The vice-chairman frowned at the small black box Elias had tossed to him.
"What is this?"
"Important materials I prepared personally."
"...Materials? Anyone who threatens the safety of the participants or disrupts this meeting will face severe penalties. Can you guarantee this is safe?"
"Yes, I swear it."
The vice-chairman swept a suspicious glance over Elias's face and the box. He looked at Elias once more, then opened the lid.
"Wait...!"
Before my warning could fully leave my mouth, the color drained from his face in an instant.
"G-gah! Aaaah!"
*Crash—!*
As he shot to his feet, his leg hit the desk, producing the sound of something breaking.
Simultaneously, the other council members, grasping the situation, leapt up.
"What is it? Mosquitoes?!"
"Get out! Now!"
In a flash, chaos erupted.
The councilors' screams and the sound of toppling chairs merged into a cacophony.
"Stop pushing!"
"Out! Out!"
"How could you do this here...!"
The vice-chairman's voice leaked in from outside the door.
Elias looked that way and smiled.
"What did I do?"
"You have to ask?! Huh?!"
"I handed over a box containing two mosquitoes. That's all. For the record, they're male."
"That's all? Is that all you have to say?!"
"N-now, wait a moment, Vice-Chairman. Perhaps..."
One councilor stopped him and whispered something to another.
A councilor by the door gestured at me, pointing alternately at the mosquitoes and my wand.
"...Lord Nikolaus. A purification, if you please."
I drew my wand and cast a purification spell.
Silence.
Nothing happened.
"..."
"Don't tell me..."
"They are ordinary mosquitoes."
Elias looked at the guards pointing their wands at him and raised his hand—the one not holding the cane—beside his head.
Then he shrugged.
"The Vice-Chairman clearly stated there would be no problems. He said the Imperial Family could prepare before any disaster struck. With such firm conviction, where did this impure thought that these might be tainted mosquitoes come from?"
"W-well, who wouldn't be startled if you suddenly shoved mosquitoes in their face?!"
"Then does the Pleroma give advance warning before it arrives?"
"..."
Of course it doesn't. As Elias's intent in causing this scene became clear, the chamber fell silent again.
Someone, sensing the disadvantage, frantically signaled the broadcast mages to cut the feed.
Elias looked at the councilors with a serious expression.
"This is the material I am presenting. You all acted so nonchalantly, I naturally assumed you wouldn't be startled by something of this level. You didn't even consider this an issue, so why are you now frightened by mere mosquitoes?"
"Listen here! Make some sense!"
"The ones who haven't been making sense are all of you! Councilors, you boldly declared there was no problem even while the entire nation was under threat from murderous mosquitoes, yet you were the first to flee from common mosquitoes you could see in any neighborhood. I'm touched. Since you're already leaving, why not vacate your Senate seats as well?"
The councilors, furious, pointed fingers and hurled insults at Elias.
Amid the atmosphere thrown into chaos by the councilors' uproar, I opened my status window.
Seeing the protagonist's insane antics from the novels play out in reality like this was a novel experience.
When just reading, I breezed through it thinking things would work out somehow even after causing a scene, but being here, alive and breathing on the scene, all sorts of thoughts flooded in.
But the most crucial and important result would be the opposite of my worries.
Elias Hohenzollern
Impression: +5.4 (+0.9)
5.4 points.
Just ten minutes ago, it was 4.5.
Based on experience, raising it by 0.1 points in a week was quite difficult even with a positive status.
Yet now, he had pulled out a 0.9 point increase in a mere ten minutes.
That was how fed up the people were with councilors who pushed safety aside and only cried about insufficient budgets.
Federal Council members were mostly nobles, or individuals of comparable wealth.
Living in territories and mansions wrapped in five or six layers of protective barriers, they had never suffered from tainted mana, nor would they ever.
So this issue couldn't resonate with them on a personal level.
It could only be seen as a matter of their precious money leaking away.
To them, Elias had simply reflected the people's situation back at them.
Ethical issues were secondary. The instinctive catharsis felt by the people was manifesting as Elias's impression value.
Legal repercussions to follow aside, looking solely at the result of the planned action, it couldn't be more successful.
'I was a bit flustered... but putting the protagonist in this position was a good choice.'
"You wouldn't still be thinking of talking about budgets to citizens who will face tainted mosquitoes firsthand, after causing this fuss over ordinary ones, would you?"
Elias let out a tired, scoffing laugh.
He looked at the broadcast camera and raised an eyebrow.
"Since I'm reminded, let me say hello. Uncle, thank you as always. I know this is your will."
At the mention of the Emperor's will, the chamber instantly fell silent.
"...No, get him out. Out, quickly."
The vice-chairman, who had somehow returned inside the chamber, muttered with a face that looked twenty years older, supported by his aides.
The mages who had been dismantling the broadcast spell on the councilor's orders since earlier now sped up their incantations.
Elias strode decisively up to the broadcast camera and spoke in a clear voice.
"I know I chose the wrong method. I apologize for the disturbance, Your Majesty. Lord Nikolaus is not at fault; I alone will bear the punishment."
"Stop! Get out! The Vice-Chairman has ordered your removal!"
"Just drag him out! No, is the Imperial News still broadcasting?! Who's maintaining the connection right now?!"
"I could not persuade them without presenting this material. All citizens of our Empire who watched the address will agree. What I wished to convey, my sincerity, I believe Your Majesty understands as well."
The moment he finished speaking, the broadcast spell was completely dismantled.
* * *
"We will resume after a five-minute recess."
Leo's aide announced, looking over the reporters.
Right now, I am at a press conference where Bavaria is stating its official position on the insect contamination incident.
And the events in the parliament...
Despite the unimaginable scene, it was a success.
[Over 50,000 citizens of Mephen-Osnabrück express support for Elias Hohenzollern & Nikolaus Ernst]
[In Bavaria and other southern Empire regions, wave of support for Duke Elias surges despite regional sentiments]
[First 'Call for Parliament Dissolution' rally in Empire's history held... profound disappointment with public address]
[Spontaneous protests in 58 regions nationwide after address, dispersed within 2 hours on Chancellor's recommendation]
No, it wasn't a success 'despite the scene,' it was more accurate to say it gained an explosive reaction *because* of that scene.
*Bzzt—* The last article seemed to have been censored, disappearing as I read it.
Soon after, the third article was also neatly erased.
'This country is going to ruin soon.'
Anyway, it wasn't just simple support we gained.
[Administrative Order from His Majesty Emperor Friedrich: "Weekly Purification for 21 Contaminated Zones Nationwide"]
["Nephew Duke Elias, words and actions excessively harsh, requires caution... but his intent is quite commendable" Interview with His Majesty Emperor Friedrich (1)]
Our demand was also accepted.
Seeing the terrifying level of national support rallying to Elias, the Emperor quickly pivoted from his indifferent stance, beginning to both reprimand and praise Elias.
Trying to play the role of the desirable uncle according to his own benefit was remarkably similar to someone.
And then...
*Ding—!*
〈 Chapter 4. Constant Dripping Wears Away the Stone (2) 〉
Proposal 2: Achieve [Impression] score of 5 (1/1) (47h 38m 12s)
* Route 1 — 〈 Chapter 4 Special Reward 〉
* Route 2 — 〈 Chapter 5. Do Not Praise the Day Before Evening Falls 〉
This proposal also succeeded.
According to the original calculation, I would have barely succeeded by the deadline only after several planned events following the address, but the single address completely filled the impression value to 5 points.
*Ding—!*
Congratulations!
'Proposal 2: 'Achieve [Impression] score of 5' successful!'
'Route 1 — 〈 Chapter 4 Special Reward 〉' is confirmed.
'Hmm.'
I wish I could open this later, not now.
I don't know what the reward will be, or if it can be deferred, but if my hypothesis that rewards and status windows are provided according to the situation is correct, there will be a more needed time.
Perhaps because I wished to defer it, or because this system thought the same from the start, the window really didn't proceed.
I'll assume I can use it later.
Anyway...
Nikolaus's impression score is still rising at this very moment.
Lucas René Ascanien
Impression: -9.9 (+0.1) [+5.0000099]
In the blink of an eye, the numbers kept changing.
Lucas René Ascanien
Impression: -9.9 (+0.1) [+5.0000105]
Elias's original impression score was 3, Narke's was a question mark.
And most students fluctuated between 1 and 5 points.
Judging that Leo's impression score is +10, it's highly likely my brother also has a perfect impression score.
Since Nikolaus hides his face, there's a limit to gaining human-like favorability.
Reaching 10 might be difficult, but I need to get at least 8, or a stable 9, so that I won't be easily shaken by my brother's schemes when my identity is later revealed.
In that sense, this choice was correct.
To gain great profit, one must take commensurate risks.
Of course, that also means I must adapt to points like this.
I looked down at my arm lowered beneath the press conference table.
The manacle perfectly blocked the mana flowing through my hand.
The fact that the people view me favorably even though Elias caused the scene means, in other words, I've naturally been recognized as part of his faction.
So I was detained along with him.
'Damn...'
I could only let out a hollow laugh.
As expected. It didn't have to be this predictable.
I never thought I'd get to wear silver bracelets here that I've never even seen in real life.
Not that I blame Elias.
He made the choice that could elicit the best reaction in that situation, and I, knowing his potential, entrusted him with the lead in this matter knowing full well he always causes scenes beyond imagination.
The success criteria of this matter does not hinge on detention or arrest.
This fight is a large-scale psychological war.
From the start, the possibility of going to jail over this was close to zero, but even if, by some chance, the state imprisoned us, if the public shielded us, the ultimate victory would be ours.
'If I didn't want to take the risk, I should have just stayed away from the protagonist.'
I judged the gains from being with him would outweigh the losses, and indeed, my impression score rose so rapidly it achieved the proposal two whole days early.
My mental health might take a beating, but in terms of the plan's efficiency and effect, it far exceeded expectations.
"Let's begin."
The recess ended, and Leo returned to his seat.
I let my gaze sweep over the people filling the press room and the live broadcast equipment set up in the distance.
Right after the broadcast ended, I was detained along with Elias, then moved temporarily to Bavarian territory with Leo acting as guarantor.
It was to give the previously scheduled report on Bavaria's contamination status.
However, as Elias's investigation wasn't complete yet, I had my mana restricted due to flight risk.
"As reported in writing on the day of the incident, as of dawn on November 3rd, purification has been completed in all five restricted zones within the Kingdom of Bavaria. I reiterate that no contaminated insects have been found in Bavaria's restricted zones."
Leo, seated at the long table in the press room, looked over the crowd with an amplification spell active.
"Our kingdom will, in accordance with Imperial policy, secure two mages capable of using divine power and execute weekly purifications within the deadline."
"Has there been any discussion on which mages will be responsible for Bavaria's restricted zones?"
A question came from one side of the room.
Our demand was accepted, but here was another point where the Imperial Family didn't disappoint expectations.
Due to the shortage of mages capable of using divine power, the Imperial Family issued the astonishing directive that kingdoms and duchies within the Empire should find their own mages to fulfill the purification quota.
Since the Imperial Family itself also constituted a 'kingdom' within the Empire, they naturally monopolized the mages registered from various regions.
'They can really do politics without a shred of shame.'
Of course, it's none of my business how they do politics.
I'm actually all the more grateful the more they act like this.
"Thankfully, Lord Nikolaus here has agreed to take responsibility for Bavaria's restricted zones from the moment the contamination issue was discovered. I would like to express my gratitude once again from this seat."
The moment Leo finished speaking, camera flashes erupted.
With this, Nikolaus gained one more official position.
Another reporter spoke up.
"My understanding is that Lord Nikolaus has already received offers from eight grand duchies and duchies within the Empire, is that correct? I heard Hessen in particular promised Lord Nikolaus double the compensation."
Naturally, various regions were desperate to find suitable mages.
Because of that, numerous contacts had arrived at the Bavarian government seeking to recruit Nikolaus.
"Yes, that's correct."
"Then is there a reason you chose Bavaria over other nations?"
"I am a Bavarian citizen and a member of the Bavarian Royal Army. I will always remain loyal to our kingdom."
I gave the answer they most wanted to hear.
True to a nation with the pride of being the second most powerful state in the Empire, looks of satisfaction flashed across the faces of several Bavarian reporters.
'Shall I check again?'
Lucas René Ascanien
Impression: -9.9 (+0.1) [+5.0000139]
The last digits were 105 ten minutes ago, now it's 139.
The growth rate is gradually slowing.
I pushed the window to the corner of my vision and spoke as the camera shutter sounds and flashes began to subside.
"However, as a member of the Empire, I cannot turn a blind eye to the difficulties of fellow Imperial citizens. If there are regions that cannot secure a mage even after the government-recommended preparation period, I am willing to participate in purifications on other days, to the extent my divine power allows."
At that moment, one side of my vision flashed, and pristine white numbers changed at a rapid pace.
Lucas René Ascanien
Impression: -9.9 (+0.1) [+5.0005979]
From 139 to 5979.
The more the Imperial Family and the Imperial government make rotten statements and directives, the more grateful I am. This is precisely why.
—-----------
T/N:
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