Chapter 37

What do people live for?

If asked such a question, the answer would likely vary depending on the person’s values, occupation, and so on.

A religious person might speak of love and charity,

a poor person would talk about bread and soup,

while nobles or royals would mention power and honor.

From that perspective, Kamilla von Arshah’s answer has always been the same:

the future.

Since becoming a republican at the age of fifteen, she has always lived looking toward the future.

Not just her own future, but the future of the nation, the future of society as a whole.

Running a coffeehouse to gather her allies and influence public opinion among intellectuals was part of that effort.

She didn’t hesitate to take risky gambles to improve the country as she envisioned.

And now, Lady Arshah was realizing her dreams through the stage of parliament.

“180 votes in favor, 120 against! Therefore, the bill to reform the conscription system is hereby passed!”

“Damn you commoners! Do you even know what will happen to the kingdom if you pull off such tyranny? If this country falls, it’s all your fault!”

“Wow, what a load of nonsense. How is it our fault? We’re just steadily fixing the mess you’ve made of the government!!”

“After sucking the blood of the people for hundreds of years, don’t you dare shift the blame onto us!!”

A place where representatives of the three estates gather to discuss, argue, and decide on the nation’s key issues.

Though somewhat distant from a modern parliament, it’s still a far more rational institution compared to the Three Estates Assembly.

Here, Lady Arshah was leading Karolus’s entire faction in his stead.

Isn’t it too heavy a responsibility for a mere twenty-year-old? You’re right.

But what can you do?

There’s no one else suitable for the role.

The factions, with their differing commonalities and interests, are so tangled that cooperation between them is harder than climbing Mount Everest without oxygen.

How could a republican who’s obsessed with beheading the king and a clergyman who believes in the divine right of kings ever get along?

It’s only because Lady Arshah, with her large faction and Karolus’s trust, can manage them.

Using his authority, she can somewhat control them.

“Next on the agenda is the proposal to abolish the current tax farming system and transfer tax collection duties to the Ministry of Finance.”

And today,

Lady Arshah aimed to reform another major system.

The tax farming system, as the name suggests, outsources tax collection to private contractors.

For example, if a region yields 100 in annual taxes, the monarch, in need of urgent funds, could sell the tax collection rights for 250 over three years to a contractor.

The monarch gets immediate funds, and the contractor earns a 50 profit after three years.

Sounds like a win-win, right? Not quite.

“In favor! Absolutely in favor! This system is why the people are getting poorer by the day!!”

“I’m sick of seeing these contractors invent taxes out of thin air! Why should we pay a breathing tax just for breathing?!”

“Exactly! Taxes should be paid as set by law, not as much as the collector feels like taking!”

Tax farmers, or tax collectors, have full autonomy over how and how much tax they collect.

Do you think they’ll only collect 100 each year? Of course not. They’ll find every excuse to take more.

Breathing tax, window tax, shoe tax, sleep tax, tolls for passing the fortress walls, well tax, clothing tax, and so on…

In one region, they even tried to tax thoughts but had to cancel it after the enraged populace beat a tax collector to death.

To build a normal country, the tax farming system must be abolished. Only then can the people live.

“Nonsense! Are you planning to suddenly discard a system that’s been in place for hundreds of years? What about the aftermath?!”

“If we abolish the tax collectors, how will we cover the costs? Do you think money grows on trees to hire more officials?!”

“Contracts with tax farmers are the legitimate rights of monarchs and lords! Parliament has no right to interfere!”

Of course, there was backlash, mainly from the nobles.

They’ve been letting tax collectors run wild in exchange for kickbacks. Abolishing the system would mess up their finances.

Expensive dresses, jewelry, luxuries, and maintaining their dignity—nobles have a lot of essential (by their standards) expenses.

Sometimes, their usual income from their lands can’t even cover it.

Tax farmers were the ones solving that for them. And now, suddenly banning it? Unacceptable.

If they gave in, they’d have to pay the “huge” price of “slightly” reducing their luxuries.

While the people starve for lack of bread, who cares, right? But that’s how it was.

These bastards are so full they make you want to stab them with a spear, but for now, that’s how it was.

“Stop the nonsense! Are you saying we should suffer so you can fatten your wallets?!”

“Watch your tone, you wretch! How dare you speak to the Blue Bloods like that?!”

“Blue Bloods, my foot! We’re all equal members of parliament! Don’t use your status to justify your nonsense!”

“Are you getting kickbacks or something? No sane person would defend tax extortion!”

The verbal battle continued. Though they refrained from outright swearing, it was a full-blown brawl with all dignity thrown out.

But for some reason, the energy felt weaker than usual.

‘Still not enough.’

Lady Arshah clicked her tongue inwardly. She knew exactly why.

‘They only get passionate when the boss is around. They’re trying to show loyalty to him.’

In the past, just having Karolus in his seat would make them rise like a swarm, ready to spout something.

Looking good in his eyes was the shortcut to power and success.

Even if they had nothing in mind, they’d chant slogans or something, just to make noise.

But now? The faction has no center.

With the person who should balance and lead them gone, everyone’s energy has waned.

Only the truly passionate and determined step forward now.

‘He needs to come back soon….’

Lady Arshah sighed inwardly, hoping Karolus would return from the battlefield soon.

She wanted to see him leading the various factions and steering the nation.

While she assisted and advised him from the side.

If it seems like she misses him for more than just political reasons… it’s a misunderstanding. Definitely a misunderstanding.

“Ahem! The debate seems to be getting too heated. Perhaps we should stop here?”

Lady Arshah stood up, clearing her throat to shift the atmosphere.

Glances of displeasure and disdain poured in from all directions.

If it were Karolus, they’d be filled with rage and hatred, but now they were just looking down at her.

Bearing the contempt directed at her, she turned to the chair and requested,

“Since opinions aren’t converging, let’s decide by vote. That’s the fairest way.”

“Fairness, my foot! You’re just trying to bulldoze us with numbers!”

“Nonsense! Voting and majority rule are the essence of politics that reflect everyone’s opinions!!”

Regardless of the bickering, all issues are decided by vote. A roll call vote was immediately conducted.

201 in favor, 96 against, 3 absent (Karolus and his officers).

As always, it passed with a one-sided margin.

* * * * *

“Good work today, everyone. See you tomorrow.”

“Next time, we’re discussing police reform, right?”

“Yes. The general content is as discussed last time. Please make sure to win the debate decisively.”

On the way back after the meeting, Lady Arshah exchanged brief greetings with her fellow parliamentarians and walked on.

The usual commute she shared with Karolus.

But without him, she now had to walk alone to the carriage.

That alone would be fine, but the problem was the unwelcome guest who kept clinging to her.

“Oh, Lady Arshah. Heading back now?”

“…..Your Highness, the Crown Prince.”

And to make matters worse, it’s a married 30-something royal.

“Must be tough attending parliament every day. Arguing with those who don’t even understand you.”

“Not as tough as assisting His Majesty in ruling the nation, Your Highness.”

Most of the monarch’s real power has long been neutralized by Karolus. But phrasing it this way is an indirect way of saying she doesn’t need comfort from someone like him.

Either oblivious to the simple metaphor or ignoring it, the Crown Prince shamelessly placed his hand on Lady Arshah’s shoulder.

“I’d like to personally comfort you for your hard work…. How about a drink? My treat.”

“No, thank you. I’m not particularly fond of drinking.”

Brushing off his hand with her fan, Lady Arshah shot back,

barely concealing her disdain and disgust.

“Wouldn’t it be better to take care of Her Highness, the Crown Princess? I heard she’s pregnant. She’d surely appreciate your company.”

“…..Fine. Be that way.”

“Please return safely.”

After sending off the Crown Prince, Lady Arshah sighed. Why does this royal family keep showing such pathetic behavior?

“Sigh. I want to tear it all down.”

If she could, she’d smash it all.

Toppling the remnants of the feudal era and establishing a republic seemed like the ultimate goal.

But that’s an extremely difficult task. The people wouldn’t accept it. The masses only see monarchy as the truth.

‘A nation without a monarch is impossible in this world.’

Lady Arshah realized this after working in the political arena.

The ideal republic envisioned by idealists is still an unattainable fantasy. The ideological foundation, practical basis, and public consensus are all severely lacking.

Forcing it would only lead to collapse, with no one accepting it.

‘Introducing a constitutional monarchy is the best option.’

The realistic limit would be to constrain and regulate royal power through a constitution.

A nation ruled not by a single monarch but by elected politicians.

‘But not with the Liudolf Royal Family.’

However, the current royal family won’t do. They’re too incompetent.

Even in a constitutional monarchy, the monarch needs at least basic common sense and reasoning.

You can’t entrust the throne to a madman who flirts with women while his wife is pregnant.

And the child born to such a man likely won’t be normal either.

In that case, perhaps…

“…..”

Lady Arshah looked up toward the northwest, where her shadowy political collaborator and superior resided.