Ch.157Victory Ceremony: Aftermath (1)

# Chapter 157: After the Victory Ceremony (1)

After the three-way meeting between the Saint, Artraia, and myself concluded…

“Well then, child, I’ll take this one back with me. You go on with your duties.”

“…”

After watching the Saint of Eternia fly away with Artraia.

“How was that, Minister? Didn’t my excellent support bring this situation to a splendid conclusion?”

“…”

“You two were dragging things out so much that I just went for it. Did I do well?”

“…”

I turned to head back to the Foreign Ministers’ meeting with Riel, who had disappeared and reappeared.

————————————

Of course, in the process, Riel’s head had acquired a generous collection of new bumps.

“Owww…”

“Consider yourself lucky it ended with just this much, Riel.”

I entered the room where the Foreign Ministers’ meeting was being held, accompanied by Riel, who looked as if she were wearing a peculiar hat due to all the bumps on her head.

[Event: Successful Pummeling!]

[You have successfully attacked your opponent’s head accurately and consistently over a long period.]

[Trait ‘Headshot’ (Fleet and Ground Forces Accuracy +10%) created for Arto Virtorius Sebelli]

In the midst of all this, I apparently received a trait acquisition event for hitting her so much.

Since I had decided to no longer be constrained by traits that would reset with just a visit to the hospital.

I dismissed the event message and found my seat in the meeting room, which had a uniquely subtle atmosphere after the break had ended.

However, my appearance inevitably drew attention in the meeting room.

This was because most people typically arrived 10-20 minutes early to prepare.

Not only was it proper etiquette, but there was also much to prepare for the meeting.

Arriving right as the break ended, as I had just done, was not something one would expect to see at a Foreign Minister-level meeting.

Especially when that person was the one leading the meeting.

So it was only natural that some of those giving me questioning looks openly expressed their curiosity.

“Minister Arto? Excuse me, but did something happen?”

“Well… quite a few things happened.”

Of course, I had no obligation to explain everything in detail.

I intended to give a brief response and quickly move on to the main topic.

“Then perhaps your aide’s head behind you…”

“Ah.”

It seemed they were puzzled not by my tardiness but by the shape of Riel’s head behind me.

But I had no obligation to explain that either.

“It’s nothing to worry about.”

“Ah.”

Rather than dwelling on that, I made it clear we should move on to the main topic, signaling that they shouldn’t concern themselves with it.

———————————–

Anyway, once the meeting resumed, the previous disorder quickly disappeared, and everyone adopted a serious demeanor.

The key agenda for this meeting was none other than the matter of Zeltech refugees and capital.

“According to the Galactic Federation observer, the project that Minister Arto conducted has dealt a severe blow to Zeltech capital.”

“Well, isn’t that the price they must pay for their actions?”

It was only natural that the discussion would turn to how I had given those troublemakers in our empire a taste of their own “mischief.”

“By the way, have you heard? The Trade Union is reportedly canceling part of the Holy Sebelli Empire’s debt due to this incident.”

“Ah, you’re referring to that matter.”

Of course I didn’t know, but only fools would admit ignorance in a setting like this.

I decided to pretend I knew while exchanging information to grasp the situation.

Besides, this approach proved quite beneficial.

[Event: The Collapse of the Zeltech Financial Empire]

[The massive Zeltech financial and capital forces, once powerful enough to place the entire galaxy at their feet, sought to make the Holy Sebelli Empire their new home under their guidance in place of their destroyed homeland.]

[However, that plan failed due to the bloody efforts of the empire and the slander and schemes against them.]

[The resulting backlash has caused them massive damage, caught between the checks of existing powers and the rise of emerging forces.]

[It seems unlikely they will regain their former glory in the foreseeable future.]

[Goodwill toward Zeltech -50 for all nations in the Galactic Federation (-1 per year)]

Just by listening and engaging in the conversation appropriately, event messages like this appeared to summarize the situation.

Of course, I wasn’t just listening passively.

“By the way, I believe the Galactic Federation was planning to demand punitive damages from Zeltech capital. Has there been any word on that?”

When I casually inquired about operations I had secretly conducted, the foreign ministers from vassal states began providing me with detailed answers.

“From what we’ve heard, they’re proposing special legislation specifically targeting Zeltech capital.”

“Hmm.”

“Similar to the case of the former Uko-Praknar Interstellar Union, they’re likely to demand punitive damages, wouldn’t you say?”

And it seemed their prediction was correct, as the Federation’s decision was soon transmitted to my terminal…

[Galactic Federation activates punitive damages claim.]

[10% of the credits obtained from this claim will go to Federation assets, 90% will be allocated to the affected nation, the Holy Sebelli Empire]

[The Zeltech Corporate Union is showing resistance to these reparations.]

‘Oh, these damn bastards.’

Apparently unwilling to become destitute like Uko-Praknar, they were showing thorough resistance in various ways.

But was that even possible?

“Our nation has also decided to activate additional sanctions against Zeltech capital.”

“Oh, is that so? We were just about to announce sanctions as well…”

After I had exposed what Zeltech had done in our empire to neighboring countries, and those countries had spread the word to others, resistance seemed futile.

While Zeltech might have stood a chance as an intact nation, as mere scattered refugees and corporations without a homeland, it was impossible.

Indeed, about an hour into the meeting.

-Ding.

[Zeltech Corporate Union decides to accept the Galactic Federation’s terms]

‘That’s more like it.’

As I had predicted, the Zeltech friends couldn’t withstand the multifaceted pressure from the Galactic Federation and surrendered.

And because of that, immediately after the message arrived.

-Ding♬

[Time Pause]

A time pause occurred, and a new event message appeared.

[Event: Zeltech’s Surrender]

[Due to your schemes, Zeltech found itself facing not just the Holy Sebelli Empire but suddenly the entire galaxy.]

[And Zeltech, existing solely on capital power without a nation, could not bear the massive damage this caused and declared unconditional surrender.]

[Trait ‘Fanaticism Beyond Capital’ (Capital and Materialism Preference -10%, Theocracy Preference +10%) created and applied to the Holy Sebelli Empire]

[Gain additional revenue of +50% Energy Credits monthly from the Zeltech Corporate Union during the reparation period]

[Forced deletion of debt and interest of the Holy Sebelli Empire held by the Zeltech Corporate Union]

‘Hot damn!’

Seeing such exclamation-worthy rewards.

I wanted to share this joy with Artraia, who was probably finishing the victory ceremony instead of cross-dressing as my bodyguard, by touching her horns.

Of course, since I couldn’t actually do that, I buried such thoughts deep in my heart…

[Time Pause Release]

I released the time pause and focused back on the meeting.

And in the meeting as well, all sorts of discussions about Zeltech capital continued.

“Our side is also appalled at the various illegal activities committed by those Zeltech fellows.”

“I believe this is the perfect opportunity to impose galaxy-wide sanctions against those money-grubbing bastards.”

Already staggering from the Galactic Federation’s reparation demands.

If each nation continued to implement inspections and sanctions targeting Zeltech capital…

It was clear that Zeltech would never regain its past glory and would walk an eternal downward path of decline.

But even as Zeltech’s destruction was being documented, there remained exactly one place where Zeltech capital could operate “normally.”

“By the way, Minister Arto, does the Holy Sebelli Empire not plan to announce additional sanctions against the Zeltech people?”

“Well, you know our situation…”

“Ah, I see.”

Perhaps it was because the leadership of the Zeltech Corporate Union’s Sebelli Empire branch, which had tried to overthrow us, had been captured by us.

They had suddenly become a massive state-owned enterprise, serving as an excellent tax collection mechanism and amplifier for the empire.

And thanks to the Papal Office’s fanatics exchanging their lives to eliminate potential reactionary elements that might cause problems.

Ironically, the Holy Sebelli Empire, where Zeltech capital neither became threatening nor faced sanctions due to the massacre.

The fact that this place would be perceived as the only sanctuary for Zeltech capital in the galaxy… was truly an ironic story.