HERO OF DARKNESS

Chapter 1113  Purge or Praise?

Vildred laid out the idea. A method that was tried and tested in the almighty Dragon Empire that would solve all of their problems.

However… the plan involved a merciless genocide. A thought that shook the atmosphere of the room.

Even the Revenant Sovereign, a 9th-stage saint, was shocked when he heard the proposition.

Kahn, Omega, Lucian, and Morrigan were no exception to this surprise.

"Ah, that seems a little excessive, don't you think?" he asked Vildred.

"I know. Plus the aftermath will take some time to settle in because people are always averse to change in the initial period, even if that change is for their good." iterated Vildred in a calm but despondent tone.

"Well, it is indeed an effective way. But the backlash would be terrifying. Also, it would destabilize the whole empire, and we don't have years to wait for the new government to get everything under order," said Kahn in a contemplative tone.

"How many Saints does the imperial side have?" he asked Morrigan.

"So far, we know of the 71 Saints. Some are also known to hide their original rank.

There are also 41 Saints appointed by the Senate that have high positions in their organizations." revealed the high priestess.

"Wow, counting ones from the Cult… that's at least 152 Saints in just this empire.

Even Rakos Empire had 120 at maximum." said Kahn.

"Help me understand how all the 3 mediums of powers rule this nation together?" he queried.

"The nobles and royals still own plenty of territory like in the past. However, the people living in those territories are no longer the subjects of the nobles such as Barons, Counts, or Dukes.

Every person is a citizen of the empire by law and no one owns anyone. Even the nobles are kept in check and all their servants or forces are employed through legal means.

The Knights and Saints however… maintain the right to employ these powerhouses with their own wealth and aren't obligated to reveal their fees.

As for the Senate, they are dependent on their nobles' houses and royals to pay taxes and also allow the territory to be used for tasks such as mining, farming, and harvesting natural resources.

The Senate has to pay these local lords like one has to pay a landlord to live in a house. There are also a lot of concessions and tax exemptions given. All so that people can have jobs and the economy flows without trouble." explained the succubus.

"Then how does the Cult come into this co-dependant government?" questioned Kahn skeptically.

"Well, at the core, people still have faith in the cult since our culture and tradition remained unshaken. Also, the cult and all of the institutions such as monasteries, temples, and cathedrals are places of worship and religious beliefs.

So they are also exempt from many forms of taxes and laws. Because there have been times when both the Royals and the Senate tried to subject us to those rules… As a result, the whole empire turned against them.

Because in the end… what nation could have its own identity without culture and beliefs?

A place that is home to all is home to none." spoke the high priestess, her tone filled with grace.

"Well, I can agree to that. No matter how multicultural a nation wants to be… it loses its own existence when people do not have the faith or religion that ties them to their homeland.

One must have roots in their nation, otherwise… who would fight to protect it?" responded Kahn.

Kahn had an unrestrained mindset that would get him canceled in the modern world of Earth. But he felt no fear in expressing his honest opinion.

"Correct. And the cult also has the authority to mete out justice when innocent lives are harmed in the name of religious conflicts. We're not just enforcers of God of Darkness, but we also protect the very essence of the Abyss Empire." iterated Morrigan proudly.

Even though he was an atheist on earth, Kahn did not underestimate the importance of values, beliefs, religion, and culture. He just didn't like it when people went around killing other people just because their core outlook on these things was different.

"So in the end, everyone is in power while no one is truly in power… am I correct?" asked Kahn.

"Yes. Because unlike other empires… even if you have powerful saints… the other two sides have the means to overthrow you. And people are the most important part of the reign.

Even Gods need people to worship and follow them." spoke Argos in a pragmatic tone as he continued.

"Because even a God cannot hold a territory. But people can." he declared in an authoritative tone.

The room turned dead silent because no matter how they looked at it, they wouldn't have a justifiable cause to control the narrative.

Because even when the Great War was to begin, there would be a lot of opposition from within their own house.

Even Kahn with his undead Legion of summoned monsters, the forces of Sparta, and now the Cult of Darkborne; knew that it would not be enough to compete on even grounds with the others.

Hell, even these established empires with thousands of years of history were not confident in themselves, thus forming an alliance under the pretext of hunting the new Hero of Darkness.

So unless Kahn solved this issue and unified the Abyss Empire in one banner… their involvement would be futile and bring them nothing but defeat and meaningless loss of life.

"I have few plans and strategies to overthrow all of our opposition in a matter of months. However, it will be a bloody mess as well and regardless of how much public support we have… it won't be a unified nation after I'm done.

That's why I propose a different idea." spoke Kahn as a devilish smirk appeared on his face. "Since we need the majority of at least two main governing factions of the empire to lead the people during the upcoming war…" spoke Kahn as he proposed an idea.

"How about we take over the Senate as well?" he spoke.

"What?! Would that even be possible?

It's not like we're taking over the position of some village chief and the bare necessary vote would be enough.

And we're talking about leading the empire into a war here. There will be millions of lives lost since even a chosen Hero like yourself cannot be present everywhere.

Even, I, as one of the four sovereigns couldn't do that despite my strength.

Did you think I haven't had such ideas despite both my strength and experience in governing a whole kingdom?" admonished Argos, making a sound criticism of Kahn's idea.

"You are indeed correct about that, sir Argos. But your means of reign and authority comes from either exerting strength or getting the support of the people through acknowledgment.

My idea, however… has a different approach. Although it may seem difficult; as long as I have the full support of every person present here… it can work." he spoke.

"Is that so? Then what is this ingenious plan of yours? Mind explaining that?" asked the Revenant Sovereign.

"Alright then, listen…" For the next hour, Kahn explained his deliberate plan with every step in detail.

The more everyone in the room heard about it, the more questions arose as they made their queries.

However, Kahn had the answers and the best solution to overcome all the possible hurdles and unfavorable circumstances.

And finally, after all of them were done… the room now had a completely different atmosphere compared to an hour ago.

Instead of being gloomy and pessimistic, now all of them were rather hopeful and excited.

Morrigan's face was flushed red with questionable excitement as she kept glancing at Kahn and then averting her eyes with a smile.

Argos and Lucian had bewildered countenances despite having far more experience than Kahn as saints and people in authority.

Omega was proud of his master as usual. Vildred, casually sipped the tea while trying to hide his grin as if saying, 'That's expected of my disciple'.

[Kid, I've taught you well.] spoke Rathnaar in Kahn's mind.

[Shut up, you old coot! You didn't teach me anything.] retorted Kahn, rolling his eyes at the Peak Saint's shamelessness.

It was then, Lucian and Argos spoke telepathically…

[My lord… It's good that the young lord is on our side and not one of the other empires.

How can we fall short compared to a young man like this despite our age and wisdom?

It's as if he has experience in toppling empires and flipping over the government again and again, over and over.] said the burly and muscular golden-haired vampire.

[You are right. Maybe just his own experience or the perspective he has over the authority and the common people.

He thought of ten steps ahead in just a few minutes and has backup plans even for his backup plans.

No matter how I feel about this strategy. One thing is for sure…] replied Argos Belmont, the Revenant Sovereign of Vantrea…

[This man… is fucking diabolical.]

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