129 – 133
As the sun began to set imperceptibly.
-Knock, knock.
“Who’s there?”
“Your Highness, Minister Karl has arrived.”
Ah, that’s right, I had something to discuss with Karl.
Lost in thought, planning military supplies, I had forgotten.
“Show him in at once.”
-Kreek!
Seemingly angry, Karl with his stern expression and the figure of Lucius behind him, I call out.
“Ah! Lucius, you too have something to say, come in.”
Following my words, Lucius cautiously enters the study and closes the door.
“Your Highness! Isn’t this going too far?!”
-Thud!
“What has gotten you so angry?”
Feigning ignorance at Karl’s anger, I speak.
“We are short-staffed in entertaining the Golden Knights inside the prison. You want us to lead angry citizens in a peaceful protest? If things go wrong, clashes with the guards and bloodshed could occur! Is it reasonable to ask for such a risky task?”
“Whoa, calm down, Carl.”
Even though I tell him to calm down…
“Do I look calm to you? You can’t expect me to follow orders that are so difficult!”
I complain in response to his words.
“If we just let the imperial citizens rage without doing anything, who knows where the sparks will fly? That’s why we need to organize a protest and handle it peacefully.”
Right now, what I fear the most in this situation is the enraged Roman citizens storming the palace.
If that were to happen… it would be truly dizzying.
So, my plan is to find a way for them to express their anger reasonably, lead a peaceful march, offer them some food, and soothe their anger.
“We can set up food carts and give it a bit of a festive feel.”
It’s also a way to approach the informant from the anti-national organization working in the Information Department, Johannes.
-Tap tap!
Carl, as if feeling stifled, beats his own chest.
“Do you really think the angry mob won’t do something outrageous? How can you speak so calmly?”
I respond with a serious expression.
I know all too well what happens when the flames of an angry mob ignite. Because I know, we need to control it.
Even looking at the communist revolutions in my previous world or the French Revolution, you can understand, right?
I don’t want anything as troublesome as an angry mob rising up in the current situation.
Of course, the troops of the Grand Duchy stationed in Rome would aggressively suppress it if necessary, but… dealing with the aftermath of a violent crackdown would be difficult.
So, if things seem to be getting out of hand, I plan to either have the organizers disband the protest peacefully or assign the task of calming them down if things turn violent.
One part of this plan involves the food carts.
Drinking hot soup while protesting at night might help calm them down a bit.
“We’re already short-staffed. How absurd is it to expect us to organize anti-empire rallies during the day, and then clean up after knights in prison, and then organize anti-empire protests at night?”
In response to his words, I scratch my ear with my pinky finger.
“That’s a good point. Work hard for the country during the day, release some of that pent-up frustration by organizing anti-national protests at night.”
-Bam!
“Are you joking with me right now?”
Whether Carl took my joke seriously or not, he emits a menacing vibe as if he might draw his sword and strike me. In a hurry, I take out a document from the drawer and say,
“Of course, it’s a joke. Carl, come here and take a look at this. It’s almost July, right? It’s the budget that will be allocated to the Information Department this quarter.”
A surprised Carl takes the document with one hand…
“Is this… really? This much?”
“Of course, do you think I wouldn’t prepare anything after all the hard work?”
Looking at Carl’s astonished face, I continue,
“Yes, and after this war ends, next year the staff will be able to travel across the empire… I will provide this level of support. After this war ends, I will… provide it as a bonus.”
As I show him the numbers on the paper, Carl’s eyes widen in disbelief.
“Is this… really?”
In truth, the numbers I showed Carl were from when the Information Department was first established.
The budget Agrippa drafted was mainly allocated for personnel expenses in the early stages.
After that, from the second to the third quarter, the budget was concentrated.
It’s mostly for new hires, so it’s mostly for personnel and training expenses.
After that, the costs of establishing bases and spy networks come into play, followed by the costs of artifacts and operational expenses.
In reality, the budget allocated to Karl, who doesn’t have the authority to see such plans as Agrifa’s, must have felt enormously increased.
In fact, even the imperial travels… are merely expenses for setting up spy networks across the empire.
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“Ahem… I shall try to soothe our folks well. With this budget…”
Although the entire budget is allocated for setting up spy networks across the empire, Karl, unaware of this, seems quite pleased.
“Fortunately. Then gather the angry crowd this time and relieve some stress appropriately. If necessary, establish a party.”
If a party is established and active, the party leader will surely be listened to.
Thinking this, Karl nods as I speak.
“That sounds good. How about the Equality Party?”
I nod at his words.
“Create whatever party you want. But absolutely no bloodshed. If needed, consult with the Minister of Gas Cylinders to understand my intentions. It’s about not playing with fire, not starting one.”
Under no circumstances should there be bloodshed and a violent turn.
It’s crucial to show Yoaness that dealing with such demonstrations and demonstrating my difficulties is the most important.
Karl nods at my words.
“hahahaha! Don’t worry about that. hahahaha! Next year, I’ll go to Catalia Beach for vacation.”
Watching Karl leave with a bright smile, I let out a sigh.
“That’s a relief. Lucius, release all the high-ranking courtiers who were prohibited from meeting the imperial family. Lift all the bans on the courtiers who couldn’t enter the palace.”
Until now, high-ranking courtiers meeting with imperial members were restricted from going out.
Not only were outings restricted, but once they went out, they were prevented from re-entering the palace.
The reason being…
Victor’s actions were known to prevent the fact that I handed over Ejeup and Epirus to Yoaness from reaching the ears of the imperial family.
It’s for these reasons that I like Victor.
It was just a precaution in case Theodora said something strange to William.
At first, to the imperial members who were puzzled by the absence of close courtiers, I gave the excuse that they were temporarily sent to the training camp for preparedness training.
But… there’s no longer a reason to continue doing so.
Now that William is in prison and until he participates in the battle, there’s no need for Theodora to meet him. Even if she finds out that I handed over Ejeup and Epirus, it won’t be a problem.
“Yes. Understood.”
Saying so, I put the poem in my mouth.
“Really… it’s a damn mess.”
***
With that, Karl, who had made a deal with Devian, heads towards Roman’s prison.
Looking at the prison with its tall watchtowers and thick outer walls, so much so that it could be mistaken for a fortress, Karl feels good.
To think that operational expenses are so high among the costs arranged by the Grand Duke.
With this, he feels good at the thought of his subordinates looking at him with respectful eyes.
As he entertains such thoughts.
The carriage passes through the iron gate of the prison and enters inside.
Normally, armed guards should be guarding, but here, not only intelligence agents but also office workers are mobilized to protect the prison.
Well… they’re not planning to escape anyway.
In the hope that the intelligence agents could be a bit more comfortable, armed guards were stationed.
Finally, as the carriage stops, Karl gets off and enters the prison.
The sharp gaze of the officials from the Information Department could be felt, but what could be done? If I endure now, from the next quarter, or rather from next year, we will be allocated a huge budget enough to walk only on a flowery path.
Sadly, Karl does not doubt that their sharp gaze will turn into respectful glances.
Karl, who is pitifully unaware of the future.
Anyway, Karl, who has entered the prison, heads towards the room where the chief of security writes.
– Knock, knock.
[Who is it?]
A solemn voice is heard from inside, and Karl responds.
“I am Karl, the Minister of Information.”
Although the chief of security is no higher than a minister, he cautiously responds, and an answer is heard from inside.
[Come in.]
Hearing the solemn voice, Karl enters with cold sweat, finding William sitting on the sofa, lighting a cigar.
“What’s going on now? Since when did the Empire treat prisoners so lavishly?”
Karl enters with sweat dripping, in response to William’s angry voice.
“Well… the truth is, all of this is a plan of the Grand Duke.”
Taking a sip of his cigar, William exhales smoke and says, “Ha… What does that mean?”
“Well… the thing is…”
As Karl delivers Devian’s plan…
William makes a disappointed face.
“hahahaha… a desperate measure?”
“Yes. That’s correct. It is an order to support the Golden Knights under William’s command generously.”
Upon hearing this, William taps his cigarette ash and says, “We don’t need expensive food and good beds, good clothes.”
Looking at Karl like that, William’s eyes gleam as he says, “If we ask for our armor and weapons back, will you return them?”
In response, Karl says, “Of course. The order has been given, and they are on their way here. But considering the quantity and weight, it might take a bit of time to transfer, but you will receive them within a few days.”
William chuckles at Karl’s words. “hahahaha… both the Grand Duke and you are quite thorough…”