Ch.55Hate Intelligence and Neo-Statism (3)

# Chapter 55: Living with Hateful Intelligence and Neo-Statism (3)

The method was simple.

It involved using the fact that the culprit(?) of this incident was a Purge Unit member to our advantage.

“We could say it was an accident that occurred during infiltration training.”

-“Does that even make sense?”

In response to my suggestion, the commander of the Orbital Defense Command, who was known for his cautious approach, showed a rather negative reaction.

-“Without a proper operational plan in place, if we say ‘it was actually training,’ won’t the parliament immediately demand to see the plan?”

-“Exactly, and more importantly, the meteor… or was it ground? The fact that there was no warning about operating something so massive is already serious enough.”

With even the Capital Defense Fleet Commander responding negatively, I nodded and replied.

“I understand your concerns, but if it’s a realistic ‘infiltration’ training, both the parliament members and His Majesty would understand why there were no warning signals.”

-“Even if that’s the case, what about the operational plan?”

When the operational plan was mentioned, I gestured to Riel behind me, who brought forward a large stack of printed papers.

“The operational plan is right here. Admiral Kazarius of our 1st Fleet noticed the situation and prepared it separately.”

The expression on Admiral Kazarius’s face when he saw this stack of papers momentarily froze before quickly returning to normal.

Of course, due to their line of sight, the others didn’t catch the Admiral’s reaction.

-“That looks like quite a lot for something prepared in just one day, Admiral Kazarius.”

-“Ahem… well…”

-“I’m impressed. Usually, even simple paperwork takes you months.”

-“S-sometimes I can work like this too.”

And so, Admiral Kazarius had to manage his expression while responding to the “praise” from the Orbital Defense Commander and Capital Defense Fleet Commander, whether he liked it or not.

Of course, during and after the conversation, he kept sending me shocked glances…

‘Your coup plan is exposed, so keep your mouth shut and stay still.’

Under my silent gaze conveying this message, the Admiral eventually bowed his head in silent agreement.

And it wasn’t just the Admiral I had called in for no reason.

“This is fake accident data compiled by our agents, explaining why the accident occurred during training, pieced together from various incidents.”

I pulled up the accident data through a terminal.

In other words, I was openly showing the accident caused by the Capital Defense Fleet Commander while claiming it was “pieced together.”

“The content differs slightly from the operational plan, but well, misunderstandings happen in life, don’t they?”

-“…”

For the Orbital Defense Command, I pointed out their negligence in surveillance network management by drawing virtual training routes and identifying broken surveillance networks.

After pointing all this out, well…

-“…Perfect, yes, perfect.”

-“This should work if we proceed as planned.”

-“…”

Everyone seemed to have a lot they wanted to say, but the atmosphere made it difficult for them to speak up.

-“Minister, what if His Majesty and the parliament don’t accept this explanation? What’s your plan then?”

When this cautious opinion was raised, I nodded and answered.

“Don’t worry. I’ve prepared an alternative in case this plan doesn’t work.”

-“If you’re so confident, Minister…”

-“Still, a plan like this should work, shouldn’t it?”

-“Indeed, with a plan this realistic…”

—————————–

And so, these gloomy old men’s sinister plan seemed to be concluding successfully.

“With such detailed evidence… there’s no choice but to accept it.”

“Just another human error, as always.”

No matter how false the basic premise was.

Since all the materials were “real,” even the parliament members had no choice but to be completely convinced.

‘Phew.’

It seemed that my neck and those of the old men would be spared.

“However, since it was an accident, we cannot avoid holding those responsible accountable.”

“Your Majesty’s words are correct.”

Of course, Arthraia had no intention of missing this perfect opportunity to consolidate the imperial—or rather, the Emperor’s—power.

Even if it was just a reprimand, it would allow him and his faction to gain the upper hand…

Well, that must be the calculation in his mind.

Unfortunately, since I was neither a politician nor anything of the sort, I had no way of knowing what Arthraia was thinking.

Still, if things continued like this, it would clearly end neatly without any problems.

But just as I was thinking that and feeling relieved.

-Ding♪

[Pause]

[Event: The Emperor’s Scheme]

[The Emperor of the Holy Sebelli Empire, Arthraia, wants to bind your existence to himself forever.]

[Option 1: Surely not. (Proceed to linked event)]

[Option 2: Fight with logic. (Proceed to linked event)]

[Option 3: Introduce a different topic to derail the discussion. (Proceed to linked event)]

With this sudden choice event, I felt my composure being ejected once again.

‘What is this?’

It was such a strange event.

‘Bind me to himself forever? What does that mean?’

The content was so abrupt that my mind seemed to refuse to understand it, but…

Since time was paused, after much contemplation.

‘…Arthraia, you can’t be serious.’

This incident…

No, I realized that Arthraia’s current target wasn’t our old men but me, and.

Only then did I finally understand what those random options meant.

Option 1 would lead straight to becoming a pet.

Option 2 would mean engaging in a “logical debate” (actually torture) with Arthraia, who was among the top 5 smartest people I knew (and guaranteed defeat).

Option 3 was… “that thing” I had prepared in case this plan failed.

‘My goodness, what an unfair situation.’

Choosing option 1 would be the end.

It was literally a death flag option.

In the original game, option 1 would probably have been in red text with “low probability” or something.

But were the other options any better? Not really.

Option 2 would just mean me struggling pathetically before being crushed by Arthraia’s intellect.

‘If I could beat Arthraia with words, I would have been the Emperor instead…!’

While I could use the pause to think for days, Arthraia would effortlessly counter whatever I said in just minutes.

So in the end, I had only one real choice.

‘Please stop with these predetermined events already…’

Thinking that, I selected option 3 and unpaused.

[Pause Released]

After various trivial conversations.

The moment for the Emperor’s decision was approaching.

“The cause of this incident ultimately lies with the Purge Unit, and the responsibility falls entirely on Arto Virtorius Sebelli, the Minister of Diplomatic Enforcement who operates it.”

Just as this death sentence(?) was about to be pronounced on me.

“Could you wait a moment?”

I looked directly into Arthraia’s eyes and began to speak, ready to deploy my strategy to reverse the situation.

“What is it, Minister Arto?”

“I fully acknowledge my responsibility.”

“…?”

“As shown in the documents, even considering the circumstances, I understand that as the one in charge of the Purge Unit, I cannot avoid responsibility.”

As I spoke, I conveyed the truth to Arthraia through a code of eye blinks.

(The accident story is a lie, but everything in the documents is true.)

“However, despite knowing the risks of accidents, my Purge Unit members had no choice but to urgently transport what they were bringing.”

(And despite this situation, what we brought is worth it.)

“…What do you mean by that?”

(What is it?)

And when Arthraia understood my meaning and replied with the same code.

“Let me introduce Ms. Alina, an ancient AI who helped our imperial personnel during the relic exploration.”

Inwardly confident of victory, I deliberately used an exaggerated gesture to draw attention to the ancient AI—or rather, the body controlled by the AI—that would enter through the opening doors of the conference room.

“…Oh my.”

“Ahem, ahem.”

“Minister… is this perhaps your preference?”

For some reason, the reactions of the parliament members attending the meeting were quite strange, so I turned my head in confusion…

And there was.

“Little flesh-bag, is this what you wanted?”

“…”

The nun’s habit I had specifically requested to reduce negative reactions—a widely accepted attire in our empire.

A humanoid with a figure so voluptuous that the habit could barely contain it was walking toward me with an incredibly innocent expression.

And right after that.

-Tap, tap, tap.

Through the confused noise of the conference room, a small sound reached my ears, causing me to naturally turn my head.

And at the end of my gaze.

“…Hmm.”

Like the manifestation of an asura from hell, Arthraia was staring at me with an expression of fierce anger.