Chapter 9
The Greatest Ally
Ludwig was completely surprised and shocked by Mia’s answer. Mia who saw this…
Well, this feels terribly good!
Seeing Ludwig’s face was like a drug for her. She needed more…
“In the first place, the financial problem of the empire is simply that there is more money going out than money coming in. To solve it …”
Then, from Mia’s mouth, the problems of the Tearmoon Empire emerge. It’s not what Mia came up with in the library for the last few days… Of course not.
As you can see, these were the words of Ludwig in the alternate future. She was just parroting him back.
She could remember the events of the first day that she met him. She could remember his haughty expression as he lectured her about topics big and small, full of sarcasm. Almost everything went through her head, but still…
I shall never forget such humiliation! I will never forget those days!
It was a humiliating event for her. So she burned every word that Ludwig said into her mind. Now all that she is doing is saying all those grudgeful memory back to him.
Mia spoke about the problems with the empire, the problems with the nobles, the problems with the Imperial Capital, the problems with the neighboring kingdoms, and many more. If anyone else was listening to their conversation, they would have shouted at her brazenness to parrot Ludwig’s own teachings.
Meanwhile, Ludwig’s expression has changed from that of surprise to that of reverence and awe.
“…Enough.” He held up one hand to stop the Princess’ sermons. Then he knelt in front of Mia. “I am impressed that there was someone so wise within the imperial family.”
The words shocked Mia’s body.
Wise?! Did he just say that I am wise? This miserable four-eyes just praised me!
Mia trembled with joy.
Oh, I feel like I was reincarnated just for this day.
Mia was at the height of her excitement,
“But if you already know the problems, then surely you would be able to rebuild this empire without me?”
Mia paled instantly.
Oh no. This is bad! I have gone too far.
It was a big miscalculation. Indeed, what Mia said was Ludwig’s words. However, Ludwig only came to those conclusions after surveying the countryside and visiting neighbouring kingdoms. In other words, Ludwig had to do a lot of work to come to those conclusions. For the present-day Ludwig, who was still new to the job, Mia’s words were like providence.
it was after he went around the countryside and investigated the circumstances of foreign countries.
Mia’s grasp of the current events and plausible predictions of the future, couples with the fact that she was only 12 years old, it was simply too much for Ludwig to handle. In his mind, he doesn’t have to do anything. All he had to do was to leave everything to this Goddess of Wisdom that he had encountered.
Needless to say, Mia was no goddess of wisdom, and nothing would turn out fine if left to her. So with her back against the wall, Mia desperately started thinking…
No, it’s no good. I can’t think of any good explanation!
As expected, she is a regrettable princess. Fortunately, however, there was an excellent young civilian official in front of her.
“Were you perhaps concerned that people might not take you seriously because you are still young?”
His interpretation was very convenient for Mia. Very wrong, but also very convenient.
“That’s right!”
Mia joined in the flow. She could feel the wave of fortune pushing her up. Furthermore, Mia was experiencing a rare moment of mental clarity.
“And no matter how wise I am, I can still be wrong. So I want you to think about these issues and tell me what you think about them.”
Anybody with a sense of modesty would have never called herself “wise.” However, because of Ludwig’s lingering astonishment, all these were clouded by the veil of awe for Mia.
“A mind unclouded by its own brilliance… and ears that welcome a subordinate’s advice… Your Highness… Your truly are…”
Mia’s words impressed him when just moments prior, his superior brushed his appeal without a thought. Ludwig never dreamed that Mia would be a dumb-ass princess who is totally helpless without the wisdom that he provided.
“If that’s the case …”
Ludwig once again thanked her and he kept his head down and bowed deeply,
“This Ludwig will cooperate with you with all your heart.”
“I accept your pledge.”
Hearing Ludwig’s praises and reactions was a full pleasure for Mia.
In this way, Mia got her greatest ally after Anne.