Chapter 37: Side Story - Meanwhile, in the Capital

What does a person live for?

If asked such a question, the answer would likely vary depending on the person's values, occupation, etc.

A religious person would speak of love and charity,

A poor pauper would talk about bread and soup,

And the Nobility or Royalty would mention power and prestige.

From that perspective, Camilla von Arshakh's answer was always set.

The future.

Since becoming a republican at the age of fifteen, she had always lived looking towards the future.

Beyond her own future, for the future of the nation, the future of society as a whole.

Running a coffeehouse, recruiting her own forces and comrades, and gathering the opinions of intellectuals were all part of that.

She didn't hesitate to take some risky gambles to improve the country as she wished.

And now, the Young Lady of Arshakh was realizing her 'dream' through the 'stage' of the Assembly.

"180 votes in favor, 120 votes against! Therefore, I declare that the agenda item regarding the reorganization of the conscription system has passed!"

"Damn Commoners! Do you even realize what will happen to The Kingdom if you commit such an outrage? If this country falls, it's all your fault!"

"What a load of bullshit. Why is it our fault? We're just gradually improving the State Affairs you've messed up so far!!"

"Don't try to shift the blame to us after sucking the Blood and Sweat of the Commoners for hundreds of years!!"

A place where representatives of the First, Second, and Third Estates gather to discuss, fight over, and decide on core national Agenda Items.

It's somewhat different from a modern parliament, but it's still a much more rationally run institution than The Three Estates.

Here, the Young Lady took on the role of leading Carolus's entire faction in his stead.

Isn't it too heavy a responsibility for someone only twenty years old? That's right.

But what can you do?

There's no one else suitable.

Because of the diverse Factions with different Commonalities and interests, cooperation among them is more difficult than a free solo climb of Everest.

There's no way a republican who's dying to take off the King's head and a Clergyman who believes in the divine right of Kings would get along, right?

At least the Young Lady has a large Faction under her command and is famous for receiving Carolus's trust, so she can control them.

Borrowing his authority allowed for some level of control.

"Next agenda item. The proposal to abolish the current tax farming system and entrust tax collection to the Ministry of Finance."

And today.

The Young Lady was trying to reform another significant system.

Tax farming, as the name suggests, is a system of entrusting tax collection to the private sector.

In exchange for money, professionals are given free rein to collect taxes in a specific area for a certain period.

For example, let's say there's an area with an annual tax revenue of 100.

When the Monarch suddenly needs funds, they can receive around 250 and transfer the tax collection Rights to a tax farmer for three years.

Then the Monarch gets the money immediately, and the tax farmer makes a profit of 50 after three years.

Isn't it good because both sides benefit? No way.

"In favor! Absolutely in favor! Isn't this kind of system the reason why the Commoners are getting poorer day by day?!"

"I'm sick of seeing those businessmen create taxes that aren't even in the law! Why do I have to pay a breathing tax just for breathing?!"

"Right! Taxes should be paid as prescribed by law, how can it make sense for the recipient to collect them as they please!"

Tax farmers, i.e., tax collectors, are given complete autonomy regarding tax collection. It doesn't matter how or how much they collect.

But do you think they'll only collect 100 each year? Of course they'll take more with all sorts of excuses.

Breathing tax because you breathe, window tax because you have windows, shoe tax because you wear shoes, sleeping tax because you sleep, toll tax every time you pass the wall, well tax for using the well, clothing tax for wearing clothes, etc...

In some provinces, they even tried to collect a tax on thoughts, but it was canceled. The enraged Commoners beat the tax collector to death.

To build a normal nation, the tax farming system had to be abolished. That's how the Commoners survive.

"Nonsense! Are you going to suddenly abandon a system that has been in place for hundreds of years? What about the aftermath?!"

"If we get rid of the tax collectors, how will we cover the costs? Do you think the money to increase the number of civil servants grows on trees?!"

"Contracts with tax farmers are the legitimate Rights of the Monarch and the lords! The Assembly has no right to interfere with them!"

Of course, there was opposition. Mainly from the Nobility.

They've been letting the tax collectors run wild in exchange for skimming money from them, and if the system is abolished, their finances will be completely messed up.

Trendy Dress, jewelry, luxury goods, and the cost of maintaining their dignity.

The Nobility had a lot of essential expenses (by their standards).

Sometimes, even the usual income from their territories wasn't enough to cover them.

It was the tax farmers who solved that problem. Now, suddenly, you're going to ban it? Absolutely unacceptable.

The moment they give in, they'll have to pay the 'enormous' price of 'slightly' reducing their luxury.

The Commoners are starving because they don't have bread to eat right now, but anyway, that's what they thought.

This sounds like these bastards are too full, and I want to stab them with a pitchfork, but anyway, that's how it was.

"Bullshit! You mean we have to suffer to fatten your wallets?!"

"Lower your voice, lower your voice, you scoundrel! How dare you talk back to Blue Blood?!"

"Blue Blood, my ass! We are all equal Members of Parliament! Don't try to justify your sophistry with your status!"

"Are you guys taking bribes or something? If you were sane, there'd be no reason to defend those who steal taxes, right?"

The debate continued. It was an all-out brawl, with everyone throwing away their dignity, only stopping short of swearing at each other.

But for some reason, their momentum felt weaker than usual.

'Still not enough.'

The Young Lady of Arshakh clicked her tongue inwardly. She knew exactly what the cause was.

'Everyone only gets enthusiastic when His Excellency is present. To show their loyalty to him.'

In the past, even if Carolus just sat in his seat, they would have automatically risen up like a swarm of bees and babbled about something.

Looking good to him was the shortcut to approaching the center of Power and achieving success.

Even if they didn't have anything specific in mind, they would shout something, like words of agreement or slogans.

But what about now? There is no center of power.

With the person who should be balancing and leading gone, everyone is becoming listless. Only those who are truly passionate and have a firm conviction in their hearts are stepping forward.

'I wish he would come back soon…'

The Young Lady of Arshakh sighed inwardly, hoping that Carolus, who had left for the battlefield, would return to the Capital soon.

She wanted to see him take control of the various factions and lead state affairs. She would assist him with his work and offer advice from the sidelines.

If it seems like she misses him for more than just political reasons…it’s a misconception. It’s definitely a misconception.

"Ahem! The debate seems to be getting too heated. How about we stop here?"

The Young Lady of Arshakh stood up and cleared her throat to change the atmosphere.

Looks of displeasure, some mixed with contempt, poured in from all directions. Those who would have shown anger and hatred towards Carolus were looking down on her.

Calmly accepting the disdain directed at her, she looked at the chairman and requested,

"Since it seems unlikely that we will reach an agreement, let's decide by vote. Wouldn't that be the fairest way?"

"Fair, my foot! You're just trying to force it through with your numbers!"

"Nonsense! Voting and majority rule are the true politics that reflect everyone's opinion!!"

Regardless of what the Members of Parliament said, the principle was to decide the passage/rejection of all Agenda Items by vote. A show of hands vote was immediately conducted.

201 votes in favor. 96 votes against. 3 abstentions (Carolus and his subordinate Officers).

As always, it passed by a one-sided margin.

* * * * *

"Thank you for your hard work today, everyone. See you tomorrow."

"Were we supposed to discuss the reorganization of the police system next time?"

"Yes. The overall content is as discussed last time. Please make sure you can definitively win the debate."

On the way back after the Assembly meeting, the Young Lady of Arshakh briefly greeted her fellow Members of Parliament and walked on.

She used to commute with Carolus. But now that he was gone, she had to walk alone to where the carriage was.

That would be fine, but the problem was the uninvited guest who kept clinging to her.

"Oh, Young Lady of Arshakh. Are you heading back now?"

"…I greet His Highness, the Crown Prince."

And it was the 30-something married Royal, no less.

"It must be hard attending the Assembly every day. Arguing with those unreasonable people."

"As if it compares to Your Majesty, assisting the Monarch in governing the kingdom?"

Carolus had long since neutralized most of the Monarch’s actual power. To express it like this was an indirect way of saying she didn't want to be consoled by someone like him.

Unaware of even this simple metaphor, the Crown Prince brazenly put his hand on the Young Lady of Arshakh's shoulder.

"I'd like to personally console you for your hard work…would you like a drink? I'll buy."

"No, thank you. I'm not really one for drinking."

Brushing his hand away lightly with her fan, the Young Lady of Arshakh retorted, lacing her words with the contempt and disgust she tried hard to hide.

"Wouldn't it be better to look after Her Highness, the Crown Princess? I heard she's pregnant. I'm sure she would appreciate it if you were just there with her."

"…Fine. Playing hard to get."

"I wish you a safe return."

After sending the Crown Prince away, the Young Lady of Arshakh sighed. Why did this damn Royal Family keep showing such pathetic behavior?

"Ha. I want to tear it all down."

If it were up to her, she would have smashed it all to pieces. She'd be happy to destroy the remnants of the old Feudalism and establish a Republic.

But that was an extremely difficult task. The Commoners wouldn't accept it. The public only believed and accepted the Monarchy as truth.

'A nation without a Monarch is impossible in this world.'

The Young Lady of Arshakh had also learned this after working in the real political sphere.

The ideal nation of republicanism was still an unrealizable fantasy. The ideological background, the realistic foundation, and the common ground were severely lacking.

Even if they forced it, no one would accept it and it would simply collapse.

'Introducing a Constitutional Monarchy would be the best.'

The realistic limit would be to restrict and define royal power with a constitution. A country ruled by a majority of elected politicians, not a single Monarch.

'But not with the Liudolf Family.'

However, it wouldn't work with the current Royal Family. They were too incompetent.

Even in a Constitutional Monarchy, the Monarch needed to have at least a minimum level of common sense and reasoning. She couldn't entrust the throne to a crazy man who chased after women even though his wife was pregnant.

She doubted the Child born to such a man would be very normal either.

Then, instead…

"…"

The Young Lady of Arshakh raised her head and looked northwest, towards where her reliable political collaborator and superior officer was.