Chapter 62
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 62
Chapter Title: Fair and Square (4)
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“Not long ago, a spy sent by the Whig Party came to see me. I was well aware of their attempts to win over members of our party, so I was about to send him away. But they offered me something entirely different.”
“Why would they make a different offer just for you?”
“Isn’t it obvious? If you have a brain, use it!
That intense gaze, as if determined to shed the stigma of being a traitor to his people.
The moment my question left my lips, O’Brien unleashed a torrent of words.
“Do you think the Whigs or the Tories are unaware that I’m considered a radical within the Young Ireland faction? Of course they thought I’d be the easiest to reason with, so they made me a different offer.”
“Is that so? Even if that’s the case, are you asking us to believe the Whigs made an offer that would actually benefit Ireland?”
“Hah… You frustrating fools. Do you think the Whigs did it for Ireland’s sake? Of course, those bastards are trying to gain something for themselves.”
Honestly, I am curious.
I wonder what kind of sweet words the Whigs used to charm such a fervent Irish nationalist.
“I’ll hear you out and then decide. Keep talking.”
“Fine. The Whigs said their first goal was to oust Lord O’Connell. I scoffed when I heard that, but when I heard the conditions they offered, I had no choice but to listen.”
“Conditions? What, did they promise to grant Ireland independence or something?”
“…”
What, why the silence?
I asked that purely out of sarcasm. Don’t tell me it was true.
“Why would the Whigs be crazy enough to grant Ireland independence? You might as well hang a sign on your head announcing it’s empty.”
“You think so? I said the same thing at first, but after hearing what the Whigs had to say, my perspective shifted. In parliamentary politics, what do you think is most important for a party?”
“Winning elections, of course.”
“Exactly. But because the Whigs have completely lost Ireland, they can’t even dream of becoming the ruling party for the foreseeable future.”
I can’t disagree with that.
Even on the mainland, public opinion was split 50-50, and the reality for the Whigs was that they were powerless in Ireland, which held over 100 seats.
Moreover, the Repeal Association, which could be the tie-breaker, was unusually close with the Tory Party, showing no signs of separating.
Just as O’Brien said, if things continued this way, the Whigs’ position would only shrink, with no real chance for a comeback.
“So, the Whigs will grant Ireland independence if they win over Ireland and become the ruling party?”
That’s as believable as a corporation promising to lower prices once it turns a profit. There’s a limit to how much nonsense one can spout.
Provoked by my scornful tone, O’Brien lifted his head.
“No, no. What the Whigs want is to oust Lord O’Connell, not to destroy our entire party. I will succeed Lord O’Connell and take control of the Repeal Association, and I will also seize Northern Ireland, which is controlled by the Tories. Then we can secure roughly 70 to 80 seats, and with that, we can push the Whigs into power.”
“And in return, the Whigs will grant Ireland independence?”
“Yes. From the Whigs’ perspective, they’ll see Ireland breaking away as more favorable for maintaining power.”
“You see one side but not the other. That’s only true if the current political landscape remains fixed. If the Whigs fail to prevent Irish independence, do you really think public opinion on the mainland will forgive them? They’ll say those incompetent fools should never be trusted with power. They’ll be judged in the next election.”
Frankly, that’s putting it mildly. They’d be lucky not to be branded as traitors selling out the country and face terrorist attacks.
The Whigs aren’t foolish enough to overlook this, so there must be some other hidden motive.
If it weren’t for O’Brien, who was now desperately trying to clear my doubts to prove he wasn’t a traitor, I might have struggled to get to the bottom of this.
“That won’t be a problem either. Of course, the Whigs aren’t just going to grant independence recklessly. We will reveal that Lord O’Connell’s ousting was all a Tory conspiracy and use that as a pretext to incite massive riots across Ireland. The Whigs will blame the Tories for everything, so they won’t have to bear the burden of Irish independence alone, will they?”
“…”
My head is starting to ache. I knew he was an extremist, but who could have imagined he would go this far?
But looking at it purely from the perspective of an Irish radical, it was undeniably a tempting offer.
Only Daniel O’Connell would be taken out. If the Whigs betrayed them, they could simply side with the Tories.
Moreover, this method perfectly aligned with O’Brien’s usual conviction that violence should be used when necessary, which must have made it even more appealing.
“Ireland gets the independence it wants, and the Whigs, by sacrificing the Tories, not only regain power but build a foundation for long-term rule. A win-win for both sides, an ideal partnership. So there’s no chance of betrayal, and as for the Repeal Association, as long as it holds its seats, it always has the option of siding with the Tories, making it a safe bet. It certainly sounds plausible.”
“I told you, didn’t I? I accepted this offer for the sake of Ireland’s independence. I respect Lord O’Connell, but we cannot achieve independence his way. Vowing not to shed a single drop of blood for independence is no different from vowing to win a war without a single casualty.”
“…If you incite massive riots, people will inevitably be sacrificed in the process, won’t they? A great many people.”
“You’re probably thinking it now, aren’t you? That I’m all talk, a coward unwilling to shed his own blood. No. When the riots break out, I will be at the very front, with my countrymen. If I die in the process, all the better. The flames of violence will burn even fiercer.”
O’Brien readily explained how they planned to oust O’Connell.
During the election period, they would hold violent rallies in Northern Ireland and orchestrate events to frame O’Connell as the mastermind.
This way, even someone like O’Connell would be arrested by the authorities, and by the time the trial concluded, they planned to release fabricated evidence that it was all a Tory scheme.
What would happen if Daniel O’Connell, a leader supported by all in Ireland, was brought down by a Tory conspiracy?
And what if the masterminds of that conspiracy were the very Tories who had pretended to cooperate with Ireland all this time, and their past actions were all just a ruse to deceive them?
If someone took the lead, inciting a nationwide riot would be a simple matter.
And seeing the madness called conviction in O’Brien’s eyes, I could tell this man was not just some blowhard.
He truly intended to backstab the teacher he so deeply respected and use it as a pretext to plunge all of Ireland into flames.
Suddenly, a conversation I’d had with O’Connell flashed through my mind.
—Nonsense! I have no need for public opinion that must be fueled by the lives of my countless countrymen!
When asked if he could sacrifice the Irish people for independence, he had answered just like that, without a moment’s hesitation.
Realistically, O’Brien might be right, but I couldn’t help but sympathize more with O’Connell’s ideals.
It’s not just because I need to have Ireland all to myself. Ahem.
Of course, contrary to these inner thoughts, I spoke in a tone that even hinted at being moved.
“…To think you were so concerned about the future of your country. It was a method we could never have imagined, so it seems we misunderstood you.”
“So you finally understand my ideals. But surely you don’t intend to apologize with mere words after causing such a commotion?”
“Of course. Didn’t I say? Unlike Daniel O’Connell, we do not hesitate to use violence when necessary. It may sound shameless, but we are also sincere in our desire for Irish independence. If you need it, we will gladly lend our strength.”
“Then how about you start by taking off that mask and showing your face?”
“I’m afraid that’s impossible. It’s not that I don’t trust you, but my position prevents me from revealing my face. To reveal my identity, I too need to seek permission.”
For a moment, I considered taking off the mask and claiming that I, too, was a radical who desired independence, merely pretending to be a home-ruler on the surface.
But that would be overcomplicating the story.
To convince O’Brien, I would have to add too many layers to the fabrication.
It was best to just pretend that there was a real boss and that I was merely following orders.
“Are you saying you’re not the one in charge?”
“Think about it logically. You can’t see my face, but you can guess my age from my voice, can’t you? Do you think someone as young as me could lead an organization like this?”
“That… I suppose so. Then you can at least tell me why you can’t show your face?”
“Because it completely contradicts my publicly known position and image. I assume you can understand that much? Of course, I know that as long as I hide my face like this, you can’t fully trust us. So I’ll show our sincerity in another way.”
A token of trust far more convincing than showing some measly face.
And as a bonus, this magical paper also served as a reason why I couldn’t easily show my face.
As a cascade of 50-pound notes poured onto the table, O’Brien’s eyes widened.
“It should be around five thousand pounds. Take all of it, as a gesture of apology for this commotion. And since you might need more money to proceed with the plan, we’ll cover that as well. Is this enough to convince you of our sincerity?”
“I-Is that really true?”
“Yes. If you borrow money from the Whigs, there’s no telling how they’ll act later, so it’s best not to rely on the English for funding. And if we support you this definitively, it will serve as good proof of our sincerity, satisfying both of us, don’t you think?”
“…Alright. Then how should we make contact from now on?”
“I’ll send someone as soon as I get permission from our leader. Until then, I’d appreciate it if you could draw up a detailed plan and calculate the necessary funds.”
Despite the commotion, we ended up shaking hands with smiles on our faces.
I had just burned through five thousand pounds, but considering the potential gains, I didn’t feel the slightest bit of regret.
O’Brien naturally agreed to keep today’s meeting a secret from the Whigs, and I gave him an extra 100 pounds to compensate his roughed-up coachman.
“Ah, right. What should I call your organization?”
“The Irish Liberation Front. That’s what we’re calling ourselves for now.”
“The Irish Liberation Front… Alright. I’ll remember that. By the way, if you’re now prepared to go after nobles and active members of Parliament, isn’t there one person you absolutely must take care of?”
“Name him, and I’ll consider it favorably.”
I had no actual intention of taking anyone out, but this was a good chance to hear who the Young Ireland faction considered a thorn in their side.
But what was this chilling premonition, this feeling that I already knew whose name was about to be spoken?
“He carries Irish blood, yet he’s a vile traitor who betrayed his countrymen to side with the English. What’s most wicked about him is that he spreads the insidious idea that one can succeed under the British system.”
“…To think there was such a man who deserves to die. What is his name?”
“You must know him. The Earl of Arran, Killian Gore. A name you must eliminate if you truly wish for Ireland’s independence.”
I had a feeling it would come to this.
Still, wasn’t that a bit harsh?
Above all, isn’t that too much for a boy who only comes of age next year?
“The Earl of Arran is certainly a person of interest. However, many felt he was still young, so we were in the observation stage.”
“No. He is the spawn of a viper. We must not forget that showing mercy because he is young could lead to him killing us with his deadly venom one day.”
“…”
I was about to acknowledge his firm conviction, despite his dangerous ideas, but it seems he’s a lost cause after all.
He really has no filter, saying that right to my face.
Well, regardless, the conclusion was already set, but thanks to him, I feel I can proceed with the task with a much lighter heart.
“You’re right. It would be foolish to leave someone who could become a future threat unchecked. I promise you. You will never have to face an adult Killian Gore.”
“Good. I feel relieved just hearing that.”
Pleased with my heartfelt promise, O’Brien laughed heartily as he was escorted out of the basement by my men.
It wasn’t exactly a reward for diligently confessing his plan, but in the end, I hadn’t lied.
O’Brien, just as I promised, it’s unlikely you and I will live under the same sky.
Still, seeing him leave with a smile puts my mind at ease.
***
About 30 minutes after O’Brien left.
“The cleanup is complete.”
“No chance of us being traced?”
“Yes, sir. We took him blindfolded back to where his carriage was, so it will be impossible for him to find the building we were just in.”
I exited through the back of the building and returned to the mansion in the carriage James had prepared.
“We achieved more than I expected, but the scale of this has grown so large it’s a bit dizzying. What should I do with this?”
“Will you inform the Prime Minister? If handled well, this could be a chance to completely crush the Whig Party.”
“Do you think the person who devised such a meticulous plan wouldn’t have considered the risks? They must have prepared for the possibility of O’Brien failing or leaking the plan.”
I can guarantee it.
Even if we were to mobilize the Tory Party to pressure the Whigs now, they would surely cut their losses and escape.
They’ve probably arranged a way to sacrifice O’Brien and safely extract themselves.
And even if the plan succeeded, I doubt they have any intention of granting Ireland independence.
If it were me, I’d instigate a massive riot and use it as a pretext to wipe out the Young Ireland faction all at once.
In the end, no matter how things conclude, there is no happy ending for O’Brien and the Young Ireland faction.
“Then what will you do? It seems a bit of a waste to end this by just taking down O’Brien.”
“For now, keep it a secret from both the Prime Minister and O’Connell. They need to act without knowing anything, so the little rats hiding in the Whig Party will delude themselves into thinking they’ve succeeded and come scurrying out of their holes.”
No matter how many contingencies they’ve considered, there’s no defense against being blindsided in a way you never saw coming.
Let’s set the stage with tempting bait wriggling freshly and wait.
I wonder which one of them will be the first to lose patience and take the bait.
From now on, it’s time to fish.