Wasn’t This a Night Game

All the Companies are Going to Fail!!

“This is the whole story.”

Having returned to the conference room with the labor theorists, I explained everything that had happened to me in detail, in front of everyone. As soon as I finished my explanation, the factory owners and Bias Market pointed at the labor theorists with triumphant expressions.

“Among the labor theorists were devil worshippers, hidden away, and those worshippers suddenly revealed their true colors and attacked the Saint! What more do you need to see? *They* are the root cause of this entire affair, ignoring Imperial Law and running rampant!”

“What are you hesitating for? The Pantheon and the Black Bastion are both assembled here, aren’t they? Punish them! Seize them all and punish them on charges of heresy and criminal activity!”

At the factory owners’ words, the paladins of the White Order, standing behind Iomene, could be seen subtly placing their hands on the hilts of their swords.

“Saintess. What are your orders?”

“There’s ample justification for an investigation.”

The Inquisitors of the Black Bastion as well.

The priests of the Silent Order too.

The gazes of the factory owners and other members of the Imperial household upon the labor theorists were anything but benign.

Troublemakers.

Terrorists.

And on top of that, a group within which devil worshippers had been hiding.

There was no room to see them in a favorable light.

“Saint. Do you also agree, Saint?”

Iomene and Almene, and even the mages of the Magic Tower who quietly maintained their silence in a corner, and Erpa as well, did not cast favorable glances upon the labor theorists.

“Saint. These are the ones who harmed you, Saint. What are you hesitating for?”

Mayor Bias was practically urging me to have them executed outright.

Karl Lenaro and the labor theorists stared only at me, their faces tense.

They could defend themselves, but whatever they said, whatever reasons they gave, it was certain to be the ugly excuses of criminals.

And so, instead of them…

I opened my mouth.

“Punishment, you say. For what crime, precisely?”

“They committed illegal acts, and there were devil worshippers among them, so there is also the charge of heresy, I presume.”

“I understand devil worshippers were also found among the factory owners. Does that mean you too must be investigated on suspicion of heresy?”

At my words, the factory owners’ once happy expressions twisted uncomfortably.

“We are innocent! Besides, didn’t the pillar of light emanating from the Saint reveal all the Mammon worshippers, forcing their true forms to be known? The fact that we remain is proof enough of our innocence.”

“Then the labor theorists here are the same. You can consider them free from suspicion of heresy. And as for illegal acts…”

I looked out towards the conference hall’s exterior.

Though the paladins of the Pantheon and the Inquisitors of the Black Bastion had managed to calm things, the still-chaotic street was visible below, a consequence of the general strike I had incited.

“Is it not an illegal act to ruin the lives of the majority of the city’s citizens?”

The factory owners’ expressions turned unpleasant.

Mayor Byers adjusted his tie as he replied.

“Your Holiness. We operate our businesses entirely within the law. We’ve produced countless magical metals, and the Empire’s iron is almost entirely produced here, in the Scrap Yard.”

“And in exchange, you’ve driven the city’s entire working class into economic ruin, fostering the prosperity of the Mammon followers as a result.”

“……..Your Holiness. Your words are rather excessive.”

“Are they? Perhaps you should take a look at this?”

I distributed the Mammon followers’ future plans, confiscated by the White Order, to those gathered.

“This details how the Mammon followers intended to lead you, had I not intervened. Take a moment to examine it.”

The factory owners took the documents with some trepidation.

And before long.

“A great depression?!”

“We’re fueling an endless arms race to fight the Labor Theorists, keeping the populace in a constant state of unease?”

“Long-term stalemate due to the production of massive magical weaponry… Is this even possible?”

They displayed a reaction similar to that of the Labor Theorists.

After giving them all ample time to scrutinize the documents,

I spoke again.

“Let us consider the root cause of this entire situation.”

I gestured towards the window of the conference room.

Pointing to the opulent and meticulously maintained streets where the factory owners resided, and beyond them, the slums.

“The Mammon’s plan was to foment the capitalists’ greed and the Labor Theorists’ lust for power, creating an endless cycle of destruction. Perhaps it began in the Scrap Yard, but it would have affected the entire Empire.”

I looked at the factory owners and Mayor Byers.

“Do you know how the Scrap Yard workers live? Do you know the appalling conditions they endure? Do you understand why the Labor Theorists keep reappearing, no matter how many you imprison? It is because they already live in hell.”

Slowly,

I described all the scenes I had witnessed.

Three and five-year-old children cleaning chimneys.

Workers coldly discarded the moment they were injured.

People driven to suicide by starvation, throwing themselves into the river.

I spoke of those who were wasting away, unable to receive proper treatment, unable to live a proper life.

“I do not say that the Labor Theorists’ actions have been justified. Yes, they have blown up factories and attempted to assassinate business owners. But the underlying reason is that the system itself is broken.”

“Are you now defending the Labor Theorists, Your Holiness?”

Mayor Byers asked, his face filled with disbelief.

I shook my head.

“It’s not about advocating for them, but understanding their position. It’s about reflecting on your own faults that have driven them to the edge, creating people who’d rather pick up a gun than die in either direction.”

The factory owners stared at me, their faces stiff and unyielding.

But I had no intention of stopping.

“The Mammon followers are all dead. Perhaps that is a mercy. But if this situation persists, another demon lord will appear, devouring the pure resentment and souls that burst forth from their miserable lives, and growing in power. Do you wish to see a repeat of this?”

“……”

“So, instead of considering who to punish, I think it’s time to consider how we can improve the lives of those outside.”

I explained my plan.

The founding purpose of the Ministry of Labor and how it would operate in the future.

And the Grace Order and the Karma Company. I also explained how the Imperial Family would manage the Ministry of Labor.

“The exploitation of workers by capitalists must cease. The greed of capitalists must be tempered. The Labor Theorists are best suited for this role. They will spread throughout the empire, investigating and preventing the exploitation of workers by capitalists.”

The factory owners immediately protested my explanation.

“Are you saying these terrorists will investigate corporations with the backing of power?”

“They will undoubtedly nitpick and hinder corporate growth!!”

“It’s clear how corrupt these madmen will become if they seize power! This is an absurd idea!!”

I nodded.

“That is why the Ministry of Labor will be thoroughly overseen by the Pantheon and the Imperial Family. To keep their recklessness and corruption in check. Furthermore, priests of the Grace Order will work alongside the Ministry of Labor officials. To heal those injured by industrial accidents. They will never be allowed to consolidate power and monopolize all authority on their own.”

But the factory owners still seemed dissatisfied.

“This is tyranny!! You’re trying to kill healthy businesses!!”

“Your Holiness. It is very difficult for someone who doesn’t understand business to act in this way. If businesses fail, the imperial economy will surely collapse!”

Seeing the market administrator, Bias, and the factory owners continuing to resist, my brow furrowed naturally.

“If you find the activities of the Ministry of Labor bothersome, then simply avoid doing things that would invite criticism in the first place. Strive to improve the treatment of workers. If a worker is injured in an industrial accident, the company must take responsibility. Workers deserve to negotiate with you. If they request a raise, you have a duty to grant it within reasonable limits.”

“Doing that will ruin all the businesses!! Your Holiness!!”

“If things continue as they are, the entire empire will be ruined!! Will you continue to allow demon followers and evil god worshippers to suck the resentment of unhappy workers and grow stronger? I am truly asking for the bare minimum! Workers are people too! Shouldn’t we at least allow them to live like people!!”

My voice rose, and the factory owners’ voices subsided for a moment.

“The practice of cheaply employing children and adolescents under the age of 19 who have not yet reached adulthood must also cease! They should receive education, not labor! Also, strive for minimal employee welfare! You must provide meals for the workers and raise their wages to a level that allows them to live!”

I extended my hand to the factory owners as well.

“You do not wish for the resentment of unhappy workers to be consumed and for the forces of a demon lord to rise again, do you? Once was enough, wasn’t it? Workers are the same as you. Do not see them as mere parts, but as humans who must coexist.”

“……”

“Create quality jobs that allow people to live, not exploit them. I cannot do it alone. I need you all.”

I desperately hoped they would take my hand.

As the labor theorists had.

That they would yield their stubbornness and clasp mine.

But it was not to be.

The factory owners and Mayor Bias didn’t even grant the brief moment of consideration that the labor theorists had.

“Such outlandish claims, Saintess.”

Mayor Bias shook his head as if utterly dumbfounded.

“You speak so, I understand, from a place of unfamiliarity with economics and enterprise, and an abundance of empathy and compassion, but economics and enterprise are, by their very nature, *cold*. Should the interests of enterprise be repeatedly infringed upon in the name of compassion and empathy, there will be no enterprise left in the Empire to function correctly!!”

Mayor Bias did not take my hand.

He and the factory owners rose from their seats.

“This notion of turning those lawbreakers into a national institution is unacceptable, and the thought of damaging corporate profits under the pretext of alleged Mammon followers is likewise something we can never condone.”

“……..”

“If I may be so bold, Saintess, perhaps you should focus on the areas in which you excel. I offer this with utmost caution.”

At those words, Iomene, Almene, and Erpa’s expressions darkened.

“Mayor Bias, I believe your words are a touch excessive.”

“Princess, not at all. The Saintess is speaking of shaking the very foundations of the Imperial economy! Of entrusting all of the Empire’s enterprises to those wicked, twisted souls! They seek to ruin our corporations under the guise of improving workers’ conditions and the emergence of Demon King followers!”

Erpa immediately countered.

“The Saintess’ words hold merit. Improving workers’ conditions must be addressed. Otherwise, it is clear that Demon King followers will rise again.”

“What will become of us if corporations are swayed by those madmen and collapse like dominoes? A world overflowing with the unemployed. A world where even meager wages are no longer received!! Would such a world not overflow with even greater resentment than we see now?”

Mayor Bias beat his chest, seemingly confident.

“The harsh conditions of the laborers are, admittedly, a necessity!! A regrettable choice made to prevent the worst! Maintaining the corporations is far more important than improving the workers’ conditions!! Why can you not see this!”

Cal Renaro, unable to bear it any longer, rose from his seat.

“You capitalist pig b*stards!!……..”

“Do not open your vile mouth here!! You loathsome rabble!! All you know is to incite social unrest and incite people with people unhappiness. How dare trash like you open your mouth here!”

I waved my hand to calm Cal Renaro and the labor theorists.

At my gesture, they desperately suppressed their resentment and sat down once more, but judging from their expressions, one wouldn’t be surprised if they pulled out Molotov cocktails from their pockets at any moment.

“We will maintain the current system, Saintess. Improving workers’ conditions. Yes. A necessary matter. But corporations are currently too burdened to implement improvements immediately.”

Mayor Bias spoke thus, stroking his splendid and expensive suit, one which likely consumed the lifeblood of countless individuals.

“Someday, when the profitability of corporations improves… then, surely, workers’ wages will also rise. Saintess, the preservation of corporations is paramount. To shake the foundations of the Imperial economy would unleash far greater misfortunes and resentments than even those we face now. Please, understand this.”

“Didn’t you just witness what future awaits when your greed runs rampant until the very end? Knowing this, will you stubbornly insist on that path?”

Mayor Buyers shrugged at the words.

“Those Mammon-worshipping dogs just concocted a plan to scare people. I won’t be swayed by such things. If I were easily swayed, I wouldn’t have been able to run a business until now.”

A miscalculation.

The Labor Theorists were not yet corrupted.

They were not yet heads of concentration camps and intelligence agencies, dictators ordering the mass slaughter of workers for the sake of workers.

They were still bound together by empathy and indignation for the laborers.

That’s why, upon seeing their future selves, they could resolve to reform.

But the factory owners were different.

They were already corrupted to the very soul.

Even after seeing their future.

Even after being told that a similar incident would happen again.

They were stubborn, with hardened hearts that would never break their convictions.

I lowered the hand I had extended to the factory owners.

“Your Highness. Can we stop here? I’d like to rest for a moment.”

At my words, Almene looked at me with pity before declaring the meeting adjourned.

As if they had been waiting, the factory owners and Mayor Buyers rushed out of the conference room.

I could only watch them silently.

“In the end, this is how it turns out. Saint. In the end, this is how it turns out!!”

Carl Renaro, unable to contain his frustration, raised his voice.

“I knew they would slip away like this!! Those eel-like b*stards!… They won’t change! Never!! It’s impossible to win against them while abiding by the law and rules!! Power and rules ultimately favor the capitalists!!”

“That’s right. Power and rules favor the capitalists.”

“What will you do now? Will you…will you leave the city’s poor to suffer like this? Please, tell me you have a solution.”

A solution?

There was always a solution.

Even just now, there was the option of using absolute hypnosis to turn all the factory owners and Mayor Buyers into my puppets.

But I didn’t.

I didn’t want to resolve things in that way.

I wanted to show the Labor Theorists and the city’s poor.

That the empire’s laws and rules were still on their side.

I wanted to show them that the Empire wasn’t as rotten as they thought.

That this world was still a place worth living in.

When Lena Ro asked if I had a plan, I immediately rose from my seat and approached Erpa.

“Erpa, can you set up a magic communication line for me?”

“Of course, Amael. Who shall I connect you to?”

Power and rules favor the capitalists.

Truly a fitting statement.

Mayor Bias must know this very well to act so brazenly.

But those fools only know one thing and not the other.

That the Empire’s biggest capitalist is on my side.

“Connect me to Jonathan Karma.”

If I can’t beat them with laws and regulations…

I’ll beat them with capital.