Chapter 106

The Taste of Power

Now that he had heard their opinions, it was Ferda’s turn to speak.

“I understand your wishes. I would like to express my gratitude for the tireless effort you have put into building a new village under the principality.”

Despite his words of gratitude, his gaze looked sharp enough to split them apart molecule by molecule.

Realizing this himself, Ferda took a deep breath and brought his emotions under control.

“Recently, an unfortunate incident resulted in thirty casualties. Four of them died, and all four were civilians. Their deaths weigh heavily not only upon you, but upon me as well.”

That much was true.

“For that reason, I intend to redirect the manpower currently focused on buildings toward constructing a defensive wall. It will be designed to allow roughly one thousand citizens to live comfortably and will be large enough to accommodate as many as three thousand.”

Although Hanson was merely a laborer, he had spent enough time in the construction industry to roughly estimate how large an area that would be.

“The people constructing that wall will naturally have to begin work some distance away from the village.”

“Of course.”

“Then how do you intend to guarantee the safety of those workers?”

A solution to the solution.

It was an extremely simple question to answer.

“Do we not already have one?”

“What do you mean?”

“The warning bell installed in the center of the village. What do you think it is? It was created by the Chancellor of Escholeia, the city of scholars.”

At that, one of the more informed foremen made a fuss.

“If he’s the Chancellor of Escholeia, doesn’t that make him something like the lord of all those scholars?”

“If he’s their lord, then he must be the smartest one there.”

The title of Chancellor of Escholeia inspired confidence.

In reality, Bernard occupied a somewhat ambiguous position among the upper ranks of scholars, but there was no way these people would know that.

Ferda continued.

“We reinforced the alarm function of a monster-appearance prediction device and converted it into a warning bell. It detected the monsters’ approach and allowed everyone to evacuate quickly. That is also why the number of casualties was so low.”

Ferda tapped the document on the table with one finger.

“But people still died, did they not?”

“The losses were minimal. Far more could have died.”

Ferda spoke firmly.

“If you are curious about cases of monster attacks, I can provide as many examples as you wish. There have been more than thirty such incidents recently. By comparing them with what occurred here, I can explain how thoroughly we prevented a greater disaster. Would you like that explanation?”

His words were cold and solid, like steel.

It felt as though striking them with a soft fist would only result in one’s own hand breaking.

“Of course, I understand that this meeting is not an opportunity for me to display my knowledge. What you need is not merely an early warning system, but the power to kill the monsters themselves.”

Ferda closed his eyes.

A moment later, as though he had reached a decision, he spoke to them.

“Before long, I will issue you the magitech rifles being developed by Marquis Burnell. What do you think?”

Most of the foremen were visibly startled.

Even ordinary commoners had already heard of the magitech rifle’s reputation.

“Do you mean the weapon that killed one of those wolf monsters with a single shot?”

“Yes.”

Stephan, who had been listening, flinched in surprise and cautiously spoke up.

“Regent, regarding that matter, perhaps you should first discuss it with me—”

“Why should I?”

“Well, the prototype is supposed to be supplied elsewhere first, and we still need to present it to—”

Ferda frowned at Stephan.

“That weapon was created for the safety of the Far East. Those who work in the Far East should receive it first. Why should I care about people who live far away?”

“Of course, what you say is entirely correct, but—”

“There is no ‘but.’ I will not permit you to say another word on the matter, Stephan Pascal.”

“M-My apologies.”

Stephan immediately shrank back.

Ferda turned his attention to the foremen once again.

“So, what do you think, acting union leader?”

Hanson glanced at the other foremen.

Their expressions clearly told him to accept the offer immediately.

However, Hanson could not allow the matter to end so easily, so he cautiously searched for a flaw.

“We would, of course, be grateful for the Regent’s generosity. However, we are not well educated, so I wonder whether we would be capable of properly handling such weapons.”

“There is no need to worry. The geniuses I recruited are already taking care of that issue.”

Strictly speaking, it was an idiot taking care of it.

Even today, the geniuses were probably tearing their hair out because of that idiot.

“One bullet from that weapon is enough to kill a wolf monster. At the very least, five people should be capable of dealing with a single monster.”

“Oh....”

“Five people against one... That truly is an incredible weapon....”

The more they heard, the more captivated they appeared.

They were all country folk who had traveled to the Empire to earn money.

They might never have encountered the monsters created by the demons, but attacks by creatures such as goblins were common occurrences.

What they needed was not a standing army.

They needed the strength to defend themselves—or at least a means of doing so.

Ferda could give them the power to kill monsters.

Not merely ordinary monsters, but creatures that even paid mercenaries were reluctant to face.

It was something of profound value that money alone could not easily buy.

And Ferda was offering it to them without hesitation.

He was even willing to risk damaging his relationship with one of the wealthiest men in the Empire to do so.

He truly is someone who cares about the East.

Ferda studied their expressions.

It was obvious that nearly all of them had already been won over.

Just as Stephan predicted.

In truth, the strategy of offering them magitech rifles had been Stephan’s idea.

Three days earlier, after Stephan arrived, the two of them had discussed several possible scenarios.

One of them was to pretend they were making a generous concession.

From the beginning, the entire purpose of the magitech rifle had been to benefit civilians.

They had also intended to commercialize it first among the people of the Far East.

The laborers would simply receive theirs a little earlier.

And if necessary, I can turn them into a reserve force.

The workers would gain the power to kill monsters.

Ferda, meanwhile, would gain troops he could mobilize in an emergency.

It was a strategy that appeared mutually beneficial.

Of course, Hanson, the man who had placed himself at the forefront, would not want matters to end there.

After all, the offer was largely separate from their original demands.

“We sincerely thank the Consort of the Great Flame for the grace he has shown us, but we would also appreciate it if you would consider our demands.”

“Of course. This is separate from your demands. Since I am not particularly knowledgeable about that matter, I will pass the baton.”

The person who received that baton was Stephan Pascal.

He greeted them with an affable smile.

“My name is Stephan. I serve as the director of the Pascal Merchant Company. I am also expected to become the chairman of the entire company in the future, and at present, I act as the managing representative of the entire Dandolo Merchant Company as well.”

He was the future chairman of the greatest merchant company in the Empire and a man who was already managing even the second-most-powerful commercial group.

Although he was not a noble, he was a commoner who wielded power far beyond that of most aristocrats.

Naturally, the reason he recited all of those titles was to intimidate them.

“According to my investigation, you are currently employed by the administrator of Hestia Village through an outsourcing arrangement.”

“That is correct.”

“With this many laborers present, I also consider it a serious problem that no union has yet been established. After all, someone is needed to represent your collective voice.”

Stephan spoke as though he fully understood their circumstances.

“I, too, recognize the necessity of such a union for the peace and prosperity of the Far East. Therefore, I officially support the establishment of a labor union for the Principality of Valdrova—in other words, the Far Eastern Labor Union.”

Stephan turned the page and addressed their other demand.

“Furthermore, the current fifty-percent wage increase for both laborers and foremen will remain in effect. Each foreman will receive additional compensation based on the number of workers under their supervision, performance bonuses will be awarded according to results, and assistance with obtaining housing in the Far East will also be provided according to years of service.”

It was extraordinarily generous treatment.

So generous, in fact, that one had to wonder why they had not voiced these complaints sooner.

“It seems you had already reached an agreement regarding the union leader. Have you decided to recommend Mr. Hanson?”

“Yes.”

“Understood. Then Mr. Hanson will be appointed head of the Far Eastern Labor Union.”

Stephan swiftly wrote down the name, then politely clasped his hands together.

“In that case, we will now move on to matters that must be discussed with the union leader. From this point onward, only those of director rank or above will be permitted to remain. Will that be acceptable?”

One of the foremen frowned and protested.

“How are we supposed to know what kind of scheme you’ll cook up?”

“Just say whatever you have to say here.”

“As a rule, these matters should be discussed only with the union leader. I am already allowing the directors to remain as observers precisely because of the concerns you have raised.”

Including Hanson, there were three men of director rank.

Although the foremen still looked deeply uneasy, they had no choice but to vacate their seats.

Once the foremen had left and only the directors remained, Stephan began speaking in a markedly different tone.

“Then shall we begin the real discussion—the kind held between executives?”

“No matter what you try, we will not be swayed.”

“There is no need for you to be swayed. The reason I excluded the foremen is that this matter concerns something rather aristocratic.”

“Something aristocratic?”

Hanson immediately took the bait.

“Under the laws of the principality, ordinary citizens currently possess no political rights. Therefore, even if you become union leader, your position would effectively be inferior to that of a village chief.”

“That is correct.”

“When we discussed this matter beforehand, the Regent stated that he intended to make the head of the labor union a civic representative.”

“A civic representative?”

“Yes. In certain republics of the West, political rights are granted through such a position. To put it in terms more familiar under Imperial law... you may think of it as something akin to a baronet.”

A baronet!

Strictly speaking, it was not true nobility, but it was still a position that carried many noble privileges.

Was that not precisely the status Hanson had always desired?

“Therefore, should you become civic representative, your political rights will be guaranteed. You will also receive tax reductions and opportunities connected to commercial activity. In addition, a quarterly stipend will be provided to maintain the dignity of your office.”

Every benefit Stephan listed sank clearly into Hanson’s ears.

Even receiving his wages at sunset had never given him such pleasure.

Hanson found it extremely difficult to keep his expression under control.

It’s exactly as that mage said.

Complaints made people uncomfortable, and that discomfort led to compensation.

Hanson almost regretted not having conceived of such an idea sooner.

“Of course, these benefits are limited exclusively to the office of union leader. If you step down from the position, you will also lose your qualifications as civic representative. Do you understand?”

“Does that mean that if I cease to be union leader, I will become no different from an ordinary citizen?”

“The position will pass to your successor, and your successor will inherit the authority of civic representative.”

“Understood.”

“Do the other two gentlemen have any objections?”

The directors shook their heads.

“No objections.”

“That arrangement seems acceptable.”

“Then, Mr. Union Leader, please sign here.”

Stephan held out the contract.

Hanson reviewed its contents once more and signed it.

Thus, the council meeting concluded successfully.

That night, Hanson drank to his heart’s content.

Beginning tomorrow, he would no longer report to work as a mere director, but as the head of the Far Eastern Labor Union.

I’ll need an impressive nameplate and a proper chair... and I should start looking for a new house.

The road ahead seemed paved entirely with flowers.

The smile never left his face, and he was already eager to contact his relatives and family.

“You seem to be in a good mood.”

The voice of the impudent young mage reached his ears.

Hanson welcomed her enthusiastically.

“Oh! Please, come in, Mage!”

“Ha ha, don’t get up. And don’t even think about trying to shake my hand. So, how did it go?”

“Thanks to you, Mage, I became the union leader.”

“Congratulations. Now tell me exactly what happened.”

Thoroughly drunk, Hanson recounted everything that had occurred.

Yet unlike someone listening to a heroic tale, the mage’s expression grew progressively darker.

“And you accepted all of those terms as they were?”

“Of course. They granted every one of our demands, so how could I—”

“You useless, brain-dead bastard!”

The woman suddenly unleashed a torrent of abuse.

Hanson sobered instantly.

“W-Why are you so angry?”

“Didn’t you hear a word I told you, you moron? No, even a mole crawling through the dirt is better than you. At least moles have enough sense not to crawl upward! Do you even understand what you’ve done?”

When Hanson merely stared at her in confusion, the woman let out a long sigh.

“Damn it. If I had known this would happen, I should have disguised myself as a laborer and joined you personally, whether that man noticed me or not. It was my mistake to send a pack of idiots like you in alone!”

“What exactly have I done wrong?”

“What else? You climbed onto the execution platform yourself, tied the noose, and slipped it around your own neck!”

***

“A hero play?”

Ferda tilted his head in confusion.

Those words encapsulated the core of Stephan’s strategy.

“Doesn’t the story end with the Demon King’s death and the hero’s victory?”

“It does.”

“The Demon King dies within the story, but the actor playing him is not actually killed. This is something similar.”

“So we merely pretend.”

Stephan nodded.

“Whenever an incident occurs, the union leader will step forward while proclaiming himself a hero. He will defeat the wicked villain—the Regent—and claim a reward. In that way, the civic representative will gain the support of the opposition as well.”

Stephan grinned.

“All while they remain unaware that the two sides are secretly working together.”

“But Hanson is not currently on my side.”

Stephan nodded.

“He will soon bow his head from within the palm of your hand, Regent. He will have no other choice.”

“Explain.”

Stephan raised his index finger.

“First, some of our existing workers will be reassigned to the construction of the wall. Therefore, to ensure that urban development continues smoothly, we will need additional manpower.”

“Correct.”

“Considering the current circumstances, we will likely need to bring in another hundred workers. That means the labor union will gain one hundred new members.”

“Can we attract that many?”

“With the daily wages we are currently offering, they will have no choice but to come. It is enough money to make them set aside even their Imperial Dream for a while.”

There were currently 253 laborers.

However, ninety-eight of them had come from Halim and did not belong to the Far Eastern Labor Union.

That meant the union effectively had only 155 members.

An additional one hundred workers would soon join them.

Nearly two-fifths of the union would consist of fresh recruits.

“Factions will form.”

“Factions are likely already beginning to form.”

“Why?”

“That brings us to the second reason. As I mentioned earlier, only the civic representative receives privileges comparable to those of a noble.”

“Indeed.”

“What do you think will happen if we introduce elections for the position of union leader?”

Ferda understood.

“So that is why you pretended to bring in the directors merely as witnesses.”

“Yes. Unlike Hanson, whose vision was clouded by the power placed directly before him, those two appeared to understand the implications perfectly.”

Hanson was unlikely to be the only man with ambitions for power.

The others would instead think:

If Hanson could obtain it, why shouldn’t I?

“To preserve a faction during an election, they will need money. But will their wages alone give them enough influence to win people over?”

“No.”

“And what would men who have spent their entire lives practicing a trade know about management? What about law? Personnel affairs or financial administration?”

Just as Stephan could not work as a carpenter, Hanson could not manage an organization.

Everyone had things they were incapable of doing.

“In the end, they will require this to solve all of those problems.”

Stephan formed a circle with his thumb and index finger.

Money.

Power required money to obtain.

And money was also necessary to maintain it.

“They will eventually seek someone willing to provide those funds.”

Who possessed the most money within immediate reach?

Who could advise them on cash flow, law, and personnel management?

“A gathering without intellectuals will always be swept along by the greater current.”

Stephan himself was that current.

Ferda regarded him with quiet satisfaction and asked,

“So how many months will it take before the labor union belongs to me?”

Stephan answered with a pleasant smile.

“At most, two months.”