389 Sudden Request
--AN) I changed the release time for this to 7pm EST. It makes things easier for me, and I do not need to rush chapters as much.--
"While I do hope for a future where things are different from how they are now, I also hope for a peaceful future as well. While I plan to do as much as I can diplomatically as your Empress and try to form peaceful ties through alliances, I know this will not always be the case. I do not wish for war. I do not wish to take anyone's land, but if the continent we are living on is not united, how will we face the greater threats that may come in the future? Just a short while ago, I formed an alliance with the elves. We did this peacefully, and now our people are able to trade freely between our nations.
"This is a peaceful way of uniting and becoming one but….. There is still slavery in this world. There are people who despise our way of life and think either demi humans or humans should be enslaved. I know there is unrest, and some races can not forgive the other, but it is a proven fact that by me standing here now that humans and demi humans can get along. We do not need to despise each other. We do not need to hate each other. We can coexist without issue and even learn to love one another." I turned and pulled Adel forward along with Sophie. Iena and Diablo also stepped forward as well. This was all planned ahead of time, so this was no surprise to them.
"As you can see. I not only have a human wife. But also a foxkin wife. A demon wife and even a demon husband. I love all four of them dearly and will give my life for them. I will not sit still and allow what is easily attainable to disrupt the harmony of our empire. And I can not sit by when greater threats loom overhead, and we are all still at odds over petty things." Back on earth, I never understood war. What was the point? Send your soldiers out for them to get killed and rile up the people of your homeland. Why interfere in other people's way of living? Why do things that make no sense? Why fight when it will only bring more suffering?
All these questions always went through my mind any time I watched the news with my father and mother during that time. But now…. As I say all of this. I understand the meaning of war. While lives may be lost but if the cause of the war has meaning, then maybe the war is truly for a good cause. Whether my cause is right or not is another story.
I do not want people to die, nor do I wish for people to suffer the loss of their loved ones. This is why, if we go to war, I will stand on the front lines with my own people. I will help them survive as I try my best to bring peace to this continent so we can focus on those who wish to cause trouble from behind the scenes.
I let out a long sigh as I continued: "I do not want war. I want to settle things peacefully, and if it comes to war, I will stand with those who are sent to the battlefield. I will stand at your side and watch over you and protect you with everything I have.
"As your new empress, I will work hard to protect this empire and its people." With this, I bowed my head. The crowd below me was dead silent. I probably should have kept a lot of what I said a secret, but this is what I needed to do. I could not lie to my people. And…. It was a warning to the kingdoms of this continent. I will be looking to form alliances even if I must use force.
It was only after a few minutes did clap and cheering begin to fill the streets. The silence was overtaken by the sounds of them chanting my name. I let out a sigh of relief that I did not scare the citizens too much. But I had to be as honest as possible. I did not wish to lie to them.
With the coronation now reaching its end. I decided to mingle with the people a bit. So I did not hesitate to jump off the golem and landed down in the crowd. As I did, the citizens went crazy and began cheering once more. It was not normal for the leader of a nation to suddenly appear in the crowd like this.
I looked at those around me and smiled as I walked the street. Many people came up to say hello, while others stood to the side and watched from afar. It was not until I sat down that a young man wearing ragged clothing walked up to me. He seemed hesitant at first, but he had a look of determination on his face. "Your hiiiighness!" Oh! His voice squeaked.
"Yes?" I asked as I looked at the young man.
"Do…. Do you have to go to war?" The young man asked.
"When the time comes, yes, but….. I will not force anyone who does not wish to fight. I will not force my people to do something they do not want to do. Although I will be opening the military up to allow new recruits from all walks of life to join, I will not force anyone to become a soldier." This I was firm about. I never planned to institute a draft unless it was absolutely needed. Bright minds would be lost if too many went onto the battlefield. I wanted my people to make the choice for themselves on how they wished to live their lives. Some would be willing, while others would not. It is not my place to tell them how to live.
"I-I see…. Your Highness…. May I know when you will be allowing for new recruitment? And will there be a way to get an advance in payment?" The young man clenched his fist. I guess this is what he was getting at.
Occasionally missing content, please report errors in time.
Read lat𝙚st chapters at fre(𝒆)webnovel.com Only