Published: January 4, 2026
I’ve finished writing up to chapter 128 and will update them sequentially.
“I have responded to your summons, Your Majesty.”
“Hmm.”
Inside the office, I glanced briefly at the man who had just come in.
The face across the desk was one I knew well.
The Fourth Prime Minister, Don Oats.
He had once served under the Crown Prince, but later came under my command.
His loyalty and abilities were considerable, so when I ascended the throne, I promoted him to Fourth Prime Minister.
Among those born and raised within the system, Evelyn is the most successful, but broadly speaking, Don is the one who’s risen the highest.
By now, he could almost be called my trusted confidant.
Don had come to the office at my summons.
I let him wait as I focused on the unfinished documents in front of me.
They were letters to local magistrates, unrelated to the pressing issues of the moment, but still important governmental matters that I needed to concentrate on first.
About a minute passed. During that time, Don said nothing, keeping his head bowed as he knelt on one knee.
Since I wasn’t interrupted, I finished the writing a bit earlier than expected and put down my pen.
Then, looking up, I said,
“Relax.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Don stood in response, but as was fitting before the emperor, he faced me with a slightly stooped posture rather than a perfectly straight back.
Not just Don, but about ninety percent of ministers who often meet the emperor adopt this posture when facing him directly.
Only princes at the crown prince level or higher tend to forgo it.
I didn’t comment on this and directly moved to the main topic with Don.
“There’s something I want you to do.”
“Yes, whatever it is.”
“Do you understand the term ‘knight candidates’?”
“Candidates, if I recall…”
Don furrowed his brow slightly, tilted his head, and thought for a moment.
After about ten seconds, he looked up and answered,
“You mean those whom Your Majesty has supported since being the thirteenth prince?”
“That’s right.”
I nodded and stood up.
Touching the desk, I slowly walked around the edge.
“It started with Sheryl. After meeting her, I realized there were people in the city who hadn’t passed the knight selection but who weren’t lacking in strength or talent. Among them, some couldn’t even afford travel expenses to return to their hometowns for next year’s exam.”
“I see…”
“That’s a waste. So I had those people gathered and provided them with basic needs of food, clothing, and shelter.”
“Your Majesty’s arrangements never cease to impress me.”
Don looked me straight in the eyes with a face that said he understood the story and was awaiting the main point.
I smiled faintly and, having finished the preamble, got to the point.
“I want to hold something like a martial arts tournament for them.”
“A martial arts tournament… sir?”
Don frowned.
His expression showed he thought this was an odd idea at such a time.
A martial arts tournament was essentially “play.”
I was entering an important period preparing for a personal military campaign.
Ordinarily, there should be no time for such games.
But of course, I wasn’t proposing this just for fun or frivolity.
Meeting Don’s gaze, I continued.
“Yes. If possible, I want to hold it within three days and finish it the same day.”
“…I may be unworthy, but could Your Majesty please explain the reasoning?”
“It’s just a whim.”
I smiled again.
Hearing it was a whim, Don’s eyebrows twitched in surprise.
“Among the knight candidates, there are some who have failed the actual selection once or twice.”
“Yes.”
“The selection judges change their criteria according to their preferences each time. I don’t interfere. For example, Shirley, whom I first appointed a knight, wouldn’t have passed if the standard was ‘military command ability.’”
“Indeed.”
“So, even if they failed once or twice, they’re not completely weak.”
“Yes, gathered from various regions, they’re essentially the cream of the crop.”