Above The Sky
Chapter 137 - 137 EX Emperor and Knight

137: EX Emperor and Knight 137: EX Emperor and Knight “Knight, what is your name?”

“Hiliard Lesi, Your Majesty.”

“A surname I have not heard of.”

“I am from the countryside, Your Majesty.”

“Hiliard, I have just ascended to the throne and am in need of supporters.

You have a clean background and exceptional talent, would you be willing to pledge your loyalty to me?”

“I am already your knight.”

“Think this through.

I have just ascended and cannot promise anything, yet with your abilities, the Northwestern Archduke could provide for your future Aether Armament.

You could drink fine spirits every night, and even receive an estate as a fief, securing your own industry and no longer being a mere country knight.”

“I am a Royal Knight, Your Majesty.

I am your knight.”

“I am touched, but I do not believe.

Hiliard, loyalty does not come without reason.

I’ve acceded to the throne for less than a day, and you have witnessed my two brothers’ intent to patricide, burnt to death by execution.

And I am but an illegitimate son—please tell me your reasons, I am willing to believe you.”

“…”

“Knight?”

“I support stability.

The strife between the two dukes will lead to internal disorder within The Empire.

No matter who wins or loses, The Empire will weaken and splinter, and Terra would be set ablaze.

Only if you become the true Emperor, maintaining unity and continuing a strong nation, can my homeland avoid the ravages of war.”

“You have your own desires…

that is exactly what I want.

Hiliard—on the Terra Continent, Magical Beasts run rampant, Strange Spirits roam the Human Realm at night, and the people are impoverished, without sufficient clothes or food.

You must be aware of all this.”

“So, your loyalty to me will not come with fine spirits or beauties, nor fiefs or servants, for I am determined to abolish slavery and prohibit most wineries before we have a surplus of food.

But I promise you, I swear to bring prosperity and peace to this land.

Not all people may have equal status, but everyone should possess the same human rights, and Nobles must not be allowed to go unpunished after killing civilians.”

“Your Majesty?!”

“What, haven’t seen an Emperor make a vow to a knight?”

“…No.

And what you say…

it sounds too much like a dream, even fairy tales aren’t that wonderful.”

“Haha, I am indeed dreaming, but someone has to dream it and turn it into reality.

Your strength is the first step.”

“…I am your knight.”

…

The Terra Continent is in dire straits.

Governing a nation hinges on two critical issues: one is to feed the populace, and the other is to give them hope.

“Hope is a slippery concept, but as long as I am still standing here as Emperor, the people at least know whom to curse when they suffer, and who the righteous army should rebel against, giving them something to look forward to.

What we need to do now, is to ensure everyone is fed.”

“That will be difficult.”

“Difficult, yes, but there are traces to follow.

Our lack of food primarily stems from a severe shortage of arable land.

Despite owning the vast plains at Terra’s center that lack irrigation and are terrorized by Magical Beast Alien nests, our arable land is far too scarce.”

“I may not know about irrigation, but I can lead teams to eliminate those nests.”

“I will also take to the field.

Everyone should witness the royal family’s determination, and we can also display our military strength to both dukes and the Farflame Land and Azure Sky Royal Court near Chen’s Army’s borders.”

“Your Majesty, it’s too dangerous!”

“And I trust you.”

…

“Your Majesty, there have been far too many assassination attempts.”

“Only seventeen so far, there will be more as time goes on.”

“Our strength will also grow stronger.

It’s already astonishing that Sublimators of the Third Energy Level have intervened, and the emergence of those at the Fourth Energy Level is just a matter of time.”

“But weren’t all of them stopped by you?

What’s so astonishing about that?”

“No, Your Majesty, I mean, why would anyone hinder our efforts?

We are just exterminating Magical Beast Nests and building irrigation, striving to feed everyone…

this shouldn’t harm anyone’s interests!”

“When people are well-fed, they won’t sell themselves into slavery to the Nobles.”

“Just like that?!”

“It’s more important than you think.

Some people, once well-fed, don’t allow others to enjoy the same, being that despicable.”

“How could that be possible, such nonsense actually happens…”

“Far too many nonsensical things happen in this world.

You must either adapt or change them.

Hiliard, changing this world is our cause.”

“…I am bound by duty, Your Majesty.”

…

“Your Majesty, twenty years have flown by.”

“No hurry, Hiliard, our cause will consume our lifetimes, and we may not even finish it within our lives.

But at the very least, we have now brought canals and weirs across the nation, truly allowing the citizens of The Empire to eat their fill, and that, in itself, is a success.”

“No, that’s not what I meant, Your Majesty.

What should we do next?”

“Study.”

“Study?”

“Let everyone study.

We must enlighten the masses, for without enlightenment, subjects will remain forever thus, never becoming engineers, Philosophers, mathematicians, never becoming Biologists, Alchemists, or Astronomers.

I want everyone to be literate, to learn, to excel in their fields, to understand that they exist not just to survive but to chase after greater dreams.”

“…It’s impossible!”

“Twenty years ago, feeding everyone was also impossible.”

“But this is different, knowledge is so precious, yet you would disseminate it to the commoners…

Even though I wish it, those who originally supported you will turn against you!”

“We make our own fate, Hiliard.

I am aware of all this, so please continue to help me, I need your strength.”