After being guided by Raphaella to the mansion’s reception room, she adjusted her dress and knelt on one knee before me, bowing her head.
“To the supreme ruler of the Empire, I deeply apologize for not having visited you earlier. Please forgive me.”
Her violet hair cascaded down as she lowered her head, revealing a graceful cleavage through the deep neckline of her dress.
‘This feels overwhelming.’
Though I thought I had adjusted to this world over the past few days, such overt displays of loyalty still felt heavy.
And to be called the supreme ruler of the Empire?
For a moment, I panicked at the thought of someone overhearing, but fortunately, we were alone in the reception room.
‘How should I respond to this…?’
When I first arrived in this world, I had struggled with one question: how should I speak and act moving forward?
A sudden and drastic change in personality would surely cause confusion among those around me.
After much deliberation, I decided to act as Behirit would.
After all, I had been thrust into this body.
To achieve a happy ending with the heroines I loved, it seemed best to behave naturally with my subordinates, and so I had done until now.
‘Even though this situation feels a bit overwhelming… it’s probably best to continue acting this way.’
[The trait ‘Charisma’ is activated.]
A message replayed in my mind.
With that, I leaned back lazily, rested my chin on my hand, and beckoned her with a finger.
“Rise. I came here because I have something to tell you.”
“Thank you for your kindness. What is it you wish to say?”
Raphaella gracefully stood and asked, her demeanor respectful.
I crossed my legs arrogantly and continued, “The current plan is canceled. Spread the word.”
“…You’re canceling the plan?”
“Yes.”
In the original setting, the Develion family was related to the Emperor’s maternal side.
Due to certain events, Behirit harbored deep resentment toward the current imperial family and sought to eliminate the two princes and the princess to claim the throne.
In the original story, Behirit even intervened in the academy where the princess attended, propelling the plot forward.
But I didn’t want to follow the same path as that character.
I had no desire to aim for the throne and fight against the heroines.
However, swearing loyalty to the Empire was also impossible.
Every one of my subordinates harbored resentment toward the Empire for their own reasons, and the same went for the Develion family.
‘So… is this the only path left?’
A plan I had erased and rewritten countless times.
After much contemplation, I reached a conclusion.
After a brief moment of silence, I declared to Raphaella, “I will build my own nation.”
“!?”
“I’ll say it again. I plan to expand my influence and create a new nation. I hope my loyal subordinates will join me on this journey. What do you say, Raphaella? Will you join me?”
“Ah… Lord Behirit…”
Tears welled up in Raphaella’s eyes, and her hands began to tremble with emotion.
At that moment, a new message filled my mind.
[You have met the conditions.]
[The ‘Character List’ feature has been unlocked.]
[Would you like to use it?]
[Yes/No]
‘What is this…?’
This was unexpected.
Had something I did as Behirit triggered it? Or was it because of what I just said?
‘Whatever it is, I need to check it out.’
If this was a gift, I’d gladly accept it.
Swallowing dryly, I selected ‘Yes’ from the options.
In that instant, a translucent screen appeared before me.
[Accessing the Character List.]
[The overall abilities of all characters loyal to you are assessed and displayed as grades.]
[Lucy – ★★★☆☆
Raphaella Gremory – ★★★★★
Alfred – ★★★★☆
Ludenburger – ★★★★★
Milinarize Whitewell – ★★★★★
Laplace Diepoff – ★★★★★
Goldman Rockefeller – ★★★★★]
Text filled my vision before I realized it, and familiar names stood out among them.
The King of the Underworld, Ludenburger.
The Fallen High Priest, Milinarize Whitewell.
The Puppeteer, Laplace Diepoff.
The Tycoon, Goldman Rockefeller.
These were the infamous subordinates of Behirit from the original work.
‘All five stars, huh?’
Not like they’re mattresses or something.
Still, it made sense, considering their overwhelming abilities, enough to shake the Empire.
By comparison, Lucy’s evaluation seemed somewhat lacking.
‘A character list…’
A trait I had unexpectedly acquired.
It was sure to be of great help as I expanded my subordinates and influence.
Looking ahead, the real Raphaella lightly bowed her head toward me.
“I deeply apologize for my unbecoming display. I was so overwhelmed by how impressive Behirit-nim is that I couldn’t contain my emotions. Also, may I ask something?…?”
“What is it?”
“Have you perhaps shared the plan with any of the other subordinates?”
“No. You’re the first.”
“T-The first…!”
Raphaella covered her face with both hands at my response.
Her cheeks reddened, and I could hear her muttering something like,
“To think I was Behirit-nim’s first… Hehehe…”
I decided to pretend I hadn’t heard anything.
Leaving Raphaella to mumble and fidget while rubbing her thighs, I stood up from my seat.
“I’ll take my leave now. There’s somewhere I need to be.”
“Ah, where are you headed?”
“To the academy. I need to meet Princess Justia.”
“W-What?”
Raphaella let out a flustered noise, looking genuinely surprised.
She seemed particularly startled today.
“…Behirit-nim, if it’s not too forward, may I ask why you’re going to meet the princess?”
She asked cautiously.
I couldn’t very well tell her, “Because I’m a fan.”
I draped my coat over my shoulders and turned back to her.
“Raphaella, do you remember what I mentioned earlier?”
“Yes. You said you plan to expand your influence and become the ruler of a new nation.”
“Exactly. And I plan to involve the princess in that plan.”
“…What do you mean?”
“The princess is a treasure of the Empire, used for the royal family’s propaganda. But politically, she’s isolated due to being overshadowed by the two princes. I’ll help her first and bring her over to our side. Do you understand?”
“Ah…!”
Raphaella’s eyes sparkled as if she understood something.
Hmm, did she really get it?
I only wanted to meet Justia because I liked her character, but it seemed my excuse worked.
“I understand completely.”
“Good. In any case, I’m off. Please relay the message to the others.”
“Understood. Leave it to me.”
Raphaella nodded obediently, though her sly gaze lingered for a moment.
Well, it should be fine.
I had to hurry if I wanted to make it in time for the academy’s entrance ceremony.
“Shall we get going? To the Academy.”
I gave a nod to Raphaella, who was seeing me off, and started walking.
***
After the carriage of the Grand Duke of Develion’s family departed, in the deepest part of the Gremory Count’s mansion—
An area permitted only to the head of the family—
A violet-haired woman wearing a long witch’s hat walked down the corridor.
Click-clack, click-clack.
The sound of her footsteps echoed in the long hallway.
At the end of her walk, Raphaella stopped in front of a certain door.
Rumble.
When she opened the door and stepped inside, a conference table, likely meant for meetings, came into view.
The table had six seats in total, with communication magic crystals on each seat reflecting the participants’ images, except for the central seat of honor.
Sitting in the seat to the right of the head chair, Raphaella waited a moment before speaking.
“It seems everyone is here. Let’s begin the meeting.”
“Wait a minute. Where is Lord Behirit?”
Just as Raphaella was about to address the meeting’s agenda, a man wearing an eyepatch interjected.
Raphaella folded her arms and replied, “He’s gone to the Academy to meet the Princess.”
“Wait. I don’t understand.”
“Today, Lord Behirit declared that he intends to become the ruler of a new nation. He also mentioned meeting the Princess as part of his plan.”
“What did you just say!?”
Lüdenburger, one of the three leaders ruling the Empire’s underworld, shot to his feet and shouted.
With a confident expression, Raphaella continued,
“The idea is to support the isolated Princess and make her dependent on him. Politically, when she eventually ascends to the throne, the Empire will effectively be under Lord Behirit’s control as her backer.”
Raphaella’s declaration rippled through the room like a stone in a great lake, shocking everyone present.
While the attendees struggled to hide their astonishment, Goldman Rockefeller, the head of the Empire’s largest merchant guild, stroked his mustache and let out a hearty laugh.
“This is truly an extraordinary plan. As expected of Lord Behirit! Hahaha!”
“Hoho, Goldman, have you caught the scent of profit already?”
“Of course! You’d do well to stop playing with your ridiculous corpse puppets and learn how great money is, Laplace.”
“Haha! My lovely puppets exist solely for Lord Behirit!”
Laplace Diepoff, a man in a sinister white mask and a puppeteer, protested indignantly.
As he gestured dramatically, a white-haired, red-eyed woman in revealing priestly robes spoke to the group.
“Aah… What are you all doing? You’ve just heard Lord Behirit’s grand plan. We should be worshipping him immediately.”
Milinarize Whitewell, the Church’s high priestess, clasped her hands with an ecstatic expression.
The golden rosary, a symbol of her rank, shone brilliantly between her indecently large chest.
Raphaella , observing the situation, quickly brought the chaotic atmosphere back under control.
“Enough. Let’s keep the chatter to a minimum. Now, I trust there are no objections to Lord Behirit’s decision?”
“Of course not. Opposition is unthinkable.”
“I agree. Naturally.”
“I as well. He is the one who has brought true salvation.”
“I concur wholeheartedly!”
One by one, the participants answered firmly.
After scanning the room, Raphaella curled her lips into a smile and made a declaration.
“Then let’s begin by expanding Lord Behirit’s influence within the Empire. All for the Supreme Ruler of the Empire.”
“For the Supreme Ruler of the Empire!”
The room resonated with voices of various tones, all pledging their loyalty.
In the deepest, most powerful shadows of the Akmenes Empire, unseen forces began to stir.