The Infallible Monarch

Reynald was shocked speechless, but he could not show it to others. After recollecting his thoughts, he could only take advantage of it, "From now on, Asturas shall expand her reaches and its policies. The people can practice any religion that they wish in accordance to their proper rights and obligations to the Empire as said in any previous laws that I have enacted, and be subjected to rewards and punishments according to their actions and not because of their simple belief. As the Emperor, I guarantee that the Empire shall become a safe haven for all her people!"

"Now, there shall be two official religions within the Empire— The Churches of Amanael and Espherel— where people can worship their deities as they please. The first Church of Amanael shall be established tomorrow within the Imperial City of Tel-Nobron, and shall expand to other cities within her and her constituents. I invite all the subjects of Asturas who can come to the Imperial Capital tomorrow."

After saying that, with a 'click', his connection with all the people in the Empire was cut. Everyone in the room was looking at him in horror. A second later, Archduke Aquineas burst into laughter, saying whilst holding his stomach, "As soon as you heard that you were being broadcasted throughout the Empire, you announced the very words that the ministers in this room were preventing you to spread? How hilarious."

Empress Athenasia, who was at the side, shook her head and sighed, "It already has come to this. We'll just deal with the problems as they come."

"What you're doing is de-stabilizing the Empire that we managed so hard to settle down!" The ministers below shouted at him vehemently, fully disregarding his status as the Emperor.

"Mind you that the only reason you are seated on that throne is because Lord Genarion—" They weren't even allowed to continue as three cold and suffocating pressures descended upon every single one of them. Those that didn't dare to speak up resented those who spoke, for everyone knew that it was taboo to speak of the late Lord's name in front of the Three Grand Pillars of Asturas, especially when being used to discredit the current emperor.

"If you don't have anything helpful to say, please refrain from commenting such drivel." The Empress Athenasia, now standing in front of her throne, uttered stonily as she glowered at the rebelling ministers.

"The late Lord Genarion has handed over the Asturian Throne over to the Emperor in front of all the ministers. Saying such things could equate to treason against the late Lord's will." Archduke Aquineas, having lost his cheerful expression earlier and replaced by an emotion colder than ever before, soullessly stated whilst his head rested upon his crumpled fist.

Reynald, now radiating an aura vastly different from his Imperial stature, glared at the shaking ministers below and said with condemnation, "Genarion was an important friend of mine, and you daring to speak his name just to berate me is something I can tolerate less than rebelling against me. Speak as such once more and you wouldn't even know when your heads would be rolling upon my bloodied floor."

"W-We apologize, Your Majesty! P-Please have mercy on us!" The ministers grimaced as they fell groveling to the floor.

With their apologies, the three auras finally subsided, but it was then followed by Reynald. Saying unto them, "What's done is done. The Empire of Asturas will go towards this route. If you don't want to involve yourselves in this matter, then feel free to relinquish your titles and authority and go do whatever you please, as long as it doesn't meddle with imperial affairs."

Everyone looked at him with a surprise in their eyes. It seems that the Emperor is adamant on taking on this matter despite all the hindrances that he would face.

Seeing this as an opportunity, more than half of the ministers within the room immediately stepped down from their posts, which was anticipated by him. As the Emperor, he didn't stay idle throughout his absence in the populace's eyes.

He knew that most of the ministers who stepped down were either adamant followers of the Khalian Faith, while the others have questionable allegiances. Even if they did not step down, he would've found an opportunity to clean them up sooner or later.

Good riddance.

Now, looking at those who remained, he realized that almost all of them were officials that had been staying with him since the beginning; at the time of his rule as a small Count within the unstable Kingdom of Eserliche. Some were people who joined later, but remained loyal to him due to their own reasons. From having 70 ministers in service to him that attended the assembly, 25 remained. Throughout the Empire, there are at least 4000 officials that are currently governing the cities, towns, and villages. He anticipates that at least half of them would go rogue or silently step down after this.

It is a shame, but it is a price he was willing to pay. Although he had abolished the hierarchical nobility that remained from the ashes of the old kingdoms and states that were crushed by his Empire in the past, their power had been deeply seethed into the land that they had resided at for centuries that it hasn't been easy rooting them out. Using this chaotic times as an opportunity, he can finally cleanse his Empire of those corrupting filth.

"Those that remained here, are you sure of your decisions?" Reynald asked them sincerely and looking at each and every one of them intently, "The journey ahead is perilous, and re-organizing the government will be tiring. Are you prepared to take on such feats?"

Everyone was silent at first, until one voice broke it, "Since you were but the young Impossible Earl of Castille, I have seen your miracles one after the other. I have also seen your dedication on transforming our lives for the better. It is unquestionable that my loyalty shall always lie with you, Your Majesty. Through thick and thin." An old, thin-eyed minister whose white hair was tied to a high ponytail, replied to him with a chuckle.

Hearing the nickname "Impossible Earl of Castille", the ministers who originated from the small Earldom of Castille laughed as their old memories kicked in. Even Reynald couldn't help but smile when regarded as that. Remembering all those feats that made everyone's jaws gaping which earned him that nickname made him miss those times.