I Killed the Demon King. It Was a Mistake. Chapter 22

I killed the Demon King. It was a mistake.

Chapter 22

The Homigraph Parliament is composed of two factions in total.

The Sapientia faction, traditionally working for wizards and magic towers.

Also known as the Sapien faction.

The other is the Homigraph faction, which establishes and implements pledges for the newly rich who emerged as Homigraph’s commerce and industry developed.

Also known as the Homi faction.

Here’s a sudden question that comes to mind.

Are there no members in the Homigraph Parliament who work for ordinary citizens?

The answer is none at all.

This is still a world where the class system remains.

Ordinary citizens have no voting rights, and only the wealthy, nobles, or wizards who can pay a certain amount of tax to Homigraph annually have the right to vote.

So historically, the Sapien faction has been the ruling party in the Homigraph Parliament, and it’s still the same now.

Caesar took a sip of tea and opened his mouth.

“You are a traditional hardcore Sapien faction member.”

“That’s right.”

“Then the moment I hand over the bribery ledger I have to you, it will become a bullet that will blow off the heads of the Homi faction members. It will also serve to raise your support within the Sapien faction.”

Gregory nodded.

“I won’t deny it.”

“Then from the moment I hand this ledger over to you, you’ll gain massive support from the Sapien faction. This too is an undeniable fact.”

“That’s also correct.”

“Then let’s weigh our options. Do you think it’s better for me to become a Sapien faction member, or to plant a member in the parliament who follows my words very well?”

Gregory’s eyebrows twitched at Caesar’s words.

“…Do you have no intention of becoming a member?”

“I’m a body whose head has hardened after rolling on the battlefield for 3 years. Moreover, I have no connections in Homigraph.”

“If I support you, non-existent connections will be created and people will appear to substitute for your head.”

“Well, since such a smart gentleman keeps playing hard to get, I’ll have to speak frankly.”

Caesar finished his tea.

“I have no intention of becoming a member. Instead, I’d like someone who listens well to me to become a member.”

Gregory silently lit a cigar and then opened his mouth.

“There’s a big difference between a customer and a baker. A baker can always make and eat the bread he wants, but a customer can only eat what the baker makes.”

“Are you afraid that I’ll create a faction and manipulate the parliament?”

“Of course not. Don’t underestimate the Homigraph Parliament. If it could be swayed by the influence of a wandering knight, it would have collapsed long ago.”

“But it’s true that the Sapien faction is in crisis.”

“Crisis, you say?”

Caesar took a sip of tea.

“It’s true that historically, the Sapien faction has dominated the parliament. But it’s also true that recently, the number of rascals who come to Homigraph with bundles of money to buy voting rights has increased.”

This is the key point.

If you have money, you can buy voting rights.

In the past, nobles or rich people from other regions wouldn’t have been interested in Homigraph.

Because until now, it had a strong image of a city dominated by wizards and magic towers.

But as Homigraph rapidly developed commercially and industrially, talented individuals and excellent companies were born.

That’s the same as saying it stimulated the greed of the wealthy and nobles throughout the empire.

“At first glance, Homigraph seems very generous to outside investors. But if you carefully examine the laws, there are invisible barriers.”

“Artifact contracts are impossible without going through companies operated by Sapien faction members, and you can’t buy real estate without taking out loans or making deposits with banks designated by the Homigraph Parliament. There are probably other barriers that I don’t know about.”

Gregory was trying to look at Caesar with as calm an expression as possible, but judging by his constant inhaling of nicotine, he seemed to have a lot to think about.

“Whether they’re nobles or rich people, when problems arise that can’t be solved with money, they try to change the laws. So they’re paying taxes to Homigraph and gaining voting rights using the names of their sons, daughters, and even their butlers.”

“As a result, out of the current 99 parliamentary seats, 55 are held by the Sapien faction and the remaining 44 by Homi faction members. How many seats do you think the Homi faction members will occupy in next year’s election? I’m not sure of the exact number, but it seems like it will be more than 44 seats.”

Gregory placed his cigar on the ashtray. “Vito, whom you killed, was also a voter who could cast a vote in the parliament. Gilbert and other mafia members were voters too. Naturally, they were active sponsors of Homi faction members.”

“That means the Homi faction members are grinding their teeth to get revenge on you. I wanted you to know that when I asked if you had any intention of becoming a member, it was also with the intention of protecting you.”

It seemed like he wasn’t just grabbing the seat of the National Assembly, but he stabbed at it quite sharply.

But he’s mistaken about his opponent.

“They can’t harm me.”

“Why not?”

“I’m thinking of having tea with Usher Parker, one of the senior members of the Homi faction, tomorrow. If I just hand over the bribery ledger to him, he’ll worship me like a god.”

“You’re going to give that to the Homi faction? I think you’ve forgotten what I just said, but the Homi faction is supported by the mafia. Saying you’ll support the Homi faction is no different from backing the mafia.”

“No. I’m saying I’ll smash all the mafia’s skulls and give them the bribery ledger they have, asking for their support. After that, if I ask them to plant a member who listens well to me in the parliament, they’ll nod like dogs.”

Gregory’s breath caught in his throat.

The part that the Homi faction members were most concerned about was that they had received sponsorship funds from the mafia.

So if he offers to get rid of all those bribery ledgers in exchange for just one or two parliamentary seats?

From the Homi faction’s standpoint, this was a bitter cup they had no choice but to accept.

“But you’ve met the right person.”

“…What do you mean?”

“I’m not a politician, I’m a knight. Negotiate with corrupt members who ate the dirty mafia’s money? That doesn’t make sense. Isn’t that right, Councilman Walterwood?”

Gregory found it difficult to answer hastily.

Until just a moment ago, he seemed like a politician who could communicate, but now he’s acting like a muscle-brained knight calling for justice.

He’s not sure which rhythm to match.

“…Tell me what you truly want.”

“I promise I will never hand over the bribery ledger, transaction details, and secret contracts to the Homi faction. In return, I need you to move the police according to my will for a while.”

“The police…?”

“Yes. I recently obtained some interesting information.”

Caesar handed over a piece of paper from his pocket.

“You know Gilbert’s closest aide is imprisoned in Clearbay Detention Center, right? I negotiated with him a bit. In exchange for sparing his life, I asked for all information related to the Bloody Gold Family.”

Gregory quickly scanned the paper.

It contained detailed information about the locations of illegal businesses operated by the Bloody Gold Family and even their level of armament.

“I want you to strike all these places at once, mobilizing all your forces. Of course, you should let me know the timing of the strike in advance.”

Gregory couldn’t help but show emotion on his face, unlike a politician.

“…What on earth is the benefit you’re getting?”

“Stress relief.”

Gregory doubted his ears.

“S…Stress?”

“Didn’t I tell you? I really like killing bad guys. Every time they disappear from the world, I feel like the air gets cleaner.”

Caesar smiled faintly.

“So, can you do it?”

Gregory felt like he could understand a little bit about Caesar.

It’s true that this guy’s mind is extraordinary.

He’s a person with a flexible mind who could become a merchant or a politician at any time.

But this guy was also a madman who, with such an extraordinary mind, only thought about cracking the skulls of mafia guys.

Gregory had never met this kind of person in his life, so his mouth wouldn’t move.

But the answer had already been out for a while.

“I’ll do it.”

When an opportunity came to not only move the police but also eliminate a large number of Homi faction supporters, why would he give it up?

This was a sweet glass of wine that Caesar was handing over, and Gregory had no choice but to accept and drink it.

He only hoped that the hangover wouldn’t last long.

“Umhahaha! Very good! Now I can crack the mafia guys’ skulls to my heart’s content! Hahaha!”

Of course, if you watch this guy laughing like this, you might doubt whether he’s really such a mastermind…

“Kuhahahahaha!”

Ah, I just want to beat him up.

***

Gregory boarded the carriage, completely drained.

“Sir. Shall we depart?”

At the coachman’s words, Gregory thought for a moment and then opened his mouth.

“No, call Harrison here.”

“Yes. Understood.”

The coachman quickly ran into the teahouse.

A moment later, there was a knock on the carriage door.

Knock Knock.

“It’s Harrison. May I come in?”

“Come in.”

Harrison sat down pretending to be quite relaxed, but he was visibly tense.

‘If only he  was half like Caesar.’

Caesar dared to look straight into Gregory’s eyes and take what he wanted.

How can someone 5 years older than Caesar be such a coward.

“I have a proposal for you. Harrison.”

“…A proposal, you say?”

“Yes. From now on, report everything to me, from Caesar’s schedule to what he ate and drank.”

Harrison’s expression hardened at Gregory’s words.

“…Is this an order?”

“Yes. It’s an order as the head of the Walterwood family, not as your father. In return, I’ll help ensure you never have to worry about your brothers’ problems again.”

Gregory opened the carriage door with his cane.

“Then, understand that. You may go now.”

But Harrison didn’t leave.

“What are you doing? Why aren’t you going?”

Harrison’s hands were trembling violently.

Is it anger?

No, it’s fear.

Resisting Gregory’s words was something that Harrison had never even thought of doing until now.

But Harrison’s heart was speaking strongly.

“…I refuse.”

“What? I can’t hear you, speak up.”

“I mean I don’t want to betray Sir Caesar.”

Gregory laughed as if in disbelief.

“Did I tell you to betray Sir Caesar?”

Gregory pulled his cane and closed the carriage door again.

“I just told you to report his every move. Is that betrayal?”

“If that’s the case, may I tell Sir Caesar what you’ve said, Member Walterwood?”

“That’s not allowed.”

“Then how is that any different from betrayal?”

Harrison was shaking so much that the carriage was rattling.

But Harrison’s eyes were fixed squarely on Gregory.

“Then consider it a just request for the investment that the Walterwood family and I have made in you. The clothes you’re wearing, the legal knowledge in your head and your lawyer’s license, even your 7 years of experience working in the parliament. All of that you gained for the sole reason that you’re my child. Don’t you think that’s natural?”

Gregory’s words tore Harrison’s heart to shreds.

Harrison was so terrified he was having difficulty breathing, and he was so angered by his father’s heartless tone that he wanted to kick out of this narrow carriage right now.

But Harrison thought that if not now, he would never have the chance to say what was in his heart.

Harrison clutched his pants.

“I don’t think it was given for free, of course. You’d be hard-pressed to find someone as fortunate in their parents as I am, no matter where you look in the world.”

“That’s right. Every year, 500 people starve to death in Homigraph alone, and over 1,000 children die from fever because they can’t afford common antipyretics. If you had grown up under those poor parents, you wouldn’t have dared to even have a conversation with me.”

“So I’ll be grateful for all the excessive things you’ve given me and try to be filial. And I’ll dedicate myself to achieving the revival of the Walterwood family that you so desire. But!”

The sweat from Harrison’s palms dampened his pants.

“If the revival of the Walterwood family and filial piety can only be achieved by betraying the one I serve, I refuse. Instead, I’ll show you another way.”

“I can’t trust you. You’ve amassed a lot of legal knowledge, but you’re the one who couldn’t resist your brothers’ crude threats and came running to me, begging on your knees to save you. And now you say you’ll show me the way? Ha! It’s absurd!”

“I will change. And I will grow. So please believe in your youngest son once.”

“Now you’re even talking about blood ties. That’s something you should never mention if you’re a member of a political family! Don’t you know that the moment you rely on emotions, a pack of wolves who smell blood will tear apart your weakened self?!”

“The one who first mentioned blood ties was you, father.”

“You brat, still to the end!”

Gregory kicked the carriage door open.

“Fine. Let’s see how much you can change. But if you disappoint me, don’t even think about setting foot in the Walterwood family!”

Harrison stood up and went out of the carriage.

Then he bowed his head to Gregory.

“Take care, Councilman Walterwood.”

“What are you doing! Get going already!”

The coachman slowly drove the carriage, and Harrison closed the door.

Harrison’s face was still red, perhaps because his excitement hadn’t subsided.

He felt like he absolutely couldn’t meet Caesar right now.

***

Gregory gripped his cane tightly and looked at where Harrison had been sitting.

“…Cheeky brat.”

He learned how to confront him with eyes wide open from that Caesar fellow.

If he truly wanted to persuade Gregory, he should know how to clearly explain his vision, but instead he just made empty promises.

It’s frustrating, he can only sigh.

As he was about to open the carriage drawer to light a cigar, he noticed the cane Harrison had left behind.

He must have been so out of it that he couldn’t even take his cane with him.

Gregory picked up the cane.

The handle was shaped like a puma head, the symbol of the Walterwood family.

But the brass handle was so worn from long use that it gleamed.

The puma’s left ear, which stuck out sharply, was worn away from how much it had been touched.

It seems he had a habit of fiddling with this part when thinking.

“It’s old.”

This was the cane Gregory had given as a gift when Harrison quit his job as a parliament official and took a job as Gregory’s aide.

It feels like just yesterday, but 4 years have already passed.

Gregory thought for a moment and then spoke.

“Do we have time to stop by a cane repair shop on the way?”

The coachman looked hesitant for a moment before speaking.

“I think it’s possible as it’s on the way to the parliament.”

“Then let’s stop by.”

He may be a lacking fellow, but what can I do?

He’s still my son after all.

TL NOTE:

Schedule: Unknown for now!

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