IWBNAM Chapter 15 (Part 1)

15. For the Emperor

“Congratulations. I heard you got a new nickname? Nael, whose lover is the cutest in the world.”

Graim had come to the office to discuss something, and the moment he sat on the sofa, that was the first thing he said. Nael answered with a grumpy expression.

“It’s not something I want to be congratulated for.”

“I’m jealous. How many nicknames do you have now? Nael the handsome, Nael who cries out for a status window, Nael whose lover is the cutest in the world. Everyone’s excited to see what new one you’ll earn before the year ends.”

“Please stop teasing me. I find it embarrassing.”

“It’s a pet name rooted in affection. Better than being called a viper, isn’t it?”

“I’d rather take that.”

“The Chancellor acted the opposite, you know. He said your relationship seemed a little too good. What on earth were you two doing in the sacred Imperial Palace on a Monday morning…”

“Don’t pin Kranaha’s nonsense on me. He caused that mess all on his own.”

I am innocent. Nael truly felt he had done nothing wrong.

“What were you thinking, making him say that strange line?”

There was no one else in the office. Graim looked straight at his fellow classmate and asked seriously.

“I was bored and wanted to play a little prank.”

“You wanted to check his true intentions. Whether any rebellious ambitions were still there.”

“You’re reading too much into it. I know his true heart very well.”

“You made the admiral who was closest to being a rebel say something that could incite rebellion. It’s a relief he brushed it off, but if he were a loyal soldier, he could have taken it as a grave insult. I know you sometimes have a wicked streak. Didn’t you force the Head of Security to touch an old wound recently? You must have had your reasons, but please restrain yourself from now on. I’m saying this because I care.”

Nael brushed his hair back with one hand. He didn’t take Graim’s words the wrong way. It was heartfelt advice, and he should appreciate it.

“I won’t deny that there was some intent to test him. I was curious. Would he get angry or not? Would he seriously follow the line, or toss it aside? Would he tell people about it or pretend it never happened?”

“Chancellor.”

“Kranaha didn’t get angry. He took it as a chance to perform an amusing little play. And he even spread it around to others. Probably because he believed it was related to Caesar.”

“Do you at least admit it was a dangerous game? The line was risky. Anyone else could’ve been impeached.”

“If you succeed, you’re a king; if you fail, you’re a thief. If you win, you’re the rightful army; if you lose, you’re a traitor. Succeed in a revolution, you’re a politician; fail, you’re a criminal.”

“Chancellor Azani.”

“I didn’t expect Kranaha to spread it everywhere so openly. But he did, and now people are repeating that phrase and debating it again. It’s good timing. Sirius II’s birthday is coming soon, isn’t it? Plenty still dislike the Incubator Emperor. The remnants of the old faction are moving in the shadows too.”

“……”

“Now that Kranaha and I have set the stage, some people will chatter under the excuse of discussing us. Humans reveal their true intentions when they talk too much. This is a perfect opportunity to filter out suspicious individuals. That’s how I see it.”

Graim swallowed a sigh. This friend was sly as ever. He willingly turned himself into a laughingstock just to gain an opening for surveillance. The information network this insidious tactician had spread across the Empire would soon bear fruit.

“…You’re planning to officially announce the establishment of the Security Bureau, aren’t you?”

“Mm. I wanted to wait until after the birthday celebration, but now seems like the perfect timing. I’ll slip it in.”

The infamous Public Order Protection Bureau was effectively being revived under a new name. The sharp-minded would watch closely, but most would likely ignore it and move on.

“No inauguration ceremony?”

“I don’t want the attention, so I won’t do one.”

Nael answered playfully. He had no intention of hosting a grand founding event. With the public fully absorbed in the romance scandal between the two Marshals, they wouldn’t notice. And even if they did, they would simply trust that the Chancellor knew what he was doing.

“The Security Bureau’s size is larger than expected.”

Graim’s eyes gleamed sharply.

“It’s a direct agency under the Emperor. The ones who protect the Emperor from the shadows need proper authority and support.”

“That Emperor is an infant who can’t even speak, and the regent is you. And the first Security Director is rumored to be someone fiercely loyal to you.”

“I only want to protect the Empire.”

“I don’t doubt your loyalty. And I admit you aren’t acting out of selfishness. I just hope you never change your mind.”

“I can’t guarantee that. I’m human too. But I’ll do my best. For now, that’s all I can say.”

Graim’s sharp tone softened. He quietly looked at his classmate in front of him, then slowly spoke.

“We’ll do well. Both of us.”

“Both of us…?”

Nael gave a faint smile. A conversation from long ago came to mind. On the urgent return to Rosenburg after hearing news of the terror attack, he had exchanged similar words with this friend.

“Let’s have the meeting.”

Graim finally brought up the reason he originally came.

“Alright.”

Nael nodded.

└Ah, if you’re going to talk politics, get out.

└So Admiral Kranaha really surrounded the capital domain pretending he wanted to topple the place, just to have one shot at Chancellor Azani? What an incredible man.

[Comments]

└Risking a dangerous gamble just to get himself a lover, and then the two of them giggling about it like it’s a joke. They’re practically the perfect couple.

└Didn’t you hear? They’re granting a massive amnesty to political offenders for the birthday celebration. Normal civilians don’t need to worry.

The upper ranks really operate on a different level. The one who makes the rebel leader recite that line and the one who agrees to say it, neither of them can be understood with a normal person’s common sense.

└└More like an insane couple.

└This is just like what the old Public Order Protection Bureau used to do…

└Reported the above comment for inciting conflict.

└A mere soldier shouldn’t have said something like that. Even if he claimed it was a drunk joke, he’d have been court-martialed right away.

└They said they’re holding a big celebration at the Grand Plaza for the birthday event.

└If it were an officer of field-grade or lower, he’d be stripped of his rank, and if it were a general, he could’ve been exiled for inappropriate behavior.

└The memorial performance last time was moving. I hope the birthday festival is flashy and fun.

ㄴIt’s a relief Chancellor Azani wrapped it up quickly. If things had gone wrong, would we still be here joking around about the higher-ups’ scandals? Military factions would’ve been popping up all over the Empire.

Would we really still be leisurely chatting about the higher-ups’ scandals? It was Alzabalgaek’s response, asaassa… if the upper ranks had been killed and chaos had spread…

Factions would’ve burst everywhere. There are still people hiding ulterior motives. The five-marshal system is solid, so they probably don’t dare challenge it.

Anyway, isn’t Chancellor Azani a pretty funny guy too? He was screaming for a status window and now…

This week he was in his office… no no, Nael, whose lover is the cutest in the world, hahaha.

That comment about filming a spicy video was way too much. ㄴI hope Admiral Kranaha leaks the video.

Isn’t there a chance the video gets accidentally shared? Honestly, it should be released widely for the public good. ㄴI heard Chancellor Azani created the Imperial Security Bureau. Anyone know details? Is this okay?

ㄴㄴTake political talk to another board.

ㄴI’m sure the Chancellor knows what he’s doing. Hey, did you see the vineyard photos? They even released the B-cuts this time.

ㄴThe Chancellor looked so cute working hard shelling peas.

When they sent the Chancellor on vacation, his code name was Acorn Collector. Admiral Kranaha’s was Salmon Enthusiast. But why Acorn Collector? I know Admiral Kranaha’s nickname is Grizzly, but is it because he once raised a hamster? But hamsters like sunflower seeds more, don’t they?

LLThey said he made acorn pudding for him during their at-home date.

LLLWhat kind of bizarre food is that?

ㄴThe Imperial Security Bureau is just the Public Order Protection Bureau with a new name. Am I really the only one worried about this? ㄴIf you live decently, you’ve got nothing to worry about. They set it up quickly to catch the terrorists.

ㄴAh, if you’re going to talk politics, get out.

ㄴDidn’t you hear they’re granting a large amnesty for political offenders for the birthday celebration? Ordinary civilians don’t need to care.

Just like what the old Public Order Protection Bureau used to do…

They said they’re holding a big celebration at the Grand Plaza for the birthday event.

The memorial performance last time was deeply moving. I hope the birthday festival will be flashy and fun.

ㄴI’m planning to go wait from the night before.

LLLWill just one night be enough? Tons of people are determined to go this time.

ㄴPeople living in Rosenburg must be so lucky. I have to watch through a livestream when they open it. ㄴI want to see the baby Emperor soon. How cute and lovely will he be?

ㄴOur Emperor Sirius II… please come out healthy. There are so many people here who love and support you, so many right here.

If they release new photos of His Majesty, I’m going to frame them and decorate my house with them.

ㄴI can already picture him babbling and taking his first steps… sob. Your Majesty.

Public opinion was flowing in a positive direction. Talk about the Security Bureau quietly sank beneath the surface. There were too many other topics of interest, so it couldn’t draw attention. If anyone was still watching with sharp, tense focus, it must have been because they had an uneasy reason to do so.

After clocking out on time, Nael headed to an exclusive membership-only luxury spa. Several ultra-high-end spa facilities existed in Rosenburg, each with a different atmosphere from Lotus’s East Asian–style hot spring inn. He planned to soak in warm water, enjoy a bath, then get a massage before returning home. Since he couldn’t take a long vacation, this was the method he found to relieve stress.

The spa, having received notice from the Chancellor’s residence, had accepted no guests since morning and was waiting. Nael, who became the only customer inside the facility after his security team arrived early and completed the safety check, secretly enjoyed the experience as he changed clothes. It was thrilling to have this large, lavish spa all to himself. Ah, he needed small pleasures like this. The moment he stepped in, the stress melted away. The expensive price was worth it.

With only a thin bathrobe draped over him, he entered the open-air bath in a garden decorated with beautiful, exotic flowers and trees. Security guards were stationed at intervals not far away, and at a distance close enough to run over at a call, the Head of Security and his personal secretary waited.

He was relaxing in the perfectly warm open-air bath when Hessler seemed to receive a report and approached Nael.

“Your Excellency. The Security Director has come to see you.”

“Andersson?”

He didn’t recall summoning him. Was there something urgent?

Remaining in the comfortably reclined position, Nael only tilted his head slightly before facing forward again.

“Tell him to come in.”

Scenes like this often appeared in movies or dramas. A wealthy conglomerate or powerful figure sitting leisurely in a bath while receiving subordinates or taking calls. He used to wonder what kind of showmanship that was supposed to be.

‘Annoying.’

If it were someone beneath him, he could simply tell them to wait, but the Security Director’s rank was high. He had once been just a mere commissioner, but now he was of vice-minister level. And rank aside, his real influence placed him above many ministers.

But going out to receive the report meant standing up, drying off, changing clothes, then coming back in a bathrobe again. Why bother? The man was now one of his trusted aides. Being invited into such a private space would only be considered an honor. This too separated the levels of trust.

“Understood.”

Hessler gave instructions outside. Soon, the door leading to the open-air bath opened, and Andersson appeared.

Andersson greeted Hessler and Garcia with a nod, expression blank as usual, then slowly approached the Chancellor. His heart suddenly beat faster. This was his first time witnessing the Chancellor in such an intimate state.

The Chancellor had his long hair loosely tied up, wearing only a thin bathrobe as he sat immersed in water. His white, elegant nape drew the eye. If he went closer, he might even catch his scent. Probably a sweet fragrance of skin.

“Your Excellency. Thank you for granting this sudden audience.”

Stopping about a meter away, Andersson bowed deeply.

“No need to thank me. You must have come because you have an important report. So? What is it, my friend?”

“We have detected movements from some rebellious individuals.”

“Those already within our surveillance network?”

“No. We found evidence that several industrial magnates have been secretly strengthening their connections.”

Nael raised a hand to push his wet hair back.

“Judging from the terrorists’ level of information and funding, they weren’t some small dark-world group people imagine. There must have been conspirators among the long-standing wealthy elite who shared glory with the old nobility. Likely from the military-industrial sector or the financiers.”

“As expected of you. Your insight is precise.”

“Any link to the Union?”

“We’ll need further investigation to determine that.”

“Hmm.”

Nael lifted his right hand and made a small beckoning motion. Understanding it as a signal to come closer, Andersson approached cautiously and knelt on the ground.

“Who are the suspects?”

Nael asked quietly. Andersson whispered several names into his ear. Nael listened indifferently. Some were people he himself had considered suspicious, while others weren’t. Digging deeper might reveal more.

“You’ve achieved results quickly despite not having been appointed long. It was worth entrusting the bureau to you. Excellent.”

“I am honored by your praise.”

“The Emperor’s birthday is soon, and next month the Union’s envoy will arrive. Continue to prevent any unfortunate incidents. If you need support, say so at any time.”

“Yes, Your Excellency. And…”

“What is it?”

Nael tilted his head slightly back. Andersson lowered his gaze, pulling his eyes away from the Chancellor’s profile. Beneath the transparent water, he saw the long lines of the Chancellor’s body draped lightly in the bathrobe.

“There seem to be seditious individuals among the command staff of Admiral Kranaha’s fleet.”

Andersson lowered his voice further, speaking quietly. Because of the recent commotion, those with grievances had begun to reveal themselves. Some joked lightly about rebellion or revolution, but others displayed strange looks and sincere undertones in their words. If they were low-ranking, they could be ignored, but anyone above a certain status needed caution. Especially if they were part of the command staff, not ordinary officers.

“…I see.”

Nael answered briefly and raised his hand. It meant he could leave now that the report was finished, but Andersson interpreted it differently. He respectfully took Nael’s right hand with both of his own and kissed the back of it. He believed this much was within the boundaries of what was permitted to him.

“I shall withdraw.”

Andersson gently released Nael’s hand and stepped away. Nael said nothing. All he thought was that the man had an odd way of flattering him.

‘I should have clarified at the start that it was a one-time permission. My mistake.’

He might have taught him the wrong habit, but so what? If the man believed it was a reward for loyalty, then let him continue.

Nael had not publicly disclosed his visit to the spa. Still, those who needed to know found out and came. As the Security Director had, the man who was his official lover also entered the spa.

Andersson stepped aside when he saw a large man walking toward him from the opposite side. The man, striding in with imposing confidence, stopped briefly in front of Andersson and looked at him.

“The first Security Director?”

“Yes. Robert Andersson.”

“Good. It’s after work hours, so you’re working hard. Keep it up.”