#854 The Outcome of Republicanism

Dalkish of the human race here.

I serve as a feudal lord. Well, more specifically, a feudal lord of a rather tiny and remote part of what used to be the Human Kingdom.

Day and night, I’m besieged with complex issues.

These are problems arising from the rebirth of the Human Kingdom.

Once conquered by demons, the Human Kingdom has had its share of issues and conflicts... But now, the time has come to overcome these struggles and establish a new, independent Human Kingdom.

The Demon King’s Army, which has been stationed within our borders for so long, is soon to withdraw, returning sovereignty to us humans. 

We had lost the right to govern our own land after defeat, but now, by the grace of the victors, it’s fortunately back in our hands.

If we’re allowed to steer our own ship once more...

As a feudal lord of the human race, I must be present and cooperate in this effort.

We must continue collaborating in the rebirth and future of the Human Kingdom.

That’s a feudal lord’s duty, after all.

In the past, under the absolute power of royalty, we allowed their tyranny and even let the church, parasitic on royal power, have its way.

The ultimate outcome of those actions was the destruction of the old Human Kingdom due to defeat in war. Thus, we must exercise utmost caution to rebuild and ensure such mistakes are never repeated.

The proposed solution was the establishment of not a Human Kingdom but a Human Republic.

Was it Princess Letasreit or Lord Saint who suggested this?

Normally, you’d expect to find a surviving royal to crown as the new king in a bid to revive the Human Kingdom.

But that would risk repeating past mistakes.

Blaming the royal family for the defeat in the Human-Demon War and the subsequent devastation of our lands, it’s wise not to revert to the old system. 

Especially since Princess Letasreit, the only known royal survivor, seems utterly uninterested.

Hence the idea of a republic. 

“Republic” means not leaving decisions to one absolute ruler but making national policies through discussions among several people.

Apparently, the idea is that spreading power among many prevents any one person from going rogue.

When I heard this, I thought it was the most convenient solution, considering the old Human Kingdom’s downfall due to royal excess.

Deciding national policies through discussions by multiple people... this is what they call a parliament, it seems.

Naturally, we feudal lords are to be the members of this parliament.

Thinking back, the downfall of the old Human Kingdom was due not just to the actions of royalty and the Order but also to us feudal lords not stopping them.

To atone and avoid repeating the same folly, we feudal lords must now navigate carefully.

And, no matter how much we decide to decide things together, a group needs a leader.

Otherwise, everyone just argues their point, and nothing gets decided.

...So, we must first determine who will serve as the chairperson of this parliamentary council.

This chairperson will effectively become the pinnacle of the new Human Republic.

It’s a heavy responsibility.

We must choose wisely.

Of course, the chairperson will also be selected from among us feudal lords.

Someone wise, strong, experienced, and flawless in every way would be ideal.

But does such a paragon even exist among the current human lords...?

***

Now...

The feudal lords from across the kingdom have gathered around a round table and engaged in discussion.

“Lord Dalkish! You are the ideal candidate for chairperson!”

“No, thank you.”

I rejected the idea outright.

Why?

Because it’s absolutely, positively, unquestionably, undeniably, irrevocably, and utterly impossible.

Such a critically important role is beyond me.

I’m merely a minor feudal lord from a backwater.

There are all sorts of feudal lords, after all.

Sure, my domain’s been doing well lately, thriving even... 

But that’s all thanks to Orkubo’s Castle, a major attraction that popped up in my territory. It has nothing to do with my skills.

Orkubo’s Castle just appeared one day.

So, please, don’t overestimate me.

There must be others more suitable for the role of chairperson.

What about you, Lord Osennim?

Didn’t you want to be king?

“Out of the question, out of the question! That was just delirious talk when I was manipulated by the church! Someone as easily brainwashed as me is definitely not fit for chairperson!”

Lord Osennim, who governs the grand domain of Grandburg, is certainly a person of ability...

However, he’s not eager to run for chairperson due to a past incident when he was misled by wicked church schemers.

It was a long time ago. He shouldn’t worry about it.

He would be perfect, given the size of his domain!

“R-Rather than that, isn’t Lord Sergio of the Sendekyrs domain more suited to be the chairman?”

“Heh, me?!”

The one thus named was Lord Sergio, one of the feudal lords gathered here.

Among us, he was one of the elders, quite advanced in years.

“Being advanced in years means a wealth of experience! Why not use that wisdom and judgment for the good of our nation as its chairman?!”

“No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no! I’m just an old man who’s lived a long life without significant experience! In fact, as you age, your mind isn’t as sharp. Better to rely on the young and promising, like you, Lord Dalkish!”

Oh no! The hot potato I thought I’d tossed away is coming back to me!

I must say something to change the course, or I’ll end up being appointed chairman!!!

“But I’ve heard that in Lord Sergio’s domain, young Ritheseus has been handling the management after returning from his training, leaving Lord Sergio mostly hands-off! Surely, then, you have the time to serve as chairman?”

“That’s right! Those who are free should take on more work! Lord Sergio, please, take this on!!!”

...

It must be becoming clear by now.

None of us feudal lords want to be the chairman!!!

Why, you ask?!

Isn’t it obvious?!

We’re already shouldering the huge responsibility of being feudal lords!

Every day, we’re busy solving troubles within our domains, calculating taxes to ensure fairness, and giving back to our people! 

Always at our limits!

How can we add more to our plates amidst all this?!

That’s why none of the feudal lords wanted to double as chairman.

It’s not that it’s a bother!

It’s just that we’re already stretched too thin!

To save me from my daily busyness! Someone other than me, any feudal lord but me, please become the chairman!

But the other feudal lords feel the same!

Hence, the fierce game of hot potato continues.

“Lord Dalkish has close ties with the Demon King and the Mermaid King! Who else could better represent the future of humanity? A man to carry the weight of the Human Kingdom!”

“No, no...! That’s just because I’m close to Lord Saint...!!!”

“Having connections with Lord Saint, rumored to be the shadow ruler of this world, is also a merit! Surely, young and capable Lord Dalkish is the one to lead our future!”

Damn, this is bad...!

The very concerns I’ve had are now cornering me in this situation...!

All these points being made are just because I’m close to Lord Saint! 

It’s not because of my own skills!!!

I must do something before my wife Varlina, being a demon, is also brought up, putting me in checkmate!

“...All right! I’ll be the chairman!”

“?! No, then I will!”

“No, I will!”

“I’ll do it!”

“GO AHEAD!!!”

“Actually, no thanks!!!”

Phew, managed to change the direction...!

But you know, seeing all this makes me think.

The fall of the old Human Kingdom wasn’t just the royal family’s fault...!

We feudal lords, focused on just protecting our domains, didn’t pay enough attention to national affairs. 

That’s what led to the royal family’s tyranny.

The royals didn’t go rogue by themselves.

Our indifference, our selfish attitude of ‘as long as our domain is fine, the rest doesn’t matter’ drove us to ruin.

I must deeply reflect on this, but that doesn’t mean I want to be the chairman!!!

I cannot neglect the hands that feed my people!

“...!”

“...?!”

As every feudal lord present harbors the same thoughts, the argument finally runs out, and we fall silent.

Damn it, things would’ve been better if the Demon King’s Army had kept control!

...And then, it hit me.

“We don’t necessarily need a feudal lord to be the chairman, right?”