TPITT - Chapter 39





“Tell me.”

“What the poor need most is housing and jobs."

Build a house in advance in the relocation area and obediently follow the move.

"Please allow them to buy a house at a low-interest rate.”

“Hmm..."

“Anyway, if the slums are redeveloped soon, there will be a lot of construction costs. Labor is needed. Sent them to the imperial labor camp. If you register and provide a job, the principal will be repaid every month. There will be no problem at all.”

“They give you a house, register you at a labor camp, and give you a job?”

"Yes. Then they have homes and jobs. Instead of being a pauper, they become a full-fledged subject of an Empire. The place you move to will no longer be called a slum, they will praise my Father’s grace in giving them a home and a job.”

“Hoo..."

Desmond II seemed intrigued.

At first glance, Brigitte's words seemed not only merciful but also reasonable.

However, my hands were shaking and I almost lost the teacup.

'Once you receive the house and register your personal information at the labor center, from then on, taxes cannot be avoided. Still, 100 years ago, people didn't pay taxes.  They used to act as a deterrent, but now they are trying to force us into death by collecting money.'

I didn't want to cause friction with Brigitte as much as possible, but I couldn't listen quietly any longer. I put down my teacup and spoke.

"No. If that happens, the slum residents will refuse to move.”

"What?"

Brigitte, who had been refuted, looked harshly at me.

I looked directly into her cold sky-blue eyes, then turned her gaze to Desmond II and made a mantra.

“The current slum has been the eastern barrier of the imperial capital for over 100 years. It has played a role. Now that the East is safe, they are sent like tools to act as a southern stockade. How can they accept it so obediently? They want a house and a job. However, it is not something that requires risking your life. They will refuse to move.”

“Kuhm… ”

When the part he had ignored was pointed out, Desmond II made an uncomfortable face.

But I continued speaking.

“Perhaps Father will send the Imperial Guard to the Imperial Palace. You may have been thinking of moving them. To the royal knight, your words are an absolute thing. They will provide a principled response to the poor. To the point of excessiveness. Slum residents who show even the slightest resistance are immediately summarily punished. Either you will be punished or you will become a high treason criminal. It may literally be a bloody battle.”

A dire prediction hides in the drawing room.

Even the sound disappeared. Only my sonorous voice shook the silence.

“The Royal Guard is like a symbol of the Emperor. The work they carried out in obedience to the Emperor's command was to destroy the slums. Through the mouths of those who escaped, of course, it will spread throughout the empire.

“I dare say that it will have a negative impact on the reign.”

Desmond II pursed his lips and said nothing. That silence was so heavy for me.

In fact, my finger hidden under the table is shaking slightly.

I, who gave an opinion on an issue was immediately met with hate.

It was because the memories of my life made me feel intimidated.

‘It’s different from back then. Not since then.'

It was time to keep my composure by making hints to myself.

“Isn’t that a good opinion, Eve?”

That wasn't what Desmond II said. I turned my head and looked in the direction from which I heard a voice.

In the center of my vision was Brigitte with a cold face.

“Those shameless people who dare not follow the Emperor’s commands will destroy Hadelun. Don't let it confuse you. Don't escape carelessly. We will thoroughly control the slums and take mercy into our hands. Should I order the guards not to leave it there, yes?"

Brigitte's cruelty almost took my breath away. I came to my senses and refuted.

“The press is not blocked by blocking it. And put the poor first like flowers. It was Betty who said we should embrace each other. Please don’t forget mercy.”

“How can we watch those who don’t even pay taxes disobey the Emperor’s orders? Are you saying you're kissing me? A ruler must also know how to boldly cut out unnecessary things at times.”

“Even if the poor in slums do not pay taxes, they work for low wages throughout Hadelun. When looking at the big picture, they are contributing to the economic system. It is not something that is absolutely unnecessary. Can you handle the shock to Hadelun’s economy?”

Brigitte becomes very angry as her opinions are constantly blocked by me.

I felt uncomfortable. Brigitte said angrily, putting down her teacup loudly.

“Anyone can just refute without providing an alternative. So what do you want to do? No way, are you saying that it is best not to do any pioneering projects?”

This time, I did not immediately refute but kept my mouth shut.

Brigitte, who saw the reaction, made an expression that said, 'That's right, then', and Desmond II, who had been watching the argument for a while, arched his eyebrows.

It was then.

"Noo."

I fixed my amber eyes on Desmond II.

“There is an alternative.”

“Tell me, Eve.”

Desmond II gave his permission.

The tone was cold, but there was no anger. I am somewhat able to relax.

I opened my mouth to the audience.

“If you want people to decide to migrate voluntarily, you need to provide incentives. Before unfolding, the safety of your residence is fundamental. It must be guaranteed. Institutions and facilities must be established to ensure that there are no problems. Slum residents will be able to relocate with peace of mind.”

“There are no troops worth sending to the frontier. If only there was such a thing in the first place. 27 Districts suffer damage every rainy season. Would you have let me wear it?"

Brigitte joined in with a pitiful look in her eyes.

I focused my eyes on Desmond II without looking back.

“Even without setting up combat facilities or recruiting troops, It's possible. Pioneering areas without large investment. There is a way to secure the power to deal with the magical beast.”

“Really? Go ahead and say it.”

“A knight of royal rank on the outskirts of the pioneering district. Please provide a company residence for them.”

No matter how knightly a homunculus is, it is treated as imperial property.

Private property is not recognized.

Therefore, of course, homunculus with private families has never existed in history.

Everyone at the table held their breath at the unconventional remark.

Not only Michael but also the direct knights standing on the wall looked very surprised.

They saw the light and saw me.

“In the imperial palace, there are 300 people called the Imperial Guard. We have advanced combat personnel. These guards only stay in the knights' quarters provided within the imperial palace 365 days a year. This excess combat power needs to be distributed efficiently. Even if only 10% of them stay in the pioneering area using the off-duty system, the frontier will have sufficient self-defense capabilities.”

Installing a guard post requires investment. Additionally, the Imperial Guard, the Emperor's private army, was used to defend specific areas.

It doesn't even make sense.

But if you give the saga to the homunculus, whether they like it or not, they will take charge of the area and fight against demonic beasts.

After finishing my mantra, I looked at Desmond II.

It was time to wait in suspense for his reaction.

“Oh, that way. Not bad!”

Desmond II welcomed my trick.

“Anyway, if you do as Betty says, the imperial family wanted to build houses for the poor in the pioneering area. Didn’t you? Just build it a little better and the cost will be almost nothing. If the homunculus dies, the house will return to the imperial family anyway.”

"That's right."

“Eve, your political acumen is amazing. Excellent. I never thought the seventh daughter would have such great political sense.”

“That’s too much praise.”

I answered calmly without showing my joy that the suggestion had worked.

Meanwhile, Brigitte stands in front of Desmond II.

A role that was intended to show one's political side, she couldn't manage her facial expressions when she was taken away by me.

Brigitte's eyes fluttered.

“That’s surprising, Eve. Let's build something like that in a pioneer district where the poor live together. You, not anyone else, did such a dishonorable thing. I didn't know you would come forward and suggest it. It’s not like you to protect a homunculus.”

Like in my last life, I wrapped around a homunculus and it didn't look hateful.

It seemed regrettable. I smiled at Brigitte.

“Isn’t the empire’s utility more important than the homunculus's honor?”

“You have become quite like a Princess.”

"Thank you."

I spoke like an ordinary Princess.

We made it up together. And deep inside, I was buried in a sense of honor.

I was glad to see Brigitte's prejudice.

More important than their honor as a knight were their rights as human beings.

What if the place is a slum? Among the lords, they had the basic rights of citizens equivalent to lords.

This is an important stepping stone that will make my future work easier.

It was.

Desmond II was satisfied with my princess-ness and political sense and did not spare any praise.

“I will be hearing a lot of your opinions regarding this project, Eve.”

“I am grateful that you are giving me the opportunity to contribute to Father’s empire.”

“Okay, do you have anything else in mind?”

Suddenly Desmond II asked me. It was in a state where the upper body was tilted towards the long side.

I pretended to think for a moment and then spoke.

“I think it’s better than what Sister Betty said. I think we need strong incentives. In addition to houses and jobs, the Earth is a place where the poor are provided an opportunity to become a free citizen. It must be land. I believe that educational institutions can play that role.”

“Establishing an academy?"

"Yes. Education is an opportunity to improve your life. Provide free education to children of migrating poor families. Then, parents who do not want to pass on poverty will be willing to immigrate for their children.”

“Okay, okay. That would be great too!”

Desmond II seemed to accept all of my opinions.

I had to deal with Desmond II, who constantly asked me to give my opinions on various things.

During the lively conversation between father and daughter, the stinging gazes of the older princesses, including Brigitte, fell on my cheek.

Of course, the angry gaze did not pose any threat. 

I pretended not to notice drank tea and had Desmond II's gun all to myself for the rest of the time.



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