But I can’t let their good intentions get out of control.
I put my hand up in the air and interrupt their excitement.
I didn’t realize I’d have to spend the political cost of this place.
Politics is not a game, but costs accumulate as you accumulate achievements.
The more they accumulate, the easier it is to get things done.
It’s like authority, it’s hard to oppose someone who has accumulated costs.
In ancient China, they used to call it “virtue.
I think it’s close.
But when you go against the will of each member or force them to do something, you consume the cost.
This is the case when everyone rushes forward with good intentions, as we do today, but then stops short.
When good intentions run amok and damage is done, the act of stopping consumes a cost.
“You tried to stop me, but I caused damage.”
That’s what they’ll think.
However …… if I take action beforehand to limit the damage, the cost remains the same.
No, in fact, it decreases.
“I could have helped more.”
It’s because they feel that way.
If I want to make future governance easier, I shouldn’t let their good intentions run wild.
The damage that can be expected should be moderately controlled.
If I am to follow my policy of “no unnecessary sacrifices”, I will make sure that no damage is done.
I sighed.
Everyone was looking at me.
There’s no need to hesitate.
No, I shouldn’t hesitate.
I can’t betray the sacrifices I’ve made.
I’m not cut out to be a politician after all ……
If I’m a cold-hearted politician, the right way to go is to allow sacrifices for the future.
This way, the final sacrifice will be less.
If possible, I would like to keep the sacrifice to zero.
In order to do that, I need to control the good intentions that are about to go out of control.
“All participants in this operation will not be allowed to enter the town until I declare the situation under control.”
Everyone was thrown for a loop.
I keep a hard expression on my face.
“Sir Melchiorri. Please make your quarters at the gate where I direct you.”
I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself down.
“All participants in this mission must live in the camp. You will be traveling to and from the treatment center. Only one parent may participate, if they have children. If you are a single parent with a child, you can never participate. The exchange of supplies will take place at a receiving and delivery point to be set up near the camp. At a set time, things will be dropped off from the town and picked up by personnel on the camp side. Please avoid direct contact on either side.”
I’m beyond angry, and I feel like it doesn’t concern me.
But I would never allow myself to become desperate.
I took a breath and opened my mouth again.
“This is strictly a one-way passage. We will only send supplies from the town to the camp, not the other way around. There will be no exceptions. Naturally, we don’t allow messengers to go back and forth either. I will give instructions on how to raise the personnel after we see the progress. Decide what action to take if you want to communicate something from the encampment to the town. A messenger will be stationed near the place where supplies are delivered. Keep a distance of 3 meters between you and the messenger. To measure the distance, draw a line on each side. Do not go further than that.”
I look around at the group.
So far, they seem to be listening to me quietly.
For now.
“And everyone in the camp must be inspected by Ms. Despina at the end of the day. If any of the workers are infected and do not heal, they will be transferred to the treatment center. If any of my previous communications are violated, we will immediately cease the treatment and move into the infection-control phase. This means that anyone undergoing treatment will be left behind.”
The conference room fell silent as if it had been hit by water.
Why so much? I guess that’s what they think.
Touko raised his hand.
“My lord, is it really that necessary?”
My patience finally exceeded its capacity for tension-free questions.
Bam!!! I slap the desk with all my might.
Everyone looks surprised.
I feel a faint pain in my hand.
I tried my best to keep my voice calm.
“Don’t you know how scary an invisible enemy can be? Do you want to see your parents, husbands, wives, children, and friends die in agony and helplessly? Do you want to see them disposed of like …… burning garbage? You are going to a battlefield with invisible arrows flying, you know!”
I tried to continue with my words.
A quiet voice interrupted me.
It was the diabolical grandma Magali.
As expected, she seemed to feel guilty.
But I wish she had learned that earlier.
“Hey, guys. The boy forcibly gave up and allowed the part that he couldn’t give up in order to protect you. He doesn’t want you to die. The old guys should try to remember, that’s what he has always done, right?”
Everyone was silent.
No one noticed the contradiction in their words and actions.
It was like an arsonist trying to put out a fire.
It was so ridiculous that I wanted to laugh hysterically.
Without knowing my intentions, Ardelheid stood up and said.
“I will definitely remember Lord Alfred’s word.”
Following that, everyone swore an oath.
The die was cast.
No, the die was forced to be cast.
But I can’t let their good intentions get out of control.
I put my hand up in the air and interrupt their excitement.
I didn’t realize I’d have to spend the political cost of this place.
Politics is not a game, but costs accumulate as you accumulate achievements.
The more they accumulate, the easier it is to get things done.
It’s like authority, it’s hard to oppose someone who has accumulated costs.
In ancient China, they used to call it “virtue.
I think it’s close.
But when you go against the will of each member or force them to do something, you consume the cost.
This is the case when everyone rushes forward with good intentions, as we do today, but then stops short.
When good intentions run amok and damage is done, the act of stopping consumes a cost.
“You tried to stop me, but I caused damage.”
That’s what they’ll think.
However …… if I take action beforehand to limit the damage, the cost remains the same.
No, in fact, it decreases.
“I could have helped more.”
It’s because they feel that way.
If I want to make future governance easier, I shouldn’t let their good intentions run wild.
The damage that can be expected should be moderately controlled.
If I am to follow my policy of “no unnecessary sacrifices”, I will make sure that no damage is done.
I sighed.
Everyone was looking at me.
There’s no need to hesitate.
No, I shouldn’t hesitate.
I can’t betray the sacrifices I’ve made.
I’m not cut out to be a politician after all ……
If I’m a cold-hearted politician, the right way to go is to allow sacrifices for the future.
This way, the final sacrifice will be less.
If possible, I would like to keep the sacrifice to zero.
In order to do that, I need to control the good intentions that are about to go out of control.
“All participants in this operation will not be allowed to enter the town until I declare the situation under control.”
Everyone was thrown for a loop.
I keep a hard expression on my face.
“Sir Melchiorri. Please make your quarters at the gate where I direct you.”
I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself down.
“All participants in this mission must live in the camp. You will be traveling to and from the treatment center. Only one parent may participate, if they have children. If you are a single parent with a child, you can never participate. The exchange of supplies will take place at a receiving and delivery point to be set up near the camp. At a set time, things will be dropped off from the town and picked up by personnel on the camp side. Please avoid direct contact on either side.”
I’m beyond angry, and I feel like it doesn’t concern me.
But I would never allow myself to become desperate.
I took a breath and opened my mouth again.
“This is strictly a one-way passage. We will only send supplies from the town to the camp, not the other way around. There will be no exceptions. Naturally, we don’t allow messengers to go back and forth either. I will give instructions on how to raise the personnel after we see the progress. Decide what action to take if you want to communicate something from the encampment to the town. A messenger will be stationed near the place where supplies are delivered. Keep a distance of 3 meters between you and the messenger. To measure the distance, draw a line on each side. Do not go further than that.”
I look around at the group.
So far, they seem to be listening to me quietly.
For now.
“And everyone in the camp must be inspected by Ms. Despina at the end of the day. If any of the workers are infected and do not heal, they will be transferred to the treatment center. If any of my previous communications are violated, we will immediately cease the treatment and move into the infection-control phase. This means that anyone undergoing treatment will be left behind.”
The conference room fell silent as if it had been hit by water.
Why so much? I guess that’s what they think.
Touko raised his hand.
“My lord, is it really that necessary?”
My patience finally exceeded its capacity for tension-free questions.
Bam!!! I slap the desk with all my might.
Everyone looks surprised.
I feel a faint pain in my hand.
I tried my best to keep my voice calm.
“Don’t you know how scary an invisible enemy can be? Do you want to see your parents, husbands, wives, children, and friends die in agony and helplessly? Do you want to see them disposed of like …… burning garbage? You are going to a battlefield with invisible arrows flying, you know!”
I tried to continue with my words.
A quiet voice interrupted me.
It was the diabolical grandma Magali.
As expected, she seemed to feel guilty.
But I wish she had learned that earlier.
“Hey, guys. The boy forcibly gave up and allowed the part that he couldn’t give up in order to protect you. He doesn’t want you to die. The old guys should try to remember, that’s what he has always done, right?”
Everyone was silent.
No one noticed the contradiction in their words and actions.
It was like an arsonist trying to put out a fire.
It was so ridiculous that I wanted to laugh hysterically.
Without knowing my intentions, Ardelheid stood up and said.
“I will definitely remember Lord Alfred’s word.”
Following that, everyone swore an oath.
The die was cast.
No, the die was forced to be cast.
