I Became A Hidden Powerhouse Of The British Empire [EN]: Chapter 439

< The Great Swindler >

It wasn’t exactly like Leopold II was framing an innocent person.

Killian was planning to exploit him from the start, but Leopold II had similar intentions, so it was a wash.

The crucial difference was that Leopold II was only in the stage of suspecting Killian.

“Actually, I think Your Majesty is quite unique. Of course, I mean that in a good way. Even before I had the goal of helping the people of Africa, didn’t Your Majesty treat the black people of the New World humanely?”

“Still, it doesn’t match Your Majesty’s ambition to create a country where black people can live prosperously. Black people are part of Canada, but the main players are still British whites. If we deny this, a riot will break out immediately.”

Even if they are called the same citizens, black people and Asians are inevitably second-class citizens, but it is still something to be called citizens even if they are second-class.

In fact, Leopold II couldn’t understand Canada’s sentiment at all.

No, aren’t they okay with yellow monkeys and black slave descendants living together as the same citizens?

If they were to do that in Belgium, wouldn’t the citizens riot and drive the king out?

Of course, this was just his inner thoughts. He didn’t hesitate to lie smoothly and praised Killian excessively.

“The United States calls itself a country of equality and freedom, but I think Canada is closer to that.”

“Both the United States and Canada implement systems that suit their culture and environment. In fact, the United States and Canada have no choice but to be different because Canada did not widely use black slaves. On the other hand, the United States, which clearly used to treat them as slaves, is suddenly being asked to treat them as the same people, so they can’t help but feel more resistant.”

“I see.”

“What about Belgium? Do people generally accept that Your Majesty is developing the Congo?”

“Most reactions are favorable. Of course, there are some who question why we’re going so far, but since they’re not living side-by-side with black people, I think most people don’t care what happens.”

The fundamental reason why Leopold II’s ambition was welcomed by everyone was right here.

Saying he would take good care of the Congo ultimately meant he would treat the black people in Africa well, not that he would treat black people equally in Europe.

If Leopold II had said that black people should be treated equally with whites in Europe, he would have been beaten.

Originally, everyone can pretend to be nice and hypocritical when they have no direct relationship with themselves.

Those who agree with Leopold II want to feel a sense of superiority that they are good and righteous white people who also care for black people.

He knew this, so he just found the enthusiastic support and praise for him amusing, but he didn’t bother to show it.

However, after actually talking to Killian, he was a little different.

He definitely seemed to have some other ulterior motive, but he even wondered if he was genuinely interested in the human rights of black people.

“I sincerely hope that what Your Majesty is trying to do goes well. So, I have a few questions. If the Congo actually becomes Your Majesty’s territory, how do you intend to develop the economy?”

“…Yes? That’s… I have a plan, but it’s not finalized yet.”

“Come on, why are you being like this when you know everything? The coordination of opinions between the great powers is almost complete. The only one left is me.”

“Does that mean that if Your Majesty refuses, things could go wrong?”

“I have no intention of wielding that kind of tyranny. However, I want to know the vision that Your Majesty has before I officially express my approval. That way, I can believe that Your Majesty will develop the Congo and express my firm support.”

In other words, if he is convinced, he will definitely support it?

Why is this person so serious about the black issue?

Could it be that he is of mixed race and really interested in these racial issues?

It’s a bit embarrassing, but it’s true that it would be easier to work in the Congo with Killian’s support.

I could subtly sell his name to raise influence.

“First, I want to streamline the elephant ivory industry more efficiently. And the Congo is said to have a lot of copper, and gold is also found in small quantities. In addition to this, various lubricants are easy to obtain, and timber resources are abundant, so development will not be difficult.”

“I see. You’re mainly going to export resources and raw materials, so the cooperation of the natives will be essential.”

“For that, I have already created an organization called the Congo Association and have established friendly relations with many tribes in the Congo.”

“Impressive. Since Your Majesty is so thoroughly prepared, I seem to be even more interested. So, I would like to introduce you to a good relationship. Would that be okay?”

“…Yes?”

Killian smiled brightly as if he had met a comrade, and a sense of unease flashed through Leopold II’s heart.

Come to think of it, when it comes to issues related to black people, this man is one of the world’s leading experts.

It would be difficult if he tried to get involved here. No, wouldn’t it be?

“Do you know the NBA, an organization that is actively working in America?”

“Ah… I know. That organization called the Black Liberation Group.”

“As soon as the executives leading the organization learned of Your Majesty’s great intentions, they all contacted me with the desire to lend a hand. They really want to do something for the people of the Congo.”

“Hahaha… I am really grateful and reassured, but this side has already established its own system, so it’s okay.”

“Still, the NBA is a real black human rights expert who has been active for decades. I guarantee that there are almost no white people in this world who understand black people better than them. They are not asking for a position, but just want to do volunteer work and give helpful advice, so wouldn’t it be okay to listen to their story?”

This is difficult. I was considering various variables, but I didn’t expect Killian to be so active.

He just has to pretend to be nice, leave everything to this side, and clap, but why is he so enthusiastic!

But it is also true that there is no black charity organization as famous as them in the world right now.

If I forcibly push them away here, wouldn’t this side’s purity be questioned?

“I see. Then I will gratefully meet them. In fact, I have a lot of things I want to ask.”

Still, if I change my perspective, it may be more stable for this side to appropriately control them than for those guys to rummage around as they please to see if the Congo residents are living well.

Once the Congo is in my hands, I can control the information as much as I want to hide the eyes and ears of Europe.

“That’s great. Then I’ll invite the representative of the NBA to the palace and have a conversation.”

“I am just grateful that you are taking such care. With so many people expecting this, I feel even more motivated to do better.”

It’s really hard to get a piece of land.

Since I’m getting this land with such difficulty, I’ll squeeze it dry no matter what and get as much money as possible.

Just as Leopold II was grinding his teeth at the Congolese natives who had done nothing wrong.

“Ah, and there is one thing I would like to discuss.”

The snake’s tongue, which had been smiling kindly, began to move in earnest.

* * *

I’ve seen so many liars in my life, but this guy is the real deal.

Originally, kings are far from professional diplomats, so their expressions tend to show to some extent.

Victoria was no exception.

But look at the eyes and listen to the voice of Leopold II.

Doesn’t it feel like there is plenty of kindness that you can’t even imagine that he is a slaughterer who will open a true hell on earth as soon as he takes over the Congo?

After actually seeing him and talking to him, it was no wonder that Bismarck and Wellesley were deceived.

But whether I should say that the opponent was bad or that he was unlucky.

My radar, which was originally evolved to rip off swindlers in reverse, was relentlessly sounding an alarm.

And when I deal with these people, it’s hard to control my excitement.

I don’t even think about how to make them regret it.

Those kinds of people don’t blame themselves even if they lose everything they have.

They just think of themselves as innocent victims and get angry at the person who deceived them.

So, all I care about is taking as much as possible and deliciously.

“I heard from the Prime Minister that Your Majesty is willing to actively receive investments from the country’s high-ranking officials.”

“Yes, of course. My goal is for the natives of the Congo and all of us in Europe to coexist and prosper.”

While saying that, I know that he will receive investments in limited places and later manipulate the accounting books to do nonsense.

In the first place, the more investments he receives, the easier it is for his work to be exposed, and the less profit he will make.

“Then I would like to make a personal investment. Your Majesty is doing such a good job, so it’s not right for me to just cheer you on with words.”

“No. Your Majesty’s support alone is a tremendous force. There is no need to invest money…”.

“No. It’s not an unreasonable amount anyway, and I’m not particularly hoping for money. So, I have no intention of entering the business that Your Majesty is thinking of. In fact, you can think of it as a deposit.”

“Ah… I see. You have no intention of investing in things that are actually profitable?”

“Yes. Your Majesty is doing it with good intentions, so wouldn’t it look too greedy for me to push money into things that are highly profitable?”

Please have some faith in a good angel investor, human.

If it doesn’t directly affect profits, the more bullets you have, the better, right?

You can take it out and use it for a while and then refill it, so how convenient is it?

It is not a lie that I have no intention of making money with this for a long time.

However, the current Leopold II has no idea that a huge rubber craze will soon sweep the world.

The part I was going to dig into was this point.

Leopold II, who had no way of knowing this, looked much lighter after hearing what I said.

“I understand. Your Majesty is showing so much favor, so it is not polite for me to refuse. Instead, I would appreciate it if you could push me well. Hahaha!”

“Of course. I will definitely support you, so please think of me as a colleague on the same boat and feel at ease.”

No matter how rotten this guy is to the core, I can’t just break him right away because he’s going to do bad things, not [like in] Minority Report.

Looking at the cause and information that I’m putting forward right now, there’s no one in the world who’s been such a good person.

Besides, if I ruin Leopold II’s plan now, I won’t be able to gain anything practically, and he won’t lose anything at all.

So, I’ll take away the foothold when I get to the highest mountain peak.

The higher you go, the bigger the drop when you fall.

“Then I will trust only Your Majesty in the future. Let’s make the Congo the hope of Africa together!”

Of course, even though he was smiling like that on the outside, Leopold II didn’t seem to trust me entirely.

Of course, he should. I hope he doesn’t let go of his suspicion until the end so that things don’t get boring in the middle.

That way, I can have even more fun, right?