Chapter 68: The Iron Hammer of the Labor Agency

An average monthly wage for commoners in the Empire and Delriat was roughly two silons.

It was absurd, but that was reality.

Half of it went to food alone, so they truly lived day to day.

Even if they saved twelve silons in a year, they still had to buy clothes and pay rent.

That was probably why the birth rate was so high.

Labor power directly translated to money, after all.

‘But this is way too little.’

This wasn’t some empty populism or superior-race nonsense.

Labor exploitation in this world was far too severe.

No matter how hard people worked, even a minimal standard of living was impossible.

That was why workers stayed in government-provided dormitories—or rope lodgings.

The former made sense, but what about the latter?

‘I’m talking about ropes.’

Lodging where people slept with their bodies tied to long ropes.

They did it to avoid being gnawed on by rats or insects.

Shockingly, they enforced wake-up by cutting the ropes at dawn.

Wasn’t that utterly brutal?

Even the Empire was like that, but Delriat was far worse.

“I will enact the Labor Standards Act.”

“What is that, Your Excellency?”

“Look at this.”

I distributed the newly drafted legal code.

It was in booklet form, so flipping through it only took a few minutes.

The contents covered working hours and rest, night shifts, safety, prohibition of workplace harassment, disaster compensation, labor contracts, and more.

I planned to establish a Labor Agency and appoint labor inspectors.

“But the backlash will be fierce.”

Once again, the negative opinion came from Hosen Mirta.

The other officials didn’t look pleased.

He opposed nearly every suggestion I made.

It seemed a bit too rude, so they subtly gave him looks.

But I wasn’t offended at all.

In fact, it was very welcome.

‘Having someone like that makes me rethink things.’

What qualifies someone as a leader if they can’t even persuade their own subordinates?

I smiled gently and looked at Hosen Mirta.

“Even so, we must do it. We have to prevent situations where people work and don’t get paid.”

“It will shrink the job market.”

“Then we just create plenty of good jobs. We’re already doing that, aren’t we?”

In truth, Delriat’s labor market was changing positively.

Starting with the Q&L Pill Factory, workers’ treatment was gradually improving.

The Ryuker Brick Factory—the subject of the first civil trial—was the same.

As quality jobs kept increasing, those who abused workers would find no one to hire.

Eventually, they’d have to pay proper wages.

But all sorts of things happen in the world.

There were always lunatics who exploited the elderly or weak with poor judgment, or threw people into dangerous tasks without safety equipment.

“That was a very good point, Hosen Mirta.”

“Thank you, Your Excellency.”

“But may I give an example?”

“Yes.”

“Suppose I seized all your property and forced you to work without pay. How would that feel?”

“Then Your Excellency would face immense criticism. All the reputation you’ve built would vanish like bubbles.”

“What if I were an utterly immoral person who didn’t care about that at all?”

“I…”

Hosen Mirta seemed at a loss for words.

He finally grasped reality.

What if something like that actually happened?

He’d have to leave the governor’s office and find another job.

“Using connections to get into a trading company or…”

“What do you take my influence for? I’d make sure you couldn’t earn even one silon a month.”

“I see. I understand.”

Hosen Mirta bowed his head deeply.

He seemed genuinely afraid it might happen.

Sensing the subtle atmosphere in the meeting room, I smiled faintly.

“As if I’d do that. I’m saying we should discuss this so such things don’t happen in the future.”

“A wise statement.”

“If there’s anything to remove or add here, feel free to speak.”

The officials fell into deep thought for a while, then began speaking one by one.

Soon, opinions poured out like a flood.

“There are cases where wages are paid in grain or cloth—those should be unified to currency.”

“Let’s create standard contracts that anyone can understand.”

“We’ll need support programs too. Offer benefits to reputable workplaces that create quality jobs.”

“What kind? Tax reductions?”

“Investments from the governor’s office would be good too.”

When people gathered, solid ideas definitely emerged.

None of the suggestions were bad.

Of course, some were a bit ambiguous for inclusion in the legal code.

They could simply become governor’s office policies.

Still, I noted every single point from the officials’ discussion without missing one.

“Good. Then let’s start with establishing the Labor Agency. Any volunteers?”

The one who had taken a big hit earlier and stayed quiet—Hosen Mirta—raised his hand.

“I’ll do it, Your Excellency.”

He seemed to have realized something.

He was someone I could trust.

He was meticulous in everything.

I nodded immediately.

“Excellent. I’m counting on you, Director of the Labor Agency.”

“It’s an honor, Your Excellency.”

In truth, Delriat lacked a detailed bureaucratic system.

The governor’s office itself was small, and we’d kept existing titles as they were.

With society changing so rapidly, appropriate responses seemed necessary.

‘It might be time to start reorganizing the government.’

I’d probably have a headache for a while.

I just wanted to slack off and enjoy the perks, but the world wouldn’t let me.

But wasn’t this mission originally from the Emperor?

Thinking of our psycho cousin, a sudden thought struck me.

“Ah, the opposing nobles are the ones from the Empire, right?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Then it’s simple. Ignore them and proceed as planned.”

***

The establishment of the Labor Agency and the promulgation of the Labor Standards Act happened swiftly.

Thanks to the governor’s immense reputation, the laws took root smoothly.

Most workplaces—construction sites, factories, farms—accepted them willingly.

When I announced plans to build vocational schools as well, the atmosphere was outright welcoming.

“Have you guys heard?”

“Heard what?”

“If you check the governor’s office bulletin board, the full tax revenue and expenditure ledgers are posted.”

“Whoa! That transparent?”

“Even the plans for supported industries are all listed.”

“With that much dedication, who’d oppose him?”

Most public reactions were like this.

Even Delriat’s native nobles showed little resistance.

The governor’s trustworthiness was sky-high.

But the nobles who had come from the Empire were different.

“Isn’t Duke Carius the one His Majesty the Emperor favors most?”

“Then why is he pushing policies that disadvantage us?”

“Something’s off. We followed him all the way here, and he hasn’t even summoned us once.”

“Could he not know we’re from the Emperor’s faction?”

“Maybe. I heard he’s actually quite timid. Doesn’t even host parties.”

“We can’t just sit here. We need to make our position known.”

“Let’s do that.”

They sent dozens of petitions.

But the governor’s office showed no response.

The Labor Agency was established as planned, and labor inspectors visited every workplace.

Naturally, discord erupted at this stage.

“What did you just say?”

Viscount Mason Hubert asked, his face flushed red.

The young official in dark clothing answered with an impassive expression.

“I merely asked for proof that wages were paid to the farm workers.”

“Why the hell should I hand that over?”

“It’s procedure for labor supervision and investigation. If you refuse to the end, we’ll have no choice but to enforce it.”

“What? Hey! Drag these bastards out right now!”

At the furious shout, a group rushed in.

They were private soldiers loyal to Mason Hubert.

Ordinary viscounts often held no personal territory.

The title was usually given to quasi-barons or royal administrators.

But in a vassal region like Delriat, it was different.

Here, they wielded authority comparable to a proper count.

That was how they could maintain dozens of elite private soldiers and knights.

Yet the labor inspector didn’t bat an eyebrow.

“This act constitutes treason. Are you not afraid of His Excellency the Governor’s wrath?”

“I follow only His Majesty the Emperor’s orders. The land he granted me—no one can question it!”

“That’s quite the sophistry. Didn’t you secure that farm in Delriat from the previous governor? As payment for lobbying.”

“How dare you! What are you waiting for?”

At Viscount Hubert’s roar, the private soldiers moved immediately.

They were well-equipped elites in proper weapons and armor.

Clank clank!

Their training looked impressive.

At this rate, the officials would be in serious trouble.

But right at that moment—

The labor inspector, who had been scanning the surroundings indifferently, casually dropped a line.

“Do all of you get paid for your work?”

“…”

The charging soldiers slowed their steps.

Then they began glancing at each other.

Honestly, everyone was probably curious how much the others earned.

But normally, they couldn’t ask.

“The average wage in Delriat is now four silons a month. Quite an increase, isn’t it? Thanks to His Excellency’s relentless investment. Do you receive that much?”

“Well, we get our weapons loaned and room and board here, so…”

“According to the Labor Standards Act, high-risk work requires safety equipment. And all compensation must be in currency. Is that being followed properly?”

The soldiers’ expressions turned peculiar.

The state was trying to protect their rights by law—kicking it away would be shooting themselves in the foot.

Soon, every gaze turned to Viscount Hubert.

“My lord.”

“Why aren’t you getting rid of those pests?”

“Will you pay our wages properly?”

“…”

Mason Hubert couldn’t say a word.

He’d planned to substitute everything with room, board, and equipment rental fees as usual.

Anger began to fill the soldiers’ eyes.

“Screw this job!”

“That guy just said it—anywhere else pays four silons a month.”

“Why the hell are we even private soldiers?”

Clang! Crash!

They started throwing down weapons and stripping off armor.

Soon, they approached the labor inspector and poured out their grievances.

“What about the money we haven’t been paid so far?”

“The Labor Agency will review it and do our utmost to ensure you receive it. Just tell us your work period and names.”

“Th-thank you!”

With a few words, the labor inspector shattered the soldiers’ will to fight.

He approached Viscount Hubert and extended his hand.

“Now, the ledgers, please.”

“Goddamn it!”

Fury reaching the top of his head, Mason Hubert spat a curse.

Similar incidents unfolded across Delriat.

Soon, the imperial-origin nobles facing the Labor Agency’s iron hammer gathered.

“What the hell should we do?”

“We need countermeasures fast. At this rate, we’ll be drowning in fines.”

“Are they insane? Punitive damages? They’re demanding ten times the back wages.”

“We can’t let this continue. Let’s all go together.”

“Go where?”

After a brief pause, Mason Hubert spoke with a grim expression.

“The imperial palace.”