Chapter 22 (2/2)

However, standing before him is a grim-faced Eagle.

「It is good to see the king in good health. But without delay, there are some things we need to discuss.」

He hurriedly tells the king about how the treasury coffers are running dry, but Louis waves his hands as if it was troublesome to talk about.

「I’ll leave the matters of the national treasury to you, old man. That kind of stuff is too difficult for me to understand.」

And while saying these words and an “ahaha~” he smiled and laughed it off.

Though this kind of king was popular with commoners and n.o.bles alike, it was unfortunate that he lacked the ability to see reality for what it was.

「No. I’ll have you listen without fail. Firstly, in regards to Hero Artemis’ 400th Anniversary Festival…」

It’s said as good advice that when the national economy is rough, one should not waste money on things like festivals.

「Even so, when the economy is bad, people become tense. Furthermore, Soleil said the ones who have it the worst are the lower cla.s.s. So at least the festival should be a blast…」

「As for that, only through promoting and developing the country’s business infrastructure will it lead to future growth in revenue when money reaches the pockets of the citizens, only then do they benefit. Looking at these payments, the only gold entering any pockets are those of the merchants who colluded with the Minister of International Trade and Industry. It is not related to improving the lives of your people at all!」

Eagle approaches the king with the income and expenditure list for the festival, and emphasizes the list showing the payees. Certainly it is shown that only the larger merchants were being paid good amounts of money.

「I get it, I get it. It would be good if I could think like you, old man.」

Louis waves his hand aside and tries to parry the matter.

「…then, next up is concerning the gambling debts incurred by Antoinette-sama…」

「Y-you see, I too am a bit troubled about that, it’s sort of like a disease with her…」

Louis scratches his head and shows a bit of an embarra.s.sing face.

「…Then I trust you will leave the matter of her debt collection to me?」

「I-I’ll leave it to you.」

Louis apologised to Eagle.

「Finally, on the matter of the loan to the knights.」

「Ah, there was no helping that. When you see someone in trouble, you should help them unselfishly. Furthermore, if they are my subjects and I am their king, isn’t it all the more reason to lend a hand?」

Louis said this while looking Eagle right in the eyes. It was evident this was a matter of the King’s pride.

However, Eagle stubbornly returned that stare.

「Who was it that reported that to the King?」

「H-hmm? I wonder who it was…?」

And just as Louis shamefully avoids eye contact,

「It’s useless to feign ignorance. Besides, it makes no difference who it was who whispered it to the ear of your majesty.」

「S-saying whispered sounds a bit scandalous! These were all my own thoughts…」

「……」

「…E-Except for… the advice I received from Grand Knight Rudolf. That “in return for loaning the knights the money interest-free, I would be showing the magnanimity of the crown, and bolster their loyalty”.」

Unable to bear the weight of Eagle’s gaze, Louis immediately gave up the name of the person pulling the strings.

「And because of that, the burden was pushed onto the treasury because you failed to see how this will ruin the kingdom’s economy! Knights should be supporting the country, but now they’re jeopardizing it instead!」

「I-It’ll be alright. If it comes to it, I can just borrow…」

「Oh? Borrow from whom?」

「……」

And Louis finally rested his eyes on Eagle.

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