I just reached the maximum level, and you want me to be a puppet emperor?

Chapter 591 The Two Emperors Reunite, Is It That Simple? (Please Subscribe, Please Vote for Monthly Tickets)

Meanwhile, in the palace of the Eternal Day Empire, Emperor Charles was discussing important matters with several trusted ministers in the council chamber.

Gilded candlesticks cast a flickering glow in the center of the long table, which was covered with files and maps.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer was reporting on the allocation of funds for the border troops, while the Chief Steward was quietly reporting on the recent unusual movements among the nobles.

Charles's brow was furrowed with an unyielding gloom; the plans they were making must not be leaked out in the slightest.

Just then, there was a knock on the heavy, carved wooden door of the council chamber. Before there was a response, the commander of the Imperial Guards, Layton, strode in, his silver armor gleaming coldly in the candlelight.

He walked straight to Charles, leaned down and whispered, his voice soft, yet everyone in the quiet hall perked up their ears.

"Your Majesty, the Pope's personal guard requests an audience."

Charles stopped abruptly, looked up at Layton, a barely perceptible hint of surprise in his eyes: "The Papal Guard? The one who just wiped out the Blood Demon Society a few days ago?"

“It is him.” Layton lowered his voice even further. “He came alone and is right outside the palace gates right now.”

The room became so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

The ministers exchanged glances, and the air suddenly became thick and tense.

Is the sudden visit of the Pope's personal guards at this sensitive moment a coincidence, or has His Majesty, who lives deep within the Papal Palace, already sensed something?
The extermination of the Blood Demon will demonstrate the Holy See's unparalleled military power. Is their arrival a warning, a reprimand, or a deeper test?

Countless dark speculations surged in everyone's minds, as if they could see the shadow of the Vatican silently descending upon them.

Charles was silent for a moment, his eyes shifting with emotion before finally settling into a calm, even enigmatic expression: "Bring him in."

Layton accepted the order and left. No one spoke again in the council chamber, and a sense of impending doom filled the air.

The ministers stood with their heads bowed, their hearts pounding as they secretly pondered the intentions of this mysterious bodyguard and what changes he would bring to the already delicate relationship between the royal family and the papacy.

Footsteps approached from afar, the door opened again, and a tall figure walked in against the light.

He was dressed in the robes of the Papacy, yet he possessed an air of profound and imposing authority, as if he had stepped into his own private courtyard rather than the core of imperial power.

His gaze swept over everyone in the hall, finally settling on Charles, who sat at the head of the table. A slight smile played on his lips, and his tone was as casual as if he were greeting an old friend:

"Charles, it's been a long time."

The moment those words were spoken, the entire room was astonished!

Several senior officials looked up abruptly, their faces filled with disbelief, shock, and anger.

Arrogant! Rude! In this Eternal Day Empire, apart from the Pope himself, who dares to address His Majesty the Emperor by his first name without any respect?
This is blatant blasphemy! The Chancellor of the Exchequer was so angry that his beard trembled, and he was about to shout a rebuke.

However, something even more astonishing happened.

Far from being angry, Charles abruptly stood up from his seat, his face instantly breaking into a genuine, even slightly surprised, smile. He strode around from behind the table to greet the newcomer. "Hahaha! It's been a long time indeed!" he laughed heartily, even patting the newcomer's arm affectionately. Then, turning to the group of ministers who were still in a state of shock, he said in an unquestionable tone, "All of you, step back."

The Steward of the Household opened his mouth, seemingly wanting to remind His Majesty to pay attention to regulations and security, but was interrupted by Charles before he could speak.

His Majesty the Emperor's sharp gaze swept across the room, carrying an unprecedented sense of oppression: "Didn't you hear me? Everyone, get out immediately!"

The ministers dared not say another word, suppressing their shock and horror, bowing their heads and filing out one after another, their hearts already filled with turbulent waves.

Once only the two of them remained in the council chamber, Charles's smile grew even warmer as he led Li Chen away, saying, "It's not convenient to talk here, let's go to my study."

Passing through a long corridor adorned with portraits of emperors from various dynasties, you arrive at the emperor's private study.

Charles dismissed his attendants and closed the door himself.

The study is elegantly and comfortably furnished, with a huge desk, a soft couch and a tea table for relaxation.

Charles then led Li Chen to sit down side by side on the soft couch.

After chatting for a while, Charles felt something was missing and called out, "Bring out the finest 'Morning Dew and Sunshine' tea, along with the freshly presented honey-flavored tea snacks!"

A maidservant entered carrying a tea tray, her head bowed. When she saw the unfamiliar guest sitting side by side with His Majesty the Emperor on the same couch, her hand trembled, and the delicate porcelain cup made a crisp clinking sound as it was shaken.

She was so frightened that her face turned pale, and she hurriedly knelt down to beg for forgiveness, her heart almost leaping out of her chest.

Good heavens! She has served His Majesty for many years and has never seen anyone who can sit on equal footing with him! Who is this person?!
Charles simply waved her hand to reassure her and to serve tea as soon as possible.

The maidservant set out the tea and snacks with trepidation and fled as if she were escaping. Her mind was blank, with only those deep eyes that met His Majesty's gaze as equals, or even more calmly and serenely.

The study door closed gently, completely shutting out any outside prying eyes and suspicions.

"Why did you come? Why didn't you tell me sooner? I would have arranged a state banquet for you." Charles and Li Chen definitely knew each other.

It's quite normal for these two to be on equal footing, as they are both rulers of superpowers.

Li Chen smiled calmly, his fingertips casually stroking the warm porcelain cup. His gaze swept over the royal treasures displayed in the study, and his tone was as relaxed as if he were talking about the weather: "As you know, I can't sit still. I like to wander around. This time, I happened to have the token given to me by the Pope, so it was only natural for me to experience the local customs and culture in your Eternal Day. It's much more interesting than a state banquet with a large entourage."

Upon hearing this, Charles leaned back on the brocade cushions of the soft couch, his face showing genuine envy, along with a touch of the helplessness unique to emperors: "I really envy you being so carefree. As for me? If I leave the palace for more than half a day, the memorials from those ministers can pile up on this table, as if the sky has fallen. It's incredibly annoying."

He subtly changed the subject, seemingly casually bringing it up, but his sharp eyes were catching Li Chen's most subtle reaction: "However, I heard that during your 'experience in life,' you used your identity as a member of the Pope's personal guard to wipe out the Blood Demon Society at one end? That caused quite a stir."

Li Chen sighed, his expression quite helpless, as if complaining about a troublesome matter: "It was purely an accident. Wasn't it you who kept mentioning to me last time that 'the doctrines of the Holy See are beneficial to maintaining stability' and advised me to promote them in Tian Ce? I had to come and investigate in person, right?"

He shrugged and continued, “You need a proper identity. The Pope just happened to give you a token, so you people here have assumed you’re ‘personal guards.’ I really admire you devout believers. You’re so enthusiastic, always ‘reporting clues’ and ‘requesting the personal guards to make a decision.’ I’ve tried to decline several times, saying I didn’t want to get involved, but they were unusually persistent. In the end, they just casually crushed that nest of rats.”

Charles leaned forward slightly, his eyes filled with even more inquiry: "Is it that simple?"

That's the president of the Blood Demon Society, someone the Holy See hasn't been able to deal with for years, and you just wiped him out so easily?
(End of this chapter)