amaotonovel Chapter 20 The People of the Imperial Palace and the Northern Rebellion
Chapter 20 The People of the Imperial Palace and the Northern Rebellion
The capital city—that's what everyone calls it, the largest city of the demon race, the location of the imperial palace, the symbol of the entire demon empire—is currently in a state of desolation.
Ekevich endured the discomfort; the bloodline of the vampire was destroying him, and the blood he had stolen from the vampires was merely the means by which he ascended the throne.
In fact, he, Ekevich, was a sorcerer rare even among demons. As the youngest emperor in history, even though the title was stolen, he was already satisfied.
Because he was not only a sorcerer, but also a time traveler. His time travel originated from a Honda truck speeding past his house on an ordinary day in Ikebukuro.
"Hahaha, now that I have seized power, who can stop me?"
Ekevich is surrounded by beautiful women, including the strongest demon knight, Laviko, and the dwarf assassin, Ella Silverblade. As the male protagonist he considers himself, Ekevich fully utilizes his charm.
"Your Majesty! News from the Kurt Territory! The Empress, who now calls herself Amelansi, has led her army into the Kurt Territory, and the Kurt Territory lord has been killed..."
General Albert of Ekevich reported, "Kut Territory, a small, peripheral territory." Ekevich opened the map, thought for a moment, and understood.
Even if the Kurt Territory, Red Ridge, and the Northern Territory were given to the Empress, it would be of no use. Compared to the vast empire he now controlled, they were just a drop in the ocean, but this meant that the Empress's threat remained.
"My lord, the people within the empire are suffering terribly. Now the false emperor has fled to Red Ridge, a remote and rugged place. I request that the pursuit be postponed until the empire has a year to recuperate before we engage in a decisive battle with him!"
Ekevich's steward has now become the Imperial Chancellor, and most of the Imperial officials, both high and low, have remained in their posts, which Ekevich no longer cares about.
Anyway, as long as everything stays the way it is, is that fine?
"Very well, Ral, that's settled then. Issue my decree—farmers throughout the empire will pay half tax for two years, and artisans will be exempt from taxation!"
"Albert!"
"exist!"
"Move the First Legion to the north. After they have recuperated and gathered their strength, I will give you the order to launch a full-scale attack on the false emperor and completely pacify the entire territory!"
"Your Majesty is wise!"
Ekevich wasn't stupid; he understood the state of the country beneath his feet. Everything was teetering on the brink of collapse, and if his lowly subjects weren't allowed to recuperate, the foundation of the nation would likely be unstable.
"Compared to Japan, this place is still too inferior..."
Ekwera, with his arm around the woman's waist, rose from the throne, and the ministers also withdrew voluntarily. Ekwera had only one requirement for them: "Be loyal to him."
As for anything else, he never stipulated anything or enacted any laws to constrain it. The punitive expeditionary force appeared powerful, but in reality, his soldiers were no different from those of the past, except that Ekevich had a decent personal charisma.
Burning, killing, looting, kidnapping women and children, robbing and stealing—the punitive expedition existed only on the promise of money and power. Ekevich responded to their demands—the land of the central nobles was redistributed, and a new noble family emerged.
However, the punitive expeditionary force remained powerful, and even Alice knew that her army was not yet able to contend with it. In view of this, Alice personally oversaw the first five-year plan.
"It takes about 6 hours to get from Trian to Porto Hilla, which is a very slow pace."
“Miss, now that you have become a vampire, you can fly, that would be faster.”
"I can't expect everyone to be able to fly, can I?"
Alice jumped off the carriage, jotted down the time in her notebook, and saw a line of soldiers already waiting for her at the city gate.
“Your Highness, welcome to Hilla Port City. I am Erato Lab, a member of the Hilla Port City Council. Please come in.”
A well-dressed young man stood at the city gate. Alice knew that Hilla Port City was governed by a parliamentary republic system, and most of the councilors were businessmen, industrialists and plantation owners.
This is where capitalism originated. Alice silently made a note of it.
"So, what is the city council's stance?"
In the conference room, Alice and Alicia sat together. Several members of the Hilla City Council looked at the vampire mother and daughter. Their petite bodies made one want to hold them in their arms, and their unparalleled beauty, however, made them extraordinary beings and untouchable.
"The city council wants to maintain the status quo, just like before."
"But you should be clear that this so-called free city has not been certified by the royal family. In a sense, this is rebellion."
Alicia threw the terms on the table, and she played the good cop while Alice played the bad cop.
“Your Majesty, we have obtained Lord Kut’s permission. You must know that Lord Kut is the true master of this land!”
"There will be no more Kut lords. Kut will be renamed back to its proper name—Lakut Administrative Province. The Provisional Government of Amelansi and the Royal Family have announced the abolition of the feudal system. All so-called noble lands will be taken over by the state, including the port city of Hira."
Alice picked up the conversation, coldly pulling out her pistol and placing it on the table: "We only considered the city government's attitude based on the actual situation. Don't think you have the right to bargain with us. We can easily make you end up like Kurt, with only half a body left."
The city councilors gasped, many realizing: Damn it, those are vampires! Their magic is unmatched! Besides, their army has already defeated Kurt's army!
"The city council can exist and maintain its function, but the city government must not disobey the orders of the central government!"
Alicia set the tone, Alice took charge of the specifics, and the councilors left with pale faces. In just ten minutes, the city council announced that they would obey the order.
Alice looked at their city charter; nothing much needed to be changed. She put down the scroll inscribed with letters.
"I assure you all that everything will remain the same and there will be no major changes."
"I demand the establishment of a Hilla City court, with the chief judge nominated by the mayor and elected by the city council, responsible for governing the law and trying criminals."
"The Hilla City Government and City Council have no military command or diplomatic authority. Military command and diplomatic authority belong to the central government of Amerlane."
Alice had many selfish motives, and establishing such a system had both advantages and disadvantages, but the important thing was that such a system could provide fertile ground for the emergence of a modern nation.
The councilors continued to wrangle, and after half an hour of heated debate, the city council finally passed the Hilla City Act, allowing Alice to take advantage of Hilla Harbor City.
Of course, she soon saw what she wanted: the city council was no longer united, businessmen formed their own alliances, and things gradually evolved into a reality of bickering between the parties.