The Former Empress Roughly Hides Her Abilities - Chapter 156

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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【Episode 156】

Usually, before an emperor changed, events that would shake history were bound to occur.

Civil wars would break out, or at the very least, the previous emperor would pass away.

This time, power was transferred in an orderly manner without anyone’s sacrifice.

Such peaceful normalcy would have been the outcome the girl who was once a princess desired most.

Asil waited for permission to enter in front of the new monarch’s office.

“You may enter.”

With the servant’s permission, he stepped inside.

“I greet His Majesty the Emperor, master of all people.”

Looking at the new monarch without permission would be discourteous, so Asil and Rianel immediately bowed their heads.

“Come closer and raise your heads.”

Tiren, who was sitting on the throne, spoke.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Her posture leaning against the backrest was no less dignified than any imperial family member.

When the servant closed the door and only the three remained, Tiren relaxed her tension and sat comfortably.

“Doesn’t this seat seem a bit too big for me?”

The Princess rubbed the leopard’s head carved on the throne’s armrest.

Her awkward half-sitting posture looked quite uncomfortable.

Rianel said.

“You will naturally adapt to it as time passes.”

“Mm, I suppose so?”

Tiren placed her fingers together on her knees, drawing a faint smile to hide her discomfort.

“Oh, did you receive the approved marriage proposal letter?”

Due to former Emperor Torbiyan neglecting state affairs, there was a considerable backlog of pending matters.

Although the Empress Dowager had handled affairs in the meantime, there were quite a few matters that required the Emperor’s direct approval. During the first week after her ascension, Tiren had to stay and eat in the office while processing the backlogged work.

Among the documents processed that way was the marriage proposal letter of the two.

“Yes.”

“That’s a relief.”

Tiren took out the documents that were the real purpose for summoning the two.

“However, I discovered one interesting document during the review process.”

It was Asil’s resignation letter.

“Is this a document you submitted by mistake?”

“Of course not. Having served the Empire for a long time, I judged it was the right time to step down from my position to train successor personnel.”

Asil’s words sounded reasonable.

It meant that if someone like him stayed in a high position, it would be difficult for subordinates to advance.

“Even so, don’t you think it’s a bit much to express your intention to resign immediately after I became Emperor?”

“There’s also the purpose of having personal time.”

Asil gazed at Rianel.

“That’s the Bureau Director’s personal opinion.”

Rianel, who would be fine with rest but didn’t mind either way, answered briefly.

Tiren’s eyes narrowed.

“Oh my. Then I’ll have to reconsider the marriage proposal letter. Depending on the circumstances, I might have to reject it…”

“The related documents have already been received.”

What a shameless person.

Tiren realized she couldn’t beat Asil and quickly added.

“Then I’ll process it as a leave of absence so you can have a long-term rest. How about that?”

To expose the evils of the former emperor’s era and recover taxes from tax evaders, the Special Tax Bureau’s role was important.

At such a crucial time, she couldn’t replace the agency head.

“The leave period must be at least six months or more.”

“Two months. That’s already being generous.”

“At least three months are necessary.”

After a long sigh, Tiren finally nodded.

“Fine. Let’s adjust it to three months. But you must leave only after major pending issues are resolved.”

“Yes. I understand.”

When Asil readily agreed, Tiren felt uneasy.

‘I feel like I’ve been played somehow.’

But it was better than Asil submitting a resignation letter, so she accepted it.

‘They say wise monarchs don’t go back on their words.’

Tiren didn’t ask further and straightened her back.

“And there’s one thing I’d like to request.”

To establish her foundation, she needed to settle matters related to the former emperor.

Among them, what bothered her most was the Pope.

He was the figure who had caused the evils of the Old Faith.

‘I must prevent the released Old Faith members from regrouping around the Pope.’

Tiren hoped the Old Faith remnants would only exist to the extent of checking Janol’s National Church.

“Using the word ‘request’ for such matters is inappropriate.”

Rianel said.

“Since this corresponds to official duty performance, it would be proper to call it a work instruction.”

“Ah, is that so?”

Tiren, who had been momentarily tense, caught her breath and straightened her posture.

“Good. The representative of the old religious order that disturbed the Empire’s order and caused significant harm to the Empire’s citizens, Malon’s illegal acts are recognized for their severity.”

Tiren lifted her chin, straightened her back, and gripped the armrest.

“Arrest and bring him here.”

It was a decision for the Empire.

Both people bowed simultaneously.

“We receive your command.”

A brief silence flowed.

Since there was no order to withdraw, the two waited as they were.

Then Tiren let out a short exclamation and covered her face with her hands. “Ah.”

Heat rose beneath her palms. She wanted to hide somewhere if she could, but she took a deep breath.

Until last year, she had no intention of becoming emperor, so this position still felt awkward and embarrassing.

‘But I must endure it.’

Because it was the position she had chosen.

Tiren looked down at them with a slightly reddened face.

“Did I just give proper instructions?”

“Yes. It was truly a monarch-like judgment.”

“Saying that makes me even more embarrassed…”

Tiren wiped the cold sweat on her palms against her clothes.

After briefly lowering her gaze and raising it again, her voice had become much clearer.

“Thank you.”

The young emperor was slow, but certainly growing.

Rianel also wore a gentle smile.

* * *

Asil looked down at his grandfather.

Hulbert was tying his military boots when a shadow fell over his head, so he turned his head.

“What?”

“I asked the head chef. It will serve as simple snacks during travel.”

Asil held out a small food container.

“What’s the point of such things.”

Despite grumbling, Hulbert took the food container.

“Are you already going down to your territory?”

“The Imperial Capital is just uselessly bustling, the west is better in many ways.”

The west, with its strong winds and more clear days than the Imperial Capital, was his hometown and a place of peace for his heart.

It wasn’t as crowded as the Imperial Capital so there weren’t many social parties, but Hulbert liked the quietness there.

“Now that I’m old, familiar places are more comfortable.”

Hulbert muttered indifferently and glanced at Asil.

“And wouldn’t it be more comfortable for you all without me around?”

Whether there was an elder in the house or not, they were busy showing affection all night long.

Hulbert clicked his tongue.

Due to his unnecessarily good hearing that kept him awake at night, he wanted true rest.

“What about you, don’t you have any thoughts of resting? I thought you’d step down from your position and enjoy leisure once the new Emperor ascended. What happened?”

Hulbert had seen through that Asil would resign. Asil had become Bureau Director to protect his master’s legacy, not because he was obsessed with the Special Tax Bureau itself.

“There are still matters I need to settle, so I postponed it.”

“Foolish boy.”

An even more blatant tongue-clicking sound followed.

Hulbert knew the reason Asil was postponing.

‘It must be because of his master.’

Since Rianel cherished the new Emperor, he probably intended to stay in the Imperial Capital a bit longer to look after things.

‘The new His Majesty is truly cunning as well.’

If the Special Tax Bureau was really necessary, he could seat someone else as Bureau Director or revive the Inspection Bureau.

The fact that he’s specifically holding onto Asil must mean he wants to show others that Novantium is loyal to the Emperor.

That guy knows this but still stays.

‘Still, at least he’s not walking down a bad path blinded by love, so that’s fortunate.’

Since it was good for both the Empire and Asil’s life, Hulbert decided to respect his choice.

He stood up while doing a final check of his luggage.

“When you get vacation time, come down to the west and see this old man’s face.”

“If circumstances allow, I’ll go.”

Hulbert’s brow twitched.

“This brat. You’re not even saying you’ll come if possible, but you dare to consider circumstances?”

“I can’t tell if Master would like crossing the rough mountain ranges of the Western Territory.”

“Cheeky boy. You must have and raise a child just like yourself.”

“That’s a blessing telling me to live longer than my father. Thank you.”

Asil didn’t spare any opportunity for subtle unfilial behavior.

“Yes. Make sure to have one. Make sure.”

“Yes, I’ll make it my child-rearing goal to raise them nicely into an ill-mannered child who pulls on grandfather’s beard.”

Glaring at Asil was brief. Hulbert bluntly spoke as if leaving final words.

“So please be happy, you fool.”

“….”

“That is my only wish gained in my old age.”

Asil couldn’t playfully brush off even the sincerity conveyed so roughly.

Asil blinked slowly and answered.

“…I will be, grandfather.”

* * *

The people of the Special Tax Bureau stuck out their tongues at the assigned work.

“How long has it been since the enthronement and already?”

From a low-level employee’s perspective, power transitions didn’t matter much. As long as there were no additional work orders 5 minutes before quitting time, that was enough.

“But do you think the Bureau Director believes it’s possible to arrest the Pope?”

In addition to the new work assignment, they were calculating the possibility of overtime and whether there would be bonuses.

“This might be harder to catch than Royhum.”

Til said while passing documents, and Mel agreed too.

“That’s right. Just looking at the scale of donations that went into the Temple gives you the answer. Since the Pope also has money he siphoned off, when he fled the Temple, he wouldn’t have left empty-handed without taking any valuables.”

For reference, the Tax Bureau people had already searched for assets under the Pope’s name, but naturally found none. Malon had maintained a modest image on the surface.

Asil said.

“All assets under the names of deceased people have been confiscated.”

However, assets that the Pope had distributed under the names of living people were difficult to determine the real owner of, making it hard to arbitrarily incorporate them into the national treasury.

“This is data compiled by selecting suspected targets.”

Rianel presented documents with the personal information of several people.

“Malon is presumed to have accumulated slush funds under the names of these individuals.”

Among them, the most likely candidate was Wheelton.

He was also Count Redang’s accountant and had a history of helping tax evaders and embezzlers accumulate funds.

“Then there’s a high probability Malon will seek out this person.”

“Yes. The scale of funds transferred through that route is presumed to be considerable. We expect he will make contact to secure escape funds.”

“However, I’m not sure if Malon will be able to secure capital smoothly.”

Asil smiled meaningfully.

“Disputes related to borrowed-name accounts are frequent, aren’t they.”

“Ah.”

Wilbrin made a face of realization, and the other Tax Bureau people also exchanged glances as if they understood.

“That’s true.”

“The world really is a strange place.”

When accumulating assets under borrowed names, there was one blind spot.

The Empire adopted a financial real-name system, so in principle, the account holder was treated as the real owner of the funds.

Accordingly, even if funds were entrusted under a borrowed name, if the nominal holder used or siphoned them privately, it would be difficult to recover them.

Til grinned.

“He must be tasting the bitter flavor of the secular world right about now.”

At the same time.

In a deserted cafe.

“You surely don’t intend to monopolize those deposits all by yourself.”

Malon was meeting with accountant Wheelton.

“That money was entrusted to you. You should know you have no right to refuse its return.”

His voice gradually rose as he gripped the edge of the table.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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