Civil Servant in a Romance Fantasy

965 – Become the Heart of the Continent – 6

Unlike the first debate, where the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Culture held their discussions without making any concessions, the second debate, which resumed after a break, concluded in just one and a half hours with the enthusiastic support of the majority of ministers and active discussion.

First, instead of redeveloping Danis, build a city near Danis. Maintain a distance that does not damage the Danis ruins (hereinafter referred to as West Danis), but West Danis must be visible from anywhere in the new city (hereinafter referred to as East Danis).

Second, in the center of Dongdanis, a building will be constructed that is based on the original solar power plant but modified for security purposes. This will be designated as the headquarters of the treaty organization, and the only buildings that can float in the air will be the headquarters of the treaty organization.

Third, the headquarters of the treaty organization shall be raised into the air only when the representatives of the treaty organization member states are meeting and holding a meeting, and the location of the headquarters during the meeting shall be designated as the sky over the Danis. The headquarters of the treaty organization shall not be raised in any case other than during the meeting of the member states.

Fourth, West Danis and East Danis are designated as direct imperial territories. Compensation for the existing owners will be made from imperial funds.

Fifth. The Treaty Organization Headquarters shall be named ‘Stephen’s Glory’ and shall be treated as the Emperor’s private property, not as an Imperial territory. The management of the Treaty Organization Headquarters shall be by the Emperor’s decision, not by existing laws.

Sixth. The laws applicable in the Glory of Stephan during the conference period shall be newly established through agreement of the treaty organization member states. This shall be the first agenda item after the official launch of the treaty organization.

There are many other small clauses attached here and there, but these are the six clauses that are worth noting. We don’t need to remember the rest. It’s for the working-level staff to handle.

‘Are we finally making it real?’

Anyway, I looked bitterly at the draft that was completed in an hour and a half.

It is said to be a draft, but in reality it is a finished version. Since it was written in the presence of the Emperor and all the ministers, there may be slight revisions to sentences or minor corrections, but the framework will not be out of order.

‘The glory of Stephan.’

I glanced up at the name of the treaty organization headquarters.

And then, as if on cue, I met the eyes of the Emperor who was staring at me and lowered my head again.

It’s hot. If there was physical power in the gaze, I wonder if a hole would have been drilled into my forehead. Even that gaze was suppressed because I gritted my teeth and opposed the Treaty Organization headquarters’ name becoming ‘Gilbert’s Glory’. It was even more vicious just a few dozen minutes ago.

“During the reign of Your Majesty the Emperor, a new order has come to embrace the continent, so it is truly appropriate and a beautiful decision to name the headquarters after Your Majesty. However, Your Majesty, may I dare ask You a question?”

“I permit it.”

“Your Majesty has accomplished dozens, hundreds of feats that a hundred men of humble origin like me could not accomplish. Despite this, Your Majesty has refused to allow any building to be named Corvus. What do you think of this?”

“The Count is right. I am not even close to His Majesty’s feet, so how can I be so arrogant as to wish to glorify my name?”

So I felt a little wronged. Even though I had expressed my bitter and tearful opposition, he still glared at me. How far did I have to go to satisfy him?

I said it nicely, but if you peel back the layers a little, it was like hitting him head-on with, “Since the situation didn’t put its name on the building, why did you? Are you better than the situation?” When I actually said that, the other ministers looked like they were looking at a crazy person.

If the Emperor had not accepted my desperate advice, I would have been sent straight to the dungeon. I risked my life to please you, and now this is what you are doing.

“Your Majesty. I do not dare to oppose your decision, but would it not be all right if you did it for the glory of Stefan rather than just that of Livno?”

However, since I was the starting point of this flying building, I kept silent, so the Minister of the Imperial Household cautiously opened his mouth.

“It is indeed beautiful not to use His Majesty’s title out of respect and awe for His Majesty. However, isn’t Livnoman a name that can honor everyone from Michael the Great, who founded the Kingdom of Kpelopen, to Eimanca the Great, who established the Mandate of Heaven, to His Majesty the Emperor, who revived the empire once again? Wouldn’t the glory of Livnoman be good in order to shine a great Mandate?”

“It’s quite logical, considering I’m not against it.”

“Your Majesty, Your Majesty…”

“Haha, just kidding. How could I not know what the Minister is thinking?”

The emperor let out a small laugh and tapped the draft with his index finger.

“Well, since it’s just us, I’ll be honest. Even if it’s a new order or permanent peace, isn’t it ultimately just a means to further solidify the empire’s hegemony? Other nations will notice this too, and calling it the glory of Livnoman or Kpelopen would be too blatant. If that’s the case, the nations that were planning to join will probably balk.”

At the emperor’s words, the ministers’ gaze turned to the emperor’s index finger.

To be exact, it is the words “Glory of Stefan” that the index finger is holding.

“That’s why I borrowed this person’s name. The person from the time of the Kpelopen Kingdom before the empire was established. This way, the other countries can somehow understand and move on.”

It was a reasonable argument, so I nodded absentmindedly.

Stefan. Full name is Stefan Michael Livnoman of Kpelopen. He is the tenth king of the Kingdom of Kpelopen, Michael X, and the father of Eimanka the Great.

A person who was called the Pious King because he was faithful and kind, and who showed a friendly attitude toward foreign races, putting him in opposition to the Aphel Empire.

‘It’s perfect to put forward as a symbol of peace.’

Michael X protested against the Aphels Empire, which was pursuing a policy of genocide against other races at the time, and maintained his beliefs. He was friendly to the Dawn Cult and pursued moral politics. A rule that embraced both humans and other races, a rule that was made with sweat and tears rather than iron and blood. Isn’t this a name that would be appropriate for the nations of the continent to gather and discuss peace?

Of course, Michael X is also a figure from Livnoman and the father of the great Eimanca, so other countries may find him undesirable. Anyone who sees it will say that it is just a somewhat mild display of continental hegemony, but how is it different from Livnoman’s glory?

But what can we do? If it’s a building we’re building on our land with our own money, and a treaty organization we’re creating by exchanging our manpower and resources, should we give it a foreign name?

Rather, if the Empire showed this much consideration, you should accept it and join. The glory of the good Stefan is better than the glory of Eimanka who destroyed Apels by force.

“So let’s use this name. If there is a nation that is dissatisfied with the name Stefan, they will rebel no matter what name we give them.”

“Only then can I, a foolish man, understand Your Majesty’s lofty intentions.”

“Well. Then let’s disband now. Everyone worked hard to keep their seats despite being busy.”

With those words, the meeting ended─

“Oh, the Secretary of the Treasury and the Inspector General will stay for a moment.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“…yes.”

I had a third meeting with the people I feared the most.

The conference room where only three people remain after the other ministers have stepped down.

“How about it, Mr. Secretary of the Treasury? Is that possible?”

In the suffocating silence, the Emperor spoke first.

It was a random question, but I could understand why it was asked. It would have been obvious if the question had been asked after the discussion on the flying building had ended and the Minister of Finance had left.

“I’m sorry to inform you, but it seems that we will not be able to secure a meaningful budget until the year after next.”

“Is that so?”

And the Treasury Secretary gave a not-so-good answer: It would be difficult to secure the budget for this year, which is almost over, let alone next year, which is just around the corner.

In fact, it is an obvious answer. If I had a spare budget, I wouldn’t have had to dig up the ground with prayers and information as bait. Isn’t this a disaster that happened because my wallet was thin?

“If it’s simply about building a small city, it’s possible to get started next year, but the problem is Stefan’s glory.”

“I guess so. What’s technically possible and what’s budgetary possible are two different issues.”

The emperor nodded slightly and turned his gaze towards me.

It was as if he was pressuring me by saying, ‘You are the cause, so tell me the solution.’

“Your Majesty.”

“Speak comfortably. I will listen to whatever you have to say.”

“How about receiving that… donation?”

“donation?”

The emperor’s brow furrowed.

You little punk, talk comfortably. If you react like that, it means you should talk, not talk.

“The glory of Stefan should rightfully belong to your Majesty, but this is the age in which a great symbol of a new order on the Continent is being created. How many nobles would like to join that great journey?”

However, he tried to remain calm as he continued to speak. If he failed to come up with a suitable solution, he would be under the hot gaze of the Emperor and the Minister of Finance.

“In exchange for a small fortune, you will gain eternal glory and honor. If you write the names of the loyal nobles on the Gate of Stefan’s Glory, the entire continent will remember their names.”

“Hmm.”

Fortunately, the emperor’s eyebrows were restored to their original state thanks to my suggestion.

The nobles are a people who value just as much as they value practicality. If you help build the first flying building in the world and your name becomes known throughout the continent? There will be many nobles who will come running to you and say, “Take my wallet right now.” Maybe even nobles outside the border will react.

“Besides, the empire has nobles who are more loyal and wealthy than anyone else.”

At those words, the emperor’s eyes opened wide and he let out a chuckle.

The most loyal and ‘wealthy’ nobleman. Not only the Emperor, but also the Crown Princess would know who this refers to.

***

Thanks to the wise Duke and the Minister of the Inspectorate, I have a great friend named Leviathan. In return, he generously provided me with tokens promising to grant any request I asked of him.

However, since neither the Minister of Justice nor the Inspector General seemed to have forgotten my sincerity and there was no news, I also forgot about it.

[ I hope Your Majesty will lend a helping hand on this great journey. ]

The Inspector General has requested my assistance.

That’s quite an interesting and mouth-watering request.

‘A building that flies in the air.’

Even the building symbolizes the new order of the continent.

Hmm, hmm, hmm…

‘Good.’

It smells like gold coins in a unique way that I’ve never smelled before.