episode_0198

First, I decided to try my luck.

“So, did you try to raise more platinum even after paying off all the debt?”

“No. I only think about paying off my debt. I have no intention of procuring more. I also know how big a crime it is to mint counterfeit currency. I was just pursuing self-interest for my family.”

At those words, I close my eyes and get lost in thought.

We could raise more platinum, but why not?

It is difficult to know the exact meaning.

“You can make huge profits with platinum. Does this mean that he only tried to smuggle it once and not do it?”

Yom nods his head at my words.

“You can truly swear to God. I just wanted to do it this once.”

“Then doesn’t your friend lose a lot of profit?”

Yom agrees with what I say.

“That’s true, but my acquaintance makes money by smuggling platinum to the United Kingdom, so I’m not that interested in distributing it to the Empire.”

With those words, I gain confidence that this is a sustainable business partner and think hard about making a final decision.

There is no other way than developing platinum mines in the Mondic Mountains or smuggling it from the New World.

If we give up platinum here, we will have to give up mass production of fertilizers, which cost a huge amount of money.

However, developing a platinum mine… takes a lot of time and is riskier than importing from the New World.

If the empire directly mines and distributes platinum, it would be great to spread the word.

There are more than one or two things to worry about internally.

No matter how powerful I am in the empire, I cannot silence everyone.

It is nearly impossible to shut down everyone involved in platinum mine development, miners, smelters, and transporters.

Reality does not apply to any conspiracy theory worldview, and it is impossible for me to completely conceal all information.

On the other hand, if you import all of the platinum from the New World, you only need to worry about shipping and transportation to the laboratory.

In other words, there are many advantages to using the method of importing platinum by creating a car under the name Yom.

However, if Yom were to reveal that the Empire was importing platinum, he would be in trouble.

Because it would destroy the trust that the empire had built up over time.

There are many tyrants in history who have done more strange things, but that does not mean that trust should be broken.

If I make a mistake, my name may be recorded in the history books as a treacherous or powerful person who created counterfeit currency.

I can tolerate having my name left like that, but I cannot risk having the market economy ruined by counterfeit currency.

However, the fertilizer project, which costs a lot of money, cannot be delayed forever.

I open my mouth cautiously, thinking that if there was ever a time to take risks, it would be now.

“It’s confidential from now on. If this word spreads, your safety cannot be guaranteed.”

Yom’s face turns quizzical.

“What do you mean?”

“Can platinum be imported from the New World?”

Yom looks shocked at my words.

“That… that.”

I say this while looking at Yom, whose lips are shaking while trying to say something.

“Do you think I will make counterfeit currency?”

I shake my head and say to him who gently nods his head, unable to answer because he is shocked.

“If you thought that, you were wrong. Do you know that it is a technology investment fund?”

“I’ve heard of it… but I heard it’s a fund with poor returns.”

What Yom said is correct.

As of now, it is a fund that has poured a huge amount of money from the financial world in addition to the empire and nobility, but there has been no significant benefit so far.

“That’s right, that’s where new technology came from. It’s a new technology big enough to change the world.”

-gulp.

Yom gulps and swallows at my words.

“However, that technology requires a lot of platinum, but as you know, it cannot be easily imported due to the stigma of being a metal used only in counterfeit currency.”

Yom quickly responds to my words with an excited expression.

“Your Highness, I can help you with that.”

I nod my head at those words.

“That’s right, you can help. But if you…”

Before I can say anything, Yom answers.

“Don’t worry, I’m not that soft-spoken. If you entrust the task to me, I will not disappoint you.”

I nod my head at those words.

“Then that’s enough. I will soon release you with the power of pardon. We’ll talk about the details later at the Grand Duke’s Office.”

When I say that, Yom bows his head and says.

“His Majesty the Archduke. thank you! Thank you.”

-Pisik.

“I’ll be keeping an eye on you. Show me the results.”

That’s how I leave the interrogation room.

***

A few days later.

After Yom was pardoned, they gave him money to open a business and focus on platinum smuggling…

“His Majesty the Archduke. This is a report from the Ministry of Information.”

Lucius was also reinstated.

He was legally found not guilty and is currently working at the Grand Duke’s Ministry.

“Yes. Leave it there.”

I call out to Lucius as he leaves his documents on my desk.

“Wait a minute. Would you like to talk for a moment?”

“Yes? What’s going on?”

Normally, it would have been okay to say that I would quit on my own.

I wonder why he stayed.

Could it be that they are here to steal our information to the Emperor faction?

If so, I’m talking to you because I want to tell you to wake up from your dream.

As I sat Lucius down on the sofa, I began to speak.

“I went through prison last time. I was wondering if you would have any resentment towards me.”

It’s harder than I thought.

It’s awkward to ask out loud why you’re here, so I’ll tell you…

“The people at the Ministry of Justice were better than I expected, so it wasn’t difficult.”

Lucius spoke with an embarrassed expression.

I am secretly worried that there might be some thoughts inside.

“Still, your resentment toward me hasn’t gone away, right?”

Lucius stiffens slightly at my words and says.

“Resentment… Of course, it’s hard to say that there isn’t any, but I think my mistake was a big one.”

Lucius speaks calmly.

“Your mistake?”

Nod your head at my words.

“Yes. It’s true that I broke the law. Moreover, it was difficult for His Majesty the Grand Duke to save me hastily. I probably brought it on myself.”

Lucius’s words in principle.

From my perspective, I doubt this because it is something I want to hear in an extremely standard way.

“Really? Have you ever thought that I might not have handed you over to the Ministry of Justice?”

In fact, if I didn’t hand Lucius over to the Ministry of Justice and only silenced those involved, I could have hidden it without anyone knowing.

But Lucius shakes his head.

“I thought so at first. That’s why I resented it. I work overtime and overtime every night and can’t even go home to do the work assigned to me by His Majesty the Grand Duke. I was complacent and thought that people would appreciate this.”

Lucius pauses for a moment.

I look at him and wait for him to speak.

“While I was in prison, I thought about His Highness. Then, a thought occurred to me. Although I have not assisted His Highness the Archduke for a long time… His Highness has never used his power for personal reasons. I thought he handed me over to the Ministry of Justice because he knows the responsibilities of power better than anyone else.”

“So…?”

The reason I didn’t save him was because it was my duty to the Empire.

I hold everything in the empire.

If I save someone who broke the law just because they are close to me, it is no different from not fulfilling the duty of my power.

The politics of the empire are simpler than you think.

Exercise power in accordance with authority established by law. Even the emperor.

For me to deceive the law, which is the basis of government and the promise of all citizens of the empire, is no different from abandoning my duty.

The law must be strict for everyone.

Therefore, the reason Lucius was handed over to Savinelli was to obtain a fair ruling.

Lucius is like my close friend.

If he is tortured at the Ministry of Justice, it is only an interrogation according to imperial law.

Although it was a situation where my confidential information might be leaked, I decided to endure it.

Otherwise, if I intervene in Lucius’ decision and hand out a lenient punishment, someone will criticize me for not being fair, and handing out excessive punishment is another violation of imperial law.

“I think His Highness the Archduke was also embarrassed. I’m sorry for bothering you for no reason.”

When Lucius bows his head and hands me an apple, I feel embarrassed and scratch my cheek with my index finger.

“That… really?”

I wonder?

Are people really that good?

Lucius says this considering my position, but is that his true intention?

I have doubts.

Maybe it’s because I’ve been in a political world full of monsters for so long that I find it difficult to trust Lucius.

Besides, I have to see him as my aide often from now on, and I don’t want to keep suspecting Lucius as a confidant.

In addition, since the task of catching demon worshipers is difficult for the Intelligence Department to handle, the Intelligence Department’s request will also be provided to high-ranking officials in the Grand Duke’s Ministry.

Under current imperial law, the Ministry of Intelligence is equivalent to the 5th Department.

However, the role of the Anti-English Department is important because the 5th Department can reject requests for cooperation from the Intelligence Department, which monopolizes all information.

Because the Archduchy is a higher-level organization of the 5th Department, it has the authority to command.

Rather than changing the law, Lucius’s history cannot help but make me uneasy in a situation where we are trying to change the structure from the current system that only allows me to receive reports from the Intelligence Department to sharing them with the Archduchy’s aides.

therefore…

sorry. Please understand me like this.

I apologized to Lucius in my mind and cleared my throat.

“Kuhm… Lucius. I don’t think this job is right for you.”

Lucius’ expression turns pale at my words.

“I’m sorry… but I have to go to another department.”