Arestia Empire'S World Domination
Chapter 4: Slave of the Ruler

...—Excelia, Arestia— Empire...

...—5 July 1238—...

Democracy is nonsense.

Even for the great nations of the modern era, despite the fact that power really comes from the people, they cannot be separated from the power of the oligarchy that rules the country from behind the shadows.

As a human being who has lived and felt the life of the state with a democratic system, Ares has this opinion, which is certainly not the least influenced by the crown that is on his head.

What happens when everyone of every class is entitled to state power?

Needless to say, the destruction of the country.

Even for the Republic of Ecasia—the only country in the world that has the word "republic" as its official name—they move with the politics of oligarchy, the, state power is in the grasp of several large families who will change every 6 years through a vote.

One year of his experience as an emperor meant that Ares had to act immediately. Not allowing a nobleman to rebel and over-restrain his people by showing them the military might of the Emperor of Arestia as well as the revolutions that the people could make.

Of course, Ares had thought about it carefully, he could not take his hands off the people's revolution which could also be the cause of the destruction of the power of his children and descendants.

History will be recorded. The people will only carry out a revolution if the nobles carry out oppression when the military power of the country and the loyalty of the knights are no longer present, or other causes where there is intervention from other countries— as Ares— will do as a learning for children and their descendants.

"Are you...really going to do it?" An unkempt blonde youth, dressed in glamorous attire that was very eye-catching, said in amazement to Ares before him who was sitting on a chair with a round table with him.

Ares' close friend at the Academy and Margrave Francois' heir, Warren von Francois, raised one of his eyebrows, greatly amazed by Ares' intention to conduct a military campaign.

Although the window curtain was opened, even though the sunlight penetrated until the room was bright, the lanterns were still lit as a source of lighting for state meetings attended by high-ranking nobles.

Minister of Education and Head of the Academy, Joergen von Kolvich. The wrinkled-faced old grandfather with white hair whose family was raised to a marquis, strongly indicated that he was an elder as well as a magnifier for the country.

The former Finance Minister of— was also the Royal Finance Minister of Rowling who was the rank of Marquis—Victor von Villiers. The middle-aged man who had a tired face was a misty blonde with a slightly fat posture, reflecting that he did not have the slightest contribution towards the country. Contrary to this, his workload was one level lower than that of the Emperor, who was known to almost never sleep.

Secretary of State, Claire von Lethiel. The younger brother of the King of Lethiel— Kingdom one of the vassal countries of the Arestia— Empire who helped Ares in preparing the country's development plan in the short to long term; selecting mature reports so that they can be forwarded to the Emperor; up to Ares' personal time.

The seats of the Minister of Defense and War, the Minister of Agriculture, the Minister of Justice, and the Prime Minister are still vacant, especially with Ares who intends to increase the number of ministerial seats such as the Minister of Trade, the Minister of Population and Land, the Minister of Health for the advancement of civilization of the Arestian Empire.

Ares focused only on establishing the House of Lords, an assembly of nobles to determine the laws of the country to be submitted to Ares, the Emperor.

Ares had persuaded Duke Alein as well as Margrave Francois to become a minister, both of whom refused emphatically for actually wanting to enjoy life as territorial nobles, away from the infighting in the capital.

In contrast to the aged Margrave Francois, Duke Alein really wanted to enjoy his time with his half-sister, Queen Nevia, who greatly gave Ares a headache.

"certain. After all, I need a lot of people because my hands can no longer be said to be 'enough.'" Answering Warren's question, Ares smiled wryly.

Many pairs of nobles' eyes opened wide, some of them still did not change their expressions. However they knew, Ares would elevate many nobles to high-level bureaucrats as a reward of military achievements in the Forbrenne Kingdom, in addition to his ultimate goal of threatening the nobles with his military might.

What's more, the, given the many territories without lord—which for a while became the responsibility of the Imperial Family—Ares really need a lot of new nobles who were appointed from among the knights or even commoners—although it was very difficult— quickly.

It is impossible for Ares to rely on the barbarians, considering that they are not as capable as the nobles in running the state bureaucracy even though they have been in the learning stage by some knights sent by Ares, who was not able to do so, next to the Northern Region which is currently under massive development.

"Prime Minister's Chair..." Ares stopped his words, his attention diverted towards the surroundings.

Gaining Ares' gaze, many nobles shook their heads quickly. Some turned their heads, hoping not to be elected, some of the other nobles closed their eyes, completely unwilling.

The majority of the nobility did not refuse to become bureaucrats under ministers, some of whom were very hopeful of him. However, it is different from the minister's seat, especially with the Prime Minister.

The royals knew that someone who filled the seat would have a heavy burden because Ares' reign was very different from that of Rowling and Natrehn in the past, which is very loose for someone who occupies the office.

Victor pressed his forehead against the table as Ares' gaze fell upon him, as if prostrating so that the Emperor would not increase his workload. For him, taking care of the annual budget of the empire which is more than four times the annual budget of the Kingdom of Rowling in the past is very tiring.

Moreover, Ares very often budgeted many new programs, even though Victor knew that this would add to the state's acceptance in the future.

"Warrenes. Tomorrow come to the throne room." Ares smiled broadly.

Along with his words, many faces displayed expressions of relief and happiness, in contrast to Warren who became extremely panicked.

"Me—why—" Warren immediately realized the reason Ares chose him, making him change his words, "Not Margrave Ginnes only?!"

Not without reason, the Arestian Empire stood with five major noble families who swore allegiance to the Aubert Family. It is unlikely that Ares will choose a prime minister who does not belong to the House of Francois, House of Ginnes, House of Alein, House of Kolvich—which acts as the leader of the neutral faction of Rowling— Kingdom as well as House of Lethiel.

"If it's the minister's seat, I don't have the slightest objection. But the prime minister is what His Majesty has to offer..." Kristin reasoned, subtly refusing, "In addition, I have served as Governor of the North."

"Oh?" Ares raised one of his eyebrows, revealing a meaningful smile, "If so, Margrave Ginnes, come to the throne room tomorrow morning."

"Eh?!" Deeply shocked, Kristin turned her face into a panic, "Mo—please wait, Your Majesty! I've just gotten an extra piece of territory from you!"

Against Kristin's impolite cry, Ares covered both of her ears with her index finger. Sensing that the noise had subsided, Ares again lowered his hands, "I will deploy 20,000 soldiers from the capital. The departure will be held early next week. As long as I'm gone, Warren takes full responsibility for the capital and the country. The meeting is over."

Nonchalantly, Ares got up, left the nobles who were the majority dumbfounded and were soon followed by his guard knights.

"Your Majesty."

The call of a feminine voice stopped Ares' footsteps. The long blonde girl who was straight-sheeted, wearing a blue-and-white combination work gown that perfectly matched her pretty face, Lucy approached Ares who had turned around in a happy-looking step.

"Do you need anything, Lucy?" ares asked with a gentle smile.

In the past year, Lucy—'s mentality was the former fiancee of the Second Prince of Rowling— Kingdom gradually improved.

Although he could not have the man he loved because he felt his body was dirty, but this relationship with Ares was very comfortable, despite the regret in his heart to Ares.

Lucy shows a thick book containing parchment links hidden behind her back, "I managed to finish it!"

"So.. nice work." Both of Lucy's eyes slowly closed, she greatly enjoyed Ares' hand caress over her long hair.

Di—bibi Ares as well as his personal bodyguard— and the other guards can only be silent, they know that the interaction of the two is very complicated. However, a sense of admiration has arisen among the knights due to Ares' success in treating Lucy's psychological trauma over the past year.

"Maybe in a few days, I'll be gone..." Ares' tone is getting louder.

"Eh?" Both of her eyes opened wide, Lucy immediately showed a sad expression.

"Don't worry, I'll be right back." Ares smiled soothingly.

"Really.." - timpal Lucy, sounds very sad.

"I promise." Ares' words made Lucy smile again, though a faint teardrop had fallen from one corner of her eye.

"And also.. do you want to be a minister, Lucy? I think it's okay for you, the daughter of a family of marquis rank, to become a minister" Ares said.

"No need to ask, Your Majesty." The relief, the happiness, the feeling of Lucy instantly became bright as Ares asked for her for the first time, until it emanated above her smiling face, "I will definitely always be by your side, she said, even if I were to be a slave."

"so." Ares holds Lucy, a common interaction between the two, although Lucy does not return the response because of feelings of inferiority and inappropriate, "Thank you..."

Until a moment passed, Lucy still did not reply to her words, making Ares let go of her arms, "I'll go first. Please enjoy your private time."

"Thank you... Your Majesty." With a bright smile on Lucy's face, Ares steps back to the inner palace room where Excel is located.

"Dear."

Right after passing through the passageway intersection, an Excel call rang out, once again making Ares turn around and approach him.

The knights immediately moved away, giving the two a space of privacy as Excel led Ares to a balcony in a corner of the palace hallway not far from the intersection.

Sunlight pierced the skin, both on an open balcony in a corner of the palace. Despite being seen without any security, many members of the Cornwall Clan set their eyes on the palace grounds as a form of Imperial Family escort.

Excel puffed his cheek, causing Ares to paint regret over his face, "Sorry..."

"While I have approved of your relationship with Lucy, though I feel your affection for me is much greater than for any other woman, it is a lie if I do not feel jealous of her." Excel drew his face closer to Ares, slowly closing his pair of eyes as a gesture to intertwine his tongue.

Until a moment passed, Excel released the link and immediately painted a triumphant expression, "My energy has been filled!"

Ares can only smile wryly. For a moment of playfulness, Excel turned his face into one full of sadness, "So...what should I do as long as the man I love goes far away from me?"

Pat's.

"Oh." Excel held his head, his facial expression looking very painful, even though Ares just hit his crown lightly.

"Don't say it like that." A wry smile was engraved, Ares immediately opened his hands and gently stroked his wife's head.

"Hehe." Excel laughs a little.

"The Kingdom of Gardom is coming, and I will leave the government to Warren. What's more..." Ares glanced at the other side, a black crow seen flying around near the two.

Again, Eina, how do you train a crow?

If it's a pigeon or an eagle, maybe I can still understand it.

Unlike the message-delivering eagle usually used by nobles and knights, the Intelligence— Bureau led by one of Natrehn's former Great Generals, Eina, was, after being forcibly carried by Ares from his death— used a black crow as an intermediary for a message to the Emperor.

Excel followed the eyes of her husband, seeing the flying crow approaching as Ares raised the height of his right hand.

"Did it come from Rea?" The Excel question is not correct, but it is also not wrong.

As a form of disguise so that the Intelligence Bureau is only known by Ares and Rea— as a bridge of coordination with the Cornwall— ClanRea was also trained by Eina in order to control black crows as a messenger, so that, although Rea himself prefers eagles because it is more resilient and faster than other birds.

Ares was silent, not answering his wife's question because he did not want to lie to her by opening a small tube at the crow's feet that contained a small, very thin sheet of parchment.

"Everything is in each of these places, a massive movement can be made immediately, waiting for further orders." Ares looked back at his wife, finding her smiling happily.

Excel approached the edge of the balcony, looking up at the clear sky with the palace flower garden where her husband proposed to her, "Did you remember your words when you asked for me?"

"Yes, very clearly." Ares stepped up, gently hugging his wife's body from behind his back.

"To be honest, even though my mind says that holding the world is an impossibility, I have said that dream in front of my mother's grave.I hope that she will be proud to have a daughter like me..." Both of Excel's hands caressed Ares's arms, covering both backs of her husband's hands gently.

"I see," Ares's timpal softly.

Excel turned around, smiling happily to her husband, grasped one of Ares' hands and placed it over his chest.

"Anything as many sins and mistakes as you have and will do. please rest assured.if I will always be beside you."

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