Semi-Coercive Imperialist

……Ken Steiner firmly rejected the tax reform proposal that Maximilian had suggested.

From the beginning, legislation was the exclusive authority of the Imperial Parliament.

Of course, as guardians who oversaw the Empire as a whole, knights could voice opinions on legislative matters to some extent, but their position was clearly limited.

“Chancellor, will you be alright?”

Even so, the officials of the Ministry of Finance, and even the nobles of the Imperial Palace, cast worried glances.

Their concern was not solely Maximilian. It was because everyone knew that the Emperor’s heart had already tilted toward war.

“I shall speak to His Majesty myself.”

However, Ken Steiner trusted in the long-standing bond between himself and the Emperor.

For so long, as a teacher who had instructed the Emperor in various disciplines before he had even become Emperor.

“Chancellor, Maximilian is not someone to be taken lightly. You saw what happened in Genen, haven’t you?”

The officials, those who followed Ken, still worried about Maximilian.

They knew all too well his ruthless decisiveness—how he had led tank units to blockade the city and executed every official in the Governor-General’s Office.

“……That is precisely why I am doing this.”

Maximilian was no longer someone who could be regarded as a mere point on the map.

He was a monster born of Sebestian, but of a different kind than Sebestian.

That was exactly what he intended to convey to the Emperor.

More than matters like tax reforms, including withholding taxes, it was Maximilian himself who felt dangerous. No matter how he thought about it, he was cut from a different cloth than his father, Sebestian.

The aura emanating from him resembled something deeper, darker—an ambition of another magnitude altogether.

“For the sake of His Majesty, we must absolutely keep Maximilian under control.”

With that thought, he walked the corridors of the Imperial Palace.

……Thud. Thud.

The sound of his footsteps echoed clearly. They seemed to continue, then suddenly stopped.

When he suddenly stopped and looked back, there was nothing but darkness, and the officials who had been following him had disappeared without a trace.

──Looking back now.

Was it even possible to control him?

“…….”

Ken returned to reality and gazed at the man beyond the car window.

Beneath the flickering white light of the streetlamp, stood a faintly visible blond knight.

Maximilian.

──Step.

He began walking toward him.

──Step.

The echo of his stride spread like a cold wind.

Swoooosh……

The fallen leaves fluttering on the street seemed to stir the worn-out heart of his old body.

“Haa.”

Ken let out a brief sigh, closing his eyes for a moment before opening them again.

──Step.

Maximilian’s shadow stretched long.

He had come near before he noticed and knocked on the backseat window.

Knock knock.

Ken lowered the window. He met Maximilian’s eyes directly and spoke.

“……Maximilian. This is the Capital. The Imperial Palace is not far from here. Such discourtesy will not be tolerated.”

“I know.”

Maximilian replied calmly. Without a hint of agitation, with nothing but a composed expression.

“I know very well.”

An agent who had appeared from somewhere dragged out the driver. The driver vanished in an instant, as if he were nothing more than a piece of luggage.

“……Hmm.”

Maximilian got into the now-empty driver’s seat.

Ken sank back into his seat, and Maximilian, watching him through the rearview mirror, murmured.

“Good t⁠⁠⁠‌‍⁠‌‌⁠‌⁠⁠‌⁠‌‌‌⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠‌‌‌⁠‌⁠⁠⁠‌‌⁠⁠⁠‌⁠⁠‌‌⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠‌‌⁠‌⁠⁠⁠⁠‌⁠‌‌‌⁠⁠⁠‌‌⁠⁠‌⁠⁠⁠‌‌‌⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠‌⁠‌‌‌⁠⁠⁠‌‌⁠⁠⁠‌⁠⁠‌‌‌⁠⁠‌⁠⁠‌‌⁠⁠‌‌⁠⁠‌⁠‌‌‌⁠⁠⁠‌‌⁠⁠‌⁠⁠⁠‌‌⁠‌⁠‌⁠⁠‌‌⁠⁠⁠⁠‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠⁠‌‌⁠‌‌⁠‌‌⁠‌⁠‌‌⁠‌⁠‌‌⁠‌‌‌‌⁠⁠⁠⁠‌‌‌‌⁠⁠‌⁠‌‌‌‌⁠‌⁠⁠‌‌⁠⁠⁠‌‌⁠‌‌‌⁠⁠‌‌⁠‌‌‌⁠⁠‌⁠⁠⁠‌‌⁠⁠‌‌⁠⁠‌‌⁠⁠⁠‌⁠⁠‌‌‌⁠⁠‌⁠‌‌‌‌⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠‌‌⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠‌‌‌⁠⁠‌⁠‌‌‌⁠⁠⁠‌⁠‌‌⁠‌‌‌⁠⁠‌‌‌‌⁠⁠‌⁠⁠‌‌⁠‌‌⁠⁠⁠‌‌⁠⁠‌‌⁠‌‌⁠⁠‌⁠‌⁠‌‌‌⁠⁠⁠‌⁠‌‌⁠‌‌⁠⁠⁠⁠‌‌⁠⁠‌⁠⁠‌‌‌‌⁠‌⁠‍⁠‌‌⁠‌⁠⁠‌‌⁠⁠⁠‌‌⁠‌‌‌‌⁠⁠‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌⁠‌⁠‌‌‌o see you, Chancellor.”

Such an ordinary greeting left Ken speechless. It was an outrageous pretense, completely at odds with the current situation.

“What have you come for?”

“You don’t know?”

He responded to the question with a question.

Ken stared at Maximilian’s reflection in the window. Neatly kept blond hair. Sharply subdued golden eyes. A figure who embodied the ideal appearance of an Aran from the Empire, and yet now……

He resembled a wolf about to tear into a person’s throat.

“Haa…….”

Maximilian let out a long sigh. That alone tightened around Ken’s throat. He felt a tension as if his heart might burst.

At such an old age, this kind of confrontation was far too taxing on his health.

“Chancellor.”

The corners of Maximilian’s eyes softened gently.

He gazed out the window and murmured quietly.

“It’s quite dark outside.”

“…….”

“Can’t you see it?”

“……What are you talking about now?”

Maximilian grabbed the steering wheel.

“Mana is a truly mysterious power. It not only moves cars, but also illuminates things unseen.”

Mana flowed from his fingertips and seeped into the car’s frame.

‘Virus’ manipulates the properties of mana and amplifies its output.

Fwaaash─!

The headlights flashed. A white light, dozens of times stronger than usual, tore through the darkness on both sides of the road.

Within that halo of light, dark silhouettes were briefly revealed.

Between the trees. On top of the walls. Beneath the grass on the ground. Along both sides of the asphalt road.

They vanished in an instant, but their presence was certain.

“Did you know? They’ve been following you since inside the Imperial Palace.”

At those words, Ken fell silent. A brief stillness settled in.

Maximilian waited quietly. An uncomfortable sensation floated in the car like grains of sand drifting through the air.

“…….”

Suddenly, Ken’s gaze sharpened. The mana from his younger days gathered in his pupils.

Outside the window. He could now sense movement undulating within the darkness.

They were waiting for an opportunity.

But they couldn’t bring themselves to enter.

Not because of him── but because of the man in front of him.

“……Chancellor. I once respected you.”

Maximilian suddenly spoke.

“I sought guidance by reading your writings. Until quite recently, in fact.”

Though at some point, Ken had become a chancellor in title only, still, Maximilian had respected him.

“However, His Majesty now desires war.”

His voice crumbled dryly.

“Whether you want it or not, the only way to reach His Majesty’s dream is through war. Did you not know that?”

“……I did.”

“Then why did you turn away from it?”

Ken gave a bitter smile.

The corners of Maximilian’s lips twisted faintly.

“You are no longer someone special to His Majesty. He only desires subjects who follow his will.”

Why had the Emperor’s heart become so extreme?

Why had he changed so much?

Why was he trying to start a war he could not win?

What could he possibly hope to achieve by killing countless people?

“Do what you came here to do.”

It was a remark made in readiness for death.

“……Haa.”

A sigh mixed with a faint smile leaked from between Maximilian’s teeth.

“However, even so.”

He pulled something from his coat and tossed it to the back. Ken, wiping the cold sweat from his neck, accepted it absentmindedly.

It was a plane tic⁠⁠⁠‌‍⁠‌‌⁠‌⁠⁠‌⁠‌‌‌⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠‌‌‌⁠‌⁠⁠⁠‌‌⁠⁠⁠‌⁠⁠‌‌⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠‌‌⁠‌⁠⁠⁠⁠‌⁠‌‌‌⁠⁠⁠‌‌⁠⁠‌⁠⁠⁠‌‌‌⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠‌⁠‌‌‌⁠⁠⁠‌‌⁠⁠⁠‌⁠⁠‌‌‌⁠⁠‌⁠⁠‌‌⁠⁠‌‌⁠⁠‌⁠‌‌‌⁠⁠⁠‌‌⁠⁠‌⁠⁠⁠‌‌⁠‌⁠‌⁠⁠‌‌⁠⁠⁠⁠‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠⁠‌‌⁠‌‌⁠‌‌⁠‌⁠‌‌⁠‌⁠‌‌⁠‌‌‌‌⁠⁠⁠⁠‌‌‌‌⁠⁠‌⁠‌‌‌‌⁠‌⁠⁠‌‌⁠⁠⁠‌‌⁠‌‌‌⁠⁠‌‌⁠‌‌‌⁠⁠‌⁠⁠⁠‌‌⁠⁠‌‌⁠⁠‌‌⁠⁠⁠‌⁠⁠‌‌‌⁠⁠‌⁠‌‌‌‌⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠‌‌⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠‌‌‌⁠⁠‌⁠‌‌‌⁠⁠⁠‌⁠‌‌⁠‌‌‌⁠⁠‌‌‌‌⁠⁠‌⁠⁠‌‌⁠‌‌⁠⁠⁠‌‌⁠⁠‌‌⁠‌‌⁠⁠‌⁠‌⁠‌‌‌⁠⁠⁠‌⁠‌‌⁠‌‌⁠⁠⁠⁠‌‌⁠⁠‌⁠⁠‌‌‌‌⁠‌⁠‍⁠‌‌⁠‌⁠⁠‌‌⁠⁠⁠‌‌⁠‌‌‌‌⁠⁠‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌⁠‌⁠‌‌‌ket.

The destination was across the western sea of the Empire. The Canilan Independent State.

“I find that you, an intellectual of the Empire—”

Suddenly, Maximilian glared out at the darkness beyond the window, as if it disgusted him, and continued,

“I cannot allow you to die at the hands of such ignorant vermin.”

At that moment, Chancellor Ken Steiner finally understood.

“So.”

Maximilian had not come to kill him.

“Please, leave the Empire.”

He had come to save him.

…….

Imperial Palace office.

“Maximilian got there first?”

“Yes.”

The Director of the Intelligence Bureau bowed his head to Grossman.

“We couldn’t find an opening. He had more personnel, and they were highly organized.”

“……Hmm.”

It seemed their operations had overlapped.

It was quite a surprise, but not entirely a bad thing.

“So Maximilian has made up his mind this time as well.”

Calm on the surface, yet a hothead with a furnace burning beneath—that was Maximil⁠⁠⁠‌‍⁠‌‌⁠‌⁠⁠‌⁠‌‌‌⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠‌‌‌⁠‌⁠⁠⁠‌‌⁠⁠⁠‌⁠⁠‌‌⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠‌‌⁠‌⁠⁠⁠⁠‌⁠‌‌‌⁠⁠⁠‌‌⁠⁠‌⁠⁠⁠‌‌‌⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠‌⁠‌‌‌⁠⁠⁠‌‌⁠⁠⁠‌⁠⁠‌‌‌⁠⁠‌⁠⁠‌‌⁠⁠‌‌⁠⁠‌⁠‌‌‌⁠⁠⁠‌‌⁠⁠‌⁠⁠⁠‌‌⁠‌⁠‌⁠⁠‌‌⁠⁠⁠⁠‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠⁠‌‌⁠‌‌⁠‌‌⁠‌⁠‌‌⁠‌⁠‌‌⁠‌‌‌‌⁠⁠⁠⁠‌‌‌‌⁠⁠‌⁠‌‌‌‌⁠‌⁠⁠‌‌⁠⁠⁠‌‌⁠‌‌‌⁠⁠‌‌⁠‌‌‌⁠⁠‌⁠⁠⁠‌‌⁠⁠‌‌⁠⁠‌‌⁠⁠⁠‌⁠⁠‌‌‌⁠⁠‌⁠‌‌‌‌⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠‌‌⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠‌‌‌⁠⁠‌⁠‌‌‌⁠⁠⁠‌⁠‌‌⁠‌‌‌⁠⁠‌‌‌‌⁠⁠‌⁠⁠‌‌⁠‌‌⁠⁠⁠‌‌⁠⁠‌‌⁠‌‌⁠⁠‌⁠‌⁠‌‌‌⁠⁠⁠‌⁠‌‌⁠‌‌⁠⁠⁠⁠‌‌⁠⁠‌⁠⁠‌‌‌‌⁠‌⁠‍⁠‌‌⁠‌⁠⁠‌‌⁠⁠⁠‌‌⁠‌‌‌‌⁠⁠‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌⁠‌⁠‌‌‌ian.

“What a man of cold fire.”

Ken Steiner was not someone who could be dealt with cleanly. Just the fact of having touched him could provoke attacks from within the Imperial Palace.

Though ordinarily everyone found the old man disagreeable, once he was dealt with, it was obvious they would repackage him as an “elder statesman of the Empire” and use him as a political weapon.

But if Maximilian handled it instead?

It would be like blowing one’s nose without getting one’s hands dirty.

After all, he wasn’t part of the Imperial Palace, and the consequences would fall solely on him.

“There is a problem. It doesn’t look like Maximilian intends to dispose of Ken Steiner directly.”

“Of course not. No matter what, it wouldn’t be the noble way.”

Grossman let out a quiet laugh. The Bureau Director asked again with a persistent look.

“Shall we continue to pursue him?”

“Leave it. Let him go now. He’s as good as dead politically anyway. No need for us to get our hands dirty.”

“……Understood.”

“Go on.”

At Grossman’s gesture, the Bureau Director turned and left, hiding his disappointment.

──Step. Step.

As he walked down the corridor, he fell into thought.

As Bureau Direct⁠⁠⁠‌‍⁠‌‌⁠‌⁠⁠‌⁠‌‌‌⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠‌‌‌⁠‌⁠⁠⁠‌‌⁠⁠⁠‌⁠⁠‌‌⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠‌‌⁠‌⁠⁠⁠⁠‌⁠‌‌‌⁠⁠⁠‌‌⁠⁠‌⁠⁠⁠‌‌‌⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠‌⁠‌‌‌⁠⁠⁠‌‌⁠⁠⁠‌⁠⁠‌‌‌⁠⁠‌⁠⁠‌‌⁠⁠‌‌⁠⁠‌⁠‌‌‌⁠⁠⁠‌‌⁠⁠‌⁠⁠⁠‌‌⁠‌⁠‌⁠⁠‌‌⁠⁠⁠⁠‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠⁠‌‌⁠‌‌⁠‌‌⁠‌⁠‌‌⁠‌⁠‌‌⁠‌‌‌‌⁠⁠⁠⁠‌‌‌‌⁠⁠‌⁠‌‌‌‌⁠‌⁠⁠‌‌⁠⁠⁠‌‌⁠‌‌‌⁠⁠‌‌⁠‌‌‌⁠⁠‌⁠⁠⁠‌‌⁠⁠‌‌⁠⁠‌‌⁠⁠⁠‌⁠⁠‌‌‌⁠⁠‌⁠‌‌‌‌⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠‌‌⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠‌‌‌⁠⁠‌⁠‌‌‌⁠⁠⁠‌⁠‌‌⁠‌‌‌⁠⁠‌‌‌‌⁠⁠‌⁠⁠‌‌⁠‌‌⁠⁠⁠‌‌⁠⁠‌‌⁠‌‌⁠⁠‌⁠‌⁠‌‌‌⁠⁠⁠‌⁠‌‌⁠‌‌⁠⁠⁠⁠‌‌⁠⁠‌⁠⁠‌‌‌‌⁠‌⁠‍⁠‌‌⁠‌⁠⁠‌‌⁠⁠⁠‌‌⁠‌‌‌‌⁠⁠‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌⁠‌⁠‌‌‌or, his personal opinion of Maximilian was this: he seemed similar to Sebestian.

All of his enterprises faithfully paid taxes to the Empire, distributed profits fairly to workers, and consistently purchased Imperial bonds.

Every word and deed proved him a loyal subject of the Empire.

And yet, Maximilian was clearly different from Sebestian.

It was an instinct he couldn’t justify with evidence. The very fact that Maximilian was such a flawless subject was precisely what made him suspicious…….

The Bureau Director had not let go of Maximilian yet.

***

A country where the clear sea breeze blew, but one that felt more deeply melancholic than anywhere else.

Ken Steiner arrived in the Canilan Independent State. He was with his wife and grandchild. His only son had passed away from illness a few years ago, so the direct line of the Steiner family was now just the three of them.

“Let’s go.”

Steiner led the way, and his grandchild held his wife’s hand and followed.

The scenery of Canilan as they exited the airport was like that of a fallen nation. Instead of vitality, only silence hung over the streets.

The shops and companies were open, and office workers passed by, but no hope was visible on their faces.

They were all people working to pay off debts.

Just as Ken had forewarned the Imperial nobles, the economy had collapsed.

Screeeech──

Suddenly, a black limousine came to a stop in front of them. Ken flinched and stepped back, and his wife, frightened, hid behind him.

Had the Empire’s pursuers followed them all the way here?

“I’ll handle it!”

Just as his grandchild began fiercely drawing in mana—

The limousine’s rear door opened, and a man in a neat suit stepped out.

“Nice to meet you, Dr. Ken. I’m Dieter Schmidt.”

“……Dieter Schmidt?”

“Yes. I’m Secretary to Sir Maximilian. I’ve been waiting for you, Dr. Ken.”

Doctor.

His title from the Empire was gone, but the degree he had earned had not vanished.

“Please get in.”

Ken hesitated briefly before getting into the car with his family.

Vmmmmm──

The limousine glided smoothly along the road.

Before long, they arrived at the heart of the city, not far from the airport. There stood a building that looked like a museum.

“This is「Kronen Schatzinsel」.”

“A bank?”

“Yes. We would like to hire you here as an advisor, and if possible, as the bank president.”

“……?”

Ken blinked and tilted his head. His wife and grandchild also looked surprised.

“I’m merely a secretary, but I’ve always admired your economic insight and financial acumen, Dr. Ken. I hope you can pursue that dream again here at this bank, rather than in the bureaucracy.”

“……W-What? Here?”

“Yes. Ah, but first you’ll need to unpack. We’ve prepared a separate residence for you.”

The limousine soon passed the bank and arrived somewhere nearby.

A quiet and luxurious residential area, not far from「Kronen Schatzinsel」.

“This is your residence. Whether or not you accept our offer, this will be your space to live in, Dr. Ken.”

A location chosen with commuting in mind. A comfortable mansion where the family could live at ease, with security guards patrolling 24 hours a day.

“Not only security, but every communication line is also connected by mana……”

As they listened to Dieter’s explanation, Ken and his family got out of the car.

His grandchild let out a hollow laugh, and his wife looked moved.

Ken stared blankly at the place for a moment, then suddenly asked Dieter,

“Secretary Dieter. Did Sir Maximilian establish the bank?”

Dieter didn’t respond.

“And in Canilan, no less, he started a business that requires this much money.”

Still, no response.

Ken quietly raised an eyebrow.

“……Was it about two months ago? I heard a certain rumor.”

Only then did Dieter open his mouth to ask,

“What kind of rumor, sir?”

“That someone bet on Canilan’s collapse. There weren’t many, but those few amassed wealth beyond imagination because of it.”

Ken’s gaze sharpened.

“And among them, the one who profited the most was an Imperial citizen.”

“…….”

“Was that Imperial citizen Maximilian?”

Dieter once again shut his mouth. He only lowered his head with an expressionless face.

“Well then. Please unpack and rest comfortably.”

He got into the limousine and left without another word, but it was answer enough.

“Hah.”

Ken let out a hollow laugh.

Maximilian. Wasn’t he just an ignorant brute trying to collect more taxes for the sake of war? A warmonger squeezing the Empire with absurd economic logic?

If so, had he perhaps seen a path farther and deeper than Ken himself had?

Ken still couldn’t know for certain.

Perhaps, his future actions would prove it.

***

The mansion’s garden, a peaceful afternoon.

“Woof.”

Leo’s bark was now quite dignified. His resonance had deepened, booming with authority.

“You’ve grown this much already.”

I patted the pup’s head with a faint smile.

He was still cute, but I felt a twinge of regret that the cotton ball-like appearance from before was fading away.

“Master. How is Leo doing?”

I asked Freya, who was cutting steak at the outdoor table. She stabbed a piece of meat with her fork and replied flatly as she brought it to her mouth.

“He definitely learns faster than most humans. His sense for handling mana and his adaptability are already top-class. At this rate, he might even reach a level comparable to a decent knight. A dog like a knight. What nonsense—”

“Woof!”

Leo, understanding the praise, puffed out his chest proudly. Freya coolly extended her knife toward him.

“But you mustn’t be arrogant. Nobles must always be humble.”

“Woof.”

He immediately settled his tail obediently.

He actually thinks of himself as a noble.

“Very good.”

I nodded with satisfaction and straightened my clothes. Freya raised an eyebrow.

“You’re dressed rather neatly. Heading to the Imperial Palace?”

“Yes. I’m going to the National Assembly. There’s an important agenda item.”

When going to the Imperial Palace, a clean and tidy suit is better than extravagant attire. Too flashy an outfit makes one look like a nouveau riche—and may incur the Emperor’s displeasure.

“Hmph.”

Freya returned her focus to the meat, clearly uninterested.

“Master, are you not interested in politics?”

“Not at all.”

She leaned deep into her chair and stretched both legs out. It was the most comfortable posture imaginable.

Not long ago, she was the one telling me to maintain the dignity of a noble.

“My dream was to be a rich slacker. Feels like I’ve pretty much achieved it now. Haaaam.”

Watching her yawn lazily, I fell into brief thought.

……Now that I mention it, the Ebenholtz family has no branch lines.

The reason is simple. Due to the Ebenholtz family’s unique and “medically unexplainable” hereditary disease, it’s impossible to have more than one child.

Because descendants were that precious, from the moment of conception, the mother would be thoroughly cared for, drinking the elixirs passed down through the family for generations.

Thus, in the 500-year history of the Ebenholtz family, records of more than one heir being born in a single generation were extremely rare.

And even in those cases, they were all ‘twins’, with one always being infertile.

I said to Freya,

“Please take good care of Leo.”

“No need to ask. I’m getting paid to train this dog. Tutoring a dog. What a funny phrasing. Hmph. Tutoring a dog… fucking ridiculous…”

Letting Freya’s complaints go in one ear and out the other, I headed to the parking lot.

I got into the waiting car. Johann was already sitting in the passenger seat, and when I looked at him absentmindedly, I flinched in surprise.

“…….”

His hair was slicked straight back, neatly styled.

With his forehead fully exposed and paired with his sharp eyes, it overlapped with the face of the infamous 1st-class war criminal from before my regression.

“……Is something the matter, sir?”

Sensing my gaze, Johann asked cautiously.

“That hairstyle doesn’t suit you.”

“Ah. Yes. Is tha⁠⁠⁠‌‍⁠‌‌⁠‌⁠⁠‌⁠‌‌‌⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠‌‌‌⁠‌⁠⁠⁠‌‌⁠⁠⁠‌⁠⁠‌‌⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠‌‌⁠‌⁠⁠⁠⁠‌⁠‌‌‌⁠⁠⁠‌‌⁠⁠‌⁠⁠⁠‌‌‌⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠‌⁠‌‌‌⁠⁠⁠‌‌⁠⁠⁠‌⁠⁠‌‌‌⁠⁠‌⁠⁠‌‌⁠⁠‌‌⁠⁠‌⁠‌‌‌⁠⁠⁠‌‌⁠⁠‌⁠⁠⁠‌‌⁠‌⁠‌⁠⁠‌‌⁠⁠⁠⁠‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠⁠‌‌⁠‌‌⁠‌‌⁠‌⁠‌‌⁠‌⁠‌‌⁠‌‌‌‌⁠⁠⁠⁠‌‌‌‌⁠⁠‌⁠‌‌‌‌⁠‌⁠⁠‌‌⁠⁠⁠‌‌⁠‌‌‌⁠⁠‌‌⁠‌‌‌⁠⁠‌⁠⁠⁠‌‌⁠⁠‌‌⁠⁠‌‌⁠⁠⁠‌⁠⁠‌‌‌⁠⁠‌⁠‌‌‌‌⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠‌‌⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠‌‌‌⁠⁠‌⁠‌‌‌⁠⁠⁠‌⁠‌‌⁠‌‌‌⁠⁠‌‌‌‌⁠⁠‌⁠⁠‌‌⁠‌‌⁠⁠⁠‌‌⁠⁠‌‌⁠‌‌⁠⁠‌⁠‌⁠‌‌‌⁠⁠⁠‌⁠‌‌⁠‌‌⁠⁠⁠⁠‌‌⁠⁠‌⁠⁠‌‌‌‌⁠‌⁠‍⁠‌‌⁠‌⁠⁠‌‌⁠⁠⁠‌‌⁠‌‌‌‌⁠⁠‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌⁠‌⁠‌‌‌t so?”

Johann awkwardly touched his hair. Just touched it.

I frowned.

“Put it down.”

“…Sir?”

“Let your hair down.”

“Ah, yes.”

Johann let down the hair he had carefully styled with pomade.

At first glance, it seemed like an overly mundane and unnecessary remark—but in truth, it was important. This too was part of managing the overly distinctive character traits of this ‘1st-class war criminal’ type.

I had to control even the smallest details meticulously so that I could always manipulate them to my will.

“Refrain from those kinds of spontaneous actions next time.”

“Yes, understood.”

Johann put his hair down more neatly. Since he’d already applied a lot of pomade, it looked like a cow had licked it, but it was still far better than the slicked-back style.

~~~