บท 8: The contract, human wickedness
We were nearly arrived to our house. The time was coming when we would write a contract and then sign it. I was starting to think about its points and laws, I figured that at least we would create a democracy, thinking about a representative one would be meaningless in this point in time, so it should be a direct one.
And then it should be wise considering basic laws such as no killing, no robbing, and the like. Finally, villagers duties ought to be considered, otherwise nobody would do anything. Yet, this became mere fantasy when the process to make the contract started.
We arrived at the house and gathered everybody in the first floor, sitting at the table; we unbelievably had enough space.
"Alright, everyone. We will now start to discuss about the contract, our government and the laws."
Half of the people there was bewildered at my words, earlier they seemed so convinced but now their looks told otherwise.
"First of all who decided that you're going to direct us all?"
A man in his forties told me, he had vicious intentions, I wasn't doing much just organizing everything so as to have a peaceful and fast discussion about how to make this contract.
"It's not that I want this role, and I want it to be mine. I just thought of doing a favor to everyone to have an organized discussion instead of a messy one, but if you want to mediate then do as you like."
He had gotten all fired up earlier but after my counterargument he fell silent, looking on the ground ashamed.
"Well, has anybody else anything to say about this?"
To avoid other useless interruptions later, I made this rhetorical question, while imposing my presence.
"Good. Since nobody spoke up, I won't take any justification if they speak later. Let's now move on the first subject, the type of government. I'm sure you'll all agree with a democracy, won't you?"
"Uh! What the hell are you talking about?"
"Who's ever said anything like that?"
"This is unacceptable!"
That was the beginning of chaos. I didn't expect it to happen, I was quite sure that we would easily agree on the terms of the contract.
"Ok, ok, now calm down. Let's hear your points, if you want anything different from this, what is your suggestion?"
"Uhm... well... we could do a sort of monarchy?"
"Ehm... yeah, what he said."
"Uuuh... I agree."
Their tone completely changed, yet one thing was sure they wouldn't be convinced so easily. The contract was supposed to be signed by everyone, so even if one or two didn't agree, they'd have much power than the majority.
"A monarchy is an old and weak government system, which focuses all the power in ones hands, thus allowing it to become an absolute monarchy. Is this your goal?"
"Absolutely not... but..."
"Having a democracy in this world where we are forced to survive could cause more losses than having a monarchy could."
An adolescent stood up and finished the sentence for the middle-aged man. It was unexpected that a kid, from my point of view, had such wits to counter my argument.
"Let's assume for argument's sake that democracy causes more losses and that we choose monarchy. Then what would you suggest to do when it will become absolute?"
I knew I was against a kid, but I just held back a little in countering him. People wouldn't understand our argument, most of them are interested in short-term benefits, which in this case is surviving. The fact that the power given to the monarch could be abused didn't even touch their mind.
That's why they were all more likely to accept that. Additionally, a group of people tends to avoid arguments, so they'd go for the easiest option.
I couldn't give the solution to that kid, that's why I just give him a way to think this through.
"Well, we can make it impossible to become an absolute monarchy. Rousseau, an illuminist philosopher, had gone through the process of understanding why a monarchy becomes absolute. Eventually, he created an ideal form of monarchy, where there are three powers. Namely, the executive power, held by the king, the legislative power, held by a parliament, and the juridic power, held by magistrates. If we just create this kind of government we won't have any problems."
This kid argument could seem right, he was capable enough to answer me. However, it still showed the bitterness of an unripe fruit. His argument had fundamental flaws.
"This could be possible only if we were able to create a parliament and magistrates. Now, who, among us, knows how to legislate? please raise your hand."
Nobody raised their hands.
"And who knows how to be a magistrate? Again let's do this with a show of hands."
Same as before, nobody raised their hands.
"It's clear that in this way we wouldn't be able to limit the king doing, which will eventually lead to it becoming absolute. Moreover, do we have a competent leader, that would be fit to be a monarch?"
The boy didn't answer, this was as far as he could go now. But he made a worthy opponent. Nonetheless, now it wasn't time to praise him, I needed to convince people of the rightness of the democracy.
It was highly likely that the ultimate result wouldn't be what I expected it to be, though.
"Well then, since anybody could answer, wouldn't you agree now that the democracy far outdoes the monarchy?"
Those people didn't answer, they kept looking at each other with scared eyes, as if something was threatening them. Perhaps, they want to give in and accept the democracy but they couldn't. There was a mastermind behind all this, somebody that did this job without me noticing, he was skilled. Or rather, the mastermind was clear to be that kid, but he didn't come up with this idea, looking at people I can say it was the first middle-aged man that interrupted me that started everything, and then was support by other fellow middle-aged people.
Even though it didn't seem, it took us a while to come back, time was running short.
[Time remaining: 00:20:57]
I could look at every second going by, we had to make a decision, otherwise it would be the end for all of us. I had to make a blunt move now, to secure our survival.
"Alright, alright. You won't agree to the democracy and I won't agree to the monarchy, made in this way. It is pointless to go on like this, you are frightened of something and won't decide and I also know who the mastermind is. But I won't tell anything to them. Instead let's do something different. We don't have much time so we'll have to decide rapidly, otherwise it won't be a matter or monarchy or democracy anymore, it will just be over for all of us."
The people there were getting scared, and also the middle-aged men were starting to sweat and look at each other with confused looks.
"We'll do it like this, I'll accept monarchy only if you accept these two rules. Number one, the king will have a counsellor and they will be decided by a contest of power made in couple, the winner will be elected. Number two, the rules will be decided only afterwards the king is elected and they will be decided by the newly-elected king."
This was extremely appealing to him, if he came out on top he would be a completely absolute sovereign. But my plan was different. As soon as I finished speaking, his eyes sparkled, they were shining as the eyes of a wolf who is about to catch his pray.
He thought that his perseverance gave it fruits.
"Fine, I'll accept, the contract will contain only those two rules, and the rest is up to the king afterwards."
Good, I tricked him, he fell into my trap. I forgot about something, I needed paper and a pen. I had to hurry, so I decided to use my skill to create them.
"Junichi get me some leaves and stones, please."
He looked at me and saw my serious gaze, so did it without making any questions. I rapidly created what I needed after receiving the materials. Finally, I started writing the terms of the contract, fortunately they were only two, so it didn't take that long.
"Now everyone has to sign it. So go on."
I had already signed it and Junichi did so too, then all the rest of the people present there did it.
BtzBtzBtz
The contract started flying and floating, it was recognized by the "GAME" and was accepted, now perhaps the "GAME" would have been the one to make sure those rules were respected.
[Good everyone, you were able to create a contract, and to start a village, from now on your village will have to grow and face great obstacles. You will be granted the safe zone expansion and have a place to build.]
The message appeared right after the contract floated. Now there was only one thing to do, we would have to organize our tournament to elect the king and the counsellor.
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