Dungeon Defense (WN) - Chapter 405: The Spider and Viper (2)

“Count Palatine, I am sure you are aware of this as well, but our government currently does not have the spare funds to pay back the interest.”

“It is only a seven percent interest annually.”

I took a sip from my fruit beverage. It was insanely sweet for alcohol. It was so sweet that I was sure even children would spit it out in disgust.

Lately, I’ve found myself deliberately sipping on this unnaturally sweet fruit alcohol. The reason? Lapis managed to clear out every last bottle from my wine reserves in my Demon Lord Castle, including those hidden away in my office and bedroom. It’s absurd; all 13 of my secret stashes, large and small, obliterated.

How did she know that I had secretly dug out a storage underneath the lake in my castle? Is my private life perhaps a concept that doesn’t exist to Lapis?

In the end, my only permitted beverage is this alcoholic concoction, indistinguishable from sugar water. Lapis handed it to me with a casual, “If this works for you, be my guest.” It’s almost like the cigarettes people use to quit smoking……. I, the wealthiest Demon Lord, can’t even relish a proper drink. Life is indeed unjust…….

Originally, among the Demon Lords, Paimon was the wealthiest. Her wealth had now entirely gone into the imperial treasury. Thanks to that, the Empire secured a budget for the next 20 years. Habsburg was “my” empire, so in a way, it was my pockets that were being filled.

Paimon’s estate became entirely mine, not a single thing was left behind.

I smiled.

“Normally, I should have lent that money to you at an interest rate of over 10 percent. However, after seeing your face, Earl Bercy, I decided to lower it to 7 percent. This is no different from simply giving you the money. Yet, are you telling me it is difficult to even repay this interest?”

“……It is already extremely difficult to find a city where taxes can be properly collected.”

Earl Bercy’s face contorted with humiliation and sorrow.

The prime minister of a nation was trying to explain his situation like a creditor. There’s probably nothing more humiliating than this.

“The southern cities are not paying their taxes at all. Some nobles are taking advantage of the fact that we do not have an emperor to avoid the law.”

“In that case, should you not mobilize an army and administer some punishment?”

“Are you teasing me on purpose!? You know that we have entrusted the public order and defense of the capital to the Batavian troops. We do not have the capacity to punish the southern nobles!”

The imperial capital of Frankia, Parisiorum, was currently being protected free of charge by the Batavia army.

The issue was the fact that this volunteer work would only last a year, and that promised year had passed. They were now in a state where the Batavian army could leave at any moment. Earl Bercy must be extremely worried because of this.

As a side note, Anna de Bis is the one in charge of Batavia’s army. The general manager of the Liberation Alliance. Essentially, the finance and national defense of the Frank Empire were under my control.

“In that case, you should abandon the south. The southern nobles have been practically demanding independence at this point. Accepting their request would solve all your problems.”

“……!”

Earl Bercy stood up and grabbed me by the collar.

While I didn’t recall the exact details, Earl Bercy was a fairly skilled swordsman at one point. The reason he had not succumbed to exhaustion yet from his workload was likely due to the stamina built up during that time. Demonstrating this, he pulled my collar with formidable strength.

“Say that again—Jean Bole.”

“…….”

“You said that you cut me a good deal since it was me. I appreciate that. However, there are also many things I have overlooked since you are the one I am dealing with.”

Earl Bercy threatened me with an expression that looked like he could bite off my face at any moment.

“All you have done is sow war and massacre in Frankia. Each time you did, you hypocritically claimed that it was a patriotic decision for the sake of Frankia. You even put forth a nonexistent farce of an actor, Jean Bole, as a front! Yet, the reason I have not erupted in anger is because you cowardly proposed an immense loan at a considerably low price!”

Frankia desperately needed funds, and committing mistakes driven by personal emotions when dealing with matters important to the state were most likely intolerable to Earl Bercy.

“I am aware as well. That is why I presented this loan to you at a favorable rate.”

“What……?”

“Yes, I played on your sense of dignity and pride. I dangled a proposal you could not possibly refuse as bait when you were in no position to get angry. What of it?”

A slow smile crept across my face.

“In the end, Frankia was rescued from its financial crisis. By sacrificing something as inconsequential as personal emotions, you managed to save your nation. If anything, you should be grateful.”

“……!”

Earl Bercy clenched his right fist, preparing to strike my face.

Just as his fist was about to connect with my cheek, Earl Bercy’s arm froze.

“Wh……at……?”

Earl Bercy tried his best to move his body, but all he could do was let out a strained groan. His entire body was suddenly incapable of moving as if he had become a statue.

“If you make any further moves, I will interpret it as an assassination attempt and end your life.”

Daisy, who was acting as my bodyguard, was holding the Earl from behind. She was perfectly holding back Earl Bercy whose body was twice her size. All she did was seal the movement of his armpit, neck, and hip, but that was enough to limit the Earl to only breathing.

I let out a sigh.

“I never ordered you to move.”

“This man assaulted you once before, Father.”

Daisy muttered bluntly.

“One must not grant mercy to the same person twice. This is what you taught me. Are you telling me that you taught your adopted daughter a belief that even you do not believe, Father?”

“You fool. The person the Earl struck back then was Jean Bole, the priest. I am currently Demon Lord Dantalian. Is it not obvious that we are separate entities to the Earl?”

“…….”

Daisy became speechless for a moment. It seems she was contemplating whether my words were logical or not. Shortly after, Daisy released Earl Bercy’s body from her grip.

“That makes sense. This man has the right to beat you up.”

“Your issue lies in your inability to consider multiple sides.”

I clicked my tongue.

“When will you fix this problem of yours? I guess I should not be surprised that this is your fate since even your birth was foolish.”

“My fate may be questionable, but could it be dirtier than yours, Father?”

“This is why people who only have sharp tongues are incorrigible.”

I let out a snort before turning to face Earl Bercy.

“It appears my adopted daughter has been quite disrespectful, Attorney General. You may strike me twice as a form of apology. No one has ever struck me twice before, so I consider this a rather valuable privilege.”

“……”

Was he still struggling to believe that a young girl had held him back? Earl Bercy turned back and forth between me and Daisy with a blank expression before eventually plopping himself back down on his chair.

“……I feel like a fool. Getting tricked and getting angry however I please. How am I any different from a clown?”

The Earl covered his forehead with his palm. It looked like he had a headache.

“I promise to prepare the interest within this month. However, the independence of the southern region is out of the question……. I am working for the sake of the country, not for the sake of dividing the country. I will not sit idly by and let you meddle in our internal affairs.”

“Are you doing this for the sake of your nation or for the sake of your people?”

Earl Bercy raised his head. His complexion had turned haggard within only a few minutes.

“What do you mean by that?”

“It is as I said. A nation and its people do not have an indivisible relationship. There are countless cases of authority figures in a nation applying pressure to the people and squeezing them dry. And yet, it almost feels like you are putting your nation and your people on the same pedestal…….”

Earl Bercy furrowed his brows.

“Let me ask that again. What do you mean by that?”

“During the oppression of Brittany, the northern region of Frankia bravely and boldly resisted. They regularly raised rebellions. On the other hand, many cities in the south remained silent. Which side do you think was happier, the people in the north or the south?”

“…….”

Bercy stared at me piercingly. Though discontent brimmed in his eyes, he chose to express it in silence. It seemed he was willing to hear me out for now.

“The taxes paid by the cities ultimately come from the blood and sweat of the common people. The burden on the common people lightens the longer the cities refrain from paying taxes to the government. From my perspective, I do not believe the southern cities are making a bad decision.”

“If the state is not strong, eventually the people will suffer.”

“Is the Frank Empire functioning properly as a nation right now? Even now when you have entrusted the defense of the capital to foreign troops?”

I chuckled. Earl Bercy couldn’t say anything in response.

“Earl, I am sure you are aware of this yourself. The southern nobles are most likely not opposing you out of malice. In fact, they probably firmly believe that they are working for the welfare of the common people.”

“……What are you trying to say?”

“I ask that you acknowledge autonomy in the south. Not just the south, but in all cities. However, the ones guaranteed autonomy should be the city councils, not the regional nobles.”

Earl Bercy furrowed his brows.

“What is your aim?”

“Then and now, my aim has always been the same. To act for the sake of all people.”

That’s a lie.

Behind Earl Bercy, Daisy was smirking with only her mouth muscles. I maintained my completely serious expression.

“Currently, Earl, you are managing the state affairs laboriously with Her Majesty the Empress. But what if a mishap were to befall the two of you? Who would represent the government? Chaos will inevitably ensue. And in times of chaos, what the people always desire is a strong and wise dictator.”

“…….”

“My wish is for the people to be able to navigate their way out of that chaos on their own. Preparations must be made, Earl. Establish a small but powerful government. Frankia must move towards becoming a nation with true authority.”

“True authority?”

“I am referring to a nation where cities and the common people can participate voluntarily.”

By doing so, Frankia will become a type of federation that is finely divided.

One powerful empire in the continent is enough, and that’s already the Habsburg Empire which I directly govern. Although it is fine for Frank to remain a staunch ally of the Habsburg Empire, I can’t allow it to become a potential threat. It must only hold just enough power.

“……In our nation, or rather, in our government, not enough achievements have been made to reclaim its authority.”

“Did you not take quite a bit of Sardinia’s territory during the previous war?”

“The Chrysanthemum War was your war. We merely dipped our toes in to support you at the end. That is not enough to showcase our government’s authority…….”

I nodded.

“How about this, then? We will liberate all the slaves from Frankia who are currently being held captive in the Habsburg Empire and the demon world.”

“……What?”

“Announce that your government has successfully negotiated the liberation of slaves. This will undoubtedly strengthen the bond between Habsburg and Frankia. The diplomatic success of a government rescuing its own citizens will undoubtedly receive praise from the masses.”

I smiled.

“First, publicly declare that you acknowledge the independence of the southern cities. The southern nobles will be overjoyed. After this, announce that you have rescued the citizens of Frankia who were captured in the demon world. Since the southern cities will already be independent by this point, they will not be a part of Frankia. This naturally means their people will not be included among the slaves that are released.”

“…….”

“If they want their people to be liberated as well, you simply have to tell the southern cities that they must accept being affiliated under Frankia.”

Earl Bercy countered in a subdued voice.

“But, there is no way they would abandon independence so easily…….”

“Of course not. Nevertheless, the common people of the southern cities will voice their complaints. The common people will still consider themselves as Franks. They will not view the nobles favorably if they insist on independence for selfish reasons, especially when there is an opportunity for slave liberation.”

“And,” I continued with a low tone.

“The southern nobles occupied the northwest region of Sardinia. Are you aware of this?”

“Naturally. There is no way I would not be.”

“Which means their newly acquired land would also be ‘land that is not under Frankia’, would it not?”

“……!”

Earl Bercy opened his eyes wide.

“Do not tell me.”

“We captured a rather sizable number of slaves during the recent war. It might even be fine to say that we basically captured everyone in front of us. Most of the slaves were sold to the Helvetica Union and the demon world.”

This naturally meant that they could be freed as well.

However, only if they are branded as a ‘citizen of Frankia’.

“The people of northern Sardinia are already furious about being occupied by foreigners. But what do you think would happen if they also discover that their families, relatives, and neighbors are being deprived of the opportunity to be liberated from slavery because of some petty greed by the Frank nobles?”

“A widespread rebellion……!”

I grinned.

“Yes, a rebellion. They did not get their hands on new land for free. A hefty price will have to be paid for this item.”

“…….”

Earl Bercy looked at me with a trembling gaze.

“How……. No, since when did you……? Since the very beginning, did you give the southern nobles the chance to occupy Sardinia with this intent in mind?”

I didn’t answer his question and instead continued.

“Let them suffer a bit from the rebellion. You can instigate the southern cities after they have used up all of their strength. Offer to subdue all their issues as long as they lower their heads to the central government of Frankia. The common people will not stand still.”

“…….”

“Earl, allow the people to ‘voluntarily’ form a nation.”

Of course, it’ll only be voluntary on the surface.

But who cares?

Earl Bercy, you most likely believe you were able to reach your position through your own efforts, but in truth, I’m the one who secretly planned it all out.

It will be the same for the people of Frankia. We just have to let them think that they’re doing it voluntarily. There’s no reason to reveal the truth……. Let’s cheer them on as they try to create a country they’d be proud of.

***

TL Note: Thanks for reading the chapter. Honestly, I have less to say this time than the last chapter. We’re back to politics. I hope everyone’s had an okay February and wish them luck for March. I’m not sure how, but I spent so much money in February… Too many things that required money happened in the same month… My poor wallet.

In any case, I’ll see you guys in the next chapter.

Side note, I dunno if anyone is actually interested, but I rented a modded Minecraft server to help distract myself when I’m bored. Feel free to check out the details on how to join in the Discord.