I Reincarnated But Will Try To Live Without Using My Cheat Ability - CH 291

The construction on the canal resumed.

But it was winter, and I checked with Development Minister Ludvig about alerting the workers to prevent the spread of disease and adjusting the work process for this purpose.

As I expected, he was very careful and thorough.

The problem is when they get used to it.

While watching over that area, if I see any looseness, I can just point it out.

The communication with the capital is also progressing, with various modifications.

Just before the strategy meeting on a rather calm day, an Ears’ member brought news to Kiara.

Kiara’s complexion stiffens.

She wanted to report to me, but since it was right before the meeting, I asked her to report on the meeting.

At the moment, there is nothing to be discussed in private except the apostles and the succession to the throne.

Kiara reluctantly agreed.

Then, it must be a piece of bad information for me.

Either way, it would be good for the ministry members to know.

After the meeting was over, I instructed Kiara to make a report.

Kiara reluctantly took out the report.

It’s unusual for her to be that reluctant.

The members of the ministry seemed to think it was strange.

As if she had given up, Kiara took a deep breath and opened her mouth.

“It’s a report from the Ears. It’s about the accident and the measures taken to prevent it.”

It looked like it was going to be very hard on her, but I wasn’t going to read for her.

You will fulfill your role in reporting.

Otherwise, Kiara will feel self-loathing later on.

It seems that she felt my gaze and understood my intention.

Kiara gave a small nod.

Her hand holding the paper was shaking a little.

“There is a small group of people who are blaming brother for the matter that was made public. The contents are as follows… “The incompetent minister who caused the accident is being allowed to continue in office without taking responsibility. In the end, they don’t care how many people die. It is clear that they think the people are just a number and can be replaced as many times as they want. Even if they build a memorial, it is taxpayers’ money. They are just using our money as a performance. They try to appear humble, but their words and actions are so contradictory that they are nothing but hypocrites.” They are making a lot of commotion along with some of their sympathizers.”

When Kiara finished, she nodded, feeling very tired.

I’ve given her a hard role, huh?

But when you’re entrusted with information, you can’t just tell people what they feel comfortable hearing.

I’m more concerned about the fact that Ludvig was accused.

When I looked at Ludvig, he looked pale.

“Mr. Ludvig. I have not changed my mind that you are the best person for the job. So you can just do your job with your head held high. If the accusation is out of line, don’t worry about it.”

Ludvig laughed weakly at my words.

I need to protect him from losing his will here.

Besides, I can’t sit by and watch the accusations against my men.

I have no intention of arresting them or otherwise suppressing them with public power, but I will counter speech with speech.

“Kiara, issue a proclamation in my name. I have enumerated Mr. Ludvig’s accomplishments up to now, and I am sure that he is qualified for the position of minister and cannot be replaced by anyone else. Please also add that in the future, I will question the basis for any baseless accusations that are made.”

Ludvig seemed surprised after hearing what I said.

Kiara seemed a little better.

She nodded vigorously.

I looked around at everyone.

“In the course of our work, these kinds of things will come up. If the accusation is correct, we can just improve on it. If the accusation is out of line and is an accusation for the sake of accusation, don’t let it bother you. If necessary, I will issue another edict. If it is too persistent, I will question them directly in public.”

Huh? Everyone’s reaction is strange.

“No, that’s not it.”

They have that kind of look on their face.

As I was puzzled, Mil, who was standing next to me, poked me.

“Al, that’s fine, though. But can we leave the slander against Al alone? That’s what everyone is upset about.”

Oh, that huh.

I couldn’t help but scratch my head.

“Well, I thought it was just a stress release or an outburst of need for approval, so I didn’t get angry.”

Kriemhild, the Minister of Education, sneered.

“Lord Alfred is right that he was just ranting, but you’re not angry?”

“Kiara, this noisy fellow is the same one who was making a fuss before, right?”

Kiara nodded silently.

“The man apparently likes the word hypocrite. He must be building his story on the assumption that it is what he says it is. To declare someone a hypocrite in a story where the logic is not clear is, in a word, “I don’t like you” That’s all it is. He doesn’t want to admit it, so he forces himself to scramble up words to dress it up. It’s as ridiculous as wearing underwear over your clothes. So I don’t think it’s worth thinking about.”

Governor Oracio’s face turns sullen at my commentary, as if I were someone else.

“Then why leave it out even more so? When a feudal lord’s authority falls, there’s a chance that even the meekest of his people will push their luck.”

You’re right, that’s a good point.

“I know that, though. Are more and more people getting sympathetic to that story?”

Kiara shook her head.

“No, it’s just some of them, but it’s not increasing more than that. But there are those who are annoyed by their fuss. And…I’ve had them find it out, and they all have one thing in common.”

“What is it?”

“Brother once cut off an immigrant who took a child hostage, right?”

“Yes, there was. I think it was the sermon after that…”

Kiara’s gaze grew stern.

“I will preach to you again. Anyway, those who are making a fuss are the relatives and friends of the sinner. They are completely resentful to brother.”

Oh… that was careless.

“I see… So they didn’t like it. When they first came to Ravenna, they have shown their determination to revolt, after all. And now this happened after the punishment was added.”

Minister of Police Touko leaned forward.

“If they hate my lord that much, why didn’t they just leave? Don’t they realize that the only reason they can slander so freely is because my lord allows it?”

There is no way they would notice.

If they did, they would be smarter than this.

That’s the extent of it, and that’s why I didn’t have any trouble leaving it alone.

I couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Well, I suppose they don’t want to leave their life here. At least they won’t starve to death. It’s a much better life than it was before they came here, after all. Life in Ravenna is not bad. But they don’t like the feudal lord.”

Touko shook his head.

“They’re too selfish. I’d properly take good care of them if it were me.”

If you did, they’d be half dead.

However, I can’t just leave it here…

But whatever I do, I will need a legal basis.

“What would do you think as the Minister of Justice?”

Abraham, Minister of Justice, folds his arms and ponders.

“It’s not a clear violation of the law. But if the public is being inconvenienced, the police should probably warn them. Normally, we should not act unless we receive a complaint from the public. It is not a good idea to encourage them to do so from our side.”

Excellent.

You’re exactly what I expected from you.

Then… Onyxim, the Minister of Architecture, Science, and Technology, who is not a frequent participant in these kinds of conversations, leaned forward.

“Then you should issue a proclamation telling people not to make a public outcry and cause trouble with their slander. Or, better yet, let’s have a permit system for public speeches.”

They all looked at each other.

They were probably surprised by the precise proposal from someone they had not expected.

Mil was also surprised, her mouth forming the letter “O” for the first time in a long time.

“Stubborn Vodka, you’re quite good…”

So you’ve made it an official nickname.

Onyxim hummed and sniffed.

“Plant Friends think too hard. Those who make a fuss without regard for the trouble they cause need to be disciplined. The law is supposed to make life easier for everyone.”

So that’s Mil’s nickname.

I almost laughed a little, but then Mil glanced at me, and I got a serious look on my face.

It’s a brilliant argument, despite the name.

It accurately captures the essence of the law.

Onyxim glares at me in admiration.

“I think my lord could have a little more self-respect. People around here get annoyed when you don’t care about being hassled.”

Public Health Minister Ardelheid tilted her head.

“Really? Grandma Magali said that Lord Alfred’s ego is so outrageously large that he doesn’t seem to have the self-esteem that most people have.”

Oh dear… that old woman says some unnecessary things.

Oracio tilted his head.

“Is that so? I don’t think it’s just a random remark if it’s from that old woman. What about you, my lord?”

“I am not so starved for self-esteem that I have to look down on others and compare myself with them at every turn.”

Touko started laughing after hearing this.

“Certainly, it’s too big to see. If that’s all it is, you don’t have to worry about the little guy’s nonsense.”