Chapter 36: The Lord of Treasury’s Appeal
According to the gossip of the maids, the two archdukes had no choice but to adjust their itinerary despite their busy schedules after the sudden selfishness of the Emperor.
… Look who’s speaking! They were both on board with this from the start. They can entertain the Emperor and make a good impression while he was in their fief, and do whatever they pleased in the capital while he was away. There was no way those two wouldn’t take advantage of such a good deal.
I, on the other hand… met with bitter opposition from a certain aristocrat.
“Please reconsider Your Majesty! The Empire’s treasury is already empty. We can’t afford for you to tour the nation!!”
Count Geoffroi de Newnbal. This man is a neutral aristocrat with the position of Lord of Treasury. According to Count Palantine Vedett, he was the ‘Empire’s last defence’.
He has managed to keep the Empire afloat amidst the financial crisis that has persisted since the time of the previous emperors and can even be called the most loyal subject of the Empire. Well, it’s better to be criticised in this way, so I’ll continue my act.
“It’s your duty to do something about it.”
“I have already done all that I can!”
Yup, you’ve done a great job. I know your scalp is sad because of all that hard work, that you suffer from constant stomach aches and that you always have dark circles under your eyes because you don’t sleep well… but I can’t do anything about that right now.