The Birth of the Empress Faction 1: Mia’s Hand Moves of its Own Again
The day after his meeting with Mia, Ludwig entered an old home that was tucked away in a city neighborhood. A covert meeting was going on right here. Eight faces were illuminated by a flickering flame inside. Men and women of various genders conversed at length while sitting idly around a table. They included the likenesses of Balthazar and Gilbert, two of Ludwig’s associates. Everyone else in the room shared what the three men had in common. Undoubtedly, the Galvanus cohort was present.
Others were representatives of the capital administration from the Azure Moon Ministry, while others were diplomats from the Jade Moon Ministry or the same Golden Moon Ministry that Ludwig worked in. Even one of the central nobility had a particularly odd person following them about as a member of their close retinue, largely for personal entertainment. Even while the posts’ content varied, their importance remained the same. They all had important roles that required expertise, which they all displayed in a big way.
“I must admit that I didn’t know this. I had no notion one or more of those nobility was still living somewhere. They have some tremendous talent. Frankly, it got to the point where I assumed they had already been butchered.”
Despite the significance of the discovery, the present topic of conversation was Duke Yellowmoon’s secret activities, which was brought up in an air of casual conversation.
“And now they’re returning? Really?” Another participant shrugged in response.
“When the empire ultimately collapses, I was counting on them to take me out of here. So much for my getaway strategy.”
His sarcastic grin gave the impression that he had been aware of Duke Yellowmoon’s schemes the entire time. Known, but kept quiet to others. He had kept his hand extremely close to his chest, holding onto them for a time when they could come in handy—for him and him alone.
There is little doubt that these were not average minds. They were without a doubt great; shrewd and competent. But they also actively avoided constraint and were completely free. The empire did not bind them and never would. They excelled, so they could travel to any country and prosper. As a result, they would just go if the empire were to crumble under the weight of its own rot. They had learned from their old master’s repeated lectures that they did not need to sacrifice themselves for the sake of ignorant nobility. These people would jump to another ship at the first sign of a breached hull rather than sink with the ship.
But, thought Ludwig, I’m going to need even more assistance from people like them if I want to make Empress Mia a reality. Although cooperation from nobles is a given, government officials are crucial to advancing a country.
Mia was pulling in the young scions of the Four Houses and other nobles, while Ludwig was left to organize the business end of things. At all costs, he had to gain the respect of his fellow pupils.
Ludwig said, “It’s good to see everyone.”
Everyone was looking at him.
“Let me start by saying that I’m sorry for asking you to take time out of your hectic schedules to come here.”
“Ludwig, there’s no need to apologize. It’s not like we even gave refusal a thought. Not now, not at this time. Right?” Gilbert smiled and looked around the space. Nobody objected. “After all, the patron saint of our beloved older student just announced in a grand manner her ambition to assume the throne. The ‘Team Galv assemble’ horn is then blown by the older student. Who in their right mind would miss something this exciting?”
“I see… Well, I suppose that’s promising.”
After looking each person in the eye, Ludwig adjusted his glasses.
“All right, I’ll get right to it. I want each and every one of you to put your weight behind Her Highness.”
“My weight, huh?” One of the men said, “Well, I’ve got plenty of that to throw around.” He smacked his stomach humorously before his look became accusatory. “Is she really worth it? I mistakenly believed that the incompetence of all the lords and ladies of this empire and His and Her High and Mightinesses characterised them. Princess Mia, you’re telling me, is an exception?”
“Absolutely. But feel free to make your own decisions,” Ludwig retorted, pulling out a bundle of parchment. Tabulations of numbers covered the pages.
“What are those supposed to be?”
“Something I’d like for you all to see.” As Ludwig inhaled deeply, his audience waited in silence. He turned to face each of them individually before continuing in a solemn manner. The start of a severe famine will occur this year.”
He had made up his mind even before he arrived that he would use the impending crisis to gain the support of his group. The advantages were dual and cumulative. He might persuade his fellow students to assist him by emulating Mia’s wisdom in foreseeing the situation, and by winning their support, he would be able to use their abilities to combat the famine. Additionally, it would bind them, keeping them from abandoning ship at the first indication of disaster.
How would he specifically bring them on board? Being Master Galv’s students, these individuals had a lot of intense curiosity. What would they think if he told them the famine would last for three years while simultaneously presenting them with evidence indicating the famine was imminent? None of them could possibly resist the impulse to stick around and see how his prophecy played out. He was familiar with them and was aware of their mentality. A statement of this kind was like catnip for the minds of Master Galv’s former students since it properly balanced the realms of reason and occultism.
“A famine, you say? The drop in wheat output from the previous year is just one of the indications.” One of the group murmured, “I also hear that recent early-spring reports of crop growth aren’t looking too hot either.”
“The Scarlet Moon Ministry’s unofficial, but maybe official, position is that the empire will have lower crop yields this year across the board,” Balthazar interjected. “The colder temperatures we’ve been experiencing since last summer are probably a factor.”
He was followed by another voice. “The Jade Moon Ministry believes that there is a fair amount of chance of a famine. It’s not just the empire that has subpar crops. Imports from nearby kingdoms are becoming more expensive. It hasn’t yet gotten very bad, but…It can be the beginning of a downward spiral. The cost of food was going up, and the poor were starving. The number of able-bodied workers would decline as soon as some of the starving started to die. The yields for the following year would probably continue to drop if there was a manpower shortage.”
“What’s your point, though? That’s all really intriguing. We can also read reports.” Another participant added in a slightly sarcastic voice, “I’m very sure everyone here already saw this coming.”
“You did, I’m certain.” Ludwig questioned, “But did you see it coming two years ago? Because Her Highness made her prediction at that time. Since then, I have been getting ready.”
“Two years ago? No way are you serious.”
One of the men, who had been reclining on his chair, leaped to his feet and started studying the parchments.
Ludwig said, “I have spent the previous two years growing the empire’s food stockpiles while also enhancing its financial health under Her Highness’s direction. Her Highness has also devised ways for importing wheat from far-off countries in order to account for the risk of crop failures happening both within the empire and in neighboring kingdoms.”
“Long-distance import of wheat operated through the Forkroads,” one individual said after considering the circumstance. “Additionally, with set prices, hmm.”
Another person added, “Makes sense. By spending more than usual, she’s insuring a reasonable supply during emergencies. Actually, a fairly good concept. In fact, shouldn’t merchant guilds put this idea into practice?”
The entire room was filled with thoughtful compliments.
“But was it really possible for her to foresee this course of events? Are you saying the princess has prophetic powers? That she knows the future?”
Ludwig didn’t answer right away. He poked the bridge of his glasses while he thought about his response. It wouldn’t be overstating things to say that Mia’s insight was prophetic. The word was more than appropriate given how well she predicted. But he didn’t think there were any otherworldly powers at work.
Ludwig answered, “I…certainly do not grasp everything that passes through Her Highness’s mind. However, in response to your query, I personally think that her activities are motivated by effort rather than supernatural providence. Hard, relentless, mental labor.”
“So, brain work. You’re claiming that huge quantities of observation and prediction made with brainwork may finally forecast the future? A valid point, I think. If you think about it, famines also follow certain patterns. They take place in cycles. We can get a general notion of when they might attack by studying history.”
“That’s not all,” a different participant said. “She undoubtedly understands the situation of the empire extremely well. She must have been able to spot the early indicators of problems because of it. Be it starvation, trade restrictions imposed by other countries, or even war… Any dramatic societal upheaval is accompanied by clear warning signs.”
After exchanging nods with one another, they turned to face Ludwig.
“I understand your point of view on this. The idea is to utilize the famine to permanently unite the masses behind her. You’re going to appear like heroes in shining armor and start distributing food once the famine actually begins to spread. You can expose the local rulers as evildoers and win support from the populace if they are being stingy. Similar to divide and conquer, but with lords separated from their subjects. This statecraft is really impressive.”
Ludwig gave a headshake. “You’re not seeing the big picture. Her Highness is attempting something that is far more grander in scope.”
