"Furthermore, starting this month, I will increase by tenfold the amount of taxes that the residents of Mondstadt must pay every month."
Leon spoke mercilessly.
Ten times the tax amount—
Is that much?
Of course it is.
If such an order were truly issued, then the people of Mondstadt would undoubtedly become the poorest in the kingdom within the next few years.
But this was a necessary measure.
He ordered this so that those lazy people would begin to work for Mondstadt.
If he didn't set a giant boulder rolling behind them—chasing them, forcing them to run—those slackers would never become diligent.
"I understand." Jean looked into Leon's eyes.
She understood that Leon was by no means only a good and benevolent king, and she also understood that such pressure from life might be necessary for Mondstadt.
Yet Jean still worried about how to resolve the people's dissatisfaction in the future. While collecting heavy taxes, should she also offer some kind of social aid?
However—
"There's no need for any aid. It's better to cancel all the assistance I gave to Mondstadt before. I want this boulder that's falling to be large and heavy, leaving those lazy people no chance to breathe."
Leon spoke coldly and fiercely. Far from easing the pressure, he kept intensifying it. Jean's eyes kept twitching as she quickly asked,
"But sooner or later this will cause dissatisfaction…"
"It doesn't matter. Just suppress it. If anyone refuses to comply, kill a few people. Even if ants unite, they still can't kill a lion, can they?"
"Ah, yes, I know it's impossible for you to agree with that, because Jean is such a good girl. Sorry, I shouldn't have said that."
"No, it's all right…"
Leon raised his hand and gently touched Jean's head. Even if what he said was true, the kind-hearted girl would never agree with it.
But Barbara, standing beside her, was stunned.
"What's wrong, Barbara? The expression on your face when you look at me now is like someone who cut into a strawberry cake only to find it tastes like chocolate."
"No, no, I just didn't expect Your Highness to say something like that."
"…You probably imagined me as innocent and charming. Sorry, I'm not just kind—I can also be cruel when necessary."
He was not merely a good and benevolent king.
He was also a cruel tyrant.
Leon embodied both the extremes of good and evil within human nature.
He could be a compassionate saint—or a demon king who destroys the world.
He did not wish to see anyone sacrificed.
But he could also sacrifice people without hesitation.
There was probably no one in the world more conflicted than him.
Chaotic Good and Chaotic Evil—
The fusion of two extreme personalities,
not even Chaotic Neutral could compare—
the true blend of Chaotic Good and Chaotic Evil.
But perhaps only such people are qualified to become kings, for the standard by which they judge the world is not by law, but by their own… mood.
"All right, let's end this topic here. You just need to listen to me. My decisions are always the best. Any extra thoughts are unnecessary."
Leon pulled Barbara into his arms.
His free left hand pinched the soft curve of the girl's body, while his right hand gave Jean's a firmer squeeze—one softer, the other tighter.
He loved discovering the differences between the two sisters.
After all, he saw everything about them—not just the surface, but also the sides others could never see.
"Yes."
Jean and Barbara both agreed, letting Leon hold them close, and at the same time deciding not to think about anything else.
After all, that's exactly what Leon said—
His decisions are always the best; it would be foolish to overestimate their abilities and speculate about his choices without permission.
Leon truly encouraged them to think for themselves.
But only under the premise that it wouldn't conflict with his own ideas.
"By the way, did you two miss me during this time?"
Leon asked with a smile. Seeing him change the subject, Jean's eyes suddenly softened.
"Yes, I missed you very much."
"Hmph, Your Highness clearly promised to come see us sooner." Barbara pouted adorably.
She had eagerly awaited Leon's visits every night, but it seemed he had forgotten about them after that evening. He hadn't come to see them in a long time.
Leon kissed Barbara and spoke in an apologetic tone.
"Sorry~ I've been busy with many things lately and haven't been able to make time."
"Ah, no, I wasn't blaming you, I just… hope you can come visit me and my sister more often."
Barbara, her cheeks flushed, waved her hands nervously.
"And you, Jean? Do you feel the same?"
"Yes, but I know Your Highness is a very busy person, so as long as you can come here once in a while, I'll be satisfied."
"Haha, that's a lie."
Leon squinted his eyes slightly, lifted his hand, and pinched Jean's nose.
"I'll come more often from now on—and I'll be staying in Mondstadt for the next few days to keep you company."
"Really!?"
"Won't that cause problems for Your Highness?"
Barbara was surprised, but while Jean was happy, she also worried that it might delay his affairs.
"Jean, you're such a good girl. You're sensible, strong, and considerate. You're truly wonderful—but… sometimes you need to think more about yourself. You can be more selfish, you know?"
Leon held her cheek as he spoke.
She was probably the hardest-working girl he had ever met, but also the most restrained.
She was clearly the most qualified person in this city to be a little selfish, yet she always made a habit of putting her own desires last.
She truly didn't value herself enough.
Leon knew that even if he said such things, Jean wouldn't change. She, who appeared to be the most reasonable, was actually the most stubborn of all.
Therefore—
"Since you won't take care of yourself, I'll do it for you."
"Your Majesty?"
The mountain of reports stacked on Jean's desk was cut to pieces in an instant.
She was about to say something, but the next second Leon caught her.
The office wasn't a good place—it was too easy for someone to walk in at any time.
"Your Highness, please don't do this."
Jean blushed and pleaded for mercy.
Before Leon could respond to Jean's plea, Barbara—ever the supportive little sister—cheerfully became an accomplice. She pushed Leon from behind toward the solitary room.
She also, quite thoughtfully, grabbed the room key and locked the door from the inside.
Barbara had long watched Jean's tireless efforts. This good sister, always caring for her elder sister, had long wished for Jean to relax and have a proper rest.
But—
Leon: "Where are you going?"
Barbara: "Huh?"
Leon: "Join us."
Barbara: "Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeh!?"
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(End of Chapter)