A mid-level (middle-aged) office worker’s laid-back industrial revolution in another world - Chapter 45

Translator: Darling | Editor: Coming soon…

Fredrick refilled everyone’s tea.

“Nn……………..I don’t understand your concern, Takeo.”

“Yes. Sir Takeo, what are you really concerned about?”

Grandpa Elvis and Alice asked Takeo.

“I told you a little bit about the origins of this gun earlier right?”

“Yes.”

“I mentioned that it took about 550 years for the gun to develop to this kind of shape and system, right?”

“Yes, you did.”

“Isn’t it strange?”

“What is?”

Alice couldn’t seem to understand.

“I see. Now that you say so, it really does seem strange.”

Fredrick said after he refilled everyone’s tea.

“As I thought. It’s strange.

Ah, this conversation might be a little long so can we please have you sit down and join us as well, Mr. Fredrick?”

“Yes. Will you sit down and participate as well, Fredrick?”

“Certainly.”

Fredrick sat down and joined the conversation.

“So, Fredrick, what do you think is strange?”

Grandpa Elvis asked.

“Yes. I assume think that what Sir Takeo is uncomfortable about is probably the information.”

“Yes. It took about 550 years for the gun to evolve in a place with no magic.

But this world does have magic, which can be used conveniently.

It doesn’t make sense for it to take so long to evolve here.

Even so, no matter the length of time, it wouldn’t be weird for the rumors to spread to neighboring countries.

But that isn’t the case……….it’s very suspicious.”

Everyone seemed to realize that it was certainly weird.

“So, it’s just my assumption……..that has me concerned.

Maybe someone that holds the same knowledge as me is living in the Catalanda Empire.

Or has a genius  appeared?”

“EH?”

“There is someone other than me who holds the knowledge or ideas about these weapons.”

“That……that’s a big threat….”

Alice couldn’t hide her shock.

“Yes. Sir Takeo’s way of thinking is very novel to us. 

To think that another person with such knowledge………..moreover in an enemy country……”

Smith seemed worried.

“Hmm……..that’s a threat.”

“However, this is an assumption but I don’t think that that person is an important figure in that country.”

“Why is that?”

Smith asked.

“Because it hasn’t been used in battle yet.

If I were to be one of the central figures of a country, I would perfect our preparation so that we could attack the neighboring country and destroy it.

I would also ensure that our information would be stringently controlled.

Well, I would certainly release enough information to start a war though.”

“…………That’s a scary thought process.”

“It’s the basics of strategizing right?”

“Why would you destroy it?”

Smith asked.

“If I were to let the important figures of a country live, then they may start a rebellion, right?”

Takeo plainly answered.

“Eh?”

Alice and Smith were shocked.

“I do know that their people say that you should govern the other country but that’s too naïve.

There is a simpler way to dominate them.”

Grandpa Elvis and Fredrick nodded.

“What……..is that method?”

Alice was frightened as she asked.

“………I don’t want to say it.

Just thinking about it makes me sick.”

Takeo refused to answer Alice.

“Hmm……..it’s the same for me though……

Since Smith is also here, I feel that as people who govern, we must be aware of this way of thinking as well.”

“…I understand… Mr. Elvis, would you please explain it?”

“Hmm, it’s fine if I do it right…..Smith.”

“Yes.”

Smith straightened his back and replied.

“Do you know the easiest way to govern a nation that you defeated?”

“No………I don’t know.”

“Hmm, that’s not really taught but political education is given……

It’s by founding a slave nation.”

Alice and Smith were stunned speechless.

Takeo and Fredrick had their eyes closed as they listened.

“That’s……….horrible.”

Alice murmured with a pale face.

“Yes. It’s horrible.

That’s why people like us that govern territories should be aware of this knowledge so that we have the wisdom to avoid our territories from experiencing such consequences.”

“………Is that so.”

Smith answered with a pale face.

“Yes. By the way, Takeo, I’m grateful from the bottom of my heart that you came to us.

If you were to go to another country with that way of thinking then we would be done for.”

Alice nodded without saying anything.

“Haha. I’ll take that as a compliment.

Let me add to that a little bit.”

Takeo looked at Smith.

“Young master Smith, this is an assumption of a worst-case scenario.

Usually, it’s a political call.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. It’s very difficult to create a country from scratch.

That’s why it makes sense to replace the leaders of the country and leave the residents as is.

Ah, though you will impose a heavy tax.”

“Eh? How much?”

“Hmm………if I have to put it simply then about 3 times?”

That’s………that’s impossible to live with !!”

Smith protested.

“That’s right. But you’ll be suppressed if you rebel.

Using that as an example to give a warning, you can exterminate them.”

“Ughh……that’s the worst.”

Smith looked very depressed.