42 – Episode 42
State Council Hall.
Me, Theodora, and the five ministers are gathered.
After seeing the proposal I wrote, the ministers opened their mouths one by one.
“Your Highness, I am not sure whether it is necessary to create such a department in the current chaotic situation.”
“That’s right. Currently, the military power of the empire is rapidly weakening, and a new order of knights must be created as soon as possible to fill the gap of the Golden Knights.”
“Not only that, we have currently issued bonds to fill the treasury with gold, but it is still insufficient. “I am opposed to establishing such a costly and inefficient department!”
The Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Military Affairs, and Ministry of Finance take the lead and express strong opinions on the establishment of an intelligence department.
“I hope you understand why the chaotic political situation occurred. Didn’t all of this happen because we failed to prevent Valorant’s rebellion in advance? That is why I want to open this department.”
“It is also acknowledged that military power has deteriorated. Therefore, the role of this department will be very important in the unlikely event that a group of traitors, enemy countries, or armed forces arise. In some ways, it may be a sharper sword than the Knights Templar. Doesn’t Minister Marcus know this too? “In war, the enemy’s information becomes the foundation of our victory.”
“And Minister Frank. It is true that the current finances are unstable, but the empire’s territory is fertile and the scale of commerce, industry, and magic engineering is very large. In addition, the Grand Duchy and I will provide strong support to this empire, and the commercial information obtained from the Intelligence Department will be shared with the empire’s merchant houses and banks, which will provide a great advantage in future trade.”
I refuted each and every one of those opinions.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs is originally from the Grand Duchy, so there is no way to refute it.
“Your Highness, but I don’t think that the Ministry of Intelligence can actually play such an important role.”
“Tell me. Minister Gaston.”
He says, carefully rolling his eyes at my words.
“First of all, as you know, all departments other than the Ministry of the Interior are currently handling information, but that information is not easily obtained. “It is honestly unbelievable that it is possible to create an extensive spy network targeting foreign lords or foreign countries outside of His Imperial Majesty’s direct jurisdiction.”
Gaston’s words make sense.
It may be because it is a domestic security-related department like the Ministry of the Interior, but it raises issues about obtaining information.
“I’ve been thinking about that for a long time.”
I hold the title of Grand Duke here, but I am nothing more than an ordinary person on the planet I live on.
Therefore, we do not know exactly how intelligence agencies collect and compile information.
However, it is clear that even on Earth, there were many spies during World Wars 1 and 2, and there was an organization that commanded them and handled information.
Agripa and I had been thinking for quite some time about how they would have moved.
“First, we will send an intelligence officer in charge of information collection to the area where information is to be collected and establish an intelligence network there. It would be important to hold frequent parties and interact with local celebrities, or to help the poor and get to know them. Please look at this for details.”
With that being said, I deliver an example of building a spy network that I prepared in advance.
“By becoming friendly with them, we pass on the information we obtain to the intelligence department, which then collects and analyzes the information. And if additional information or operations are needed, operatives will be dispatched to handle the mission.”
Victor from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs speaks as if he is embarrassed by my words.
“Well… The position of an intelligence officer in charge of information collection overlaps too much with the work of a diplomat. Is that really necessary?”
Diplomats are civil servants dispatched here for the purpose of goodwill.
As a result, although he cultivates friendships mainly with high-ranking people in the sending country, he is also monitored by the sending country.
Therefore, obtaining information is limited, so it is necessary to disguise yourself as a private person.
“Yes, I need it. As you know, diplomats are under strict surveillance in the sending country. So moving secretly is close to impossible. That’s why he has a separate position called duke.”
It is difficult for a diplomat to take on the task of establishing an intelligence network in a dark place as secretly as possible, and in particular, it is necessary to work in an even darker place to collect information about demon worshipers.
“That’s why we have listed the tentative amounts for related training costs, necessary artifact costs, work costs, etc. On the back page.”
-Sreuk…
Astonishment begins to appear on the faces of the ministers who were flipping through the papers.
“The Archduke… Your Majesty… There are too many!”
I come forward and say that.
“Half of the cost for this part will be borne by our Grand Duchy. So please don’t say things like that.”
I don’t know if it’s because the Grand Duchy is supporting projects that require an astronomical budget, but…
The atmosphere becomes a little quiet.
“Grand Duke… No matter how much you say, I cannot easily believe that the Grand Duchy can pay this amount.”
Frank soon breaks the silence and speaks.
“Grand Duke I have been working at the Empire’s Treasury for over 20 years. We know roughly the amount of tax revenue and gold reserves collected from various parts of the empire. “No matter how high the financial soundness of the Grand Duchy is, it would be impossible for it to bear this large amount.”
Frank’s words are sharper than you think.
I have been working here for a long time, so I guess I can infer a certain level about the finances of the Grand Duchy.
What he said was not wrong. Even I think it is impossible to cover that enormous cost with current tax revenues.
Frank. As expected, you are capable.
However, contrary to what I was praising in my mind, Frank took off his glasses as if he was tired, rubbed his eyes as if he were tired, then gently made eye contact with me and said,
“Perhaps it is impossible to pay such a huge cost, considering the gold held by the Grand Duchy and the annual tax revenue. Perhaps the Archduke would consider borrowing money from the United Kingdom, since that is his maternal ancestral home. “But it will go bankrupt in 5 or even 10 years.”
The atmosphere in the conference room calms down.
Everyone here is probably checking my mood.
Are you wondering how I will act in the future when the minister I personally chose tells me that it is impossible?
Or does he think I won’t let Frank live?
But I like competent people.
Even more so if you have that kind of conviction.
“Minister of Finance. “I really think I did the right thing in choosing you.”
I smile brightly and continue.
“What you say is truly true. I am amazed by that insight. It is a blessing for the empire to have loyal subjects like you. But yes. “I missed one thing.”
I try hard to break the heavy silence in the room, but it won’t break.
Frank adjusted his glasses.
“What do you mean?”
“First of all, as you said, it would be impossible for me to borrow such a large amount from my maternal family.”
In fact, the cost of artifacts and training costs for establishing an intelligence department, the cost of building an intelligence network, and the cost of training agents and operatives require an astronomical budget.
I don’t think even my nephew would easily be able to lend me such a large amount of money.
“How do you mean?”
“Well? There is no need to say it. “Maybe in a few months everyone will find out.”
Frank says, nodding his head at my words.
“Well, even after getting that money first, it is not easy considering the financial health of the empire. “Perhaps when reviewing the data you provided, we will have to reduce the budget for artifacts and the training of operatives and operatives.”
When Agrippa and I first made plans.
The budget was only 1/10th of the current budget.
But I didn’t want to give up the great agents, officials, and artifacts to support them, so I added more and more, and the amount ended up being astronomical.
“No, you can’t do that. But I have a question? “Isn’t there a problem in saying that the Grand Duchy pays half of the cost, but it is difficult for the Empire to pay even the princely states?”
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I provoke Frank like that, but he just looks at me with calm eyes.
Now… What do you want to say?
When me and him are waging invisible psychological warfare.
“Grand Duke Debian. “It’s too much to say.”
Theodora steps forward with a red face, as if she was provoked by my words.
“Empires are always rich. You said you would pay half. “You’re not saying that the Ministry of Finance can’t afford it, right?”
“Your Majesty… Your Majesty, it is not such a problem. “The amount of money being spent on this is so large that we may have to stop other government projects.”
Theodora, who was listening to Frank, continues.
“Then how about doing it this way? First of all, the Grand Duchy said it would be able to raise a large amount of money in a few months, so should we check that and then have another meeting?”
Frank nods his head at those words.
“Let’s do that first. I’m personally curious too. “I wonder what kind of magic the Grand Duchy can use to provide so much funding.”
I answer those words with a smile.
“You’ll find out when you see it.”