Chapter 126 The Holy Yumie Empire
We got the emperor's okay, so we started moving to end the war.
...But there was a big argument about how to do that.
Because...
"Huh!? You want to make me the emperor?!"
It was decided that I, Yumie Granbell, would be the next emperor and declare the end of the war.
No way, why!?
My sad shout echoed in the palace.
As usual, only important people like Rifine, Doctor Seius, Mr. Lygar, my father, and Duke Cas were here, and I was the center of attention.
Isn't that super strange?
It seems I was the only one who thought that.
"The reason is simple, there is no one else with the right to inherit the throne!"
Rifine said this in a very light tone.
Yes, that emperor had no children, no wife, and all his family was gone, so I'm the only one left to be called the heir.
Wow, how lonely was that emperor's life?
It's a bit sad, even if it's his own fault.
"Don't worry, Yumie. Even if you are called the emperor, it's just a symbol; the real work will be done by others."
"If that's true... is it really okay?"
No, even if it's just the title, becoming emperor seems like a really big deal.
First of all, would the people be happy with a kid like me being at the top?
When I asked Doctor Seius this question, he denied it very lightly.
"On the contrary, wouldn't you be happy? Even the people of this country have started calling you a saint."
"I think the saint and the emperor are different..."
One hundred steps... no, let's give in and say I'm a saint.
But I'm the emperor, aren't I?
It's obviously a problem for the head of a country to be a young girl.
"That's right, Yumie doesn't deserve the title of Emperor."
The first opposing opinion came from my father.
Father...I knew I could rely on you...!!
"Bezelus is a country built on war and invasion, and the title of "Emperor" does not suit the kind and gentle Yumie!! It should be renamed something more holy and graceful!!"
"Is that so!?"
Yeah, it was totally not helpful.
That doesn't matter anyway.
But it seemed I was the only one who thought that, and everyone else started discussing seriously.
"That makes some sense, but isn't the leader of the empire the emperor? If we change that, maybe it's not even an empire anymore?"
Right, Mr. Lygar says something good.
"Then, if it stops being an empire, isn't that okay?"
Hey, RifRif, what crazy thing are you saying?
Are you saying to change the country name too?
"It's true, Ortria is trying to break away from imperialism, changing the country name could be a good way to change people's minds."
Duke Cas agrees too, and he had a pretty good reason!?
"So what would the new country name be? A safe option could be Republic of Bezelus."
"If that's the case, wouldn't the leader be a chairperson just like Euphemia? This country was held together by the emperor's absolute power, if we change too much suddenly, there might be a backlash. It's better to find a way that doesn't seem strange with Yumie at the top."
Doctor Seius's plan makes Duke worried.
Well, can't we just move the discussion forward without putting me at the top in the first place?
"In that case, why not make it the Theocracy family? In that case, the head and symbol of the country would be a goddess or a saint, but it would not be unnatural for the practical aspects to be carried out by a proxy."
But my wish was in vain, and an even more outrageous idea came out of Rifine's mouth.
Theocracy family?
That top?
No wait, doesn't that mean I'll become an object of worship for the people of this country!?
"No, no, no, that's really weird! It's too much for a saint to even be a saint, so there's no way I could play the role of God!?"
"It doesn't have to be a god, you know? In fact, Yumie is already a saint, so there's no problem."
"That whole 'saint' title is just propaganda that Sigurt started!!"
I've said it so many times, but I don't have any special powers or abilities, okay?
I'm good at performance magic, but it's nothing more than party tricks.
I was decent with a sword, but I'm nowhere near the level of a proper knight.
I don't have any medical skills, and I'm basically an amateur when it comes to politics.
All I have is my cute appearance.
If I'm supposed to become the symbol of the country, what happens if my true nature gets exposed? Won't there be an uprising or something?
As I voiced these worries, Rifine patted me on the shoulder and said, "It'll be fine!"
"Anyone too foolish to recognize Yumie's charm will get a lesson from my fists!"
"Yeah, no, that's not okay."
Seriously, what is Rifine planning to do with this empire? A country where everyone worships me sounds terrifying.
Then, Father spoke to me in a gentle tone.
"I've said it before, but you're just a symbol. You might have to show up at ceremonies and festivals occasionally, but all the actual work will be handled by others. And we're planning to become a de facto vassal state of Ortria. You might need to think about moving, but we'll still live together as a family, so don't worry."
"Father..."
Even if I become the head of the country, I won't be separated from my family.
Just hearing that made a lot of my reluctance fade away.
...I've been saying things like "I'm not confident" or "It's too much responsibility," but I guess what I was most worried about was that point.
I didn't even realize it myself.
Father must have noticed that I was starting to feel a little more positive, because he wrapped up the discussion with a declaration.
"That said, there's no guarantee that some people won't resist the idea of Yumie becoming an object of worship. So, let's put it to a vote among the empire's citizens."
"Agreed. The outcome is pretty clear, though."
"No objections here."
"......"
Seriously, where does everyone's unwavering trust in me come from?
With that question lingering in my mind, the meeting ended for the day──
A month later, no one in the capital protested, so the Bezelus Empire changed its name.
It became the "Holy Yumie Empire" and was reborn.
Ugh... who said we should use my name for the country?
Come out right now!!
I will cry in front of you!!
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