9 Chapter 9

"Your Majesty, you should be resting," General Budo stated in a stern tone as he approached the young emperor with quickened steps.

"I'm just getting some fresh air, General Budo," I replied, taking in the sight of the meticulously designed garden.

Moments before, I had slipped out of my chambers and made my way to the palace gardens. The guards stationed outside my room had tried to stop me, but I had used my authority to overrule them. Worried about my safety, they quickly alerted General Budo, their superior, of my movements.

As I looked around, I saw that the guards were stationed in strategic locations throughout the area, keeping a watchful eye on me. They were dressed in full armor, weapons at the ready, ready to protect me at a moment's notice.

Despite the serious nature of the guards' presence, the garden itself was peaceful and serene. The air was filled with the sweet fragrance of blooming flowers, and the sound of rustling leaves was calming. The garden was truly a masterpiece, with perfectly trimmed hedges and neatly arranged flower beds. A large fountain sat at the center, surrounded by marble statues of mythological figures.

The garden seemed to stretch on forever, with winding paths leading to different areas, each offering a unique view. I strolled down one of these paths, admiring the beauty around me. It was a welcome change from the confines of my room, and I was grateful for the opportunity to explore the palace grounds.

"I never got the chance to ask you about it, but I heard you've been quite busy lately," I said as I picked up one of the flowers and breathed in its sweet scent. "I want to thank you for your service to the empire, General."

"As a general, it's my duty to root out spies and protect the empire," Budo replied.

"I'd like you to update me on the current state of the government. While I was indisposed"

As I watched Budo's brow narrow in response to my question, I couldn't help but wonder what he was thinking. The previous Makoto had never asked the general about government affairs - that had always been the Prime Minister's domain. Perhaps Budo found my inquiry odd given our past interactions.

However, the truth was that I had already tried to discuss the matter with the Prime Minister, hoping to appear as the old Makoto, but he always dismissed my questions and told me to rest. This dismissal did not sit well with me, which was why I had turned to Budo for answers.

"The ministers are currently on a break, your majesty," Budo replied. "They were in the middle of discussing next year's annual budget when they heard the news of your collapse. They decided to postpone their meeting until you have recovered and are able to give your 'royal assent.' Without it, they saw their meeting as pointless".

I nodded, taking in this information. In my previous life, 'Royal Assent' was a typical process done by constitutional monarchies, and it was mostly a ceremonial process. However, in this world, things were a little different. In this world, it would seem that monarchs had more authority compared to the monarchies of earth. Without the royal assent no decisions of the ministers can be legalized. It was something the Emperors of the past had used to control the government of the Empire.

"Anything else?" I asked, noticing a brief moment of annoyance on Budo's face.

"They also had an unofficial meeting where they wrote a petition ordering the removal of the lockdown of the capital," Budo replied, his anger briefly escaping his control.

"They threaten you?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. Budo was not one to back down from a challenge, so the news surprised me.

"I am a General of the Empire, like my father before me and his father before him. It has been passed down from generations that interfering with the government is not ideal. It shows that the Empire is not united, and they were also threatening the entire budget of the military, something I could not allow," Budo stated firmly, his voice laced with anger.

I see. Based on the anime, it is apparent that Budo is a true patriot, committed to the cause of the Empire. This is likely the main reason why he chose not to act until it was too late. He probably believed that the Empire could still save itself without his interference. If he had acted, it would have shown that the military was starting to have second thoughts about the government, and this could have weakened the Empire's unity.

It's important to understand that Budo is not just a single man. He comes from a well-respected military family and has climbed the ranks to become the one and only Great General of the Empire. His influence encompasses the entire military force of the Empire. If he were to personally speak out against the government, it would not just be him but the entire military speaking. It would show a massive disunity between different branches of the Empire, which could lead to chaos and instability.

Budo understands the importance of maintaining unity and loyalty to the Empire. He knows that his actions could have far-reaching consequences and is careful not to act in haste. Despite his frustrations with the government, he remains dedicated to his duty as a military leader and protector of the Empire.

"They forced your hand," I replied as I threw the flower I was holding towards the fountain. "You know, I dreamed of my parents when I was comatose," I lied. I needed to think of a way to justify my recent change in personality. Since I was just recently in a coma, what better way than to pretend that I saw my dead parents?

Not only that, I can make predictions based on what I know will happen, and use my deceased parents as an excuse. For example, I could say that my parents told me that this general will join the revolutionary army, or that this person is a spy for the prime minister. By framing it in this way, it will be more believable and Budo would likely trust my decisions in the future. In this way, I not only have Budo's loyalty but also his trust. Although telling this lie to Budo might have its immediate challenges, but I believe that in the long run, it will be worth it.

"They told me I was doing everything wrong, tell me General, am I failing as an Emperor?"

Budo's face was filled with shock, confusion, and doubt as he heard the emperor's claim about talking to his dead parents. He knew that such a statement could lead to people questioning the young ruler's sanity, which could be disastrous for the stability of an already tumultuous empire. However, Budo chose not to address the matter directly and stated, "You are young, Your Majesty. It's understandable for you to make mistakes."

"So my parents were right," I replied, feigning sadness. Budo's answer was not direct, but I knew what he implied. He greatly disapproved of the previous Emperor Makoto's ways, especially his close relationship with the Prime Minister.

Observing my state, Budo sighed and stated, "Everything can still be fixed, Your Majesty. We have not yet reached the point of no return."

"I understand," I stated firmly, meeting the Great General's gaze, "My parents also revealed to me how they met their untimely end."

Budo's expression showed a clear discomfort with the topic, urging me to rest instead. "Perhaps it would be best if you retire to your chambers, Your Majesty. I will ensure your safety and accompany you."

While Budo's intentions were undoubtedly to maintain unity within the Empire, I couldn't concern myself with that at the moment. Over the past few days, I had been contemplating how to rectify the state of the Empire. Initially, I entertained the idea of delaying the killing of the Prime Minister. I thought about gathering all potential threats, including the Prime Minister's son and Esdeath, and eliminating them all in one decisive blow.

However, the more I pondered upon it, the more I realized the inherent flaws in that plan. It could lead to unpredictable outcomes, such as the Prime Minister evading capture and further causing problems in the future. This was a situation I absolutely wanted to avoid.

In order to address this issue, I needed Budo's assistance. What better way to motivate him to take action against the Prime Minister than by revealing the truth behind the deaths of the previous Emperor and Empress?

"They informed me that they were killed by the current Prime Minister," I disclosed with a flat tone, laying the truth bare.

Budo was clearly shocked at what I said, his gaze intensified, as if he was carefully assessing the veracity of my words.

"Budo, you are hereby ordered to capture the Prime Minister and all his subordinates within the Capital. Just keep in mind that the Prime Minister is in possession of a Teigu that can destroy other Teigu", I declared resolutely.

As I started walking back to my chambers, I added, "Dead or Alive, the Prime Minister must be captured, and I want it done within 24 hours".

I want to find out if Budo supports me in this world, even though it may seem unbelievable that I claim to have seen my deceased parents. This is also a test for him. Will he follow my instructions, or will I, as the new Makoto, once again become a puppet ruler under someone else's control?