I Became the Master of the Empress - Chapter 198
198 – 202
I decide to tentatively broach the subject.
“So, did you intend to procure more platinum even after paying off all your debts?”
“No, sir. I only thought of paying off my debt. I have no intention of procuring more. I am well aware of the grave crime of minting counterfeit currency. I only sought personal gain for the sake of my family.”
Upon hearing this, I close my eyes and sink into thought.
We could procure more platinum, but is it that we choose not to?
The true intent is hard to grasp.
“Dealing in platinum could yield tremendous profits. Could it really mean that you intended to smuggle it just once and no more?”
At my words, Yom nods.
“I swear to the gods, I only intended to do it this one time.”
“Then wouldn’t your friend be missing out on a significant profit?”
Yom affirms my words.
“True, but my acquaintance has been smuggling platinum into the Union Kingdom to make money, so he’s not too concerned about distributing it within the Empire.”
His words give me confidence in a sustainable business deal, prompting me to ponder the final decision.
There seems to be no other way than developing platinum mines in the Mondyke Mountains or smuggling it from the New Continent.
If we give up on platinum here, we’d have to abandon the massive investment in mass-producing fertilizer.
Developing platinum mines would take too much time and carry more risks than importing from the New Continent.
If the Empire were to mine and distribute platinum directly, the rumors would spread far too easily.
There are more than a couple of internal matters to be wary of.
Even as the Empire’s supreme ruler, I can’t silence everyone.
From the stakeholders in the platinum mine development to the miners, refiners, and transporters, it’s nearly impossible to keep everyone quiet.
It’s not like reality operates on conspiracy theory logic, and it’s impossible for me to perfectly conceal all information.
On the other hand, if we import all the platinum from the New Continent, we only need to worry about the shipping and the transfer to the labs.
In other words, using the alias ‘Yom’ to import platinum could be quite advantageous in many ways.
However, if it becomes known that Yom is importing platinum into the Empire, it would be exceedingly troublesome.
It would undermine the trust that the Empire has built up over time.
There have been tyrants in history who have done stranger things, but that doesn’t mean trust should be broken.
A misstep could leave my name in history books as a treacherous official or a power-grabbing noble known for counterfeiting currency.
I could tolerate my name being remembered that way, but I can’t accept the market economy being ruined by counterfeit currency.
Nor can we indefinitely delay the fertilizer business that has already consumed a large sum of money.
If there’s a time to shoulder the risk, it’s now. With that thought, I cautiously open my mouth.
“From now on, this is a matter of secrecy. If word of this gets out, I can’t guarantee your safety.”
Yom’s expression turns to one of puzzlement.
“What do you mean?”
“Can you import the platinum from the New Continent?”
Yom’s face contorts in horror at my words.
“That… That is.”
As Yom tries to speak, only his lips quiver, and I say,
“Do you think I’m making counterfeit money?”
He seems shocked, unable to answer, and nods his head slightly, to which I shake my head and reply,
“If that’s what you thought, you’re mistaken. Have you ever heard of the Technology Investment Fund?”
“I’ve heard of it, but… I’ve heard it’s not a very profitable fund.”
Yom is right.
It’s a fund into which the empire and the nobility, aside from the financial sector, have poured tremendous amounts of money, but so far, it has yielded no significant benefits.
“Indeed, a new technology has emerged from there. A groundbreaking innovation that could change the world.”
-Gulp.
At my words, Yom swallows hard.
“However, this technology requires a lot of platinum, and as you know, because of its notorious association with being used only in counterfeit money, it’s not easily imported.”
Yom, visibly excited, hastily responds,
“Your Grace, I can help you with that.”
I nod at his words,
“Right, you could help. But if you ever…”
Before I can finish, Yom answers,
“Don’t worry, I’m not one to speak carelessly. If you entrust me with this task, I won’t disappoint you.”
I nod again,
“Then it’s settled. I will soon release you with a pardon. We’ll discuss the details later at the Duke’s office.”
With that, Yom bows his head and says,
“Your Grace, thank you! Thank you.”
-Snicker.
“I’ll be keeping an eye on you. Show me results.”
With that, I leave the interrogation room.
***
A few days later.
After Yom is pardoned, I give him money to set up a shop, focusing on smuggling platinum…
“Your Grace, a report has come in from the intelligence department.”
Lucius has been reinstated as well.
Legally acquitted, he’s currently working at the Grand Duke’s office.
“Yeah. Just leave it there and go.”
Watching Lucius place the documents on my desk and leave, I call out to him.
“Hold on. Can we talk for a moment?”
“Yes? What is it?”
Normally, it wouldn’t be surprising if he decided to quit.
I’m curious about why he’s still here.
Could he possibly be leaking our information to the Emperor’s faction?
If that’s the case, I’d like to wake him from his delusion, so I initiate the conversation.
Sitting Lucius down on the sofa, I begin.
“I was wondering if you harbored any resentment towards me after your imprisonment.”
It’s more awkward than I thought.
Feeling uncomfortable to ask directly why he’s here, I beat around the bush…
“The people at the Ministry of Justice treated me better than expected, so it wasn’t too hard,”
Lucius says with an embarrassed face.
I worry inwardly about what thoughts might lie within him.
“But you still haven’t let go of your resentment towards me, have you?”
At my words, Lucius stiffens slightly and replies,
“Resentment… It’s difficult to say there’s none, but I do think my fault was significant.”
Lucius speaks indifferently.
“Your fault?”
He nods at my question.
“Yes. I did break the law, after all. And given the situation, it was difficult for the Grand Duke to rashly save me. It was a predicament of my own making.”
Lucius’s principled words.
They’re exactly what I want to hear from my position, which makes them suspect.
“Really? Have you never thought that I could have chosen not to hand you over to the Ministry of Justice?”
In reality, I could have silenced the involved parties and hidden Lucius without anyone knowing.
But Lucius shakes his head.
“At first, I did think that. That’s why I resented you. Working overtime and extra shifts every night, unable to go home, doing the tasks the Grand Duke entrusted to me. I naively thought you might overlook my mistake.”
Lucius pauses in his speech.
I look at him, waiting for his words.
“While I was imprisoned, I thought about His Grace the Archduke. And a sudden thought occurred to me. Although I haven’t served His Grace for a long time… His Grace has never used his power for personal gain. Knowing well the responsibility of power, I believe that’s why you handed me over to the Ministry of Justice.”
“Is that so…?”
I didn’t save him because it’s my duty to the Empire.
I hold everything in the Empire.
For me, who holds such power, to save someone just because we are close, would be a failure to fulfill the duties of my power.
The politics of the Empire are simpler than one might think.
Power is exercised according to the authority defined by law. Even the Emperor himself.
For me to deceive the law, which is the foundation of governance and the promise of all Imperial citizens, would be no different than abandoning my duty.
The law must be stern for everyone.
That’s why I handed Lucius over to Sabinelli, to ensure a fair judgment.
Lucius, who is no different from my confidant.
If he is tortured at the Ministry of Justice, it’s nothing but an interrogation according to Imperial law.
Even though my confidential information might be leaked, I’ve decided to endure it.
If I were to interfere with Lucius’s judgment and give a lenient punishment, someone would accuse me of being unfair, and too harsh a punishment would be another violation of Imperial law.
“You must have been troubled by this, Your Grace. I’m sorry for causing you concern because of me.”
As Lucius bows his head and apologizes, I feel awkward and scratch my cheek with my index finger.
“Is that… right?”
I wonder.
Can a person be such a good being?
Lucius considers my position when he speaks, but is that really what he thinks?
I have doubts.
Having been in the political arena filled with monsters for so long, it’s hard for me to trust Lucius.
Moreover, as someone I have to see often as my aide, I don’t want to keep suspecting him as a conspirator.
Additionally, the task of capturing demon worshippers is becoming overwhelming for the Intelligence Department, so it’s planned to provide requests to the high officials of the Archducal Office as well.
Currently, by Imperial law, the Intelligence Department is an institution equal to the Fifth Department.
However, since the Intelligence Department, which monopolizes all information, can have its cooperation requests denied by the Fifth Department, the role of the Archducal Office is crucial.
The Archducal Office is a higher authority than the Fifth Department, so it has command authority.
Rather than changing the law, there’s a situation where I’m trying to change the structure so that the reports currently received only by me will be shared with the aides of the Archducal Office. Lucius’s history inevitably makes me anxious.
So…
I’m sorry. Please understand me for being like this.
With that thought, I apologize to Lucius inwardly and clear my throat before speaking.
“Ahem… Lucius. It seems this task isn’t quite right for you.”
At my words, Lucius’s expression turns pale.
From noble mtl dot come
“I’m sorry, but… you’ll have to move to another department.”