Episode 29 Special Law on Bikir (2)
Dort Smile Street, the center of Underdog in the big city.
A notice written on a large banner was posted in the central plaza of the crowded shopping street.
It was rare for the consulate to directly post a notice here, but the contents of the notice itself were not particularly new.
< Article 00 Paragraph 0 of the Baskerville Dominion Constitution. The Act on the Prohibition of Illegal Human Trafficking...... Sentence: Death penalty > Law against illegal gambling…… Penalty: Amputation of the wrist
> Law against illegal private financing…… Sentencing: Eyeball extraction >
< Article 00, Paragraph 0 of the Baskerville Dominion Constitution. Act on the prohibition of illegal entertainment establishments...... Penalty: facial tattoos The law against illegal lobbying...... Sentence: Deportation from the territory >
.
.
Laws that were all original.
The iron-blooded sword is quite strict, perhaps because it is the law of the territory governed by the Baskervilles.
However, few citizens believed that the laws would be properly followed.
“Sheesh. Only those with laws are on the side.”
“The upper heads eat everything, but what?”
“Isn’t it a world where those who follow the law are at a loss?”
“The law is far, the fist is near.”
There are citizens of Underdog City with an exceptionally high crime rate, but they sneer at the law.
In the meantime, they have all seen how bureaucrats from the Baskervilles and the second and third generations of local dignitaries collude and eat together.
Those who have money, those who have power, and those who are strong make, interpret, and enforce only to their advantage… If there is
no money, no back, and no power, there is no way to do anything unfair even if you face unfair things.
All you can do is cry, drink, blame your own luck, or take your anger out on someone less fortunate and weaker than you.
For the citizens of Underdog, who are accustomed to such a fate, distrust of the law is inevitable.
“Still, since all the former sub-consuls were caught in bribery, wouldn’t it be a little different?”
“How could that be? I heard that the new sub-consul from the Baskervilles is 15 years old.”
“What? When she’s 15, she’s the same age as our youngest daughter? What is such an idiot doing…” “That’s what
I mean. Sooner or later, it’ll be roasted and boiled in the lobby of local dignitaries.”
Public opinion was not very favorable to the new deputy consul.
Some show their distrust of the new sub-consul because of their age, some of the nameless law, some of the countless scattered illegal fortune-telling organizations, and some of the numerous temptations toward new officials.
Right then.
“Hey! Friends! Everyone, come to the main square! Big news!”
The already crowded streets started to become more and more crowded.
People rush to the square because they want to see what kind of spectacle happened.
countless crowds.
And in the middle of them I see an empty seat, as if a meteorite had fallen.
A circular space where no one can set foot.
In the middle stood a boy with a cold expression holding a stick.
This time, it was a young 15-year-old deputy consul, ‘Vickir van Baskerville’, who was newly appointed.
* * *
Bikir held a stick in his hand.
70 cm long. A small stake weighing about 3 kg.
People rushed to see the newly appointed deputy consul, but they never came close.
It was because of the energy like a mountain that radiated from the boy’s small body.
And behind this unapproachable aura, several civil servants were standing with anxious eyes.
They were employees of the consulate, including Chihuahua Baskerville.
“Oh, what is the consulate doing?”
“You’ve been standing there since dawn, do you guys understand?”
“So many people have gathered, wow-”
Citizens and civil servants alike did not know what Bikir was trying to do here.
at that time.
“Listen.”
After confirming that the audience had gathered to a certain extent, Vikir opened his mouth.
“I am the newly appointed deputy consul.”
The murmurs around them grow louder.
‘How young are you?’ Most of the responses were not serious, such as ‘You look younger in real life’, ‘You look cute’, ‘What would a kid like that do’.
Bikir continued to speak, ignoring the gazes and voices around him.
“Everyone must have seen the notice posted on the north side of the plaza.”
Then, the eyes of the citizens turn to the north for an instant.
Indeed, there was a law written on a large banner.
< Article 00 Paragraph 0 of the Baskerville Dominion Constitution. Law against tax evasion...... Punishment: patella removal >
< Article 00 Paragraph 0 of the Baskerville Dominion Constitution. The Act on the Prohibition of Smuggling... Punishment: Imprisonment > Act on the Prohibition of Illegal Drugs…… Punishment: Tongue amputation >
< Article 00 Section 0 of the Baskerville Dominion Constitution. Act on prohibition of embezzlement of munitions...... Punishment: Extermination of three legs > Law against adultery…… Sentencing: 600 floggings >
.
.
Well, it’s because it’s not followed, but these are familiar laws.
An abstract law only for the weak, who have neither money nor power.
Since this law was enacted, the number of commoners punished by this law is countless, and the number of nobles or rich people punished by it is zero.
The eyes of the citizens fell off the banner and returned to Bikir.
It was a joke.
“Those are the laws that were originally made, nothing new, so solemn and firm that the Dominion of the Baskervilles has been maintained until now.”
Then, a small laugh erupted from the surroundings.
It was an obvious mockery of the judicial system that is not followed only by the rich, powerful, and powerful.
But Bikir did not seek out and punish those who laughed.
“…”
I just scan the face of the public with a nonchalant gaze.
It was an attitude somewhere between generosity and indifference.
Bikir spoke again in a dry voice.
“Even though the subconsulships have changed, the Baskervilles’ self-government laws are still strict and will be upheld.”
When Bikir didn’t respond to the audience’s ridicule, the audience grew bolder.
‘Puck!’ ‘I guess so!’ ‘Yes, I understand!’ I hear sarcasm, etc.
The Chihuahua office manager, unable to see the scene, shouted from behind.
“These people! What kind of safety are they fooling around with! This is the person from the Baskerville family’s home! Would he really come to his senses if his throat was cut by a blade!?”
If you are the head of the Chihuahua office, you are a local public official who is quite popular with the citizens.
So, the people who were booing also shrank their heads while looking at them.
“Sheesh. Chihuahua-san says that, let’s stop.”
“Oh, how is the secretary more charismatic than the deputy consul?”
“I’d rather have Mr. Chihuahua become the deputy consul.”
“Look at that little guy. Unless you’re a Chihuahua office manager, you can’t even respond to people’s booing.”
“The law will become more shitty this.”
These were reactions that they would not have dared to dare to do in the usual way, but Bikir’s young age, childish face, and indifference to the reactions around them made it possible for them to dare to do so.
“…”
Sure enough, Bikir didn’t react this time either.
Even in this atmosphere of being compared and devalued by his subordinate Chihuahua, Bikire just stands there with an expressionless face.
Those who blushed and did not know what to do were the city hall officials, including the office manager of Chihuahua.
On the other hand, even the citizens who had been jeering at Bikir’s unresponsive appearance were feeling drained.
“Because I’m a child, I can’t move even with insults like this.”
“How can a child like that enforce the law?”
“……For a while, criminals will be more rampant.”
Giving up and resignation, ridicule and anger, pity and contempt were pouring down on one Bikir.
Right then.
Bikir raised the stick he was holding high.
And then
…suck!
put it straight into the ground.
A stick driven about 10 cm below the ground.
It’s quite heavy, but even so, it’s just a small stake.
Even small children can pull it off easily.
……?
When all citizens are making puzzled faces.
Vikir took a few steps back and opened his mouth.
“From now on, I will promulgate a new special law with the legislative authority of the Vice-Consul.”
Article 1 Paragraph 1 of the Bikir Special Act.
“Whoever draws this stake will be paid 100 million gold in cash.”
It was so simple.
