The financial officer came forward with documents in hand before the Emperor. Carson just looked at it without taking, so the financial officer carefully placed it on the desk. Tap, tap, tap—the consistent sound of tapping on the desk heightened the tension in the surroundings.

“The detailed information is inside there.”

When it came to money, Carson had a keen sense. However, the term “currency reform” was something he was encountering for the first time, and with too many variables, he couldn’t readily understand its contents. Moreover, he couldn’t grasp their intentions.

“Take a look if you will…”

“No, no. I’m not sure if you’re finally trying to do something sensible or if you’re trying to stir up another affair, so I don’t understand right now.”

At Carson’s explicit words, the delegates chuckled and smoothed their voices. It felt like they were all part of the same act, hiding their true intentions.

It was easier with the former Empress.

She consistently harbored ill will toward Carson.

Carson shook his head, rising from his seat.

As he stood up, everyone in the meeting room also stood up. Carson momentarily glanced at the documents on the table and then lifted them up as if to say something.

“Examine it.”

With that statement, he promptly left the meeting room. As Noah followed behind Carson, he approached when he judged that they were away from the people.

“What other scheme is he trying to pull off?”

“Well, this time, I really don’t have a clue.”

“But he didn’t release this statement without any reason, did he?”

“Who knows? People aren’t fools enough not to realize that they can’t lead the life of nobility without a country, so they might really be trying to work, or not.”

“That’s true. Except for the high-ranking nobles and wealthy, everyone else is having a hard time.”

“Maybe they’re trying to properly handle this matter and further solidify their position…”

Noah nodded.

“We’ll have to wait and see.”

“Yes, if you have no other orders, I’ll look into the laws regarding the authority to appoint officials.”

In the Keynes Empire, the five most important rights of the imperial family were military authority, financial authority, judicial authority, diplomatic authority, and the authority to appoint officials. Besides, what gave the Emperor the most powerful influence was the support of the imperial citizens.

However, garnering support from the imperial citizens was not easy, and the nobles always stuck together like bugs.

“It’ll be difficult to find something proper. The authority to appoint officials practically has no meaning.”

Among them, judicial authority had maintained a relatively independent system, so there was no reason for conflict between the imperial family and the nobility.

However, the law had always maintained a close relationship with the temple. For that reason, the judicial authority was considered to be on Carson’s side now. However, they could not be sure when they would move according to their understanding.

The one that Carson could be considered to have completely taken over was military authority. Because of this, the nobles couldn’t easily dispute his decisions.
However, under the feudal system, nobles could have their own private armies, and their military power was always a shield for the imperial family, occasionally becoming a sharp blade directed inward.

Among them, Mannisut had the largest private army. Of course, this didn’t mean he could raise an army at will.

In simpler terms, unless his life was at stake, he wouldn’t try to mobilize his knights.

“Sigh…”

Once again, Carson entered the most difficult phase of enduring the waiting period.

“I hate this feeling the most.”

“What feeling are you talking about?”

“The feeling of wanting to end it all right away.”

Noah was the most understanding subordinate about the cause of his frustration.

“Now, won’t the outline of the Emperor faction and the nobility faction gradually become clear?”

“Well… What difference will that make?”

Diplomatic authority was practically in Carson’s hands.

Currently, the country actively trading with Keynes was the neighboring small country, Yamantha, to the east. And to the northeast was Emhain.

The small country Emhain was practically under the control of Keynes, so it was a bit unreasonable to scrutinize diplomatic relations.

The direct trading rights of Yamantha were all in Landhill, and the new king of Fuldain was friendly to Carson.

So, diplomacy was not a problem.

The problem was the authority over finance and the appointment of officials.

Finance and appointment of officials were so closely intertwined that all procedural issues were decided by the imperial committee, composed of nobles.

“It may still be lacking, but we should be able to build up our influence soon.”

“What difference will it make to drop a few drops of clean water into a dirty puddle?”