Volume 2 Chapter 27 The Empress’s Ambition
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Souveraineté Empire, a corner of the Imperial Castle. Inside the Emperor’s private office, a woman was receiving reports from several of her ministers.
”You’re telling me there are resources in the Far East¹, a region we have never developed?”
”It is still only at the stage of possibility, Your Majesty.”
The one receiving the report was Imperial Empress Nadezhda Fomenko, forty-one years old. Though she possessed a slender build, her gaze was razor-sharp. She was a woman of overwhelming charisma, a true Empress.
Five years had passed since her coronation, but her Southward Expansion Policy² was not progressing well. Her own instructions were swift and precise, yet the execution units could not keep up. Because of this, people said things like, “The brain is brilliant, but the limbs are mediocre.”
This all began about twenty years ago when a Mithril³ mine was discovered in the mountain range located in the southeast of the Imperial territory.
The southeastern mountains are a place where dragons dwell, and to the south, they connect to the east of the Dukedom. Because it was known that precious mithril existed there, the Emperor at the time issued a development order.
While some cabinet members and nobles were captivated by the mithril and agreed, more than half opposed it, claiming it was reckless to develop a mountain where dragons lived. Ultimately, the development proceeded, and no problems occurred for about a year.
However, once a year had passed, several dragons appeared. They destroyed the mine in the blink of an eye and went on to attack and overrun several nearby towns and villages.
Later investigations revealed that the person in charge of the mine, a proponent of the development, had ignored and even concealed what appeared to be warnings from the dragons, but it was already too late. In the end, the development collapsed, and the Emperor never spoke of the mountain range again.
Many citizens were sacrificed in the dragon attacks, but the impact on the Imperial Army and intelligence units was particularly severe. Naturally, the Imperial Army was stationed in the attacked towns, but they were annihilated in the battle against the dragons; there were few survivors.
Furthermore, executives of the intelligence units happened to be gathered in one of the raided towns, and the intelligence teams dispatched immediately afterward to collect information were all attacked and killed by dragons.
Due to this, the Empire was temporarily weakened, and a period followed where the Southward Expansion Policy was the last thing on anyone’s mind.
Most notably, the intelligence units had their mid-level staff and above physically blown away, and along with them, their know-how and connections vanished, leaving the organization unable to function properly.
Nadezhda assumed the position of Imperial Empress five years ago, but the effects of that era still remained back then. Only recently has she finally managed to restore the outward appearance to its former level.
However, the reality has not caught up; because control has become lax, the lower ranks are corrupt. It is not a powerful nation commensurate with its specs, such as population size or troop numbers; it is a hollow powerhouse. It is no exaggeration to say that they are barely holding it together through Nadezhda’s charisma, administrative ability, and negotiation skills.
It is the result of prioritizing the maintenance of appearances, as showing weakness could lead to rebellions or coups within the Empire. The internal corruption caused by this neglect is serious; reforms, including true meritocracy, are tasks for the future. Nadezhda is prepared for the fact that it will not be easy.
Because of the political chaos surrounding the issue of responsibility, even the minister-class officials are not at the level the Empress desires. (I’d trade this entire cabinet for a few of Maultasche’s⁴ officials,) she thought bitterly.
The Empire’s heart was in the West; the East had been a wasteland for ages. If there are no powerful magical beasts like dragons and there are useful resources, there is no reason not to develop it.
”I won’t be greedy enough to ask for mithril, but I’d at least like there to be Magic Iron⁵, or preferably, Radiant Iron⁶.”
”Yes, Your Majesty.”
Since she had somehow managed to stabilize the domestic situation, the Empress, wishing to get the expansion policy fully underway, had been interfering with other countries from behind the scenes for several years. However, this was not going well.
”What is the situation with the group of small nations?”
”Internal subversion has failed. Regarding the leader of Crippa, whom we were supporting, a relative who possessed mental magic skills was detained. The leader himself was interrogated and found innocent, but he fell from power due to the chaos.”
”A relative with such a specific skill… Was our investigation insufficient?”
”We do not know. The man who was detained was a nobody, a simple worker in the Merchant Guild, so he didn’t warrant a deep dive. However, looking at the fact that a large disturbance broke out immediately after the arrest and the timing of the increased momentum for unification, the involvement of Maultasche, who opposes it, is suspected.”
”Even if you say that, there is likely no evidence, right?”
”Unfortunately not.”
”How long will the next plan take?”
”Since the public’s momentum for unification has withered, a new plan will take several years.”
”It can’t be helped, then. I didn’t originally intend to force unification that seriously anyway, but things certainly aren’t going well.”
It was effective as a harassment tactic against Maultasche, but if they were to unify, it would be a nuisance when attacking. Therefore, her level of seriousness was not high. She reached the conclusion that while she would continue interference in the small nations, no major moves could be made for the time being.
”How are the Heroes⁷ of this generation faring?”
”They returned to the Maultasche capital a week ago and will depart again soon. It seems they will travel to surrounding countries, passing through the Imperial Capital as well.”
”Hmm. I hope we can somehow manage to get an opportunity to make contact this time.”
”We have had almost no contact with Hero Shouta and Saint Ren. Our female agents, disguised as commoners, have managed to have relations with Sword Saint Shouta, Holy Knight Takumi, and Sage Osamu, but they were strictly one-night stands. The guard of the handlers and knights is firm, and they have been unable to wedge themselves in.”
”Predictable, yet disappointing.”
Once, when the Hero Party visited, the Empress herself tried to recruit them, and she prepared beautiful women to win over the lecherous party members, but they couldn’t get past the guard of the handlers and knights.
The Empire had a history here: the Hero before last had been summoned directly by them, and the one before that had been scouted and relocated. Regarding that party, it was largely because their original nation did not provide sufficient treatment, but for those with power, the Empire is not a bad country. In fact, the nation that was abandoned by that Hero was later annexed by the Empire.
”What about the other Reincarnators⁸?”
”We received word that we succeeded in bringing one person over.”
”Only one? There are over a dozen of them. Pick up the pace.”
”At once!”
They weren’t as strong as the Hero Party, but they were still leagues beyond any standard soldier or knight. She wanted them. Conversely, Maultasche likely doesn’t want to let them go. However, the Empress believes that if you want to keep talent, you should provide appropriate treatment. That is exactly why she is putting effort into recruitment, but the results are not appearing as hoped. She expects to recruit about half of them; if things continue this way, she will consider replacing the person in charge.
”That is all. You may withdraw.”
”By your command!”
Having finished the routine reports, she dismissed the ministers and let a woman who looked like a sorceress into the room.
”How is that plan coming along?”
”Yes. We have currently entered the production phase for the ‘Vessel.’ As for the ‘Contents,’ we are proceeding with the study of the fixation method.”
It is a plan close to the Empress’s heart, but it is being carried out in total secrecy. Aside from the department in charge, even the minister-class officials have not been informed of the full scope. It is believed that if it succeeds, the Empire’s military power will increase significantly, but there are still various problems, and there is no prospect of success yet.
”I see. Continue as you are. You may withdraw.”
”Yes, Your Majesty.”
Whether it will succeed is an unknown, but if it does, she will likely be able to advance her expansion policy during her reign. For now, it remains a secret.
The Empire is a frozen land where crops are difficult to grow, and winter blizzards paralyze all movement. Expanding the territory to the south is a biological necessity, and for that, she needs a military power that overwhelms other countries.
The key to the Empire’s development rests on this operation.
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Summary:
Empress Nadezhda reviews the Empire’s failing southward expansion and the legacy of a dragon-induced military collapse from twenty years ago. She discusses the failure of political subversion in neighboring regions and the difficulty of recruiting the otherworldly Heroes and Reincarnators. Finally, she checks on a top-secret project involving a ‘Vessel’ and ‘Contents’ that could revolutionize Imperial power.
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Trivia:
- The Empire lost its best intelligence officers 20 years ago because they were all in the same town when a dragon attacked.
- The current Empress is considered brilliant, but her subordinates are seen as incompetent ‘limbs’.
- The Empire’s population is large, but its actual power is ‘hollow’ due to internal corruption.
- The Empress once tried to recruit the current Heroes with a honey trap, but failed.
- The Empire previously annexed a nation that mistreated its Heroes
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Character Insight:
Nadezhda is a pragmatist who views her country’s survival as a ‘biological necessity’ due to its harsh climate. She is frustrated by the lack of quality in her ministers compared to the rival nation Maultasche.
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Behind the Scenes:
The author notes that this chapter is short and includes revisions to character backgrounds for consistency.
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TL Notes:
Notes:
• Nadezhda Fomenko – Empress of the Souveraineté Empire, 41 years old. She has a slender build and sharp eyes. Possesses overwhelming charisma and high administrative and negotiation abilities.
• Aya – A 165 cm tall, slender alchemist with long hair and a flat chest, wearing no armor. Serious and straight‑laced, she serves the Working Women Party and the Leemans Party, formerly a pharmacist, now an apprentice alchemist. Clean‑prudent, she appears as the protagonist’s lover in his delusions.
• Rin – Ice Mage of the JK Party: a tall, large‑breasted high‑school girl with long shaggy hair and thick chest armor. She wears a cool‑beauty façade but secretly loves makeup. Quiet and salty, her fragile VIT makes her physically imposing yet fragile; only intimate moments crack her mask, and her overwhelming presence dominates those around her, especially Daisuke’s delusion.
• Shouta – A 17‑year‑old silver‑haired, sharp‑eyed former Student Council President and kendo captain, now a Sword Saint Hero of the Slash and Lightning, wielding Beacon of Hope. He leads the Hero Party, travels guarded by handlers, and remains coldly pragmatic, rejecting any caretakers.
• Takumi – Teenage Holy Knight in modest armor, summoned as Level‑1, once a delinquent from the ‘go‑home club.’ Arrogant, over‑familiar, hedonistic and hot‑headed, he serves as the party’s tank. Beaten by Martina, betrayed by his girlfriend Sakura, and now part of the Hero Party.
• Osamu – An 18‑year‑old reincarnated graduate now serving as a Sage of the Hero Party. He sports thick hair and a modern, salary‑man look, once led Araya’s team and died in a wreck, now wielding high‑level Fire, Wind, Water and Earth magic. Harsh and reputation‑obsessed, he’s an acquaintance of Otto from their prior world.
• Ren – Second‑year high‑schooler reborn as a Saint, healer and buffer for the Hero Party. Cynical and observant, he wears a plain school uniform with a faint halo, draws on MMO tactics, and rejects caretakers like Shouta. A Saint from another world, he joins the Hero Party, nursing resentment toward Otto’s forced mentorship.
• Rei – 155 cm, standard‑built member of the Working Women Party. Twin‑tails, thick chest armor, bright high‑energy aura, and the unique “Rainbow Raiment” skill that brightens allies. Former corporate employee and hobbyist cosplayer, she’s outgoing, teasing, known for comedy routines, and plans to retire to open a maid café.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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