Chapter 561: Weight of the Throne

I am pleased to be in Your Majestys presence

A man bows his head in front of me as I sit on the throne.

I dont know his name, or rather I forgot it after hearing it once.

Whatever. State your business.

This guy is bowing not to me but to the throne, and he is probably clicking his tongue with his head facing down.

Fine with me, I dont care if an old man is courteous to me or not.

if you could.

The man begins to speak without reservation.

If I were to summarize what he said, it would be that the management of the kingdom territory has gone awry.

The personnel selection which had been done by the King and Kenneth previously cant be done by me or Adolph who have shallow knowledge about the kingdoms n.o.bles.

Additionally, we dont have enough money.

A plan has been made for the personnel selection and expenditure.

I glance at the plan and then return it to him.

Sure. Do as you want.

The man makes a surprised face.

You proposed the plan, why would you be shocked?

pardon me, but is there anyone Your Majesty would like to recommend?

Not really.

Hes probably asking about relatives or proteges, but I dont have such people.

If I send Adolph to manage the kingdom territory, this place would collapse as soon as tomorrow.

Then I will tell them to serve faithfully.

Kay.

In the first place, I cant select personnel.

Im not qualified because I dont know anyone, and even Adolph and Leopolt only know famous n.o.bles and core bureaucrats. If someone tells me the a.s.sistant at the demesne of the so-and-so region is suitable for the jobI can only nod and say oh, is that so?

The man turns to leave the room repeatedly tilting his head in confusion, unable to comprehend that someone like me, who is known as a violent usurper, would listen to his opinion without trouble.

Well, come back if you screw up. Well think of another plan.

The man stops moving.

He kneels on the floor again with a frightened face.

If I am inept, I am prepared to take responsibility with my life.

Why would you take responsibility? Only the person who made the mistake will be on the chopping block.

The man makes a surprised face again.

Thank you for your kindness. I will tell the appointees to stake their life

n.o.body is actually going to die because of a failed job. That was a metaphor. Or are you the kind of person who will have replacements even if the ones you recommended are killed off?

It seems my image has become warped.

Looking back, it was likely incorrect when I started to serve Goldonia.

Erich is probably at fault, although I treated him a hundred times worse, so I will have to accept this.

If that is the casethen I will include Your Majestys gracious words when I tell those in charge to do their best.

Yes. Tell them to work hard so they dont lose their jobsand also not to think of anything strange.

I emit a bit of bloodl.u.s.t in the last sentence.

If they revolt, Ill have to lop off their heads for real.

The man exits the room.

Fuu, I was in trouble because of how sudden he showed up. Can you get me a drink?

I extend my hand out as I sit on the throne.

Yes, right away.

A maid waiting on the side pa.s.ses me a cup containing water and fruits.

My shoelace has loosened. Fix it for me.

Yes, Your Majesty.

The maid kneels and tightens my shoelace.

Your Majesty, your collar is crooked. I will adjust it.

Please do.

Another maid straightens my collar.

Shes pretty busty, so I can see her cleavage when she presses up against me.

Your b.o.o.bs are big. You will inevitably attract other mens eyes. Be careful of those beasts.

Aau, I appreciate the warning. I-Im embarra.s.sed of how big they are.

When I smile, the maid thanks me shyly.

She didnt refuse me or exude any lewd air because I couldnt muster a single ounce of l.u.s.t.

Now it might seem like the maids attending me are doing tasks that Im perfectly capable of doing myself, but its not like Im drunk on the omnipotent power of the king or taking pleasure in ordering women around.

Aegir-sama, still no good?

I move my hand, wanting to pat Celias head.

its moving at a snails pace.

Yeah, I cant move my hips. And as you can see, my arms and legs are in this state. Also, a big-breasted woman doesnt stir my desire. They appear to me like works of art.

Making love with Lucy until morning has drained all my stamina and s.e.xual urges.

After Lucy went to sleep in another room in the morning, Nonna and the others ran over, but I couldnt move my body, let alone embrace them.

I was worried that youd pa.s.s away, seeing as you wouldnt move even when Pipi was jumping on you.

Everyone wanted to have pa.s.sionate s.e.x corresponding to what Lucy received, but I couldnt answer their requests.

This is the first time Ive seen Aegir-samas thing so small. Your t.e.s.t.i.c.l.es were the size of tangerines and your p.e.n.i.s when limp was merely 15 cmI had to search under the bed to make sure it wasnt torn off.

Its pathetic, dont talk about it so much.

My exhaustion was so severe that even being sandwiched between Nonnas b.r.e.a.s.t.s and having three girls lick my d.i.c.k couldnt make me recover, which saddened them.

Lastly, Brynhildr tried biting my neck, but I collapsed due to anemia and we had to call it a night.

As we speak, Nonna-san is holding an emergency meeting in the inner palace. I left because my priority is taking care of Aegr-sama.

I should be resting, but Leopolt and Adolph insisted for me to remain on the throne.

Additionally, I cant lean on anyones shoulder.

My reign depends on terror, so I cant allow myself to be seen as weak.

If you have to use a cane, it can create doubt of an illness and trigger a rebellion.

Thats why Im here, pretending to stroke Celias head in place of using a cane.

Because of that, I give off the impression of a pet

Celias cute, so its not a problem.

But this situation is not good.

I at least have to regain my s.e.xual desire.

Your health comes first! What will you do if an a.s.sa.s.sin attempts to kill you!?

Also, the attendants and maids seem to respond better when I interact with them without l.u.s.t.

My image among the girls is that of a rape king who pulls women indiscriminately in bed, so when I talk to them in a refres.h.i.+ng manner like I did with the big-breasted maid earlier, I think their scared faces will change to smiles and their rigid att.i.tudes will relax.

An unexpected achievement. Mu, that perfume smells nice. Can you come closer and let me smell it?

Y-yes. Its embarra.s.sing

The attendant leans over and lets me sniff the scent on her neck.

Of course, I dont look at her with lecherous eyes or grab her a.s.s.

Celia leans over to counter, but she gives off a weird scent.

I remember smelling it this morning.

Eh, ah! Its a piece of this mornings pickles! This is because Irijina-san sneezed next to me!!

Go wash up.

Celia runs off.

Its probably hard to do it by herself. All of you, go help.

Understood.

The attendants also chase after Celia.

There are no guards to begin with.

Its because allowing armed soldiers near me without having their background checked is dangerous right now.

Besides, its already been proven many times that a few a.s.sa.s.sins cant kill me.

It should be fine now.

Adolph has continuous meetings until night time and Leopolt is checking the security of the capital. n.o.body is here.

A short pause after my voice echoes in the s.p.a.cious throne room, Rebecca peeks out from the shadow of a pillar.

Hey. Long time no see.

It has been a while, Your Majesty and new king, Hardlett.

Rebecca kneels politely, keeping a strict air about her.

It was almost like she didnt want to give me anything to pick at.

Apparently this time is extremely important to Rebecca.

But I dont like talking to her in this kind of atmosphere.

Youre being so unduly distant. Raise your head and talk like you always do.

The rude words and actions I have said in the past are worthy of being punished by death, but thanks to Your Majestys warm heart, I still hold the position of Chief Intelligence Officer. To show that I am Your Majestys eyes, Your Majestys ears, and Your Majestys confidant, I have no choice but to be a hundred times more loyal and faithful than any other

Not only is she kneeling, she also touches her hands, which are balled into fists, and her forehead to the floor.

This makes it harder to talk to her. Since there is n.o.body else here, lets prank her a little.

Your loyalty is admirable. In that case, I have an order to give you.

Anything you command.

Rebecca lifts her face.

She has a serious and nervous expression like Ive never seen before.

I reply with a pompous att.i.tude and tone.

Strip, Rebecca. Lay bare your upper body and expose your b.r.e.a.s.t.s. That is an order from the king.

Wha-!? u-understood.

Rebecca answers in a choked voice, then tightly shuts her eyes and slowly slips her clothes off.

Just before her meager b.r.e.a.s.t.s are exposed, I tell her to wait.

Cover your nipples with two fingers. Seeing your b.r.e.a.s.t.s fully will not arouse me. It is an order from the king.

V-very well, Your Majesty.

My demands continue.

Curl up your body like you are embarra.s.sed. Also, glare at me like you are frustrated. This is also an order from the king.

U-understood

Theres more.

While hiding your b.r.e.a.s.t.s, curse at me. I will allow rude remarks. And as you keep your fingers over your b.r.e.a.s.t.s, remove your socks and let me smell

Enough!!

Rebecca loses her temper and points a finger at me.

She quickly realises her erect nipples are visible, and grabs her clothes to cover her body.

Hahahaha, this would have been fine from the start. Theres n.o.body else here and we arent individuals who are fussy about standings.

Grrrrr.

As expected of a spy like Rebecca, she puts her clothes back on swiftly, and pops her head out of her s.h.i.+rt, growling at me.

Now that shes calmed down, we can talk.

Ive always wanted to ask her.

Why did you help me?

Insurance. You are now sitting on the throne. So my insight was correct.

I cant accept that explanation.

The odds on that bet were terrible. I had a far higher chance of losing. If I lost and it was discovered that you supplied me with information, you would have been done.

That risk is not worth it simply for an insurance policy.

Rebecca gazes downward, then a small smile forms on her face.

The position of chief intelligence officer is a feared position that acts as the kings eyes, ears, and confidant.

A portion of great n.o.bles are not afraid of even ministers but are afraid of Rebecca.

Evidence of tax evasion, use of prohibited goods, scandals of family and relativesif any of those get dug up and reported to the king, its clear that they would suffer more damage than if they got into a fight with a minister.

Her public standing is low, about the extent of a minor bureaucrat, but if Rebecca stares at anybody, they would cower and try to win her over with money and goods.

Stillan intelligence officer is a job in the shadows, that is the ceiling, and there is nothing above that.

True, you couldnt go from an intelligence officer to a minister or great feudal lord under the previous king.

Even if she is influential behind the scenes, it is also only relevant behind the scenes.

She is feared by many bigwigs, but she cant become a bigwig herself.

If I want to move higherthe only option is to move the ceiling, right?

Rebecca smiles provocatively.

I return the smile.

Take your time to see how high the new ceiling is. With that said, itll be problematic if you have the position of feudal lord or minister, right? For now, youll continue as you have been and manage the intelligence officers.

Yes.

I leave the politely thanking Rebecca with one more comment.

Ill give out those earlier orders occasionally. Ill be looking for openings to mount you and make you my woman, keep that in mind.

I am prepared. Honestly, I sent you information half a day late because I was worrying about that.

I smile at Rebecca as she stares at me with damp eyes, telling her its a joke and to stand behind the throne.

Thats where a chief intelligence officer should be.

Alright, next.

Next to enter areMylas house Hyuutia and Gretels house Beltz.

Beltz is the bigger and more distinguished of the two houses, but they are now both meekly lined up next to each other, s.h.i.+vering like borrowed cats.

I hear whispers as the heads of their respective houses face the floor.

W-will we be held accountable for staying locked in our houses and not acting?

It would be a different story if they had made a promise, but they probably didnt want to be a.s.sociated with the betrayal, and punis.h.i.+ng them for that would be too unreasonable.

But we have a blood relative in His Majestys chambers. Its possible we may be spared.

Obviously, you will be spared. Im not going to crush Mylas house and Gretels house over such a trivial reason.

I would bury them if they mentioned that the girls were irritating though.

Youre too optimistic. His Majesty is a stern individual who cut down anybody who didnt obey himsuch standard thinking does not apply to him.

I did it after they disobeyed me.

If you dont do anything, I wont kill you even in the bathroom or the back alley.

Our sliver of hope is in the fact he is a womanizerI am prepared to offer up my wife and daughters to His Majesty as lovers.

Normally, I would be interested, but because Im totally lacking a s.e.x drive, I wont be tempted by women.

Ill at least ask for their ages and physical features and save them for later.

Raise your heads.

The two family heads face me.

Then they turn pale and step backwards.

Im just sitting down, why are they frightened?

Of course theyll be scared.

Rebecca says with a sigh.

They were summoned by the usurper king infamous for being violent and cruel, and there are no attendants or followers here except me, the chief intelligence officer. This suggests they will be executed.

Is that so?

I wave my hand to clear that idea from their minds and rea.s.sure them.

Except I am still unable to muster enough strength in my arm and can only lift it up to my neck level.

I am also unable to shake my head rapidly from side to side, so it seemed as if I was making a gesture for their throats to be slit.

Eeeeek!!

This is so troublesome.

Rebecca, you do the explaining.

HaaahI guess I can, considering I know at least the family structures and relations.h.i.+ps.

As expected of an intelligence officer.