”

“If I weren’t going to become Emperor… would you consider marrying me?”

“No.”

“I see.”

I stepped out and closed the door behind me.