Published: January 4, 2026
I summoned Don, the fourth prime minister, to the study in the detached palace.
As usual, I sat down while Don stood on the other side of the desk.
I first informed Don that I was going to investigate Gavel.
“We’ll create a diversion so they don’t notice.”
“A diversion… is that so?”
“Yes. You could say it’s unnecessary, but better safe than sorry.”
“I see… then, what kind of diversion?”
“We’ll use the villa.”
“The villa…”
Don tilted his head and thought for a moment.
“It’s that summer villa that retired emperor Your Majesty renovated. I will take the empress there.”
“I see. In that case, using the ‘divine palanquin’ would be best.”
When the emperor officially leaves the capital, there are rules about the size of the procession depending on the purpose.
For the most important public ceremonies like rituals, the ‘divine palanquin’ consists of around 1,000 people.
Next is the ‘large palanquin’ with about 500 people, used, for example, when visiting a victorious army outside the capital’s suburbs.
Lastly, the ‘mounted palanquin’ holds about 100 people, used for casual outings just outside the city.
By the way, there’s a remnant of the "land of warriors" here: whenever the emperor travels, he rides a horse — a tradition passed down from ancestors to mount and go.
Among these three, Don proposed the largest and most grand ‘divine palanquin’ as a diversion.
“No, use the ‘mounted palanquin’ — or even something smaller.”
“Something even smaller…?”
“Yes. Make it look like I went secretly to the villa. Use the ‘mounted palanquin,’ but send them somewhere unrelated.”
Don stared at me for a moment.
“A diversion behind the diversion, huh.”
“Exactly.”
“As expected.”
Don looked at me with respect.
“Very well. I will arrange it as you say.”
“Good.”
I nodded and leaned back in my chair, gazing up at the ceiling.
Unlike commoners’ homes, colorful decorations adorned the ceiling.
As I looked up, I delved into thought.
“Something on your mind?”
“I plan to investigate the salt tax stealthily, but I need a way to quickly prove I am the emperor when it really counts. I was thinking about that.”
I recalled the recent events from the frontier town of Relmo.
Though unresolved visibly, the problem had existed since then.
When traveling incognito, there will inevitably be moments when I must reveal that I am the emperor.
During the Relmo incident, the 2,000 soldiers led by Sheryl fulfilled that role.
That was possible only because it was a frontier town.
In normal towns, it’s difficult to station a large number of troops, and rushing reinforcements to the scene would take time.
Traveling across open wilderness is faster than navigating through a labyrinthine city.
There are too many uncertainties and no immediacy.
I want something that instantly makes it clear on the spot.
“How about the demonic sword Your Majesty possesses?”
“You mean Leviathan?”
“Yes. Its distinctive appearance and uniqueness make it perfect.”
From my bracelet, I drew out Leviathan.
Its bare blade shimmered with a pale blue light.
As Don said, it’s distinct, and surely only this Leviathan appears this way on the surface world.
“This could work, but what if no one recognizes Leviathan?”
“Hmm…”
Don faltered.
Even Leviathan’s existence is not universally known.
“What I want is something that, once shown, 100 out of 100 people recognize me as the emperor.”
“That is…”
Don furrowed his brows deeply.
“…such a thing probably doesn’t exist.”
“…I see.”
I suppose Don is right here.
“There’s no object everyone instantly associates with me. I might have to compromise.”
“Yes…”
“Hmm?”
“What is it?”
“There’s no such thing… no object…”
As I repeated this quietly, suddenly an idea flashed in my mind.
After mentally shaping it concretely, I raised my bracelet and asked the entities inside.
Leviathan.
Bahamut.
Behemoth.
Fuwawa.
Apophis.
Jiz.
I asked the non-human beings who follow me.