NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 307
A person gave birth to another person.
That person embraced another person, and again that person is embraced by another.
At the top of them, there is a god.
A shepherd tending sheep, a widow who lost her husband to war, a fisherman pulling up his net with wounds on his hands, even the king ruling over them.
A being that everyone looks up to and everyone begs to prostrate before.
In contrast, the vile demons stuck in the corner are in a pitiful state. They are not even allowed to look up to the god, and it seems they do not wish to do so in the first place.
Demons consume humans. They tear, smash, burn, and destroy.
Above them, an angel suddenly wielding a sword is shining light and ready to pass judgment.
Beneath the angel’s feet lies a dying red dragon.
‘You are wrong.’
Maximilian von Adelheit thought as he blankly stared at the angel.
You are wrong. No matter what you do, it is an existence that cannot root out evil.
Great evil existed.
The root of that great evil was humanity.
– Click.
The door to the lounge opened. The Adelheit Duke quickly regained his composure and looked at the person who entered through the door.
“Your Excellency. You’ve had a hard time.”
“…Master of the Horse.”
The court’s Master of the Horse, Count Dalbeur.
Upon seeing Count Dalbeur, the Adelheit Duke slightly frowned and then returned to his original expression. He found it quite displeasing that someone was following him around like a shadow.
For someone of the stature of the Adelheit Duke, having the court’s Master of the Horse take on the role of a guide would be hard to defend. In fact, he felt that he couldn’t have anyone else in that position.
It would be ridiculous for a court noble to merely take on the role of a guide, and it would be difficult for the dictatorial official, who is the vertical superior of the Master of the Horse, to step in on behalf of the Emperor. The dictator should essentially remain anonymous to anyone other than the Emperor and the Master of the Horse.
However, it was indeed unsettling that a person who could be considered the Emperor’s right-hand man assumed the role of a guide and was following him around.
As the Adelheit Duke absentmindedly stroked his mustache and got to his feet, Count Dalbeur looked at him with an expression that suggested he felt it was a pity to see him go.
“Are you already getting up?”
“Since I’ve finished meeting with His Majesty, shouldn’t I be returning? It’s not as if the Senate is being convened.”
“That’s true, but… His Majesty will surely be very disappointed.”
“…….”
Disappointed? It would be more likely for him to be grateful for not being bothered and hastening his departure; he would absolutely not be disappointed.
“Let’s call the jokes to a halt. I’m busy in many ways.”
“Since you’ve taken the time from your busy schedule to come to the palace, His Majesty will surely be greatly moved by your loyalty.”
“Spare me the flattery.”
Indeed, he didn’t appreciate such flattery being delivered without any change in expression.
The Adelheit Duke immediately moved to leave the lounge.
As he passed by Count Dalbeur standing next to the door and was about to open the lounge door and step outside…
“Your Excellency. May I give you one piece of advice?”
“…Advice?”
His tone was incredibly presumptuous. However, this was the royal palace, and the other party was the court’s Master of the Horse.
The Adelheit Duke made an effort to keep his expression neutral and turned his head. Count Dalbeur opened his mouth, still smiling softly.
“Recently, there is a subject that the military and the Senate are keeping an eye on. Are you aware of it?”
“…A subject of concern?”
“The Tribune. Your Excellency.”
The breath of the Adelheit Duke momentarily stopped. The glare he cast towards Count Dalbeur grew considerably colder.
“Watch your words.”
“Your Excellency. I’m speaking in order to assist you.”
“I appreciate your assistance, but do not seek opportunities in the Citizens’ Assembly.”
“Are you afraid of the Citizens’ Assembly?”
The slight rise of his lips did not change. Count Dalbeur still wore a soft smile.
Yet, within that smile seemed to be an unexpected emotion. It was as if he was mocking, saying, ‘Do you scoff at that ragtag assembly of commoners?’
It was likely simply the Adelheit Duke’s misperception. This was true, as Count Dalbeur had maintained a consistent smile from beginning to end.
There was probably no ill intent at all.
“The Citizens’ Assembly is not an object of fear. The notion of nobles feeling a trivial superiority over commoners is outdated.”
“Indeed.”
“So, refrain from mentioning the Citizens’ Assembly carelessly. Do you think you can manipulate the Citizens’ Assembly?”
“Not at all, Your Excellency.”
“Then that settles it. Perhaps I heard it too concisely.”
“Not at all. I had a short-sighted thought. I apologize.”
He did not wish to continue this ridiculous charade. The Adelheit Duke gazed at Count Dalbeur for a while before moving on.
“Your Excellency. You might think I’m being presumptuous, but this is truly an important matter. Please listen just once.”
“Master of the Horse. As you can see, I am currently leaving the palace. Do you think it is polite to ask a political opinion from someone who is leaving?”
“I’m speaking despite the impropriety. Your Excellency.”
“I haven’t granted permission, so whose permission are you violating with that impropriety?”
“Your Excellency.”
He really didn’t want to hear it. Since meeting with the Emperor, the Adelheit Duke had been engulfed by fatigue.
Delving into the political power struggles that made his head throb was certainly not what he should be doing at the moment.
That’s what he thought.
“Your Excellency. The military is planning to exercise a veto on the bill for War Veterans you proposed.”
“……!”
The Adelheit Duke halted his steps. As a seasoned political figure, he expertly masked the surprise that was etched on his face, glaring at Count Dalbeur with a seemingly indifferent expression.
“…That bill has already passed.”
“Correct. It was already concluded in a vote of 64 to 37 in the Senate.”
“But what right does the military have to…?”
“How many of your classmates from the officer school, with whom you graduated, are still on friendly terms and remain in the military?”
The Adelheit Duke’s mind raced. The memories of his classmates from officer school flickered through his mind like a panorama.
“…It seems about twenty. At least those with whom I maintain personal acquaintance.”
“Your Excellency, there are roughly 800 senior officers currently serving in the Defense Force.”
“…….”
“And certainly, no more than twenty will nod their heads in favor of your bill. Considering various relations and the military’s hierarchical structure, as well as your reputation, it won’t exceed a hundred.”
“…Are you saying that the military will collectively go against the will of the Senate?”
“What do you mean? The military cannot go against the will of the Senate.”
Count Dalbeur’s smile vanished, and his expression hardened. Beneath his bare crown, the gaze directed at the Adelheit Duke felt icy.
“Your Excellency, the Defense Force can appeal against military-related bills that have been passed in the Senate, in principle. If that happens, the vote in the Senate will become invalid, and another vote will take place.”
“But even if another vote is conducted, the Senate’s will will remain the same.”
“Indeed. Because Your Excellency has built a significant following in the Senate.”
In that case, there is no problem. The bill related to the compensation for War Veterans cannot be blocked.
“However, if the Minister of Defense exercises the direct veto granted to him as a minister…”
“……!”
“Your Excellency, then that bill will be a matter that cannot simply be determined by the Senate.”
After exercising a veto on a bill that had already passed once in the Senate, it would be impossible to hold another vote in a Senate filled with those who had already passed the bill.
“If that happens, the vote on the bill will go down to the Citizens’ Assembly.”
“That’s… but…”
“Your Excellency, do you see now?”
Count Dalbeur smiled brightly as he spoke.
“The amendment to the compensation for War Veterans will be resolved in the Citizens’ Assembly.”
In the Citizens’ Assembly, which has 500 members.
“Can Your Excellency bring in more than half, specifically 250 assembly members? To offer conditions better than those proposed by the Defense Force?”
“…….”
“You should prepare yourself. One more piece of advice— the Tribune is maintaining neutrality.”
With those words, Count Dalbeur did not move anymore. He did not attempt to see off the Adelheit Duke nor did he try to distance himself from him.
To him, the Adelheit Duke asked in a trembling voice.
“Why are you telling me this?”
“…….”
“Are you allowed to disclose such information without any compensation?”
“Your Excellency, why would I do such a thing?”
“That is…”
The court’s Master of the Horse.
Not a dictator who plays his role in emergencies, but rather the de facto superior during peacetime is…
“His Majesty desires it. Your Excellency.”
The Emperor.
That transcendent being had begun to keep a watchful eye on the military, which had excessively swollen after the aftermath.
“And the only means through which His Majesty can confront the increasingly loud Defense Force without any particular disturbance, which he can manage, is…”
“…….”
“Only you, the President.”
The Adelheit Duke fixed his gaze on Count Dalbeur. Count Dalbeur, too, looked back at the Adelheit Duke.
“By the way, there is a guest who came to visit when you had an audience with His Majesty.”
“…What is it?”
“It seems a guest has arrived at the Duke’s residence. They’re saying that the Professor has come to visit.”
After finishing his words, he deepened his smile and bowed his head.
“I sincerely wish you a safe journey. President.”
The Adelheit Duke did not respond. He began to turn around and walk away.
As he quickly exited the palace and reached the parking lot, the waiting driver gently started the engine as he got into the car.
Inside the rattling car, the Adelheit Duke absentmindedly rummaged through his pocket.
– Rustle.
What he found in his hand was a single piece of unfamiliar paper.
As he unfolded the folded paper like a note, unreadable phrases appeared before him.
[Refer to the Basic Provisions of the Empire’s Defense Force and Law, Article 10, Section 6.]
Unless someone had beaten the Adelheit Duke up and rummaged through his pockets, it was obvious that Count Dalbeur had placed that paper there.
The Adelheit Duke, silently looking down at the paper, crumpled it poorly and threw it into the ashtray available in the car.
“Fire.”
As he watched the flames from the magic wand engulf the paper, the Adelheit Duke stared out the window.
‘The Basic Provisions of the Empire’s Defense Force and Law, Article 10, Section 6.’
Unlucky as it may be, he had memorized the phrase written on that paper without missing a word.
He was in a position where he might have to borrow even the hand of a cat.