Elias gave a faint smile and shrugged his shoulder, the one without the crutch.
He quietly asked the councilor, "Do you enjoy leaving logic out of the equation?"
"Pardon?"
"The conclusion that some mosquitoes in the experimental group possess five times the attack power of the control group is a result derived from the mosquitoes that survived against minuscule odds."
"Yes, Duke Elias. That is precisely the problem here."
"Let's hear what the problem is."
Elias smiled indulgently and nodded.
The councilor raised his voice, veins bulging. "What Your Grace is suggesting is that we spend a full 500 million phel to deal with one or two super mosquitoes that might appear by chance, when we could simply eradicate the contaminated mosquitoes in Mephen! The uninformed might call this passive administration, but this is over-administration. It's a waste of taxpayer money on unnecessary things."
On the surface, it sounded like a reasonable and valid argument.
But it missed the most crucial point.
Elias, looking utterly incredulous, opened his mouth and spoke after a long pause. "It seems you're unaware that mosquitoes can fly."
"..."
"I know."
"And it also seems you're unaware that what this research suggests is not merely that 'after several generations, four incredibly strong mosquitoes appeared.'"
Elias tilted his eyebrows exaggeratedly and smiled. "You must have been quite proud. The research report highlighted the mosquitoes' power in its conclusion, but you, Councilor, focused on the number of mosquitoes from a new perspective. You must have been very pleased with yourself for catching a blind spot no one else did."
"Now, see here—"
"Then let's think about it this way. Why haven't insects been considered a threat until now? Why has insect contamination become such an issue?"
"..."
"It's because to withstand contaminated mana, the host itself must be strong. But what have we learned now? We've learned that even something as small and fragile as an insect can clearly carry contaminated mana. Ah, don't worry. We're not the only ones who just found out. Phleroma only learned it this year too."
Elias, who had been pouring out words like a madman, suddenly closed his mouth and gave a small clap. "No, I should phrase it as 'Phleroma has finally discovered even this' for the Councilor to understand."
The councilor just stared silently at Elias.
"Do you see? This research isn't one that needs to fixate on mosquito numbers or ratios like you do, Councilor. We have merely learned that mosquitoes can carry mana strong enough to be called 'super mosquitoes.' That is what this research suggests."
"Duke, we know that. Let's move on to more productive topics…"
As the situation turned unfavorable, another councilor stood up to stop Elias.
Elias waved a hand at him and raised his voice. "In short! Since it's possible to load that much mana onto a mosquito, Phleroma can mass-produce such 'super mosquitoes' and release them across the nation. That is our point, and it is what the Imperial Family, the Parliament, and the magical privileged class, who must protect the safety of the people, should recognize and prepare for. That's it."
The chamber fell silent. No one dared to speak carelessly.
Elias looked around the quieted council seats and the clerks' desks, then smiled. "It seems it's not the time for the Councilor to question others' sense of reality."
"..."
He pulled it off perfectly.
No, that expression fell short.
He was succeeding far more than expected.
Elias Hohenzollern
Impression: +4.5 (+1.5)
The impression score he had opened just in case had skyrocketed insanely in just one hour.
'1.5 points in an hour.'
For a positive impression increase, it was an unbelievably high rate.
Countless people across the nation were evaluating Elias more and more highly.
'Clearly, showing my face nationally helps improve impression scores.'
Of course, it was still too early to relax.
The other side had likely used up all the arguments they had prepared, and if they felt cornered, they would act shamelessly without logic.
They probably hadn't prepared that hard in the first place, since their opponent was Elias.
If they came out like that, Elias would have no choice but to respond in kind.
Then, another councilor spoke. "That's too premature an assumption. Above all, there's no guarantee they will succeed in mass production."
"...Hah."
Elias couldn't help but let out an outright scoff.
"Usually in such cases, one says 'We share that concern,' doesn't one? I hope you don't forget that your duty is not to argue with me but to ensure the safety of the people."
"Duke, you are not here to lecture us."
"Ah, yes. I wanted to try using a phrase I picked up somewhere. Done? So, what will you do if Phleroma succeeds?"
It wasn't a phrase picked up somewhere; that was likely their original thought.
The reason he occasionally lightened the tone like this after speaking properly the whole time was because he was conscious of the Emperor.
"We can allocate a new budget then. It won't be too late."
"It will be late. They will have succeeded in mass production by then."
As it seemed a series of foolish questions would follow, a mage from the Public Safety Bureau stopped the councilor and spoke up himself. "We understand the anxiety and fear Your Grace carries. But by that logic, magical beasts are also a threat. We were planning to report it next week, so we hadn't mentioned it earlier, but we suspect that is also Phleroma's doing."
"Ah, yes. Well said. I personally explored the restricted zone, and there was another problem."
"There is no problem. We conduct periodic inspections—"
"There was. The evidence is on my body, but perhaps you can't see it."
Elias gestured toward his leg.
"They clearly said it was an upper-class restricted zone, so I prepared exactly according to the Public Safety Bureau's manual, but a situation unfolded that could be called top-class or beyond, you see? I fell from a cliff after being poisoned by contaminated air before I could even properly use magic."
"This is not the place to discuss personal negligence—"
"How far do I have to explain?!"
Elias shouted and slammed the table.
"Let me be blunt. The barrier grades need adjustment. From the existing 15, 5, 1 to 8 lower, 8 middle, 3 upper, and 2 top-class. The budget, including purification costs, will total 11.5926 billion phel. The data has already been submitted to your side."
"...Good heavens, 11.5 billion..."
"Duke, you keep bringing up such unrealistic talk. This is problematic."
"This does not align with the main topic of this session. Let's discuss it in depth on another occasion."
I opened my mouth at the councilor's words. "No, it is related. A barrier that doesn't match the contamination level facilitates the escape of contaminated animals. Insects, included among animals, are naturally the same."
The Public Safety Bureau mage, who had been grimacing while listening to us, shook his head as if he could take no more. "As I said earlier, we understand the anxiety felt by the Duke and yourself. But—"
"Is the problem my anxiety or the safety of the people?"
"Of course it's the latter. But right now, you are so frightened that you are overestimating Phleroma, inciting public sentiment, and distorting reality. The budget is limited. We cannot recklessly pour funds in advance just because a slight possibility of danger appears. Therefore, we have prepared an adjustment plan to ensure the people's safety as much as possible."
Elias nodded as if to say, go on.
"Once a month. We will investigate the period when mosquitoes complete one cycle and produce a new generation, then apply purification magic."
"...Hmm."
Elias laughed.
"Sorry to say, but mosquitoes aren't the only bugs that bite people."
"..."
A look of 'oops' flashed across the other's face.
He calmly replied again with a cool expression. "If we go that far, as I said, the budget would be excessively invested. Regarding various insect groups, we thought Phleroma's research and development speed wouldn't be that fast either, and considering accessibility and symbolism derived from size and habitat, they would prioritize mosquitoes over other bugs."
What nonsense.
The problem itself was that contaminated mana could be loaded onto creatures like insects, which have difficulty withstanding magic.
If it becomes possible to load it stably onto one insect, loading mana onto others is just a matter of time.
'Even with lowered expectations...'
I didn't think they'd fail to apply it no matter how much we talked. It's more fascinating than expected.
I slowly refuted his words. "Once successful, applying it to other insects will proceed rapidly. Insects with short growth periods can breed within a month and cause damage, so please consider measures in light of the fact that mana can be loaded onto insects themselves. No matter the budget issues, devising measures to achieve maximum effect at minimum cost is the Public Safety Bureau's job, isn't it?"
"Yes, of course. It hasn't even been a week since this incident, so there are shortcomings. Please be understanding."
He spoke while looking alternately at me and the broadcast camera.
Call that an answer. He must think that will play well with the public...
I summoned my status window just in case.
Lucas René Ascanien
Impression: -9.9 (+0.1) [+3.8009128]
It definitely started at 2 points, but 3.8?
The impression score is rising steadily.
The reflected benefit from such a shoddy answer is quite substantial.
Then Elias spoke. "Let me ask just in case, what about the regions?"
"That part will be announced later through the Imperial Newspaper."
This meant they had no intention of purifying all 21 zones and, if possible, would decide which zones to purify based on public opinion, keeping it as minimal as possible.
"..."
"...Let me guess. 'We will support regular purification magic for Mephen and nearby restricted zones'—that seems like a decent show of goodwill, right? Is that really the plan?"
"Duke Elias."
"I'm just curious. Mephen and its nearby restricted zones are significant in that there are only two, all the way to Osnabrück."
"The government strives to distribute the budget as efficiently as possible through cost-benefit analysis. All projects and budget proposals are results reviewed by the Imperial Economic Research Institute under the Imperial Family."
A universal answer.
Slippery.
"Yes, right. Since you're not denying it, it must be similar. I guess you can't arbitrarily change plans before approval? Everyone must be beating their chests over your rock-bottom flexibility and improvisational skills. I'll give you a chance to explain now, before you get an earful back at your office. Go ahead."
The Public Safety Bureau mage furrowed his brow deeply and began to lose his temper. "What on earth are you talking about? It's not that simple a problem. Mephen, including Osnabrück, is the most dangerous region in terms of insect contamination. If we focus simply on how many zones get purified, tax money will be wasted uselessly—"
At those words, Elias looked at him with a sneer.
He had already gotten what he wanted.
These guys had no intention of purifying all 21 zones.
Successfully needled them.
As expected, if you're going to step into politics, you need someone who goes all out like Elias.
"Hold on! Such questions are unproductive. Let's skip them due to time constraints."
The Vice Speaker glared at the Public Safety Bureau mage and cut him off.
If this explanation continued, it would amount to admitting they only intended to purify a portion.
'Must have reaped quite a reflected benefit this time too.'
Now, it was time to slowly check the favorability changes of those present.
I tuned out the discourse and looked around at people's faces.
[Favorability 0*]
[Favorability +1*]
[Favorability +3]
[Favorability +5]
[Favorability +2*]
Aside from the increase in those marked with an asterisk, it was mostly similar to before.
'Could they not be here?'
Someone from the existing faction in favor should be showing a sharp drop in favorability toward me by now.
Because they should support the barrier—that is, the creation of restricted zones—so Phleroma can run rampant within them.
'...Ah.'
No.
I needed to judge flexibly.
Around the time I started scribbling numbers in my notebook while looking at people's faces, Elias grinned and raised his voice.
"Respected Vice Speaker."
The Vice Speaker narrowed his eyes suspiciously, as if doubting he had misheard a statement fit for a court.
"I have well understood the opinions of the government and the Parliament. Then, what will you do if Phleroma succeeds in mass-producing contaminated mosquitoes and a disaster strikes? Will the Vice Speaker and the government take responsibility?"
"Such an event is not likely to occur easily."
"Why not?"
"Before a disaster occurs, the Imperial Family will respond at the most appropriate time, in the most efficient manner. As it always has. I would like Your Grace to first present the basis for your belief otherwise."
Now they too were starting to give almost automated responses.
Elias was at a loss for words, his mouth agape.
Then he let out a snort of laughter.
"Sounds like you want to have a childish argument. The Imperial Family will handle it right before things blow up, so you don't want to spend money now?"
"Please maintain decorum. Remember where you are standing, Duke."
"My apologies, Vice Speaker. I never intended to undermine the authority of the Parliament."
Elias drooped his eyebrows and then showed that peculiar smile again.
Then he picked up a black box placed on the table and, supported by an aide, walked to the front of the Vice Speaker's seat.
"...!"
I stopped writing and looked at him.
"Evidence... Right. I should provide evidence. I will provide you with modest materials that might change your mind, Vice Speaker. Please open it."
Elias hooked his crutch over his arm, staggered, and almost threw the small box to the Vice Speaker.
—-----------
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