Chapter 499: Destruction, Creation, Birth(1)
Chapter 499: Destruction, Creation, Birth(1)
Just to be clear, Bourgeois V was greedy, not stupid.
He might have been blinded by avarice, but he was more than capable of looking out for his own interests.
As the social atmosphere within Machina began to turn ominous, he moved to block information leaks and lashed the factories into silence.
However, there were massive holes he failed to notice. First, the embers of revolution had spread not just through the capital, but across the entire nation.
Second, there was no "police" force to maintain public order. Given the era, this was perfectly natural, but it was a fatal flaw when the social climate was in the gutter.
The Minerva Empire and the Kingdom of Ters used "soldiers"—the rank below knights—as a constabulary, essentially acting as police.
Yet, even that system hadn't been properly codified into a judicial framework. Furthermore, the "fantasy" nature of the world made such judicialization incredibly complex.
To put it bluntly, this was a world where an individual's martial prowess could rival an entire army. Separating the police from the military would require a monumental effort.
Returning to Machina—
In a society where the military, which was little more than the King's private army, governed public order, the embers of revolution were flaring up across the land.
With the standing army already spread thin and woefully insufficient in number, they were powerless to stop a revolution once it finally went bang.
If these were elves similar to a certain race in a particular game, they would have received word via magic and used Teleport immediately. But dwarves knew almost nothing of magic.
Normally, the King would have concentrated his forces in the capital to defend it at all costs, but as mentioned before, Bourgeois V’s greed was excessive.
Too much is as bad as too little. That was the perfect proverb for Bourgeois V’s current situation.
"Waaaaaaaah!"
"Geist! Geist! Geist!"
Of course, none of that mattered because numbers were king. This was an era where guns hadn't even been invented, let alone machine guns.
Having breached the entrance, Geist and the factory workers surged into the interior.
The Dwarf Trio was heading toward the royal palace, leading the tank that was groaning after being struck by iron spears.
The exterior of the palace had already been handled by the revolutionaries; all that remained was to enter the Audience Chamber and drag Bourgeois V out.
"Do you think the bastard ran away?"
Handai, wrapped head to toe in bandages, asked in a worried voice.
Thanks to the potions and first aid they had prepared, he was mobile enough as long as he didn't overexert himself.
"I don't think that lump of greed would have fled. Even if he did, it doesn't matter. Public sentiment is on our side, and he never produced an heir."
"No heir? Why?"
"He probably didn't want to give his fortune even to his own children. The man is obsessed with money."
"Hah."
Sometimes, a specific desire can far surpass a human's basic instincts.
Power is the prime example. There’s a famous saying that once you taste power, you become irrevocably addicted.
Just as someone who once stood at the pinnacle will struggle desperately to maintain that position.
Bourgeois V was the same. In Machina’s near-capitalist society, he refused to have children because he couldn't bear the thought of inheritance.
He had abandoned even the basic duties of a king. There were even rumors that he had poisoned his own siblings.
A monster created by capitalism and monarchy. A monster birthed by a fantasy world and the dwarven race.
"H-Hey. Is that... is that gold?"
"It's... it really is gold. It's not a statue; it's solid gold?"
"I know the person who painted that. They're incredibly famous..."
As the tank rolled silently forward, the party members were struck with awe and horror at the palace interior—a place they were stepping into for the first time in their lives.
It was only natural, as the palace was plastered with every luxury imaginable, a testament to Bourgeois V’s extravagance.
Paintings by world-renowned artists, exquisite crafts, sculptures, and more.
While the factory workers struggled to even put food on the table, Bourgeois V and his sycophants had been busy living in opulence.
"Did you know about this?"
"......To some extent."
Eins replied with a bitter smile to Gias's question. As the inventor of the mana engine, he had visited the palace a few times.
However, he had always used a different passage, not the one reserved for royalty and nobility.
That passage had looked like any other, but he had harbored suspicions the moment he met Bourgeois V.
Not only was the King wearing brilliant rings on every finger, but his crown was the ultimate display of wasted wealth.
To top it off, the man even had his teeth plated in gold. It was impossible not to notice.
"W-Wait! That! That's the gemstone I processed! It was stolen, so I couldn't even deliver it!"
"I made this carpet..."
"I crafted that chandelier piece by piece. Those bastards. The King was nothing but a thief."
During the Russian Revolution, the Red Army was stunned by the lifestyle of the nobility, but the Factory Party was even more shocked.
Setting aside the luxury, they were seeing their own work that had been snatched away from them right under their noses.
It was an incident possible only because they were dwarves—the ones called "factories"—and a disgrace that occurred because they were dwarves.
Now that this disgrace was laid bare, the fury of the Factory Party could only intensify.
"Lord Gias. When we meet the King, may I plant an arrow in his leg?"
"I want to shove my gemstones up his backside! I can't stand this filth!"
"I want to feed him that chandelier piece by piece and then kick him."
Behold. The atmosphere grew even more violent once they realized their own creations had been stolen.
Gias had his hands full trying to calm them down. Honestly, even he hadn't imagined it would be this bad.
Meanwhile, Eins silently drove the tank toward the Audience Chamber. He had already decided how to deal with Bourgeois V.
"Halt! You rebels!! Do you have any idea where you are?!"
At that moment, someone let out a thunderous roar. It was loud enough to make the hallway leading to the Audience Chamber ring.
Gias, who had been restraining the members; Handai, who had closed his eyes for a brief rest; and finally, Eins, who had been driving in silence, all turned their heads.
Eins opened the hatch of the driver's seat and looked out. Lo and behold.
It was the noble who had constantly nitpicked from the King's side during Eins's last audience with Bourgeois V.
"Oh! Long time no see. I don't know your name, though."
"Silence! How dare you bring that impure thing into the royal presence!"
Regardless of Eins's casual greeting, the monocle-wearing dwarf barked back. His face was flushed with rage.
Naturally, the tide of battle had already turned in Geist's favor. To them, the noble's shouting was less significant than the chirping of an insect.
"Can I shove it up his backside?"
"Is an arrow okay?"
"Should I make him bite the chandelier and kick him?"
Of course, the noble's attitude only fueled the members' rage. They were already in a foul mood, and this was just an added annoyance.
Gias sensed the volatile atmosphere and looked at Eins.
Gias was in charge of speeches and agitation, but the final decision-making power always rested with Eins.
"Look here. You don't seem to grasp the situation, but you've lost. So, bring the King out—"
"I have nothing to say to rebels! If you wish to pass, you must go over my dead body!"
The noble shouted gallantly, as if he would never retreat. Normally, one might admire such spirit and remove him by force, but...
"Fine then."
Vroom—
There was no mercy in the face of an angry populace and a "tank." Eins snorted and pressed down hard on the accelerator.
Rumble, rumble—
"Huh?"
This wasn't how it was supposed to go. The dwarven noble blocking the path blinked in confusion.
He hadn't been entirely thoughtless. He figured that by doing this, he would at least be remembered for "honorable" resistance.
But Eins didn't give a damn about honor; he moved the tank forward as if he were crushing a bug. After everything they had endured, and being an "engineer" himself, he had no patience for this.
To an engineer, the "honor" that nobles cherished more than their lives was nothing more than a pathetic formality.
Honor earned through an "invention" was one thing, but honor derived solely from status without any achievement was worthless.
Rumble, rumble—
'I'm screwed.' The dwarven noble broke into a cold sweat as he watched the tank draw closer.
If he rolled aside now, he would be throwing away all his honor. But if he stayed still, he was destined to be crushed by that steel monster.
Just as the noble was about to desperately dive out of the way—
"No! Stop for a moment!"
Fortunately, it seemed someone among the members knew the meaning of honor, as they shouted urgently. The dwarven noble's face brightened at the words.
As expected, there was someone among them who understood honor. Now all that remained was to maintain his status and live on without repercussions.
"I manufactured this carpet! Do not let that filthy man's blood stain it!"
"The tread marks are already on it, though?"
"Those are the tracks of the honorable path of revolution. If that filthy noble's blood gets on it, won't its value drop?"
"Oh. That's a good point. Hey, someone move him. Do whatever you want with him, kill him or not."
There was no such thing as honor here. The dwarven noble couldn't hide his bewildered expression even as he was dragged away by the members.
Was the honor he knew different from the honor they knew? Why were they insulting his blood as filthy?
His thoughts were cut short as he was dragged outside by the members.
I'll leave what happened next to your imagination. I can only tell you that several unpleasant things occurred.
—Aaaaaaaagh!!
Like that scream echoing in the distance. Eins let the scream go in one ear and out the other as he leisurely pressed the pedal.
Now that the nuisance was handled, Geist advanced quietly toward the Audience Chamber.
In contrast to the brilliant exterior of the hallway, the tank's appearance was rugged, with four iron spears still stuck in its front.
It looked almost like a defeated remnant, yet it moved forward steadily, leaving its tread marks like stamps upon the red carpet.
And so.
Thud!
The firmly closed doors of the Audience Chamber collapsed helplessly before the weight of the tank.
As the doors swung wide, the interior of the Audience Chamber was revealed.
The hallway had been filled with luxuries, but the Audience Chamber was beyond imagination.
The Golden Room. There was no other way to describe it.
The entire room was plated in gold, so bright it was blinding, and even the simplest items were made of gold.
Given Machina's geography, there were many mines, and gold was heavily excavated. Even considering that, this was excessive.
"So, you've come."
While the members of Geist stood in shock at the sight of the chamber, a man's voice drifted from the front.
Turning their heads, they saw the Golden Throne. And sitting upon that throne was the King of Greed.
As always, he wore rings with embedded gems on every finger and various other ornaments.
And the crown? A diamond the size of a fist was set in its center, flanked by rows of colorful gemstones.
His clothes were the same. It was an outfit that looked as if gold had been spun into thread, as if to showcase the pinnacle of avarice.
The monster born of capitalism and monarchy, the incarnation of greed: Bourgeois V.
Sitting proudly on his golden throne, he looked down loftily at Geist and their tank.
"You insignificant wretches finally managed to—"
Bourgeois V opened his mouth first to maintain his dignity, but...
"Get him!"
"Waaaaaaah!!"
"Huh?"
To a dwarf, such things were unnecessary. Following Eins's command, the members rushed forward and dragged him down.
There were no guards to protect the King. They had all been defeated on the way in.
Loyal knights who stayed by his side until the end? He had sent even his personal guards away, so Bourgeois V was all alone.
He was truly a scarecrow, a king with nothing. Bourgeois V’s reign ended in just ten seconds.
"W-What is the meaning of this! Unhand Our royal person this instant!"
"We are in the middle of a succession. So shut up and get down."
Dignity or not, to Geist, he was just a madman blinded by greed. There was no need to show him any respect.
As of today, he would be branded a greedy tyrant and a fool; honor was a luxury he didn't deserve.
Once the members had swiftly bound Bourgeois V, Eins confronted him.
Eins only had his head poking out of the hatch, but since Bourgeois V was kneeling on the floor, the positions were reversed.
"You should have just given us a raise. If you'd given us some rest while you were at it, this disaster wouldn't have happened. Why are you so stupid?"
"Ha. You call Us stupid? Us, who gave you ignorant wretches the chance to earn money? You are the ignorant ones, not Us!"
Showing not a shred of remorse, Bourgeois V replied to Eins with a tone of utter disdain.
Naturally, the atmosphere around them turned murderous. The King truly had no love for his people.
Eins felt a surge of anger and wanted to strike him, but he barely managed to restrain himself.
He had confirmed the King was beyond saving; next was the reason why. While Bourgeois V was a disaster, his father—Bourgeois IV—had listened to the people.
No matter how much of a "dog son from a tiger father" he was, it was hard to understand how such a tyrant and fool could emerge from under a wise ruler.
"Then another question. Your father at least listened to us. He was wise enough to use the Race War that broke out to provide us with wealth. But you? You, who received the throne simply because of your bloodline—why did you exploit us? I truly don't understand."
"We are the King of Machina and possess wealth that no one can match! Who dares to question Our commands!"
"......"
It was no use. Words wouldn't reach him. Eins closed his eyes, let out a sigh, and looked back.
The tank, battered and pierced by iron spears, came into view.
The flow of the times was enough to birth an unexpected monster, and that monster had birthed another monster (the tank).
"Is the problem a rigid hierarchy, or is it capital? Perhaps it's both. Anything in excess becomes greed, and that greed invites avarice, which leads to ruin."
Gias, having observed Bourgeois V’s state, muttered lamentingly. Those words were enough to resonate with the hearts of Geist.
Eins wore a grim expression for a moment before hardening his resolve. Now that the monster was bound, all that remained was to sound the cry of victory.
"Hey. Tie this bastard to the gun barrel. We're heading back out."
"Yes, sir."
"W-What are you doing! Unhand Us! We are the King!"
The members moved to tie Bourgeois V to the barrel as ordered.
"This guy is being noisy. Can I hit him?"
"Only until he's quiet. Don't knock him out."
"Let go of—"
Thwack!
Just as Bourgeois V was about to struggle, a member's fist landed squarely on his face.
The punch, tempered by years of heavy hammering, was incredibly satisfying and filled with personal spite.
"Y-You wretches...! How dare you strike Us...!"
Thud!
"Aargh! You insignificant...!"
Thwack! Thud!
"Do you know who We...!"
Thwack! Thud! Thwack!
"......"
Bourgeois V finally fell silent. His face was a mess after the fierce dwarven pummeling.
Eins clicked his tongue at the sight of the limp Bourgeois V hanging from the barrel and turned the tank around.
Now that they had secured Bourgeois V, it was time to return outside.
"Hey, Eins. I found this on him."
"Hmm? What is it?"
On the way back, Gias handed Eins an object. It looked like an ordinary orb.
However, there was a bulging part on the surface that looked like a 'button.'
"What's this?"
Click—
When Eins pressed the button out of curiosity...
BOOM!!
A massive explosion erupted from where the Audience Chamber had been just moments ago.
Startled, Geist and the members looked back.
Acrid dust and smoke were billowing from the site of the Audience Chamber.
"......"
"......"
If he couldn't have it, he would destroy it all. The object found on Bourgeois V was none other than a detonator.
This mad King was so consumed by greed that he would have chosen suicide over giving them money.
Fortunately, the situation had been so urgent that he hadn't even been given the chance to press the device.
Eins looked at Bourgeois V with an expression more of absurdity than shock. He looked pathetic, dangling from the main gun.
"This absolute bastard. Just how much greed does he have? Why did Lord Hirt just leave a guy like this alone?"
"......"
There was no answer from Bourgeois V. He looked like a corpse.
Just kidding—he had just fainted from the heavy beating. They wanted to hit him more but refrained, fearing he might actually die.
"What are you going to do? Are you going to take his head?"
"If we execute him, the surrounding countries will be greatly unsettled."
Gias and Handai, who were just as flabbergasted as Eins, asked about his fate. Their voices were tinged with concern.
After all, no matter how much of a bottom-tier ruler Bourgeois V was, they still had to consider the reactions of neighboring nations.
If they cut off Bourgeois V’s head now, other countries might be severely agitated.
Furthermore, the Great Depression hadn't been properly resolved, so there was no telling what might happen.
It would be great if nothing happened after beheading Bourgeois V, but the probability of that was extremely low.
"......I have to show them."
"Show them?"
It seemed Eins had his own ideas. He glared fiercely at Bourgeois V before finishing his sentence.
"What happens when a person goes mad with money."
"......"
Gias and Handai said nothing. It seemed the decision to take Bourgeois V’s head had been made.
"Ah. But I'm not going to dirty my own hands. Don't worry, everyone."
"Huh? Then what are you going to do?"
"I'll show you when we get there. Come on, let's go for now."
Though they were curious, Eins sounded so confident that they felt they could trust him. Hadn't he planned this entire revolution, after all?
And so, Geist quietly exited the palace, with the souvenir named Bourgeois V hanging from the main gun.
"You wretches... how dare you... Us..."
"I guess this guy hasn't been hit enough."
"......"
—Waaaaaaaah!!
—Long live Geist! Long live the Factory Party!
As soon as they stepped outside with Bourgeois V in tow, an ear-piercing cheer erupted.
Eins and the other members smiled warmly at the sight of the dwarves of Machina filling the streets.
This was a precious victory achieved through the revolution that had broken out today. They were united in a true sense, and it had borne fruit.
—Execute Bourgeois V!
—Execution! Execution! Execution!
—Kill him! My son died because of him!
—Kill him! Kill him! Kill him!
And then, a terrifying wave of malice poured toward Bourgeois V. Stones were thrown at him as he hung from the gun, and occasionally, a hammer would fly through the air.
The members tried their best to stop them, but they couldn't block everything coming from a distance.
Besides, while the members were stopping the crowd, they weren't being particularly proactive about it. They themselves were suppressing the urge to take Bourgeois V’s head right then and there.
Meanwhile, Eins, leading the tank with dignity, moved toward an "execution platform" that seemed to have been prepared in advance.
It wasn't a guillotine, nor was it built for a hanging.
It was just an ordinary platform. Nothing more than a stage to draw everyone's attention.
"Is everything ready?"
"Yes! Everything is prepared as you ordered!"
"Good. Put this bastard up on the stage."
"Understood!"
While Bourgeois V was being moved from the gun barrel to the platform, Eins turned off the tank's engine.
After thanking the loader and coal supplier for their hard work, he stepped out of the hatch.
As Eins stepped out, his companions moved to follow.
"Ah. You guys stay back. I'll handle it from here."
"Are you sure you'll be okay?"
"If you say so, we'll follow, but..."
Following Handai, Gias looked at Eins with eyes full of worry and doubt.
From the development of the tank to the revolution itself, Eins had handled everything, but his current actions were incomprehensible.
A plan he hadn't shared even with the comrades he'd spent his life with. It felt more like disappointment than suspicion.
"I'm doing this because I don't want you guys to get dragged into the fallout. I'll take all the responsibility, so just trust me. Got it?"
When Eins spoke with a grin, his two comrades followed without another word.
He was prone to such eccentric ideas that it was nearly impossible to predict his next move.
Soon, Eins left his comrades in the tank and stepped onto the platform. On the stage stood Bourgeois V, awaiting his execution, guarded by two party members who held him down to prevent any resistance.
"You two, head down."
"Sir? But..."
"It’s fine. Go on down."
Eins dismissed even the party members. They descended the steps, their faces etched with lingering concern. Now, only Eins and the kneeling Bourgeois V remained on the platform.
The dwarves of Machina erupted in cheers at the sight, but the roar gradually subsided as time passed. When a heavy silence finally settled over the area, Eins brought the prepared loudspeaker to his lips.
[Testing. One, two.]
A brief test.
[Greetings, comrades. My name is Eins Martinsen. Developer of the magic engine and a member of Geas. Today, the revolution has succeeded. There will be no more greed, no more exploitation!]
Unlike Geas’s flamboyant eloquence, his announcement was plain and understated, yet it was more than enough. The workers and citizens of Machina let out a thunderous roar of approval. This was the true liberation they had long awaited.
The factories had been dismantled, and the nobles and the King had been brought to their knees before the revolution. Many had shed their blood in the process, but they would be remembered as brave warriors. History might not record every individual name, but it would never forget them.
[Through this revolution, we have witnessed the depths of bottomless greed. While we suffered under endless exploitation, the King indulged in limitless luxury. While we worked until our bodies broke, the King gorged himself until he nearly burst. But those days are over. There will be no more kings tainted by greed.]
From his tone alone, it sounded as if the execution was imminent. Sensing this, the crowd began to chant. "Execute him! Execute him! Execute him!"
Amidst the fervor, Bourgeois V remained kneeling in silence. He looked strangely serene, as if he had finally accepted his end.
[Let’s hear a few words from Bourgeois V. Do you want to live?]
Eins held the loudspeaker to the King's mouth. It looked like a public humiliation, but Eins was genuinely curious. It was an act devoid of malice. To Bourgeois V, however, it was the ultimate insult, and he could not help but lash out.
[Kill me if you must! Even if I die, not a single coin of my fortune will ever go to the likes of you!]
Even at the end, his words were consumed by money. Eins clicked his tongue, looking at him with pity. He leaned in and whispered into Bourgeois V's ear so only he could hear.
"I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I don't care about money. All we want is freedom."
"What?"
"Lord Eins! We've brought the item you requested!"
Just as Bourgeois V faltered in confusion, the party members arrived with the 'item' right on cue. As the unexpected object appeared, the eyes of the King and the entire crowd were drawn toward it.
The item the party members brought was...
"A blast furnace?"
"Why did they bring that here?"
"Is he going to throw Bourgeois V in there?"
It was a vessel of heat exceeding a thousand degrees Celsius, a tool used to melt ore and extract iron. A symbol of metallurgy and an essential tool for any blacksmith: a blast furnace. It was filled to the brim with thick, glowing molten iron.
"Ha! You plan to throw me into a furnace used by those pathetic factories? How typical of a simpleton—"
Bourgeois V didn't get to finish his sentence. Eins was faster. While the King ranted, Eins reached out and snatched the crown from his head. He had stripped the King of his rings and jewelry earlier but had left the crown until now. Now, the reason was clear.
"Now, there is no king."
"Give it back! Give it back this instant! Do you have any idea what that crown represents? It is a crown you have no right to touch!!"
The composure Bourgeois V had maintained until now vanished, replaced by visible panic. A crown was an object that symbolized status, honor, and wealth by its mere existence. But the crown in Eins's hand was nothing more than a symbol of 'greed.'
"Give it back! I said give it back! What do you think that crown, passed down through generations, even is?!"
Despite Bourgeois V screaming at his back, Eins walked silently toward the blast furnace. Finally, unable to bear it, Bourgeois V forced himself up from his knees and stood tall. The party members, startled, moved to intercept him, but...
Whoosh!
Eins was faster, tossing the crown into the furnace.
Splash!
The crown, the ultimate symbol of greed, sank into the molten metal.
"NOOOOOOOO!!"
With bloodshot eyes, Bourgeois V lunged. At this rate, he would collide with Eins and they would both fall in. As if he had anticipated this, Eins stepped aside, 'graciously' clearing the path.
All that was left was for the King's filthy body to follow the crown.
Splash!
"Aaaagh! It's hot! Aaaaahhh!"
Sizzle! Sizzle! Sizzle!
The King, who could not let go of his greed until the very end...
"H-help me! It's hot...! Gurgle..."
...vanished 'of his own volition' along with his precious symbol.
Bubble! Bubble! Bubble!
Inside the very furnace of the factories he had mocked as lowly.