Studying history was one of my favorite subjects—a passion or a hobby, call it what you will.
But since when did this passion begin? I do not know. I remember hearing something about how history repeats itself, and from there, I began to feel the curiosity of exploration.
Perhaps it was the idea of using the past to read the future; it was a fun idea, and it became even more fun later on.
I won't deny it was boring at times, too.
But fictional stories with a historical setting were the fuel for this curiosity.
Do you know? It is said that fiction is nothing but a different expression of reality, and believe it or not, this is somewhat true.
Just remove that person who uses stars as food, and you'll be fine if you want to use this equation.
Who knows? Perhaps space begins with the discovery of the nature of atoms, and perhaps the truth of understanding the world begins from a home surrounded by those walls.
Therefore, I studied, saw, and enjoyed myself until reality began to call me.
I need money.
I was in need of that currency, and if I possessed it, then perhaps I could do whatever I wanted afterwards.
I did not crave great wealth; I did not crave a luxurious palace. Just a small room, a phone connected to a network, and finally, humble food sufficient to satisfy my hunger every day.
If I wanted to dream further than that, perhaps I would ask for a computer and a bookshelf too, and maybe some sweets and a window in the room.
So, why didn't I go to prison?
I do not like the company of roommates. They say Norwegian prisons are good, but I don't live there, and I doubt there is a good network. So, let's just dream.
I am a simple person in a simple world, living a simple life, far from the "simple people" as much as possible. Unlike the knights in stories, the warriors, and those heroic epics recorded by history, I did not possess a great goal. If I stepped out of the ordinary, I would think about getting a date, then forget about it hours later. Even if a girl confessed her love to me, I would know that I was only dreaming and wake up.
Anyway, away from this life, let's return to the current situation and see what one has to do with the other.
"Alright, where do I start?"
Perhaps hours ago, after failing an interview for a data analyst position at a medium-sized company. It wasn't my grades, nor my experience, nor my financial status or my average appearance. The reason for failure was the same: failing to answer that question.
Let's just say that the question where they ask, "What will you provide to the company?" is the question I never found an answer for. Isn't it enough that I will force myself to come every day to work and return home?
Who knows? If that company would provide me with something that makes this heart return to life again, then perhaps I would start thinking about what I could do for them.
"I wish a gate catastrophe or something similar would strike the world."
Well, the unfortunate and funny thing is that it wasn't the first rejection, and I started to find the matter somewhat enjoyable.
As history says, the past repeats itself, and I was a witness that everyone's expressions repeat in the same way, no matter how different the company, when receiving that same boring answer from me.
What is it? We'll leave it as a secret for now.
The point is, another rejection.
Afterwards, I spent a few coins on cheap coffee, then added a little water to it, preparing for the next interview, this time with another accounting firm.
But was the coffee cheaper than necessary, or did I add too much water this time hoping it would last for longer minutes?
Is this poisoning? The world is spinning. Suddenly, from the street to a strange room, then from the room to the street again, then finally I returned to the room and everything stopped moving afterwards.
A strange body and a strange world. The shock of strange memories turned fiction into reality. What is happening and what happened is no longer the problem now; rather, where I am and how I arrived has become the subject of questioning.
"An Emperor... this is interesting."
I am not afraid or disturbed. In fact, I don't care where I wake up the next day.
It was a slight shock, then I focused on reading those memories. I was not a person easily terrified. Although the situation is illogical, it can be explained as a "transmigration" or something of that sort.
In fact, I feel that my previous life is the fake one at this moment, but that's fine. It's not that I'm not afraid or not in shock, but it's just that I'm the type of person whose focus increases the more his fear increases.
Otherwise, how would I have been able to throw that question with a stupid face in front of the interviewers without shaking, even though I am not a social person?
Anyway, back to the situation.
The beauty of the room is not important now. Find a room in the Middle Ages, throw some glitter and colors on it, and there you have the room of this young emperor.
Even my currently high temperature is not a problem, and it wasn't the cause of this person's death either; rather, he committed suicide, escaping from responsibility.
"Well, I am truly in a new world, and on top of that, an Emperor. Or just a lad whose father threw him onto the throne and fled because he couldn't bear to see the fate of an empire collapsing under his name."
The father fled, the child committed suicide, the grandfather committed suicide too, and the great-grandfather... well, I'd better stop here or the horror of the situation will truly take hold of me.
"At least this person is somewhat handsome."
The more accurate expression would be "cute"—the kind I truly hate. But let's just identify the good side so I can contain and understand the situation I'm in.
"From an isolated person to an Emperor. What a rise in title."
The problem is, I cannot even be happy with this strange situation. Who wants to be a king over a state that has reached the stage of collapse? Aside from the nature of his father and those before him, who were the cause of this great descent from a great empire into the abyss, I don't know how to describe the situation. Even this boy, who tried to fix the situation, ended up committing suicide.
True, he wasn't stupid, but he wasn't smart enough for this position.
He tried to rectify the matter but made it worse and let authority slip from his hands. With the nobles trying to prey on the empire, he was like a small rabbit in the midst of all this, screaming what could not be heard.
[A Rabbit Fighting in the Midst of Wolves] — a summary of what he was going through.
A lad who took the throne at twenty years old and held out for 3 years before reaching his end and ending his own life.
"Holding out for 3 years deserves some admiration, but the end of the endurance is pathetic; even Robert Clive wouldn't have chosen it."
But there is something interesting about this empire.
Magic? Not just that.
There are dwarves, elves, dragons, and slimes. Wow. I have always wished to see a slime before.
"I wonder if its texture is truly soft."
Yes, let's look on the bright side: there are slimes in this world.
Well, aside from the cute blue thing, how do we deal with this situation? If the matter ended here, history might write something about him like an emperor who caused the collapse of a state then committed suicide due to his feeling of guilt or incompetence.
"Perhaps history won't write about him at all."
Let's analyze the problems this empire is going through... or the stages a state goes through before it collapses.
Stage 1: Excessive Military Expansion
"Hmm, no need to think; the condition has been met."
This empire was dominant over many kingdoms which, by the way, have started demanding independence.
This problem began from the twelfth emperor and reached this lad. It wasn't a problem in the past, but with the deterioration of the empire's condition, it became a major problem.
To place part of the empire's power over every occupied or allied kingdom to protect it, subdue it, or frighten enemies while you suffer from internal problems—that is somewhat stupid and unsupported arrogance.
And the rule says...
"To be everywhere is to be nowhere," as Frederick said.
Whoever thinks he controls the world this way should try coffee with water; it would taste more real than this fantasy. This is no different from tying the ends of the empire with ropes of sand.
"Just an organized drain. At least the situation was realized, but too late."
This rabbit's father and grandfather withdrew forces from the kingdoms when it was no longer possible for the empire to provide support for those forces.
But even the way the forces were withdrawn was stupid and made the relationship with other kingdoms worsen, which increased the bad situation and reduced the empire's prestige.
"And as a result of that stupidity, thousands of soldiers returned to the empire, which means more hungry mouths that need tons of food daily, and swords that might turn to my neck if their salaries are delayed."
And were they delayed? Yes. And this rabbit, following in his father's footsteps, reduced and dismissed thousands of soldiers or sent them to guard the borders, and that is what created more rebels.
"Seriously, this situation alone is difficult to fix. So what about the second stage? Has it been met?"
Stage 2: Devaluation of Currency.
"Hahaha, this is truly becoming more interesting."
The empire's currency, which was made of gold and silver, had the percentage of gold in the gold coin reduced from 90% to 5% gradually, starting from the twelfth emperor down to the Rabbit, who is supposedly the fifteenth emperor. This made people lose trust in this currency.
"Silver without silver and gold without gold. Seriously, don't they study history?"
Sigh. Perhaps because of the existence of magic and mana stones as a reserve currency, this scenario did not happen at the level of empires. Perhaps it happened in some kingdoms, but the arrogance of status kills sometimes. Because of that, people have started refusing to use the empire's coins, and that pressured the state banks to return what is equivalent in gold, wheat, or anything that has real value, including mana stones.
Yes, Stage 2 has been met. But at least no foreign currency has entered to take the place of the empire's currency or to turn the empire into a vassal state. "Well, the matter is not certain; perhaps there are regions using another kingdom's currency, so let's not generalize the situation."
And this takes us to Stage 3: The Debt Spiral.
This continent has 3 great empires; this empire is one of them. For the sake of growth, taking loans was inevitable. Even to solve the problem it suffers from, which started more than 100 years ago, more debts were taken, which slowed the rapid fall of the empire.
"That did not solve the situation, but by taking debts to pay the interest every year and repeating the process for 100 years, we entered a debt spiral whose value reached 41 billion gold pieces in the Holy Empire's currency."
"No comment. Just let me see the fourth stage."
I'm about to collapse just thinking about it, and the situation is no longer interesting.
"And what is Stage 4? Isn't it the loss of productive capacity? Well, seriously, nothing special."
What it produces of wheat and crops is not even enough to pay for its needs, and there is nothing else special.
There were inventions in the past that the empire flourished because of, like teleportation gates and military weapons, but all that stopped because of problems. Half of it was abandoned for more profit, and part of the other half the state tried to control, and the matter ended with it leaking or being sold due to repeated problems.
And now the empire relies heavily on neighboring kingdoms, especially during the winter that strikes the fields every year, and this year is the worst. It's the reason for this rabbit's suicide and the reason for a magical phenomenon I don't even want to think about now.
And this leads us to Stage 5: Social Decay.
Stage 4 is evidence that Stage 5 will happen. Public trust in the Emperor has decreased, and the nobles took advantage of that. The blame was cast on the Emperor, and there are sectors trying to gain independence from the empire, and the crime and unemployment rates have risen.
"Everyone is talking, but no one is listening."
A suitable expression for the situation.
I bet if the Rabbit went out to the street, it would be possible for him to return to the palace in a coffin, and thus no need for suicide. It's unfortunate that there is a secret force protecting him from assassinations.
And the only reason that makes the nobles not get rid of this Emperor is their desire to cast the blame on him completely, then place him on the guillotine to calm the people.
This is a type that the secret force will not interfere in; they didn't even interfere in the Emperor's suicide attempt.
Away from the small nobles and landowners, because the head of this problem is the Duke of the North, who forced the Rabbit to marry his most hated daughter in the empire—the outcast and villainess who will accompany him to the grave and be the reason for handing over the throne legally to her father.
This person who held the position of Prime Minister is the cause of most of these problems in an attempt to get the throne.
"If it weren't for this mysterious energy belonging to the royal lineage, he would have taken the empire already after a year of political marriage, and I wouldn't have had to face this headache."
Well, look at the stage before the end, Stage 6: Loss of Reserve Currency Status.
Since the empire's situation is not promising, the kingdoms that rebelled against the empire have started returning the empire's currency.
Even the neutral ones no longer recognize the currency and have started returning it.
There was no choice but to pay and satisfy those kingdoms by using mana stones and the empire's resources to prevent wars.
And it's not as if they haven't already started in some areas.
"And the final stage is Collapse."
Take the popcorn and sit down to see the fall of one of the three great empires and one of the oldest of the three. By that, the balance of the continent is broken, and a war might break out that covers the continent in flames for the trivialest reasons. For that reason, currently many kingdoms and even other empires are watching quietly without direct or declared intervention.
Even with this atmosphere of anticipation from most kingdoms, the empire succeeded in losing half its area, and the guillotine approached the Emperor's head, so he decided to end the matter himself.
"So, did I move to this world just to experience the pleasure of execution or what? Is this the fate of those who add water to coffee?"
Let's calm down and see the good side. Yes, the good side.
"I have a wife in this world. Let's consider this good, even though I don't remember her face. The Rabbit did not dare to touch her or meet her since the marriage, and on top of that, he was busy running here and there begging for help."
I don't even know if this is a good thing, she being the daughter of the main enemy. But for her father's plan to succeed, she must die after me so that the mysterious energy transfers to him legally so he can open the Inheritance Chamber.
Then after that, I don't know. Aside from using magical solutions, this empire is already in a state of "controlled decay" and needs restructuring. I remember that the empires that faced the same fate in my world had 3 options and no fourth:
"Controlled decay, chaotic collapse, or restructuring."
So how do we restructure everything?
"Isn't there a magical solution... a system or anything? Are there no transmigration privileges or the like? Hello, System? Status window? Zousham? Or whatever."
This is embarrassing. Perhaps I shouted loudly, so a maid entered to check the situation, then left by one order and left me embarrassed with myself. The presence of a maid might mean there is still a chance, but I swear that among every 10 servants in the palace, 9 of them are spies from different areas.
"Forget it. Let's just look at the map."
No to despair. The royal capital is located in the heart of the empire, which is being eaten away from every direction in a hidden way. There are many areas carrying a red mark, telling me thereby that they have become independent. But if you look, you find that many of the nobles' lands and even the four dukes—their lands are still free of any chaos that is difficult to control.
More accurately, except for the Duke of the East and the Duke of the South, the rest of the lands are not even trying to fix that chaos, but rather controlling it at a certain level for some reason, as if they are waiting for a certain signal.
I know the nobles have a hand in all this, and half of them follow the Duke of the North. But what is the solution? As soon as the four dukes choose to secede from the empire, that means the complete destruction of this place.
Well, it has begun, and I still call it an empire. Or why did the Rabbit choose death on this day? Simply because the first news he received this morning was that the Duke of the West had declared the independence of his land and declared himself king over it under the pretext of saving his people or whatever.
"By the way, why do they have titles like Duke of the North, West, East, and South? What is this obsession with the four directions?"
"Forget it. Is there really no system or the like?"
Look at history. Even the Rabbit's father realized the situation and fled at night with a royal relic—the storage ring in which he took what he could—then handed over the position to his son without ceremony and left. Because the position is transferred via the transfer of that mysterious energy, the Rabbit was sleeping as a prince, then woke up as an Emperor, and everyone was forced to recognize him because that is what the "Law of the Absolute Soul Sword" set by the First Emperor dictates.
And this takes me to a second reason for thinking of a solution.
There is no escape or opportunity to abdicate the throne or even pass it on to the sons of the previous Emperor's concubines, who are considered my younger brothers somewhat.
But the royal blood is not what is special; rather, it is the power that dwells within it, which explains the above.
A mysterious power of no great use except for the Emperor's legitimacy. it is transferred to the heir after ascending the throne, and if the heir dies, it will go to the second heir on the condition that his age has reached 20 years.
That is why the power was transferred exactly to this Rabbit, because he was the only one among his brothers who reached the age of 20.
And if there is no second heir, it will be transferred to the wife of the heir who died, and she must choose the next person for the throne when he reaches the specified age.
And if she dies too, the power will be transferred to her father and he must choose her place. Because of the mystery of this power, it will not transfer to the killer or whoever orders the killing. Therefore, the Duke of the North does not try to kill me or incite it.
But this does not mean the absence of assassination attempts. But thanks to the secret organization that protects the royal lineage, I am still alive until now—at least before the Duke of the North's plan is completed.
"Thinking about it, this power also opens the Inheritance Chamber. From the second room, every empire has a chance to obtain one relic. And from the second room, the Emperor is forbidden from taking anything and selling it, except for the gold and jewelry, half of which was stolen by the Rabbit's father."
Maybe I'll find a cheat there. The First Emperor left many mysterious relics. Who knows what I might get? Since the Rabbit hasn't chosen a relic yet, it's better that I choose something, isn't it?
As for the prohibition left by the Third Emperor, let him go to hell. If I find something I can use, I will do it. I don't want to die after I finally found something interesting.
"The vault might be my winning card. Then there is this wife who appeared out of nowhere. How do I deal with her?"
Is she a problem? In fact, no. She is so quiet that I don't find any memories of her since she entered the castle and was sent to a palace far from the main palace.
The only thing I know is that she is still alive. And considering that her father is sacrificing her, she might be an ally in this desolate forest.
"Damn, I don't know. I need real information about her."
My body temperature continues to rise. I have to find a solution for this too, as it affects my ability to think. It's time to use that secret organization. I remember that the way to call them is...
"Show yourself."
A simple call made the room's shadows tremble and gather, revealing a masked human hiding his face, and nothing appears from his eyes except a crimson color.
He appeared kneeling and did not raise his head after that. This is the Emperor's secret squad, established since the beginning of the empire and destined to die with the death of the empire. Even in my memories, I don't find much information about them.
They work in secret, move in the shadow, and do not interfere except with the Emperor's permission. Scarcely anyone knows about them.
After the transfer of authority, they came themselves and introduced themselves as the "Shadows of Aster." No emotion, no feelings. If they are asked to die, they will die. Most importantly, they do not wait for anything from the Emperor.
They will follow the orders of every Emperor, but their goal remains following the First Emperor's will. And if the Rabbit truly dies and all members of the royal family die, that is the end of this organization, as they were sentenced to execution collectively.
"Gather for me information about Morgana Velvet. The past and the present."
"Your command."
No question, no hesitation. I liked that. It's unfortunate that the emperors before me—and specifically the twelfth emperor—used these forces incorrectly, which led to weakening them greatly.
But it's also lucky that no matter how weak these forces become, they will heal themselves and return to service quickly.
"Alright, next. Let's go to the vault. I have an idea, but I need something from the royal family to sacrifice for it. What the Rabbit and those before him refused to do, I will not hesitate to do."
"The empire is on the verge of collapse and he still listens to the nobles' talk not to use the vault's items because of a dead emperor's words. It's the height of stupidity. If the empire perishes, what is the use of those treasures?"
And in order to get something, you have to sacrifice something else. And this law—I am ready to follow it.
As for the Third Emperor's nonsense, who said that the Emperor who uses the vault is an emperor by whose hand the empire will collapse and shame will follow him even after death and the like—I don't care about him, because guess what, you dead ghost?
"The empire has already collapsed and we are trying to save the crumbs here."
An emperor who came and found that the cake had been prepared and lived in the empire's most prosperous eras has no right to speak and discuss with the one who has to eat the leftovers.
"Wait a minute."
I'm not going out like this, right? With my little respect for the Rabbit's endurance, his taste in clothes is gaudy, aiming to draw attention and show his presence. On top of that, it was a suggestion from the Duke of the North himself.
"A walking clown, in short."
I will not wear this even if you kill me. But as soon as I walk out this door, any change will alert everyone. I can trust the Shadow Squad because of the blood contract that was established, but there is no one else.
Even the guards in front of the door—it's possible that one of them is a spy.
"Well, let's endure these clothes for one day."
I look at myself. A cute face that doesn't suit an emperor. A rabbit's face won't scare the wolves, and white hair confirms that. "Leonardo Ray Clint"—his name sounds like three names, not a full name. Only 23 years old, and on his face are the features of an old man. Only these golden eyes seem special. Perhaps they are the only thing I have no comment on.
"Leonardo Ray Clint. No comment. Let's go."
I'll have to get used to it. Although there is no fool who will call the Emperor by the name "Leo" or "Ray" even if the Emperor is dying. Therefore, I have to get used to "Your Majesty" or "Sire" or whatever.
I took a breath and went out the door. On the right a knight and on the left another knight. Perhaps they were chatting, but when they felt that I was standing behind the door, they became silent. Well, this only means that there is still respect for this Emperor; I shouldn't say fear.
Little Leo used to throw his anger at everyone lower in rank than him in this palace because of the pressure on him.
I don't blame him, but I don't agree with him. The only currency currently accepted is mana stones and pure gold. If these servants leave, I doubt anyone will come to serve this palace again.
Well, this is also unlikely, since anyone who left was replaced by a spy. It could be for one of the nobles or one of the kingdoms and empires. Even as I walk in this empty corridor, I still feel looks piercing my back from somewhere.
Sigh. I'm really not used to that.
Fortunately, the treasure area does not allow anyone to approach. A shield of magic prevents that. But I didn't feel it, I who was eager to feel it. Perhaps because of my body heat. But I have no time to care about my health. I want to know what weapons I have before jumping into this chaos. Perhaps I'll find something that resets this world. Not unlikely.
"And here we are: the Inheritance Vault."
A large white stone door decorated with gold. If the situation worsens, I w
ill think about stripping and selling it. It wasn't far from the Emperor's office where I was. Well, office or bedroom, whatever the name, it's suitable for him. The Emperor sleeps while working, then wakes up while working. If I couldn't escape, I would have thought about it and left this mess.
Starting over as a low-rank adventurer wouldn't have been half bad. Maybe I'll take my wife with me, for I know my luck with women is worse than my luck after reincarnating.
Well, the memories say that touching the door is enough. I did so, then the scene changed. Perhaps I moved to another world...
Just kidding. I moved inside the vault. This place looks like another world. Blue walls with veins decorating the place. Honestly, the place is beautiful. The energy passing through the veins makes the place alive.
Then there is a mountain of gold thrown on the side, boxes, and jewelry—items half of which were lost by the Rabbit's father to alleviate debts, or were among the loot he managed to take inside a storage ring. The Rabbit hasn't dared to touch them until now because of the nobles' pressure. It is said that he must not use them except in an extreme case.
"What is the extreme case? I don't know."
Now, even if I brought out all that gold and treasures, I wouldn't even be able to pay the late salaries of the remains of the empire's internal army, let alone the external army that protects the borders.
"Anyway."
Next to the mountain of gold, there are platforms and bookshelves carrying history and magic books and the diaries of previous emperors and kings. All the books are original and rare; I might sell them later. There are magic books among them that magic towers seek; I will sell them to them later too.
"As for the history books, I will come to you later."
The important thing now is what floats above stone platforms. Is it because of this body's memories? I don't seem very impressed by this magic.
And there are many platforms extending along the room until reaching a second room's door, and there is my goal. What is on the platforms are "treasures," but what is in the second room are "relics." The difference is the mystery of the relics, whereas the treasures... well, they might be sold for a great price, but there is nothing useful among them to solve this situation—just swords, weapons, and so on.
In the second room lies the goal. This is the room that the little Rabbit did not enter. But after entering it, there isn't any great difference. There are shelves of boxes, and in the wall's chambers there are shields and weapons that look rare—some even glow. Those are the relics of every previous emperor and some very rare treasures that require a condition for use.
That is not my goal either. My goal is the lockers.
Here, every emperor is allowed to take one relic, and when he dies, the relic will return naturally to the vault. As for the will, it is a little tolerant with what is in the first room and forbids what is in the second room, but strictly prohibits taking more than one relic from the vault.
"As if I care."