Game Opportunities Become Reality Chapter 124
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Game Opportunities Become Reality Chapter 124
31. Reorganization of Power (4)
"Come to think of it, I'm late with my congratulations. Congratulations on becoming the official President, not just an acting one."
The presidential office of the President of the Prius Republic.
I offered my congratulations to the new President, Israel Oscar Prius, who sat across from me.
In response, Israel who had gone from revolutionary army commander to finally seizing the presidency shook his head with a strangely grim expression.
"Looking at the election results, it's hard to accept congratulations with an easy conscience."
"Regardless, a win is a win, isn't it?"
"If someone hadn't conveniently exposed the opposing candidate's corruption at the tail end of the campaign, I would have lost in the end."
I let out a bitter laugh at his deeply troubled expression.
The reason he reacted this way despite becoming President is simple.
It's because this presidential election, which he thought would be easy, turned into a dead heat.
For one, since the nation claims to uphold democracy, having a variety of candidates to choose from is a good thing for the country and its people.
But the problem was that the one who formed a rivalry with President Izrael wasn't someone who played a major role in the revolution it was a young politician from the extremist faction who revered the executed President Fairmont.
'Ricardo Ordein.'
Claiming to be President Fairmont's heir, he was a silver-tongued demagogue who denied the revolution and clouded the eyes of the citizens.
He absorbed the support base of the late President Fairmont, whose influence still lingered across society, rapidly expanding his power and he stirred up a major political storm by arguing that having Israel, a member of the royal family, become President was a return to feudalism.
Furthermore, he exaggerated Fairmont's achievements during his lifetime, painting him as a poor victim of the royal family's conspiracy, and fiercely denounced the decision to hand Lewis Fairmont who had obtained Grand Duke Lucas's Opportunity over to the Bringham Empire.
At first, Israel also dismissed Ricardo's claims as nonsense, saying that the Fairmonts' crimes were clear and that they had been punished through proper trial so what was the problem?
But no matter how righteous he himself was, the destructive power of negative campaigning was beyond imagination, and eventually, like a trend, public opinion came to dominate that one should support Ricardo Ordein.
'A force full of contradictions. But Ricardo's supporters rationalized everything, believing their actions were justice.'
It was the moment I realized just how impossible it is to reason with someone who closes their eyes, closes their ears, and only shouts their own opinions one-way.
Just when it seemed a new Prius Republic would emerge from the revolution, a version 2 of President Fairmont appeared, and Israel fell into a grave crisis.
If things continued this way, some lunatic would take the presidential seat, and the revolutionary forces would be branded traitors.
So in the end, I had to step in.
Through Blue Moon, I exposed every single one of Ricardo's wrongdoings without missing a single one, and I hacked into the SNS he used regularly and revealed its contents as well.
"Don't dwell on it too much."
As a result, it became clear that Ricardo wasn't called version 2 of President Fairmont for nothing.
People continued to support Ricardo, calling it a conspiracy theory, but among the general public, no one changed their mind to keep supporting him anymore.
Thanks to that, the election ended with Israel winning by a margin of about 5%, which is how we came to sit face to face like this.
"But to make sure Ricardo never becomes President, I'll need to work hard."
"Hoo, that's right."
Even without me saying it, he seemed to know that I was the one who helped him.
Thanks to that, our relationship was able to grow even stronger, and he even agreed to some rather unreasonable requests.
"By the way, Duke Lawrence certainly seems to have a lot of interest in other countries' affairs."
Naturally, our eyes turned to Princess Sia Rin, who was receiving heated attention from Arcia.
For some reason, it looked as if Arcia was glaring at Princess Sia.
In response, Princess Sia only let out an awkward smile, like a meek lamb before a wolf.
"It just so happens you're holding the card I need."
"You mean the tourmaline?"
"You noticed?"
"Didn't you extract a large-scale tourmaline mine from me on a 50-year lease basis? And what's more, our mine also produces expensive opals alongside it."
"Aw, come on, I didn't just take it from you. And it's not like the opals produce much anyway, right?"
Two gifts I had agreed to receive from him in exchange for helping with the revolution.
One was the right to borrow an Aura Master, and the other was the tourmaline mine.
Which was why he'd made that deduction.
"What exactly do you plan to do with all that tourmaline?"
The reason I collected tourmaline?
Simple.
Because it was a means for me to rake in an enormous fortune.
A revenue stream that could potentially absorb the level of an entire empire's national budget.
"It's a secret."
But there was no way I was revealing that.
I knew he had sharp instincts and was quietly hoarding tourmaline himself, following my lead.
After all, the rule is you never talk about making money not even to family or friends.
He clicked his tongue in disappointment.
"Mr. President."
"What is it?"
"The Minister of Military Affairs of the Kingdom of Roberto requests an audience."
And then.
The reason we had all gathered in one place appeared.
"Oh, that was quick."
Izrael asked me at the secretary's report.
"I take it I should let him in here?"
"Yes, please do."
"You really do have a nasty disposition."
"I've always been merciless toward villains."
Izrael told the secretary to bring him in, and soon the Minister of Military Affairs of the Kingdom of Roberto entered, flanked by a male adjutant and a beautiful female secretary.
"It is an infinite honor to meet you, President Izrael. I am Eun Duin, Minister of Military Affairs of the Kingdom of Roberto..."
The Minister of Military Affairs was a fat man who looked like he wouldn't last a second in a fight.
He greeted Izrael with groveling servility bordering on pathetic, but then looked puzzled as he realized there were many eyes fixed on him.
Then, spotting Princess Sia Rin among those who had come to receive him, the Minister's expression stiffened and his words trailed off.
"What the ?"
"Grand Marquis Eun Duin. And that gentleman is His Grace Duke Lawrence of the Kingdom of Rhinehearts."
Grand Marquis Eun Duin, at least perceptive enough, seemed to have caught on to the general situation.
"How disappointing, Your Highness the Princess. Surely you're not banking on foreign powers to restore your position?"
"That's rich coming from you, Grand Marquis Eun."
Looking at the two of them openly radiating hostility toward each other, I spoke to President Izrael in order to support Princess Sia.
"'Foreign power,' Mr. President of the Prius Republic? I wonder what the interest is for coming here?"
"Who knows? What does the 'foreign power,' His Grace the Duke of Rhinehearts, think?"
"Maybe he came looking for a fight? 'The Kingdom of Roberto shall fight to the bitter end and never forgive foreign invasion!' Something like that?"
"Hmm...."
At the sight of the two of us perfectly in sync, the Minister of Military Affairs turned pale and was visibly flustered.
"No, no. I merely came to ask that His Excellency the President support the new royal authority of our Kingdom of Roberto."
"Is that so? I thought you were about to declare war after being called a foreign power to your face."
In response to Izrael's words, the Minister of Military Affairs broke out in a cold sweat and pulled out a handwritten letter, handing it over.
Paper letters were uncommon these days, but there were still those who insisted on paper for security reasons.
Using the Myriad Mirror's clairvoyance to peek at the letter's contents, I saw whether or not it was genuinely written by the true Grand Marquis Dal a load of flowery flattery and groveling rendered in writing.
In short, it said: we'll give you 500 trillion, so back off from this matter.
"Can the Kingdom of Robert really afford this much? This is practically on par with a national budget, isn't it?"
To be sure, 500 trillion did feel a bit recklessly thrown out.
Even by our Kingdom of Rhinehearts' standards, that was about 30% of our annual budget.
For the Kingdom of Roberto, whose economy was at best half of our kingdom's, it was far too excessive an amount.
"Given our kingdom's future, it's a necessary expenditure. Surely you can take care of us in return, Republic?"
Rubbing his hands together with a confident expression didn't earn him any trust.
And he seemed to be misunderstanding something there are relationships in this world that money alone cannot fix.
Moreover, if it was Izrael, he would surely know that the burden of that funding would fall on the people.
"Very well. I accept."
"Pfft!"
"Oho, wise decision."
And yet, Izrael gave in to the other side's offer all too easily.
At that, I spat out the tea I was drinking, the Minister of Military Affairs's expression brightened, and Princess Sia's face flushed red as if it might burst.
"But it's my call how that money gets used, right?"
"Of course. The moment it leaves our hands, that money belongs to the Prius Republic."
"Then deposit that money into the account of Princess Sia Rin, who is here with us."
"What?"
"If you do that, our Republic will not interfere in the affairs of the Kingdom of Roberto."
I wondered why they were doing something so out of place, but it seemed they were angry at the other side's proposal.
After all, the Republic's military was just a show of force they had no real intention of moving so it just meant a fortune landing in Princess Sia Rin's lap.
'That's a novel way to torment someone.'
The Minister of Military Affairs was deeply taken aback.
If he went along with the President's proposal, he would accomplish his objective, but it meant entrusting a sum on the scale of a national budget to his political rival.
"Why? Didn't you say it's my call how the money gets used?"
"One moment may I go consult with His Majesty the King?"
"By all means."
In the end, overwhelmed as he was, he said that and fled the presidential office.
After they disappeared, I let out a hollow laugh.
"I almost misunderstood for a second."
"I've resolved to live for my people. Surely I can't suck the blood of another nation's people, can I?"
His upright bearing is dazzling.
If it were me, I might have thought to take the money first and worry later.
"And that money just looks spoiled to me. If I ate it, I'd get indigestion and throw it right back up."
As he said that, he gestured with his chin toward Princess Sia.
At that, Princess Sia waved her hands vigorously, apologizing for the misunderstanding.
"Oh, no. How could I ever "
It certainly wasn't a wrong thing to say.
If she recovered the throne with my help, the first thing she'd do would be to reclaim the state coffers that had leaked away in the wrong directions.
If that happened, it would lead to legal disputes between the two nations, which would be a major poison for Izrael and the revolutionary faction, both of whom cared deeply about their image.
"Right, just like greedy pigs. Shoving money at us right off the bat."
At my words, Izrael nodded in agreement.
A moment later.
Having apparently been scolded by Grand Marquis Dal, the Minister of Military Affairs returned with a pale face.
"Very well. But we will hand that money to President Izrael. After that, whether you give it to Princess Sia or do whatever with it, we won't care."
Izrael said fine and accepted their offer, but wore an expression of weary disgust.
Even a great nation like the Republic would tremble at such an amount, yet they were casually throwing it away just to protect their own positions.
Izrael took the money and immediately passed it to Princess Sia under the guise of a refund.
Judging by his expression, he looked like he wanted nothing more to do with it.
"You should be careful, Princess."
"You as well."
Thanks to that, Princess Sia Rin's price tag had unexpectedly skyrocketed.
From their perspective, they'd think that catching Princess Sia meant 500 trillion would follow.
And so, with the Minister of Military Affairs retreating in apparent anger, I rose to my feet along with Princess Sia Rin and Arcia.
"You intend to move right away?"
"Yes, that man seems useful in many ways."
At that, Izrael, looking like he hadn't done much but was still tired, saw us off from his seat.
"Duke Lawrence, you are like a typhoon."
"You flatter me."
"It wasn't a compliment."
"Haha!"
And so, leaving the presidential palace, we secretly tailed Minister of Military Affairs Eun Duin.
* * *
I had no intention of investing much time in this matter.
I planned to strike the head quickly and deal with the ringleaders.
But to do that, I needed preparation beforehand, and for that preparation, the Minister of Military Affairs, who looked like an easy target, was my pick.
He was neither a Knight nor a Mage just an ordinary politician who had risen to his position through flattery and lobbying alone, so he seemed perfect to use.
"What do you plan to do?"
"First, I plan to shake things up."
"What?"
"When a rebellion succeeds, it's usually called a revolution, but a rebellion that chases only profit without honor is missing one thing."
"Trust, you mean?"
"Exactly. There's no way trust exists among factions held together by betrayal. I'm certain that if we toss in a little spark, they'll tear themselves apart from within."
Having set up a tea table in the mountains with a full view of Minister of Military Affairs Eun Duin, the Grand Marquis's estate, I drank tea and soothed Princess Sia Rin, who looked full of worry.
"You called for me?"
A man approached our table, and at the sight of his appearance, Princess Sia flinched and trembled.
"It is time for Lord August to step forward."
"Command me, and I shall obey."
A face reminiscent of Pierrot, clad in a suit as crimson as blood.
He was August Knox, the summoner of the highest-grade spirit of the Mental-series.