Imperator: Resurrection of an Empire
Chapter 141: Plotting The Takeover Of A Takeover!? (5)

Chapter 141: Plotting The Takeover Of A Takeover!? (5)

"In other words... a noble’s daughter... ran away with commoners?" <Village Chief>

"Yes. Though not exactly by choice her father fell in defence of the King, and all the other guards were busy fighting the rebels when she ran and came across us so we 3 decided to become her temporary subordinates at least until we could get her safety to her father’s territory." <Julius>

When I explained that, the village chief looked at Serena’s face and nodded as if he understood.

"I thought there was something going on, but... I guess she was a noble after all. I’ll keep it a secret. You can see how determined she is by the way he works. Gorden was actually a bandit before. Did you know?" <Village Chief>

"Bandit?" <Julius>

That fact was a little surprising, but given his build and temperament, it fit.

I thought Gordon was a deserter because of his rugged personality and large body, but was it a case of him avoiding the army from the beginning and becoming a bandit?

Well, it doesn’t matter.

As the village chief said, his work style made it seem like he had completely changed his mind.

"It was a great decision to accept bandits in the village." <Julius>

"Aren’t bandits the same kind of farmers, just those who stopped farming due to hunger at all their food being taken away? The country is on the verge of destruction, and life is the same everywhere. Some people become bandits due to unavoidable circumstances. While there are some who are dark from their youth. You will be able to tell the difference between those who are driven and those who are not." <Serena>

After giving her erudite explanation

The white-haired village chief smiled.

This is probably why Gorden received a great favour from the village chief, deciding not to raid the village but instead join forces with it.

The more I got to know him, the better he was.

"Thank you for your hard work. I need to eat dinner and get back to work." <Villager Chief>

The village chief waved and went home, and I also returned to my dorm.

Another day passed.

And quite a long time had already passed, since we’d left the capital.

The opportunity I wanted hasn’t come yet, but the rumours spreading daily show the moment is not far off.

However, the days I have endured so far have not been in vain.

The village chief said that they would come to collect taxes in two days.

Which means in two days the Rebels will come for a portion of our food, and if they act as i expect them two this will be the spark that will light the embers of a revolution against the ruling rebels

***

"Miss Serena, how do you like working here? You’re not used to it, right? You’ve never worked in the fields before..." <Miri>

"Yes, it’s embarrassing, but I’ve never done it before. But I’m getting used to it, so it’s okay." <Serena>

Serena was very grateful to Miri for always caring about her.

She even thought that she had no place to be treated like this by a member of the Aquitania she admired so much.

"Miri, you are truly amazing. I don’t know the details, but it seems like you went through a lot of trouble. Also, Mr. Zeff rescued you, and Mr. Julius let you two meet in Aquitania again? If you made a book it’d become the most popular love story ever i think! It’s really amazing. Of course, there were a lot of difficult times...but that’s why I think it’s amazing.’’ <Serena>

"It’s all thanks to the lord. Hehe." <Miri>

Miri twisted her body in embarrassment.

At first, the two were on awkward speaking terms, but perhaps because they had something in common that they had both overcome difficult times, they now hit it off and started talking like real sisters.

"Lord Julius said that Miss Serena had a lot of troubles too..." <Miri>

"Yeah... more than a couple." <Serena>

"Okay, that’s it! We don’t have enough time just to talk cheerfully." <Miri>

Miri was also carrying a heavy burden on her heart.

However, she always tried to live cheerfully.

"That’s right. Besides, Miri, your sewing is truly amazing. How are you so fast and accurate? Did you see all the women in the village widen their eyes in admiration?" <Serena>

"I... For a while, I was making a living just by sewing. When Zeff returned from the war, I wanted to feed him something delicious... and patch his clothes if they were torn" <Miri>

"I guess so." <Serena>

"Yeah...!" <Miri>

Both girls seemed embarrassed now at this revealed maiden secret

Although Serena lost her parents, she lived a prosperous life, and the more she heard Miri’s story, the more she began to think that her own hardships were nothing.

And then, I started to become more and more interested in the story of the Aquitanian’s

"Can I ask you one more thing?" <Serena>

"Of course! Feel free to ask me anything." <Miri>

"Feel free...?" <Serena>

There was something Serena had always wanted to ask.

But she hesitated a little.

Especially since it’s something she can never ask Julius himself.

But she quickly made up his mind.

"Um, what kind of person is Lady Yurasia from Roserun...?" <Serena>

"Oh, you mean the former princess? That person..." <Miri>

Miri was about to say something about Yurasia, but suddenly stopped.

Then she looked at Serena.

"Miss Serena, I support Miss Serena, but... I also support Lady Yurasia... so I can’t choose which one to support! Sigh... I’m sorry!" <Miri>

Miri seemed to sense something and took a step back.

Then, Serena hurriedly said.

"No, that’s not true! That’s not true...I just want to know." <Serena>

"You want to know about your love rival, right? Hehe." <Miri>

"That’s outrageous. That’s me... i..." <Serena>

Serena shook her head dramatically, as her face reddened.

"Why? I think Miss Serena is also elegant and beautiful enough. Of course... Lady Yurasia is never one to lose in beauty. However, the princess is a little different." <Miri>

"Has he changed?" <Serena>

"Yes. I only talk to the lord some of the time. But his replies are short... I don’t really know what he’s thinking normally when it comes to love. But when it comes to battle, he’s really nice! He’s the strongest person in Aquitania, and cares for his fellow men." <Miri>

"I see..." <Serena>

Serena thought it was just as she had heard.

"Well, that’s fine. I’ll do whatever I can to help the Aquitanians. I want to go quickly and leave these cursed lands behind." <Serena>

"Don’t worry, Serena. I’ll show you around. But be careful when you pick a fight with the princess, okay?" <Miri>

Miri patted Serena on the back with a happy look on her face.

***

"More than that, Serena." <Julius>

"yes" <Serena>

I went to work as usual and called it a night.

Then, I remembered something important and called Serena.

It’s probably a question she knows the correct answer to.

"Marquis Chesedin and his vassals were the best at leading the fleet, weren’t they?" <Julius>

"Yes...I’m really sorry." <Serena>

"The Chesedin family must have been in the royal capital, so all of them, including their vassals, must have been purged by Rushak." <Julius>

"That’s sad. My father was like that too..." <Serena>

"I didn’t call you to remind you of that. Sorry. Besides, are there any other territories outside of the Chesedin Marquis family where you can successfully lead the fleet?" <Julius>

Yes.

This was what I was most concerned about.

I don’t know about Carthage’s situation.

I only know about Kashak, who became famous after his successful rebellion.

"Well... there are several. Most of the territories are connected to the sea, and many of them are sailors. Among them, of course, is the Dolfe family. Most of the people in my territory are also sailors. There are many people who served under Chesedin-sama in the navy for a long time.’’ <Serena>

"Is it so?" <Julius>

Certainly, it would be natural if Dolfe’s territory was also sandwiched between the sea and rivers.

***

Finally, the day of the plans execution.

The day came to collect taxes.

That day, the village was very busy from the morning.

Rushak is probably eager to use the enormous power he has gained for the first time.

His is making a big power play.

If you look at his massacres and policies he’s handed down already, it’s no surprise.

This will spread to each village in the capital region and the people of the capital itself, and his notoriety will increase.

That’s what I expected.

As if to prove that, the man who came to the village appeared in a rather flashy horse-drawn carriage.

"Hmm, did you say this is the last village?" <Noble>

The man got off the carriage with an attitude that was exactly as the word ’arrogant.’

As soon as he got off, one of his subordinates lowered the chair he was holding to the ground.

The man sat down on the chair and crossed his legs with a satisfied look on his face.

______________________________________

[ Manshark Rechin]

[Age: 23 years old]

[Power Level: 23]

[Intelligence: 10]

[Command: 40]

______________________________________

His ability scores are terrible, a spoiled noble whose never had to improve himself.

The reason why the command ability is 40 is probably because people obey due to the effect of notoriety due to tyranny, and his power of just being a noble.

Judging from his name, there was no doubt that he was a relative of Rushak.

"I am Manshak, son of His Highness Duke.. No King Rushak!" <Manshak>

As expected, the arrogant man revealed himself, oddly enough he didn’t reveal his court rank, probably cause he doesn’t want to reveal his low original rank till he gets his new one bestowed by his Father.

When he revealed his true identity, the deputy next to him yells out an order.

"What are you doing? Hurry up and get on your knees! Before the Crown Prince of Carthage!" <Subordinate>

Is it the Duke who has fallen into a power play?

It’s not like he’s a second-generation nouveau riche, but rather something similar.

However, the problem is that the duke has no legitimacy, he took the throne through coup and there are those with royal blood who still survive.

For now, I’ll obey and kneel down.

The villagers also began to kneel down here and there, with shocked expressions on their faces.

Then, next to me, Gordon whispered while gritting his teeth.

"He’s a bastard." <Gordon>

"It’s true, certainly a bastard." <Julius>

I gently agreed with Gordon.

At the same time, Manshaku asked the village chief.

"Did you achieve your given quota?" <Manshak>

"Of course. All the villagers worked together and managed to make preparations. Over there..." <Village Chief>

The village chief started to explain, but Manshaku stopped him, looking bothered.

"That’s enough. That’s right, I need to increase the quota in order to entertain the envoys coming from the Kingdom of Reina." <Manshak>

Upon hearing that the given quota was met Manshak immediately declared the increase of the quota with no notice.

"Well, that’s... If that happens, we won’t have anything to eat even if we work tirelessly... Argh...!" <Village Chief>

Before the village chief could finish speaking, Manshak got up from his seat and kicked the village chief, causing him to lose his breath.

"You say you don’t have anything to eat even though there are fields on all sides? Don’t be silly and add more!" <Manshak>

The soldiers protecting Manshak started walking toward the village warehouse.

The soldiers kicked Merol away as he tried to stop them, opened the door, and they began looting the warehouse taking all the stored foods, and then began uprooting the villagers’ crops in the fields themselves they were planning to take all the food the village had.

The villagers were making a fuss and shaking their fists at their sides but still did not resist.

However, not everyone could withstand this situation for long

Gordon, who was originally a bandit, could not stand being the victim of another bandit, and suddenly stood up as if he couldn’t stand this situation for one second longer.

Before he could stop himself, Gorden ran towards Manshak, his eyes wide open and screaming.

"The crops that grew to be collected as taxes after trying so hard to change my fate, and I can’t believe you bastards will take even take away food that doesn’t even fill a rats belly. How on earth are we supposed to live!" <Gordon>

"What?" <Manshak>

Manshak gave a hand signal and his deputy punched Gordun away.

Then, he begins to assault Gordon unilaterally.

That is until he was on the verge of death.

When Manshak saw Gordon, who had been beaten and went limp, he raised the corner of his mouth in satisfaction and changed the subject.

"What a mess this village is in. This isn’t the end. There’s one more thing. Gather all the women in the village. From children to married women!" <Manshak>

"Why women...?" <Village Chief>

The village chief asked with a bitter look on his face, but he knew the reason.

That’s why his expression became even more distorted.

But Manshak doesn’t answer.

He just yells.

"Hurry up! Do you want this village to burn down too?" <Manshak>

Manshak makes a wave and the 25 soldiers all draw their swords at once.

Perhaps surprised by this, the village women reluctantly started coming forward one by one.

Perhaps frustrated by such a sight, the soldiers walked around the village with their swords in hand and pulled out all the children who were hiding.

I had fully anticipated this, so I sent Serena and Miri out of the village in advance.

If those two were caught, it would be a bit of a problem.

First of all, Zeff would go on a rampage the moment anyone touched Miri, and since he would have suffered various traumas, it was a good idea to leave him completely out of the village.

Of course, I have no intention of creating a situation where I will get caught.

The one in front of me will die here.

Still, I took them out from the beginning out of consideration for their trauma.