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[FMMIKA] Chapter 164: Empire's Affairs
🕑 Added 2023-09-03 19:51:15 +0000 UTCThe meeting between the imperial higher-ups and the emperor was still in progress. A series of crucial events and policies that were of utmost importance to the empire gradually unfolded as the meeting progressed.
"The analysis of Dun Stallion II is in your hands..." Artorius said to Morgan and Vivian with a gentle look.
"Don't worry, it's taken care of."
"Yup, I've got this."
"Aw, come on."
Morgan and Vivian nodded in response, agreeing with Artorius. X, on the other hand, curled up nearby, whimpering and crying.
"No need to push yourselves too hard." Artorius continued saying to the two women.
Although Dun Stallion II was merely a cheap purchase from the so-called Cosmic Amazon known as 'Amazoness.com' in the Servant Universe, its technological level and advancements were ahead by several thousand years.
Moreover, in the Servant Universe, all but a handful of humans had become Servants. With all sentient beings transformed into energy forms, the world had in a sense embraced the Third Magic. Given this, the technological landscape of that world was likely different from other parallel worlds.
"We'll give it our best." Vivian earnestly replied.
"Hmph." Morgan seemed a bit displeased as if feeling that Artorius underestimated her abilities.
"Aw, come on." X continued to cry, huddled and holding her head.
===
"Moving on, Sir Agravain, I entrust to you matters concerning road construction, the establishment of local administrative bodies and courts, as well as diplomatic work with the Eastern Roman Empire." Artorius turned his gaze to Agravain.
"I shall not disappoint Your Majesty's trust!" Agravain answered with seriousness.
"In case of shortage of administrative officials, officers, and judges, the Research Department of Illuminati Council will assist." Artorius looked towards Vivian and Morgan.
"No problem. The empire's talent production line is already up and running." Morgan's tone was relaxed.
"And those children." Artorius turned to Vivian again. "Please take care of them. Once they've been examined, arrange for them to work at the Palace of Orleans."
"Yes, yes."
The 'children' that Artorius referred to were the Einzbern maids who had returned to this timeline alongside him and X.
Perhaps due to a specific bloodline and magical attraction, they didn't appear with him and X but landed in Vivian's homunculus factory.
Vivian was also fond of these Einzbern maids as well. In her words, they made her feel—"just like the children of Artorius and me."
Through the same bloodline connection, Vivian was their Einzbern family's ancestor, and these maids were all obedient and well-behaved.
"Aw, come on." X's crying continued.
"Moving on, the task of reorganizing the armies falls to you two." Artorius gently addressed his knights, Mordred and Artoria.
"No worries, I've got it covered."
"I understand."
Both Mordred and Artoria answered simultaneously.
"Teacher, I'll need your help too." Artorius continued with Scathach.
"Umu." Scathach calmly answered.
"Aw, come on."
"Next, regarding border defense and preparedness." Artorius turned to Lancelot, "Sir Lancelot, keep an eye on the Visigoths of the Pyrenees."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Answered Lancelot.
"Sir Gawain, lead the cavalry to sweep the east. I expect the empire's borders to expand to the Danube within three years."
"What about the Pannonia region?" Gawain didn't respond to Artorius immediately, hesitating before asking, "What about the regions that were once part of the Eastern Roman Empire, like Pannonia and Dalmatia?"
"Grab what you can. But avoid major conflicts. Our priority now is internal consolidation."
"Understood, Your Majesty." Answered Gawain with respect.
"Aw, come on."
"One more thing, Sir Lancelot..." Artorius looked at Lancelot again, "I'm planning to reorganize the Mediterranean. The security situation in the region has worsened due to rampant pirates. They need to be eliminated."
With the turmoil and the decline of the Roman Empire's strength, the security situation in the Mediterranean had naturally deteriorated. To safeguard maritime trade interests in the Mediterranean, Artorius needed to restructure the region.
"Rest assured, Your Majesty, I will eliminate them root and branch." Replied Lancelot with a hand on his chest.
"Very well." Artorius nodded.
"Aw, come on..."
Thus, the empire's officials and generals were assigned their respective tasks. The current Imperial meeting came to a close. The machinery of the state and government pushed forward at full throttle.
The Holy Roman Empire was rising like the sun in the east. Small regional powers like the Vandals, Goths, Slavs, and nomadic groups, as well as the mighty Eastern Roman Empire, were no match for the newly emerging Holy Roman Empire.
As the Dragon Emperor ascended, swiftly uniting the Western Roman Empire, ripples were also felt in the Eastern Roman Empire.
In contrast to the original history, Artorius had always been a Roman general.
According to the succession law, he had defeated the previous Emperor Lucius Tiberius, and ascended the throne properly, a move that the Romans could accept.
It wouldn't lead to a rupture like in the original history, where the Franks were deemed unworthy of ruling Rome and resulted in a split.
===
"Things have turned out this way. Let's all work hard."
Artorius looked around his subordinates and spoke solemnly.
As Artorius finished speaking, the imperial higher-ups all stood up and bowed to the Dragon Emperor.
""Everything for the Empire!""
The imperial higher-ups simultaneously spoke with reverence. And thus, the meeting came to an end.
"Hiks, hiks, hiks."
X was still there, crying with those sobbing sounds; she looked quite pitiful. But even the kindest person had now ignored X.
Who could blame them? Since this girl was being so irresponsible.
"Well then, what's next..."
Artorius also stood up and muttered.
The next destination was beneath the palace, the enormous underground magic factory. There, in addition to the empire's forces of Mystery, were personnel dispatched from the Atlas Academy and the Wandering Sea, as well as mages who had recently voluntarily joined.
There, Artorius had to discuss matters related to Mystery.
Mainly, the war concerning Crimson Moon, Dead Apostles, and True Ancestors, in short, the Vampires.
After traveling to the end of the 20th century and confirming the millennium-long war between the Empire and the Vampires, Artorius regarded this war as the most pressing concern for the Empire.
It's crucial to carefully contemplate this matter.
"Artorius..."
At the same time, as Artorius stood up and prepared to leave, X also stood up, following behind him and tugging on his clothes sleeve.
"Don't you believe me? They really exist. I came to find you because of this... "
X walked alongside him and spoke with a pitiful tone. She appeared pitiable, but her words made one want to knock her head a couple more times.
