In the grand assembly hall packed tightly with the high-ranking officials and bureaucrats of the Empire, the Imperial National Assembly was in full swing.
Lined up and taking turns to step onto the podium were lobbyists from various interest groups, elders from academic societies, wizards from the Magic Tower, and individuals with titles like president of this or that association. Each and every one of them poured out legislation designed to serve their own interests.
“Uh, regarding the regulation on mana stone usage for wizards, there are many opinions saying it’s too strict, so I’ve brought a relaxation plan based on my own research results……”
The wizard demanded a reduction in the consumption tax on mana stones.
“I strongly oppose the current environntal regulation proposal! If factory smoke emission standards are strengthened, productivity will drop, and the national economy will suffer serious damage!”
The industrialist cried out for the abolition of environntal regulations.
"Please lower the trade tariffs with the Empire's western regions! Only then can we rchants circulate more goods and make the Empire prosperous!"
The rchants pleaded for tariff reductions.
Most of the proposals, while harmful to the Empire as a whole, promised enormous profits in their own sectors.
People from all walks of life, industrialists, wizards, and others, ca forward and proposed countless bills, but most of it remained at the level of formal procedure. The legislators just let it go in one ear and out the other, looking at their watches with troubled faces or yawning.
The real thing was yet to co.
Ken Steiner, the chancellor of the nation, had one day suddenly submitted his resignation, and the person who had caused that would soon arrive.
Countless industrialists had lobbied and made requests to the nobles and legislators of the imperial palace, but this ti, they couldn’t bring themselves to accept it.
Just then, when the officials were exchanging uneasy glances.
Creeeaaak──.
The door opened. All eyes turned to the entrance. The noise died down in an instant.
And then, he appeared on the red carpet of the grand assembly hall.
Blonde hair and golden eyes. A knight’s full dress uniform, flawless without a speck of dust. A gait with not even the slightest falter.
His figure, maintaining composure and elegance as he ascended the podium…….
"I am Maximilian, knight of the Sentinel."
Indeed, just as the rumors said.
He bore a striking resemblance to Valtaras from the novel.
.......
A tax reform plan including withholding tax, and proposals concerning corporate obligations.
The speech that opened the first page of my blueprint was reaching its conclusion.
“──As you all know, we are Aran. Our blood and sweat must be used solely for ourselves.”
I recited the script written by Johann. My voice rang clearly throughout the National Assembly hall. It was a deliberate resonance I had never brought out before.
To be honest, controlling the lower abdon was more exhausting than most battles.
“The air we breathe, the ground we walk upon, all the abundant life we enjoy—let us not forget that all of it exists within the fence of the Empire.”
The script prepared for the National Assembly was filled with far more refined vocabulary than typical public speeches. There were many literary expressions that nobles liked.
“Taxation does not need to be painful. If it is for the Empire, it should be a devotion that flows as naturally as breathing.”
I paused for a mont. With the grace of a noble, I surveyed the crowd. As Johann had advised, I moved my gaze in a way that looked as if I was making eye contact with everyone, without focusing on any one person.
"The wealth of Aran, springing from its source, shall serve as the Empire's purest sword and shield..."
Withholding taxes. Structural reform of the tax system.
Reducing the tax burden on the lower classes of the Empire, and imposing regulations on foreign companies that do nothing but suck away the Empire’s fruits.
The speech continued at an appropriate length. Neither too long nor too short. Just enough for the core essence to be perfectly understood.
“......This has been Knight Maximilian.”
I quietly bowed my head.
──Clap. Clap. Clap.
Amid the rising applause, my eyes t Sonnet’s once more. Again, she pushed up her round glasses with her middle finger. I too lightly scratched the end of my eyebrow with my middle finger.
It was our own form of greeting.
......
Hers Province, possessing the largest landmass even among the southern territories.
Thanks to Maximilian's various businesses and infrastructure like the Aternum factory, this region where the population was quietly growing had erged as the heart driving the economy of the Empire's south.
"So exactly what percentage is our weekly pay dropping by?"
"Don't know."
The workers’ locker room.
After finishing their work, they changed clothes while discussing the new bill.
“It’s roughly around 20%. That’s what the supervisor said?”
“Ah... damn. I was planning to buy a nice gift for my son.”
“No need to fret. It’s just paying taxes in advance. They say we’ll get used to it soon enough?”
“They say it was proposed directly by the knight. If it’s for the good of the nation, we have to accept it......”
With bitter smiles, they took off their work clothes.
Shuffle, shuffle. They stepped outside and stood in front of the wage settlent office. A long line had already ford.
The official in charge addressed them.
“──Everyone, listen up! As you know, the tax law has been revised, and it’s taking effect imdiately. From this week’s wages onward, withholding tax will begin. I believe our factory will be the very first to implent it!”
He pointed to the items written on the blackboard.
“dical insurance, pension, unemploynt benefits, and inco tax will be deducted in advance. On top of that, due to the direction of our Sir knight, the mbership fee for the ‘Arten Labor Union’ will also be included, making for a total deduction of exactly 25.5%. Please don’t feel too resentful—it’s just paying taxes in advance!”
The workers, one by one, received envelopes from the settlent office, but couldn’t help returning with glum expressions.
They understood it was for the nation's sake. The sa went for paying taxes in advance. Even so, the money they actually received was reduced—
“Huh?”
One worker, upon opening his envelope, suddenly widened his eyes.
“It’s the sa?”
The amount hadn’t decreased. No, it was actually slightly more than last week. Other workers quickly checked their own envelopes.
“Wait, mine too?”
"Did they calculate it wrong?"
As the murmuring grew, the officer spoke with a bright smile.
“Nope. The calculation is correct.”
It was part of the pre-learned protocol.
Deliver the bad news first, and then offer a greater reward—a psychological technique.
“As you’re now paying taxes, the weekly wages from Aternum have been raised. Because all of you have consistently exceeded your targets, our Knight Maximilian!”
He paused briefly at the na Maximilian.
“Has made a special gesture of consideration. Thanks to that, the money you’re taking ho has actually increased.”
The workers’ faces lit up with joy.
They had paid taxes, but their inco hadn’t gone down. In fact, thanks to the knight’s grace, their wages had effectively gone up. No—actually, they had gone up.
“Wooooaaahhh!” the workers shouted in cheer, and as the noise settled, the officer tapped the blackboard.
“However, be absolutely mindful of this.”
His expression turned serious.
“All of these benefits stem solely from the knight’s heart, devoted to the Empire. The knight believes in you and has invested in the Empire's future.”
He pointed to a poster on the factory wall.
“The knight, and all of you, are Arans of the Empire. Therefore, we exist only for the Empire.”
His resolute voice echoed through the factory.
“If anyone suspicious, or anyone trying to spread subversive ideas, appears in Aternum—report it without fail. That is how we protect our livelihoods and repay the knight’s grace.”
It was the content delivered by the officer every day at the end of the workday.
A form of ideological training that went far beyond re warning—bordering on indoctrination.
“You are raising your families within the fence of the Empire. Thanks to the Empire, you live in good houses and eat good food. Without the Empire, none of us could maintain this life. Keep that in mind.”
The workers nodded with solemn expressions.
“Oh, and also, before you leave today, there will be a random inspection. All workers, please head over to that person there.”
The officer pointed sowhere. A woman in sunglasses—Yukia was standing there.
“Go through a short interview and receive your ‘Worker’s Handbook’.......”
***
Even in this Empire, there are artists, painters, and architects.
It goes without saying.
But those are the first to be discarded when the economy collapses and the winds of war begin to blow. To the poor, a single painting is a luxury; to the rich, it's a burdenso item with no liquidity.
Still, I intended to preserve those aningless values, if only for a while.
“Sir Knight. The Arte Museum has gone bankrupt and is up for auction.”
On a quiet afternoon, I nodded at my aide's words.
“Let’s g??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????o.”
I hurried into a car and headed there.
The Arte Museum, once boasting the largest scale in the Empire.
But now, there wasn’t a single visitor in the place. The spring breeze sweeping the streets felt bleak.
“Wait outside.”
“Yes, sir.”
The entrance was empty. No one was at the counter. The entrance fee was ten dollars, so I casually threw in a hundred-dollar bill and walked in.
Step── Step──
Each step echoed too loudly. It was almost uncomfortable.
At least I didn’t have to worry about assassination.
Step──
The interior furnishings were empty, but the artworks on the walls were immaculately maintained.
“.......”
Standin??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????g in the middle of it all, I looked around at the paintings.
"...How unexpected."
Soone walked out from the inner exhibition room. A refined elderly gentleman in a dignified suit. It was Verdi, the director of Arte.
“I never imagined you would co here.”
There was a trace of wariness in Verdi’s voice.
I calmly asked back.
“What kind of image do I have, that made you think that?”
The director gave a bitter smile and adjusted a painting hanging on the wall.
“Maximilian Ebenholtz. Son of Sebestian. The most noble-like appearance, with such outstanding looks, but...”
He turned to look at .
“But they say a monster lives inside you.”
A monster. I quietly closed my eyes.
In a way, he was right.
The virus inside
— it’s you that he’s referring to. Not .
“Is that so.”
I took a step closer to him.
"Yet are you not afraid of soone like , Director?"
“......Sir Knight. I’m very good at rembering faces.”
Director Verdi looked at
intently.
“A long ti ago, I saw you as a child. Your bright, clear eyes were adorable. You were a child whose eyes sparkled with curiosity at everything in the world.”
“.......”
“With that image of a child still vivid, how could I be afraid?”
I gave a bitter smile. That child had once stood here, feeling sothing very special while looking at the artworks.
“Yes. That’s right. I was probably holding the hand of the person I loved most.”
Mother.
My mother.
She loved art, and she loved beauty.
"...And that child has beco you."
The director's gaze grew complicated.
Verdi had been a longti friend of Ken Steiner. So it was only natural that he wouldn’t have good feelings toward , the one who took him down.
“Then. You wouldn’t accept the patronage of such a child either?”
I asked him directly.
The director's brow wavered.
“Patronage?”
“Yes.”
“.......”
Verdi stared at
and quietly asked back.
“For what purpose?”
There was no good intention behind his question. Nobles who truly lived as nobles tended to dislike .
Perhaps even despised m??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????e.
“For the sake of beauty, and nothing else.”
Even so, I gave a faint smile.
"No matter what destruction may co, there is beauty that we must protect and preserve. Not as a ans, but simply for its existence."
Protecting this museum partly served my personal desires, but that alone was not the reason.
“Beauty that, just by looking at it, makes
recall the person I love most. Makes
relive the happiest tis of my life.”
I looked at the director. I took out my checkbook and scribbled in an amount. Without hesitation, I tore out the check and placed it on the table.
“My mother loved this place very much.”
And there was another great person who loved this place.
This is sothing I’m doing for her as well.
A stepping stone, of sorts, to get closer to her.
“.......”
The director’s expression darkened. Distrust was thick in his aging eyes. Even before the massive check, he showed no sign of greed.
“......It’s not money earned by killing people. So you needn’t worry about that.”
I looked at the director and added bitterly.
“I’m soone who’s doing what I can in my own way, Director Verdi.”
From now on, I’ll live being treated as a monster for the rest of my life. So I neither feel anger nor pain from that kind of look in your eyes.
I simply give a faint smile and leave quietly.
I had already prepared myself for all this hatred since the mont I regressed.
──Haa.
From behind , I heard the director sigh.
Whether it was a sigh of relief or a deeper lant, I didn’t know. But at least this museum would not disappear.
***
Late at night.
Director Verdi was lost in deep contemplation. The cause was a single check that Maximilian had left behind.
"I cannot make sense of this..."
As he pondered Maximilian's words about preserving the museum his mother had loved, Verdi found himself conflicted.
──Tap.
The silence of the museum was broken in an instant.
A new visitor had entered.
──T??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????ap.
The sound of heels echoed through the empty exhibition hall.
Verdi lifted his head.
──Tap.
From the darkness, a woman walked in. Her clothes weren’t extravagant, but they were elegant. The moonlight streaming in through the window glimred on her golden hair.
“.......”
She slowly strolled through the exhibition hall, examining the canvases.
“It’s been a while.”
At Verdi’s greeting, the woman rely gave a small nod. Beside her stood a naless knight, attached to her like a shadow.
“Has business ended for the day, or is the place simply deserted?”
The woman spoke. Her voice was low, but carried a distinct dignity.
"Fortunately, business hours have just ended... but there were only two visitors today."
“Then I’m glad at least one more person showed up.”
Her eyes moved. Her golden hair swayed following her gaze.
“Hmm.......”
She soon stopped in front of a particular painting.
[Secret of the Sea]
A landscape of black ocean and crimson sunset intertwined.
She stared at it for a long ti, then suddenly turned to the director.
“Would you prepare
a cup of tea?”
The knight at her side was startled and tried to stop her, but with a single flick of her hand, she waved him off.
“......Yes. I’ll bring it right away.”
The director hurried toward the pantry. He did not treat her lightly—no, he couldn’t. Though she looked no older than her early twenties, the grace flowing from her was beyond comparison with anyone in the Empire.
“Here you are.”
The director promptly brought warm black tea.
She lifted the teacup and moistened her lips.
“These paintings... will they now be sold outside the Empire?”
Her eyes swept across the paintings. Her expression held quiet regret at these fading traces of art.
“No, they will not.”
The director answered carefully, looking at her.
“I’ve found a patron.”
“A patron?”
“Yes.”
"What eccentric would patronize art in tis like these."
She let out a soft laugh. Sohow, it was a smile of relief.
“Who is it?”
"...Knight Maximilian."
For a mont, her hand holding the teacup froze.
Maximilian.
The na most frequently spoken in the Imperial Palace these days.
“......I see. Maximilian.”
The way she said his na was similar to Verdi’s attitude. At the very least, she didn’t seem to like him.
“Then, will the museum open tomorrow as well?”
She asked.
“Yes. I believe so.”
“And the day after tomorrow? And the day after that?”
S??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????he asked again. It was a question about the museum’s continuity.
“Yes. I will make sure of it.”
If there was even one person who purely loved art, that was reason enough to keep the museum open.
Even if that patronage ca from a monster, there was undeniably a purity within that monster’s heart.
“......Is that so.”
She gave a faint smile.
“I ca thinking I’d have to take one last look before it closed. Seems that won’t be necessary.”
Tap. She set down the teacup, raising her eyebrows in satisfaction.
"Then I shall take my leave for today."
"Yes. If you co a bit later, I should be able to bring in new canvases as well."
“That is welco news indeed.”
Though she smiled brightly, it was clear that so monster lived within her heart too.
It could not be otherwise, given her bloodline.
"I shall co often."
She left first, and the knight beside her glared at the director and said,
"Keep your silence."
From the way he fiddled with the sword at his waist while making threats, his origins could be guessed.
“......Yes. I will remain silent.”
Verdi bowed deeply once more.
He had already realized her identity long ago.
The Emperor had only one child, and that heir was a woman who loved works of art.
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