Damn, I recarneted As A Judge in Fantasy World-Chapter 268: Reform Begins in Crawford

Early the next morning, Abel headed to Crawford's office.

He hadn't decided what to do yet, but he still needed to understand the job.

This was a national institution that encompassed the executive, judicial, and legislative branches.

For example, it played a role similar to that of the Governor-General of Deliat.

Since the country was small, this aspect seemed quite convenient.

'It's easy to tear it all down and fix it.'

Of course, the problems of the Duchy of Crawford were not limited to politics and resource redistribution.

Due to the mountainous terrain, they suffered from chronic food shortages, and overcoming this challenge seemed quite difficult.

If relations with neighboring countries worsened, the result would be that the people would starve to death.

"It's a headache in many ways."

As Abel walked toward the government office, lost in thought, a group of people came out to greet him.

"Hello, Your Excellency the Prime Minister."

"Nice to meet you. But who are you?"

"I greeted you at the banquet hall, but you don't seem to remember me. It can't be helped since you've met so many people. Haha!"

A man in his twenties with black hair and an innocent smile stood before him.

He looked like a bartender, perhaps because he was wearing a neat vest over a white shirt.

'No, so who are you?'

The man seemed to ramble unnecessarily, speaking only about himself while leaving out essential details.

In times like this, it was best to just point it out and get to the point.

"Excuse me, could you tell me your name?"

"Oh, yes. My name is Baronet Dewey Marcel."

"I see. I don't need to introduce myself, do I?"

"Of course. There is no one in the Duchy of Crawford who does not know Duke Carriers. Come this way."

"Thank you."

Abel followed Dewey Marcel.

As he walked down the hallway inside the government building, a thought suddenly occurred to him.

'But why is the Prime Minister's aide only a baronet?'

The hierarchy of titles in the empire and the surrounding small countries was slightly different.

For example, a Viscount in the Duchy of Crawford would be considered a Baron in the empire.

There was roughly a one-rank difference.

But a Baronet?

By imperial standards, they were practically commoners.

"Assistant Marcel."

"Yes, Your Excellency?"

"Could you tell me when you first assumed this position?"

"This is my first time receiving orders."

"Oh. I see."

Abel quickly understood the situation.

It seemed like someone had assigned an inexperienced aide to cloud his judgment.

Whoever had sent Dewey Marcel had done so with a subtle cunningness.

'It doesn't matter who my aide is.'

No matter what they tried, they would never be able to hide anything from him.

Peltron was already using crows and bats to gather all kinds of information.

Abel just needed to carry out reforms step by step.

"This is your office, Your Excellency."

"Thank you for your guidance. I need to understand the work, so could you please bring me the relevant documents?"

"Yes? Already?"

"I like to work hard and then rest a lot. Please bring them to me right away."

"Oh, I understand."

Dewey Marcel hesitated, his expression complicated, before stepping back.

Abel didn't know why the man reacted that way, but one thing was certain.

'He doesn't like me that much.'

Was it because he was making him work as soon as he arrived?

Abel shrugged and looked around, but something immediately caught his eye.

"Is this where you work or play?"

A typical office should have a desk, a bookshelf, and a sofa.

But this place was filled with magnificent statues and ornate furniture.

Strangely enough, there were also various board games available.

Bam!

When Abel opened a door without thinking, what he saw inside was even more absurd.

A display case in one corner was filled with bottles of liquor, and there was even a large bed.

"You must have had a drink and slept here a lot before leaving work."

Even without looking further, it was obvious what the former Prime Minister had been up to.

How could there not be a single map in the Prime Minister's office?

"Is this why the country is falling into ruin? No, is it already so far gone that someone like this was appointed Prime Minister?"

Whatever the case, this was an issue that needed to be completely overhauled.

Abel sat down on the ornate, gilded chair and waited.

Soon, Adjutant Marcel returned.

"This is a matter requiring a report and approval from a lower-level department, Your Excellency."

"Please put it here."

"Yes."

Dewey Marcel fumbled as he placed the documents down.

Abel glanced at the stack, curious about the workload, but let out a sigh of frustration.

What era was this—parchment?

It seemed that paper was not being properly distributed.

That was odd. fɾēewebnσveℓ.com

Count Schultz, who had built a villa here, would surely be aware of this issue.

'There must be some reason why paper isn't being introduced here.'

Hadn't something similar happened in the empire?

A good example was Count Coplin of the Giovanni noble faction.

He had tried to sabotage the paper business, but it almost backfired on him.

If Abel hadn't been so lenient, that man's family would have been ruined.

Since he had seized power anyway, he could gradually introduce paper himself.

There would be no issue with supply.

After all, he was the owner of the Dapan Group.

"Let's see. What is the most urgent matter?"

Abel quickly flipped through the documents.

Because they were written on parchment, they were thick and heavy, but the content was unimpressive.

A request to send an envoy to the Western Nations Alliance—but who should be chosen?

A proposal on how to deal with the increasing number of poor people crossing designated areas.

The issues were mostly along those lines.

Nothing fundamental.

Actually, it didn't really matter if he didn't send the envoy.

Crawford didn't necessarily have to import food from the alliance, especially if the goods they provided could be weaponized.

What if they cut off food exports for political reasons?

Then Crawford could refuse to send its own valuable resources in return.

A response like that was always an option.

Of course, it would be best if they could produce their own food.

"But that won't be easy."

Had there never been a wise person among those who had lived here before?

Countless people must have tried to solve this problem.

After all, survival was the most pressing issue of all.

'If the food situation improves, the problem of poverty will naturally be resolved.'

But there was no immediate solution.

Abel put the papers aside and opened the system.