208 - The Blundering Chancellor
――In the castle of Lusworth, a meeting was being held with the primary members, starting with Elsa.
That said, Elsa was merely a decoration. She had virtually no right to speak during the meetings.
The agenda for this session was a discussion regarding the younger brother of Glacia, the acting Archduke of Galleria, and a strategy meeting regarding the movements of surrounding nations.
The Chancellor of Lusworth, Letre Haldore, had his ringlet curls slightly disheveled. All the key figures surrounding him belonged to Letre's faction.
While they considered Elsa a mere decoration, there were still a fair number of people who swore loyalty to her, as she was the greatest mage in the country and its strongest warrior. Elsa was especially popular among the lower and middle-ranking officials.
She received support from some of the high-ranking officials as well, though it was slight. However, Letre paid no heed to this. This was because Elsa was a royal whom Letre had brought in to be a decoration for the throne, and in the battlefield, she was simply the strongest trump card.
Letre, who had brought Elsa from a life of poverty to the royal castle, sincerely believed that he was her benefactor.
Furthermore, he had expanded his faction using Elsa's military power as a backdrop. Letre was the only one who had been able to bend Lusworth to his will to this extent in a single generation.
Due to policies that heavily favored the center, Letre's popularity in the capital of Lusworth was also high. He received immense support from the people as a loyal servant of the Queen.
However, even such a man as Letre had his worries.
"The Witch of Galleria... the fact that her younger brother succeeded in land reclamation is not the problem. Being somewhat competent will not affect the current situation. The problem is that adventurers with ties to Zain and Rolfis are supporting him!"
As Letre read the report, the detailed internal affairs of Galleria were written therein.
One of the high officials spoke up, lacking any real sense of crisis.
"Rolfis, who gets arrogant just by defeating Selva, is a second-rate nation at best. They are no enemy of ours. The fact that Galleria relies on those two countries is proof of how desperate they are."
Letre glared at the official, silencing him.
(I brought in even the incompetent for the sake of expanding the faction, but to think they would drag me down... He should just keep his mouth shut and sit there.)
Elsa sat in her chair, listening to the conversation, but she did not speak. She only opened her mouth when the meeting began and when it ended.
Other than that, she spoke only when Letre requested it.
Letre continued reading the report.
"...There are also stories that Beim is providing support. It is highly likely that Zain, Rolfis, and Beim have turned into enemies. I hear that a Holy Knight of Zain, who won against a great army of monsters that appeared due to a labyrinth's rampage, has entered their service."
At that statement, a high official who had been looking at the report spoke.
"No, it seems a companion of the Holy Knight entered their service, while the individual himself is staying in a village in Rolfis near the border. Furthermore, there is no story that Galleria has explicitly formed an alliance. Could there be some hidden motive?"
A vein popped on Letre's forehead.
(Of course there is! I cannot believe those cursed adventurers would side with Galleria without any profit. What is their goal? Is it because I rejected the talk of a four-nation alliance previously? Do they intend to embrace Galleria and crush Lusworth?)
Lost in thought, Letre decided he needed more information. He decided to instruct the lords in Galleria with whom he had connections to gather more intelligence.
(Damn it, you've done something unnecessary, adventurer!)
Letre had begun to move to take measures against Liel――.
Beim.
When I visited the Trace estate, I had heard from Fidel-san that Vera was on a ship for work.
To me, who showed my face at the estate, he spoke with a truly joyful expression.
"Too bad, boy. Vera is at sea. There is no one to respond even if you seek support."
He said. It seemed I was quite hated, but since I have done things to deserve it, I didn't feel like getting angry.
I also replied with a smile.
"That is a shame. I came to borrow some more money."
"I do not call it borrowing when there is no intention to return it. If you were not a famous adventurer, I would have no need to deal with you. Now, I am busy, so would you please go home?"
We were having a very terrible conversation while smiling at each other, but even without Vera, I had to convey my business.
After all, this time I had come to negotiate with Fidel-san.
While drinking tea, I said...
"...I am doing some work in Galleria. I have become close with the acting Archduke's younger brother."
Fidel-san's face became serious.
"I have heard. Another evil plot? You seem to lack awareness that you are making those around you unhappy."
The painful part was that I couldn't talk back. However, this time it was a story that would benefit the Trace family as well. It's not like we're just leaching off them... or so I want to believe.
"Well, right now I am working with Leold Galleria――the acting Archduke's younger brother. It's regarding domestic affairs. It is thanks to the support of the Trace family."
Fidel-san looked irritated. It seemed he could not forgive the fact that I had made Vera provide funds.
"Please don't be so angry. I haven't cooperated with Galleria solely for my own sake. Actually, Leold-sama's evaluation is rising even within Galleria. It's not perfect, but he reclaimed land that was said to be impossible. In two to three years, it will become land from which sufficient taxes can be collected."
Fidel-san scoffed.
"How many years, no... how many decades do you think it will take to recover the amount invested? It's not as if you are unable to do calculations."
I nodded.
On top of that, I requested further support.
"Well, it's true that I only reclaimed a part of the Galleria Archducal family's territory. It can't be called a very large achievement. Therefore, I would like to ask for additional support."
"Go home!"
He told me to go home with a terrifying expression, but even I would want to tell someone to go home if the positions were reversed. However, I sat on the sofa and smiled.
"...There is a good piece of land in Galleria. It is the best location for constructing a port. Large ships can enter and exit sufficiently."
Fidel-san's eyebrow twitched. After taking a sip of tea, he said "Continue," seemingly allowing me to proceed with the negotiation.
"If a port is built, taxes will naturally be required for its use. However, what if it were a merchant house that contributed to Galleria? While it wouldn't be zero, don't you think it could be used at a very low cost?"
Fidel-san's expression did not change.
"How much do you think it costs to build a port? Moreover, that area is a place where the lords are practically engaging in piracy. Do you think we don't know the places suitable for a port? Besides, it's a country that has wars with Lusworth several times every year. Free use of the port and an exclusive contract wouldn't even be enough."
Until now, land routes had been used, and the cargo that could be transported was limited.
Furthermore, the taxes for passing through Galleria were too high.
If there were a port, such costs would not be incurred. And products could be sold in large quantities.
I took a document out of the envelope I had brought and showed it to Fidel-san.
"Actually, I had a companion enter the service of Galleria. I had them investigate various things. It seems there are many lords who are on good terms with Lusworth."
Written there were the names of lords who were thought to have connections with Lusworth, which Miranda and Monica had investigated.
There were many lords far from the border, and the names of lords who owned land suitable for a port were also written. There were many of those who looted during wars while ensuring their own lands were not damaged.
Looking at the document, Fidel-san stroked his groomed beard with his finger.
"...If twenty to thirty percent are close with the enemy, Galleria is more fragile than I heard. Conversely, I'm losing the will to support them. Do you intend to cause a civil war in Galleria this time?"
I shook my head.
"No way. I don't intend to deal with all of them. However, I'll have a few of them disappear. Don't you think it would be better for the port to be under the management of the Galleria Archducal family? Besides, if a sea route is established, I don't mind if the Trace family monopolizes it."
If a port were built, it would mean that as a merchant house, the number of business partners would increase. The number of customers would increase. That is a huge profit.
"That is not enough. You should listen to the story properly."
I laughed, though internally I was getting tired.
"Please listen to my side as well. It's not just Galleria. Wouldn't you also want a port in Lusworth?"
Fidel-san remained silent with a serious expression. It likely meant for me to continue.
"Lusworth has a policy of prioritizing the center. Port maintenance has been left untouched. Well, they probably have anxieties about the provinces gaining power. Both Galleria and Lusworth are countries of considerable scale. Even without clashing with local merchant houses, I think they could earn sufficiently?"
Fidel-san seemed to have become interested. When he smiled, he made a demand.
"Is the exclusive use of the port for real? It's no good if the taxes are too high. If the conditions are favorable to us, I will consider support."
I nodded with a smile. Cheers erupted from within the orb.
"I'll have the use of local fishermen and merchant houses other than yours permitted, though. The Archducal family needs to have pirates dealt with, after all. Oh, and merchant houses recognized by the Trace family can also use it."
In other words, while the Trace family monopolizes it as a merchant house, I acknowledge that other merchant houses can use it if they have the Trace family's permission.
Fidel-san's expression turned into a very good smile.
"Can you get permission from the representatives of Galleria and Lusworth? If you can deliver the documents we prepare and get signatures, I will provide support. Though I will provide support for Galleria alone as well."
Inside the orb, the Third Head was overjoyed.
'It's a delicious deal for Fidel-kun! Because he gets the monopoly of the port and can grant permission for its use! With that, he can do business with the merchants of Beim using port usage fees, and he can gain a superior position. I knew he'd bite!'
He was probably laughing with a black-hearted face. Seeing the Third Head so happy, I started to feel sorry for Fidel-san.
The Fourth Head was also overjoyed.
'You've got to give him at least the exclusive use of the port. Or rather, if I didn't do at least that, my heart would ache. Considering what's to come.'
The Fifth Head also muttered.
'Be happy for now. Yes, only for now.'
The Seventh Head also looked amused.
'It is indeed a great profit. Monopoly... what a wonderful sound. But what will those around him think? He probably thinks he can handle it however he wants. Until now, he certainly could have. But now it's different, Fidel-kun!'
Mireia-san also said "Ara ara" as if saying 'oh dear, he's hopeless'.
'Fidel-kun, even if you hate it, from the perspective of those around you, you are already a splendid Liel supporter. You're thinking a bit too simply about what other merchant houses will think. Really... it's already too late.'
Eva had already been scattering money to her fellow elves, and the preparations were already underway. It was a small, insignificant rumor, but it was certainly spreading beyond Beim.
The smiling Fidel-san was probably thinking "I'll squeeze everything out of Galleria and Lusworth" in his heart.
I felt apologetic toward such a Fidel-san.
(I'm sorry. I'm really sorry.)
Fidel-san smiled at me.
"I dislike 'you', but as a business partner, I trust you. Please exert your skills fully in Galleria and Lusworth. I promise to provide as much support as possible."
From 'you' (kisama) and 'boy', he now calls me 'you' (kimi).
Looking at the joyful Fidel-san, I responded with a smile. However, internally, I was filled with apologetic feelings.
――Galleria Archducal Estate.
There, Glacia had invited her younger brother, Leold, into her office.
Right now it was just the two siblings, and Glacia was in a great mood after reading Leold's report.
Instead of her usual warrior atmosphere, Glacia was a gentle older sister to her cute younger brother.
"Isn't it amazing, Leold? To succeed in reclamation while keeping monsters at bay in that land! I was so worried, you know!"
Leold gave a wry smile to his older sister, Glacia.
"No, Liel-dono provided various follow-ups. Besides, I was able to fight the monsters because safety was sufficiently ensured around us. As for the reclamation, I only achieved seventy percent of the goal..."
Knowing that he was being praised more for protecting the companions who reclaimed the land than for the success of the reclamation itself, Leold gave a wry smile.
Glacia seemed to notice Leold's feelings.
"It's true that progress didn't go as planned. But those around us were praising you for reclaiming such difficult land. It's a fact that those around you have revised their evaluation of you. Stand taller."
As his sister, who was standing tall with her large chest, tapped her chest with her right hand, it shook enough to be visible even through her clothes.
While wondering if they had grown even larger, Leold felt miserable that he couldn't make his sister dress in more feminine attire.
"I'm sorry, Sister. I now slightly understand why I, who had been saying things as if I knew everything until now, wasn't recognized by those around me. While being helped by Liel-dono, I only achieved about seventy percent of the goal... it's truly pathetic."
Glacia placed a hand on Leold's shoulder.
"To be able to do that much on the first try is a great result. Besides, everyone thought you would fail. Achieving seventy percent is no problem. In two years, taxes can be collected from that land. Furthermore, with the support from Beim, there is almost no impact on the Archducal family's finances. If things continue like this, the day I can put you on the Archducal throne is near."
Seeing his joyful sister, Leold once again gave a wry smile.
'In this world, nothing is scarier than something for free.'
Riding on the back of Mei in her kirin form, we were racing through the skies of Lusworth under the moonlight.
I heard the Third Head's meaningful words from the orb, but now was the time for important work.
Our destination was the royal castle of Lusworth, and in my luggage was a letter from Glacia-san.
The content was a letter regarding Lusworth's planned invasion of Galleria in one month――the main point was a re-confirmation of the Rulebook.
"What's wrong, all of a sudden?"
Mei knew that I was conversing with the successive heads of the family within the orb, so she didn't mind even if I muttered to myself.
That's why we could converse like this. The Third Head sounded a bit happy.
'No, I just suddenly felt like saying it. When I think about what the little acting Archduke of Galleria thinks of us... those words just came to mind.'
The aloof Third Head was the most black-hearted among the successive heads. He had led the Walt family during the Baronetcy era and governed a territory smaller in scale than the other heads.
However, because he had led a territory that was neither too small nor too large, he possessed a different perspective from the other heads.
The Third Head said to me.
'Now, next we're approaching the Valkyrie of Lusworth... was she called the Witch here? Elsa-chan. Make sure you don't get killed.'
"...I know. Please don't threaten me so much. For the time being, I've confirmed something like a signal with that adventurer and Glacia-san."
When I said that, the Fourth Head chuckled.
"What is it?"
'Nothing, I just thought you've become quite reliable compared to the beginning. Because the beginning was so terrible, just acting normally makes it feel like you've grown.'
It was a harsh way of putting it, but considering when I first met the successive heads, it might be unavoidable. At that time, I was unreliable no matter what I did.
However, the Fourth Head sounded a bit disappointed.
'Well, I wanted you to show the spirit to make Lusworth's Elsa-chan fall for you. Or rather, even in Galleria, you just became close with Leold-kun instead of Glacia-chan. Let's be more aggressive in winning them over.'
I wanted him to give me a break. If possible, I wanted to stay in the position of a companion, leaving romantic feelings out of it.
Because even now, there are too many women.
"I don't think I need to win anyone else over..."
Then, the Fourth Head spoke excitedly.
'Naive! You're naive, Liel! Once you've come this far, you have to complete the set! Many countries are led by women, and considering the post-war situation, having them fall for you is truly delicious!'
"Weren't you devoted to one wife!"
'No, it's not that concubines weren't allowed, but it was just too tough given my age. Also, my wife was the best, but I have no intention of forcing my devotion to one wife onto other people. You know, case by case?'
At first, he told me to be devoted only to Novem, but now he tells me to expand the harem.
Fourth Head... is he actually just finding this amusing?
"You denied the idea of a harem at first, didn't you?"
'I did, but if you're going to be an Emperor, isn't it better to have many consorts? Even better if they are women who have shared your joys and sorrows! ...Well, as long as you make everyone happy, isn't it fine? Liel is a lonely person, after all.'
As I was about to argue against the things I couldn't let slide, Mei spoke up.
"Hey, we're almost at the castle."
I decided to talk with the Fourth Head later and focused on delivering the letter safely for now.