I Married the Dragon I Killed
Chapter 106
The Taste of Power
Now that he had heard their opinions, it was Ferda’s turn to speak.
“I understand your intentions well. I express my gratitude for your hard work, day and night, to build a new village under the Grand Duchy.”
Contrary to his words of gratitude, his gaze looked sharp enough to split them down to the molecular level.
Ferda, conscious of this, took a deep breath to compose his emotions.
“Recently, an unfortunate incident resulted in thirty casualties. Among them, four were fatalities, and all of them were civilians. Their deaths are not light to you, nor are they light to me.”
That was the truth.
“Therefore, we plan to redirect the workforce currently focused on buildings to concentrate on constructing a wall. We are planning an area where approximately one thousand citizens can live comfortably, with a maximum capacity of up to three thousand.”
Hanson was just a worker, but he was someone who had dipped his toes into the construction industry in his own right.
He could roughly estimate how large that area would be.
“The people building that wall will surely have to start in a location far from the village.”
“Of course.”
“Then how will you guarantee the safety of those workers?”
A countermeasure for a countermeasure.
The answer was incredibly simple.
“Do we not already have one?”
“What do you mean by that?”
“The warning bell installed in the center of the village. What do you think that is? It is an object created by the Chancellor of Escoleia, the city of scholars.”
At that, a foreman who seemed to have heard a thing or two made a fuss.
“If it’s the Chancellor of Escoleia, isn’t that basically the lord of those bookworms?”
“If he’s the lord, he must be the smartest of them all.”
Hearing that it was the Chancellor of Escoleia inspired confidence.
In reality, he was a scholar in an ambiguous position within the upper ranks, but there was no way these people would know that.
Ferda continued speaking.
“We enhanced the alarm function of the Monster Appearance Prediction Device and transformed it into a warning bell to signal danger. With that, we detected the monsters’ approach, and evacuation was carried out swiftly. That is why the casualties were so few.”
Ferda spoke, tapping his finger on the paper laid out before him.
“But didn’t fatalities still occur?”
“It was minimal damage. Far more people could have died.”
Ferda spoke firmly.
“If you are curious about cases of monster invasions, I can tell you as many as you like. Recently, there have been over thirty cases of attacks, and if we compare them to our situation, I can explain how perfectly we blocked them. Do you want an explanation?”
His words were as cold and solid as steel.
It felt certain that trying to strike him with a soft fist would only result in breaking one’s own hand.
“Of course, I know this is not a place to show off my knowledge. What you need is not an early warning, but the power to kill monsters.”
Ferda closed his eyes.
Then, after a moment, as if he had made up his mind, he spoke to them.
“Before long, I will distribute the Magitech Rifles that Bernel Marquis is creating to you. How about it?”
Most of the foremen were startled.
The reputation of the Magitech Rifle had already reached even the common people.
“Are you talking about that weapon that reportedly killed the wolf monster in a single shot?”
“Yes.”
Hearing this, Stefan was startled and spoke cautiously.
“Regent, as for that matter, you should consult with me first—”
“Why should I do that?”
“Well, because those prototypes should be supplied elsewhere first to make an appeal…”
Ferda frowned, looking at Stefan.
“This weapon was made for the safety of the Far East. Those working in the Far East come first; those far away are none of my concern, are they?”
“Of course, your words are perfectly reasonable, but…”
“There is no ‘but.’ I will not permit you to speak any further, Stefan Pascal.”
“I-I apologize.”
Stefan backed down, completely cowed.
Ferda turned his gaze back to the foremen.
“So, how about it, temporary union president?”
Hanson read the foremen’s expressions.
Their faces practically screamed for him to accept it immediately.
Unable to just accept it and leave it at that, Hanson cautiously raised a concern.
“Of course, if you would do that, we would be deeply grateful for your grace, Regent. However, since we lack education, we wonder if we will be able to handle such a weapon properly.”
“There is no need to worry. The geniuses we recruited are taking care of that part.”
To be precise, a fool was taking care of it, though.
Even today, the geniuses were probably tearing their hair out because of that fool.
“Since a single bullet for that weapon can take down a wolf monster, at the very least, five people will be able to face one monster.”
“Oh…”
“Five of us against one… That’s an incredible weapon…”
The more they heard, the more captivated they looked.
They were all country folk who had come to the Empire to earn money.
They might not have had contact with the monsters created by the demons, but attacks by monsters like goblins were a common occurrence.
What they needed was not a standing army, but the power to protect themselves.
Or a means equivalent to it.
Ferda could give them the power to kill monsters.
And a means to kill monsters that even mercenaries working for money hesitated to face, at that.
It was an item of profound value that could not be bought with money.
He was offering to give them such an item willingly.
And even prepared to sour his relationship with a tycoon of the Empire to do so.
‘He is truly someone who thinks of the East.’
Ferda observed their expressions.
It was plain to see that they were almost entirely won over.
‘Just as Stefan predicted.’
The tactic of offering to distribute the Magitech Rifles was actually a scheme devised by Stefan.
Three days ago, while consulting with the newly arrived Stefan, they had drawn up several scenarios.
One of them was precisely this: pretending to be generous.
In the first place, the very purpose of the Magitech Rifle’s existence was for civilians.
And they had already intended to commercialize it for the people of the Far East first.
The workers were simply getting their hands on it a bit earlier.
‘Besides, if worst comes to worst, we can even turn them into a reserve force.’
They would gain the power to kill monsters,
and Ferda would essentially gain a military force he could mobilize in times of emergency.
It was a strategy that appeared to be a win-win for both sides.
Of course, the guy leading the charge, Hanson, wouldn’t want to end it there.
Since this was practically separate from their actual demands.
“We are truly grateful for the grace bestowed upon us by the great Consort of Fire, but we would also appreciate it if you would consider our demands.”
“Of course. This is separate from your demands. Since I am not well-versed in that area, I shall pass the baton.”
The one who took up the baton was Stefan Pascal.
He greeted them with an affable expression.
“I am Stefan. I serve as the general manager of the Pascal Merchant Guild, and am slated to become the chairman of the entire guild in the future. Currently, I am also the acting manager of the former Dandolo Merchant Guild.”
The man who was the chairman of the Empire’s top merchant guild and even managed its runner-up group.
Though he was not a noble, he was a commoner possessing power so formidable that most nobles could not even compare.
The reason he babbled on like this was, of course, to intimidate them.
“Upon review, your employment is currently structured as an outsourced contract under the Administrator of Hestia Village.”
“That is correct.”
“Indeed, with so many workers, I also believe it is a serious issue that a union has not been established. After all, you need someone to represent your voice.”
Stefan spoke as if he thoroughly understood their plight.
“I, too, feel the necessity of a union for the peace and prosperity of the Far East. Therefore, I officially support the establishment of the labor union of the Grand Duchy of Valdrova—that is, the Far East Labor Union.”
Stefan flipped the page and answered the other demands.
“Furthermore, the current wages of the workers and foremen will remain at the fifty percent increased rate. In addition, each foreman will receive tiered compensation based on the number of workers they supervise, bonuses based on performance, and housing support in the Far East residential area based on their years of service.”
It was an extraordinary offer.
So much so that it made them wonder why they hadn’t voiced their grievances sooner.
“As for the union president, it seems you have reached an agreement. Have you decided to recommend Mr. ‘Hanson’?”
“Yes.”
“Understood. We will proceed with appointing Mr. Hanson as the president of the Far East Labor Union.”
Scribbling down the name, Stefan politely clasped his hands and made a request.
“Now, then, we shall move on to the discussions with the union president. From this point forward, we plan to have only those of superintendent rank and above participate. Would that be acceptable?”
At that, one of the foremen frowned and protested.
“How do we know what kind of scheme you’re plotting?”
“Just speak here and now.”
“In principle, we should only speak with the union president, but because of the concerns you’ve raised, we are allowing those of superintendent rank to observe.”
Including Hanson, there were three of superintendent rank in total.
Though they looked thoroughly uneasy, the others had no choice but to leave the room.
Once the foremen cleared out and only the superintendents remained, Stefan began to speak in a completely different tone.
“Now. Shall we have the real talk meant for executives?”
“No matter what you do, we will not waver.”
“Because there is no need to waver. The reason I excluded the foremen is that this involves noble matters.”
“Noble matters?”
Hanson shot back immediately.
“According to the laws of the Grand Duchy, citizens currently do not possess political rights. Therefore, even if you become the union president, the position is practically lower than that of a village chief.”
“That is true.”
“Having discussed this matter beforehand, the Regent mentioned that he intends to establish the labor union president as a ‘citizen representative’.”
“A citizen representative?”
“Yes. In some western republics, political rights are granted in this manner. To put it in terms familiar with the laws of the Empire… you can think of it as a baronet.”
A baronet!
Strictly speaking, it wasn’t a true noble title, but it was a position that could still hold noble privileges.
Was this not the noble status Hanson had yearned for so desperately?
“Therefore, if you become the citizen representative, your political rights will be guaranteed, and you can also link it with tax exemptions and commercial activities. Furthermore, we plan to pay you a quarterly dignity maintenance allowance.”
Every single line he uttered sank deep into Hanson’s ears.
Even the daily wage received at sunset could not leave such a thrill.
Hanson found it incredibly difficult to control his facial expression.
‘It’s exactly as that mage said!’
Complaints make people uncomfortable, and that discomfort leads to rewards.
Hanson felt it was almost a waste that he hadn’t come up with this idea sooner.
“Of course, this is strictly limited to the position of union president. If you step down from the presidency, your qualification as a citizen representative will disappear. Do you understand?”
“Does that mean if I step down as president, I will be no different from an ordinary citizen?”
“It will pass to your successor, so the successor will obtain the authority of the citizen representative.”
“I understand.”
“Do the other two have any objections?”
The superintendents shook their heads.
“No objections here.”
“I think we can proceed as is.”
“Then, Union President, please sign here.”
Stefan held out the contract, and Hanson verified the contents once more before signing.
And so, the council concluded successfully.
That night, Hanson drank heavily in high spirits.
Starting tomorrow, he would go to work not as a superintendent, but as the president of the Far East Labor Union.
‘I’ll set up a fancy nameplate and chair… and I should look for a house to live in from now on.’
His future was nothing short of a path paved with flowers.
The smile never left his face, and he was eager to contact his relatives and family.
“You seem to be in a good mood.”
The voice of the insolent young mage rang out.
Hanson welcomed the voice enthusiastically.
“Oh! Welcome, Mage-nim!”
“Haha, don’t get up. And don’t even think about trying to hold my hand. So, how did it go?”
“Thanks to you, Mage-nim, I rose to the position of union president.”
“Congratulations. So, tell me in more detail.”
Thoroughly drunk, he recounted everything that had happened.
In contrast to his boastful storytelling, the mage’s face grew increasingly stiff.
“And you accepted those terms exactly as they were?”
“Of course. Since they accepted all of our demands, how could we—”
“You absolute fucking idiot!”
The woman suddenly spat out abusive language.
At those words, Hanson instantly sobered up.
“W-why are you getting so angry?”
“Did you not hear me, you idiot? No, you’re worse than a mole crawling on the ground. At least they have the sense not to climb up! Do you even know what you’ve done?”
“…?”
As he wore a completely clueless expression, the woman let out a long sigh.
“Damn it, if I knew this would happen, I should have just disguised myself as a worker and joined in, whether that guy noticed or not. It’s my fault for sending such idiots!”
“What on earth did I do for you to react like this?”
“What else? You walked up to the gallows yourself, tied the noose, and put it around your own neck!”
“A Hero play?”
Ferda expressed his confusion. It was the word containing the core of the operation he had mentioned.
“Doesn’t the story end with the Demon King dying and the Hero winning?”
“Indeed.”
“We know the Demon King dies, but they don’t actually kill the actor playing the Demon King. It is similar to that.”
“You mean it’s just for show.”
Stefan nodded.
“When an incident occurs occasionally, the union president will step forward, calling himself a Hero. Then, he will ‘defeat’ the evil villain—you, the Regent—and claim the rewards. That is how the citizen representative gains support even from the opposition.”
Stefan smirked.
“Without them ever knowing that you are actually in league with each other.”
“But Hanson is not on my side right now, is he?”
Stefan nodded.
“He will soon be bowing his head inside your grasp, Regent. It’s the only way it can go.”
“Explain.”
Stefan raised his index finger as he spoke.
“First, some of our workforce is being diverted to build the wall. Therefore, we need additional manpower for smooth urban planning.”
“Indeed.”
“Considering the current situation, we must bring in a hundred more people. If so, a hundred additional personnel will be added to the labor union.”
“Can you draw them in?”
“With the daily wage we are paying now, they have no choice but to come. It’s an amount of money that would make them temporarily set aside even their ‘Imperial Dream’.”
The current number of workers was 253.
However, ninety-eight of them were workers from Halim, and they did not belong to the Far East Labor Union.
This meant there were practically 155 members.
And from there, one hundred additional workers would be introduced.
A whopping two-fifths of the union would be fresh newcomers.
“Factions will form.”
“Factions are probably forming even as we speak.”
“Why is that?”
“This is the second reason. As I mentioned, strictly within the scope of the citizen representative position, one receives benefits similar to nobility.”
“Indeed.”
“What do you think will happen if we introduce an election system for the union president here?”
He understood.
“So that is why you spoke while pretending to use the superintendents as witnesses.”
“Yes. Unlike Hanson, whose eyes were blinded by the immediate power right in front of him, those two seemed to fully grasp the situation.”
Desire for power would not be unique to Hanson.
Rather, they would think, ‘If Hanson can do it, why not me?’
“To maintain a faction for that election, money will be necessary. But would they have the power to win people over with just their wages?”
“They wouldn’t.”
“And what would people who have only handled tools all their lives know about management? Or the law? Or human resources and financial management?”
Just as Stefan could not do carpentry, and Hanson could not do management, everyone had things they could not do.
“Ultimately, to solve all of those things, they will need this.”
Stefan made a circle with his thumb and index finger.
Money.
Money is needed for power, and money is also needed to maintain it.
“They will end up looking for someone to provide that money.”
And who would be the person with plenty of money right in front of them?
Who would be the one to advise them on financial flows, laws, and HR management?
“A board without intellectuals is bound to be swept away by the greater current.”
Stefan was that very current.
With an inwardly satisfied expression, Ferda asked him.
“So, within how many months will the labor union be mine?”
Stefan replied with a faint smile.
“I will deliver it to you within two months at the latest.”
