I gathered the executives in the meeting room and slapped the whiteboard again.
“Republic of Proxia! We’re crushing them!”
Boom!
““““Huh…?””””
As the executives looked confused, I began to explain.
“Those guys, they dared to underestimate me. So I’m going to kill them. But, before that, I want to completely destroy the economy they’re so proud of. I want to see the look on their faces when they realize what’s happening.”
“You’re insane…”
Ah, there’s Fran-chan’s warm encouragement.
“But seriously, not just Fran-chan, if someone says, ‘Hand over your family’s secret techniques for free! Oh, and give up some of your military authority while you’re at it!’—wouldn’t you go to war, even if it’s with the royal family?”
Exactly.
That’s the point.
Just because it’s business, they’re taking me lightly, but their demands are on that level.
A normal noble, if they were told something like that, would blow up even if the one saying it was from the royal family. It’s such an absurd request!
Even our own royal family is treating it like, “Eh, it’s just business, why are you getting so serious?” So the tension isn’t really coming through.
But the real problem is the double standards of that other country… the Republic of Proxia.
If the same thing were demanded of them, they’d protest violently, and they’d probably launch an attack that would cause damage on par with a war. As a commercial nation, they should understand that a demand like “Hand over your trade secrets” is on the same level as telling a magic nation “Give us your secret magic techniques.” It’s extremely disrespectful.
And yet, they’re still doing it, so they must really think they can treat us like easy prey.
Therefore, they must be destroyed.
“…Do you understand?”
I explained it clearly and politely.
No one here should fail to understand.
“M-m-m… Ahhh! You’re right! You’re right, but when you say it, it feels like my common sense is being grinded down…!”
Fran-chan is squirming around.
So cute.
She’s like a toy that makes fun sounds and movements when you give it a little stimulus. She has way too much potential as a plaything…
As I gazed at Fran-chan with a gentle smile…
“Th-that look! Stop it with that look! Whenever you make that face, you’re usually thinking something bad!”
She pointed a finger at me, sharply.
“I’m not thinking anything bad.”
“Liar!!! I can tell! That look! You always have that scary look during duels or when you’re torturing someone!”
Hmmm?
Is that true?
I don’t really notice…
“Even the other day, when you said it was punishment and kept me up all night… You had that same look then too!”
“Really? Did I?”
“You did! I keep worrying you’re going to kill me one day!”
I think I’m just being affectionate.
At least, I don’t think I’ve done anything that would hurt… well, except maybe breaking that barrier that one time.
“Fran-chan, I really like you, you know?”
“Y-yeah, thanks. I like you too… I mean, I know you love me…”
“There’s no toy as entertaining as you, Fran-chan! Let me play with you forever!”
“Ugh!!! That!!! That’s what I’m talking about!!! Love me as a woman, please?!”
No, I do love you as a woman, but your entertaining side wins out…
Anyway.
“Alright, the plan’s settled! Now we’re going to destroy every industry in the Republic of Proxia and crush them!”
“Wait! Wait! It’s not settled! Not at all!”
“Gah, what now?”
“There is something! Listen, I know you can destroy an entire country. But what about the people caught in the middle?”
“They’ll probably become refugees, right?”
“Exactly! And when a whole country’s worth of refugees appears, it’ll destabilize this country too!”
“So? Is that a problem?”
“Are you serious?! They’ll come to this country too! And then you won’t be able to hang out with the teachers at the academy or think about new products for the mall! Is that okay with you?!”
Oh, that’s what this is about.
Francis must be having fun with our current lifestyle. She’s upset because she doesn’t want to lose it, so she’s complaining.
Alright, I’ll explain it to her.
“Francis, because I love you, I’ll explain it clearly.”
“U-uh, okay.”
“First of all, I won’t create any refugees. And here’s why…”
“I see… That makes sense. If it’s done that way, only the leadership will be eliminated. Their governance will fall apart, though.”
“Well, they can hold one of those elections they love so much. I said I’d kill them, but not everyone. I won’t unnecessarily kill those who don’t hold a grudge. I’ll avoid it as much as possible.”
As much as possible.
If it doesn’t work, I can just put on a serious face and say, “It was a necessary sacrifice… a sacrifice for the sake of the greater good,” and that should be enough.
“Are you sure? Really? Can you promise?”
“Oh, I can promise, I can promise. It’s a promise with Fran-chan.”
“Yes, yes! A promise with Fran-chan, right?!”
Fran-chan squeezed my hand really tightly, pleading. The amount of sweat on her palms was insane.
……
Lick.
“Aaaahhh?!?! Why?! Why did you lick my hand?!”
“Well, your hand was so sweaty, I couldn’t help it…”
“You are seriously terrifying!!!”
The fact that she doesn’t “hate” it shows how kind and sweet Fran-chan really is.
