Chapter 13

In the Royal Capital, whispers began to circulate that “the construction was a maladministration” and “the Prince does not understand the worksite,” and eventually, this was brought into the parliament. In the parliament, responsibility was pursued one after another. “Is safety really guaranteed?” “Being fast means they are cutting corners, isn’t it?” And then, the heaviest words were thrust upon him. It was a motion seeking the “suspension of construction again.” It was not merely a review of the plan. It was equivalent to a declaration doubting the Third Prince‘s judgment itself, and by extension, his qualifications as a Prince. If he were stamped even once as a “Prince who made a reckless decision,” his future influence would be greatly diminished. In the worst-case scenario, there was even a possibility he would be removed from the political stage on the grounds of a failed project. The Third Prince understood. This parliament session was not a place to question the pros and cons of the construction. It was a place to decide “whether or not to discard him.” That is why the Third Prince did not move. He spoke no excuses, no counterarguments, nor even words seeking support. If he used many words here, they would be taken out of context as “self-preservation.” What the Third Prince desired was neither sympathy nor understanding. Simply to look at the results—that was all.

And as the investigation progressed, the facts became clear. The cut costs were fictitious billings. The ones raising angry voices were the side sharing that money. Not for the people. For their own pockets. People who learned the truth later thought: Those who shout loudly cannot be trusted at times. They speak only of parts convenient to themselves, hide inconvenient facts, and disparage others to feign righteousness. Such people often do not realize that they are disparaging themselves.

The Third Prince doesn’t change today, either. He doesn’t argue emotionally, nor does he denounce anyone. He just does the work he must do. Therefore—the Third Prince leaves on time today. And, it is peaceful.

However. It wasn’t as if those who did not find that silence pleasant had disappeared. Apart from those who lost their voices, there are those who find “correctness” itself annoying. Those who feel that the existence of the Third Prince, who accumulates results matter-of-factly without emotion or performance, is dangerous. They do not shout loudly. In places that are neither the parliament nor the plaza, they simply exchange quiet glances. The construction is proceeding. Results are showing. Even so, shadows that find the Third Prince to be a nuisance remained somewhere in the Royal Capital. The storm has passed. But that does not necessarily mean the sky is clear.

A Short Story of a Certain Investigator

The one in charge of the investigation was an investigator reporting directly to the King. His name does not appear in public. But he is a person whose work is accurate and who does not interject emotion. First, he collected all the construction-related ledgers. Before and after the resumption. The flow of expenditures. The content of contracts with subcontractors. There was no special deduction involved. He simply lined up the numbers one by one. It is a story about a certain matter. “Whose labor costs are these?” The investigator asked matter-of-factly. The man who had been raising his voice answered with his chest out. “It’s for those who were working on-site. The portion for the laborers cut by the Prince’s reform.” However, the roster was exactly the same as another certain roster. Names and signatures included. A roster from a completely different construction site. The investigator compared the two sheets and nodded. The man opened his eyes wide at that roster. “Then, what about this outsourcing fee?” The investigator produced the next document. The man was at a loss for words for a moment. “…It is a necessary adjustment cost. The worksite is complex.” The investigator neither nodded nor denied it. He simply layered another paper on top. “That adjustment cost is flowing to your brother’s firm.” At that moment, the man’s throat clicked. His complexion changed visibly. His voice became a notch lower than before. “That is… a coincidence. It happens often, surely.” The investigator continued matter-of-factly. “For a coincidence, it has been three years in a row.” Silence fell. The man tried to raise his voice again. But he lacked the momentum from before. “The Prince is… tormenting the people. I am doing this for justice—” His words cut off in the middle. The investigator placed the final ledger down. “I have understood the reason why the construction was stopped.” There were excessive billings. Ghost employees. Signatures skipping inspections. All of them had the man’s name. The man’s complexion had gone beyond pale to white. Cold sweat seeped onto his forehead. “…Wrong. I was just…” The investigator looked at the man from the front for the first time. “Was raising your voice for the sake of justice?” The man could not answer. That silence itself was the answer. The investigator gathered the documents and stood up quietly. “That is all for the investigation.” There was no triumph or scorn in that voice. He simply treated facts as facts. After leaving the room, the investigator stopped just once. There are many who think that if they raise their voice, it becomes the truth. But the truth is not moved by the volume of a voice. …The only things that move it are records and actions.

The final report was promptly delivered to the King. The King, having looked through it, slightly relaxed his lips.