It was called an ultimatum, but in reality, it was a naked threat.
The meaning of these words was simple: If you hand over the 90 million mora obediently, I won't care whether or not you were responsible for the assassination; we'll only hold you accountable for the minor schemes you've been involved in.
But if you try to play games with me, then I'm sorry, we have nothing more to discuss, and we'll settle both matters together.
Thinking of this, Yuto sighed slightly, then looked up at the stars in the sky, momentarily at a loss for words.
After a long silence, Yuto finally spoke:
"I wonder how long this 'insurance' will last..."
"Insurance?"
Paimon asked, somewhat confused.
She really didn't understand what Yuto was talking about. Weren't they dealing with the assassination and stabilizing internal affairs?
How did 'insurance' come into it?
Lumine also had the same question, looking at Yuto, who stood in front of them, with a puzzled expression.
Seemingly sensing their confused gazes, Yuto chose his words carefully, then began to speak:
"The so-called insurance is the awe the nobility holds for the law and Palais Mermonia, preventing them from repeatedly testing the law's bottom line in the future."
"Do you remember what I said before? When a net develops a hole... that net is on the verge of collapse."
"Within the next five days, this 'net' will be mended because the Noclan Family will be brought to Judgment and face their downfall."
"And the so-called insurance... is to prevent other nobles from having similar imitative intentions."
At this point, Yuto paused slightly, then continued:
"Fontaine's current commercial landscape is changing almost daily.
Except for highly unique industries like Chiori Tailor Shop and Hotel Debord, which are difficult to replace, other industries are almost constantly competing for resources and customers."
"Unfortunately, the Noclan Family's industries are largely within this category, and that 90 million mora is their entire fortune."
"When they hand over this property to Palais Mermonia, it means their industries will face a capital outflow, and they will soon be completely devoured by other operators."
"And then two scenarios will emerge: one is that they sell their mansions, attempting to preserve their industries and barely survive; the other is that they sell their old residences and leave Fontaine."
"The former allows them to serve as a constant negative example for other nobles, letting them know the consequences of testing Fontaine's legal bottom line."
"As for the latter... it can achieve the same effect."
"Then... what if they don't hand it over?"
Paimon asked, somewhat curious.
Although she knew that if those guys didn't hand over the 90 million mora, their end would be even worse, she truly couldn't imagine anything more tragic than the fate just described.
Hearing this, Yuto smiled slightly, not answering immediately. Instead, he sat down on a bench by the roadside and then spoke:
"You've lived in Meropide for a while; you should know what serious criminals face there, right?"
"I know, I know! No welfare meals, and 80% of their daily income is withheld!"
Paimon was quick to answer.
"Exactly. The highest intensity labor, the lowest pay, the most expensive food—these three combined... are the future they will face."
"Think about it, will they, accustomed to a life of luxury, accept such conditions in Meropide?"
"Even if they do, how long can they endure?"
Those three simple sentences made Paimon shiver involuntarily.
At this moment, the characteristic smile on Yuto's face, in her eyes... truly equated to a demon.
But who could she blame?
Who forced this demon out?
Undoubtedly, it was the Noclan Family themselves who forced it out.
Thinking of this, Paimon originally wanted to say more, but it felt as if her throat was clogged, and she didn't know what to say.
Lumine, after a moment of thought, asked:
"Why?"
"Why what?"
"Why would you do this?"
It seemed like it had been a long time since he had heard this question, and Yuto fell into a brief daze.
He looked up slightly at the brilliant stars in the sky, momentarily at a loss for words.
Lumine, cooperating, sat down on another bench, quietly waiting for his reply.
In this silence, one's perception of time was extremely dull. After an unknown period, Yuto finally spoke:
"Because... this is my agreement with them."
"My actions have caused Fontaine's economy to develop rapidly, and those who seized the opportunities of the era rode the wave, easily earning wealth that others couldn't accumulate in ten lifetimes of effort."
"The patriarchs of the first generation of nobles each swore to me that they would ensure other people in Fontaine became as wealthy as them. The light in their eyes is something I can never forget."
"But... they are not long-lived beings like me; they too will pass away."
"The wheels of time grind on mercilessly, changing not only the people in power but also people's hearts."
"Their descendants did not inherit the noble character. To gain more profit, they exploited the people of Fontaine in various ways, preventing them from receiving their rightful compensation."
"Exploiting the populace, withholding wages, using family circumstances and living needs to coerce the people of Fontaine... they are capable of all these things."
"Do you know why so many people like to try to get into Palais Mermonia? Because Palais Mermonia pays stable wages, and because Palais Mermonia offers good benefits."
"From today's perspective... that's true, but before my drastic reforms, getting into Palais Mermonia to avoid exploitation... was a tradition for people in Fontaine."
A trace of sadness appeared in Yuto's sea-blue eyes, and he sighed softly before saying:
"Although these issues have now improved, there are still many reckless individuals who like to repeatedly test the bottom line."
"To uphold my agreement with those true nobles, and to protect the interests of more people."
"Even if it means temporarily acting as a demon... I will not hesitate."
"The 'evil spirits of the underworld' in their eyes are the guardians of ordinary people."
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Just to clarify, this is a fictional world and has no intention of reflecting reality. Any similarities are purely coincidental.
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