Ch.192Coward-Vaccine, The Rebellious Governor (1)

# Chapter 192: Coward-Vaccine, The Rebellious Governor (1)

The diplomatic delegation from Arto’s Diplomatic Enforcement Ministry had arrived at the Avar planetary system, assembled to negotiate with Governor Goliath who was showing defiance.

To prevent the governor from stalling with excuses about lacking authority, they had granted the delegation leader, an enforcement officer, quite extensive powers.

The delegation went to Governor Goliath’s residence with the attitude of “Remove the vaccine? Why would we do such a thing?” and attempted to proceed with negotiations as quickly as possible, but…

Unfortunately, Governor Goliath’s attitude toward the delegation was far from pleasant from the start.

“Governor, Project V currently underway is a meaningful plan for the entire Empire, and one that His Imperial Majesty himself has authorized.”

(Are you ignoring the Emperor’s words? This is being pushed by the central government, and it won’t be fun if you keep blocking it.)

“As someone who lives under the shadow of His Imperial Majesty, I have a sufficient understanding of that.”

(Yes, I know.)

“If Your Excellency would allow Project V to proceed, the central government will provide benefits to you and the Avar planetary system, such as abolishing certain tariffs.”

(Fine, I get it. Let’s just get this show over with. Honestly, you’re just trying to maximize your benefits.)

“However, regarding this so-called Project V, hasn’t His Majesty merely granted permission for it?”

(But this isn’t the Emperor’s ‘order,’ is it?)

“Pardon?”

(Oh please.)

“How does an order from a mere servant of His Majesty transform into an order for the entire Empire?”

(So I’m not listening to you. Good day.)

“…”

(Fucking lizard… no, this governor bastard)

——————————

The day after returning from the party.

When I received the full report of the above conversation first thing in the morning, I felt my temples throbbing again.

[Event: Negative Trait Manifested]

[Minister Arto Virtorius Sevelli has been given the ‘Stomach Cramps’ trait.]

‘Damn it all to hell.’

Now my stomach was hurting too, making me feel absolutely miserable.

“Haaa…”

“Minister, would you like a glass of water?”

I downed the glass of water Riel brought me in one go, and felt the pain in my stomach subside somewhat.

‘Ah, that’s a bit better.’

Once the pain had subsided to some degree, I asked Riel if there were any additional reports.

“Well, Governor Goliath issued a declaration himself this morning. Would you like to hear it?”

“…No, I don’t think I need to hear it directly. Just summarize the content.”

“Aww, it would have been quite entertaining to see you suffer while listening to it directly.”

After swinging my etiquette injection rod at the impertinent Riel for the first time in a while.

“Now, look at me and try again.”

“Hiiing… there’s nothing special. To summarize, it says ‘By the authority of the planetary governor, I will put a stop to all actions the central government attempts to take in the Avar planetary system.'”

Hearing Riel’s words, I inwardly thought I had made the right decision not to read the full text myself.

But once that idle thought passed, what filled my mind next was enormous suspicion.

“I don’t understand. Why is Governor Goliath showing such a strong adverse reaction to the vaccine removal operation?”

“Well… perhaps it’s some kind of protest, like the demonstrators?”

Since it was behavior that defied common sense, neither I nor Riel could provide a satisfactory answer.

It seemed like he had some grievance, but what was the point of not stating what that grievance actually was?

“Are you sure the delegation offered tariff abolition?”

“Yes, according to the enforcement officer who led the delegation, they even offered to give special privileges to the Avar planetary system.”

To refuse despite being offered such benefits.

“Riel, doesn’t this smell a bit fishy to you?”

“Your shirt, Minister? The only scent coming from there would be either yours or the Emperor’s.”

Seeing Riel making such frivolous remarks at a time like this, I was about to pull out my etiquette injection rod again.

“It was just a joke to lighten the mood. I’d be in trouble if you took it seriously.”

“…”

Not wanting to be hit twice in one morning, Riel quickly changed her attitude and became serious.

“You’re right, Minister. Governor Goliath’s behavior does seem quite strange.”

“Are there any weaknesses we could exploit? If necessary, we might be able to break his will using such weaknesses.”

“We already have intelligence agents searching, but no substantial information has emerged yet.”

“Tsk.”

At Riel’s words, I found myself shaking my head involuntarily.

‘It seems that old man has prepared quite thoroughly.’

But that didn’t mean I was going to back down.

“Riel, contact the Ministry of Internal Affairs.”

“What should I say?”

“Ask them how they feel about focusing this tax audit intensively on the Avar planetary system.”

“Heeh.”

And the Ministry of Internal Affairs, upon receiving my message, showed quite an enthusiastic response to this matter.

“I also agree with Minister Arto’s opinion. Because of that man, an operation that should have ended days ago is still ongoing, isn’t it?”

“Hmm.”

It seems this is the new Minister of Internal Affairs who replaced the previous one after the Pope purge incident.

Perhaps because we’re of similar age, his friendly attitude naturally put me in a good mood.

Moreover, according to the Minister of Internal Affairs, Governor Goliath’s attitude was the same toward other departments as well.

‘…Imperial Avengers, assemble!’

I felt satisfied thinking that even if I didn’t take action personally, the Ministry of Internal Affairs would conduct a “thorough” tax audit on its own.

———————————-

But our deranged Governor Goliath showed truly unexpected behavior.

“Now open wide for the tax audit.”

“I refuse to submit to a tax audit from the central government that disrespects His Majesty’s will!”

“Wow, really?”

When the inspectors from the Internal Affairs Ministry’s Inspection Department flew there in person but were prohibited not just from landing on the planet but even from entering the planetary system—an unprecedented situation—

I, the Minister of Internal Affairs, and other ministers were all utterly astonished.

“That, that crazy old man?!”

Of course, the imperial media was completely silent about this matter.

Not a single article was published about it.

“I don’t want to see any news about that man in the media.”

“Good idea. Letting the story leak would only cause unnecessary movements.”

With the Propaganda Minister’s sincere media control, along with my mobilization of Alina and Enforcement Ministry agents,

All stories about the Avar planetary system and Governor Goliath were completely untraceable on the Imperial Net.

After completing such preparations, the ministers, including myself, began to feel the need to deliver an ultimatum to the planetary governor.

“Isn’t it remarkable? Despite His Majesty already granting permission, and despite Minister Arto, who holds the title of Saint, directing the operation, he still rebels.”

“…Perhaps our Empire has given planetary governors too much authority.”

“Regarding that matter, it might not be a bad idea to bring it up to His Majesty at the next regular imperial council meeting.”

Due to Governor Goliath’s actions, legislation that could potentially harm other planetary governors was being drafted by the ministers.

Seeing this, I checked my quest again, thinking that a storm would soon hit the imperial political scene in various ways.

[Emergency Quest: Vaccine Removal Operation]

[Remove the Coward Type-C 19 vaccine and ‘Verichip’ from citizens who have been injected with Prosnack’s vaccine.]

[Time Limit: 98 days]

[Available Operation Time: 180 days]

[Progress: 95.87%]

[Failure to complete the quest within the time limit will result in -90% stability across the Holy Sevelli Empire and the creation of large-scale rebel forces]

‘With that progress rate, it seems like we just need to deal with the Avar planetary system to finish it all.’

Thinking this, I once again prayed to ‘God’ that Governor Goliath would listen to reason through this ultimatum.

‘The time limit has already decreased to double digits, so let’s get through this final part to reach 100% progress easily.’

…Of course, realizing that my attitude was quite arrogant, I offered a more respectful prayer shortly after.

‘Oh God, the time given to me has already decreased to double digits. Please help me complete this final task easily within this limited time.’

Of course, I wasn’t just praying.

“Governor Goliath’s attitude is quite suspicious. Perhaps we should prepare a special task force just in case.”

“Minister Arto’s suggestion seems right.”

Since we couldn’t predict how these stubborn people might change their attitude,

I decided to position stealth destroyers used by the purge unit near the Avar system, ready to deploy at any time.

This was because a planetary governor naturally has a defense force to protect the planet.

Although it consisted mainly of patrol ships designed to deal with pirates, he still had his own fleet.

I believed it was better to be cautious.

Of course, for complete secrecy, the unit was not disclosed to the negotiation team heading to the planet.