Published: July 3, 2025
Markdorf, the Imperial Capital of the Debuhi Empire.
In the office of the Imperial Castle, his majesty the emperor Rupert the Sixth was receiving a report from Count Hans Kirchhoff, the regent.
“Duke of Inberri Loris and his family, along with their attendants, have safely arrived at the Imperial Castle. Tomorrow, we will hold the audience and announce their asylum, and afterwards, they will be moved to the manor.”
“Good work. It would be best for them to leave the Imperial Castle quickly before the foolish nobles start making their moves. The manor should provide them with some peace.”
Of course, Rupert did not say this out of any general sense of kindness.
However, he was not so cruel as to immediately exploit someone who had just lost their country.
It was better to allow them to focus on recovery while they were weak, and once they regained their strength, they could be made to work.
(If they are overworked while still weak, they might die before they can produce any significant results. It’s like fishing.)
As he recalled the friendly fishing he did long ago when he was still a child, Rupert pondered.
“And also, your majesty, the report on the economic situation of the entire Empire has been compiled.”
“Hm. Is it maintaining its poor condition steadily?”
Despite having serious doubts about the use of the phrase "maintaining steadily," regent Hans nodded.
“Yes. There has been a stagnation in all sectors for over a year now…”
“And?”
Rupert urged Hans to continue with the words he was about to add.
“No, some financial bureaucrats want to present a proposal to his majesty the emperor…”
“Hm. What did they say… Ah, Lorenz. Lorenz Kush, was it? Is he around?”
“Exactly! You understand well.”
Rupert smiled slyly, and Hans was quite surprised.
And rightly so. The Lorenz that Rupert had answered was still in his twenties, a young financial bureaucrat who had not yet achieved anything particularly significant.
Of course, he was a competent man who diligently handled his work, negotiated with the public, organized the budget, frequently left the Imperial Castle to confirm the actual situation with his own eyes, and offered various proposals.
For this reason, Hans had taken notice of him and was training him as a potential leader for the next generation.
However, Rupert was the emperor. He wore the supreme crown of a vast and powerful empire.
To be frank, he had no room to waste time or attention on trivial matters.
It was astonishing that such a figure, even if he was a competent financial bureaucrat, knew the name of a mere youth and even speculated that he might be the proposer.
It was only natural to be surprised.
“So, what is the content of the proposal? Is it an economic stimulus measure?”
“Yes. The prolonged economic decline has been causing suffering among the people…”
“Hm. It might be good to explain it properly once. Bring him in tomorrow.”
“Ha ha! Certainly.”
Despite dealing with an almost murderous schedule, the emperor asked for more time to bring him in.
Hans, though feeling shy, promised to do so.
“For now, we will maintain the current state of recession.”
“Good, that’s fine. However, continue to provide the minimum necessities of clothing, food, and shelter for the people. Yes, that was mentioned by ‘that one.’ The term ‘bubble collapse,’ or something like that.”
Rupert said with a sarcastic tone.
“That ‘tablet’ you mentioned. The ‘tablet’ has brought various knowledge, as it was used by previous emperors, but… it is unusable when it comes to managing the country.”
“Well, it can’t be helped. After all, it is merely a common citizen at its core. Especially regarding national-level economics and policies… The previous emperor also said he found it completely useless.”
Saying this, Rupert laughed heartily.
“What was it… Ah yes, when I heard about that tax called ‘consumption tax,’ I was truly astonished. Is there really a foolish country that incorporates such a thing into its tax collection system?”