Chapter 402 – Appeasement
—Rattle…
The president’s hand holding the teacup trembled pitifully.
Wolfgang’s gaze naturally turned there as well. Just like unmanned people. No, like most people, traces of an individual’s life are evident on one’s hands.
No matter how thoroughly she takes care of herself using various cosmetics and magic, if she is older, signs of aging will inevitably appear on her hands.
The hand is such an honest organ.
The same was true for the hands of the president, who boasted a difficult look in many ways.
Overall, a typical right-hander with more developed muscles in his right hand than his left. The shape of the fingers was also unique.
The index finger, thumb, and middle finger are unusually thick enough to be noticeable even at a glance. It was the same for both the left and right hands.
Normal men’s fingers don’t develop that way.
Prosecutors, farmers, and workers. Even though the hands of people who work hard are rough, the shape of all fingers appears relatively even.
In other words, rather than engaging in work using large tools that required the use of the entire strength of one’s grip, he devoted his life to using small, delicate tools.
He definitely had the qualities of a craftsman and researcher.
Another characteristic is that the color of the hands is a little darker than the color of the skin, giving the appearance of using one’s hands a lot, while the fingernails are compulsively kept short and neatly trimmed.
The fact that the color of the hands is darker than the color of the skin means that the person has lived for a considerable number of years, and paying attention to the condition of the nails means that, contrary to appearance, the person has a very sensitive personality.
Wolfgang let out a small exclamation.
“Hmm.”
I didn’t know much because I was wearing gloves when I was outside.
Seeing it this way, I felt it clearly.
The fact is that the president, a man named Telephone Bell, has lived the life of a craftsman for a long time. Then, it is highly likely that the somewhat eccentric appearance is a kind of defense mechanism.
The father-in-law that Wolfgang knows right now, Old Man Eitri, cannot be said to have a harmonious personality, even if it is just empty words.
If the nervous look in front of him was all an act, then the president would be more of an actor rather than an inventor.
No matter how much damage Alicia’s power suffered due to the public opinion war on the part of the 2nd prince who abused the spread of the False language, strictly speaking, the president was also a victim.
Just because a person dies from a sword, the blacksmith cannot be held responsible.
Above all, it did not feel pleasant to Wolfgang to see his elder so afraid of him.
—Sigh
That’s why he spoke with the gentlest expression possible.
“I’m kidding. “I don’t kill people that easily.”
“Yes? Joke… Ahaha, yes. Is that so? Haha… “
The president responds with a very awkward smile.
It seems like he’s still a little overly scared.
‘It’s a shame.’
Wolfgang thought that he should not joke in front of people he met for the first time. I didn’t have a very good sense of humor to begin with.
“Uh, um… The taste of tea is truly wonderful. Ahahahaha… “
Wolfgang continued to lead the conversation, thinking that it was a good thing that misunderstandings were common anyway, and that it was easier to deal with them.
“Let me ask you a question first.”
“Four! I will answer anything sincerely.”
The mysterious atmosphere shrouded in a veil is accompanied by a quick-witted attitude, like a suspect who has been dragged into an interrogation room from nowhere.
“President, sending a video using Palsi. “How was it that you couldn’t control that broadcast?”
“Yes. “I am very sorry, but it is not the case that our workshop could not have predicted that this invention would be specialized for the media field from the time we first introduced the False Language to the world.”
Seeing the president protesting without being able to breathe properly, Wolfgang lightly tapped him on the shoulder to reassure him.
—Tuk Tuk
“This is not a place to ask for sins, so please relax.”
“Yeah… “
Only then did the president feel more at ease and continue talking.
“To go back to the original story, the new media business in the form of broadcasting was also a use that was within my prediction. Since we had a monopoly on Falseer’s technology, we were planning to establish a new media company.”
The president stopped speaking and bit his lip for a moment as if he was feeling uncomfortable.
Listening to what he said, it seemed like there was something going on behind the scenes.
“I was trying to establish… But?”
“More than I thought… The checks on the existing media were extremely severe. Not only did they threaten by imposing laws that I had never heard of before, but they also tried to threaten the safety of the craftsmen and employees of the workshop.”
“It’s a shame.”
“Yes. No matter how quickly our workshop has grown in size recently, it is still just another workshop. “We ended up giving on entering the media business and just protecting Palsier’s patent rights at all costs.”
Severe opposition from existing media forces.
It is quite possible, but talking about a law whose existence is unclear and attempting to pose a direct threat to one’s personal safety is an act that has gone far beyond the line.
Given the circumstances, there was probably intervention from the 2nd prince’s side in the process.
Although this was a matter that had already been confirmed by Alicia, Wolfgang decided not to mention the second prince’s name here.
That’s because I couldn’t trust the president that much yet.
It is still too early to make a judgment like this.
I needed more information.
Wolfgang asked, lifting the teacup and savoring its scent.
“After that incident, haven’t you experienced any other difficulties recently?”
“Haha. It’s a hardship… “
As soon as the word ‘grievance’ was said, the president’s face became filled with fatigue and regret.
The president covered his face with both hands and sighed loudly several times before speaking in a very weak voice.
“It wasn’t there. No, to tell you the truth, I would have to say that I have been going through something particularly severe these days.”
“For example, what kind?”
“Behind the absurd rumor that behind our workshop’s technological prowess was a deal with the devil, we almost went bankrupt due to delayed payment, and even though we were paying extreme attention to transportation, If a defect occurs after delivery and a request for a refund comes in… “Now my hair is falling out.”
“Like that.”
Wolfgang’s eyes turned to the inside of the purple silk hat as he saw the president making sincere complaints.
Are you experiencing hair loss? It looks like the hardships are not enough.
“… Now that I think about it, I think I was too naive.”
The president’s head was tilted forward.
It’s not an intentional gesture to evoke sympathy, but it looks like he’s genuinely in pain.
“I thought it would be enough if I could bring vitality to the lives of the people of the empire by coming up with a mysterious invention of a type that had never been seen before. After that, I thought money and fame would naturally follow.”
“That sounds pretty romantic. In fact, isn’t it safe to say that we have already achieved half-success?”
“Well. It may not seem that way to others, but… Reality isn’t that romantic. “I don’t think the world is very easy for a craftsman who has been stuck in his closet all his life inventing things to imitate a businessman.”
“It looks like he was in more trouble than it looked.”
“Well, rather than suffering… I guess I should say that it is starting to become difficult for me to somehow get my head around to jump here and there.”
It was a conversation that somehow ended up being similar to some sort of consultation.
‘I think this person should go to the temple first.’
This type of conversation was something Wolfgang was not very familiar with.
It’s a trend that seems more suited to Ophelia than to Wolfgang, but in any case, the man in front of me is clearly revealing his weaknesses.
If we were to call it an animal, it would lie down and turn over on its stomach.
In that case, he also needs to be treated with the warmth he deserves.
“Telephone ring.”
“Yes, General.”
Wolfgang spoke in a low but powerful voice.
“Now that you’ve told me the truth, I don’t think there’s any need to talk back. What do you think about that?”
The president’s pupils trembled slightly at that.
“That means… ?”
“Didn’t you come here because you wanted something from me? “It’s the same reason why I told you a story that I didn’t even ask for at such length.”
—Gulp
The president’s neck was shaken loudly with the sound of saliva flowing.
“Well… The favor I have already received from the general is like a blessing in disguise.”
“Is that so? Is that your answer?”
“No. I…”
From his perspective, he is probably constantly thinking about it even at this very moment.
Even if you have made up your mind, it is inevitable that you will feel nervous the moment you make a decision.
“Actually, it was all thanks to the general’s investment that we were able to come this far. Therefore, I think it is very shameless to even say this.”
The president, who was struggling with his hands tightly clenched, finally closed his eyes tightly and spoke.
“General, we need your strength. Please save us and the telephone workshop I have dedicated my life to.”
“And what can you give me?”
Wolfgang asked.
The president responded.
“I will be loyal.”
