Chapter 33: The Tyrant’s Amusement

Chapter 33

“A Colosseum, that sounds exciting!”

Hearing Evening’s explanation of the Colosseum, the ministers immediately showed keen interest.

“Duels to determine the strongest, spectacles of criminals facing judgment, grand-scale ensemble performances… Are you truly going to bring this dream to life? I, for one, would absolutely love to witness it.”

Evening felt a surge of pride as her strategically placed ‘bait’ was met with such fervent enthusiasm.

Indeed, no venue suited a tyrant quite like a Colosseum.

The brutal, beast-like battles of gladiators in the arena were inextricably linked with the image of a tyrannical ruler.

“This will be fascinating. Even the preparation promises excitement. Who will claim the glory of the very first match? I can barely wait!”

“If it’s something like this, it’s more than welcome. I’d even pay a fortune for a good seat.”

Even with just a simple overview, the ministers, having grasped the Colosseum’s allure, could not conceal their excitement.

In an era where entertainment was so scarce that even executions became spectacles, such an offering was truly compelling.

A state-sponsored, large-scale entertainment facility was a truly mouth-watering prospect. Even an elderly minister, old enough to have grandchildren, had his eyes gleaming at the mention of a new attraction.

Not a single soul dared to utter a word about this being a wasteful expenditure.

The proposed tax increase—a 20% hike on land taxes and 15% on gem taxes—was a substantial raise. While the accumulated new taxes would amount to a considerable sum, the ministers attending the State Council had abandoned their resistance.

For prominent nobles, a slight increase in taxes would hardly lead to hardship.

The magnificent spectacles provided by the state possessed an allure worthy of even a great fortune.

The very idea that the Emperor himself would personally establish a grand theater, a project so costly and complex that no one else had dared to attempt it, was astonishing.

“If we have to pay taxes anyway…”

As they said, the tax increase was, in any case, an unavoidable reality.

While the allocation of collected taxes fell to the council, the determination of rates for major taxes remained at the Emperor’s discretion.

Since the taxes were destined to rise regardless, there was at least some satisfaction in knowing the collected funds would be used for the Colosseum.

Evening’s presentation of the project had successfully shifted the ministers’ attitudes towards the inevitable tax hike.

The indignation they had felt, viewing Erich as a traitor for raising taxes, began to subside.

Having elicited such a satisfactory response, Evening smiled, pressing her hands together.

“If you trust me with this, you won’t regret it.”

She had succeeded in suppressing their animosity toward Erich. If the Colosseum truly captivated their hearts afterward, Erich’s standing would undoubtedly improve as well.

Having seemingly overcome a situation where she was left to bear the burden alone, Evening straightened her shoulders and gazed at Erich.

“…”

Now, it was her turn to placate Erich.

****

Once the State Council concluded, a distinct difference in atmosphere became apparent between the ministers and Erich.

While the ministers, having heard the Colosseum’s simple outline, could not hide their excitement, Erich wore a rather listless expression.

“That sounds fun. Could we participate as well?”

“If you wish to, then do so.”

Even the usually taciturn Adler secretly showed interest in the duels, yet the tyrant himself wore an utterly bored expression.

As soon as they left the council chambers, Evening grabbed his arm and linked hers through his, acutely aware of his apparent indifference.

“Colosseum, doesn’t it sound exciting?”

“It will be expensive.”

Despite having raised taxes exactly as he intended, he did not appear pleased.

It seemed he had lost interest once the project was approved, even though he had pushed the task onto Evening, presumably hoping she would spend a great deal of money.

“Erich, what kind of match would you like to see?”

“It was your idea, so you may do as you please.”

His tone suggested a reluctance to delve into deep thought.

Evening narrowed her eyes and pulled Erich closer, ensuring her chest brushed against his arm.

Still, he showed no particular reaction. Erich remained unmoved by such a display of charm.

Instead, the sensation of his arm pressing against her chest felt rather pleasant, making her feel as though she was the only one benefiting.

“The Colosseum truly will be entertaining.”

A proposal made for Erich would be meaningless if it only displeased him. Evening gently tried to coax him.

“Perhaps.”

“Aren’t you curious who would win if my father and the Prime Minister faced off in the arena?”

“The Prime Minister would lose? How could the Margrave be at such a disadvantage in a one-on-one fight, especially with his reputation? The Prime Minister is—”

Erich, who had immediately latched onto the idea of a duel like a lit firecracker, abruptly snapped his mouth shut.

Having his interest so easily exposed, he shot Evening a gaze filled with animosity. Evening met his hostility with a bright, beaming smile.

“It seems the Prime Minister is more formidable than he appears. My father is also not one to lose easily, so it would certainly be a thrilling match, wouldn’t it?”

As expected, Erich also found himself intrigued by such a heart-pounding match. Perhaps it was also because the suggested pairing was simply too compelling to ignore.

“That’s a foolish notion. Would those two actually duel?”

“My point is to host matches of that caliber. The Margrave versus the Prime Minister, a tiger versus a lion, Duke Elpata versus me.”

Seeing his reaction to the talk of a duel between the Prime Minister and the Margrave, it was clear he wasn’t entirely uninterested in the Colosseum.

When the topic was first brought up, Erich had indeed been stimulated by cruel or extravagant forms of entertainment.

Given that it would be both costly and entertaining, it must have piqued his interest considerably.

However, the moment other nobles showed fervent enthusiasm, his interest waned.

More precisely, he seemed to dislike the very fact that they enjoyed it.

To be displeased simply because others found enjoyment in something…

If he were the type to indulge in pleasures and ruin the country, he would be easy to persuade. But Erich, burdened by an unusual trauma, was not so easily swayed.

‘But still, it’s worth a try.’

This peculiar aversion could, in the end, be overcome.

Stories of men who despise nobles—whether for their arrogance, hypocrisy, or other reasons—only to be captivated by a low-born heroine, are common bestsellers.

In modern romance fantasy, such men often fall for an un-noble heroine, murmuring, ‘You, alone…’ as they become entangled.

A man who despises nobles is ultimately destined to walk such a path.

The problem, however, was that Evening Flam was the quintessential noble lady whom Erich detested.

‘But I’m not a true noble, so perhaps it will be fine?’

Bathed in optimism, Evening boldly cast her bait before Erich.

“Thank you for granting permission to open the Colosseum. I will ensure we host an event that satisfies everyone.”

“You seem to enjoy this kind of thing, don’t you?”

“I both enjoy it and am confident in it. I used to be in charge of events, you see.”

In a public office, one is expected to handle everything. Her experience organizing local festivals would surely prove beneficial in managing the Colosseum.

Even if things didn’t go as smoothly as planned here, the manager’s role was merely to issue instructions like, ‘Please create various things,’ and then give confirmation.

Evening, puffing out her chest confidently, gave Erich a playful eye-smile.

“Large-scale events like the Colosseum are excellent.”

“Indeed.”

“Stimulating matches prevent people’s attention from drifting to serious matters. Those who become completely absorbed in immediate pleasures and thrills grow addicted, showing less interest in anything else.”

Evening whispered tales of dopamine addiction into Erich’s ear, as if sharing a tender secret.

“The audience will be endless, then.”

Erich, still not grasping her true intent, responded with a dull tone.

“Then, the audience, eager to buy tickets for every match, will find their greatest concern to be the Colosseum games. Regardless of what the officials do, or where other budgets are spent, the staging of the games will become paramount.”

Sports and entertainment are the most effective ways to divert public attention.

“And thus, they will slowly but surely become more foolish.”

“Hah.”

Hearing Evening’s quietly delivered words, Erich let out a loud snort, clearly amused.

“It’s a plausible tale. Whether it will unfold as you imagine, I cannot say, but it is certainly amusing to hear.”

“The budget for the Colosseum games won’t even be half of half the increased taxes, but they won’t know that. They’ll just giggle and eagerly watch the matches. In the meantime, we can freely spend the budget elsewhere. Road construction? Demolishing residential areas to build parks? What shall we do? I will try to achieve anything you desire.”

“Ha, haha.”

As Evening swayed him with words full of ulterior motives, Erich burst into laughter.

“Imagine people blinded by the fierce duels, love, and war unfolding in the Colosseum, while daily newspapers filled with petty gossip are published, leading to chaos. Doesn’t that sound entertaining? It would be a complete mess in five minutes, wouldn’t it?”

“Ahahaha, ahahahaha!”

Erich, picturing the absurd matches that would unfold in the Colosseum and the faces of those engrossed in them, let out a hearty laugh.

It was the first time she had seen him laugh so heartily.

Erich, who usually maintained a mature, measured smile, now laughed as if there were nothing more enjoyable in the world.

His face, filled with boyish delight, somewhat resembled Prom’s innocent expression, which Evening occasionally encountered within the palace.

“Haa, hahat, it sounds like treating people as fools, but it’s quite a valid point.”

Erich, who had been laughing with his head thrown back, caught his breath. The melancholic aura that had once settled upon him had completely vanished.

Erich, happily savoring her sinister words about diverting others’ attention with the Colosseum, let out his final burst of laughter. Having squeezed out every last chuckle, he turned to Evening, who was tightly clutching his arm.

“Quite impressive, Eve. You have a talent for amusing me.”

Erich’s hand cupped Evening’s face.

His posture suggested he might tenderly caress her face and then kiss her, but reality was far more chilling.

Erich’s hand, which had been smiling pleasantly, slowly descended to caress Evening’s neck.