The witch thought I am a Demon God
Chapter 854 - 447: The Eloquence of the Republic

Chapter 854: Chapter 447: The Eloquence of the Republic

The next morning, as Ivita was being attended to by his servant, he listened to the envoy from Ambros recount the current situation. In the Aristocratic Commercial Republic, debate was of utmost importance.

Unlike other feudal states, the decision-making power in the Aristocratic Commercial Republic did not rest with a few individuals, but with the citizen assembly of over seventy thousand middle-class nobles.

Therefore, if one could win the sympathy of these seventy thousand commercial nobles through debate, it would be easy to secure the support of the nation.

Even the council of ten elders had to consider the decisions of the citizen assembly.

However, Ivita also learned that within the Aristocratic Commercial Republic, the so-called nobles represented a status with the right to participate in politics.

It was not about wealth and power.

Thus, the nobles of the great Aristocratic Commercial Republic were actually the nation’s middle class, not impoverished families nor the wealthiest capitalist class.

The nation’s major merchants were basically not nobles.

This realization made Ivita appreciate the country’s excellent system, as those who decided the fate of the nation were the class that contributed most to it.

In fact, any nation at its strongest is shaped like a spindle—with a smaller population at the lower and upper ends representing the commoners and the wealthy and a larger middle class.

This indicated a nation with healthy tax revenue and abundant military resources.

"Eldorian," Ivan said, "so the focus is on this afternoon’s citizen assembly?"

The diplomat from Tartax, sent to execute tasks in the Aristocratic Commercial Republic, hesitated before responding to Ivita, "My respected Highness, indeed it is so. However, because debate is so significant in this country, it has even given rise to professional orators."

"These orators dedicate their lives to the art of language and the skills of persuasion. The Empire and Alsace have hired far better orators than those we have hired in advance, making our current position quite passive."

"The orators invited by the Empire and Alsace immediately portrayed us as despotic rulers oppressing our subjects. Our own people, out of desperation, rose against us. This caused the common people of this nation to generally despise us."

Eldorian was somewhat worried that Ivita would criticize his ineffectiveness, so he carefully stole a glance at Ivita, who, thankfully, said nothing.

Ivita said, "Make the arrangements and inform the leaders of this nation that I will also attend their citizen assembly square this afternoon."

In a low voice, Eldorian warned Ivita, "Your Highness, it would be best for you to avoid going today. I understand that just this morning, the envoy from the Empire has already bribed an influential figure here, Mr. Gran Gre. They are meeting today, early in the morning, on the third floor of a tavern called Moon Eagle, located west of the mansion."

"They are in cahoots, exchanging favors. It is half-publicly permitted in this country for domestic officials to collude with foreign envoys."

"They are confident about this afternoon’s citizen assembly and believe that everything is under their control. I fear that if you were to attend the assembly, our inefficiency could result in needless humiliation for you."

Eldorian apologized to Ivita with a bow, "Your Highness, I am sorry that my abilities are not sufficient to secure this nation’s friendship for you. Upon returning to Ambros, I will resign myself."

Ivita glanced at Eldorian, a smirk appearing at the corner of his mouth. "There’s no need for you to resign. On the contrary, the information you just gave me is enough for us to win this nation."

Ivita stood up.

Eldorian asked Ivita, "Where are you going?"

Ivita leaned against the window and saw many spies, disguised as small peddlers, at the street corner below the mansion, watching him.

It seemed that as soon as he left the mansion, he would immediately fall under their watch.

In a foreign land, every move was under scrutiny.

But...

Ivita’s shadow moved and then did something entirely different from the person casting it, a skill acquired from the ancient grand library.

This also made him understand why the shadows of the Pan God could move freely.

Ivita’s shadow gestured to Ivita and then squeezed through the gap between the wall and the window, turning into a flying ribbon of shadow as it slipped out.

Ivita told Eldorian, "Let’s continue with our discussion."

Eldorian, puzzled, said, "Your Highness, discuss what?"

Ivita opened the window. "Just talk about anything. As long as everyone knows I’m here, that’s enough."

...

While everyone’s attention was drawn to Ivita, his shadow left the mansion and quickly searched for the Moon Eagle Tavern.

When the shadow, taking the guise of an ordinary kestrel, landed atop the Moon Eagle Tavern, it coincidentally spotted Mr. Gran Gre’s carriage, which had arrived ahead of time.

Mr. Gran Gre, assisted by his coachman, stepped down from the carriage and headed toward the third floor of the tavern.

On the first floor of the tavern, a minstrel was playing a lively string melody.

Mr. Gran Gre, with a smirk on his lips and spring in his step, was clearly fantasizing about the substantial bribe coming from the Empire and Alsace.