Count Habsburg

"Granting a title, is it?"

Budo glanced at Honest and then said, "Your Majesty, I support the idea of granting a noble title."

"General Selene's campaign against the southwestern barbarians, capturing over a hundred thousand enemies and killing three hundred thousand, is a great service to the Empire. She deserves a noble title."

"However... I believe her military rank should also be elevated to ensure the morale of the army!"

Honest's heart skipped a beat upon hearing this. He felt a bit panicked. Who didn't know that Selene was the rising star of Budo's Imperial Guard system? Was Budo trying to win her over, or was he testing him?

In truth, Honest was overthinking it. Budo, being a straightforward and principled career soldier who dedicated himself entirely to the Empire, judged everything based on merit and military achievements.

Selene had the strength, she had the accomplishments, and most importantly, she had not shown any signs of disloyalty. As the head of the Empire's military, Budo could not ignore her contributions.

Honest quickly replied, "Your Majesty, I believe General Selene's merits should be determined by you alone."

"If I ask you to speak, then speak! Why are you hesitating?" The Emperor, lying on his bed, was visibly displeased with Honest's evasiveness.

Honest couldn't quite understand why the Emperor was being so forceful today, but he had no choice but to push forward. "Yes, Your Majesty! For the achievement of pacifying the southwestern barbarians, she should be granted the title of Count and promoted to Senior General."

The Emperor remained silent, staring intently at Honest. Granting the title of Count and promoting her to Senior General was appropriate, but these were symbolic gestures without any real power attached to them. Honest was being diplomatic, essentially saying nothing of substance.

Honest realized that this was likely the Emperor's final test. If he passed, he would rise to become the most powerful minister in the Empire, second only to the Emperor. If he failed, it could very well lead to his demise and the ruin of his family.

Carefully choosing his words, Honest finally said, "Your Majesty, I believe it would also be fitting to grant General Selene command of another Imperial Guard legion..."

"Cough, cough..." The Emperor, perhaps from thinking too much, appeared exhausted and started coughing. "So, which legion do you think is suitable? Or should she form a new one?"

"That is for Your Majesty to decide. How could I presume to make such a suggestion?" With that, Honest immediately knelt, pressing his forehead to the floor, and said no more.

This time, the Emperor didn't press further but simply nodded in agreement with Honest's proposal.

Granting command of one of the twelve Imperial Guard legions was a reasonable decision. Selene already held command of two legions; short of granting her the title of Grand General, which couldn't be given lightly, the only suitable promotion left was to Senior General.

As a Senior General commanding three of the twelve Imperial Guard legions, she would be the second-highest-ranking military officer in the Empire, which seemed appropriate.

"I understand... Summon someone to draft the decree! Selene von Habsburg is granted the title of Count of Habsburg, and she shall govern the Empire's Northern Province as its Governor. Effective immediately, the Northern Province will be renamed the Habsburg Province... Cough, cough..."

"She is also granted: five million in silver, a thousand taels of gold... Cough, cough, cough... ten royal chefs, the right to choose an item from the Imperial Treasury, an estate in the Upper District... and the expansion of her current residence."

"She is promoted to Senior General and appointed commander of the Imperial Guard's Fourth Legion, with overall command of the Fourth, Eighth, and Ninth Legions, responsible for maintaining order in the Upper District and the southern lakeside area."

The Emperor, having said all this in one breath, suddenly felt his body weaken, and he began to cough violently, "...Cough, cough, cough..."

"Your Majesty!"

Whether Honest was genuinely concerned about the Emperor's health was questionable—it was likely an act—but Budo was sincerely worried, calling out anxiously, "Quick, summon the imperial physician!"

"Cough, cough... No need... I know my own body... Cough, cough..." Struggling to sit up with the help of his attendants, the Emperor continued in a stern voice, "... What are you waiting for? Send the decree to General Selene with all haste!"

"Yes, Your Majesty, yes!" The attendants quickly ran off to carry out the order.

Budo hesitated and asked, "Should we inform the court ministers as well?"

The Emperor seemed not to hear Budo's question and sighed deeply, "It's a pity... I won't live to see Selene's triumphal return. She's not even twenty yet... Throughout history, how many people have had such strength at that age? So few..."

"It's a pity... Cough, cough, cough, I've grown old and will never see it."

Honest quickly interjected, "Your Majesty, you are blessed with good fortune; this is just a minor illness..."

Before Honest could finish, the Emperor coldly snorted, dismissing his words, "Flattery... Don't bother trying to deceive me. I know my own body..."

Honest, lowering his head, remained silent.

As the Emperor looked at Honest kneeling respectfully at the foot of the bed, he sighed. Among the ministers of recent generations, Honest was the most capable... The ones Chory left behind were just a bunch of pedantic fools, only good for spouting empty rhetoric!

If only this damned body would give me more time... If Honest fails, I would have time to find a replacement...

But now I no longer have the strength to change anything... It's impossible... The Emperor suddenly clutched his chest, pain radiating from his heart. His breathing stopped, his face turned red, and he let out a pained groan, "...."

The Emperor collapsed onto his bed, his body convulsing.

"Your Majesty!! Your Majesty!!" The attendants shouted in terror.

"Get the imperial physician!!"

Lying helplessly on his bed, the Emperor trembled, trying desperately to speak, but no words would come out.

"Issue... the decree... immediately..." Using the last of his strength, the Emperor gave his final command before losing consciousness. This time, his life force seemed as fragile as a dying ember.

"Your Majesty!"

...

Unaware of the turmoil in the capital, Selene leisurely made her way along the Empire's official road.

Yes, Selene was deliberately delaying her return. Did anyone think she was eager to play the role of a "loyal and dutiful general" at court?

She would drag this out as long as possible. Based on her assessment of the Emperor's condition before she left for the campaign, his death should be imminent.

Once the old Emperor was gone and Honest fully assumed power, there would be fewer restrictions.

The longer she took, the better—ideally, she would return to the capital only after the Emperor had been buried, allowing her to skip all the formalities.

Yes, that was the plan. She would treat this as a leisurely journey, enjoying the scenery as she went, Selene thought, her demeanor growing increasingly relaxed.