He became the most insane emperor of all time

I entered a world that resembled a game.

Of course, even though it felt like a game world, this world was clearly real. However, there were some aspects that seemed similar to a game.

“Just like this.”

[Available Decision (Decision)]
[Merchant Sponsorship]
[If you choose the Merchant Sponsorship decision, the following effects will occur]
[Increase in administrative and diplomatic power of sponsored merchants, increased chance of success in the merchants’ trade, improved favorability from merchants who know the sponsors]
[Additional effects can be added if measures like improving laws are taken.]

One of the abilities I possessed was ‘Decision,’ meaning ‘policy decisions.’

It was a concept I was extremely familiar with, something I had done dozens of times before.

But it held more significance than I had experienced in a game.

“So, by simply choosing a policy, I get a domestic buff, is that it?”

If I just choose the policy, talent will be easily nurtured, and the efficiency of those I’ve already hired will increase.

It was a very intuitive and efficient structure.

However, of course, such a powerful ability came with a penalty.

[200 of Imperial Governance is consumed.]
[Current remaining Governance: 125]

Making a decision consumed some of the governance, diplomacy, and military stats.

If governance wasn’t continuously replenished, I obviously wouldn’t be able to make these policy decisions endlessly.

“My governance stat is at 10, so it’s at maximum speed, but I still need to consider the opportunity cost.”

I needed to choose carefully, focusing on what really mattered.

This was basic knowledge in strategy games.

“But I can’t just rely on decisions.”

Although this was a game-like world, it was as real as it could get.

If I just picked a decision and hoped everything would go smoothly, I’d probably end up with a game over.

I needed to take real action to expect proper results.

The same went for gathering and persuading the merchants.

“As I told the merchants, the real issue is how to pressure the vassals.”

I had made bold claims to them.

I wasn’t lying or bluffing. I could easily think of ways to accomplish it.

But to execute my schemes, I needed a practical team.

Not only a practical team but also middle management to oversee them.

Finally, there needed to be decision-makers who could determine the strategies and policies.

Naturally, I couldn’t do all of this alone.

I thought Jurgen, the butler, might be useful in this regard, but I felt it might still be lacking.

“If only I had the perfect person to use as an advisor… hmm?”

“Your Majesty, excuse me, but Her Majesty the Empress Dowager has come to visit.”

While I was contemplating in my private room in the palace, one of the servants politely announced someone’s arrival.

“Let her in.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The Empress Dowager, my mother.

It had been two weeks since I had possessed this body, but I had never seen her face, having overlooked her presence until now.

‘After all, she’s the only maternal relative in the palace.’

For some reason, the previous emperor had not taken any concubines besides the Empress Dowager. I was the only child he had, “Franz.”

Naturally, the royal family exists, but directly related family members are just me for now, and there’s no one I need to remember among the relatives immediately.

However, the Empress Dowager is my mother but also an external relative.

And in any monarchy, an external relative can be a supporter of the king, but they can also become a political rival or even a powerful faction.

“It’s time to figure out whether she’s on my side or not.”

An emperor must always manage his household well.

Fortunately, for me, I only needed to check the true intentions of the Empress Dowager, so I didn’t expect too much political struggle.

“It’s been a while, Your Majesty. This is the first time I’ve seen you since your ascension.”

The Empress Dowager, who entered my room, spoke in a very stiff tone.

I nodded slightly, and quietly, using the Emperor’s eyes, I checked her status window.

[Selina Heines von Orlant]
[Title: Empress Dowager of the Empire]
[Stats: Administration 5, Diplomacy 9, Combat 3]
[Traits: Competence, Intelligence, Compassion, Self-sacrificial, Ambitious]

She looked very young despite having an 18-year-old son.

Considering her youthful appearance, she was probably in her early to mid-thirties. She had married the previous emperor at a young age and had me early.

“I’m sorry I’ve been neglectful and didn’t visit you sooner, mother. I’ll be sure to visit tomorrow.”

“…!”

Her expression showed a hint of surprise at my answer, but she quickly tried to hide it.

[Franz is calling me ‘mother’… Why all of a sudden?]

Thanks to the Emperor’s eyes, I could clearly read her thoughts.

Luckily, I also picked up on her following thoughts and managed to catch a small clue.

[I thought Franz would hate me for ignoring him all these years.]

“It’s unnecessary to spend time on such an unworthy mother. I’ve only come today because I’m worried about Your Majesty’s well-being.”

The Empress Dowager spoke in a dry tone, despite her troubled thoughts.

There must be some backstory to her, and to understand her, I would need to uncover that story.

“I think my behavior has changed quite a bit recently, and I may have caused you worry. But there is no need to worry about health issues.”

“I see, then I’ll take my leave. I apologize for disturbing your rest.”

“Wait, since you’re here, there is something I’d like to discuss with you.”

She was about to leave, as if she had only come to check on me, but I called her back.

[What is it that she wants to discuss?]

I could hear her thoughts, but I still carefully reconsidered my own.

Should I tell her about my plans?

She has shown me some favor, but could she betray me?

Naturally, these doubts followed.

“Mother, let’s take a walk and talk. I’d like to walk with you after such a long time.”

Instead of rushing, I decided to be patient.

Proposing to trust her and become close might be a foolish move.

Of course, I don’t rely solely on that.

After leaving my room for a while and strolling through the corridors of the imperial palace, I walked through the palace garden, which was perfect for a walk, and shared my plan to establish an absolute monarchy with her.

“Well? What do you think?”

“…It’s an impressive plan, but it seems a bit too bold.”

Is it because I’m her son? She speaks without holding back.

This was something the Emperor’s eyes couldn’t even detect, but if she had only treated me as the Emperor and not as her son, she probably wouldn’t have spoken so frankly.

That means she has affection for me as her son, which made me even more curious about her attitude.

She immediately expressed her opinion.

“A scheme is not one-sided. Just as I intend to dominate my opponent, they, too, will try to dominate me.”

[And Franz has no one in his immediate family who can protect him. On the other hand, if Franz antagonizes the vassals, our family will definitely get involved. That can’t happen.]

Although I didn’t show it outwardly, I was quite surprised when I read the Empress Dowager’s thoughts.

She’s worried about my external relatives, or her own family, influencing me.

In other words, she doesn’t want her family to manipulate or conspire against me, the Emperor.

It would be politically advantageous for her if her family rose to power, but this was a surprisingly unexpected situation.

This only showed how ambitious external relatives could be.

But does she actually want to protect me from those ambitions?

The only explanation for this irrationality was one thing.

Motherly love.

It’s the only unconditional affection one feels for their blood relatives, something I had never experienced since I grew up without any direct family, so it felt very unfamiliar to me.

“If you wish to achieve Your Majesty’s goals, you will need to gather those who share your vision.”

The Empress Dowager plucked a thorny rose from the garden.

She handed it to me and asked,

“Beautiful things always have thorns, don’t they? Your Majesty, you are a beautiful person. However, unfortunately, right now, you do not have thorns to protect yourself.”

Do I have advisors to help me? No.

Is there someone who can act as a shield and die in my place? Besides the guards or the captain, I can’t think of anyone.

Do I have companions who will step forward for me? Sadly, for now, it’s only the prime minister and the butler.

“I was arrogant.”

It was then that I truly realized how arrogant I had been.

The world is certainly a game.

A world built around a game’s logic, and I can certainly use the rules given in that game to fight advantageously.

But that’s all.

Will the people in this game’s reality act like AI fragments of data?

No. They will certainly act with much more complexity.

To confront them, my knowledge and strength alone will not be enough.

I need those who can become my arms and legs, my eyes, and even be willing to give their lives for me.

“But I have no intention of retracting my decision.”

“It is dangerous, Your Majesty. You will surely be walking a thorny path.”

That’s probably true.

Things might not go according to plan.

I might fail and die.

“But it is something I must face anyway.”

I took in the fragrance of the rose the Empress Dowager had given me and handed it back to her.

“If I am to remain Emperor until the day I die, I must face not just a thorny path but even sulfurous fire.”

This is not a decision for the Empire.

It is a decision for me alone.

However, if I seek people to walk with me, it’s not impossible to find them.

As I saw with the merchants I met yesterday.

Even if the decision is for myself, many will pursue their own interests in it.

They will gladly become the thorns that protect me.

However, there is one person I’m not sure I can persuade through these mere interests.

“Yet, I cannot walk without you, Mother.”

“…!”

Everyone pursues their own interests.

But sometimes, there are those who seem to be detached from such interests and stakes.

If I were to name them, there would be countless people.

Firefighters, police officers, soldiers, nurses, even deeply devout religious individuals.

But when it comes to children, the ones who usually neglect their own well-being are the parents.

That’s why persuading my mother was the hardest.

What should I offer so that she would decide to help me?

Having no experience with family, it was hard for me to come up with an answer.

“Will you help me?”

So, all I could do was ask honestly.

I had always been full of confidence, but at this moment, I felt incredibly uncertain.

But Empress Dowager Selina looked at me with an expression full of regret before responding.

“I will gladly do so, Your Majesty.”