Ch.196Central Authority (6)

“It seems I’ve made many mistakes lately.”

“—?!”

As I suddenly apologize at the regular state council meeting disguised as a banquet, the nobles’ expressions twist dramatically.

Beyond their contorted facial muscles, I can see their eyes, and every single one of them is saying, “What kind of nonsense is he up to now?”

How rude.

“Mistakes? What on earth do you mean, Your Majesty? You have always made only the right decisions…”

His tongue gets tied and his mind seems to twist as he forces out words he doesn’t mean.

Even though he bit his tongue while forcing his mouth to move, he persists in speaking, which fills me with a sense of awe.

“Do you truly believe that? If so, then I need not give you an opportunity to recover from any damages.”

“W-what…?”

“I thought I had been too harsh on you all and wanted to share some honey, but if, as you say, I have always made the right decisions, then I have never treated you harshly, have I?”

The noble’s face contorts in a way that defies description.

If he maintains his current position, he cannot receive anything from me, but if he reverses it, he would essentially be insulting me to my face by admitting I made mistakes.

The corner of the noble’s eye twitches and his lips quiver. It seems as though conflicting thoughts are colliding in his head, with the aftermath manifesting physically.

“Why are you silent?”

“W-well, that is…”

“Haha, I jest, I jest. I won’t question you further, so please relax.”

Just a moment ago, I had wanted to tease the noble a bit, but seeing his lifespan visibly diminishing in real-time due to my joke, that desire completely vanished.

Imagining something and actually seeing it are entirely different matters.

“Anyway, I have decided to give you all compensation.”

“…May we hear the details of this compensation?”

“Of course I must tell you. I was about to get to that—you’re quite impatient.”

At my signal, the doors of the grand banquet hall open, and a black chalkboard on wheels emerges.

It’s similar in form to what’s used in universities, but the wood frame is made of a more luxurious ivory-colored wood, and the board itself is not ordinary stone but black marble, making it quite extravagant. Being black and made from sections of marble without the characteristic patterns, it complements the white chalk well.

“Ah, that’s just for explanation purposes. Wouldn’t it be insufficient to explain everything by mouth alone?”

Most nobles here have likely never seen a chalkboard in person, but many seem to recognize what it is just by its form.

They’re quite perceptive.

Though they obtained their power through inheritance rather than ability, they’ve all received above-average education for this era, so their insight is quite good.

“Hmm… where should I begin explaining… Yes, I wish to give you the opportunity to participate in politics.”

The chalk, made from crushed shells and eggshells, makes a familiar sound as it creates white lines on the black board.

A castle with a crown on top is drawn, with numerous smaller castles around the periphery.

“As you all know well enough, those of you far from Dijon find it difficult to exert influence on state affairs, isn’t that right?”

To be honest, that’s not entirely accurate. Being far from the capital makes it easier to escape administrative surveillance, meaning they can more easily evade central control. If they were to grow their power and band together, they could certainly exert influence on state affairs.

But the administrative surveillance network is tightly spread throughout the Rotaring Kingdom, and the dismantling of armies is progressing smoothly, so no matter how much they grow their power, opposing me is impossible.

“…That’s correct.”

The nobles, who know this fact very well, have expressions that sour as soon as I finish speaking.

Their faces are cursing me, saying, “You’re the one who made it difficult for us to exert influence, and now you have the audacity to say such things.”

Really, they should manage their expressions better.

No matter how displeased they are, showing such expressions openly—how do they think that makes me feel? It almost makes me want to change my mind.

“So I’ve devised something—I will bestow upon all of you positions that guarantee participation in central politics.”

“Positions? What kind exactly?”

“The Senate. From now on, when there are political matters that require debate, I intend to put them to a vote, and I will give you the right to vote in those proceedings.”

“…!”

They’re easy to read.

Until just now, they were openly displaying their displeasure, but not anymore.

They’re acting as if they can’t believe their ears. As if they think I would never give them something so important.

…They’re clearly pleased, but somehow it irritates me.

“W-what power will the results of these votes hold?”

“You are my loyal pillars, my noble lords—naturally, shouldn’t we follow the results you collectively produce? Of course, I will reject anything that limits my authority, constitutes treason, or shakes the foundations of the state and royal family, but for all other matters, I will follow the Senate’s decisions.”

It’s surprisingly spectacular.

The nobles who were just looking at me with half-closed eyes are now all wide-eyed with surprise… how should I put it, there’s a strangely resonant satisfaction in my chest.

That peculiar manga where someone shouts “I can control emotions!” while drawing attention from all directions suddenly comes to mind—I think I understand that feeling now.

“Not just respect… but you’ll follow? Even if it directly conflicts with Your Majesty’s opinion?”

“That’s right.”

“What kind of authority would Your Majesty retain, for example?”

“Military authority, personnel authority, administrative authority, legislative authority, judicial authority, taxation authority, and so on?”

“That seems too broad and could potentially conflict with all matters…”

Good eye.

To be honest, matters that don’t conflict with my authority would hardly qualify as matters at all. Even if the Senate wanted to implement simple poverty relief, a slightly malicious interpretation could claim it conflicts with my administrative authority, couldn’t it?

“Then for matters related to my authority that would normally be rejected, we’ll create special voting criteria, and I won’t be able to exercise veto power over matters that pass under those criteria.”

“How will the passage be determined? Does it require unanimity, or else have no effect?”

“Unanimity? Is that realistic? I’m thinking ordinary matters would be determined by a majority of seated members, while rejected matters would require two-thirds.”

“What would constitute shaking the foundations of the state and royal family?”

“Things like abolishing all nobility, abolishing the monarchy to establish a republic, or refusing to recognize the legitimate heir according to succession law?”

The nobles, having been deceived too many times by my nicely packaged words, questioned the meaning of each term and the Senate’s duties and authorities. I answered their questions using the chalkboard.

While this is certainly something I can do, it feels strange that they so clearly don’t trust me as their lord.

Well, I’ve never once shown the attitude of a true lord as they would expect, so it’s understandable.

I didn’t treat them as vassals with a benevolent lord’s heart, but rather as troublesome local chieftains, so their reaction is only natural.

…This is unexpectedly painful. Perhaps from now on… No, no. I’ve already come too far to turn back.

“Your Majesty, what do you want from us?”

“Want? Nothing.”

“But this is…”

“Just consider it one of my whims. I’ve always received concessions from you, so it’s about time I made some concessions myself.”

To be honest, rather than a concession, this is more like returning a small portion of what I’ve taken.

In the past, even without something like a Senate, there was no problem exerting political influence. No, back then they could even resort to force if needed, so their influence was even greater and stronger.

They must know this fact very well, so it’s probably too much to expect gratitude for this—

“Y-Your Majesty…!”

“…Huh?”

But something seems off.

The nobles who should know this fact very well are all looking at me with moved expressions.

Having played this game for over ten years, I pride myself on being able to read nobles’ expressions accurately, but every noble here is wearing a genuinely touched expression.

Uh, umm… well…

“Don’t make such a fuss. Am I not your lord?”

“Yes… that’s right.”

Seeing them so moved honestly makes me feel quite guilty.

First, setting the passage threshold at a majority—this wouldn’t be an issue if all matters were simple yes-or-no choices, but options typically branch in multiple directions, which creates significant problems. There’s a reason most democratic countries use majority rule for parliamentary elections, head of state elections, and assembly votes.

Moreover… the Senate isn’t open only to them.

The larger the scale of the assembly called the Senate becomes, the less political power each individual senator will be able to wield.

Of course, doing so would mean I’d have many more factors to consider, which would be quite troublesome… but well, if things go wrong, I can always use my veto power, right?

I’ll distribute seats based on royalist factions, and the more people there are, the harder it will be to unify opinions and meet the two-thirds threshold, so it should be fine.