— Still in the program —
"And you know why? Because if they don't, their position will be compromised. They need to portray themselves as being loved and praised and elevated into living gods all the time. Because if they don't, there will be factions wanting to replace them," explained Mr. Cortez.
"Then, if they can't afford that, why don't they try to be truthful and just improve the lives of the people as they show?" the host asked in confusion.
"That's a good question, Wendy. It's because it's not in their interest," answered Mr. Cortez.
"It's not in their interest? How so? Shouldn't the ruler's interest be their people? As long as the people have a good life, their rule would also be justified," the host asked again.
"In theory, yes, they should do that. But in reality, it takes a rare kind of leader to actually do that, and this includes all forms of government in the world: Monarchy, Democracy, Dictatorship, Oligarchy, even states ruled by corporations," Cortez said with a smirk as he looked at Wendy, who could only smile wryly.
"Just because I receive help from your corporation doesn't mean I'm going to spare you from criticism, you know, Wendy," said Mr. Cortez.
"It's okay, Mr. Cortez. Our Astral Tech is open to any criticism because it means there are areas we need to improve on," Wendy answered, then continued. "Let's return to our subject. Is there any reason behind what the Tessia Royal Family did?
The thing you said 'It's not in their interest.' I find it very hard to believe such a claim without evidence to support it." The host quickly brought the topic back on track.
"It's because the royal family needs all the money, other than what they spend on their luxuries, for the projects they've been studying. Yes, the bioweapon project that just wreaked havoc in the Tessia Kingdom and ended the Tessia Royal Family's rule."
—-
"Umm... Judging from the date... Is it because Mr. Emberweave announced the new energy?" the host answered.
"That's correct, Wendy. They knew they couldn't keep up the farce, so they immediately launched a price increase before their technology became obsolete. And that's after they were sure there was no way they could get the power generation technology from Daniel Emberweave because he didn't play along with them.
As you know, sabotage wasn't possible either. I suspect that Mr. Emberweave had his private military company working for him back then. Otherwise, the Tessia royal family might have used heavier methods to acquire things from Mr. Emberweave," Cortez said, sharing his suspicions. The host could only laugh and smile wryly.
"You don't want to answer? That's fine with me too," said Mr. Cortez.
—-
This... This is a lie! I refuse to believe it. It's a lie! But those Prescott profit margins... They're real.
I remember the mysterious shareholder in the Prescott Group... I even cursed them. It was all because of the corporations... But it's a lie.
I... I don't want to listen. Someone make it stop... I... I don't want to hear it anymore. If it's true, then...
then... all my misery, the bioweapon, the secret lab... Come to think of it, there's no way the corporations could have built a secret lab under the royal palace without the royal family's consent.
So... what about my dead wife and children? Damn them all... The royal family and the Prescott Group, those damn corporations! One day... One day I'll get my revenge.
I'll kill them all!
—