Episode 184: Dream in the game becomes reality

43. Development of the Duchy of Lawrence (5)

If you think about it, this is a simple assault case.

The problem is that the topic of ethnic conflict was involved in the assault incident.

If you take this lightly and try to conclude it roughly, you may have to pay big trouble.

An ending that is as fair and acceptable to the parties as possible is needed.

However, while this is a troubling situation, it can also be seen as an opportunity.

If I resolve this situation wisely, the Croesian people's perception of me will change and the management of the principality will become easier.

"hmm… … ."

I was worried.

Is there any way to achieve some dramatic effect?

'Currently effective means are incitement and fabrication.'

If necessary, you can use the administrator rights of the Hollywood system to make even non-existent facts true.

'The most certain way to put this incident to rest is to turn the Croesian victim of the assault into an agitator. As it turned out, they started the fight first, and the Reinharts fell for the provocation and assaulted them. The agitator, the Croesian, is using his status as a victim of this incident to instigate conflict between ethnic groups... … .'

Although it is an effective means, it still seems like an action that crosses the line.

No matter how much the Reinharts people hate the Croesen people, aren't they now my people?

While I was lost in my thoughts, Marignan, who was drinking tea with Arcia in one corner of the office, said something profound.

"Can't we just be honest and leave?"

"yes?"

"Just by looking at it, it looks like you're conspiring, but is there really a need for that? "This is something that can be resolved if you, the king and representative of the Reinharts people, come forward and apologize sincerely and announce that you will strictly handle this incident according to established laws."

I narrowed my eyes at her words.

But after thinking about it for a while, I realized that it wasn't really a mistake.

And I felt like my actions overlapped with someone else on Earth.

'Although I'm Korean, I almost imitated the Japanese.'

Even if the instigation is like that... … .

Isn't distorting the facts and deceiving people something that a leader should not do?

I think I was thinking too much about convenience and ended up with the wrong idea.

To be honest, the positions of Kreusen and Reinharts are completely different from those of Korea and Japan at that time.

If I had to evaluate it, it means that Japan and China inflicted harm on Korea and then suffered the reverse.

'What was the reason why I took a hard line and tried to protect the Croesians and their culture as much as possible? At least, wasn't it to rationalize that I was different from that country?'

What I need to do in this situation is not to use shallow measures.

As Marignan said, this is something that must be tackled from the front.

Isn't it servile to apologize in the first place?

There is a certain honor that can be preserved by apologizing.

"Being over 100 years old and being an Allied Elder was not just a decoration, was it?"

When I looked at Marignan with admiration, she got upset.

"what!?"

"It's a compliment. Honestly, I was impressed. "Thank you for the advice."

"Hmm, hmm. okay? Well, listening to advice can be said to be an important virtue of a leader."

I almost did something embarrassing by pretending to be an enlightened leader by constantly keeping an online diary.

Therefore, I obediently thanked Marignan for putting the brakes on.

"So, if you let me go now… … ."

"Let's go, Prime Minister Walker. "We will issue a statement and hold a press conference."

"All right. majesty."

I got up to take action right away, and Marignan puffed out his cheeks when he saw me like this.

Seeing Marignan like that, it was natural for Arcia to poke her cheek with her finger.

* * *

The riots that started centered around the Croesian people were spread online around the world.

In response to this, various thoughts poured in, such as those in other countries ridiculing him for being immature even after losing his country, or hastily judging whether Prince Lawrence, a member of the same Rheinharts race, would properly punish the perpetrators.

But the mainstream opinion is… … .

'For daring to oppose the king, I guess they all want to be beheaded as traitors.'

It was to point out the horrors of the feudal political system.

No matter how much the world has developed and it has become possible to receive information across the sea in real time, Rondel's mainstream political system is feudalism.

This clearly means that status exists.

Isn't it a feudal system where the heads of tens of thousands of people could be blown off with a single gesture of the king?

'Could the Creusen people really act like that towards the former imperial family?'

'It is an incident in which Prince Lawrence may feel that he has been ignored.'

'The actions of the Croesian people clearly crossed the line.'

Surprisingly, international public opinion was not on the side of the Croesian people.

In the past, these reactions would have been filtered out, but now that they have been incorporated into Rheinharts, they have been passed on to the Croisen people.

"Isn't Reinharts systematically manipulating it?"

"Well, maybe so."

Although they were clearly the victims, the situation in which victims were attacked was bound to be embarrassing.

And when it became known through the media that Duke Adrian L. Lawrence of the Duchy of Lawrence was going to make a statement, those who participated in the riot had no choice but to be scared.

I was blinded by anger and ended up doing something, but regret came to me later.

"uh?"

But Adrian's statement exceeded everyone's expectations.

This was the same for the Croesian people who rioted and for foreigners who watched this situation with interest.

[I don't think this incident occurred simply because a young man of the Creusen ethnic group was assaulted by young men of the Rhineharts ethnic group. It is believed that the Croesian people must have suffered a lot of discrimination, knowingly or unknowingly, and as a result, dissatisfaction built up and exploded.] [If the royal family had made an effort to communicate, this situation could have been prevented. This is my negligence as a leader, and I sincerely apologize to my people who may have been hurt by it because they are the Croesian people.]The king of a country where it is natural to have a heavy head and stiff neck apologized to the people.

This was a shock.

Not only to the citizens of other countries belonging to the same feudal system, but also to the Croesian people who participated in the uprising.

[Jim will not only apologize verbally, but to prevent a recurrence of this kind of situation, he will establish an organization for communication and prevention of discrimination in order to prevent the status of citizens from being divided according to ethnicity, and crimes that have a high possibility of conflict between ethnic groups. If a case occurs, we will form a jury by ethnic group and take measures to allow people to participate in the trial.] [I take this opportunity to make it clear that in the Duchy of Lawrence, there is no difference in status based on ethnicity. I will not favor the same ethnic group just because they are the Rheinharts, and I will not discriminate against the Creusen ethnic group just because they were once my enemies.] [You are equal citizens who registered as residents in my country of your own free will, and all of you, regardless of ethnicity, are precious people.]Even while apologizing, he is confident without any sign of servility.

Although he was clearly maintaining his dignity as a king, his remarks were enough to appease the emotions of those who were angry.

The Duchy of Lawrence is not a democracy.

It was an absolute monarchy, and this was no different from the Croesian Empire.

However, the attitude towards the people was completely different from that of the imperial family of the previous empire.

[The royal family will compensate for all property damage caused by this protest.] [This does not mean that I, the king, gave in to the protests, but that I realized my mistake and stepped forward to correct that mistake. If a radical demonstration like this one happens again, all the protesters will be severely punished in accordance with the law.] [If you have something to wish for or appeal to the country, do so through the communication channel that will soon be established rather than using violence. We will definitely respond to complaints, and if we receive an answer that is difficult to understand, we will establish a system whereby we can appeal to a higher authority or, if that does not work, directly to the royal family.]In addition, he was scolded for this riot.

The Croesian people watching the broadcast had to swallow their saliva because it looked so strict.

[I will make this country prosperous and strong. The goal will not be to make only the royal family and nobility stronger, but to become wealthy along with the people. So, I hope everyone will trust me and follow me.] [This concludes the royal family's statement on this unrest.]A young, handsome man.

However, Adrian L. Lawrence is a talented politician, soldier, and wizard.

This statement best revealed his tendencies and was enough to cause a small stir in the hearts of those who watched it.

'That person is completely different from other leaders who are authoritarian and greedy.'

Most people felt that way.

After Adrian's statement, the riots that broke out in the Duchy of Lawrence were immediately calmed down, and a channel for communication was quickly established, proving that the content of the statement was not just words.

In addition, the participation of a national jury for the first time in the feudal world was decided to participate in the trial of the assault case that sparked the riot, causing a great stir.

This is how people expressed Adrian's statement afterward:

'He showed charisma while apologizing politely.'

That's it.

"I don't think Prince Lawrence is bad."

"That's right, at least he doesn't see the people as tools."

"Now that we can search for overseas information, it turns out that the Croesian Empire is not just right."

And because of this, the flow within the Duchy of Lawrence changed.

* * *

Ophelia Island.

The island that resolved the civil war in Roberto's Kingdom and was leased to Queen Xia Lin for 50 years was naturally incorporated into the principality after me.

In less than a year, the atmosphere of Ophelia Island has completely changed, the island's population has reached 30,000, and it has become crowded with research facilities that can be called the best in the world.

However, people who visit Ophelia Island for the first time are not surprised that there is such an advanced island on the Sea of ​​Silence, but rather are surprised by the tight security.

There were 20 Sky Fortresses floating in the sky of the island, and there were 1,000 Vanguards dispatched, so the island itself was no different from a fortress.

In addition, Blue Moon, along with Lawrence Magic Tower, manages key facilities and has thoroughly prevented illegal intrusion by outsiders.

"His Royal Highness Prince Lawrence, I wish you a Happy New Year."

Among the research institutes on Ophelia Island, there was a space located in the deepest part, a place where new artifacts were developed based on research materials and cultural relics left behind by Archduke Lucas.

When Arcia and I visited there, Owen, the 7th Circle Archmage from Blue Moon, and Dwarf Torres bowed deeply to me.

It's now the end of January, so it's been a while since the year changed, but perhaps because it was their first time seeing each other this year, the two exchanged New Year's greetings.

"Yes, Happy New Year to you both."

At my answer, they scratched their cheeks as if they were embarrassed.

They looked so innocent that it was hard to believe that they belonged to the infamous Blue Moon.

"Are they all done?"

I asked Dwarf Torres.

Then he nodded loudly and placed several pieces of equipment on the table.

"oh?"

The first thing that caught my eye were three white swords and two black swords.

It was a force sword made of orichalcon and adamantium that I obtained from Dragon Land this time.

One Orichalcon Sword is equipped by Arcia herself, and two Orichalcon Swords and two Adamantium Swords are spare weapons for her to use as flying swords.

They are all made of armored swords (one-handed long swords) of the same standard, and these weapons alone are worth the price of dozens of sky fortresses.

"Do you like it?"

I asked Arcia.

Her eyes lit up and she swung the swords one by one, then nodded in admiration.

"So good."

It has to be that way.

As far as I know, the only people who have swords made of whole orichalcon are the emperor and saint of the Bringham Empire.

With so many weapons in her possession, there would be no one in the world that could compare to her.

'Ah, there's Blake.'

At the very least, it means that there will be no comparison among humans.

Next, we turned our attention to the next equipment.