Dream Life

Around 5pm on February 18th.

After Zacharias left the office of Duke Alexis Ezarrington, the Duke erased the grin that had floated until then.

He was feeling anxious.

Since Lord Feelobisher had built a system of tablets as a prime minister for twenty years, including Lord Ezarrington, he feels that the current system is immutable.

For that reason, I thought that as far as he was concerned, the handover would take place more carefully than usual. But I'm listening to Zacharias and making him feel like a crisis.

(I don't mind taking over the prime minister position, but I am concerned that Your Excellency is in such a hurry. It's obvious it's not just the reason Zacharias said it, but maybe you're not feeling well? If that's the case, it's obvious...)

I want to be sure of that straight away, but I just leaked it to Jeremiah, my man, and it's hard to confirm it directly. Because Jeremiah may be blamed later.

(Either way, if you have to hit something, you'll need to talk about it. That would be most natural to check then)

The Duke thought so and headed to the Chancellor's office in the name of discussing after the victory.

Lord Feelobisher is just finishing his duties today, welcoming Lord Ezarrington in a good mood.

"It's rare, I didn't know Lord Alexis would be here at this hour."

"No, I'm sorry to be back, but would you mind taking a moment?"

When Lord Ezarrington says with a serious look, the Chancellor also says, "I don't mind" and sits back in the chair.

"So, what's the story?" I loosen my expression with a hoot.

"I just wanted to ask, but somehow I know."

In that word Lord Ezzarington realizes that the Prime Minister had set it up from the beginning.

"You must have heard something from Jeremiah? I think he should talk to Lord Alexis, rather than think for himself."

Lord Ezarrington loosens his expression by saying, "You're no match for His Excellency,"

"I did hear it from Lord Jeremiah, but that's not all."

Was the word surprising, "Well, who else did it come from?" and lean his neck.

It's from Zacharias Lockhart.

So the Chancellor shakes his head small.

"Has that fool divulged so much importance to those who have publicly declared that they will not serve the Empire..."

That makes me slightly angry.

"Regardless of that, Lord Jeremiah and Zacharias have told me that His Excellency intends to speed up the takeover of the position of Chancellor. I know why you're here, but I don't think you're feeling well."

So the Chancellor said, "Huhahaha!" and laughed,

"I'm fine. Ten or twenty more years to live."

Lord Ezarrington tightens his expression again and stares firmly into the Prime Minister's eyes.

"So are you sure you have tried Lord Jeremiah?

"Exactly. My son can't rely on me. Sometimes I wanted to see how I would behave if I raised a sense of crisis. Of course, if you're going to take over early to Lord Alexis, I've never been over it."

"Your Excellency is also a bad person," he said, leaking a small sigh.

"So what has Zacharias been saying? I'm interested in you."

"I think I've come up with an interesting measure. He says..."

Lord Ezarrington will explain Zacharias' measures.

"... is to attach Lord Gabiston's support while wedging the two Crown Princes. I think that's a pretty well thought out measure."

"That's not a funny thing to think about. The measure of pulling out the Holy General deserves consideration. Now Archbishop Bernardino Rolfo is not doing well with Holy King Silvano II. It would be in the Empire's interest to widen that gap and create further chaos in his country."

The Archbishop of Phototheism, Rolfo, ascended to the supreme power of the Order by the Lasmore Village blockade three years ago and the Lockhart family heresy certification case.

On the other hand, the secular top Holy King Silvano II had a good relationship with the previous Archbishop Santini, so he has no good feelings for Rolfo, who pulled Santini down.

The ruling system of the Holy Kingdom of Luke is a dual rule of secularism headed by the Holy King and of the Order headed by the Archbishop General. And these two organizations are always competing to take the lead.

Initially, while competing with each other, the founding nations were working together towards the common goal of defeating empires, producing good results. But as times progressed, any organization corrupted, and now it's more about pulling each other's legs.

In that situation, the Holy King's Palace continued to turn to the rear in this war of punishment.

The Church adds to the situation and continues to accuse the defeat in the war of being an injustice to the Holy King's Palace, which heads the army.

But the officials of the Holy King's Palace were accusing each other, arguing that the cause was the result of the failure of the congregation's plot carried out before it and not their own fault.

The impersonation of that responsibility created further confusion for the military.

The Church sent its own hard-line clergy to lead the war. The seconded priests are lunatics who choose no means, kill frightened allies in disguise, and temporarily, but are pushing the Imperial Army into retreat.

But even the executives of the Holy King's Army with a strong electorate consciousness in this method were so gloomy as to raise their voices of condemnation. It further unnecessarily depletes the Beastly Slave Squad of the Tiger Son, significantly diminishing the Holy King's ability to carry on the battle.

As a result of these clashes, Luke's ruling system was unprecedented in turmoil.

"It's not about him. I would have made a suggestion after figuring that out. Even if it doesn't succeed, Luke will be further disrupted."

"You're right," Lord Etherlington nods.

"Defeating like this will not spare the departure of the Holy King. So the presence of the Holy Gentleman, who can push for responsibility, is a ship across for the Holy King's Office as well. Besides, if the Holy See is to appear, it is imperative that the Order gather more soldiers. The officials of the Holy King's Palace would think that if the odds of victory were to increase at all. No matter how many soldiers you gather, the victory of the Empire is unshakeable."

The Chancellor, like Lord Ezarrington and others, does not consider the possibility of defeat.

"Sure you will," Lord Ezarrington nodded, but with a slight look on his face.

"But the people of Luke are pathetic. If the Holy General comes out, many peasants will be conscripted and put in the hands of our army."

"It's pathetic, but that's why I'm gonna lose sympathetically."

So I ended this topic and said, "So who are you going to let implement this measure?" The Prime Minister confirms.

"I just want to say Zacharias, if you engage any more, you will even have influence over commercial guilds. I'd like to ask Lord Jeremiah, if I may."

"Consideration hurts," the Chancellor lowered his head, but there was a bitter smile on his face.

He thought his own man was neglectful of the plot and expressed his gratitude for the opportunity he had been offered as a venue for the experience.

Incidentally, the risk of failure remains, but I believe that there is no problem because we have not only this measure, but also another one.

The two packed up the details of the plot.

That night Jeremiah was in the study of the mansion to explain to Irving, her father, the plan for the construction of the distillery and the proposal for a law on the quality of distilled liquor.

Showing the plan prepared by Muirhead and others, explaining the bones of the plan, Irving nodded small by saying it was "stunning stuff".

Jeremiah relieves herself of the trick, but tightens her expression under the sharp gaze of her father.

"No matter how genius you are, what are you going to do when you're late for just sixteen children?"

I think Jeremiah is talking about this plan,

"Sure, the original proposal is at the hands of Zacharias, but it was recreated by Muirhead and others to suit the realities of the Empire. He wants you to acknowledge his efforts…"

The word is immediately denied by Irving as "not about it".

"That's what Non imposed on you."

So I realize that Jeremiah is talking about Lord Ezarrington's inauguration as Chancellor.

"Lord Alexis brought Zacharias' measures to Noah earlier. It's a terrible way to get familiar with Luke's political structure and even take into account his manners within the commercial guild."

When asked "what it is," Irving tells the exact story he heard from Lord Etherlington.

"... Zacharias, with Luke's dual ruling structure in mind, the power struggle between the Archbishops and the Holy Kings, skilfully intended to exploit the difference between the interests of the commercial guild Aurelia and the imperial capital."

Jeremiah had to wrap her tongue around that explanation.

(I can't think of anything. Only that I couldn't think of it was what I expected......)

Thinking about that,

"You don't have to think about it all yourself. No, lord, you should leave it to the minister. But that's not about throwing round. Well, Zacharias is neither a minister nor an ally. I can't believe the nerves entrust such a great deal to such a person."

Jeremiah thinks about how she should argue with her father's reprimand, but doesn't think he's any match for words, and she just apologizes.

"I'm sorry. I'll be careful not to do this in the future."

A look similar to giving up on Irving appears in that word.

"Why can't I argue? I got a better plan with my own hands. Why can't you claim that?"

Still, Jeremiah didn't open her mouth.

"While he was a prime minister, Non did not dare to take measures to develop his territory. That's not to avoid public-private confusion. But not in the future. We have to develop Phyllobisher in your place. Fortunately, Muirhead and other talented young people are growing up. It is the work of the lords who use it. That's where I don't know most about it."

Jeremiah still did not argue.

"Fair enough. That's what Zacharias did earlier, but do it. This is also the result of discussions with Lord Alexis. Failure will disrupt the Empire, but there's only so much we can do now."

Jeremiah finds out she has to use a merchant from a commercial guild to turn Lord Gabiston into an Ezarrington endorsement, and is stunned.

"It's impossible for me to do that!

"At this level, even sixteen girls (stomachs) can do it. You couldn't have done that after twenty years in the heart of the Empire."

"But..."

"Haven't we got more new ministers to use? Use them. Those who can make plans will help you."

Irving cared that Jeremiah had no one to call her belly.

Originally, the Firobischers had a narrower territory and fewer ministers than the other Dukes. If it is Ezarrington or Ingoalthrop, several counts will be named ministers, but so much so that in Phyllobisher the Viscount has served as head minister, the housekeeper.

"Use those men as a stepping stone," says Irving,

"I don't mind talking to Lord Alexis, but I don't mind talking to Zacharias. Of course not to Sharon Jakes."

Jeremiah kept a bewildered look on her face, bowing her head in silence and leaving the study behind.

Back in his room, Jeremiah haunts her head about challenges from her father.

(I don't know what your father thinks, but can I? Anyway, I'll have to call Muirhead and the others tomorrow morning to discuss the future......)

The next day he called three people, Leonard Muirhead, Umberto Renfield and Montague Underwood, to inform them that approval had been obtained for a distillery construction plan and a proposal for a law on the quality of distilled liquor.

Leonardo and the others bowed their heads heavily after putting on a relieved look.

"Thanks also to Master Jeremiah for this. Thank you."

And Umberto talks about the future with a full grin.

"I will also be discussing the Blacksmith Guild with Lord Zacharias this afternoon about his visit. May I tell Steven from us?"

"Mm-hmm. Tell them from the lords. He'll be happier too."

The three walked away after agreeing.

Jeremiah didn't cut out about his craftsmanship into a commercial guild.

(That's how passionate I am about my current job. You should let him concentrate... I mean I have to move directly, but what's the matter...)

So I think of the ministers who serve the Phyllobisher family.

(Lord Steven of the other house was able to find them. You can't possibly find me as a man...)

And summoned several ministers who thought they could be trusted.