When I sent the order via telepathic communication, the reporter, whom I had threatened and gotten on my side, stretched his hand out in my direction.
「W, well then, allow me to introduce Noel Stollen, the clan master of Wild Tempest, a genius Tactician who is at the height of popularity right now!!!」
「What, it’s Snake!?」
When the reporter called me in, Johann widened his eyes in surprise. But the audience didn't know anything about the fact that the reporter had disregarded Johann’s wishes and called me in. They were just excited about the new big name’s appearance.
Amidst the audience’s cheers, I jumped from the audience seats and landed on the stage. I followed up by turning to face the audience and bowing like a stage actor would.
「Hello everyone. I’m Noel Stollen, the clan master of Wild Tempest. I’m extremely honored to be invited here to such a historic announcement today」
Even without using a microphone, as a Talker, my voice carried a long way. When I raised my head, the audience cheered in unison.
「Amazing! Even Wild Tempest is here!!!」
「Kyaaaaa, Noeruuuu!!!」
「What a stylish entrance! You’re the best!!!」
The moment the audience's excitement was at its climax, I raised my fist and laughed audaciously. Just by doing that, a great cheer that shook the entire central square went up.
「「「UWOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!」」」
I bowed once more to the audience and then turned towards Johann. As I had joined in unexpectedly out of the blue, the members of Lorelei, including Johann, were stunned by the turn of events and not one of them had been able to move.
「It's been a while, hasn’t it, Johann? I'm glad to see you」
In that instant, Johann’s face twisted with hatred.
I suppose that’s natural. There is no one who won’t get angry when others trample on their moment in the spotlight with dirty shoes on. Considering the enormous amount of effort that Johann had spent to plan this, he must be boiling with so much rage that it wouldn’t be strange if he attacked me right here and now.
But it’s already too late. When he had let me get on stage, the initiative had passed to me. If he ordered his clan members to try and get rid of me now, the audience won’t take it lying down.
What an audience wants is always an entertaining show, not social correctness. And with my appearance as a new player, the excitement has reached its climax. If he removes me when the audience is this worked up, a storm of criticisms will probably engulf the venue.
To say nothing of the fact that Johann is the one who is using the audience to pull off his large-scale publicity strategy. Turning the audience against him despite that can only be called a stupid move. There is absolutely no way he can do that.
Most of all, Johann is a very prideful man. It's precisely because he is thinking of getting revenge for being used by me in the joint interview last time, that his self-esteem won’t allow him to flee here.
As I had expected, Johann swallowed his anger and put on a refreshing smile.
「It is I who is grateful for your presence, Noel」
So, Johann continued.
「I heard that you’re giving your opinion as an expert today, is that right?」
「Yes, that's right. I’m young and inexperienced, but I rushed here to join this event because I wanted to help Johann, a senior who I admire, to the best of my meager ability」
「That’s encouraging. Hmm? Then did you know about today’s event beforehand, I wonder? If that’s true, it would mean that you’re connected to someone via Link, am I right to say that?」
「That's not the case. To tell the truth, I’ve also been thinking for quite a while now about the benefits of opening a railway inside the Empire, and had been looking for a way to do that. At such a time, I saw your announcement that you’re holding a press conference about the establishment of a railway company, and I had the thought that I wanted to exchange opinions with you one way or another, so I asked for an unreasonable favor from that reporter」
It's no use trying to trip me up with my own words to lower my credibility. Before coming here, I had already run through every possible conversation pattern in my head. No matter where he brings this conversation, I’ll never let go of the initiative. This stage is already mine.
「I see. Then I would like to hear your opinion right away」
「Understood. But before that, I would like to state that my position with regards to Johann’s plan is that I’m in favor of it. In order to not lose in economic strength to the neighboring country, the Republic of Rhodania, at the very least, it’s essential to open the railway within a few years. Also, if the railway can be opened early, it should also be extremely useful in the fight against the Variant. I’m not only in favor, I don’t see any reason to oppose it」
Ruining Johann’s plan itself is in fact quite easy. There are any number of ways to do it.
However, leaving aside Johann’s designs, it’s a fact that opening a railway will contribute greatly to the country's development. In addition, it’s too big of a risk to ruin plans that not only influential feudal lords, but even the second prince is involved in. As can be expected, it’s impossible to win if I make enemies of both Lorelei and the country.
But I can’t afford to “wait and see” just because I can't win. If I allowed Johann the freedom to act as he wished, it would be the start of a world where Johann held the reins of power.
In that case, what should I do? My answer had been decided――
「However, from what I’ve heard earlier, I felt that it would be extremely dangerous to proceed with the plan as is. At this rate, a big problem will definitely occur」
「Problem? That’s a word that I can’t just ignore, isn’t it? Since you’ve stated that definitively, I'm sure that you have a firm basis for that, but can you prove it here, I wonder?」
「Yes, of course I can」
With a faint smile on my face, I turned to the audience and spoke.
「Everyone, the railway is certainly wonderful. If one is opened in this Empire, I’m sure that it will definitely bring about significant benefits. I don't doubt that either. Rather, I’ve high expectations for it」
However, I said with a frown.
「Every action has an equal and opposite reaction. Does everyone know that the gas emitted from the magic engines that power the locomotives running on the railway has extremely harmful effects on the human body and the surrounding environment?」
A change came over the faces of the audience at the words "harmful effects". I glanced at Johann out of the corner of my eye and saw that he had a bitter expression on his face because I had hit a sore spot. When he was about to open his mouth and argue, I further raised my voice and continued speaking one-sidedly.
「This is not a lie. It's a confirmed fact. As a matter of fact, inside the Republic of Rhodania, there are many people from the villages and cities next to the railway who complain of poor health, as well as a sharp fall in fertility rates and crop yields. With regards to this alarming situation, the representatives of the regions in question are currently demanding a large amount of compensation from the state-run railway company, and the first step towards solving this problem has yet to be found」
Everything that I said is the truth. It had all been stated in the documents that I had obtained from Finocchio. I had exaggerated it somewhat, but I hadn’t lied.
As I had expected, the truth that I had imparted had an immediate effect on the audience. The delight and excitement from just a while ago cooled down like it had all been a lie, and gazes that were conflicted over whether to trust or distrust turned to Johann.
「Johann, you should know about this as well. However, you didn't mention a word of it in your speech earlier. Why is that?」
When I asked him with a smile, Johann replied with what was clearly a forced smile on his face.
「Certainly, I also know of what you mentioned, Noel. It’s all my fault for forgetting to mention it. From the bottom of my heart, I apologize deeply to everyone. But have you really gathered accurate data for what you said, I wonder? If I recall correctly, there should be no scientific proof that there are any problems with the exhaust gas of the locomotives running on the railway. In other words, that means that there is a good chance that there are other reasons for the abnormalities occurring in those regions. It has been four years since the railway opened in the Republic of Rhodania. Don’t you think that those are imagined harmful effects that are the result of increased paranoia from the people overreacting to new technology?」
It was a good comeback. Among the audience, I could see people who had been convinced.
「In that case, Johann, you’re saying that according to your understanding, there are no problems with the exhaust gas?」
「At the very least, components that are thought of as problematic have not been detected at present. Of course, there is a possibility that some sort of problem may be discovered down the road, but it’s ridiculous to call off the opening of the railway for fear of that. As Noel said, every action has a reaction. It’s impossible to reap only benefits from technology. There will likely be some losses suffered. For that reason, isn’t the very act of saving up the benefits obtained and preparing for the future the only way to deal with it?」
That's a sound argument, I suppose. Technological advancement cannot be achieved for fear of sacrifice.
I saw more people than before nod at what Johann said. He had already regained the support of about 70% of the audience.
「But the damage caused is always irreversible, isn’t it? What if the exhaust gas is really harmful? Johann, can you say the same words to women who lost their ability to bear children due to the exhaust gas?」
「Noel, that's an unfair question, isn’t it? Let's talk “what if”s. Suppose there is a sick person who can't survive without surgery, but the doctors didn't operate due to fear of failure. Who is responsible if the sick person dies, I wonder? The doctors? Or the society that pushes all the blame onto the doctors? The answer is the latter. The sick person has the right to be operated on by a doctor, who also has the right to be protected. It’s only because the balance of the rights of both sides is maintained, that people are saved. Doesn’t this “what if” story also apply to the contents of what we are talking about right now?」
His verbal skills were truly deft. At the end of the day, everything that he had said was about shifting responsibility, but with Johann's unwavering self-confidence and calm voice, the audience had completely abandoned their misgivings about him.
「I see, I suppose you have a point. However, I wonder if there are people who disagree with your ideas, Johann?」
「And who might they be, I wonder? Because imaginary people can say anything, can’t they?」
「For example, I believe that the feudal lords in the regions where the railway tracks will actually be laid will be against the opening of the railway unless it’s credibly guaranteed to be safe」
「Oh, didn't you hear what I said earlier? We’ve already reached agreements with the feudal lords of the regions in question. There aren’t any feudal lords who think like that」
「Is that really the case? Even if you say that you’ve reached an agreement, you don’t know what they’re thinking inside, do you?」
「……I don’t get it…… What on earth are you talking――」
The moment Johann tilted his head, I used Link.
『Now. Tell him the information』
『Y, yes!』
The number of reporters that I had on my side were two. Following my order, a different reporter from before walked up to Johann. And, to a wondering Johann, he spoke clearly.
「Mr. Eisfeld, our company’s branch has just contacted us via communication stones…… It seems that there are large-scale demonstrations in two of the regions where the railway is supposed to pass through……」
「Demonstrations, you said!? What on earth are you talking about!?」
Despite being frightened by the astonished Johann, the reporter continued talking.
「Th, that’s…… It appears that the Excellencies who govern the regions in question are voicing their dissatisfaction with the railway plan…… They’ve not only told their people the entirety of the plan as well as the harmful effects, it seems that they’ve told them that Mr. Eisfeld and the rest intend to force the opening of the railway on them…… The report said that some of the enraged people of those regions are headed for the imperial capital while holding demonstrations……
「That’s ridiculous!? Impossible! Is what you’ve said true!?」
「It, it’s true! I don’t lie!」
Johann clicked his tongue and turned a sharp gaze towards his subordinates, the members of Lorelei.
「Hurry up and verify it with those on site! Once you’ve grasped the situation, contact me right away!」
「Un, understood!」
After watching his subordinates run off like the wind, Johann looked back at me.
「......Is this your doing?」
At his voice, which sounded like it had been forced out of him, I tilted my head.
「What are you talking about? I have absolutely no idea」
That’s a lie. I’m the one who did it
The cooperation of the feudal lords of each region is essential for the plan to open the railway. However, it’s easy to imagine that there will be some who are dissatisfied with how the profits will be distributed.
If he tried to deal with such people, he would be unable to carry out his plan no matter how much time passes. For that reason, I had been able to predict to a large extent that Johann had probably used the influence of the royal family as a shield and forced the plan through.
Naturally, the feudal lords cannot go against the royal family too. However, the fact that their authority had been slighted is something that won’t sit well with them after all. For that very reason, they became useful to me.
I used my connection with Count Leicester Graham, the current・Minister of the Justice Department and one of the high nobility, to search for feudal lords who were dissatisfied. And then, I met with them and instigated them to stir up their people.
“By all rights, all of the feudal lords should have their authority and interests as feudal lords respected. The one who had caused them to be slighted is Johann Eisfeld, who is the root of all evil. At this rate, that guy will probably be free to exploit your territory as he wishes. In that case, you should stir up demonstrations and cause his plan to be delayed, and then request for a reconsideration of the distribution of profits in exchange for dispersing the demonstrations. For the sake of carrying out the plan as quickly as possible, the royal family will likely also have no choice but to accept that condition――”
Two foolish feudal lords had been convinced by my words, which was what led to today’s events.
The result that I had gotten were satisfactory.
By delaying the plan and pushing the blame for that onto Johann, it would worsen his position within this venture. If that happened, Johann's influence would be greatly reduced and he wouldn’t be able to take the reins of power.
It’s exactly because it was his moment in the spotlight when he was being showered with praise, that once problems had arisen, everyone would think that all responsibility lay with Johann. Praise and responsibility are two sides of the same coin. It’s obvious who the person who should take the blame is.
Sure enough, the audience that he should have regained the trust of, was now directing looks of disappointment at Johann, who was looking flustered on stage.
If possible, I would also have liked to touch on the problem of the Demi・Beasts, but regrettably, I have far too little information. If I challenged it while still uninformed, I’m sure to get burned pretty badly.
Besides, it's dangerous to press a cornered foe too hard.
「You basta………」
Johann's calm and composed mask had been completely peeled off, and his undisguised killing intent was laid bare. I intend to settle things between us sooner or later, but the time is not yet ripe.
In any case, the railway plan is essential to the current Empire. My intention is not to set the plan back. What I have a problem with, is Johann taking the reins of power as the biggest contributor to the railway plan. As long as I had bought the time for my preparations for defeating Lorelei to be completed by interfering with that, it’s good enough.
And I’ve met that objective. Any more, and I would be going too far. I’ll also end up catching the royal family’s eye. That's undesirable. In whatever one does, knowing when to quit is crucial.
「I’m only listening in from the side, so I don’t know the details, but it seems like there are people who regard it as a problem after all, aren’t there?」
Assuming a sympathetic manner, I walked up to Johann.
「However, like I said earlier, I’m in favor of the plan itself. The Empire needs the railway. That’s why, if there seems to be a problem, I would like to lend a hand in solving it as well」
「What, did you say?」
「How about it, Johann? I may be young and inexperienced, but even so, I have many dependable contacts. Shall we lead the railway plan to success together?」
「Uuuurgh……」
Johann ground his teeth in frustration. However, in order to overcome this situation, cooperation from me, the one pulling the strings behind the scenes, is absolutely necessary. He cannot decline this invitation.
To push him to make up his mind, I turned back to the audience.
「Everyone, when trying to accomplish something big, there will always be problems that occur. Johann Eisfeld certainly didn’t follow the plan through. But at the same time, we learned of his greatness. Without his efforts, the Empire would likely not prosper. That is exactly why I also want to put in every effort to accomplish the plan. Everyone, can you believe in us once more?」
When I put the question to the audience, some among them began to clap. The applause was small at first, but before long, it spread to everyone and it became thunderous.
I turned back to Johann and held out my right hand with a smile. Johann hesitated for just a moment, but quickly saw reason and grasped my hand with a warm smile on his face. When we shook hands, the audience got even more excited.
By a strange coincidence, at that moment, Johann and I moved our mouths in the exact same way.
Namely, I’ll crush you, we said――
†
†
Zero Lindrake was standing on the rooftop of a high-rise building that was two kilometers away from the central square. The wind on the roof was so strong that the cloak he wore fluttered violently, but he continued to stare unblinkingly at one point with a blank expression.
Then he raised one hand slowly and activated a Skill.
Dark Skill: Fatal Strike(Death-Inducing Throwing-Spear)
Black magic power took on the shape of a spear and appeared in Zero’s hand. This spear had an instant death effect that only affected people. The instant death effect was very powerful, and even if the opponent was of a higher Rank, it couldn’t be resisted completely and it was possible to cause instant death with a high probability.
Dark Knight was combat type Job specialized against people. People with this Job could fight against Beasts well enough, but the Job’s true worth lay in fights against people.
Holding the spear, Zero entered a throwing stance. His target was Noel Stollen, who was standing on stage two kilometers away.
「As I thought, Snake is dangerous……」
Zero had a firm grasp of everything that had happened since Noel’s appearance. He had heard his voice through the communication stones of the clan members, and his eyesight, which could see 10 kilometers away, had caught sight of Noel without missing even one of his fleeting audacious expressions and gestures. That was why he had come to the conclusion that Snake must not be allowed to live.
Even from this distance, Zero's throw would be able to pierce and kill Noel without fail. There was a possibility that Lorelei would be suspected of the assassination, but even taking that into consideration, it was much more dangerous to let Noel run loose.
「Die」
Putting all of his strength into it, Zero started to throw the spear. However, he immediately sensed an abnormality and stopped his movements. Noel, who he had taken aim at, had abruptly looked in his direction with a sinister smile on his face.
「Did he notice me? But how――」
The answer was above Zero’s head. At first glance, it was just a small bird, but for some reason, it was circling above Zero’s head. It was clearly unnatural.
「I see. Hugo Coppelius’ puppet soldier, huh……」
In all likelihood, in anticipation of being sniped, they probably had Hugo’s puppet soldiers monitor all of the sniping points. If he had tried to kill Noel in this way, it was certain that he would be impeded by Hugo. He wanted to avoid fighting with that Puppeteer inside the city. Moreover, they were the ones with a just cause, so it was inconvenient in various ways.
「Can’t be help, I guess」
Zero sighed and let the spear disappear. And then he raised his middle finger at the bird-shaped puppet soldier. He was giving up for the time being, but he had no intention of letting things end like this.
「If that’s how they want to play it, I’ll put how far they can take it to the test」
Zero muttered laughingly. Snake was unmistakably a formidable enemy. But it was the people that got fired up in the face of formidable enemies who were true Seekers.
In case Johann’s parable is confusing, he’s equating himself to the doctors in that story. The person who can save the patient though there is a chance of failure; and him who might cause harmful effects but brings huge benefits using the railway. In other words, he’s saying that he deserves to be protected from blame as well, just like the doctors in the story.
Hmm, author had written that the lords of Rhodania were asking for compensation, but a republic shouldn’t have lords though… Hence I changed it to representatives.
So, Zero flipped the bird the bird, huh? Oh come on, I bet you saw this coming a mile away.
Well, as per the title, lots of talking. Despite everything though, Noel didn’t really achieve much this time, huh? He simply checked Johann to prevent him from gaining a huge lead, but the railway and Demi-Beasts still belong to Lorelei, so in reality, he hadn’t weakened Lorelei other than dragging Johann’s name through the mud a little. Guess it isn’t going to be as easy as before to devour his opponent now that his opponent is one of the Regalia.
What’s next? Noel still has that plan he alluded to for defeating Lorelei, as well as whatever he’s planning to have the alchemist make and we still haven’t heard a thing from Loki. Alma hasn’t gotten her POV chapter yet as well. But before any of that, several new characters are appearing next chapter. Yes, more of them. The scale is really ramping up. Stay tuned, for we’re going to get a hint about Johann’s mysterious past!
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