"S-stop!"

  Several days after Alabaster Hall's unveiling party that became the capital's talk with mysterious gourmet food.

  Guard soldiers manning the castle gate were flustered by the 'black, flat monster' that appeared before them—or rather, had advanced from the noble district to here—and though unable to judge if communication was possible, issued a stop command anyway.

  Then, as if understanding their words, that monster stopped there without a sound.

  And when part of its side smoothly disappeared into the monster's body revealing some hole, someone popped their head out.

  "Hiiiii!"

  Was a victim being eaten, calling for help?

  A bizarre scene making even Guard elites scream, but—

  "Yo~ Good work.

  I'm Royal Father Regis Celeste.

  Today I came to have an audience with His Majesty and meetings with ministers.

  I should have made an appointment, so check.

  ...Hey? You alright?"

  The castle gate guards were driven to near-fainting by the too-frightening scene.

  ...Maybe one weakling wet himself.

  Eventually, after a huge commotion where even the Guard Captain rushed over, from inside the shell-like thing spread atop that monster emerged Regis Celeste and his haggard-faced servant Retes, and after the surprised Guard Captain sat down hard in an unlaughable situation, Celeste's 'black monster' could enter the castle.

  "First time at the royal castle in a while, right? Why not meet Guard-era comrades?"

  "No, escort duty..."

  "What fool goes around the palace with escorts?

  I'm fine, so go. Meeting old comrades, you'll definitely be popular."

  Indeed, nowhere but inside the royal palace—only the King should have escorts.

  Considering the rank of places Celeste would enter from now, even as a Regis escort, with his commoner-equivalent status there were many places too presumptuous to follow.

  Then taking advantage of the master's words wasn't wrong.

  "Do you not know the meaning of moderation?"

  After the royal audience, immediately upon taking seats in the conference room for today's business consulting with ministers, the Prime Minister who looked irritated threw these words at Celeste.

  "I believe I'm being quite restrained?"

  "Where?!"

  Since the party day's sarcasm battle, the Prime Minister had stopped using polite speech toward Celeste.

  Or rather he seemed to be hitting him with his true feelings, but for Celeste that was fine.

  Same Regis, and being addressed with polite speech by someone over a hundred years older was depressing, plus the phrasing was troublesome.

  "Hearing Royal Father's mansion has facilities for Sus and other riding beasts only for guests, I wondered what that meant, but such a riding beast... no, is that even a riding beast?"

  Unlike their first meeting, Finance Minister Comis Mahassa Gerie Pahr asked what concerned him in a considerably softened attitude.

  "Of course not.

  That's a car... automobile, an Earth vehicle."

  This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

  "Auto... it moves by itself?"

  "Astute. Without borrowing riding beasts' power, it runs almost infinitely with just a certain power source."

  "What."

  "And one important point."

  "What might that be?"

  "......Back safety can be maintained."

  Half joking when he added this, but the Prime Minister who'd been grumbling's eyebrow twitched.

  Suspension technology limits meant no matter how luxury a carriage (since there are riding beasts besides Sus, normally called carriages) was made, vibrations couldn't be suppressed, so riding long caused back pain—nobles suffered the same.

  For the elderly Prime Minister it must have been harsher.

  "Hoho, that is...

  Quite an attractive story."

  "But that's not today's main topic, so let's discuss later?"

  For Celeste, the back safety he'd added was his true feeling, but anyway having achieved the purpose of showing off automobile technology, he urged entering today's main topic.

  With just his power he could supply automobiles almost infinitely, but the preparations were troublesome, plus the nation mustn't become dependent on him as an individual.

  "Right.

  So, you said you'd like to use the monopoly system, but what will you sell?"

  "Even asking what... you've all already experienced it, right?"

  "Experienced... meaning?"

  "The other day's party stuff, right?"

  Where the Finance Minister hesitated, the Prime Minister interjected.

  "Right. Using the country's monopoly system, I'd like to sell that introduced at that party, plus several other consumer products obtainable from Earth.

  They're luxury goods not necessities, so shouldn't burden citizens' lives, and their power—you've all confirmed.

  Of course, mustn't negatively affect this country's businesses, so centered on things that didn't exist in this world as much as possible."

  GULP.

  From tension or excitement, the Finance Minister's throat swallowing sound echoed.

  "A-ah... excuse me.

  But that's, as one responsible for this country's finances, very delici... grateful talk.

  Tax revenue can be collected, new industry increases."

  "As expected, Finance Minister. Quick on the uptake.

  Moreover... those have essentially zero production costs.

  Besides distribution, sales, and management route costs, all sales become profit.

  Monopolizing that, very helpful for this country—don't you think?"

  "Exactly as you say! Indeed!

  If that's truly possible, there's no better story for the country!"

  The Finance Minister's eyes already burned blazing with greed... rather, loyalty to the kingdom.

  Unlike such a Finance Minister, the Prime Minister still doubted what Celeste's purpose was.

  "Hmm, truly a good story.

  However, also too convenient for this country."

  "Isn't it convenient for you ministers too?"

  Seeing Celeste answer lightly, the Prime Minister's gaze sharpened.

  "Then, I'll ask directly.

  People follow their own desires.

  What do you desire?

  What's your purpose doing such things?"

  "Purpose? I also want to earn, right?

  Can't rely on royal stipend forever."

  "Even so, no need to deliberately make it a monopoly.

  Making some trading company purveyor, doing private business would lower taxes.

  Everyone hates taxes."

  Though the Finance Minister made a very displeased face, it was valid logic.

  But this was what Celeste had thought himself since before coming to this world, awakening to duplication ability, and plotting conspiracy(?) with King and Queen.

  "Patriotism... if I said that, you wouldn't believe?"

  "Nonsense. Don't underestimate this old body.

  You're not even from this country, much less a resident of this world.

  Feelings toward the royal family you may have, but patriotism for this country would arise?"

  Hearing this, Celeste answered while chuckling.

  "Right.

  Those who call themselves patriots are either madmen or fraudsters with only self-interest in mind."

  "Hoho.

  Then you call yourself a madman?"

  "Ah, perhaps so."

  "What?"

  Seeing Celeste honestly accept his sarcasm, the Prime Minister conversely felt bewildered.

  "Well, you see...

  Saying this makes even me feel frustrated, but...

  'Love,' you know, love. Parental love."

  "...What are you saying now..."

  "Yes, it's absurd.

  Father from previous life—saying sleep talk while sleeping, I well understand wanting to say that.

  But as long as I'm here, it's nothing but fact.

  The country where beloved children reign as royalty, I wanted to make it a better country.

  That's all. No suspicious designs."

  "...You realize asking to believe that is impossible?"

  "I know! You stubborn old man!"

  "What! Insolent!"

  Surprised and indignant at the sudden insult, the Prime Minister had no intention of stopping.

  "Oh~? Nominally I'm Regis-Basi though?

  Isn't you arbitrarily speaking casually more insolent?"

  "You agreed!"

  "Did not!"

  At the two who'd been discussing state matters until just now engaging in an endlessly low-level quarrel, the involved Finance Minister either disappointed, looked down glaring at the table, shoulders shaking...

  Suppressing laughter.

  'S-stubborn old man... accurate!'

  Unable to bear watching this scene, the Justice Minister who'd been silently observing the situation moved to stop their quarrel.

  "Now now, you two. Enough.

  This isn't talk to exchange where state affairs are discussed.

  And Regis Celeste. Even if true, you mustn't say it before the person.

  That topic later while eating honey, yes."

  "Bwahahaha!"

  The Finance Minister suppressing laughter also finally couldn't endure and burst out.

  "You lot!"

  "Yes yes. Apologies for insolence will be made another day.

  Prime Minister, stop unnecessary suspicions.

  His Majesty and Her Majesty are interested in this monopoly matter. Us retainers suspecting only becomes disloyalty, right?

  Moreover, someone like Regis Celeste surely has no wicked schemes."

  "When did you become his believer?"

  "Haha~n, how about that, stubborn old man, admit defeat!"

  "Are you a child?!"

  Celeste triumphantly teasing the Prime Minister, and the Prime Minister getting angry.

  The nation's highest leadership's rock-bottom quarrel.