Chapter 19: The Weight of Tyranny

Chapter 19

“The positions of Minister of the Palace, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Justice—they’ve all been vacant for quite some time. Some have even remained unfilled for over a year. And those aren’t the only empty seats, mind you.”

“But why did things come to such a pass?”

“Whose fault *else* could it be?”

The accusatory tone, brimming with vexation, was simple enough to decipher. In this context, the blame could only fall on one person: it was the direct consequence of Erich’s tyrannical rule.

“When a position became vacant, His Majesty either simply refused to appoint anyone new, or he consistently opposed the candidates put forth by the council and ministers. Conversely, if His Majesty himself proposed an unqualified individual, the Chancellor would inevitably withhold approval.”

“It seems your political views diverged significantly.”

Upon hearing this, I recalled being taught that the power to recommend candidates and the power to appoint them were held by different entities: the cabinet ministers and the members of parliament, respectively. Withearn, a nation founded on feudalism, operated under a system where the Emperor and a parliament composed of nobles constantly checked each other’s power. Certain regions, like Evening’s homeland, the Margraviate, or the Northern territories of the original male lead, were governed by lords who wielded authority akin to kings. Consequently, separate territorial laws and imperial laws existed, and any creation of imperial law or undertaking of state affairs necessitated consultation with the parliament. One might liken its governing structure to a modern-day America with its loosely enforced federal laws. This intricate system meant that Emperor Erich was locked in a bitter struggle with the anti-imperial faction, comprising both ministers and the parliament.

“That… certainly presents a challenge.”

In essence, it was a stalemate where neither side would permit the other’s nominees to pass through their respective hearings. Under normal circumstances, both parties would concede a bit, eventually reaching a compromise. However, Erich’s unyielding refusal to budge had resulted in gaping holes throughout the nation’s governance.

“If I may inquire, purely for my understanding, what exactly were the issues with the individuals Erich recommended?”

“It would be easier to find a place *without* problems, believe me.” The polite honorifics the Empress Dowager had been using with Evening utterly disintegrated, mirroring the frustration now etched upon her face.

“They possess no magic, naturally; they are commoners, utterly uneducated, and their conduct is nothing short of vulgar…! When *he* recommends such riffraff, how could we possibly allow such individuals to hold public office?”

“Commoners? Truly?”

“Those incapable of using magic are, at least, the lesser evil. I simply cannot fathom where he unearths such lowborn merchants and artisans. They all lack any sense of propriety, spout nothing but utter nonsense, and insist on enacting policies that brazenly disregard our traditions.”

Bolstered by Evening’s simple affirmation, the Empress Dowager continued to unleash her tirade. Though surrounded by her ministers and a retinue of ladies-in-waiting, her expression revealed not the slightest concern for their presence.

“Perhaps in a popular assembly, but how can such utterly baseless individuals be seated in the Senate? It’s no wonder your father, in the Southern Assembly, is practically raging!”

Her demeanor was a stark contrast to how she behaved in Erich’s presence. Believing Evening, an anti-aristocracy figure, to be an ally, the Empress Dowager unleashed her grievances without reservation. As she unburdened herself of her accumulated resentment, a flush spread across her face, extending all the way down her neck.

“The Imperial Guard is already in utter disarray. He claims there’s no law restricting the Guard to nobles, so he simply drags in ruffians. Honestly, does that make any sense? A knight escort should, by all rights, possess magic! Who would willingly surround themselves with magic-less ruffians?”

Recalling Adler and the other Imperial Guards, Evening nodded in understanding. She had always found them to be crude and thuggish in appearance, and now it seemed her suspicions were confirmed—they truly were either street-born or mercenaries.

“Surely Erich would be in considerable danger with such incompetent guards, yet he seems remarkably audacious.”

“He claims it’s perfectly acceptable because *he* won’t die, but what, I ask you, is acceptable about it? The Emperor’s Imperial Guard is a venerable and historically significant organization! It’s a glorious post, charged with safeguarding the very heart of this nation!”

“Ah, I see.” ‘Indeed. So that’s his particular inclination?’ Evening now felt utterly convinced of the kind of tyrant Erich truly was.

In the original story, Erich served as a minor antagonist, a sort of ‘licorice’ character who merely instigated crises, so his characterization was never extensively detailed. He was simply depicted as a tyrant who plunged his people into destitution and drew the bitter resentment of the nobility.

Tyranny, after all, manifests in myriad forms. There is the tyranny of an obsessed aesthete, indulging solely in lavish extravagance and hedonism; the tyranny of a lazy and obtuse ruler, enacting misguided policies; and the tyranny of one who clings stubbornly to perverse convictions, thereby eroding the very foundations of the nation.

Erich, however, fit none of these descriptions. He was the kind of tyrant who deliberately provoked those in power, effectively inciting them to sabotage.

His widespread appointment of commoners wasn’t a genuine effort to promote talented individuals irrespective of their social standing. Rather, it was likely born from his disillusionment with the nobility, leading him to indiscriminately dismiss them, or perhaps he intentionally sought out individuals who would inevitably be denied approval.

“I cannot fathom why he consistently chooses actions that would bring shame upon his predecessors. He was, in fact, far more diligent *before* he discovered his magical abilities.”

“That’s quite easy to imagine.”

Reality, of course, is no fairy tale. There was no happy ending where ‘the Crown Prince, seemingly devoid of magic, dramatically discovered his powers and gained the admiration of all around him.’ Erich’s descent into full-blown hatred for the nobility and his subsequent tyrannical acts truly began *after* his ascension to the throne. The instant his magical abilities were revealed, he found himself despising, even more profoundly, the very nobles who had so readily acknowledged him, as if a switch had been flipped.

‘It’s rather like someone who undergoes a drastic diet and cosmetic surgery then feels utterly disillusioned by those around them.’

To have just one aspect of himself change, only to be suddenly and boisterously acknowledged, would certainly leave a bitter taste. While the analogy might be a touch crude, it wasn’t entirely inaccurate.

“Oh, look at me. I’ve rambled on far too long. Regardless, please have confidence, Evening. There’s simply no way you could be inferior to *them*.”

The Empress Dowager, feeling utterly unburdened after having finally spoken her mind, turned back to Evening with a noticeably brighter expression.

“Besides, at this moment, anyone would be obliged to take on these duties. And rest assured, some tasks merely require a simple seal, so there’s truly no need to fret.”

The Empress Dowager’s refreshed smile, now devoid of its former gloom, settled like a heavy stone in Evening’s heart.

‘Did this person truly understand? That the phrase ‘it merely requires a stamp’ was, in fact, the most terrifying thing one could hear. Once that seal was affixed, every single outcome became the sole responsibility of the one who stamped it. The instant an incident or accident erupted, she would be made to bear the entire blame, likely leading to her demise. Such was the unforgiving nature of public office, no matter where one served.’

Hence, the high-ranking officials had felt no compunction about appointing Evening to the roles of Minister of the Palace, Chief Financial Officer, and various other positions during their breakfast. They would sooner die than entrust these duties to commoners, and in any case, all the attendant responsibilities would ultimately fall upon Evening. At that juncture, the individuals Erich would most desire to purge would undoubtedly be Evening and the Margrave Flam family.

This implied that Erich had either paid no heed to Evening’s declaration of subservience, or perhaps he was attempting to test her loyalty.

“Where shall I even begin?”

Though the burden resting upon her shoulders felt immensely heavy, the thought of escape never once crossed her mind.

Her mother, from her previous life, had once sagely remarked, ‘There’s nothing quite so exhilarating as when someone who once despised you suddenly yearns for your closeness.’

In a competition of loyalty, she was utterly confident she would not be defeated. A vivid spark of determination ignited within Evening’s heart.

****

Five days later. Court nobles and attendants converged upon the Palace of the Sun, a grand hall typically reserved for momentous occasions such as the widespread dissemination of ministerial decrees, the inauguration of officials, or commendation ceremonies.

A sprawling ceiling fresco, rendered in a riot of vibrant colors, dominated the expanse above, while the walls were adorned with delicate bas-reliefs carved in meticulous rows. This grand hall, where official ceremonies unfolded, surpassed even the Emperor’s own chambers in lavishness. Indeed, the only room that could rival its splendor was the Hall of Mirrors, famed for hosting coronations. Given its purpose for ceremonial proceedings, it was far more painstakingly embellished than any ordinary room, its sheer grandeur overwhelming all who entered.

“How many will be appointed this time, I wonder? At this point, I’d welcome anyone who would simply *come*.”

“Well, let’s just hope it doesn’t devolve into the same state as the Imperial Guard. If commoners are brought in to stir up trouble, we won’t be able to bear it.”

The nobles gathered within the ceremonial hall huddled in small clusters, their voices hushed in whispers. While high-ranking officials, such as undersecretaries and directors, refrained from speaking rashly, the lower-ranking officials, those burdened with the actual practical work, evinced considerable interest in the appointment ceremony.

“Speaking of which, I hear the Margrave Flam’s daughter has arrived at the palace. She’s apparently staying here until the wedding.”

“It’s rather quick, considering they were only recently engaged. I wonder if this time the wedding will actually proceed…”

“Shh.”

A sharp-eyed individual gestured towards the Imperial Guards scattered throughout the ceremonial hall, signaling for quiet.

Erich was at odds with almost every noble, but only the territorial lords dared to openly defy him. Nobles residing within the imperial domain and the Emperor’s private estates found it difficult to oppose their liege, Erich. While territorial lords like Margrave Flam or the Chancellor could distance themselves from Erich or forge secret alliances with other nations, the court nobles in the capital were entirely subservient to him.

The manner in which one treated a political rival was inherently different from how one treated a superior.

“…I just wish *anyone* would come now.”

A young noble sighed, his voice barely a whisper.

While the main figures of the Council of State and the Senators might oppose Erich’s appointments, even if it meant leaving gaps in national affairs, the officials responsible for practical work at court could not welcome such decisions. Even if the appointments were inadequate, someone was needed to fill the vacant positions. If a subordinate position was empty, one could simply work through the night to compensate. However, a situation without a person in charge was utterly unsolvable.

“It’s absolutely—”

“Shh.”

At that moment, the cabinet, the President of the Senate, and the Emperor entered in procession.

Erich, adorned with the imperial crown and grasping the scepter, seemed to radiate a singular brilliance. Enveloped in this radiance, he ascended the dais.

After offering a brief greeting, Erich settled into the throne with impeccable posture.