"The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the matter of institutional reform. Before we begin, I would like to ask everyone a question." Seeing that everyone was listening quietly, Wilder's serious gaze swept over the crowd. "Is there anyone who disapproves of the institutional reform?"
As his voice fell, a dozen or so figures stepped out from the crowd. The man in the lead was a Morass cadre in a purple suit. Wilder had noted his name two days ago: Jacks.
"Your Majesty, I disapprove."
"I disapprove."
"I disapprove."
Following his lead, the dozen or so others spoke up in succession.
"Very good!" Wilder glanced at them, his face expressionless. "Does anyone else disapprove? Right now, those who disapprove, stand on the right. Those who approve, stand on the left."
Some who had been hesitant, and who had just broken out in a cold sweat seeing the dozen men openly stand out, breathed a sigh of relief at Wilder's words.
It seems things aren't as bad as I thought. His Majesty's attitude isn't completely rigid. That makes sense; with so many people opposing, His Majesty can't possibly blame us all, right?
And so, after a brief stir in the crowd, another group of people chose to step forward, forming a line on the right. Without exception, these were all cadres.
Wilder glanced down at the hall. A wide, empty path now separated the two distinct groups. On the left were those who approved of the reform, mostly non-combatants from various departments, naturally led by the six from the Talent Development Department.
On the right was the group of cadres. They were slightly fewer in number than the group on the left, about fifty or so.
As for the senior cadres, they were conspicuously absent today. Of course, no one questioned this. Only Wilder knew the reason for their absence. Moreover, this matter did not require—nor was it permissible for—the senior cadres to be present.
"Now, those who disapprove, present your reasons. I would like to hear everyone's opinions." Up to this point, Wilder's expression hadn't changed in the slightest. He was as calm as ever, making it impossible to read his mood or guess his thoughts.
"This… the risks of institutional reform are too great. If it fails, our current system could collapse. Restoring it then would be incredibly difficult." Jacks hadn't anticipated Wilder's question. In order to stop the reform, he had no choice but to grit his teeth and offer a flimsy excuse.
Wilder didn't speak. Instead, he looked to the left. The moment Akira met Wilder's gaze, he understood. He took a step forward, his eyes on Jacks, and said in a flat tone, "Mr. Jacks, you may not fully understand the meaning of reform. First, what we are about to do, this institutional reform, carries very little risk. Second, there is no possibility of failure. Third, isn't the collapse of the current system precisely what we are trying to achieve? The purpose of institutional reform is to shatter the current system."
Jacks shot Akira a look, a flash of malice in his eyes that he quickly concealed. "Whether there's a risk or not isn't for you to say. Are you claiming that shattering the current system is reform? What if, after shattering it, we can't establish a better system, or if everything just descends into chaos?"
"Success depends on human effort. As long as there are no troublemakers intentionally working against the system, it can't get any worse than it is now," Akira said, looking at Jacks with a calm but meaningful tone. The insinuation in his words was like stepping on a cat's tail. Jacks and the others instantly bristled, glaring at him with hostility.
"What are you trying to say? Are you saying we're the ones who would intentionally obstruct the reform?" Jacks's tone was filled with a cold venom.
"No, Mr. Jacks, you're taking it too personally. I never said such a thing. If you insist on thinking so, there's nothing I can do," Akira said, meeting his gaze without a shred of fear.
Taking it personally…
Another word laced with a hidden barb.
This guy… is he looking to die?
Jacks glanced at Wilder. Seeing no reaction, he became more certain that the matter was not yet set in stone. He sneered at Akira. "Heh… I don't have your eloquence, Mr. Akira, nor am I as skilled at twisting words and playing with concepts. What I want to say is, you so vehemently oppose my reasoning, dismissing it as invalid. How can you prove that what you say is valid? Just by being a smooth talker?"
"There is no need for proof, because this was never a discussion about reform itself. The institutional reform is imperative. What we are discussing now is whether the reasons for opposing the reform are valid, not whether we should reform or not. The only reason you are all able to speak right now is because His Majesty has given you dissenters a chance to state your reasons," Akira said, not even looking at Jacks, but speaking to the air in front of him.
"Well then, are your reasons ready?" At that moment, Wilder, who had been silent on his throne, suddenly spoke, looking at Jacks and the others with an unnerving calm.
"This…" A chill ran down Jacks's back. He was too nervous to speak. The situation seemed to be taking a wrong turn. The other dissenters also broke out in a cold sweat under Wilder's gaze, not knowing how to answer.
Akira glanced at them and said faintly, "You all oppose the reform for your own interests, don't you? I suppose that's human nature. But it's not too late to recognize your mistake and consider the bigger picture."
Akira's words struck a nerve, as if an unpleasant truth had been brutally unwrapped, leaving them feeling completely exposed.
"What did you say?" Jacks whipped his head around, his eyes bloodshot and feral as he stared at him. "Interests? You're the one doing this for your own interests, aren't you?"
Akira shrugged, not even bothering to look at him or reply.
"Enough." Wilder's voice, flat to the extreme, came from above. His eyes, devoid of any emotion, coldly watched Jacks and the others. "I said… have you not thought of your reasons yet?"
"Your reasons for opposing the institutional reform. If you haven't thought of them, or if you can't state them…"
Wilder's voice and tone sent a shiver down the spines of Jacks and his group. Tension and terror made cold sweat stream down their faces. They forced a smile, but it was incredibly ugly. "Y-Your Majesty, please give me a little more time… I…"
Before Jacks could finish, Wilder cut him off coldly. "In that case, I can only treat you as having intentionally disrupted the meeting."
His icy words instantly made Jacks and his group realize that something was terribly wrong. Why is it like this? A wave of cold dread washed over them, and their faces changed drastically.
"N-no! Boss Wilder!" Jacks's expression was one of terror. He backed away, shouting, "We're just thinking of Morass and Your Majesty! The reform won't work!"
"The reform was my proposal. Are you questioning me?"
An icy pressure descended from above. At that moment, no one dared to speak. They didn't even dare to look at Jacks and his group, for fear of getting caught in the crossfire.
Enveloped by this pressure, Jacks felt as if all his strength had been drained. His legs gave out, and he fell to his knees. The others followed suit, a series of thuds echoing as they collapsed to the floor.
"You say it's not for your own interests? Very well… I'll let you see the truth before you die." As Wilder spoke, several members of the guard emerged from a side passage. They were carrying a large screen and several Video Den Den Mushi. They placed them in the center of the high platform, where everyone could see clearly, and pressed the play button.
"We need to unite more people!"
"We absolutely cannot let the reform succeed!"
"What have I been working so hard for? Isn't it for money and status? Now a group of people wants to take a part of that away from us!"
The images projected by the Video Den Den Mushi were magnified on the screen, and the sound carried to every corner of the hall. Some hearts pounded with fear, others looked at Jacks and his group with disgust. As for Jacks and the others, their faces were ashen.
Jacks was stunned for a moment, then a look of utter madness and ferocity flashed across his face. He leaped up from the floor and charged toward Wilder on the high platform, a dagger sliding out from his sleeve. "Die, Wilder!"
BANG!
Wilder calmly watched his crazed subordinate attack him, not even batting an eyelid. A bullet flew in from the side and swiftly embedded itself in Jacks's head. His forward momentum stopped, and he fell from mid-air onto the steps, his blood staining the carpet red.
From a corner, a member of the Palace Guard, completely covered in uniform, emerged. Without a word, they walked over and dragged the body away.
"I would like to know if anyone else has a different opinion."
Wilder's flat voice echoed in the hall, causing those who were just snapping out of the previous scene to stiffen. They quickly shook their heads. "No, no!"
"Is that so…" Wilder nodded nonchalantly. "Since we have reached a consensus, let the reforms begin now. In addition to the changes in the system and positions, the laws of our country, this kingdom, must also be established. For now, I will propose the first one."
As he spoke, Wilder descended from his throne into the hall. He walked toward the group of dissenters, who were now huddled together in terror, backing away, and spoke calmly:
"Law 1: Any member of Morass who opposes a measure beneficial to the kingdom, yet cannot state a reason for their opposition, or whose reason is invalid, shall die!"
Die!
The hearts of everyone in the hall couldn't help but leap violently, a sense of shock and horror washing over them.
The next second, a massive amount of swamp erupted from Wilder's arm, crashing down on the group of dissenters. In their eyes, filled with either terror or the resolve to fight to the death, the swamp descended with crushing force!
The hall instantly became so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Even breathing seemed to be consciously suppressed. Everyone lowered their heads, but their minds were in turmoil.
To kill his own subordinates from a moment ago without a shred of hesitation or delay—Wilder's methods deeply shook everyone, and also made some of them put away their own selfish thoughts.
"Well then, let the meeting begin," Wilder said, as if nothing had happened. He walked past the crowd and returned to his throne.
"Yes, sir," the crowd answered, their heads bowed.
"Establish the Civil Department, the Military Department, and the Department of Industry," Wilder said, glancing at Akira.
"Yes, sir." Akira and the other five stepped forward and sat down at the conference table, taking notes on what Wilder said. Although Wilder had already discussed this with them in secret, the others didn't know, and besides, they still had to go through the process.
"The Civil Department will manage all the state affairs of Morass."
"The Military Department will manage all the military affairs of Morass."
"The Department of Industry will be responsible for all scientific and technological research and development, and will be under the direct jurisdiction of the King."
"In addition, a Security Department will be established between the Civil and Military Departments. It will be an important subsidiary of the Civil Department, in charge of all basic internal security matters in Morass."
"Furthermore, a Legal Department will be established."
"Establish…"
One by one, new departments with clear positions and functions were established. The meeting lasted for three days before the initial framework was completed.
Next was the matter of personnel transfers and assignments.
In general, those with great martial prowess were assigned to the Military Department, and those with knowledge and talent were assigned to the Civil Department.
Then, some who possessed both martial ability and talent were assigned to the Security Department. Other than the top leaders, whose martial and intellectual abilities were at a high level, the lower-level personnel were primarily chosen for their talent, with their martial ability being stronger than that of ordinary people, but not excessively so.
And in this world, most people had some degree of martial ability, so being stronger than ordinary people actually meant being stronger than ordinary people who knew how to fight.
For the Civil Department, Wilder temporarily transferred Akira from the Talent Development Department to serve as the highest minister, and the other five were also promoted.
The Military Department was to be led by Claire and Vice. At the same time, Claire, to her dismay, continued to serve as Wilder's secretary.
In addition to these, a series of other departments were established.
The Department of Industry was, for the time being, a combination of the research department and others, and would not change for now. It was worth mentioning that not all schools were under the jurisdiction of the Talent Development Department anymore, because the Department of Industry could open its own schools. For example, the research department could open its research school, and the agriculture department could open its agriculture school. When students graduated from ordinary schools, they could choose to enter these schools to study.
"It's time to prepare for trade with the outside world." The series of changes and shifts in the system were all to better serve the future. Now, there were two problems before Wilder.
One, to build ships capable of commercial voyages.
Two, to break Big Mom's blockade.
In fact, as long as the first problem was solved, a large part of Big Mom's blockade would already be broken. With such ships, it would be difficult for Big Mom to catch them.
And the first problem had already been solved.
The device Wilder had ordered the research department to develop had finally succeeded today.
A ship propulsion system.
So the existing problem had shifted from the power source to the ship itself.
"To build ships, we need shipbuilding talent. It seems it's time to make a trip to Water 7. But before that, I need to take care of some minor details."
"Claire, call the Department of Industry and have them choose a suitable coast to start building a shipyard."