Hi, everyone.
Wow, I usually never have time to write two chapters a day, but I guess this is the exception.
I hope you are not getting frustrated because there is a lack of action in the story. To be fair, my plan for this story is to focus on the intellectual side of the Akame ga Kill storyline. Hei and Junius are both strategists, and I like to show the details of their schemes.
However, I promise, there will be another action scene right around the corner, in case you are expecting it.
Chapter 59 The Albatross and The Snake
How far can a man extend his personal desires before abusing the others?
How far can a man abuse the others before his consciousness represses him?
How far can a man's consciousness substantiate what is morally wrong?
Or is there even such a standard for a man?
For one man in particular, these questions are absolutely inconsequential.
Aggressively dispatches another piece of meat from the plate in front of him, Honest gestures the soldier in front of him to be dismissed.
The paperwork Junius has sent him is remaining untouched on the edge of his dining table – there is no need for him to read these papers, because Junius always carries out the domestic policies to the Prime Minister's liking since the first day the young general was given the position.
That was a few months ago.
The first time Junius came to the capital, he successfully gathered important information regarding the internal political structures of the Prime Minister through some correct briberies. Fortunately, he saw an opportunity within the system. There was a struggle within the different political factions. Of course, there was no talk about any legal reforms – the problem was about the distribution of wealth among the nobles and the higher officials. Indeed, Prime Minister Honest could just confiscate all the wealth and keep them for himself, but doing so would damage the regional authorities, which means he himself would need to oversee the administration of this empire to every small detail.
Even though he desired absolute political power, he really didn't want to waste all of his time on reassigning local governors, scheming army distributions, and handling insignificant regional affairs; therefore, if Honest wanted to live a carefree life, then he needed the support from the local nobles and higher officials.
That was when Junius victoriously delivered a private letter to the Prime Minister.
The message was simple – Junius laid out the details for the wealth distribution based on a complex set of calculations he made, and he asked for nothing other than monetary awards from the Prime Minister.
Doubting the effectiveness of this plan, but seeing no potential harm in trying it out, Honest deployed it.
And goodness did it work splendidly.
Even though the Prime Minister did not understand why this plan worked, but the local nobles and the higher officials all received their satisfactory share without causing any more trouble.
As a result, Honest flagrantly invited the young man to his palace – he wanted to inspect his future financial advisor.
And Junius put on a masterful display of character.
He showed incredible economic insights, but absolutely no political vision. He talked enthusiastically about his art of war, but contained little physical prowess. He exhibited an unyielding affection for money and other material goods, but had no desire for power and position.
That was everything Honest was seeking.
A man that could handle all the tedious work for him while not having any chance to surpass him in political power.
Honest offered him the position of a general in the government: being a general, Junius could access all of the resources he needed for handling domestic policies, while Budo and Esdeath could constantly keep him in check – since he did not really process any mentionable military power.
And that was how Junius became a general.
KNOCK. KNOCK. KNOCK.
"Come in."
"Prime Minister."
The young general steps into the dining room, his demeanor is the usual calming smile. The ivory trench coat seems to reflect the sunlight into the enormous room, brightening the interiors of this dining place a few more lumens.
"General Brutus, come here and sit next to me."
The overweighed man casually points his finger toward a seat on the right side of the table, signaling Junius to make himself comfortable, to which he complies.
"Try some beef, General, the cook had a new recipe, it was quite delicious."
The single-eyed general turns to the food in front of him – the beef does, in fact, look enticing.
"Pardon me, Prime Minister. I have not been feeling too well since this morning, and I do not have much appetite as to right now."
Even though he dislikes formalities, the Prime Minister certainly does not. In order to earn the liking from Honest, Junius refuses the meal in a respectful manner.
"How unfortunate. General, maybe you should get some rest from all that domestic paperwork you are working on."
Devouring another piece of meat from his plate, Honest smiles at the young general.
"Thank you for your concern, Prime Minister. I would gladly take the advice. In fact, I have just finalized the economic plan for our military for this upcoming month, and I have asked Lieutenant Eros to deliver the final draft to you."
Since the first second Junius stepped into this room, he has located the unopened folder on the edge of the table, but again, as a sign of respect, he decides to kindly remind Honest of his work.
"Yes, yes. I have received it just now. Your work has been fantastic, and the results from last two months were especially satisfying. I am not going to view your plan this time, Junius, I believe in your numerical judgements."
With that reply, Junius intuitively knows that he has achieved his first step in earning the Prime Minister's trust.
"Thank you, Prime Minister, I really appreciate the monetary monthly awards."
The key to handling a political genius, like Honest himself, is to show them a personal flaw. Make them believe that you are controllable, and let them attempt to control you with that specific flaw, so all their suspicions on you would slowly die out.
Knowing this to his heart, Junius skillfully disguises himself as a greedy money maker.
"Ah, yes. These awards. You may see them as my payment for your services."
Completely accepting Junius' façade, the Prime Minister lets a small smirk to be viewable on his facial expression.
"In fact, General, I would like you to handle the recent problems within the Imperial Police. As you may have heard, Captain Ogre was tragically murdered, so there was a rather unpleasant struggle in the distribution of his wealth among the others, if you know what I mean."
Immediately noticing where this conversating is going, Junius lets his mind to analyze the situation for a few seconds before answering the Prime Minister in a grateful behavior.
"I would gladly investigate this problem, Prime Minister."
With that final assertion, the young general politely excuses himself from the dining table, and advances to leave the palace.
Perhaps it is time for him to take a small break.