I Became A Hidden Powerhouse Of The British Empire [EN]: Chapter 395

There are many phrases in the world whose usage has diverged from their original meaning, and ‘touch the grass to startle the snake’ is one of them.

Originally, it referred to disturbing foliage where a snake might be hiding, with the goal of drawing it out to assess its condition and then either capture or kill it.

It’s a demonstrative strategy of disciplining a subordinate to teach a lesson to a superior, but strangely, it’s sometimes used to mean ruining things by acting rashly.

In fact, there’s some truth to both interpretations.

If the creature that emerges after disturbing the grass is a small snake, you can easily deal with it. But if a dragon appears, you’ll likely be the one who ends up dead.

Thinking about it, the phrase perfectly encapsulates the current situation.

Perhaps the other side is subtly provoking us to gauge our reaction.

And I’m planning to provoke them to discern their reaction and then seize the advantage.

So, who will turn out to be the snake, and who the dragon?

The outcome will reveal the answer.

“Then, as Your Majesty suggests, we’ll leak this information. But are you certain? To leak something of this sensitivity?”

“Why? Are you concerned about something?”

“Wasn’t this classified as top secret? The fact that Your Majesty manipulated Engels and dispatched him to the South was known only to you and me.”

“Indeed.”

“This involves Canada’s union with the United Kingdom, Your Majesty’s coronation, and even the shifting landscape of Europe. If your direct involvement is exposed, it could trigger significant repercussions.”

The rise of communist states has profoundly reshaped European culture.

This is because it instilled a genuine sense of crisis in capitalists who had been unilaterally exploiting workers and treating them as expendable resources.

When the South transformed into a socialist state, numerous capitalists and landowners fell victim to enraged mobs.

Some fortunate individuals managed to escape to the North, but this was primarily the case for those residing in cities near the border.

Those in the South were often hanged or beaten to death by incensed workers, and even the survivors typically lost all their possessions and became destitute.

Europe was shaken by the realization that they could face a similar fate, leading to drastic reforms in labor laws and efforts to appease the working class, ultimately resulting in a win-win situation for many.

However, as James pointed out, if it’s revealed that this monumental shift was orchestrated according to my designs, the repercussions would be immense.

Of course, that’s only if it comes to light.

“James, you hold that view because you’re privy to my actions.”

“…Yes?”

“Consider how Pinkerton, who reports to you, would react if you instructed him to leak this information. Would he readily believe it?”

“Well… no. He’d dismiss it as nonsense.”

More likely, he’d conclude that James had finally succumbed to senility.

Or he might suspect that I’m attempting to sow confusion with outlandish lies.

“Fundamentally, when something defies common sense, people struggle to accept it. Even Engels can’t fathom that he was manipulated. If someone were to tell him he was a puppet, would he understand and accept it? Engels would likely be the most vehement in his denial.”

“That’s certainly true; no one would believe it. But wouldn’t our client also dismiss it as absurd?”

“That’s why the amount of information we divulge is crucial.”

Those with some prior knowledge might find it plausible, but for others, it’s just enough to be dismissed as a malicious rumor, minimizing the risk.

Will the thing that comes out after touching the grass be a snake or an earthworm? Or perhaps an Imugi [a proto-dragon in Korean mythology]?

Still, I hope it’s not someone too insignificant.

I’d be deeply disappointed if some unknown figure emerged after setting this trap.

* * *

As Killian anticipated, MacFarlane was utterly bewildered upon receiving the order to leak this information.

“…Your Majesty is not merely a communist, but the hidden mastermind behind communism? You’re instructing me to convey this to them?”

“Yes. Chairman James instructed me to do so.”

“No, Chairman… never mind. But I’m struggling to comprehend this. Is it wise to proceed? And more importantly, will they even believe it?”

“That’s why I’ve included substantial circumstantial evidence and some material evidence.”

“Hoo… I’m going crazy, truly. Okay, I understand for now.”

After reviewing the materials received from Pinkerton, his head was swimming.

Is this even logically feasible?

The other side’s assertion that he’s a communist was preposterous, but this goes even further, claiming he’s the leader of communism.

The true architect who nurtured the red Engels and established the Southern Socialist Confederation.

Isn’t he asking me to declare, with my own voice, that he’s the consort of the British Empire and the King of Canada?

For him, with Irish blood coursing through his veins, this borders on blasphemy and patricide.

But what choice does he have? This is all part of the effort to eliminate the trash attempting to slander His Majesty.

MacFarlane practiced his facial expressions in the mirror several times before summoning the client to his office.

He then handed over the contents and data he had received from Pinkerton, presenting them as they were.

“…It was an arduous investigation. And during our inquiries, we stumbled upon a shocking conclusion that we initially struggled to believe, but it’s all true.”

“I didn’t expect results so quickly. MacFarlane’s office lives up to its reputation. It must be a startling revelation, unmasking a hypocrite who has been perceived as a saint until now. So, what is this shocking result?”

“So… um, the King of Canada wasn’t just a communist.”

“Indeed. If Marx or Engels had been his companions since childhood, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call him an early founding member.”

“It goes beyond that. Would you believe me if I told you that Engels was actually Killian’s subordinate?”

Just as he had been dumbfounded when he first heard Killian was a communist, MacFarlane saw a similar expression on the client’s face and smiled wryly.

“You find it hard to believe, don’t you? That’s how shocking the truth is. When I first learned of this, I scrutinized it repeatedly because it seemed so absurd.”

“Wait. Who is subordinate to whom? Engels? The Secretary-General of the South?”

“Yes.”

“I knew he was influenced in his youth, but beyond that, Killian influenced the very establishment of the South? Are you certain?”

“Yes.”

He had anticipated a dismissive reaction, but surprisingly, the other party took it seriously.

Is it because they have some corroborating evidence, or do they see a way to exploit this?

Or perhaps they’re simply subordinates without independent thought.

MacFarlane calmly presented the evidence he had received, careful not to act hastily.

“In truth, we can’t draw a definitive conclusion based on this alone. However, when combined with the contents of the diary you provided, we can easily infer it.”

“…Engels initially sought work in Paris, but his shift to the South was due to the influence of the black liberation activist James. Are you suggesting that Killian orchestrated James’s involvement? Are you sure?”

“Yes. We’ve uncovered evidence of donations flowing through various channels to the NBA [National Basketball Association], the black human rights liberation group that contacted Engels at the time. And tracing the source of these donations, it leads back to an entity operated by the British Imperial Family.”

“R, really? How could you obtain such information so quickly…”

How could he? Because it’s fabricated evidence.

This evidence was meticulously crafted to convince the other side, ensuring that even if exposed later, the imperial family would remain unscathed.

Instead, those who fabricated the evidence and attempted to smear the imperial family would face severe condemnation.

But for now, based on the current situation, it appears so convincing that it would be nearly impossible to detect the fabrication without independent verification.

“This investigation was possible because you mentioned Killian’s early association with Engels. I delved into it just in case, and should I say it was as expected… no, ‘oh my god’ is a more fitting expression.”

“This will be a massive catalyst that will shake the world. Oh my god… the fact that a communist revolution occurred and a new country was formed as part of a plot by the British Imperial Family, the head of a capitalist nation. Such an absurd thing…”

He’s not just shocked; he seems to be experiencing some form of cognitive dissonance. What is this sense of incongruity?

“How about we conduct further investigation?”

“Yes? Ah, yes. Please do.”

“Then, in what direction should we proceed? Do you have any specific areas of interest or suspicions?”

“W, well. First, I’ll review the information you’ve gathered and organize my thoughts.”

The client immediately began organizing the data, then hastily donned his coat and hat and departed.

MacFarlane watched him for a moment, and as the client closed the door behind him, he suddenly spoke into the empty air.

“Did you hear that? Follow him.”

Then, a door perfectly disguised as a wall slid open, and hidden agents silently nodded and exited the building through a secret passage.

Having revealed such significant information, it’s unlikely the subordinate will act independently.

Whether it’s the mastermind or a middle manager, they’ll need to relay the information and receive further instructions.

By observing who he contacts, we can determine where to focus our next efforts.

MacFarlane instinctively reached for a cigarette, but he smiled ruefully when he remembered he had discarded them all.

“No, no. His Majesty doesn’t smoke, so I must quit as well.”

Most gentlemen smoke for social reasons, but there’s an unwritten rule among the Irish not to smoke in each other’s presence.

The reason is simple.

Because Killian is a non-smoker.

He couldn’t recall exactly when, but after a particular Irish member of parliament’s statement gained traction, this peculiar custom took root.

-If you are Irish, everyone has Killian in their heart, so if we smoke, wouldn’t His Majesty within us be in pain?

It was utter nonsense, but the Irish people revered Killian to the point where such sentiments emerged.

MacFarlane replaced the cigarette with a candy that was far more expensive and whistled softly.

Now that the bait has been taken, all that remains is to await the agents’ return.

His motivation isn’t money or satisfaction, but pure loyalty.

* * *

“I need to inform you immediately… no, but is it wise to do so right away? Should I verify the facts first? Oh, I don’t know.”

Kevin hurried along, clutching the data from MacFarlane, his mind racing.

He wasn’t completely panicked, however, and he carefully checked for any signs of pursuit.

He assumed he wasn’t being followed, but he couldn’t afford to be complacent.

He was carrying top-secret information that could potentially shake the world.

If anyone discovered this, they might try to silence him, even if it meant killing him.

He made his way to the designated meeting place as quickly as possible.

There, he hastily penned a letter and sent it by mail.

“Alpha is contacting you. The situation is beyond my judgment. Please review the contents immediately and provide further instructions.”

Direct contact with the top was usually forbidden, but this was a critical situation that could potentially bring down Killian and Engels simultaneously, leaving him no choice but to report it.

The contact, routed through five different locations to obscure its origin, was ultimately destined for one person.

While others were involved in the plan, awaiting a response from the South was the most expedient course of action.

The man resolved to await a reply from Mikhail Bakunin, one of the plan’s originators.