My Slain Dragon Bride

Chapter 106: Chapter 106

Chapter 106 - The Taste of Power

Having heard their opinions, it was now Ferda’s turn to speak.

"I understand your intentions well. I express my gratitude for your tireless efforts, day and night, to build a new village under the Grand Duchess Valdrova’s domain."

Despite his words of gratitude, his gaze looked as though it could tear them apart at the molecular level.

Realizing it himself, Ferda steadied his emotions with a deep breath.

"Recently, an unfortunate incident resulted in thirty casualties. Four people lost their lives, and every one of them was a civilian. Their deaths weigh heavily not only on you, but on me as well."

That much was true.

"Therefore, I intend to reassign the workers who were focused on constructing buildings and have them concentrate on building the walls instead. The plan is for an area that can comfortably support around one thousand citizens, while having the capacity to house up to three thousand."

Although Hanson was merely a laborer, he had spent enough time in the construction industry to estimate roughly how large such an area would be.

"Then the people building those walls will certainly begin at a location some distance away from the village."

"Of course."

"In that case, how do you intend to guarantee the safety of those workers?"

A solution to the proposal.

The answer was remarkably simple.

"Isn’t it already there?"

"What do you mean?"

"The warning bell installed in the center of the village. What do you think it is? It was created by the Headmaster of Escolleia, the City of Scholars."

At that, one of the foremen who had heard a little about it exclaimed dramatically.

"The Headmaster of Escolleia? Isn’t that basically the lord of those bookworms?"

"If he’s the lord, then he must be the smartest one around."

Hearing that it had been made by the Headmaster of Escolleia immediately inspired confidence.

In reality, he was merely a scholar who occupied a somewhat ambiguous position among the upper ranks, but people like them had no way of knowing that.

Ferda continued.

"We enhanced the alarm function of the Monster Appearance Prediction Device and converted it into a warning bell that alerts people to danger. Thanks to it, we detected the approaching monsters and evacuated everyone quickly. That is why the number of casualties was kept so low."

Pointing at the document on the table with his finger, Ferda continued.

"But there were still fatalities, weren’t there?"

"They were the minimum possible losses. Many more people could have died."

Ferda answered firmly.

"If you wish to know about monster attacks, I can tell you as much as you like. Recently, there have been over thirty cases of monster assaults. If we compare those with ours, I can explain just how perfectly we defended ourselves. Would you like that explanation?"

His words were cold and solid, like steel.

Trying to strike them with a soft fist would only end with your own hand breaking.

"Of course, I know this is not a place to boast about my knowledge. What you truly need is not early warnings, but the power to kill monsters."

Ferda closed his eyes.

A moment later, as though he had made up his mind, he addressed them again.

"Before long, I shall distribute the Magitech Rifles that Vernel Marquis is producing to all of you. What do you think?"

Most of the foremen gasped in surprise.

The reputation of the Magitech Rifle had already spread even among ordinary commoners.

"You mean that weapon that killed a Wolf Monster with a single shot?"

"That’s right."

Hearing that, Stephan looked startled before speaking cautiously.

"Your Excellency the Regent, perhaps you should discuss that with me first—"

"And why should I?"

"Well... those prototypes are supposed to be supplied elsewhere first, and we also need to promote them..."

Ferda frowned as he looked at Stephan.

"They were created for the safety of the Far East. The people serving here in the Far East should receive them first. I have no concern for places far away."

"Your words are absolutely correct, but..."

"There is no ’but.’ I will not permit any further objections, Stephan Pascal."

"M-My apologies."

Stephan immediately shrank back.

Ferda turned his gaze back toward the foremen.

"So then, Acting Union Leader, what do you think?"

Hanson glanced at the other foremen.

Their expressions clearly said they wanted him to accept immediately.

Unable to let things end so simply, Hanson cautiously found something to object to.

"Of course, if you are willing to do that for us, we are sincerely grateful for Your Excellency’s generosity. However, we’re simple people. I’m not sure we’d even know how to use such a weapon."

"There is no need to worry. The geniuses I’ve recruited are already taking care of that."

More accurately, the fool was taking care of it.

The geniuses were probably tearing their hair out because of that fool even today.

"One round of ammunition from that weapon is enough to kill a single Wolf Monster. At the very least, five men should be able to deal with one monster together."

"Oh..."

"Five people for one monster... That’s an incredible weapon..."

The more they heard, the more captivated they became.

All of them were country folk who had come to the Empire simply to earn money.

They might never have encountered the monsters created by the Demon Race, but attacks from creatures like goblins were an everyday occurrence.

What they needed was not a standing army.

They needed the power—or at least the means—to protect themselves.

Ferda was offering them the power to kill monsters.

A means of killing creatures that even paid mercenaries were reluctant to fight.

It was something whose value ran far deeper than money could ever buy.

And he was offering such a thing without hesitation.

Even knowing it might damage his relationship with the Empire’s greatest merchant prince.

He truly thinks about the East.

Ferda quietly observed their expressions.

It was obvious that nearly all of them had already been won over.

Just as Stephan predicted.

The plan to announce the distribution of the Magitech Rifles had actually been Stephan’s idea.

Three days earlier, after Stephan arrived, they had discussed several possible scenarios.

One of those scenarios had been to appear as though they were generously granting a favor.

From the very beginning, the Magitech Rifle had been intended for civilians.

And the plan had always been to commercialize it first for the people of the Far East.

The laborers would simply receive it a little earlier than everyone else.

Besides, if necessary, they could even become a reserve force.

The workers gained the power to kill monsters.

Ferda gained troops he could mobilize in an emergency.

It was a strategy that appeared to benefit both sides.

Of course, Hanson, the man carrying the burden of leadership, had no intention of letting things end there.

After all, this was almost unrelated to the demands they had originally come with.

"We are sincerely grateful for the generosity bestowed upon us by the Great Consort of Fire. However, we would also appreciate it if you would consider our original requests."

"Naturally. This matter is separate from your requests. Since I am not well-versed in that area, I shall pass the baton to someone else."

The one who took that baton was Stephan Pascal.

With an easygoing smile, he greeted them.

"My name is Stephan. I serve as the General Manager of the Pascal Trading Company. In the future, I am expected to become the Chairman of the entire company, and I currently also serve as the Acting Manager of the former Dandolo Trading Company."

He was the man who would lead the Empire’s greatest trading company while simultaneously managing the second-largest commercial group.

Though not a noble, he possessed influence that far surpassed that of most nobles.

The reason he listed all of those titles was simple.

He wanted to intimidate them.

"After looking into the matter, I found that all of you are currently employed by the administrator of Hestia Village under an outsourcing arrangement."

"That’s correct."

"Considering the sheer number of workers here, I also believe it’s a serious issue that no union has been established yet. After all, someone must represent your voices."

Stephan spoke as though he truly understood their circumstances.

"I also recognize the necessity of establishing a union for the peace and prosperity of the Far East. Therefore, I officially support the establishment of the Labor Union of the Grand Duchess Valdrova’s Domain—or, more simply, the Far East Labor Union."

Turning the page, Stephan addressed another of their demands.

"In addition, the current fifty percent wage increase for workers and foremen will remain in place. Furthermore, each foreman will receive additional compensation according to the number of workers they supervise, performance-based bonuses according to results, and housing assistance within the Far East based on years of service."

The treatment being offered was astonishingly generous.

So generous that it made one wonder why no one had voiced these complaints sooner.

"It seems you all had already reached an agreement regarding the union leader. Have you decided to recommend Mr. Hanson?"

"Yes."

"Very well. Then I hereby appoint Mr. Hanson as the Union Leader of the Far East Labor Union."

After writing down the name, Stephan politely folded his hands together and continued.

"In that case, from this point onward, I would like to move on to matters that concern only the Union Leader. Beyond this point, only site supervisors and above will be permitted to participate. Would that be acceptable?"

One of the foremen immediately frowned.

"How do we know what kind of schemes you’re planning?"

"Just say it here."

"Ordinarily, these matters would only be discussed with the Union Leader. However, since you’ve expressed such concerns, we’re allowing the site supervisors to remain as observers."

Including Hanson, there were three site supervisors in total.

Though clearly dissatisfied, the foremen had no choice but to leave.

Once the foremen were gone and only the site supervisors remained, Stephan began speaking again in an entirely different tone.

"Now then... shall we discuss what the executives really talk about?"

"No matter what you try, we won’t be swayed."

"There’s no need to be. I excluded the foremen because this concerns noble affairs."

"Noble affairs?"

Hanson immediately leaned forward.

"Under the laws of the Grand Duchess’s Domain, ordinary citizens currently possess no political rights. So even if you become the Union Leader, your position is, in truth, no greater than that of a village chief."

"That’s true."

"After discussing the matter beforehand, His Excellency the Regent said he intends to make the Union Leader into a Citizen Representative."

"A Citizen Representative?"

"Yes. In some of the republics in the west, political rights are granted in this manner. To explain it in terms more familiar under Imperial law... you may think of it as the equivalent of a Quasi-Baron."

A Quasi-Baron!

Strictly speaking, it was not nobility.

Nevertheless, it carried many of the privileges enjoyed by nobles.

Wasn’t that exactly the position Hanson had always dreamed of obtaining?

"Therefore, should you become a Citizen Representative, your political rights will be guaranteed. You will receive tax reductions, opportunities connected to commercial activities, and a quarterly allowance for maintaining your status."

Every sentence sank straight into his ears.

Not even an entire day’s wages after sunset could bring this much exhilaration.

Hanson found it almost impossible to keep his expression under control.

It’s exactly what that mage said.

Complaints become a nuisance.

And that nuisance leads to compensation.

Hanson almost regretted not thinking of such an idea sooner.

"Of course, these privileges apply only while you serve as Union Leader. If you step down from that position, your status as a Citizen Representative will also disappear. Do you understand?"

"So if I step down as Union Leader, I’ll simply become an ordinary citizen again?"

"The authority will pass to your successor. The next Union Leader will inherit the rights of a Citizen Representative."

"I understand."

"Do the other two of you have any objections?"

The two site supervisors shook their heads.

"No objections."

"That arrangement sounds fine to us."

"Very well then, Union Leader. Please sign here."

Stephan presented the contract.

After carefully reviewing its contents one final time, Hanson signed it.

And with that, the conference came to a successful conclusion.

***

That night, Hanson happily drank himself into a stupor.

Starting tomorrow, he would no longer report to work as a site supervisor, but as the Chairman of the Far East Labor Union.

’I’ll have a fancy nameplate and a proper chair made... I should also start looking for the house I’ll be living in.’

His future looked nothing short of a path strewn with flowers.

A smile never left his face, and he was itching to contact his relatives and family with the good news.

"You seem to be in high spirits."

The voice belonged to that arrogant young mage.

Hanson welcomed it enthusiastically.

"Oh! Welcome, Mage!"

"Haha, no need to stand. And don’t even think about trying to shake my hand. So, how did it go?"

"Thanks to you, Mage, I became the Union Leader."

"Congratulations. Now tell me the whole story in detail."

Already pleasantly drunk, Hanson recounted everything that had happened.

Unlike Hanson, who spoke as though recounting a glorious tale, the mage’s expression gradually hardened.

"So... you accepted all of those terms?"

"Of course. They agreed to every one of our demands, so how could I—"

"You brain-dead idiot!"

The woman suddenly exploded with insults.

The outburst instantly sobered Hanson.

"W-Why are you so angry?"

"Weren’t you listening to anything I told you, you moron? No, you’re worse than a mole crawling through the dirt. At least moles know when to stay underground instead of sticking their heads up! Do you even realize what you’ve done?"

"...?"

Seeing the utterly confused look on his face, the woman let out a long sigh.

"Damn it. If I’d known this would happen, I would’ve disguised myself as a laborer and joined you, whether that bastard noticed me or not. This is my fault for sending fools like you in there!"

"What exactly did I do wrong?"

"What did you do? You climbed onto the execution platform yourself, tied the noose with your own hands, and put it around your own neck!"

***

"A hero’s play?"

Ferda looked puzzled.

That phrase summarized the core of Stephan’s strategy.

"Doesn’t the story always end with the Demon King dying and the hero emerging victorious?"

"Exactly."

"We all know the Demon King dies, but the actor playing the Demon King isn’t actually killed. It’s the same idea."

"So it’s all just an act."

Stephan nodded.

"Whenever an incident occurs, the Union Leader steps forward, proclaiming himself the hero. Then he defeats the evil villain—Your Excellency the Regent—and secures compensation for the people. That way, the Citizen Representative earns the support of even those opposed to the government."

Stephan grinned.

"Without ever realizing that they’re actually working together."

"But Hanson isn’t on my side at the moment, is he?"

Stephan nodded again.

"Before long, he’ll be bowing his head under Your Excellency’s control. There’s no other possible outcome."

"Explain."

Raising a finger, Stephan began.

"First, we’ll be diverting part of the workforce to construct the walls. That means we’ll require additional workers to keep the city’s development proceeding smoothly."

"Indeed."

"Given the current situation, we’ll need roughly another hundred workers. Which means the Labor Union will gain one hundred new members."

"Can we recruit that many?"

"With the daily wages we’re offering, they won’t have any choice but to come. It’s enough money to make people temporarily forget about Empire Dream."

There were currently 253 laborers.

However, ninety-eight of them had come from Halim and did not belong to the Far East Labor Union.

In reality, the union only had 155 members.

Adding another hundred workers meant that nearly two-fifths of the union would consist of fresh newcomers.

"That’ll create factions."

"Those factions are probably already forming."

"What makes you say that?"

"That’s the second reason. As I mentioned before, the position of Citizen Representative comes with privileges similar to those of a noble."

"Correct."

"Now imagine introducing elections for the Union Leader. What do you think would happen?"

Ferda understood immediately.

"So that’s why you made it look as though the site supervisors were merely witnesses."

"Exactly. Unlike Hanson, whose eyes were blinded by the power placed right before him, those other two understood perfectly."

It wasn’t as though Hanson alone desired power.

If anything, the others were probably thinking, If Hanson can do it, why can’t I?

"In order to maintain a political faction during those elections, they’ll need money. But do you really think their salaries alone are enough to win people over?"

"No."

"And do men who’ve spent their entire lives working with their hands know anything about management? About law? Human resources? Financial administration?"

Just as Stephan could never work as a carpenter, Hanson could never run a business.

Everyone had something they couldn’t do.

"In the end, to solve all of those problems, they’ll need this."

Stephan formed a circle with his thumb and index finger.

Money.

Power required money to obtain.

It also required money to maintain.

"They’ll naturally start looking for someone willing to finance them."

Who possessed the greatest wealth right before their eyes?

Who could advise them on financial management, legal matters, and personnel administration?

"A stage without intellectuals is always swept along by those who control the current."

Stephan himself was that current.

With obvious satisfaction, Ferda asked,

"So... within a few months, the Labor Union will effectively become mine?"

Smiling faintly, Stephan replied,

"I’ll make it happen within two months at the latest."