I Married the Dragon I Killed — Chapter 106: The Taste of Power

Chapter 106: The Taste of Power

Now‍⁠ that he had heard their demands,‌ it was Perda’s turn to speak.‌⁠

“I⁠ have understood your‌‍ intentions clearly. First⁠‍ of all, I wish to express‍ my gratitude for‌ the effort you‌⁠ have devoted day‍⁠‌ and night to‌‌ the construction of a new village‌ under the Duchess’s‍‍‍ territory.”

Though⁠ he spoke of‍⁠‍ gratitude, his gaze⁠‌⁠ looked capable of‍‌ disintegrating them at‍‍ a molecular level.‍

Aware‌‍‌ of this, Perda⁠‍⁠ took a deep‌‌ breath to control⁠‍ his emotions.

“Recently, an unfortunate incident‍ occurred that left thirty casualties. Among them were four⁠⁠ deaths, all civilians.⁠‍⁠ Their deaths are‌ not something trivial,‌ neither to you‍ nor to me.”‍⁠⁠

That‌‌ was true.

“For⁠ that reason, I plan to reassign⁠‍⁠ part of the⁠⁠ workforce that was‍‌ concentrated on buildings⁠‍ and focus it‌‌ on the construction‍ of walls. The‍ project is designed⁠⁠ so that one⁠⁠ thousand citizens can live comfortably and,‍ at maximum, accommodate‍ three thousand people.”‍‍

Although⁠ Hanson was a simple laborer, he‍ was still someone⁠‌ involved in construction.

He could roughly estimate‌‍‍ how large that‌⁠ scale was.

“The‍ workers who build⁠ those walls will‍ have to begin‍ far from the‍ village.”

“Of‌ course.”

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

A proposal to counter‌‍ another proposal.

The‌‍‍ answer was very simple.

“Doesn’t‌‌ it already exist?”⁠‍

“What⁠ do you mean?”‌

“The⁠‍ alarm bell installed‌ in the center‍‌ of the village.‍ What do you⁠‍‌ think it is?‌ It is an artifact created by the Rector of‌‌ Escolea, the City‍‍ of Scholars.”

One‍‌ of the foremen‍ who knew a little about the‍⁠ subject reacted dramatically.‌

“The⁠‌ Rector of Escolea?⁠ Isn’t that practically‍ the lord of‌⁠ those bookworms?”

“If‌‌‌ he’s the lord‌ of the city, then he must‍⁠ be the smartest‌ of them all.”⁠‍

The‍ moment they heard‍ the name Escolea,‌‍ confidence immediately arose.‍

In reality, that scholar‍ occupied a somewhat‍ ambiguous position even‍⁠ among elite academics,‍ but these people⁠‌ had no way‍ of knowing that.⁠

Perda‌ continued.

“The‍ detection function of⁠‌ the monster-detection device⁠ was reinforced and‍‌ transformed into a warning bell. Thanks‌ to it, we⁠ detected the monsters’‍ approach and were‌ able to evacuate‌‌‍ quickly. That is‌⁠ why the number‍ of casualties was⁠ so low.”

He‌‍⁠ tapped the documents‍⁠ before him with‌ a finger.

“But weren’t there still‍⁠ deaths?”

“It‌‍ was the minimum‍ possible damage. Many more people could⁠ have died.”

Perda‌ replied firmly.

“If⁠‌ you are curious⁠‍‌ about other cases‍ of monster invasions,⁠‍ I can explain‍ them. There have⁠‌ been more than⁠‍ thirty similar attacks⁠‍ recently alone. I can also explain how perfectly we‍⁠‌ handled this situation⁠ by comparing it⁠‍ to those cases.⁠‌ Would you like to hear the‌‍ details?”

His⁠⁠⁠ words were cold‍ and solid like⁠ steel.

They⁠ conveyed the feeling⁠ that trying to⁠‍ strike them with a soft fist‍‍ would only result⁠ in breaking one’s‌ own hand.

“Of‍ course, I know⁠‌ this is not‌ a meeting to‍‌ show off my⁠ knowledge. What you⁠‍‍ need is not‌ early warning, but⁠ the power to‍ kill monsters.”

Perda⁠‍ closed his eyes.‍

Then,‍ after a few moments, he spoke⁠ as if he‍ had made a decision.

“Soon, I will provide⁠‌ you with magic-engineering⁠‌ rifles created by‌ Vernell Marquis. What‍ do you think⁠⁠‌ of that?”

Most‌⁠‍ of the foremen‍ were startled.

The‌ reputation of magic-engineering‍⁠ rifles had already‌‍⁠ reached even ordinary⁠ citizens.

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

“That’s⁠⁠ right.”

Upon‌ hearing that, Stephan was surprised and‌‍ spoke cautiously.

“Lord‍⁠⁠ Regent, regarding that⁠⁠ matter, perhaps we‍⁠ should consult with me first…”

“And‌‌⁠ why should I do that?”

“Because⁠‌ there are other⁠‌ places that have‌ priority in receiving‍‍⁠ those prototypes, and⁠‌ we must also‍ promote them properly…”‌

Perda⁠‍‌ frowned as he‌‍ looked at him.

“They⁠⁠‍ are tools created‍ for the safety‌ of the Far‍ East. Those who‌‍ work in the‍‍⁠ Far East should‍ have priority. What‍⁠ happens in distant places is not⁠ my concern.”

“Of course, you are‍⁠‍ absolutely right, but…”‍‌

“There‍ is no but.⁠‍‌ I will not allow any further‌ comments on this‌ matter, Stephan Pascal.”‌⁠

“I-I‍‌ apologize.”

Stephan⁠‍‌ immediately backed down.⁠‌

Perda‍‌⁠ turned his gaze‌‍⁠ back to the‍ foremen.

“Then‍ what do you‍‌ think, Acting Union‌ Leader?”

Hanson‍ looked at the‍‌‌ expressions of the others.

They‌ all seemed to‌ be telling him⁠⁠ to accept immediately.‌

But‍ he could not‌‌‌ end everything so‌ easily.

So‌ he carefully searched‌‍ for an objection.⁠

“Of‍⁠‍ course, if you⁠‌ do something like⁠ that, we will⁠‍ be deeply grateful⁠ for your generosity, Lord Regent. However,⁠‍⁠ we are poorly‌‍ educated people. We‍ do not know whether we will‌ be capable of‍‍ properly using such a tool.”

“There‍ is no need‌ to worry. There‌⁠‍ are already geniuses‍ handling that part.”

More‍ precisely, an idiot⁠‍ was handling it.‌⁠

And‌ the geniuses were⁠ probably tearing their⁠ hair out because⁠⁠ of that idiot.⁠‌

“With⁠‌ a single bullet‌‌‍ from that rifle,‌⁠⁠ you can kill‌ a wolf monster.‌‍ At the very‍ least, five people⁠‌ will be able⁠ to face one‌‍ monster.”

“Oh…”⁠

“Five‍ people against just⁠ one…? That’s incredible…”⁠

The‌‌ more they heard,‌ the more fascinated‍‍ they seemed.

All⁠‍‍ of them were peasants who had⁠ left their villages⁠ to earn money in the Empire.⁠⁠

Perhaps‌ they had never faced monsters created‌ by demons, but⁠‌ attacks by goblins‍⁠⁠ and similar creatures‌ were common for⁠‌ them.

What‍‌ they needed was⁠ not a standing‌ army.

They‍⁠‌ needed the strength‍‌‌ to protect themselves.⁠‌

Or some equivalent means.⁠‍⁠

Perda⁠‌ was offering them‌ the power to‌‍ kill monsters.

And‌‍‍ not just any monsters, but the‍ kind that even‌ paid mercenaries avoided‍ facing.

It⁠‍ was an item‍ of value that‍ money itself could‍‌ not buy.

And⁠‍‌ he was willing‌ to hand it⁠ over.

Even‌‍ at the risk⁠‌ of straining his⁠ relationship with one‍‌ of the richest‍ men in the⁠‌‍ Empire.

‘He⁠ truly thinks about‌ the Far East.’‍

Perda⁠ observed their faces.‌

It was obvious that‍ almost all of‍ them had fallen⁠ into his trap.‌‍‍

‘Just‌ as Stephan predicted.’⁠‌

The‌ strategy of announcing⁠ the distribution of‍⁠ magic-engineering rifles had‌‍ been Stephan’s idea.

Three⁠⁠ days earlier, when⁠⁠‌ Stephan arrived, they‍‍ had devised several‌ possible scenarios.

One‌‍⁠ of them was⁠‌ precisely to appear generous.

After‍‌‍ all, the magic-engineering‌⁠ rifles had originally‌ been created for⁠ civilians.

And⁠ there were already plans to market‌⁠⁠ them first among‍ the inhabitants of‍⁠ the Far East.‍‍

The‌‍ laborers would simply‌⁠ receive them a little earlier.

‘And‍‌ when the time⁠‍ comes, they could‌⁠ also become a reserve force.’

They‍ would gain the‍‌ power to kill monsters.

And‌‌ Perda would gain‌ troops that could‍⁠ be mobilized in‍ an emergency.

At‌‍ first glance, it‍ was a strategy‌ that benefited both sides.

Of‌‌ course, Hanson, who‍‌ had taken the‌‍⁠ initiative in all‌‌ of this, had⁠ no intention of⁠ being satisfied with⁠ that alone.

After⁠ all, the proposal⁠‌‍ was practically separate from his original demands.

“We‍‌⁠ are sincerely grateful for the generosity‌‍ of the Duchess’s Consort, but we⁠‌ also hope that‌ you will consider‍‍ our requests.”

“Of‌ course. This is‌‌ separate from your⁠ demands. Since I am not very‍ familiar with those⁠ matters, I will‍‍ yield the floor.”

The‌ one who took⁠ over was Stephan⁠‍‌ Pascal.

With‌‌ a friendly smile,‌ he introduced himself.⁠‍

“My⁠‌ name is Stephan.‌‍ I am the‍⁠ General Director of‍‌ the Pascal Trading⁠ Company. In the‌‌ future, I will‌‌ become the President‍‍ of the entire‍ company, and I currently also serve⁠‍ as Acting Administrator⁠ of the Dandollo‌ Trading Company.”

The man who directed⁠⁠ the largest trading⁠‍ company in the‍⁠ Empire.

And‍‍ also a second‍ organization of enormous‍‍‌ influence.

Though‌ he was not‍ a noble, he⁠ possessed power that⁠ surpassed that of⁠ many aristocrats.

The reason he listed‍‍ all those titles⁠‍ was simple.

He‍‍‌ wanted to intimidate‌⁠ them.

“According⁠‍ to our investigation,‍‍ you are currently‌ employed under a subcontracting arrangement through‌ Hestia’s administrator.”

“That’s right.”

“Without‍ a doubt, with‌‍ so many laborers,⁠ even I consider‌‌ it a problem⁠⁠ that a union‍‍ still does not‌‌ exist. After all,‍ someone must represent‍ your voices.”

Stephan⁠ spoke as though⁠‌‍ he perfectly understood⁠⁠ their situation.

“I‌ also recognize the⁠‍ need for a union for the⁠ peace and prosperity of the Far⁠‌⁠ East. Therefore, I officially support the⁠‌⁠ creation of the⁠‍ Valdrova Duchy Workers’‍‍ Union. In other‌ words, the Far‍ East Workers’ Union.”‍

As⁠⁠ he said this,‌⁠ he turned the‌‍ page and addressed‌‌ the other demand.‌

“Furthermore, the current wages‌ of laborers and‍ foremen will remain‍‍⁠ at the already⁠ applied fifty percent‍ increase. In addition,‌ each foreman will⁠ receive differentiated compensation⁠⁠ according to the⁠ number of workers‍‌ under his supervision,‍ bonuses will be‍ awarded based on⁠‌‌ performance, and depending‌ on years of‌‍ service, support will‍⁠ also be provided‍ for obtaining housing‍⁠⁠ in the Far‌⁠ East.”

It‌ was an extraordinary‌‌⁠ deal.

To‌ the point that‌ one might wonder‌‍ why they had not voiced their‌‍ complaints sooner.

“It‌⁠ seems you have⁠ already agreed on‍ who will be‌⁠ the union leader.‍⁠ Have you decided‍ to recommend Mr. Hanson?”

“Yes.”‌

“Understood.⁠ Then I will⁠ officially register Mr.⁠‌‌ Hanson as the‍ leader of the⁠ Far East Workers’‌‍ Union.”

After‍ writing down his name, Stephan politely folded his hands.‌

“Then,‌‍ from this point‌ forward, we will move on to‍‍ matters concerning the⁠‌‌ union leader. The⁠⁠ topics that follow‍‍ will only be‍‍ discussed with individuals⁠⁠‍ of site manager⁠ rank or higher. Is that acceptable?”‍‌‍

One of the foremen frowned.

“And‍‍‍ how are we‍‍ supposed to know⁠‌ what kind of‍⁠ deals you’ll make⁠‍‌ behind closed doors?”‍‌

“Talk about it right‍‍⁠ here.”

“Normally,‌‌⁠ these matters are‍‍ discussed only with‌ the union leader.⁠ However, since you⁠⁠ expressed those concerns,‌⁠ we will allow‌ the site managers‍⁠ to remain as observers.”

Including‌ Hanson, there were‍‌‍ three site managers‍‌ in total.

Although‌ they wore uncomfortable⁠ expressions, the others⁠‌⁠ eventually left the⁠‍‍ room.

Once⁠ only the site⁠‌ managers remained, Stephan⁠‌ began speaking in a completely different⁠‍ tone.

“Good.‍⁠ Now let’s talk‍ about the real‌ matters that are discussed among leaders.”⁠

“No‌‌‌ matter what you try, you won’t make us change⁠‍ our minds.”

“There‍‌ is no need⁠⁠ for you to⁠ change your minds.‌‍ The reason I did not include‌ the foremen is⁠⁠ because this matter‌ has an aristocratic‍⁠ nature.”

“Aristocratic?”‍‌

Hanson‌⁠ reacted immediately.

“According‍‌ to the Duchy’s‍‍‍ laws, citizens currently‌⁠‍ possess no political⁠⁠⁠ rights. Therefore, even⁠⁠ if someone becomes‌‌ a union leader,‍ in practice he⁠‌ would be nothing‍ more than a village chief.”

“That’s correct.”

“After⁠‍ discussing this matter,⁠ His Excellency the‍‍ Regent commented that‌‌ he plans to‌ turn the union‌ leader into a sort of citizen⁠ representative.”

“A‍‍‌ citizen representative?”

“Yes. In some western‍⁠ republics, positions of‍‌ this type exist⁠ with certain political rights. If you‍‌ want to compare‍ it to something‌ more familiar within‌ Imperial law, you‍ could consider it equivalent to a quasi-baron.”

A quasi-baron!

Technically,‌⁠ he was not‍‌⁠ a noble.

But‍⁠‍ it was still‌ a position capable‍⁠ of enjoying privileges‍ similar to those‍‌‌ of the nobility.⁠‌

Exactly the position Hanson‍ had always desired.⁠‍

“Therefore,⁠ if you become‍ a citizen representative,‌‍ you will obtain‍ political rights, tax‌ reductions, and facilities‌ for commercial activities.‌ In addition, you‌ will receive a regular stipend to‍ maintain the dignity‍‌ of the office.”‍

Every⁠ sentence pierced directly⁠‍‍ into his ears.‌‍

Not‍‌ even the wages⁠ he received after‌⁠ a long day‍ of work gave⁠‍ him such a pleasant feeling.

Hanson‌ found it increasingly difficult to hide his excitement.

‘It’s‌‌⁠ exactly as that‌⁠ mage said.’

Complaints⁠⁠‍ create trouble.

And‌‌ trouble creates compensation.‌

He‍‍ even regretted not‌‍ having thought of‍⁠ it sooner.

“Of⁠⁠ course, all of⁠ those benefits are‌ limited exclusively to‌⁠ the position of‌ union leader. If‌ you leave the⁠ post, you will also lose your‌ status as a citizen representative. Do‌‌‍ you understand?”

“Does⁠‌ that mean that⁠⁠ if I stop⁠ being the union‍ leader, I’ll go⁠ back to being‌⁠⁠ an ordinary citizen?”⁠⁠‌

“The⁠ privileges will pass‍ to your successor.‌ He will become‌ the new citizen‌ representative.”

“Understood.”

“And you two? Do⁠‌‍ you have any⁠⁠ objections?”

The‌ other two site‌‌ managers shook their⁠‌ heads.

“I‍‌ have none.”

“I⁠‍⁠ think it’s fine.”‌‌

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

Stephan‍ handed him the contract.

Hanson⁠⁠ reviewed the contents⁠ once more before⁠⁠‍ signing it.

And‌‍ thus, the meeting‍‌ ended successfully.

***‌‌

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

Starting⁠ the next day,⁠‌ he would no‌‌⁠ longer go to‌⁠ work as a site manager.

He‌ would do so‌ as the leader‍ of the Far⁠ East Workers’ Union.‌‌

‘I‌ need an elegant‌‌ plaque for my⁠⁠ office, and I should also start⁠‌‌ looking for a house to live⁠⁠ in.’

His‌‍ future seemed like‌ a road covered‍ in flowers.

The⁠ smile never left⁠‍‍ his face.

He‍‌ even felt the⁠ urge to contact‌ relatives and acquaintances⁠⁠‍ immediately to show off.

“You‍‍‌ seem to be⁠⁠⁠ in a very‍ good mood.”

He heard the voice⁠‍ of the insolent⁠ young mage.

Hanson‍ welcomed her enthusiastically.

“Oh!‍ Welcome, Miss Mage!”‌

“Haha.‌ Don’t get up.‍ And don’t even‍ think about trying‌⁠ to shake my‌⁠‍ hand. So, how‍ did everything go?”‌‍

“Thanks‌ to you, I managed to become‍⁠ the union leader.”‍‍⁠

“Congratulations. Now tell me‌ the details.”

Completely‌‍ drunk, he began recounting everything that‍ had happened.

But⁠⁠ unlike someone listening‌ to a heroic‍⁠⁠ feat, the mage’s‌ face became increasingly rigid.

“So‍⁠ you accepted exactly⁠ those conditions?”

“Of⁠‌ course. They accepted‍⁠‍ all our demands,‍ so how could‌ I not—”

“You‌ brain-dead idiot!”

The⁠‌⁠ woman suddenly insulted‍⁠ him.

The‍ alcohol vanished from‍ his system instantly.‌⁠‍

“W-Why are you so‍‌ angry?”

“Didn’t‍ you hear a single thing I said, you moron?‍⁠ No, you’re worse‍ than a mole‍ crawling through the⁠ dirt. At least they have enough‌ instinct not to‍ try climbing higher.‍‌ Do you have⁠ any idea what‍ you’ve just done?”

“…Huh?”⁠‌

Seeing‌ that he understood‍ nothing, the woman⁠ let out a long sigh.

“Damn it. If I’d‌ known this would⁠ happen, I would’ve‌⁠ infiltrated personally disguised‌⁠ as a laborer.‌‌ Whether I got⁠‌‍ discovered or not⁠ wouldn’t have mattered⁠‌ anymore. It’s my⁠ fault for letting⁠ idiots like you‌⁠ act on your‍ own!”

“What⁠‍ exactly did I do?”

“What‌ did you do?⁠ You willingly climbed onto the gallows,‍‍‌ tied the noose‍ with your own‍ hands, and put‌ it around your‍⁠‌ neck!”

***⁠⁠

“A‌‌ hero’s play?”

Perda‌⁠ showed a doubtful‍⁠ expression.

It‌ was the term⁠⁠ Stephan had used⁠⁠ to describe the core of his‍ strategy.

“In those stories, the Demon King dies⁠ and the Hero⁠ wins, doesn’t he?”⁠

“That’s right.”

“We⁠⁠ know the Demon⁠ King dies, but⁠‍ the actor playing‌ the Demon King isn’t actually killed.⁠ It’s something similar.”‌‍

“So⁠ it’s all a performance.”

Stephan⁠ nodded.

“When‌ some incident occurs,‌‌ the union leader‌‍⁠ will appear proclaiming himself a hero.‌‍‍ He will defeat‌‍ the evil villain—that‍‌ is, you, Lord Regent—and obtain rewards.⁠‌ In that way, the citizen representative⁠‍ will gain support⁠ even among opposition⁠⁠‍ groups.”

Stephan⁠ smiled.

“Without realizing that everyone⁠ is actually on‍‌ the same side.”‍

“But‌ Hanson still isn’t⁠ on my side.”‍

Stephan nodded again.

“He‌⁠‍ will bow his‍⁠ head before you⁠‌ soon. He won’t⁠ have any other⁠‍‍ choice.”

“Explain.”‌⁠‌

Stephan‌ raised one finger.⁠

“First,‌ part of the‌ workforce will be‍ reassigned to wall‌ construction. Therefore, we⁠ will need additional‌ workers to maintain‍‍ urban development.”

“Correct.”‍⁠

“Considering‌ the current situation,‍⁠ we will need⁠ one hundred more⁠ workers. That means⁠⁠ the union will‌ receive one hundred‌ new members.”

“Will⁠⁠ they be able to attract them?”‍‌

“With⁠ the current wages,⁠‍⁠ they will have‍⁠‌ no choice but‌ to come. It’s‌⁠ enough money to‍⁠ temporarily abandon the⁠ dream of the‍ Empire.”

At‍ present, there were‍⁠ 253 workers.

However,⁠⁠‍ 98 of them‍ came from Hallim‍ and did not‍ belong to the Far East Workers’‍‍ Union.

That⁠ left 155 actual⁠ members.

And‍‌ soon another hundred would be added.‌‌⁠

Almost⁠ two-fifths of the‍‍ union would be⁠ newcomers.

“Factions⁠ will form.”

“The⁠ factions are already‍⁠ beginning to emerge.”‌‌

“Why?”‌‌

“That⁠ is the second⁠‌‌ reason. As I mentioned, the position‍ of citizen representative‌ grants benefits comparable‍‌ to those of a noble.”

“That’s right.”

“Now imagine that an election system is⁠‌‌ also implemented to⁠ choose the union‍ leader. What do‌ you think will‍⁠ happen?”

Perda understood instantly.

“That’s⁠ why you had‍ the other site‌‌‍ managers act as witnesses.”

“Exactly.⁠ Unlike Hanson, who was blinded by‍⁠‍ the power right‍ in front of‍‌ his eyes, those⁠⁠ two understood the‍ situation perfectly.”

The⁠‍‍ ambition for power‍‍‌ was not unique‍ to Hanson.

They⁠ would probably think.‌

Why him and not‌ me?

“To‌ maintain a faction‍ during an election, you need money.⁠⁠ But do you‍ think they can⁠⁠‌ buy support using‌‌ only their wages?”‍

“No.”‌

“And‍ besides, what do‍‍ people who have‍‍‌ spent their entire‌⁠ lives working with‌ tools know about‍‍‌ administration? What do⁠‍ they know about‌‌ law? Human resources? Finance?”

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

Everyone⁠ had their own‌ limitations.

“That‌‍‌ is why, in‌‍ order to solve⁠‌ all those problems,‍‍ they will need‍‌‍ this.”

Stephan formed a circle with his thumb‌ and index finger.

Money.

Power‍ requires money.

And‌ maintaining it does‍‍ as well.

“So‍‌ they will end‍ up looking for someone to finance⁠⁠⁠ all of that.”⁠‌

And‌‌ who had more‌ money standing in⁠ front of them?‌

Who‍‍ could advise them⁠‍ on finance, law,‍⁠ and personnel management?⁠⁠⁠

“When‍ there are no⁠ intellectuals on the board, the masses⁠ always end up‌ being swept along‌‍ by the largest currents.”

And⁠ Stephan was precisely‍‍ that current.