Chapter 106: The Taste of Power
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 106: The Taste of Power
Having heard their opinions, it was now Ferda’s turn to speak.
“I understand your intentions well. I also express my gratitude for your tireless efforts in building a new village under the Archduchess’s jurisdiction.”
Despite his words of thanks, his gaze was sharp enough to slice them to the bone. Conscious of his own intensity, Ferda took a deep breath to compose himself.
“Recently, a most unfortunate incident resulted in thirty casualties. Among them were four fatalities—all of whom were civilians. Their deaths weigh heavily not only on you but on me as well.”
That much, at least, was true.
“Therefore, I intend to redirect the manpower currently focused on buildings to the construction of walls. We are planning an area that can comfortably accommodate a thousand citizens, with a maximum capacity of three thousand.”
Hanson was technically a laborer, but he had enough experience in the construction industry to have a sense of scale. He could roughly estimate how large that area would be.
“Then the people building those walls will surely have to start at a distance from the village,” Hanson noted.
“Naturally.”
“In that case, how do you intend to guarantee the safety of those workers?”
A solution for every problem. The answer was quite simple.
“Is it not already in place?”
“What do you mean by that?”
“The warning bell installed in the center of the village. What do you think that is? It is a device created by the President of Escoleia, the city of scholars.”
At that, a foreman who considered himself well-informed made a fuss.
“The President of Escoleia? Isn’t he basically the lord of those high-and-mighty scholars?”
“If he’s their lord, he must be the smartest of the lot.”
The mention of Escoleia’s President inspired immediate confidence. In reality, the man was a scholar of somewhat ambiguous standing among the elite, but these men had no way of knowing that.
Ferda continued.
“We modified the alarm function of a monster detection device into a warning bell to signal danger. It was that device which detected the approaching monsters and allowed for a swift evacuation. That is why the casualties were as low as they were.”
Ferda spoke while tapping a finger on the documents laid out before him.
“But people still died, didn’t they?”
“Those were the minimum possible losses. Far more could have perished,” Ferda said firmly. “If you are curious about other cases of monster invasions, I can provide as many as you like. There have been over thirty raids recently; if we compare them to our situation, I can explain exactly how perfectly we defended ourselves. Would you like that explanation?”
His words were as cold and hard as steel. It felt as though hitting them with a soft fist would only result in one's own hand breaking.
“Of course, I know this is not a place for me to flaunt my knowledge. What you need is not just an early warning, but the power to kill the monsters.”
Ferda closed his eyes. After a moment, as if having reached a decision, he spoke to them.
“In the near future, I will provide you with the Magitech Rifles being produced by the Burnell Marquis. What do you think?”
Most of the foremen were stunned. The reputation of the Magitech Rifle had already reached the common folk.
“You mean that thing that killed the wolf monster in a single shot?”
“Indeed.”
Hearing this, Stephan looked startled and spoke up cautiously.
“Regent, we should discuss that matter first before—”
“And why should I do that?”
“Well, those prototypes need to be supplied elsewhere first to build interest and...”
Ferda scowled at Stephan.
“These items were made for the safety of the Far East. Those who serve the Far East come first; what happens far away is none of my concern, is it not?”
“That is certainly true, but...”
“There are no ‘buts.’ I will not permit you to speak further on this, Stephan Pascal.”
“I—I apologize.”
Stephan backed down, cowering like a kicked dog. Ferda turned his gaze back to the foremen.
“So, what do you say, Interim Union Leader?”
Hanson glanced at the other foremen. Their expressions practically screamed at him to accept immediately. However, Hanson couldn't just end it there; he cautiously searched for a catch.
“Of course, if you would do that, we would be grateful for your grace, Regent. However, we are men of little learning; we wonder if we will be able to handle such advanced items properly.”
“There is no need to worry. The geniuses I’ve recruited are handling that part.”
Though, technically, a fool is handling it, Ferda thought. The geniuses were likely tearing their hair out this very moment because of that fool.
“A single bullet from that weapon can take down a wolf monster. At the very least, five of you together will be able to face one monster.”
“Ooh...”
“Five men for one... that’s an incredible piece of equipment...”
The more they heard, the more enchanted they became. They were all country folk who had come to the Empire to earn money. While they might not have had direct contact with the monsters created by the Demon Race, raids by monsters like goblins were a common occurrence. What they needed was not a standing army, but the power to protect themselves—or a means equivalent to it.
Ferda was offering them the power to kill monsters. And not just any monsters, but the kind that even mercenaries who fought for money were reluctant to face. It was an item of profound value that could not be bought with gold.
And he was offering it willingly, even at the risk of souring his relationship with one of the Empire’s wealthiest tycoons.
He truly cares for the East, they thought.
Ferda observed their expressions. It was clear they were almost completely won over.
Just as Stephan predicted.
The tactic of throwing out the offer of Magitech Rifles was actually a scheme devised by Stephan. Three days ago, while consulting with the newly arrived Stephan, they had mapped out several scenarios. One of them was this act of feigned generosity.
In the first place, the very purpose of the Magitech Rifles was for civilian use, and they had intended to commercialize them for the people of the Far East first anyway. The workers were simply getting them a little sooner.
Besides, I can turn them into a reserve force if necessary.
The workers gained the power to kill monsters, and Ferda gained a force he could mobilize in an emergency. It was a win-win strategy.
Of course, the man leading the charge, Hanson, wouldn't want it to end there. This was separate from their actual demands.
“We are truly grateful for the grace bestowed upon us by the Consort of the Great Fire, but we would also be thankful if you would consider our other demands.”
“Of course. This is separate from your demands. Since I am not well-versed in those specifics, I shall pass the baton.”
The man who took the baton was Stephan Pascal. He greeted them with an affable expression.
“My name is Stephan. I am the General Manager of the Pascal Trading Company, the future Chairman of the entire company, and currently the acting manager of the former Dandolo Merchant House.”
The man who would lead the Empire’s greatest merchant house and who was already managing its second-largest group. Though not a noble, he was a commoner with power incomparable to most aristocrats. The reason for his long-winded introduction was, naturally, to intimidate them.
“According to my records, your employment is currently handled as an outsourced contract through the administrator of Hestia Village.”
“That is correct.”
“Indeed, with so many workers, I also believe it is a serious matter that a union has not been formed. Regardless, you need someone to represent your voices.”
Stephan spoke as if he deeply empathized with their plight.
“I also feel the necessity of a union for the peace and prosperity of the Far East. Therefore, I officially support the establishment of the Valdrova Archduchy Labor Union—the Far East Labor Union.”
Stephan turned a page and addressed the other demands.
“Furthermore, the current wages for workers and foremen will remain at the 50% increased rate. Each foreman will receive differential compensation based on the number of workers they supervise, bonuses will be awarded based on performance, and we plan to provide housing support in the Far East residential area based on years of service.”
It was an extraordinary offer. It made them wonder why they hadn't voiced these grievances sooner.
“As for the union leader, it seems there was something you all agreed upon. Have you decided to recommend Mr. Hanson?”
“Yes.”
“Understood. Then we shall appoint Mr. Hanson as the leader of the Far East Labor Union.”
After scribbling down the name, Stephan clasped his hands politely and made a request.
“Now then, we shall move on to the discussion with the union leader. Only those at the rank of Research Director or higher may participate from this point on. Is that acceptable?”
At this, one foreman frowned and protested.
“How do we know what kind of scheme you’re cooking up?”
“Just talk here.”
“Normally, the rule is to speak only with the union leader, but because of your concerns, I am allowing the directors to observe.”
Including Hanson, there were three directors in total. Though their faces looked uneasy, the foremen had no choice but to leave the room. Once the foremen were gone and only the directors remained, Stephan’s tone shifted entirely.
“Now then. Shall we have the real conversation that executives have?”
“No matter what you try, we won’t be swayed,” Hanson countered aggressively.
“There’s no need to be swayed. The reason I didn’t include the foremen is that this is a matter of nobility.”
“A matter of nobility?”
“According to the laws of the Archduchy, citizens do not currently possess suffrage. Therefore, even if you become a union leader, your rank is effectively lower than that of a village chief.”
“That’s true.”
“I discussed this beforehand, and the Regent intends to create the position of Union Leader in the form of a ‘Citizen Representative.’”
“A Citizen Representative?”
“Yes. In some republics to the west, suffrage is granted in this form. To put it in terms familiar to Imperial law... you can think of it as a Baronet.”
A Baronet!
Strictly speaking, it wasn't a full noble, but it was a position that carried noble privileges. Was this not the noble status Hanson had craved so much?
“Therefore, if you become a Citizen Representative, your suffrage is guaranteed, and you can link tax exemptions with commercial activities. Furthermore, we plan to provide a quarterly stipend for maintaining your dignity.”
Every line he recited sank deep into Hanson's ears. Even the daily wages he received at sunset wouldn't leave such a thrill. Hanson found it incredibly difficult to maintain his composure.
It’s exactly as that mage said!
Complaints make people annoyed, and that annoyance leads to compensation. Hanson felt it was a waste that he hadn't thought of this sooner.
“Of course, this is limited to the position of Union Leader. If you step down from the post, your status as a Citizen Representative vanishes. Do you understand?”
“Does that mean if I step down, I become just an ordinary citizen again?”
“It passes to your successor, so the successor will gain the authority of the Citizen Representative.”
“I see.”
“Do the other two have any objections?”
The directors shook their heads.
“No objections here.”
“I think we can proceed as discussed.”
“Then, Union Leader, please sign here.”
Stephan held out the contract. Hanson checked the contents once more and signed his name. Thus, the council concluded successfully.
* * *
That night, Hanson drank heavily in high spirits. From tomorrow, he would go to work not as a director, but as the Leader of the Far East Labor Union.
I’ll set up a fancy nameplate and a chair... and I need to look for a house to live in.
The future ahead of him was a flower-strewn path. The smile never left his face, and he was dying to contact his relatives and family.
“You seem to be in a good mood.”
He heard the voice of the insolent young mage. Hanson welcomed the voice enthusiastically.
“Oh! Welcome, Mage!”
“Haha, don’t get up. And don’t even think about trying to hold my hand. So, how did it go?”
“Thanks to you, Mage, I’ve risen to Union Leader.”
“Congratulations. Tell me more in detail.”
Flushed with alcohol, Hanson recounted everything that had happened. Unlike Hanson’s triumphant tone, the mage’s face grew increasingly grim.
“So, you accepted those terms exactly as they were?”
“Of course. They granted all our demands, so how could I—”
“You absolute moron!”
The woman suddenly spat out the insult. The words snapped Hanson out of his drunken stupor.
“Why—why are you so angry?”
“Didn’t you hear me, you idiot? No, you’re probably worse than a mole crawling on the ground. At least they have the sense not to climb up where they don't belong! Do you have any idea what you’ve just done?”
“...?”
When he looked at her with a face that truly didn't understand, the woman let out a long sigh.
“Damn it, if I’d known this would happen, I would have just disguised myself as a worker and joined in, whether that guy noticed or not. It’s my fault for sending such fools!”
“What on earth did I do wrong?”
“What else? You climbed onto the gallows yourself, tied the knot, and put it around your own neck!”
* * *
“A hero play?”
Ferda expressed his doubt. It was the word that captured the core of the operation Stephan had described.
“Doesn’t the story always end with the Demon King dying and the Hero winning?”
“It does.”
“We know the Demon King dies, but the actor playing the Demon King isn't actually killed. It’s similar to that.”
“You mean it’s just a performance.”
Stephan nodded.
“Whenever an incident occurs, the Union Leader will step forward, calling himself a hero. He will ‘defeat’ the wicked villain—the Regent—and claim rewards. That way, the Citizen Representative gains support even from the opposition.”
Stephan smirked.
“All while they remain unaware that you are actually on the same side.”
“But Hanson isn't on my side right now, is he?”
Stephan nodded.
“He will soon be bowing his head in the palm of your hand, Regent. He won't have any other choice.”
“Explain.”
Stephan held up his index finger.
“First, we are in a situation where some of the workforce is being pulled away to build the walls. Therefore, additional manpower is needed for smooth urban planning.”
“True.”
“Considering the current situation, we’ll need to bring in about a hundred more people. That means a hundred new members for the labor union.”
“Can you bring them in?”
“With the daily wages we’re paying now, they have no choice but to come. It’s enough money to make them set aside their ‘Imperial Dream’ for a while.”
The current number of workers was 253. However, 98 of them were workers from Halim, and they did not belong to the Far East Labor Union. This meant there were effectively 155 members. From there, 100 additional workers would be added. Nearly two-fifths of the union would be fresh recruits.
“Factions will form.”
“Factions are likely forming even as we speak.”
“Why is that?”
“That is the second reason. As I mentioned, the position of Citizen Representative grants benefits similar to nobility.”
“Right.”
“What do you think will happen if we introduce a union leadership election system on top of that?”
Ferda understood.
“So that’s why you made a show of talking as if the directors were witnesses.”
“Yes. Unlike Hanson, whose eyes were clouded by the power right in front of him, the other two seemed to understand perfectly.”
The lust for power wasn't unique to Hanson. If anything, the others would be thinking, If Hanson can do it, why can't I?
“To maintain a faction for that election, they’ll need money. But will their wages alone give them the power to sway people?”
“Hardly.”
“And what do people who have only ever handled tools know about management? Or law? Or personnel and financial administration?”
Just as Stephan couldn't do carpentry and Hanson couldn't manage a corporation, everyone had things they couldn't do.
“In the end, to solve all of that, they will need this.”
Stephan made a circle with his thumb and index finger.
Money.
Power required money to obtain, and money to maintain.
“They will go looking for someone to provide that money.”
And who would be the person with the most money right in front of them? Who would be the one to advise them on financial flow, law, and personnel management?
“A field without intellectuals is always bound to be swept away by the greater current.”
Stephan was that very current. Ferda, looking inwardly satisfied, asked him:
“So, in how many months will the labor union be mine?”
Stephan replied with a bright smile.
“I will have it ready for you in two months at the latest.”