The Billionaire CEO Becomes the Youngest Emperor-Chapter 11 - : Lancaster Merchant Empire

I really didn't expect this. Even though I'd told Chris I'd go see the Saint, I knew full well it wouldn't be that simple.

The hierarchy between empires was absolute across the entire continent, and it was even more so for the five most powerful ones.

No foreigner was allowed to set foot there. They traded with no one—except among themselves. They conducted no external commerce.

A clear strategy to keep power firmly in their hands.

And yet, only these five empires had healers so powerful they could bring the dead back to life. They saw themselves as God's chosen emissaries.

The only exceptions to this iron rule were the continent's protectors: the Sword Gods, the Evaluators—also called Druids—and mages ranked 9 and above.

The card I held in my hand was a universal key, granting access to the sacred services of the five holy cathedrals of these empires.

And there was only one person who could've gotten this for me: Selene.

Honestly, I couldn't figure that woman out.

---

Lucian sat on his throne, lost in thought. The reason was simple: he was presiding over the second day of the noble gathering.

Tuesday, 9:30 a.m.

The massive throne room was packed, every corner filled. But unlike the day before, not a single murmur could be heard. The atmosphere was heavy, suffocating.

Everyone was expecting more revelations.

If this empire—already fragile on the outside—was just as unstable within... it was only a matter of time before it fell into the hands of external forces.

All eyes were fixed on Lucian—the young, unpredictable emperor—waiting to hear what he'd say next.

Some were curious. Others? They were sweating bullets, dreading the possibility that their corruption and schemes might come to light.

Suddenly, his voice echoed through the hall:

— "First of all, I thank you for answering my call a second time."

He rose and slowly descended the steps of the throne.

— "He's not going to do it again... is he?" someone whispered.

Chris Once again the steps of the throne to the immense table of the assembly

Without a word, Lucian climbed onto the table.

No one dared speak. The whispers from the day before had vanished. Everyone knew the risk. The humiliating fall of the Clerc family was still fresh in their minds.

Lucian looked down at them, a half-smile playing on his lips.

A suffocating silence fell as Lucian began pacing slowly along the table, his eyes piercing every face.

— "Hmm... You really don't need to panic so much, dear nobles."

His gaze swept across the room, his smirk growing wider, clearly savoring their palpable tension.

— "In truth, I already know exactly how 70% of you have committed acts deserving severe punishment..."

The room froze. Faces went pale—even among the heirs.

— "But don't worry, that's not today's subject. Besides, I intend to wrap up this meeting quickly... for reasons of my own."

With slow, measured steps, Lucian continued pacing the table—like a predator sizing up its prey.

— "I know you're all wondering how this 'pathetic emperor' could change so drastically in such a short time..."

This content is taken from fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm.

His light, mocking tone echoed through the hall.

— "By the way, someone 'interesting' even suggested that I might be under the influence of a dark mage. And I know many of you have theories just as... fascinating about me."

His childish, relaxed voice—paired with his exaggerated gestures and mocking tone—made it clear that he was in complete control of this stage.

— "But the real question you should be asking yourselves is this: Was he really a failure?"

The entire hall held its breath. Eyes widened. Even Angelos looked taken aback. The whispers rose quickly.

— "What does he mean?"

— "I don't know... but as long as we don't end up like the Clerc family, it's fine."

Lucian let the silence stretch, relishing the effect of his words.

— "I gave you time..." he finally said, his voice soft but icy. "I thought that, as seasoned elders, you'd be capable of managing the empire."

He stopped, his eyes scanning the room.

— "I watched. For a long time. Pretending to be a failure... just so you'd lower your guard. And on that front, I must say—it was a resounding success, wasn't it?"

A cruel smile stretched across his lips.

They'll swallow this lie... after all, even a goddess fell for it.

Slowly, Lucian raised his thumb... and then, in a deliberate, theatrical motion, turned it downward—his devilish grin never wavering.

That single gesture was enough to freeze the blood of every noble in the room.

The sheer confidence and intensity he displayed sparked different reactions from the crowd.

— "Hmm... so the kid's like this?" a woman with short black hair and luxurious clothes murmured, seated beside a towering man with fiery red hair.

— "Haha! Didn't I tell you? My eyes never lie. This boy... he's a born businessman."

The one speaking was none other than Angelos Red, exchanging words with Countess Octavia Moon.

Suddenly, Lucian's soft, singsong voice brought the room back to silence.

— "You've really disappointed me..." he said, his tone slow and drawn-out. "But I'll be merciful. No one else will suffer the fate of the Clerc family—because, after all, none of you have yet betrayed the empire by colluding with a neighboring kingdom."

A sigh of relief swept through the hall. But Lucian wasn't done.

"However... we are entering a new era."

His voice grew sharper, more commanding.

"I will change everything. I will reset this empire. From today onward, with the exception of the imperial family and Grand Duke Angelos... you will all lose your noble titles."

A chill ran through the room.

— "Huh?!"

— "What?! That's impossible!"

— "This must be a joke!"

— "This will never happen!"

Shouts of protest erupted from every corner, the tension rising to its peak.

Clap. Clap. Clap.

The sound of Lucian's applause cut through the chaos like a knife. Still standing on the table, he surveyed the crowd with a look of amusement.

"You all seem to forget one crucial thing..." His voice turned icy, each word carrying a weight of undeniable authority.

"I am the Emperor. And from now on, I am absolute."

A self-assured smile spread across his youthful face.

"Oh... and you all know exactly who supports me, don't you?"

An emotional rollercoaster — that's what this meeting had become. Yesterday's shock was nothing compared to today's upheaval. Fear, anger, astonishment, and a strange sense of excitement mingled, creating an explosive cocktail.

Lucian smiled. The show was just getting started.

A soft yet authoritative female voice rose from the back of the room, drawing every eye toward its source. Octavia Moon, a respected and influential countess, sat beside Angelos. Her poised demeanor and piercing gaze commanded instant silence.

"Your Majesty," she began calmly, "you may have a point. But wouldn't stripping us of our titles be... counterproductive, given that we are potentially doomed to fall?"

A slow, dangerous smirk curled Lucian's lips, his eyes gleaming with mischievous intent. He clapped slowly, each sharp sound echoing in the tense hall.

"Excellent question, Countess. But the answer is no. This empire will not fall — at least, not under my reign."

He paused, sweeping his gaze over the room like a predator sizing up its prey.

"That is why I will only work with the competent from now on. I don't care about birth — whether noble or commoner. From this day forward, only results will matter. And frankly, I believe the commoners have far more potential than this decaying nobility, rotting from corruption and bribery."

Silence fell, heavy and oppressive. Even Octavia, usually so composed, seemed shaken.

"I trust that answers your question," he continued, his youthful voice slicing through the air like a blade. "As of this moment, this declaration takes effect. You are all stripped of your noble ranks. If anyone wishes to contest this... they are welcome to face me. But know this — if you're not beyond reproach, you will bear the consequences of your actions."

A shiver ran through the assembly. Nervous whispers broke out as Lucian extended his hand toward the center of the room.

Chris, his face pale and his hands trembling, stepped forward and placed the imperial flag — red and emblazoned with the hawk emblem — into the young emperor's hands.

Lucian slowly raised the fabric, his gaze never leaving the crowd. When he spoke, his voice was low and solemn.

"This empire will be reborn. All past laws and decrees are hereby rendered obsolete. We will never again be the weakest. Never again the Thirteenth Empire."

Before their horrified eyes, he tossed the flag into the flames of a nearby candelabrum. The cloth caught fire instantly, crackling as the ancient symbol of their nation turned to ashes.

Absolute shock gripped the room. Burning the imperial flag... it was an act of sacrilege, one that could incite war. But what happens when the emperor himself commits this act of rebellion?

Lucian watched the flag disintegrate, satisfaction flickering in his eyes.

We don't need that anymore, he thought, a cruel smile playing on his lips.

Turning back to the assembly, he held up a sheet of paper he had carefully prepared that morning.

"This... is the design of our new flag."

Anxious murmurs spread through the room as he revealed the drawing.

A thumbs-down symbol, bold and unyielding — a sign of judgment and rejection. On either side, the unmistakable symbol of the dollar, shining and provocative.

The blood of many nobles ran cold.

"As for our name — forget the Thirteenth Empire. From now on, we are the Lancaster Merchant Empire."

What?!

The uproar exploded.

— "You've lost your mind!"

— "This is treason!"

— "This... this is impossible!"

The protests grew louder, more frantic and desperate than ever. Insults flew, but Lucian remained unfazed.

He knew exactly why they were so terrified. Replacing a numerical designation with an official name was a privilege reserved for the nine most powerful empires. Any empire that proclaimed itself needed to prove its legitimacy within a year — and failure meant total annihilation.

The evaluators, those powerful arbiters, were said to surpass even ninth-rank mages.

Lucian reveled in their panic.

"THAT CONCLUDES EVERYTHING. HAVE A GREAT DAY, DEAR COMMONERS!" he called out in an exaggeratedly cheerful tone.

Without sparing a backward glance at the raging crowd, he stepped down from the table and strolled toward

his chambers.

Now... onto the next phase of the plan. All this politics has exhausted me.

---

Final line (Lucian's inner thought):

I really underestimated the people of this other world... I'm so screwed.