"Your Majesty, forty percent of our territory is now out of control. I propose that we immediately reorganize our army and launch a resistance. The situation is urgent and cannot be delayed any longer."

In response to the minister's report, Isabel, who was conducting her routine morning court in the manner of a king, calmly surveyed all the ministers gathered there.

Regardless of who it is, they still maintain a respectful attitude.

A king is still a king.

but……

The officials below have been replaced in large numbers, and they are all...good people?

Isabella was unsure how to address these subjects who respected her more than she did... Although they were indeed subjects and listened to her, something just felt off.

Could it be said that I am helping Illa manage the country?

While thinking this, Isabella was unaware of the term "power leveling," otherwise she would have sighed that her current job was not much different from power leveling.

She even shamelessly enjoyed it...

"..."

Isabella remained silent. Regarding the minister's report, she looked in the direction of Ulrichila and asked for her opinion, saying, "Minister Ulrichila, please state your views."

Under Ira's tutelage, Isabella is probably one of the most powerful people in the world when it comes to calculating "King Level"... second only to her father.

However, the difficulty of the [Empire] is too high... No, I shouldn't say that. I should say that in the previous [Two Factions Conflict] instance, the requirements for becoming a king in the Empire were too high.

On the contrary, the Demon King's territory has a low requirement for the [King Level] as always, but in terms of dungeon difficulty, in the [Emperor Demon War Late Stage (Governor Participation)] dungeon... even a non-combat-oriented King with a level of ten million is not enough.

There was truly nothing that could be done... That's why it's a good ending that Virginio died at the hands of Inla.

As for Isabella, she was able to get through that period relatively safely, which was already quite impressive even with Isabella's help... And now, the difficulty of the Empire has decreased.

At the cost of national strength, the difficulty of governance was minimized.

Its unique political leanings prevented pointless infighting...

Having realized this, Isabella is still a mascot without real power, and has even lost the guarantee of [weighing] for her safety, but... she is much more at ease and spirited.

The nobles are all dead! That's awesome!

"If Your Highness wishes, the troops can be assembled at any time; if Your Majesty wishes to wait..."

Ulrichila, who looked like a young boy, said this, no longer smoking his pipe... It would be too disrespectful to keep a pipe in one's mouth here.

"Then it would be best to continue waiting...until 60% of the territory has been lost."

As Ulrichila said this, he actually felt that the current situation was about right, but if a full 60% of the territory were given up, then the troubles of the nobles... would completely disappear.

It's more convenient and faster, but the risks are also greater, so it's up to Isabella to decide.

"..."

Isabella pondered, but she hardly needed to think about it... In the past, a similar policy would have certainly drawn a lot of opposition, so she didn't need to consider things from multiple perspectives.

As Inra taught, being forced to drag out a controversial matter for several days to complete... This method is useful, but it is too troublesome and tedious.

It's no longer needed.

"Then...we'll wait until that time."

Amidst everyone's astonished gazes, Isabella swiftly finalized the matter, decisively issuing the order: "The plan during this period will be led by Lord Ulrichira, codenamed... [Exterminate the Pests]."

The firmness and indifference in his words, the casualness... all left one somewhat bewildered.

This unhesitating, contemptuous act of referring to nobles as "insects," and this casual, nonchalant act of giving something a code name... it all feels very familiar.

That aloofness is actually quite rare... truly befitting of a teacher and student.

Once the two let loose, they might become very similar.

"Your Majesty, many of the territories in the destroyed lands are unable to bear the burden of the disaster victims. Should we draw them from the capital's granaries? There are also disaster victims from the duchies. What should we do? Please decide, Your Majesty."

Almost the instant the leader finished speaking, Isabella had already thought of the answer. She gave her answer: "Accept the former as much as possible, and the latter...do good to the best of your ability, and do evil when necessary."

Calm, serene, efficient...

Is the Isabella before me really the same Isabella I knew before?

The question arose in everyone's mind, but they didn't realize that this was indeed how Isabella looked without restraints. If Isabella were not a subject but the emperor, she would be just as constrained in every way.

This is the tragedy of the empire... or rather, the tragedy of the [old empire].

——————————

"Your Highness, you resolved all the problems that had accumulated before with just one morning court session today."

As Marilla spoke, she helped Isabella back to her room... Now she was Isabella's personal bodyguard, because Isabella's former guards had all been "cleaned out".

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!