"Now now, you two, please calm down. This isn't the time for childish quarreling. Not at your ages either."

  Justice Minister Randehare Barha Pahr tried to settle things.

  "Okay~"

  "No, the child is this guy..."

  "Prime Minister."

  The Prime Minister still tried voicing complaints, but when both ministers insisted, he had to reluctantly accept.

  'Yeah, being glared at simultaneously by a lion and bear~'

  "So? What products are you considering for monopoly?"

  Whether the phrase 'tax revenue increases' sounded too sweet, the Finance Minister's interest was extraordinary. As highest authority bearing national finances, natural enough.

  "Well~ First chu~ru, ah, that Felinoid and Canisade treat.

  Actually that was made to eat alone, not as sauce.

  Being paste-like, it can just be used as sauce.

  Moreover many varieties exist, so I think sales prospects are quite good?"

  "I see."

  "And honestly, honey completely unexpected to me.

  Who knew this world's honeybees were such dangerous creatures?"

  "Are Earth's honeybees harmless?"

  Perhaps wanting any honey information, the Justice Minister asked.

  "Not just harmless, on Earth they're classified as beneficial insects.

  Of course they have poison stingers and getting stung causes trouble, but honeybees' bodies themselves are small, so the stingable poison amount itself is little—without anaphylactic shock, won't die.

  So on Earth exists beekeeping... an industry raising honeybees and collecting honey."

  "What, that's enviable."

  "So I'm thinking whether this world's honeybees could do that too, if monopoly business profits arise, invest in that research."

  "Pardon?"

  At the unbelievable story, Justice Minister Randehare Barha Pahr's eyes widened.

  "Not just selling Earth's, but cultivating Tusita's honey?"

  "Yes. Always relying on me alone, what happens if something befalls me?

  Moreover, Earthlings like me have short lifespans—essentially under 30% compared to Antero lifespans. Plus I've passed half that.

  Relying on me alone, maybe 30 years at most."

  At Celeste's words, the Prime Minister and two ministers present felt chills as if freezing water poured down their backs.

  Until now, they'd never worried about Earthling Celeste's lifespan.

  However, now for respective reasons, they faced the harsh reality of "only 30 years left."

  "You Antero have 200-year average lifespans, I heard, expecting over 300 years possible.

  For you, mere 30 years of sweet thoughts would only be like poisoning your lives.

  'Those were good times'—making short memories, ordinary people could manage.

  But can you?"

  Commoners could leave sweet memories.

  However, ministers here must consider not just themselves, but this country's future generations.

  Celeste 'not even from this country, much less a resident of this world' pointed this out.

  The Finance Minister, delighted with 'new tax revenue,' felt terror like his prized mane falling out thinking it would vanish in 30 years.

  The Justice Minister, thinking his race was saved only to realize it was 30-year-limited, felt swallowed by tremendous despair.

  And...

  "Ah, Prime Minister being elderly, maybe no problem?"

  "This guy...!"

  Though irritated, the Prime Minister couldn't refute Celeste's words.

  "So I want to raise this world's technology level as much as possible, so in 30 years this world can walk with its own strength.

  Why go that far? You ask?

  That's...

  Forgive my disrespect, but overlook it.

  If you come across this story on Amazon, it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.

  Because this is 'those guys'' country.

  To make up for their previous lives I couldn't fully love, I want to raise their reigns on rock-solid foundations, make them great monarchs sung of for generations.

  I want their descendants' country to prosper."

  Too grand a story from a short-lived species' mouth that won't live even 100 years.

  However, no one here could belittle or laugh at it.

  "For that I need capital, so I considered monopoly business expecting profits along with state tax revenue. You understand?"

  This atmosphere wouldn't allow answering 'no.'

  Though the three lamented so, they agreed Celeste's plan had no fault.

  "However, even with that profit, limits to starting such business...?"

  When the Finance Minister presented realistic concerns, Celeste lightly countered.

  "What? You truly thought 'just that'?

  How about those calculators?"

  "Ah!"

  The calculators Celeste gave recently, only two in Finance Department, were now fought over among bureaucrats needing calculations, with one the minister himself still carrying preciously like a charm.

  If thinking they could supply necessary numbers...

  "Tons of those exist on Earth.

  Of course, just selling them can't expect maintenance management or sustainable production.

  And only selling without expenditure won't circulate the economy, right?

  So invest in technology research and production."

  "Good grief, thought you a child, but this is a frightening person.

  Saying that far, you're confident?"

  While the Finance Minister felt overwhelmed by Celeste's intensity verging on madness, the Prime Minister interjected from the side.

  "Well, by Antero age, being called a child can't be helped?

  Confidence, well... this young grandson is counting on grandfathers' guidance and encouragement?"

  "Grandfathers..."

  While the two ministers were dumbfounded, the Prime Minister laughed heartily.

  "Kakakaka!

  What an unmanageable grandson appeared.

  No... honestly at this age, a brat grandson like you—spare me.

  Instead, how about comrades considering the country?"

  "Ah, I'd humbly accept... but is that alright? You two?"

  The dazed two ministers came to themselves at Celeste's question.

  "A-ah... if as Royal Father says, Finance has no reason to oppose."

  "Justice will support fully."

  "No, exercising power for personal designs please refrain..."

  "No, what you said concerns this country's future, and not just this country, but all Ursort living in this world's future!"

  "I... see...

  That's a larger-scale reaction than expected. Ahaha."

  This time as Celeste was overwhelmed by the Justice Minister's intensity, the Prime Minister retorted.

  "No, that's mutual.

  Really, came hearing it's a story about tax revenue increasing a bit, what's this grandiose talk?"

  "Indeed."

  BOOM—the four laughed together.

  "However, if the story becomes that large, must summon Internal Affairs and Commerce too."

  "True, but... they have schedules.

  For now, let's discuss what we four can.

  First. What's the monopoly tax rate?"

  "Depends on items, but regulated from 40% to 50% of profits.

  For necessities like salt, apply minimum 40%, but last year commemorating His Majesty's accession, applied special 10% discount, implementing special 36% rate for 10 years."

  "Truly my son. Full of compassion..."

  "Compassion is fine, but consider my position operating national finances!"

  Seeing the protesting Finance Minister, Celeste felt like teasing a bit.

  "Ah, about that...

  Your prized mane, lacking luster and with hair loss..."

  "Hiiii?

  H-how do you know!?"

  Apparently hit the mark.

  For lions, magnificent manes meant symbols of beauty and power, but apparently same for Lionea.

  "W-well... my condolences?

  I'll send hair-loss-effective shampoo from Earth later."

  "S-such things even exist?"

  The Prime Minister lightly scolded the Finance Minister turning from hair-loss despair to clinging to Celeste as hope.

  "Hey. Private talk later.

  Then, this case isn't necessities... becomes 50%?"

  "That's right."

  Even scolded by the Prime Minister, the Finance Minister's face became gleeful just imagining increased tax revenue, when the Justice Minister raised objections.

  "No, that's questionable.

  This matter should apply special discount too."

  "Surely not 'recognize honey as Ursort necessity'?"

  The Finance Minister, pleasant imagination disrupted, got slightly irritated trying to refute.

  "Ah, that too existed.

  Then minimum 40% with special..."

  "No way!"

  "Calm down!

  So Justice, what's this special exception?"

  The Prime Minister, suppressing the brewing argument with one command, asked the Justice Minister about the exception.

  "Yes. Kingdom Tax Law Special Act Article 9, Paragraph 2.

  When taxpayer invests in facility or building construction for nation and citizens, deduct 10% of that year's tax.

  Surely the Finance Minister knows this?"

  "Grnnn...

  No, but that's for public facility investment..."

  "Even though it's investment for this country's future?"

  Seeing the pressed Finance Minister, Celeste felt a bit sorry and decided to lend a hand.

  "Prime Minister, um... I have a question."

  "What?"

  "Are there also tributes from business profits to the royal family?"

  "Hm? Of course, not nonexistent.

  Not obligatory, but... hm? Right.

  Mainly tribute money from foreign trading companies.

  Gratitude for allowing business in this country."

  "I see. Thank you.

  Then how about this?

  Luxury goods, so maximum 50% rate."

  "Regis Celeste..."

  Finance Minister deeply moved, nearly crying.

  "Then, as Justice Minister said, apply 10% special discount making 45%."

  "Mm, should do so."

  Finance Minister wanting to cry for other reasons, and Justice Minister nodding as if natural.

  "And I'm an otherworlder, so 50% of tax—therefore 22.5% of profits I'll tribute to the royal family."

  "What?!"

  While both Finance and Justice Ministers simultaneously cried out in surprise, the Prime Minister too surprised twitched his eyebrow, but that expression changed to a smile.

  "If royal budget prospers thus, the state budget gets breathing room, right?"

  "Y-yes... that's..."

  Watching the Finance Minister truly nearly crying from emotion, the Prime Minister admired Celeste's unexpected skill.

  'This guy, he's doing it.

  Preserved Justice's face, and through tribute form gave Finance's worries a solution too.

  Not just making two ministers allies, but the more profit, the stronger the justification of "tributing to royal family," so complaints vanish.

  Quite a strategist... fortunate this guy wholeheartedly allies with the royal family.'

  "But is Regis Celeste fine with that?"

  The Justice Minister, already 'Celeste Follower #1' state, asked worriedly, but Celeste answered unconcernedly.

  "What, for me, enormous profits obtained from essentially zero initial capital?

  Moreover... well, save the rest for later fun."

  "Scheming again? You brat."

  "So it's later fun? Stubborn old man."

  While Celeste and the minister engaged in this malice-free insult battle, Celeste suddenly addressed the Finance Minister as if remembering something.

  "Come to think of it, those calculators... are they useful?

  Haven't heard how things are since teaching Arabic numerals and usage."

  "Ah, yes. Of course, very much so.

  Beyond useful—Finance bureaucrats to civil officials, fighting-over-it state.

  I use ministerial privilege to carry mine preciously always."

  "Oops, that was bad.

  You have it now? Please show me."

  "Ah, yes."

  The Finance Minister took out the function calculator preciously kept in his pocket and handed it to Celeste.

  "Sorry. Finance truly needs calculations so much.

  How many Finance officials are there?"

  "Yes? Ah, upper and lower combined about 100... iiiiii!?"

  Seeing Celeste holding the calculator create a calculator mountain in hand, the Finance Minister felt like fainting.

  "Here, take them take them! Pre-official-sale mega-service!"

  "R-Regis Celesteeee!!"

  Just as the Justice Minister had done before honey, now seeing the Finance Minister kneeling before the calculator mountain, even the Prime Minister was dumbfounded.

  'He's captured the second minister!'