CH 58

Questionable play

For now, perhaps no one can hear us from this place

After leaving the building and coming to an unpopular alley, I report to Grey Ryuuga

「This case, I think it should be ended as simple as possible. Execution is especially a NO」

Please respect human life

「What are you saying?」

Grey Ryuuga said while looking at me with the eyes when looking at an idiot

「You want to say “human life is precious” right? Then I agree with that. It is the best if this can end without bloodshed」

「As expected of your Highness the Prince! You know it well!」

「However, a minimum amount of sacrifice is required. If we take a half-baked measure here then the empire will be looked down on. At the very least, we must return with the neck of the town mayor……」

We must not set a bad example

That is very natural, but……

「But on this case, that would be harmful to the empire on the contrary」

「What?」

The light of surprise appears in Grey Ryuuga’s eyes

「Please think about it a little more. This fuss was induced by someone’s secret maneuver. However, why would that guy manipulate this town’s mayor to create a rebellion?」

「That is……!?」

「If he aims to overthrow the empire, a revolt in such a small, frontier town won’t have any meaning. It would be suppressed and ended in a flash」

If he seriously wants to overthrow the empire, he should have manipulated a town with bigger military strength from the shadow……

Then he should have infiltrated even more towns and villages and have them revolt at the same time

「And yet, it happened only in this town. It’s like saying “come and subjugate this”. This nonsense act should have a hidden intention」

「W, what……!?」

You just want to hear the answer?

Please think a little, prince-sama

……it can’t be helped

「In my opinion, it would be a stimulation for further rebellions」

「……!? I already told you, a conclusive judgment is needed. Don’t talk in a roundabout way」

「Even if a conclusive judgment is made, it may lead to more rebellions」

「!?」

A strict and cruel judgment

Perhaps the mastermind tried to cause a rebellion in this Irunne town just for that

If the other party is serious about causing harm to the empire, they should have stretched their hands to various places besides this

Just like at this place, they would butter up to the influential people and induce them to betray the empire

「Perhaps they are trying to use the town of Irunne as persuasion material」

The town of Irunne only showed a slight disobey behavior but they were punished severely

It would be your turn next, if you don’t want to be killed then just kill them first……or something like that

「The mayor of Irunne town didn’t intend to rebel. And yet he was executed. They might even spread that kind of rumor. And in fact, the mayor himself really has no intention」

「Umu……!?」

Incitement can be truth or lie, but it would have higher effect if it’s the truth

「The town of Irunne would be used as an excuse to separate the heart of other territories from the empire. If we execute the town people here then it will be as their wishes」

「I see, Jirat, what you said has a point」

Did you really understand?

「But even so, acquittal is impossible. For the empire, rebellion is the heaviest crime. If we compromise, the empire will be looked down on!」

Being afraid of is no good, but being looked down on is also no good

It’s really hard to find a balance point

Actually, if the mastermind is aiming for a chain rebellion in various places, either way is fine

They only need to change their words based on the empire’s judgment

――『The empire would slaughter those who disobey! You guys will be killed eventually!』

――『The empire didn’t punish those who rebelled against them! Did you intent to follow those weaklings?』

「It is our loss regardless of the choices. What a nasty move!」

「So which one should we take? If the disadvantage is unavoidable then at least it’s still better to show the empire’s resolute attitude……」

Please, calm down

Even if this is difficult scenario, if we can clear it then we won’t be in a disadvantage

This is something that worth the challenge

「Then, I have an idea. Can you act as I say after this?」

「U, umu……!?」

◆

After the brief session, we once again appeared before the town mayor and others

「Those who defied the empire will be slaughtered!!」

I said

To my completely change of attitude from before, everyone in the town tremble

「Do you know what you have done! If you defy the empire, you will be executed! That is the rule that must be protected! That is the sin that the emperor absolutely won’t allow! Even women and children won’t be spared!」

「No way!?」

As expected, the mayor becomes ghastly pale and trembles in fear

Look like my threatening is heard well

「Please pardon the others! I don’t care what will happen to me, but please forgive the others!?」

「I cannot comply with your plea! The reason is because the emperor is resolute!」

Well then, I have threatened them to this point

Then, the one who would lend a helping hand is Grey Ryuuga-san……

「…………」

「Oraaaa! Let’s kill everyone! Let’s kill everyone with the most gruesome method as possible!!」

「………………」

「Let’s behead them in the middle of the city! Then crucifies them!」

「……………………」

「Quickly stop me!!」

Why are you only staring at me without doing anything!?

Move just as we discussed!

「S, sorry, the way you forcibly played the villain role is too funny. I just feel like watching it for a while……!」

「It won’t advance if you don’t intervene! Please move as planned!」

People are trembling because of my threatening. Next is the benevolent turn　

「Etto, hold it right there, Jirat」

「Grey Ryuuga-sama! The first rank of the Twelve Apostles Grey Ryuuga-sama! The empire’s strongest!」

「What you said really has a point, but in order to govern the country, strictness is not everything. Especially since this time, the town of Irunne was manipulated by someone, there is some margin for consideration」

「You can’t, Grey Ryuuga-sama! If you don’t execute those who rebelled, the empire’s power will be questioned」

「Umu, that is right」

「Ok, CUT!?」 (what the director would yell when the scene go wrong)

Don’t agree with that!

The story will end if you do so!?

「Oh right, sorry……No, it’s not good. Given the complex situation, it’s the best to ask his Majesty the Emperor for his decision……O the mayor of Irunne town」

「Y, yes!!」

Mayor-san seemed to be baffled and unable to understand the development, but he immediately kneeled after being called

「Immediately go to the imperial capital and get the approval from his Majesty the Emperor himself. If you beg for forgiveness wholeheartedly, perhaps your crime would be reduced a little」

「I, I understood. I will head to the capital at once!!」

This is the end

The matter originally started because they ignored the call from the capital. If he heads to the capital then at least that lost point will disappear

Besides, I throw the decision to the emperor

That person has been the leader of the country for several, so this matter should be simple for him

But it’s not over yet

In order to show that “The empire is really scary, you know? Don’t look down on it”……。

「Grey Ryuuga-samaa! I cannot agree to this! Let’s massacre all town people!」

By playing a villain role, I scare the town people to show that this is not an unconditional pardon

Grey Ryuuga’s role is to stop me

Showing the empire’s benevolence as well as increasing his virtue, that is 2 birds in one stone

「Whatever, I just want to see blood! Stopping me is pointless!!」

「Hold yourself back, Jirat. My rank is higher than yours, so my judgment takes the priority. If you don’t agree then I shall execute you, you know?」

「Hehe…ehhhh!? Please forgive me! It’s a mistake! Don’t kill me!!」

Incidentally, if I raise Grey Ryuuga’s position this much, he will gain more respect

When his origin is revealed, he should be seen in a positive light. Accumulating these small things is actually important

「Thank you very much! Thank you very much!」

The town people are delighted and throw words of gratitude

To me

「Why!?」

「Personally playing the villain role to help us, we greatly admired your benevolence! As long as you are there, we will be relieved and will obey the empire!」

Stop it!

I tried my best for that play, don’t just see through my intention

Don’t be so intuitive!

You might as well honor Grey Ryuuga-san over there!

He is the prince-sama!!

The title of the chapter is 三問芝居 (sanmon shibai), which is from 三文芝居 (sanmon shibai, meaning a poor play that doesn’t worth any money / the acting which is too transparent) with 問 (question) replacing.