I Reincarnated But Will Try To Live Without Using My Cheat Ability - CH 285

The tour started without incident.

The aristocrat’s carriage prepared for Maman’s inspection was available, but I refused to use it.

Not only would it be conspicuous and a target for attackers, but it would use extra horses.

Horses are precious…

We didn’t have the know-how to manage a group of horses, breed them, castrate them, etc.

The people of Dorius had cavalry operations, so they know how to manage horses.

So we have promoted them to the livestock department and have them establish how to manage horses.

It was kept secret from the beastmen under their command and was a secret technique for humans only.

With this in mind, we are being rocked by a large carriage.

I instructed them to make one improvement based on the lessons learned from the previous expedition.

However, I only prepared cushions for each person.

My buttocks had been sore before….

That’s fine, but I’m surrounded by me, Mil, Kiara, and the aides.

It’s a bit stuffy with all women…

As I was thinking this, Mil poked me on the arm.

“What’s wrong?”

“Kiara and I know what Al is thinking, but some of the aides can’t understand it yet, you know.”

Figures.

I didn’t give direct instructions or explanations to the aides.

“I guess should we do a Question Time? I’m sure you’re bored while we’re on the road.”

I guess they were hoping for that.

Mil looked at her aides, and they nodded.

One of the demons raised her hand.

Blonde hair, light green eyes, white skin, with a rather large build.

I think it was Dietlinde Krei.

“Ms. Dietlinde. Go ahead.”

Dietlinde opened her mouth, a little nervously.

“From the looks of it, Lord Alfred is expanding his power as if he has no enemies. But you seem to be very cautious. Is there a reason for this?”

If you simply look at it, I suppose it would be.

It’s a bit like ancient Rome winning a series of battles against the barbarians.

Winning, and deservedly so.

To some people, it may seem like I am winning unilaterally.

If we limit ourselves to the Ravenna region, we are right in one respect.

Still, it is only on one side.

To some extent, it is inevitable that others will assume that.

I don’t want our leaders to assume that.

It would be too shameful if they mistakenly think they are the invincible Japanese army and plunge us into a World War II-like situation after my death.

Winning it is not enough for my ultimate goal.

“You are right to ask that question. If all you want is to win, you deserve to win. That’s why we have a well-developed society and armed forces against a tribal society. If we don’t do anything stupid, we won’t lose.”

I haven’t answered her question yet.

I cleared my throat and continue to answer.

“But winning is not enough. That is only the minimum requirement. Let’s say Dietlinde was hungry. To get rid of it, she has to eat something. Would you eat anything you see?”

Dietlinde quickly shook her head.

“No, I can’t eat anything rotten or poisoned. We eat to live, after all.”

“Exactly, although that’s not an accurate analogy. It is not correct to win in a way that is toxic to society after you have won.”

“What kind of poison do you mean by that?”

I kind of chuckled.

I guess I used a bad metaphor… I guess I’m still inexperienced.

“What I mean is, after winning, the state of public safety will deteriorate or be viewed as hostile by outside forces. Security is the state of health of the human body. External forces are just what they are.”

The secretaries looked at each other.

Even societies are made by people.

So it is similar to the human body.

Dietlinde pondered.

“Are you so careful about the security after the victory?”

“Yes, security is important. If security is not good, military power must be directed internally to maintain it. This will cost a lot of money. To do so, taxes must be raised. Higher taxes will further deteriorate public security. It is a vicious cycle that leads to ruin.”

They repeatedly live in poor health and then buy all kinds of expensive pharmaceuticals to maintain their health.

And then the money runs out.

Then they can’t afford to follow the law.

They will gamble, commit a crime, whatever it is.

They will do whatever it takes to stay alive, after all.

As a result, they will shorten their life span.

I smile at the aides who are pondering.

“Taxes are like exercise. It’s the power to do something. But if you try to move your body more than your body deserves, you will eventually damage your health. Exercise is necessary, but not too much. Not exercising at all is also detrimental to your health. To live, you have to eat, but you also have to move your body.”

Dietlinde looked a little convinced.

“So you have to choose your means carefully while considering the public safety that will follow. Is it that difficult?”

Just because you lose doesn’t mean the loser will just take it.

In the first place, it is nearly impossible to defeat a person’s heart.

The best you can do is to try to come to terms with it.

There is no end to the examples of failed postwar handling that lead to the next war.

“I’ll stretch the metaphor a bit… If Ms. Dietlinde had a fight with a friend and lost the fight, it was all her fault. Would you consider changing all of your behavior?”

Dietlinde shook her head.

“Sometimes I have no choice… and sometimes I feel a little bit bad, but not that much…”

“That’s the mentality of the losing side. So, the winning side also needs to be careful not to let frustration build up unnecessarily. The loser also becomes a part of the body, after all. In a human relationship, it is possible to sever ties, but not with society.”

The story of the fight finally seemed to make sense to her.

Dietlinde nodded like she understood.

“That makes a lot of sense. So that’s why Lord Alfred is so good at solving people’s problems. But usually, I think you have to be… um, older to do that…”

I don’t have a choice… if I don’t, I won’t achieve my goal.

That’s why I don’t hide this ability.

Kiara suddenly started laughing.

“Because brother is brother… that’s why you’re brother, huh.”

(T/N: What?)

You don’t make sense… I thought so, but they all nodded in agreement.

I don’t get it.