Chapter 181
Long live the republic!
Live long, long!
Inherent Human Rights, Popular Sovereignty, Elected Power, Separation of Powers, Rule of Law, Responsible Government!
Surprisingly, all these aspects of republicanism were exactly what Pastel liked~!
She could proudly say that there was no one in This World with a higher understanding of republicanism than Pastel herself.
It wasn't just her understanding that was high.
Although she skipped the election since she would have won anyway, Governor-General Pastel, who became the supreme leader of the Sky Island with the support of all the executives, staff, and student friends, was truly the incarnation of republicanism.
She was a good person in power standing against the evil Imperial Family that reigned over and treated the Imperial Subjects like slaves.
Just because someone plopped a crown made of hammered gold on their head didn't mean they suddenly gained more dignity than others!
The Self-proclaimed Emperor? He was just a mere Common Man walking around with a comical crown on his head!
Agreed! I completely agree!
Popular Person Pastel's heart wasn't as easily swayed to be fascinated by an anachronistic system like the Empire as a foxtail grass!
A Popular Person referred to a special individual who was granted greater authority and status than others by the equal people guaranteed by Inherent Human Rights.
Having become even more equal than others, Pastel could not agree at all with the class system the Empire boasted about.
A system where one's life was determined by one's Family and bloodline, such an irrational system, deserved to be abolished.
Of course, if someone were to place a crown on her head, she would have no choice but to wear it out of consideration for the sincerity of the gift, but that was rather proof that Pastel was kind enough to be considerate of others.
Sob.
If they gave her a crown, it couldn't be helped.
Because crowns were expensive and pretty, they took a lot of effort to make. And why did they take a lot of effort to make? That's because crowns were pretty and expensive.
Gasp.
It was undeniable logic.
In that case, considering the giver's sincerity, it really couldn't be helped.
But aside from this minor compromise born of her good heart, Pastel was a stronger supporter of republicanism than anyone else.
Even if she had advised loyally that the Republican Faction was the culprit of the prophecy.
Gasp.
At the news of Duke Nastasha's Demon Realm Visit, Pastel trembled.
I didn't do anything wrong, so I don't know why my body is shaking like this.
Could this be a caffeine overdose?!
It was a reasonable assumption.
Feeling incredibly thirsty for some reason, Pastel was continuously drinking the green tea poured by Count Macenas's Secretary.
Gulp, gulp.
Because she was drinking this much, it was only natural that the caffeine in the green tea would take a toll on her fragile body.
"It would be best to utilize the infrastructure of our Demon World Corporation to carry out the Railway Construction on all fronts. The United Kingdom's Royal Family and Council are moving cautiously, wary of the Imperial Diplomat, but in my view, a Swift Resolution seems safer, from a business perspective as well."
The teacup in the girl's hands rattled.
"Marquis Kraft? What is the matter?"
Count Macenas looked puzzled.
Gasp, what am I doing in a Business setting?
Pastel quickly snapped back to her senses.
"Just a moment, excuse me."
She set the teacup down and rubbed both her cheeks.
Rub, rub.
She kneaded her own cheeks like kneading sticky rice cake, slowly regaining her composure.
It's fine, it's fine.
She didn't know the slightest reason why the Duke was coming all the way to the distant Demon Realm; since it would have absolutely nothing to do with Pastel, who had just been sitting still, it wasn't a big problem.
Wait.
A thought suddenly flashed through Pastel's mind.
Come to think of it, it really wasn't a big problem.
She had missed it because she panicked upon hearing the news of the Duke's visit, but in fact, Governor-General Pastel had never tattled.
That's really true, isn't it?
She had merely given loyal advice that ideology and principles played an important role in the Grand National Strategy. It was Mr. Penguin, not Pastel, who had suddenly brought up the Republican Faction and had pointed it out as the Traitor of the prophecy.
Her Pink Eyes widened.
That's right!
Mr. Penguin is the cause, isn't he?!
Pastel herself was not at fault at all.
"Phew!"
Pastel wiped away her cold sweat. Normally, she wouldn't even break a cold sweat, but given the gravity of the situation, she wiped away a single drop of sweat.
Gasp.
A real 'phew'!
I almost died politically!
Her heart slowly calmed down. As her panicked mind returned to normal, she gradually found the leeway to think objectively.
But come to think of it, I don't think I'm a Republican.
Honestly, isn't something like a republic a little anachronistic?
When His Imperial Majesty The Emperor is perfectly alive and well, isn't it disloyal to spout such ominous nonsense? Loyal Subject Pastel could not relate to such ominous nonsense at all. the Emperor is perfectly alive and well, isn't it disloyal to spout such ominous nonsense?
Loyal Subject Pastel could not relate to such ominous nonsense at all.
Whatever one thinks is one's personal freedom, but I hope they don't ruin His Imperial Majesty the Emperor's Golden Age.
Feeling relieved, Pastel took a sip of green tea. Then, unable to handle the bitter taste, she quietly set it down.
"Have you calmed down?"
Count Macenas smiled.
"Ah, excuse me. I don't usually enjoy drinking green tea. I was treated to such high-quality tea that I overindulged, and it made my mind a bit excited."
"Is that so?"
Count Macenas's eyes swept over the girl. Then, as if belatedly realizing her age, his mouth parted slightly.
"It seems I lacked consideration."
With a hand gesture, he instructed his secretary. The secretary cleared the tea set and brought a lemonade set.
The Count drank the lemonade first.
"I heard some people have a Hypersensitive Constitution, and it seems the Marquis is one of them."
"I suppose so."
Pastel checked the lemon concentration before taking a gulp. The ice clinked, and the cold liquid flowed down her esophagus.
Phew!
The glass, now half empty in one go, was placed on the table.
"Where were we?"
"We were at the part about carrying out Railway Construction on all fronts using our company's infrastructure."
"Then wouldn't the Diplomats residing in the Embassy experience the usefulness of the railroad and report it to the Imperial Family? It would be troublesome if the business stopped midway."
It was the concern Ellie had raised. That was why they had started the Railway Construction from the Outskirts of the Demon Realm, where Imperial Diplomats did not reside.
"According to our company's Internal Analysis, it doesn't seem like that will happen."
The Secretary brought over some documents.
"Strictly speaking, the railroad is currently bringing a greater change to the Commoner Class. It will be utilized militarily later, but for now, it's mostly just causing a Price Drop for Commoners through Mass Transportation. To experience the influence of the railroad right now, one would have to wander around the City and inspect the Residential Areas of the Commoners, but there is no way an Imperial Diplomat, who is one of the Nobles by birth, would do such a thing."
Count Macenas took out a cigar, cut it, and lit it.
"The United Kingdom's Royal Family and Council, based on their own common sense, might think that the Imperial Diplomat would inspect places like Market Street to investigate the changes, but they wouldn't do that at the expense of their noble dignity."
Ah.
It's a Conflict of Values.
The Imperial Diplomat had no reason to look into the lives of Commoners for state administration, so the diplomat didn't bother investigating, while the United Kingdom naturally assumed the diplomat would look into the Commoner economy and was holding its breath.
Count Macenas put the cigar in his mouth. He took a breath, and thick cigar smoke escaped from between his lips.
"Originally, the Diplomats dispatched to the Demon Realm were composed of individuals with a high understanding of republicanism. If it were they, they would have at least investigated the prices on the Market Street."
Were they talents from the Republican Faction?
"However, there was a side effect where Diplomats would occasionally betray the Empire and cooperate with the United Kingdom. So a few years ago, Redmond petitioned the Imperial Family, and since then, only those loyal to the Imperial Family have been sent as Diplomats—I mean, Nobles who act like true Nobles, who wouldn't even think of investigating Commoners."
Ugh, Mr. Penguin.
I understand the reason, but it seems you missed the mark.
Originally, in such a Conflict of Values, one must build an information network that even tolerates Double Agents to avoid falling behind in the information war. Whether there is a possibility of betrayal or not, one must first have an understanding of the Enemy Nation to properly investigate anything.
It would be better to use the discovered traitor Spy by leaking disinformation at crucial moments, and sometimes even to co-opt the opponent's Spy while making moves, rather than stubbornly clinging to fastidious purism.
But thanks to that, Pastel, who was now able to boldly pursue Business Expansion, laughed, "Hehe."
"That's great. Then let's proceed with the Railway Construction on all fronts."
Since the modern era hadn't even been fully established yet, spreading the railroad construction across the entire Territory of the Demon Realm would cause huge security issues, but it seemed she could just wield the right to a Private Army she received from His Imperial Majesty the Emperor.
The Private Army of the Demon World Corporation was Elite Soldiers trained to stand against the United Kingdom Army, so they were perfect as Construction Site guards!
Wait.
Instead of guarding, couldn't the Soldiers just do the construction themselves?
Her Pink Eyes rolled.
Gasp.
Pastel ended up coming up with the Zero Labor Cost Plan.
I think I'm a genius!
The Mass Employment of Construction Workers was a problem, but now it's completely solved!
His Imperial Majesty the Emperor definitely gave me the sword to use for something like this!
Long live His Imperial Majesty the Emperor's Foresight!
Count Macenas flicked his cigar.
"We will provide the funds and supplies. Since it has come to this, it would be good to establish a Joint Venture Company, including the United Kingdom's stake so the young Princess doesn't sulk."
Ah.
"We need to consider public resentment and observe the political landscape for that, so let's take our time establishing the joint venture company."
"Understood. I will leave that part to Marquis Kraft."
Since the Detailed Negotiation was something the Working-level Staff would handle anyway, they talked a bit more before changing the subject.
"The slow speed of the train was a problem, but a solution came up recently."
They discussed what kind of Business Value the Train Technology extorted from the Church.
After a long, long conversation, they concluded their talk by agreeing that the Demon World Corporation's Team of Experts in Mana Stone Engineering would participate in the Joint Research for the Hybrid Train hosted by the Kraft Merchant Guild and the United Kingdom.
Hwaaah.
Pastel stretched vigorously.
"Hyaaah!"
It was a tricky matter, but it wasn't difficult because Count Macenas was easy to talk to.
Since the Empire was restraining the United Kingdom regarding Mana Stone Engineering, she thought Joint Research wouldn't be possible, but she never expected him to accept it so lightly.
"This should be enough for today."
"Yes, indeed."
Count Macenas took the cigar out of his mouth.
"Next time, we can meet at the Duke's private exhibition. I will send a carriage to your hotel."
Gasp.
Pastel trembled.
Nothing will happen.
Absolutely nothing will happen...!