◆ Domestic Reform (Part 4, Last part)
The atmosphere in the viscount’s hall remained calm and pleasant until the very end. Seeing the tension dissolve, Aleon declared the meeting closed. As I watched the nobles leave, I maintained my composed expression. Once everyone had exited and the heavy door was fully shut, I felt the tightness in the air gradually ease.
After being exposed to so many gazes, I was undeniably exhausted. Having kept myself tense for so long, my facial muscles seemed to be worn out, and as I relaxed, my face twitched uncontrollably in various spots.
I sat down near where the viscounts had been seated earlier, leaning back against the chair. Closing my eyes for a moment, I heard the sound of the door opening and quickly straightened up.
"So it’s you."
"Prince Henrik, are you tired?"
"Hmph, this much is nothing," I replied.
It seemed that Aleon had noticed my fatigue almost immediately. Perhaps it was due to his sharpness or simply genuine concern. He furrowed his brow slightly, as if concerned.
"There is something I must first say. Despite us offering no help at all, His Highness has worked hard to resolve various issues. As the head of the Duke family, I sincerely thank you."
"As an imperial prince, once I make a decision, I don’t go back on it. That’s all," I replied.
It was partly my personality, but I couldn’t afford to appear ineffective after showing such a combative attitude. To be honest, there had been no certainty of success, and I had been filled with anxiety, living each day uncertain of the outcome. In the end, after many twists and turns, things had generally turned out well, and I had gained at least some degree of trust from the nobles. Yet, much of it had been aided by luck.
"One could say that your talents are a result of the elite training from the former imperial family," Aleon said, with a hint of admiration.
"Stop with the empty praise. It’s disgusting."
"My apologies," Aleon responded, a bit taken aback.
"Anyway, this wasn’t just my achievement. My subordinates worked well, too. It’s only natural since I keep them close."
For once, it felt like I had conveyed exactly what I had been thinking. Though, of course, I added a rather unnecessary comment.
"Oh? I’m surprised to hear the prince say that. No, I must apologize. I had always assumed that for you, those below you were nothing more than pawns to be used, and that you never trusted them. It seems I need to change that understanding."
Even I was surprised by my own words. Usually, when I spoke highly of others, it came across as sarcastic, as if I had diluted my praise a hundredfold and added a thousand thorns. Instead of arrogantly claiming sole credit for my success, I had genuinely acknowledged the help of my subordinates.
But in this case, it wasn’t a change in my character; it was a calculated decision. I figured that gaining even a little goodwill from Aleon would be beneficial, as he was the head of the Duke family, a key player in the plan to reclaim the empire. Gaining his trust and ensuring my ideas had a chance of being heard would be advantageous.
At first, I had been confused by the large gap between my thoughts as a samurai and those of Henrik, but now, I felt I had mostly adapted. Although I couldn’t speak directly as Henrik, sharing the same body meant his intense thoughts inevitably influenced my own. This made the goal of reclaiming the empire a deeply ingrained one, and no longer just a distant concern.
"Now, more importantly, I assume you have something to discuss with me?"
Feeling a bit awkward, I decided to change the subject.
"...You’re quite perceptive."
I had sensed Aleon’s restless demeanor from the beginning.
"Speak. I’ll listen."
"I’d like you to consider a solution to a deep-seated social issue plaguing our country."
"A social issue, huh? There are plenty of those. What do you think is the most pressing issue?"
"It’s the workers in the silver mines, which are a major industry. Their life expectancy is unusually low. Those over thirty often begin to fall ill."
"Well, it’s a serious problem if the prime-working men keep collapsing."
"It’s not entirely unknown, though. We understand that the environment in the silver mines is harmful. The harsh labor causes severe physical exhaustion, and the dark conditions are believed to contribute to mental health issues. But this is not a recent revelation. It has been a long-standing issue ever since the mines were discovered."
"What measures are currently being taken?"
"We’ve tried reducing the working hours to ease the physical strain, but it’s had little effect..."
"The root cause isn’t the working hours. It’s not entirely unrelated, but reducing the hours won’t solve the real problem."
"...Why can you say that so confidently?"
"Have you ever been inside a mine?"
"...No."
"The mines are filled with a large amount of smoke. I’m sure you’re aware that they’ve installed ventilation shafts to release it, and they circulate the air inside the tunnels. But there’s something else. In addition to smoke, there’s a great deal of fine dust in the air that is invisible to the naked eye. Simply releasing the smoke and circulating the air won’t stop that."
"...Invisible dust... Are you saying it’s harming the workers?"
"Exactly. The reason the silver miners have such short lifespans is that this dust accumulates in their lungs over time, eventually causing illness."
Pneumoconiosis, a professional disease, often shows no symptoms or signs in its early stages. By the time it is noticed, the condition has often progressed significantly.
"Once it develops, it's an incurable disease. Prevention becomes absolutely essential. The most effective method is likely to cover the mouth and nose with cloth, but if workers keep their mouths and noses covered all the time, they will find it hard to breathe, which is why many likely removed them."
Simply encouraging voluntary use without conveying the dangers is ineffective. To prevent dust, it is crucial to mandate the constant use of dust masks.
"...It will be necessary to make wearing them mandatory and ensure thorough awareness among the workers."
I had heard that in the Iwami Silver Mine, workers used to insert pickled plums into their masks to block dust and soot. While we don’t have pickled plums, I am aware of similar sour fruits that might be used, which I remembered from Henrik's recollections. Anything useful should be used.
Pickled plums are even useful in warfare. They have a long shelf life, and just looking at them stimulates saliva production, helping to prevent dehydration. Consuming them quickly provides essential nutrients. They would be particularly useful in a siege.
Moreover, they are said to be effective for disinfecting wounds and preventing contagious diseases, making them a truly versatile food.
"However, simply covering the mouth and nose won’t completely prevent it. We must also be prepared for the possibility that workers may fall ill or even die."
"Are you suggesting we cover the treatment costs?" Aleon asked.
"That alone won’t be enough. We would also need to provide compensation for medical expenses, condolence money, and support for the families of the deceased."
"However, the wages for the silver mine workers are already quite high. Raising funds further seems unrealistic."
"Why don’t you realize that the current situation itself is problematic? The finances of this country should be much more stable."
There is a long list of issues: insufficient tax revenue, forced silver tributes from being a vassal state, being forced to buy food at inflated prices, the costs of running orphanages, and more.
"...I had entrusted the finances to the person in charge of that department. I now deeply regret how irresponsible that decision was."
Aleon ground his teeth and lowered his gaze. The person in charge of finances must be someone Aleon trusted blindly, someone with great power. While I feel for Aleon, it’s clear that the person in charge of the finances is at fault.
"I will show you the ledgers that only those responsible for the finances and the Duke’s family can see. Unfortunately, I have no idea what the problems are just by looking at the books. I humbly ask you, Your Highness, to provide guidance on how we can improve the finances."
Aleon, acknowledging his position, lowered his head without hesitation. His voice carried a pleading tone.
"Hmph. You should be ashamed of your own immaturity for having to rely on me."
I couldn’t resist speaking harshly, knowing he had no argument to counter it. Despite managing to leave a slight good impression earlier, I felt as though I had squandered it in an instant. It made me want to sigh deeply at my inconvenient and troublesome mouth. This wasn’t a task I could simply take on, but... I’ll do it. There are many issues to tackle, even with what’s visible right now. I’ll start with those.
◆
Starting the day after the Viscount’s House, a flood of consultations began to pour in. Most of them were from lower-ranking nobles such as knightly and baronial families, and while I briefly glanced through each one, serious issues were evident in several. However, those who held the title of Viscount—bestowed upon those with lineage connected to the ducal family or those with significant power—did not approach me, likely due to their pride as higher-ranking nobles.
I had chosen the Viscount’s House as the place to announce my accomplishments. While the word "announcement" might be a bit misleading, I had deliberately arranged for the information to reach the bureaucrats stationed at Eldoria Castle on that day. Until then, I had kept the mouths of those involved as sealed as possible, intending to release the information to the nobles all at once when it was officially revealed. The Viscount’s House was, as expected, the perfect venue for this. Rather than gradually disclosing results, it would have a much greater impact to "release" everything all at once. This would undoubtedly catch the attention of the nobles, making the revelation all the more striking. However, it may have been too striking, as it likely fueled the envy of the lower nobles, who began to expect that if they consulted me with their problems, I would solve them.
Honestly, this was far beyond my capacity. From the start, I had given up on handling everything alone. Sharon organized the cases into three categories based on their difficulty, passing on the most challenging ones or those she thought required my opinion. Among them, I prioritized the consultations regarding the territories directly governed by the ducal family, which had been sent by the bureaucrats.
More often than not, Sharon’s efficiency meant that she resolved most matters on her own. As a result, I was able to focus on my primary tasks, but it was impossible not to praise her for her reliability in handling everything so thoroughly.
On top of that, Sharon, rather than keeping the credit for herself, insisted on handing it all over to me.
"I have no intention of sinking to the level of a petty individual who steals the achievements of their subordinates," I said.
Her response came quickly: "It’s better for Your Highness’s reputation to rise rather than mine. The overall gain is greater that way."
This wasn’t an argument I could counter, and so I simply sighed.
Thanks to the results of this initiative, the nobles had begun to trust me significantly. I couldn’t help but smile to myself, knowing things were going exactly as I had planned.
"Your Highness, do you have a moment? I have something to report about the orphanages."
"Has there been any progress in the matter?"
"Yes. First, I’ve compiled a summary of the current situation at other orphanages. Please take a look at this."
With that, Sharon handed me a thick booklet. After her visit to the orphanages in the middle-class districts, Sharon had been diligently collecting evidence alongside her other duties.
She had been careful not to make contact with the other orphanages too rashly, as it could expose our movements. Therefore, until we revealed our intentions, she had focused on gathering information quietly. Inside the booklet was a compilation of all orphanages in the country and information about their directors.
"At orphanages outside the capital, all the directors were replaced at a certain point, and the new appointees were all individuals who had previously been involved in corruption or crimes but had managed to escape punishment. The removals were done secretly, and the new directors were made to take the same names as their predecessors."
"If they defied them, they’d end up in prison, and at that point, they’d have no choice but to comply," I murmured.
It was unacceptable for criminals or corrupt individuals to hold positions as directors. They were responsible for raising children.
"At orphanages outside the capital, not only are children being sold, but it was clear that the financial situation is poor, and the subsidies are not being used appropriately."
"So, embezzlement has been occurring?"
"Could it be the work of nobles dissatisfied with the amount allocated for the orphanages?"
The training of orphans had been a key focus under the first Duke, with substantial resources devoted to it over the years. By offering them careful protection, they hoped to instill loyalty to the ducal family and raise individuals who would never betray them. The orphanages didn’t only accept orphans but also children from impoverished families, which is why there were far more orphanages in this country compared to others.
However, managing them required a considerable amount of funds, and although some nobles had called for the elimination of the subsidies, the first Duke had consistently refused even to reduce the amount. He had even passed down a will to ensure they would be maintained after his death. In a country where the first Duke is nearly deified, anyone proposing to break this would attract public scorn, weakening their own position. As a result, no noble dared to openly question it anymore.
Still, it was an undeniable fact that the subsidies were putting a strain on the finances.
"I understand the dissatisfaction, but there’s no reason to be requesting orphans," I said.
"It’s difficult to discern the reasons at this point, but there is one more thing that concerns me: The director of the orphanage in the capital remains unchanged."
"That’s odd. There must be some underlying reason."
"And one more thing, I’ve received contact from Headmistress Helena."
The director of the orphanage I first visited in the middle-class district was named Helena. It seems that a person claiming to be a messenger from the ducal family had instructed her to meet at a dilapidated house. However, she had kept the contact minimal, taking care to leave as few traces as possible, and until now, there had been no movement.
"Finally," I muttered. "Be sure to remain out of sight. If you're seen, it will all be for nothing."
Following the person claiming to be a messenger from the ducal family was the quickest path to uncovering the truth.
"Yes. I’ll keep that in mind."
With a deep bow, Sharon turned to leave. Despite the overwhelming amount of work flooding in, she was not only handling her usual duties but also taking on field research trips. It seemed like the working environment could rival that of the most exploitative companies. However, if I were to go, I would only intimidate people and hinder the collection of the necessary information, so it was best for Sharon to handle it.
Still...
"Why hasn't the headmistress of the orphanage in the capital been replaced?"
I muttered to myself in the quiet office. It was understandable that someone loyal to the ducal family would be placed as the director to prevent any exposure of corruption. Yet, in the capital, they were using hostages to ensure compliance.
"Was there something inconvenient about replacing them...?"
At that moment, I suddenly thought of Alcyana.
Why had she been at the orphanage when I had visited before?
She was always active in the middle-class district, dealing with wrongdoers or kneeling down to help those in need. For her, the orphanage was likely the epitome of "those who are suffering" or "in need."
Her commitment to justice would likely be a hindrance to anyone involved in corruption. If the directors at the orphanages were all replaced, she would surely catch on.
Alcyana, who frequently visited the orphanages, would have noticed any changes in their economic situation—the quality of food, education, the expressions of the orphans, the atmosphere of the orphanages. I couldn’t imagine her missing any negative changes. Yet, even in the capital, where Arshiana’s eyes were present, the directors were being threatened. This made it clear that the orphans were being seen as valuable for some reason. But what could that reason be?
For now, I should wait for Sharon’s report. I turned my attention to the work that had piled up in her absence. Sharon could handle it with ease, but for some reason, I felt a strong desire to immerse myself in the work. After burying myself in the documents for some time, I lost track of how much time had passed. I hadn’t even opened the curtains, and my face was resting on the desk.
Suddenly, the door to the office was knocked. I quickly snapped to attention and straightened up.
"My apologies for the late hour, Your Highness. I checked your bedroom but found it empty, so I wondered where you might be, only to find you here."
Confused by Sharon’s words, I opened the curtains and looked outside. The vibrant orange of the horizon was slowly rising, erasing the night. I hadn’t even noticed that an entire night had passed. It seemed I had become completely absorbed in my work.
"Have you been working until this hour?"
"Hmph, I just woke up early."
"There are dark circles under your eyes. Staring at documents all night will take a toll on your health."
Her immediate insight pierced through my lie. Reflexively, I looked away.
"Wait, isn't that supposed to be my job?"
Looking at the pile of work in front of me, Sharon seemed slightly flustered.
"I just did it because I was free."
"‘Free’? Working late into the night is hardly normal."
"It’s fine. I can do whatever I want."
"No, Your Highness. As your servant, I can’t allow you to overexert yourself."
"Hmph. It’s a good mindset, but if you collapse from overwork, the progress will come to a halt. That would be troublesome."
"There's no need to worry. Thanks to my magic, I can work longer hours than most. I believe I can keep working without losing efficiency, even for a week without sleep."
She showed no signs of fatigue, but perhaps it was the magic that allowed her to do so. Given Sharon’s unique and unrivaled talent in recovery magic, this must be a skill only she could manage.
"I wanted to return earlier, but the man who was in contact with Headmistress Helena was extremely cautious. He took detours, killed time at a tavern, and even disguised himself. I had to follow him carefully, which is why it became so late."
"He didn’t realize you were following him, did he?"
"There’s no need to worry. I have experience in tailing people."
Tailing experience? I wondered what kind of use a mere servant would have for such skills.
Well, it had come in handy now.
"So, what did you find out?"
"The ducal messenger returned home first, then left after midnight and entered a noble’s mansion."
"Who is this noble?"
"Baron Clente Logan."
"Smaller than I expected."
Clente was merely the lord of a small town. It seemed unlikely that such a baron could embezzle orphanage subsidies without some connection to higher-ranking nobles.
"I’ll thoroughly investigate who he’s connected to."
"Understood. But please rest for now, Your Highness. At this rate, you’ll lose track of time and get absorbed in your work again."
"Yeah."
In situations like this, Henrik would likely put on a brave face, but perhaps due to the fatigue, I accepted her advice without resistance. The moment I returned to my room and lay down in bed, my eyelids felt heavy. My mind had been constantly active, and I could tell I was exhausted. I surrendered to the sleepiness, drifting into a light slumber.
◆
I set my sights on the next task: gathering further evidence for the Viscount’s estate. Ten months had passed since I arrived in this country, and the seventh month had arrived. Time truly flies.
The day of the Viscount's council arrived, and I walked down the corridors of Eldoria Castle with Aleon. Over the past months, my ability to solve various issues had been recognized, and I was now officially allowed to attend the council. Additionally, the production of sugar had greatly advanced, and it was now being traded at high prices abroad, bringing a substantial influx of income. The sky outside the window was overcast, and the air temperature was unusually cold for this season, almost comparable to winter.
Aleon pushed open the heavy, jet-black doors of the council chamber. The nobles had already taken their seats and turned their gazes toward us. I clenched my fists to hide my inner tension as I walked across the crimson carpet. Once Aleon took his seat at the head of the table, I settled beside him.
After confirming that everyone was present, the moderator, a bureaucrat, began the opening remarks and steered the discussion forward.
This council was particularly lively, with some people even expressing their gratitude toward me, which made me realize I had gained a certain level of trust from the nobles.
However, I would be the one to disrupt this atmosphere. The possibility that I might undo all the hard-earned trust weighed heavily on me, and I felt the sweat forming on my palms. As the discussion began to reach a boiling point, Aleon, looking around, was about to announce the closing remarks. I intervened.
"Your Highness, what seems to be the matter?"
"There’s a matter I wish to discuss here."
I straightened my back and, calmly but firmly, addressed the assembly. Aleon’s smiling face suddenly clouded over at the seriousness of my tone.
"A matter?"
"The nation’s finances should be in a stable state, but while the policies I’ve implemented have begun to help, they have not addressed the root cause. One of the reasons for the ongoing issues is widespread corruption."
"Corruption!?!?"
Aleon was visibly shocked by the unexpected word.
"Among the many issues, the corruption surrounding the orphanages cannot be overlooked. Now, is there anyone here who might be familiar with this?"
As I scanned the room, I could sense the presence of the ringleader of the corruption, though they made no suspicious movements.
Maintaining a stoic face, they acted as though this didn’t concern them.
"Well, I doubt anyone here would confess to such a thing. Judging by the lack of reaction, I can’t help but praise the boldness of the person. Isn't that right, Lord Kiplea Ludwarl?"
I called out his name and locked eyes with him.
Through connections with Clente, the final suspect I uncovered was the finance minister, Lord Kiplea Ludwarl. Ludwarl’s half-brother had married Clente Logan’s daughter. With the finance minister backing him, it was no surprise he was able to engage in such corruption without raising any suspicions. However, it would be illogical to accuse him solely based on their blood ties.
That’s why I had worked diligently to gather evidence for this very day.
"To be accused of such things is most unexpected. I can't even imagine what kind of corruption you are referring to. I’ve even made donations to the orphanages," Ludwarl said, his gaze unwavering.
If I hadn’t carefully gathered my information, I might have doubted my own conclusion. His acting skills had allowed him to hide his true nature for so long.
"Well, of course. But asking you to believe just based on words is unreasonable. I will present evidence now. Let’s see how long you can maintain that calm demeanor. The heir of the Uredia Trading Company from the Seventh District of the Lower Town, do you have any thoughts on this?"
The Uredia Trading Company was one of the most influential trading houses in the capital, and its heir had been complicit in Ludwarl’s corruption.
"That’s the first I’ve heard of this name," he replied.
"Stop with the poor act. He was just a small fry. At first, he was all bravado, but once he found out I was the imperial prince, he started trembling and spilled everything," I retorted.
Sometimes, threats need to be met with threats. I told Ludwarl that if he continued to support this corruption, I wouldn’t show any mercy. I had become well-known in the trading circles for pushing the sale of products like kotatsu and soap, as well as expanding ale production. My name had spread throughout the commercial districts. Ludwarl’s father, the head of the trading company, had heavily invested in new trade routes being developed with the Empire, so if he were to fall out of favor with me, his son would face severe consequences. It wasn’t Ludwarl himself who feared this, but his father finding out about the corruption. That was the real fear.
Thanks to this, the heir of the Uredia Trading Company now showed a submissive attitude toward me.
"You have been pocketing the resources mined from the silver mines and diverting them to the Kingdom, haven’t you?"
I had visited the person in charge of overseeing the silver mines and had interrogated them thoroughly. When they learned I was a noble, and specifically the Imperial Prince, their nervousness was blatantly evident. The level of distress they displayed, far beyond what one might expect simply from my status, made me certain they were guilty.
"Diverting silver to the Kingdom? Wouldn’t the benefit for me be too slim for such an action?"
I didn’t know what kind of deal he had struck with the Kingdom, but it must have been quite a considerable one. The quantity of silver extracted could be easily falsified, and perhaps for Ludwarl, this was not a particularly high-risk venture.
"Are you admitting to the embezzlement of silver?"
Rather than immediately denying it, Ludwarl shifted the focus to the benefits and drawbacks of the situation. A small opening, but one that I could not afford to ignore. However, even then, Ludwarl responded coolly.
"I deny it entirely. There is no truth to such claims. Everyone, do not trust the words of the Prince, which have no corroborating testimony."
"So, if it were someone else’s testimony, would you believe it then?"
I addressed the assembly, making sure to direct my words at everyone present. No one nodded or shook their heads, but the atmosphere shifted slightly, as if they were waiting for what would happen next.
"Then, let’s call in the witness. Clente Logan, please step forward and speak."
At my call, Clente moved awkwardly, stepping forward with both arms and legs as he made his way to the podium. This was undoubtedly an unexpected turn of events for Ludwarl.
Since that moment, I had been working to win over Clente. The title of Imperial Prince had been effective, but that alone wasn’t enough to earn his loyalty. It was through threats that I had convinced him.
"If you don’t cooperate with me, I will expose you alone. If you try to accuse Lord Ludwarl of his wrongdoings, no one will believe you, and he will undoubtedly deny it. In that case, you will be finished."
Clente, having been the one to carry out Ludwarl’s orders, didn’t want to be solely blamed. Since arriving in this country, I had achieved dramatic results, and through my involvement in solving various problems, I had earned a solid trust from the nobles. Clente himself must have understood that my testimony, supported by evidence, was far more credible than his own denials.
"I, Clente Logan, confess that I was carrying out the diversion of silver on the orders of Lord Ludwarl. Not only that, I also siphoned subsidies from orphanages and coerced the delivery of orphans, even participating in selling them to foreign countries."
"Why did you cooperate with Ludwarl?"
"I was told that the Kingdom would soon go to war, and that I needed to cooperate to protect myself."
Given the current conflict between the Kingdom and the Grand Duchy, the possibility of the Duchy being destroyed by the Kingdom’s invasion was not small. The Kingdom must have offered some kind of assurance of status in exchange for Clente’s cooperation.
"That concern is not unfounded. It is true that we cannot predict when the Kingdom might attack. However, I will overlook your crime since you have had the courage to confess here."
Clente lowered his head deeply once, then returned to his seat. Since we had agreed beforehand, Clente didn’t appear overly relieved; his expression remained stiff.
"Lord Logan, have you conspired with that Prince to trap me? You must have been threatened, right? But that’s understandable. If you were threatened by an Imperial Prince from a mighty Empire, there’s no way you could stand against him alone. Don’t you all think so?"
Ludwarl instantly changed the atmosphere of the council. His popularity and influence were far from ordinary.
"Hmph. The one doing the threatening is you, isn’t it? The reason I was able to track down Clente was because one of the orphanage directors confessed to me that their child had been taken hostage," I retorted.
The donations to the orphanages were merely a camouflage to make it seem like he had no involvement. The directors of the orphanages never suspected that Ludwarl was behind it.
"......"
Ludwarl’s expression didn’t change, but his eyebrows twitched ever so slightly.
"You took the director’s family hostage and forced them to comply. In exchange for guaranteeing their family’s safety, you demanded the delivery of orphans, especially young girls. And then, you sold those orphans to foreign countries for high prices. It is unforgivable to sell orphans, who should belong to the Grand Duchy, for personal profit."
Due to geographical reasons, orphans, especially those of the Lapto tribe like Sharon, who have magical abilities, were much more valuable. Furthermore, a girl’s value would skyrocket. However, the Lapto tribe was a minority, so identifying a descendant was akin to a gamble.
Still, the Lapto tribe had no distinct physical features, and the only way to confirm their ancestry was to test if they could use magic. Magic usually manifests around the age of fifteen, so orphans were sold before they reached that age, around thirteen, to avoid revealing their abilities too early. If any of the orphans proved to be magical, they would be worth far more than money could measure, potentially elevating the family’s standing. This was why nobles eagerly bought children from the Duchy at high prices.
As a result, Ludwarl had amassed significant wealth. Since human trafficking was strictly prohibited in this country, even selling non-orphanage children was a crime.
"This is absurd, these are vile accusations," Ludwarl scoffed.
Ludwarl, visibly taken aback, shrugged his shoulders in disbelief.
"And that's not all. In orphanages outside the capital, all the directors were replaced, and the new appointees were all people with past crimes or ties to corruption. You likely manipulated them into compliance by promising to release them from their imprisoned status, didn’t you? Moreover, you demanded the return of fifty percent of the subsidies that the Duchy sent to the orphanages."
By bringing Clente Logan to my side, the full extent of the corruption was revealed. Ludwarl had been funneling the subsidies siphoned from orphanages outside the capital to orphanages in the capital, under the guise of donations. This allowed him to increase his reputation without personally suffering any costs. As a miser, he employed these underhanded tactics. He likely sought to gain the trust of Alcyana, who frequently visited the orphanages, and he had indeed succeeded in that.
"You didn’t replace the directors of the orphanages in the capital, and you refrained from embezzling subsidies there because the princess often visited, isn’t that right?"
"Such a far-fetched fantasy."
"The demands for orphans’ handovers and the embezzlement of subsidies began three years ago, which conveniently coincides with when you assumed the position of Finance Minister. Is that just a coincidence?"
"I must say, it’s an unpleasant coincidence. Even if that were true, it doesn’t prove my involvement."
"You can stop pretending now. All the orphanages within the country are under the Grand Duchy's management, and the Finance Minister has the authority to appoint directors. I have more evidence. There was a beloved orphan in one of the orphanages in the capital, a girl who had grown up well. However, despite having left the orphanage years ago, she never once returned. A suspicious orphan, sensing something amiss, disappeared, and I’ve heard that at that time, you dispatched a small squad of knights to search for her."
"I was simply worried about the missing child. There was no ulterior motive."
"Then where is the child? I’ve confirmed that the girl who should have left the orphanage is not affiliated with any national agency."
"......."
"You likely silenced her to prevent your own misdeeds from being exposed, didn’t you? It’s now clear that you are deeply involved in this series of crimes. If you continue to deny it, I have no problem summoning everyone who was involved in this to testify here."
I had gathered enough evidence to turn the tables. At this point, there was no way for Ludwarl to recover. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead, and he ground his teeth in frustration.
"Finally, the desperation is showing. The nobles here are beginning to doubt you. Now, why don’t you offer one or two explanations?"
"Even if what you say is true, Clente acted on his own initiative."
"At this point, you’re still trying to shift the blame? That will do nothing to dispel the suspicions of the nobles here."
Ludwarl, known for his exemplary conduct, had now resorted to blaming others. This was not a minor issue.
"Ugh..."
Ludwarl faltered, his voice cutting off with obvious agitation.
"Kiplea, is it really you who did all of this?"
Even with all this evidence, Aleon still seemed unable to believe it. Had he finally resigned himself to the truth? Ludwarl straightened up and glared at Aleon.
"Hmph, if you hadn't made the foolish decision to ally with the Empire, this would have remained a secret forever."
Yet, his defiant posture remained. Was this his last-ditch effort, or did he still have a plan in mind?
"Ludwarl, Finance Minister, accept your defeat. It's over for you."
"Ha, ha ha. Over, you say? Don't be ridiculous!"
Ludwarl trembled with rage, but his eyes still burned with defiance. I couldn't help but be disgusted by his continued resistance.
"Seize him and throw him into the dungeon!"
I ordered without hesitation, addressing the bureaucrats who were standing at the edge of the room, stunned. But instead of acting, they merely exchanged uneasy glances, unsure of what to do. In that moment, Ludwarl, in his fury, drew a hidden dagger from his cloak and lunged at me.
"You think your blade will reach me, someone with no real combat experience?"
I sighed in disbelief as I swiftly grabbed his arm, which was holding the dagger, and hooked his legs to trip him. He fell face-first to the ground. In a matter of moments, I pinned him down, and he fell silent.
"Listen well! I will not tolerate corruption!"
All eyes in the room were now on me.
"From now on, anyone involved in corruption will be ruthlessly cast aside. This country will soon face the threat of invasion from the Kingdom. We must eliminate any disruptive elements that could become a hindrance to us."
I looked at the frozen, pale faces of those present. It was clear that it would be best for me to leave the room quickly, so I turned my back to Aleon and spoke in a cold voice.
"Aleon, the handling of this man is in your hands. Understand that leniency will only tighten the noose around your own neck."
"...I will ensure a harsh punishment is carried out."
Aleon’s expression was grim. To discover that someone he had trusted as the Finance Minister had been involved in such corruption for so long must have been a heavy blow. There would likely be more turmoil ahead, but for now, I needed rest. As I returned to my room, silence enveloped me, and the intermittent ringing in my ears twisted my face in discomfort.
The tension from the day’s proceedings had worn me out. I felt the exhaustion flood over me as I collapsed into bed, burying my face in the pillow. Even though I was exhausted, sleep eluded me; my heart was still racing. Despite having acted with a sense of justice, the truth remained that I had been the one to bring an end to another's life. I wondered if those who carried out executions constantly struggled with such feelings—perhaps they too were filled with respect for the gravity of their actions. Lost in these thoughts, I sensed someone standing at my door. Had my senses become overly sharp? Normally, I wouldn't have noticed such a thing.
I couldn’t have someone standing there for too long, so I forced my tired body to move and called out to the figure outside the door.
"What do you want standing there like that?"
"I thought you might be tired, so I hesitated to come in."
"That’s unnecessary concern."
"Then, please excuse me."
Sharon gave a small bow and entered the room. She opened the curtains that had been closed, and the setting sun poured into the room, causing me to instinctively squint one eye. As I sat down on a chair in the corner, Sharon stood upright a short distance away.
"The meeting at the Viscount’s estate went without a hitch. Everything went according to plan."
"Are you alright?"
What had she seen in me that prompted her to say such a thing? It wasn’t "Good job," nor "I’m glad," or even "I’m relieved."
"There were no problems. There’s no need for you to worry."
"No, that’s not it. What I’m worried about is you, Your Highness. You may not care about how you’re perceived. Even if it harms your reputation, if it benefits many others, I believe you would carry it out without hesitation."
"You’re overestimating me. I do things for my own sake. It’s all a result of calculation."
"I understand that’s what you say. I know that no matter what I say here, you will not stop."
With those words, Sharon placed her hand over mine.
"...What are you doing?"
For a moment, I thought of brushing her hand away, but even without pressure, my hand remained still, unmoving. Sharon’s nurturing behavior seized my heart with an overwhelming force.
"...You..."
"I affirm everything about you, Your Highness. Even if I don’t fully understand, I will act as your supporter."
None of the words that followed—be it "madness" or "blind faith"—seemed appropriate for what Sharon was doing. Her eyes were simply unwavering, full of sincerity.
"It would be my greatest joy to be your support. If you falter, I will push you forward, even if I have to do it forcefully. Whatever failures await, I will comfort you each time."
"I don’t need such things."
I intended to deny only the latter part. Perhaps Sharon understood that.
I didn’t have the confidence to say that my plans were entirely right. So, if even one person would affirm my actions, it felt as though I could stand firm and move forward.
After today’s incident, would Gibreah Ludwarl’s son move according to plan? It would depend on Aleon’s wise judgment, but in any case, I needed to steel myself.
"Your Highness, you always push yourself too hard. If you don’t learn to relax, you might one day explode."
"That’s none of your concern. If I let my guard down, it’ll only create an opening for enemies."
Even seeing my stubbornness, Sharon only smiled gently. It almost felt like she could see straight through me, making me feel even more tense.
——.