Chapter 136 – 136. Duke’s Eighth Disruption (10)
– One –
The heat of the meeting did not cool down into the night.
No, the heat seemed to be increasing.
“I think we should also attack the irrationality of the defense tax imposed on the citizen class.”
“That’s right. According to those who agreed to the bill, it is a fund to improve the quality of soldiers and soldiers in various parts of the empire who are in charge of stabilizing people’s livelihood and security, but it is strange that it is imposed only on a small number of citizens.”
“Right. If that’s the case, wouldn’t it be logical to impose it on the commoners?”
“In the end, it seems right to see it as a collusion between the ruling classes to plunder the wealth of the citizens.”
“I agree. I am convinced that behind my support for lowering the property tax lies the deception of the ruling class to legally plunder the wealth of the citizens.”
As they continue their heated discussion, Daniel raises his hand to attract everyone’s attention.
“According to the data I researched, the timing between the reduction of the possession tax and the establishment of the defense tax is also very exquisite. They tried to stop it from passing. Even, the citizens who lent their debts to the nobles put pressure on the nobles who were in debt, and those nobles also opposed the bill.”
“If…?”
“That’s right. Commoners cannot attend royal meetings or have voting rights in legislative proceedings, so it is presumed that the Regal gave them a card called the reduction of possession tax in order to persuade the citizens and nobles to abandon them.”
“My God… How could Regal use her hair so grossly?”
Everyone laughed bitterly at Sinatra’s words.
All of them were offended by Regal’s grossness, so they couldn’t laugh happily like everyone else.
“The reason why the emperor faction also joined the bill proposed by the aristocrats, especially the Regal, would not be indirect proof that there was a consensus among the nobles that a new defense tax would be established? There’s no way the emperor faction would approve the reduction of possession tax. They wanted to prevent the rise of the emperor faction, the aristocratic faction, and the citizen class, so they must have decided that it was an appropriate measure to keep the citizen class in check.”
“Dirty bastards…”
“In the end, they created a new defense tax to deceive the citizens, which only served as an opportunity to trigger a conflict between the aristocracy and the citizens.”
Sinatra, a female media representative, cautiously intervenes.
“When something incomprehensible happens, you always have to assume that the profiteer is behind it, Daniel?”
“That’s right. Those who benefited from this process are the aristocrats and imperial nobles who saved taxes, and the imperial family who secured finances. On the other hand, it was the citizens who suffered financial losses. However, ultimately, all of them They developed a great dislike for each other. If you look at this alone, it’s no different than everyone suffering.”
“On the other hand, Regal sparked their conflict and passed the law banning interracial marriage behind the scenes, so it’s like you’re monopolizing all the benefits?”
“Yes, but what the hell the bill means is unclear.”
“Ah…”
Realize what everyone was missing.
So far, I have simply pointed out the immorality of the bill banning interracial marriage, but I have never tried to find out why Regal initiated such a bill.
“Of course, in order to turn all the blame on Regal, we must also expose the deceit regarding the possession and defense taxes. But at the same time, we must dig into the origins of why these monstrous laws were enacted.”
“Heh heh. Good point, Daniel.”
“It’s too much praise, Commander-in-Chief.”
While quietly listening to everyone’s meeting and organizing the agenda and contents, Johnny opened his mouth for the first time in a while.
“Actually, since I was a fledgling journalist and I was just walking around. I mean, if you see those guys sitting on the top of their heads and straining their necks, they all have something in common.”
“What is it, Commander-in-Chief?”
“Speaking of telling the subordinates not to do it, we guys are doing it secretly behind the scenes. Even that, the more we do it, the bigger benefit comes back to the subject of the action. While blocked by the law, they preoccupy it, completely monopolize it and suck the honey. Suck, suck, the taste of honey fades, and when the smell of honey increases and the dung flies gather later, only then will the bar called the law be unlocked.”
“Ah…”
“Think about it. Who is the headquarters of the Regal? Is the Duchess of Chiba B. Whisky, a sub-race or a pure-race?”
A look of astonishment flashes across everyone’s faces.
Goosebumps sprout on their arms.
“Regal got married to a sub-species, Chiba, on the first day of the first lunar month last year. That was also through Godiva Tom’s matchmaking. Right after that, they hurriedly hurriedly proposed a law banning heterosexual marriages. Isn’t it really unfortunate? Hehe…”
“… Then, there is a high possibility that Godiva will know for sure what kind of honey Regal is sucking on, are you saying?”
“Isn’t it? She knows that Godiva is not an immature woman, to the point where she is taken advantage of without knowing the context. If she is going to succeed as much as a pimp, crossing between the imperial and noble families, wouldn’t that level of awareness be essential?”
“Hmm… I think I’ll have to brush her off too…”
Everyone was deep in thought.
Looking at them, Johnny grinned.
“Which of you are still unmarried?”
“I…”
“I’m single too…”
A few people raise their hands.
Sinatra, who had been raving about compatibility, was among them Jack and Daniel.
Hee hee. Have you been spending these good times alone? Are there any subhumans among you?”
“…”
No one raised a hand.
“Yes, it was. You guys. If you don’t have a future lover yet, and if you’re confident that you’ll be able to hide somewhere and run away safely, then you should marry an interracial spouse. Did you know? As soon as you get married, what Regal will do?” Will you find out what you’re hiding, and what you’re trying to monopolize?”
Hehe. Commander-in-chief.”
Jack laughs self-deprecatingly.
“Come on, Jack.”
“Look at us.”
“How do you guys look like that?”
“Well, aren’t they all idiots who have been cut, ground, and burst somewhere? Hehe.”
“Among you single men and women, there are some who are perfectly fine.”
“Then what? Aren’t they all would-be criminals? Who here won’t break the law sooner or later?”
“Oh no… That’s true too…”
“You should think that this life is not right.”
Sinatra gently pats Jack on the shoulder.
“Uh… I’m not. I’m going to marry you.”
Hehe. Sinatra, if that man doesn’t run away after you become a criminal, I’ll admit that his love is the last remaining true love of this era.”
Her expression distorts.
“Chief chirp…”
“What, what?”
“Joy!”
Everyone laughs at Jack’s nickname that Monohorn gave him after a long time.
Even Johnny, the thug, laughs.
Hehe. Why did Regal legislate such a law that seemed to be meant to be like that, the saintess by any chance knows…”
“One day, if I come across people who have had interracial marriages during my coverage, I will definitely ask them.”
“For a moment…”
Daniel’s expression hardened.
“That, so…! My God…”
He rested his forehead on his one free arm.
“Why, Daniel?”
“Sir. Master Jin.”
“Why is he?”
“You sure didn’t say you were being chased by Regal?”
“Yes, wait. Could it be…?!”
“At that time, he and all four of the party each seemed to be married. Didn’t Sensei Jin, Mrs. Mamang, and the other two companions look like husband and wife? That’s explained!”
“Ah…! At that time, I should have asked them…”
“Ha… I can’t believe that thought has come to me now… I don’t have any way to contact you anymore…”
Their expressions darkened.
In order to respect the privacy of nobles, it seemed that it would be regrettable that they did not inquire into the inside story of being pursued by Regal.
“It can’t be helped. Isn’t it already in the past. If one day we get to know each other, we have no choice but to ask them.”
“Yes…”
“And let’s stick with this in a way that continues to raise such suspicions. If, by chance, someone reads our article and pushes for interracial marriage in opposition to Regal, if that happens throughout society, then We will be able to learn more about its background and substance.”
“All right.”
“Of course, if I can reunite with Jin-sensei before then, that would be the best thing.”
“Yes. I really want to see him again.”
With that said, they immerse themselves in the meeting again.
“One of the other achievements was the attack on the unnatural collusion between the papacy and the aristocracy.”
“That’s right. These days, the aristocracy and the pope seem to be moving almost like one body against the imperial faction. At the same time, a lot of circumstances have been detected where they cover up each other’s displeasure and sometimes help to conceal it. There have been several reports about that. “
“One of the scariest things is the fact that all those who exposed the depravity of the church, including the papacy, disappeared at some point or were captured by the soldiers of the aristocratic family.”
“Whenever they stir up the Church’s dishonesty in order to bring down the Saint Women faction, they say that the aristocratic faction is systematically helping to cover up the fact of the Church’s misconduct in an instant. I think it should be reported.”
“Yes.”
The person who brought up the agenda expresses additional opinions.
“And it also ties into the previous issue, when you think about it, when Regal welcomes an interracial spouse and proposes a law banning interracial marriage. If an interracial couple has children, the children will destroy the empire. Didn’t you give the reason that the oracle had come down?”
“It was.”
“And Regal declared that she would not have children, and the Pope notarized it. It seems that the honeymoon began around that time.”
“I guess that’s possible. As the papacy, they would have been offended by the saints faction from the beginning, and even as the Regal, they would have been annoyed by the saints who were blocking the passage of the bill. It’s almost strange not to catch him.”
“That’s right. Even among the rumors circulating around the world before and after the Saint’s Clan Gate, there was a rumor that the aristocratic faction instigated the downfall of the Saint’s Clan, didn’t there?”
“It did.”
“I wonder if all of this was a strategy by the aristocratic faction and the pope faction to divert the anger of the civil class towards the saint woman faction and to put pressure on the saint woman faction in all directions.”
“Let’s continue to raise suspicions about this part. It’s only once or twice to explain falsely, and if you repeat false explanations, there will definitely be logical loopholes and holes. We must persistently dig into them.”
“All right.”
Then, Jack carefully looks around.
This is a closed room, a safe place, and only trusted comrades.
Even so, perhaps because of the ramifications of what he was about to say, he was extremely cautious.
“There is information that I obtained in top secret. The reliability is high, but there is absolutely no way to verify it additionally, so it is information that has not been reported yet.”
“Why can’t you verify further?”
Daniel asks awkwardly.
“The informant was murdered.”
He couldn’t stay calm any longer.
“Isn’t it an accident?”
“I don’t know what kind of accident can cause only the neck to disappear in a locked room. Maybe, I don’t know if my imagination is lacking.”
“My God… So what kind of information do you spend so much time on?”
“There is a research institute run by the Regal family.”
“What do you mainly study?”
Jack answered, lowering his voice even further.
“Person.”
“Yes?!”
“Is that true?”
“Is it true?!”
Dismay breaks out.
“The informant was one of the low-level researchers from that place. He couldn’t stand the inhuman human experiments being conducted, so he tried to escape.”
“Kkeuh… I managed to survive contact with such a person.”
“Hehe. I’ve never said that I’ve been in contact.”
“What do you mean?”
“When I was staying at an inn, there was a loud noise coming from the next room, so I went in and found a body without a head. As soon as I saw it, I knew it was a murder scene. I searched the room. I obtained the memorandum he left behind.”
“…The criminal who murdered him left those things untidy?”
“I don’t think he hid it under the bed and didn’t find it. Probably, he used it until he died, and threw it under the bed as soon as he felt a presence. All other luggage was gone.”
“Do you still have it?”
Jack shook his head.
“Unfortunately, it was burned along with the office building.”
“Ah… If it had, I could have attacked more effectively, but it’s really unfortunate.”
Johnny cuts in.
“Even if there was, it wouldn’t have been any different. Wouldn’t it be enough for Regal to dismiss it as forged evidence? If you just show that you’re researching something else in an open area, you’ll be able to allay suspicions about the laboratory.”
“That too…”
“Rather, did it say that there were some experiments going on inside the lab, Jack?”
“… He wrote that he dug out the eyes of sub-species and was using them to mass-produce portable anti-species identification devices.”
“What, what?!”
All of the representatives of the media, including Johnny, are astonished.
“It is said that the eyes of sub-species emit their own light in a completely dark room without a single light. However, the way to identify sub-species through the dark room is a procedure for sub-species to identify themselves, so it is easy to notice. In order to study how to identify sub-species without the person’s knowledge, they analyzed the mechanism by which sub-species’ eyes emit light.”
“For that, you kidnapped a sub-species and dug out their normal eyeballs?”
“Yes. Although there are no concrete results yet, it has been recorded that it succeeded in miniaturizing and mass-producing inspection devices.”
“Didn’t there be anything else?”
Jack shakes his head.
“Unfortunately… He seems to have no authority to access other information because of his low rank.”
“…”
Everyone is silent
They seemed to be consumed by the fear of Regal.
Daniel struggled to open his mouth.
However, because the corners of his mouth twitched relentlessly from his astonishment, his pronunciation was very unclear.
“Mo, everything was related… The law, the corruption, the tyranny, everything…”
“Listening, I thought so too. Originally, I didn’t want to bring this up, but no matter how much I tried, I couldn’t shake the thought that this was also related. Isn’t that what you’re doing?”
“…”
Everyone’s silence gets longer.
A representative of a media company quietly raises his hand.
“There is no clear physical evidence for this case, so it seems difficult to explode it alone.”
“Yes…”
He swallowed dry saliva and continued.
“Then, how about calling Regal a racist?”
