Ch.27Aftermath (1)

# Chapter 27: Aftermath (1)

As everything unfolded exactly according to my predictions, public opinion within the Empire reversed in an instant.

“My goodness, so the Minister’s words were true after all, despite rumors of dementia.”

“Indeed, the minds of those in high positions are truly remarkable.”

This sentiment spread not only among the peasant-class commoners who spent their lives farming…

“See? Didn’t I tell you the Minister was right?!”

“Hmph.”

…but also among merchant traders and bourgeoisie who traveled between countless planets…

“I actually believed in the Minister’s wisdom from the beginning.”

“Don’t believe his lies!”

“I’ve believed in you since before you were born.”

…and even the noble class, who for some reason were becoming increasingly unhinged.

It was a peculiar feeling to see those who had criticized me so harshly now following me with such devotion.

“That’s enough now. Go attend to your duties.”

“Ahem…”

“I-I’ll just leave this here before I go.”

And in an Empire where bribery was legally prohibited, they were boldly leaving apple baskets behind.

“…It seems everyone has too much time on their hands.”

With apple boxes and baskets others had left piling up by the truckload in one corner, here was yet another person leaving an apple basket.

“Riel, what should we do with all of this?”

Hearing my exasperated voice, Riel picked up the apple basket left by some nameless baron, placed it in storage, and replied:

“Hmm… at the very least, if we leave them here, they’ll rot and give the Minister a new bodily fragrance…”

“No, that’s not what I meant.”

“Ah.”

Finally understanding my meaning, Riel nodded and said:

“Well? Can’t we just handle it as usual?”

“What?”

I expressed momentary confusion at Riel’s words.

How could she maintain such a calm tone despite seeing so many apple baskets and boxes?

“Riel, you… don’t tell me?”

As I subtly reached for my terminal, Riel looked at me with an expression that anyone would describe as robotic and said:

“I’m only saying this because the Anti-Bribery Law ensures there’s nothing but actual apples inside.”

“I understand, I’m sorry.”

Seeing Riel drop her usual demeanor and become serious, I hastily apologized.

———————–

After distributing the apples throughout the Executive Palace with Riel and my subordinates’ help.

In my office, which had become much cleaner after we tidied up in the process, we began discussing the recent events.

“By the way, how should I put this… recently, there’s been serious talk within the Empire about officially declaring you a saint.”

“PFFT!”

The conversation started with such a burdensome topic that I ended up spitting my tea all over Riel’s face.

“…”

“*Cough, cough!*”

“…I’ll bring this up later.”

“S-sorry.”

After hurriedly and thoroughly wiping her face with my handkerchief, we could finally begin a proper conversation.

“Anyway, to be honest, since Prosnack won just as you predicted, people are wondering if you might be some kind of prophet.”

“A prophet…”

Hearing those words, I suddenly remembered that in this world I’ve been transported to, people with supernatural abilities do exist.

“If only that were true.”

“Indeed.”

Apparently, the prevailing opinion in the Empire was that I might be that kind of supernatural being… or as they call them in this world, a psionic ability user.

But meeting such public expectations was, unfortunately, impossible.

[Name: Arto Virtorius Sebelli]

[Age: 30]

[Gender: Male]

[Race: Sebellian]

[Position: Minister of the Executive Palace, Holy Sebelli Empire]

[Current Status: Confused (Minor), Fatigued (Minor)]

If I were truly a psionic ability user, there would have been a “psionic” indicator in parentheses next to “Sebellian” in the race field of my status window.

The fact that it still wasn’t there confirmed my expectations.

Of course, gaining the title of supernatural being—or rather, psionic—wasn’t entirely impossible…

But the opportunity for “ascension” that would allow such a thing… would not come during my lifetime, making it a meaningless consideration.

Perhaps I was lost too deeply in thought without even pausing time.

“Minister?”

Hearing Riel calling me, I snapped back to reality and decided to change the subject.

“Ah, yes… are there any other topics?”

“Plenty. For example, some are saying that if you hadn’t opposed from the beginning and we had fought 4-to-1, we would have won.”

“Good grief.”

I had clearly explained why that wouldn’t work, from the imperial council meeting to the televised debate broadcast throughout the Empire.

Yet there were still these space parrots repeating the same things, making my temples throb.

‘How exactly am I supposed to respond to this?’

Managing factions and reputation was challenging enough in third-person games, but handling it in first-person, one issue at a time, was infuriatingly difficult.

But that frustration didn’t last long…

-Ding!♪

When the familiar notification sound rang from my terminal, I automatically checked the screen.

[Event: The End of the Slanderers]

[The mastermind who spread all kinds of slander against you during the Prosnack War has been arrested!]

[After investigation, the mastermind was revealed to be a spy from a foreign empire, dispatched to exclude you from imperial operations.]

[Unfortunately, they committed suicide before their exact imperial affiliation could be determined, making further tracking impossible.]

“…Hmph.”

With the event message that appeared, I felt my irritation gradually subsiding.

‘That’s more like it.’

Although I would never know who had thrown that fresh milk at me, the fact that we got this far was something.

“Did something good happen?”

“Yes, our purge unit resolved another case.”

Having regained some peace of mind.

As I leaned back into my personal sofa, Riel looked at me with a curious expression and asked:

“By the way, Minister, what do you think will happen next?”

“About what?”

“Well… the Prosnack situation, of course.”

Fortunately, she wasn’t the type of subordinate who would bother someone trying to rest, so I continued the conversation while still leaning back.

“That’s not something we need to worry about too much.”

I said this while assuming “that pose”—interlocking my fingers and resting my chin on them to cover my mouth—to add gravitas.

“Of course, these are just my predictions, so they’re not 100% accurate…”

“Just tell me already, O Prophet.”

“…”

Seeing Riel’s distaste for my chuunibyou-like pose, I abandoned it and crossed my arms instead.

“Are the peace negotiations still ongoing?”

“Yes, our dispatched personnel are coordinating, but… reaching an agreement between all parties isn’t easy.”

“Is that so?”

I got the feeling that Kerzin and friends still hadn’t come to their senses, so I continued:

“First of all, the one with the most to lose in this war is, obviously, the Kerzin Federation.”

“That’s right…?”

“Besides the original Prosnack territories, they’ll also lose the star systems currently under Prosnack control.”

“If that happens, not only will the Kerzin Federation’s territory shrink, but… it will be split in two. Will they really accept that?”

Despite Riel’s skepticism, I shook my head firmly and replied:

“If they don’t accept? Honestly, it’s miraculous that Prosnack is even pretending to listen to us right now. If they take such a defiant stance… what do you think those guys will do?”

“Ah.”

“If Kerzin has any sense, they’ll consider themselves fortunate to secure just their capital region and southern territories.”

“But what if Prosnack refuses even that?”

“If they won’t guarantee even the minimum living space for the Kerzin Federation, then it will be time for Prosnack to pay the price.”

I took out a piece of paper and drew a rough map on the table.

“Of course, with the Kerzin Federation’s fleet destroyed, there’s a small possibility they might guarantee their living space only to invade again later…”

As I spoke, I drew a line on the paper map with my pen.

“During the ceasefire period between the two countries, monitoring teams and fleets from the Galactic Alliance will be deployed along the border to prevent war, so there shouldn’t be any problems.”

“I see.”

Nodding at my words, Riel asked another question:

“So that’s how it will be for the Kerzin Federation… but what about the others?”

[Pause]

At those words, I immediately activated the pause…

…and only after an extremely long time was I able to organize my thoughts enough to feel comfortable unpausing.

[Unpause]

“Either way, they’re in a much better situation than the Kerzin Federation.”

“Is that so? I heard there’s been significant opposition causing constant noise during the negotiation process.”

In response to Riel’s comment, I tapped the paper on the table with my finger and said:

More precisely, I paused time again before continuing.

“As I said earlier, what can they really do about it?”

“Hmm… that’s true.”

To Riel, who was now nodding in agreement, I drew another line on the map and continued:

“Zeltech will lose most of its western star systems, but compared to Kerzin, those merchant types can certainly endure it.”

“Huh?”

“Although they’re complaining now, essentially all the star systems Zeltech lost were originally Prosnack territories anyway.”

“Meaning?”

“Unlike Kerzin, Zeltech is merely returning to the status quo, that’s all.”

After saying this, I took a sip of water from the cup that had been prepared earlier to moisten my throat.

“What about Ztrakfor?”

“They’re a different story. Unlike Zeltech or Kerzin, they’ve managed to recover some of their borders.”

“Hmm, but wouldn’t losing the strategic Proton planetary system be a significant blow?”

At those words, I went through another long—no, short—pause.

“Actually, to be honest, the Proton planetary system itself isn’t that valuable.”

“No?”

“At best, it’s a place where you can extract decent mineral resources, but those are honestly abundant elsewhere.”

“I see.”

“And even though they lost the Proton system, they still have the Pelegorn system behind it.”

As I said this, I suddenly recalled a place name from a fantasy novel from my previous life.

‘…That’s basically Osgiliath.’

And once that thought occurred to me, I couldn’t help but wonder if someday Ztrakfor’s capital might face the catastrophe of being surrounded by Prosnack forces.