Game Opportunities Become Reality, Chapter 97
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Game Opportunities Become Reality, Chapter 97
25. A Half Step Away (6)
"Impressive. You managed to capture these two."
"It wasn't as difficult as I expected. President Katro may be good at stabbing others in the back, but it seems he's never been on the receiving end."
"Surely he's not that foolish. With such a shameless scheme, anyone would have fallen for it."
As Field Marshal Ansen shook his head, Revolutionary Army Commander Izrael and his three trusted Aura Masters all wore expressions of agreement.
After all, who wouldn't fall for it when a high-ranking noble with the title of Marquis from the powerful Kingdom of Rhinehearts, a Grand Mage of the 7th Circle running a major Mage Tower, and a famous figure sponsoring even the Saintess contest comes armed with plausible documents to commit fraud?
"He simply had the wrong opponent. Isn't that right, former President Katro Fairmont?"
Field Marshal Ansen leaned his face toward Katro Fairmont, who lay bound and discarded in a corner of the office, and asked that.
The dazed president gradually regained his wits upon seeing Field Marshal Ansen's face, and soon his expression twisted like a vengeful demon.
"Y-you little ! You bastard! How dare you betray me!?"
And the president, as if pouring out his fury, screamed at the top of his lungs at Field Marshal Ansen.
Of course, all that came back was
-THWACK!
"You're angry about your situation now? Sorry, but I've been angry at you the whole time."
A punch.
After driving his fist into President Katro's nose, Field Marshal Ansen straightened up with a noticeably relieved expression.
Despite his old age, his fist was so powerful that the president kissed the floor and passed out on the spot.
Next, Field Marshal Ansen's gaze turned to Lewis Fairmont, who was surprisingly bound in one piece.
"That's strange. I'd have thought you'd despise that man."
"I already beat him thoroughly and then had him healed."
"Haha, is that so?"
It seems it's well known throughout the Republic that Izrael, who hails from royalty, despises Lewis.
Field Marshal Ansen let out a hearty laugh as he watched Commander Izrael twirling his fist around.
"If we'd failed, it would be treason, but since we succeeded, it's a revolution. What do you plan to do with them?"
With the president fallen from power, Field Marshal Ansen was the highest authority in this place, yet for some reason he asked Commander Izrael of the Revolutionary Army about the plans going forward.
In response, Izrael tilted his head and shared his thoughts.
"Lewis Fairmont should be handed over to the Bringham Empire. We need to end the war as quickly as possible."
"And President Katro Fairmont?"
"When the people reveal their revolutionary will, we should hold the trial immediately."
"A trial?"
"No matter how grave his crimes, he was still a president. Judging such a man in a court of law isn't that a fitting conclusion for a Republic? But it should be a public trial with citizen participation, not an ordinary court."
"Well, that's fine. He probably won't survive anyway."
"If we list all the crimes he's committed, a thousand years in prison would easily be warranted. Since sentences over a hundred years carry the death penalty, a public execution would serve well as a warning. And we should also arrest and judge the corrupt politicians and officials without delay."
"The central plaza of Central City will be stained with blood."
On Earth, a public execution would be denounced as barbaric and a human rights violation, but in this world dominated by feudalism, no nation takes issue with public executions.
After all, it was the most reliable way to crush the enemy's morale and control the citizens.
"I think it's best that President Katro's execution is the last public one, and we don't hold any more after this."
"Why is that?"
"President Katro's trial is the signal flare announcing the true revival of the democratic republic, and it carries a warning against corruption. Ruling through fear with people's blood is not right."
Commander Izrael seemed to consider public execution a form of terror politics.
That's certainly not a wrong view, so I'd say it's a decent way of thinking.
With the president fallen and politicians and high-ranking officials being swept out on a massive scale, the Republic will fall into chaos.
But that is the growing pain the Republic must endure to develop into a better nation.
"So, who will be the next president Field Marshal Ansen or Commander Izrael?"
Naturally, if the current president, politicians, and high-ranking officials all step down in droves, a massive election will be held to bring in new personnel.
Then who will become the next president of the Prius Republic, breaking the 14-year chain of dictatorship?
Naturally, looking at public sentiment, Commander Izrael the revolutionary army commander who led the revolution at the forefront and Field Marshal Ansen, the military's spiritual pillar, were bound to be the leading candidates.
At my joking question, seemingly celebrating the victory, the two let out an "hmm" and pondered.
"Why don't you become president instead, Marquis Lawrence?"
"Yes. Why not naturalize and stay, while you're at it?"
The two were joking with serious faces.
"Are you mad? Rather than live as a president with a mere five-year term, I'd rather keep playing lord."
"That is true."
Because we had crossed the line of death together and led the Republic's revolution, the two couldn't help but treat me favorably.
Field Marshal Ansen slapped Commander Izrael on the back and said.
"Honestly, it'd be a lie to say I have no ambition. But no matter how I think about it, it doesn't seem right for an old man like me to step up as President Katro's successor. Commander Izrael, you would make a fine leader."
I found it odd that he kept asking Commander Izrael for his plans, even though Field Marshal Ansen himself was the highest authority of the current regime.
As it turned out, Field Marshal Ansen seemed to intend to push Commander Izrael as the next president.
"What? But I'm of royal descent. People might backlash, saying it's a return to feudalism."
"Just because we escaped the dictator's embrace, welcoming a military man as president isn't exactly pleasant to see either. And is all royalty the same? Wasn't it the Prius Royal House that founded the republic? Why don't you take up your ancestors' will and establish the foundation of the republic? I'll back you all the way."
Being of royal descent, people would inevitably look at him through colored lenses, but there was no other option to consider.
From what I'd seen firsthand, he was a man who possessed everything love for his country, character, and political talent.
When I nodded in agreement, Field Marshal Ansen said "See?" and turned around.
"As the highest authority of the government of the Prius Republic, I hereby appoint you as interim State Council Chairman. Bring out the people's support with a clean handling of the aftermath."
"So it's just passing the bomb, is it?"
"You started a revolution, so you should take responsibility. You're the one who convinced me, after all."
"Marquis Lawrence was in on it too, wasn't he?"
"Then naturalize him or something."
He kept spouting nonsense.
I said to Commander Izrael.
"If Commander Izrael becomes president, there's nothing better. It'll make it even easier to collect the reward we promised."
No one complained about the compensation I brought up so directly.
Which was only natural, given how much of a contribution I'd made this time around a big one at that.
"Huh? You're leaving?"
"Yes, I have to go. There's much to do."
My work here is now done.
The rest is up to them.
[Bring down President Fairmont!]
[Glory to the future of the Prius Republic!]
Not only the president's office where we were talking, but the entire palace echoed with the citizens' shouts.
The citizens' voices carried both anger and expectation anger directed at the president's family and corrupt politicians, and expectation born of a vague hope that they could escape their long poverty.
Even if Izrael took power, it probably wouldn't be easy sailing.
The citizens who succeeded in the revolution would have overly high expectations for the future, and there would be clashes with President Fairmont's supporters, who only see what they want to see and hear what they want to hear.
But there's no need to worry much.
He was a man of ample ability.
"Thank you for everything."
Izrael gave me a military salute and expressed his gratitude.
Following him, the revolutionary army soldiers all saluted in unison.
"This is overwhelming."
"This much respect for Marquis Lawrence is only natural."
Does he know?
That I was the one who caused the war with the Bringham Empire.
Of course, it was thanks to the chaos of war that their revolution succeeded, but I couldn't face his gaze so full of genuine gratitude with a clear conscience, so I averted my eyes.
"I was just acting in my own interests."
"Well, what do you think? It's true that I received help."
"Then show that gratitude in your compensation."
"Haha, I'll do my best."
And without any lingering attachment, I turned my back on them.
"Take care. Let's meet again sometime."
"Once things settle down, let's grab a drink."
Behind me, the farewells of Field Marshal Ansen and Commander Izrael of the Revolutionary Army reached my ears.
* * *
[A revolution in the Prius Republic that broke out during the war. The downfall of President Fairmont, who had ruled over the republic like an emperor for 14 years.]
[The President, along with a majority of high-ranking officials and politicians, were found to have committed all manner of crimes and were arrested one after another. With the political vacuum, the country fell into chaos.]
[Field Marshal Ansen, the republic's current highest authority, has designated Commander Izrael of the Revolutionary Army as the administrative head to run state affairs in place of President Fairmont until the next presidential election.]
[Izrael, acting State Council Chairman, orders the trial of President Fairmont. The trial is to be conducted with public participation.]
[President Fairmont's criminal acts over 14 years number no fewer than 317. His unrecorded crimes are believed to be far more numerous.]
[President Fairmont sentenced to 1,350 years in prison.]
[President Fairmont's appeal rejected; execution order issued.]
The revolution in the Prius Republic that shook the world dominated international news headlines every single day.
'Looks like they're doing well.'
From President Fairmont's execution order to the arrests of corrupt politicians, I nodded as I watched everything proceed without a single gap.
And today, besides the domestic news from the Prius Republic, there was one more cause for celebration.
[Emperor Edward of the Bringham Empire declares an end to the war with the Prius Republic.]
[A sudden declaration of armistice amid overwhelming strategic advantage. What kind of deal was struck between the two nations?]
It was the news that the Saintess contest had been halted and the war between the two great powers that had thrown the world into chaos had come to an end.
I happen to know more about this than most for the sake of ending the war, the Prius Republic offered Lewis Fairmont and a false Opportunity as tribute, and agreed to fully compensate the Bringham Empire for all losses incurred from its crushing defeat.
'That amount is over 500 trillion at that.'
It's a staggering sum, but all things considered, getting off with just that was a decent outcome.
After all, it was cheaper than the annihilation of the Prius Republic, one of the world's four great powers.
'Since a revolution has happened anyway, it'd be nice if they became a progressive nation that spreads republicanism far and wide.'
With this, the matter that had weighed heavily on my mind was completely wrapped up.
Now I could rest easy and devote myself to the Saintess contest and leveling up in the game.
No, that's how it should have been, but…
The useless Second Prince invited me to a hunting contest under the guise of promoting unity, forcing me to take part in pointless socializing.
-Rhinehearts Kingdom's royal hunting grounds
"M-Marquess Lawrence, you seem bored?"
As I sat in the outdoor seating assigned alongside Arcia, paying no mind to what those around me were doing and only browsing online news, a group of people approached me.
They were from a faction within the Second Prince's faction not the mainstream, but one that still included many high-ranking nobles.
The figure who spoke to me with an awkward greeting that was neither here nor there was Marquis Alli Trenton, who had called for my disciplinary action at the last meeting.
I closed the holographic window where I'd been reading online news and replied.
"I don't have much interest in hunting."
"Th-That's a shame."
But this man where did he sell off the momentum he had last time, and why is he stuttering like this?
When I asked what was the matter, a newly appointed noble who had recently inherited the title of Count at the age of twenty the same age as me cut in with sparkling eyes.
"I heard that during the fall of President Fairmont in the Prius Republic, you made quite a big move. Is that true?"
Ah, has word already gotten out?
Commander Izrael of the Revolutionary Army must have tried his best to cover my tracks.
Then again, there was more than one or two people who saw me, so I suppose it couldn't be helped.
I readily nodded at the question from the new Count, one of the few people my age here.
"Yes, that's right."
It might have been different in the past, but now there's no harm in admitting I helped the Revolutionary Army.
After all, that Revolutionary Army is now the leadership of the republic.
The unknown new Count, for whatever reason, seemed delighted and let out an exclamation at my answer.
Unlike him, the other nobles' faces turned deathly dark, and I could quickly tell why they were reacting that way.
"Surely, you didn't take revenge for what happened before?"
"A Republic President is on par with an Empire's Emperor, right? You attacked someone of that caliber just because you didn't like them?"
"And it wasn't just an attack you sided with the Revolutionary Army and sent an Emperor-level figure to the guillotine."
"That's not something a mere noble could pull off."
With my sharp ears, I could clearly hear their hushed whispers.
'Ah, so this incident could be seen that way.'
The recent SNS incident, the Prius Republic's declaration of economic sanctions against our Kingdom, and the ensuing discussions about disciplining me.
My animosity toward President Katro seemed more than evident, so it made sense for strangers to harbor such suspicions.
After all, they couldn't possibly know the inner reasons why I had to act.
Thanks to that, I was now being written off as someone who helped the Revolutionary Army to bring down President Katro simply because he attacked me.
And with my past actions combined with this incident...
"What a truly terrifying figure."
"We must never make an enemy of him."
I had gained a fearsome reputation that made even high-ranking nobles tremble.