Chapter 104 - Strike

It was a truly unfamiliar concept to Ferda.

"A strike?"

"It is literally declaring that they refuse to work."

"I am paying them, so why won't they work?"

"They quit working for purposes like claiming their rights."

"It's a hostage situation."

Ferda found it novel.

To use a method where they take themselves hostage.

They are the ones whose heads will fall, so why would they do such a thing?

"I don't think there was anything like that when I was in the Empire."

"It is a difference in demand. In the Empire, if someone says something like that, they can simply be replaced immediately."

There are over tens of millions of people in the imperial capital alone.

Even if someone died, not an eyelid would be batted, and replacing people was a daily occurrence there.

It made him realize anew just how blind he had been.

'To think the Emperor's power is stronger than a dragon's.'

Even though it sounded somewhat nonsensical, he could understand it.

After all, a kitchen knife close by is scarier than a treasured sword far away.

Regardless, Ferda asked her, trying to resolve this problem.

"Who is the arrogant ringleader?"

"It is a carpenter from the Empire named Hanson. He is currently acting as the director for the laborers from the Empire."

"Would there be any issue if I killed him?"

His solution was simple.

To cut off the head so no one else would harbor ulterior motives.

That was what Ferda considered the best approach.

Isabella noticed his intention and answered.

"His skills are mediocre, but it will cause problems if you kill him carelessly."

"Why is that?"

"Partly because he has his own connections among the people, and there is a concern that your political image will worsen."

"How much worse can it get when it's already bad?"

Ferda spoke as if it was no big deal.

At that, Isabella tilted her head before suddenly realizing something and asking him.

"... I am asking just in case, but are you unaware of what your reputation is right now, Sir Ferda?"

"Yes."

Isabella blinked.

Thinking she needed to make him aware, Isabella spoke seriously.

"Are you not accommodating the refugees and guaranteeing their right to survival?"

"I am."

"There is no savior quite like someone who takes in refugees during a winter like this. Furthermore, you are also guaranteeing jobs, solving their needs for food, clothing, and shelter through a stable income."

"I see."

"Moreover, since they were driven out, unable to withstand foreign powers, you showed the ambition to block that threat, so there are people who have been inspired by that."

"I suppose... Hmm?"

Ferda tilted his head.

"Did I ever say something like that?"

"It was something I made up, so it is natural that you do not know."

"Why did you do that?"

"Because of the Red Dragon's notoriety, a contrasting good reputation was needed."

"Even though it's not actually like that?"

"That is how the public sees it, so what can we do?"

Isabella's point was that the people would only feel at ease if Ferda could counter Valdrova's notoriety.

"Besides, you have no intention of kicking them out, do you?"

"That's true."

He had taken in those who fled because they weren't managed properly, so what reason would there be to return them?

Anyway, he could understand what she was saying.

"The point is that I have a good reputation in the village."

"To the point where some people go around loudly claiming you must be the reincarnation of a saint."

It was a bizarre thing.

Ferda was neither a saint nor a man of virtue.

He was purely racing forward for Valdrova alone, and simply stopping at nothing to achieve that.

They say life is full of unpredictable twists and turns.

Wouldn't this be exactly that kind of situation?

Ferda put those thoughts aside and returned to the main point.

"If cutting off his head isn't an option..."

Since the simplest method wasn't viable, he tried to figure out another plan.

"That is not the only problem."

Isabella didn't even give him time for that and moved on to another topic.

"What else is there?"

"If we include the minor things, there are a lot, but as a prime example, there is a fierce clash of opinions among the wall architects."

She pushed a piece of paper forward,

"Adventurers are trying to collect protection fees by district, causing friction with the shopkeepers."

Another piece of paper.

"Also, some pink-haired girl walked by singing a weird song while people were praying, causing everyone to burst into laughter and lose their solemnity. They are currently petitioning to have her caught and beaten."

"Pink hair..."

He felt he knew exactly who that pink-haired girl was without even looking.

"Amidst such complaints and chaos, there is someone intentionally eating away at your reputation, Regent. There is undoubtedly an agitator."

Agitators existed wherever you went.

Those who grew up in wealthy families or places where they could receive sufficient education, drawing in the commoners based on their knowledge and eloquence.

In a city like this, with a short history and a lack of established systems, the commoners were perfect prey for agitators.

"Can I beat the crap out of that guy?"

"I also intend to beat the crap out of him, but I cannot find any leads."

That was a somewhat surprising story.

"You can't track him?"

"That is correct. It is embarrassing for me to admit, but he is incredibly elusive."

"Hmm..."

She was a descendant of Iorga, the Aspect of Magic.

For her to be unable to track him meant that the opponent was no pushover either.

'So it's not a simple agitator.'

It was likely a pure demon-like bastard who preferred chaos over power.

"Anyway, I believe it would be best for you to settle these accumulated issues in one go."

Isabella said as she set the documents down in front of him.

"We should hold a council meeting."

"You're telling me to face the commoners and talk to them."

"It is the smoothest way to settle things."

Settle it smoothly.

Ferda did not like the word 'smoothly.'

Did someone commanding the masses really need to be gentle?

He thought he should come out strong instead.

'But Isabella is better at these things.'

Isabella must have also considered cutting off the top head to normalize the situation.

If so, she wouldn't have come to suggest this.

The council meeting was something worth considering.

'Come to think of it, it wouldn't be bad...'

There are times when the benefits of keeping someone alive outweigh what you get from killing them.

Wouldn't right now be exactly that kind of situation?

"Understood. I will proceed with the council meeting."

"Yes. I will schedule it then."

Isabella bowed and withdrew.

Ferda immediately took out a telepathic communication crystal ball and connected it somewhere.

[-This is Lise, the liaison of the Pascal trading company, greeting the Regent. How may I help you?]

"This is Regent Ferda Valdrova. Is the general manager there right now?"

[-The general manager is here right now. Shall I connect you?]

"Please do."

A moment later, Stephan's voice could be heard.

[-I greet the Regent. Did you perhaps contact me regarding the strike incident?]

His sources were fast. To think he would get straight to the point.

"I did."

[-I was actually thinking I should take measures for you regarding that matter anyway, so if you need help, please do not hesitate to tell me!]

His confident voice was truly reliable.

"I do need your help. I'm going to hold a council meeting, how do you think it will unfold?"

[-If it is a council meeting... I have also done quite a few. I believe this type of confrontation against a lord is mostly directly related to power.]

"Power, you say..."

If there is power, money naturally follows.

The feeling of being looked down upon was not pleasant.

"So you're saying I just need to give them that power."

[-You might not like giving it to them, but there is a way to preserve your power like that.]

"What do you mean?"

Stephan spoke with a voice brimming with confidence.

[-Just trust me. I will turn them into puppets that you can torment for a long, long time.]

Hestia village, construction site.

The location where the Hestia trading company was scheduled to move in had currently been transformed and occupied under the name of the Far Eastern Labor Union (Provisional).

The leader there was none other than the director, Hanson.

He had succeeded in forming the provisional union by enticing other directors and foremen.

"Well, do you think they'll listen to us...?"

One of the foremen sitting on the floor asked cautiously.

"No matter how I think about it, it doesn't seem like the higher-ups will allow this kind of behavior..."

"Hey, don't say such deflating things."

"Weren't you the one who came saying you wanted to get paid a bit more, and now you say that! Back out even now, then!"

"No, I'm just anxious, that's all..."

Faced with the fierce backlash from the other foremen, he had no choice but to tuck his tail in.

Hanson was waiting with his arms crossed and a blunt expression.

'I'm anxious to death too.'

He had been full of dreams before committing to this.

But right now, he felt like a death row inmate awaiting execution.

Even so, it wasn't like he could stop.

Having already climbed onto the tiger's back, he had no choices left.

'Still, they won't be able to do anything rash...'

The reason Hanson could act with such nerve was because he had a reliable ally.

'The armor knight.'

A monstrous strength that could lift 11 logs barehanded!

Outstanding martial prowess capable of killing two demonic creatures single-handedly!

Although she incited fear, she was the most respected figure in this village.

The biggest reason Hanson could commit such a reckless act was because the armor knight had also agreed to it.

And the other directors and foremen also trusted that armor knight.

In fact, she was the focal point of the unity they had formed.

And that focal point was sitting next to Hanson.

'Right, because we have the armor knight.'

'Nothing bad will happen.'

Although they had never spoken once due to the Vow of Silence, there was a belief that she would help in an emergency.

A moment later, someone opened the door and entered.

Sleek glasses and intellectual eyes.

Her appearance, wearing a red uniform engraved with the Valdrova crest, gave a professional and overbearing impression.

Their blood ran cold.

They were all wearing headbands with the phrase 'If not life, then death!' written on them.

"I have finished speaking with the Regent."

Isabella said.

"Please prepare your demands. A council meeting will be held in a week."

"A council meeting... Are you saying we will have a face-to-face discussion with the Regent?"

"That is correct. He will listen to your grievances, so I would appreciate it if you could prepare in the meantime."

Their faces showed half-doubt.

If it were the Empire, they would have silently disappeared and that would be the end of it, and if it were another village, they would have been forcibly dispersed by a raid from the security guards.

But to listen to their story instead of using force.

"And since he has agreed to consult with you, please halt the ongoing strike and return to your livelihoods."

At those words, the foremen shifted in their seats, ready to get up.

"No."

The one who said that was none other than the labor union head, Hanson.

Hanson spoke, straining his neck.

"Telling us to work when you haven't even offered us any conditions yet. Does that make sense?"

The men looked back and forth between Hanson's face and Isabella's face with troubled expressions.

Isabella replied calmly.

"We cannot leave the construction site neglected in a situation where there are no immediate replacements. We will increase your wages to 150% of the current rate and—"

"Wages are not the issue. People died, so what will you do if the exact same thing happens again?"

"Hey now..."

The foremen walked on eggshells between the two, their hands hovering in midair, having lost their destination.

Hanson was blowing things out of proportion.

When he had listened to the young mage, it went like this.

[-They will tell you to return to your livelihoods.]

[-What do we do then?]

[-You must absolutely not accept it. If you return to your livelihoods, you will also be looked down upon. They will say, 'Ah, even if the ignorant masses act up like that, they'll risk the danger again if we just offer them money.']

[-Hmm...]

[-Above all, the power you stand to gain will weaken.]

Hooked by those words, Hanson had responded exactly as the mage said.

Of course, his current 'whatever happens, happens' mindset played a big part.

His audacity had already gone through the roof, so what was a little more?

Isabella stared fixedly at the face of the man making such claims.

The children of Iorga, who represented coldness.

But this coldness had a different texture.

It dug into the heart and made everything stop.

Just as the Iorga was about to speak, Hanson felt a sharp poke on his shoulder.

Startled, he looked back, and the armor knight was there.

Calming his startled heart, Hanson asked.

"Hoo, hoo... What is it, Sir Knight?"

The armor knight had taken a Vow of Silence.

So instead of speaking, she merely shook her head.

Hanson immediately grasped her intention.

"Are you saying we should go work?"

Nod, nod.

He hadn't gotten what he wanted, but he couldn't push it any further here either.

If the person acting as their focal point was saying that, what else could he do?

"Since the knight has said so... Understood. We will return to work immediately. But if Demons appear again and it becomes dangerous..."

"I will take responsibility in my own capacity."

A chill settled in Isabella's eyes.

"What responsibility will you take?"

"I..."

Hanson did not answer.

Making a mockery of the phrase 'If not life, then death' written on his headband, he couldn't guarantee anything.

Isabella let out a sigh as if the wind had been taken out of her sails.

"That is enough. Let us end this squabble here and go back."

Isabella spoke shortly and clearly, then disappeared.

The foremen, who had been holding their breath, swept their hands over their chests in relief.

"Phew!"

"That really shook me to the core."

"It's a good thing it worked out, because if it had gone wrong, we wouldn't have been able to work here again..."

"Come on, let's go to work too. Ugh! Sitting around like scholars made my whole body stiff!"

The foremen left through the door one by one.

At that moment, a middle-aged man standing at the very back glanced around before quietly approaching Hanson.

He was a man who had come here as a refugee and had worked diligently to rise to the position of foreman.

"Director Hanson, don't do that from now on."

He warned with a murderous expression.