kscans

Chapter 134 - Chapter 5. Daily Life at the Grand Ducal Residence

"What is this flood of numbers? My head is starting to spin."

"You're the one who planted these seeds, senpai, so you need to keep a proper handle on things. In fact, it's your responsibility that we have to live here in the first place."

I looked up at the heavens from the ledger before me. The scornful glare from Mia sitting beside me was terrifying.

"I, I know. Man, I'm so glad you're here, Mia."

I'm sure that inside Mia's head, all these countless numbers are organically connected. Without her, this entire operation would have already fallen apart.

I was in one of the guest rooms on the second floor of the Grand Ducal residence, a room far too grand for me. It was my first day off in a while, yet I was stuck staring at account books. The transactions of goods and rights for honey, metal molds, and yellow sugar. The package contracts with the western nobles. Before me lay the flow of money, all in different periods and formats. My own humble brain couldn't possibly grasp how much the Vinder Company was making right now.

I could understand how my father felt this morning when he cried out, "We're so profitable we're about to collapse." Speaking of my father, he's been working energetically outside the residence. It’s almost as if he wants to spend as little time here as possible. He's completely dumped all the external affairs on me, like joint projects with other companies centered around Central Garden and any guild-related matters. Jacob and Remi are guarding him around the clock.

Incidentally, he says he prefers dealing with people. You could say he's adapting just fine, one way or another.

There's only one thing I can say for sure. when it comes to actual business, I'm the most incompetent person at the Vinder Company.

"If you have time for empty flattery, then please get to work. I need you to take care of all these documents."

Mia stacked up a pile of contracts for the new honey business. A baron of so-and-so, a viscount, hey, I'm sure a count like this wasn't at the presentation... Ah, a connection through Luiza.

"According to Pedro's report, at this rate, the bees won't be able to swarm in time."

Pedro, the man who discovered that pollen. We appointed him head of apiculture promotion, but in reality, he's a savior of the nation, right alongside Fulsy and Dalgan. When I asked if he wanted a medal from Prince Craig, he shook his head more fiercely than a bee beats its wings.

"The original plan was to expand a little more slowly, starting with those connected to the Grand Duchess."

"That's because Alfina-sama helped with the sales."

"That couldn't be helped, it was to reduce the number of betrayals among the western lords."

"Is that so. So the political situation of the kingdom is becoming unstable due to Vinder Company's blunders."

"...Let's try to fudge it by recommending they start with milk vetch cultivation first. The profits are smaller, but there's zero risk, so some clients should prefer that."

Why is a Vinder Company business deal tied to a matter of national security? I bet people are calling us political merchants.

Thanks to all this, we're in a situation where we need the protection of a mansion like this. So far, I haven't felt any concrete danger. After all, with the Grand Duke of the East effectively deposed, anyone who makes a move on us while we're under the protection of the Western Grand Duchess and the hero prince would have to be a suicidal fool. If they were thinking of their own safety, they'd never try it.

Oh, so in a roundabout way, my goal of self-preservation has been achieved. ...Except it’s meaningless if my enemies have just gotten bigger. Besides, a merchant is supposed to do business within the bounds of national security. Lately, I've started to have some doubts about my own profession. Just a tiny little bit, of course. I'm not the one who has it wrong. It's everyone around me. And the Empire is to blame.

"By the way, Mia, you seem to have gotten used to this place."

"...I haven't. I'm really just a village girl, you know. The other day, I tried to help one of the maids and got scolded for it."

A normal village girl doesn't calculate pi on her own from a small hint, or see through the redundancy in a coded message in an instant.

Well, I understand how she feels. The Grand Duchess Euphillia treats us as honored guests, and Princess Alfina treats us as friends. It’s not hard to imagine how the staff of the residence would treat us.

"It must be nice for you, senpai, getting to be with Alfina-sama all the time."

"If we're talking about time spent with Alfina-sama, you're with her much longer than I am."

"That's because I'm also involved with Alfina-sama's study group."

"That's right. ...Um, is that going okay?"

"Yes. It's a chance to hire people with solid backgrounds and a foundation in mathematics."

People connected to the various companies in Central Garden also participate in Alfina's study group. And among them are some who want to join the Vinder Company.

"However, some of your statistical know-how will leak to the other companies."

"Ah, I don't mind that. Still, I'm surprised you can run a study group that mixes noble and commoner students."

I remembered seeing a female student from a clearly noble family at the academy call Mia "teacher." I hear it's a casual group where they mostly teach each other their respective areas of expertise.

"It's because the organizer, Alfina-sama, is also enthusiastic about studying mathematics."

So it's Alfina's personal virtue. I hear she's been studying finance recently, too. I wonder where that saintly woman is headed.

"Speaking of work, how is the analysis of the magic circuits coming along?"

"...The ledgers."

"It's just a little break. See, even though we're so busy, I've left it all to you."

"...I'm not that busy at the moment. The Sage and Noel are the ones struggling. I think there's probably a geometric pattern, but I can't see it directly."

Apparently, they can pass magic through the pattern, but it stops midway. In terms of electronic circuits, it would be like being able to pass a current through the wires, but not being able to flip the switch.

"But the transmission efficiency does seem to be high."

"I see."

"When I re-examine it with the concept of nodes and points that you mentioned, senpai, there are noticeably more loops than in the Kingdom's magic."

"...You're analyzing it one way or another, aren't you. Seriously, I'm sorry for dragging you into this."

This is a sweatshop, no matter how you look at it. Although, Mia is one of the managers.

"It can't be helped. I am your secretary, after all."

Mia said with a smile. I really owe her more than I can say.

◇◇

"Oh, Ricardo-kun. I'm getting used to seeing you here."

Luiza, who had been talking with a young lady I didn't know, noticed Mia and me and called out. You should prioritize your guest.

"My, so you are Ricardo Vinder-dono. The one who has found favor with not only Princess Alfina but also Prince Craig."

The aristocratic young lady turned at the mention of my name. That smile was not one a noble gives to a commoner. It’s actually kind of scary. And what’s more, it gives me a stomachache when a noble knows my name but I don't know theirs.

"She was at the tea party at the ducal residence..."

Luiza introduced her. Apparently, she was one of the attendees during the anko versus chocolate showdown.

"Well then, Alfina-sama says she welcomes your participation."

"Ah, thank you very much."

The young lady bowed her head to Luiza several times before heading toward the entrance.

"...What was that just now?"

"An applicant for Alfina-sama's study group. I'm the receptionist."

It’s strange how a gathering that seems so much like a student group sounds like court politics when it comes from Luiza's mouth. What she’s actually doing is probably screening them.

"By the way, several of the noble houses that attended the honey business presentation were ones we were able to draw in through the study group. Of course, we're already at the point where it's harder to turn people away."

It was definitely court politics.

"It seems Alfina-sama wants to reduce the number of families being swayed by the Empire, even if it's just by one."

That's just like Alfina, whose own family fell on hard times during the Fellbach Rebellion. As a practical matter, national unity is paramount when facing an external threat.

The fall of the Eastern Grand Duke, Craig's elevation to an even greater hero, and a shift in the balance of power within the kingdom. And on top of that, the crisis of Kurtheite falling and Cazelle being occupied. It must feel like a third of the kingdom's territory has been seized by the Empire.

"I'd like for you to participate as well, Ricardo-kun. Many people are interested in you. In various ways."

"I'd rather not get involved in that sort of thing if I can help it."

"Alfina-sama, Prince Craig, and the Great Sage have been the public faces of your past achievements. But you're the real center of it all. And there are nobles sharp enough to notice things like that."

"I suppose so."

"I'm not saying you have to handle them perfectly, but at least be on your guard. We have the upper hand, but those who can't be won over might defect to the other side out of desperation. The Grand Duke of Kurtheite may be under house arrest, but the Second Prince is still officially active. ...Speaking of which, there was something I wanted to ask you."

"Wh, what is it?"

"What are your thoughts on Prince Craig's accession to the throne, Ricardo-kun?"

"...Whoa, whoa, whoa. That's not something a commoner should be thinking about."

She asked me as if it were just small talk. In my previous life, thinking about the next prime minister was, in a sense, a citizen's duty, but over here, it could cost you your life.

"Oh? But among the common folk, Prince Craig's reputation is already incredible. There are even plausible rumors going around that His Majesty will abdicate the throne to him once this war is over. And the one who made it all happen is—"

"Ricardo-kun. And Mia, too."

Alfina approached from down the hall, with Claudia in tow. Luiza turned to face Alfina. Released from the pressure, I let out a sigh of relief.

"Alfina-sama, about the next study group..."

Luiza began to speak with Alfina, who nodded with a smile.

"Ricardo. Um, Hyde is having a problem with you."

"Eh?"

"He said it's a problem if you don't contact the guards whenever you go out."

"...I'll be careful."

Incidentally, on the grounds of being at war, there are knights guarding the academy as well. Of course, the main place they're protecting is the Director's office. There are several living state secrets there, after all.

"By the way, how has the crystal been lately?"

I lowered my voice and asked Claudia.

"Fortunately, there seems to be no reaction at all," Claudia said. It would be unbearable if a disaster struck on top of the Empire's invasion.

Once we have a reliable countermeasure to the Empire's sorcery, I'd like to use it to advance the analysis of the crystal as well. But we can't take it out of the cathedral. I wonder if Fulsy could do something about that.