Chapter 300
(Kyle Calendar Year 514: Age 21)
To the Northern Country Part 1
Translator : PolterGlast
Early in the new year, I hurriedly determined the things to
do from now on, and most of them began moving smoothly. And I am in the Royal
Capital Kylar with a small number of guards to solve several tasks that
can be called the final finishing touches.
Perhaps because I sent a herald to the Royal Palace, a guide
was waiting when I arrived in Kylar, and I was immediately guided to the
usual room. There, waiting were His Majesty the King, the Minister of Foreign
Affairs, the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Minister of Military Affairs,
and for some reason? Her Highness Clarice.
"Hohoho, what business brings the Archduke himself here
so suddenly?"
『Tch,
Old Raccoon. You probably already guess one of my businesses.』 Thinking so, I chose my words carefully.
"First of all, Your Majesty, despite the sudden visit,
I deeply thank you for welcoming me like this. I am glad above all that Her
Highness also seems to be in good spirits. I also thank everyone again for
gathering suddenly despite being busy."
"Hahaha, I had been waiting eagerly too. The Minister
of Foreign Affairs had been saying... it's about time."
"I wasn't really... in good spirits, but I am happy to
meet the Archduke."
Wait, did you guys quarrel over something again? When she
said 'not in good spirits', she was glaring at His Majesty with all her might,
though... I have to make sure not to step on the landmine here.
"This time, as the Demon Territory Duke of the Kyle
Kingdom, and as the Archduke of the Westlights Dukedom, I have
matters I wish to consult with you from two positions, and thus I have
come."
"As His Majesty says, first you have business with me
as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, right?"
"Yes, that is correct. Regarding the return of
prisoners with the Empire, if we don't determine the participants on the
Kingdom side..."
"That matter was decided just earlier. As the country's
appearances, one royal family member, the Demon Territory Duke as the
supreme commander, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs from the civil officials
will attend. That was the condition for exchange."
Her Highness said so as if glaring at the three people other
than me. Hmm? Don't tell me, this is the landmine! Both His Majesty and the Old
Raccoon are floating slightly awkward expressions.
For the time being, Her Highness demanded something. His
Majesty and the others opposed it, and she reluctantly sheathed her sword.
However, in exchange, she demanded to attend the prisoner return ceremony as
the King's proxy. Well, it's probably something like that.
"I see. The
other party will likely have the Third Prince present, and if Her Highness would take the trouble to go, the
Kingdom's appearances will be maintained too."
When I said so, His Majesty and the Old Raccoon floated
slightly disappointed expressions.
What? Did they have some faint expectation that I would
persuade Her Highness or something? Of course, I have absolutely no intention
of interfering around there. Do whatever you want regarding the Kingdom's
affairs.
"Then one of my businesses, the consultation as Demon
Territory Duke, is as good as resolved with this. I will also enter the Southern
Gate Fortress three days before the return date and wait for everyone."
I deliberately cut the conversation short.
"Then next, I have requests from the position of Archduke.
First: I would like to borrow Imperial Command Mages, or
even if not, Earth Mages, Water Mages, and Time-Space Mages.
Second: This time, I would like to receive permission to rebuild
the Southern Gate Fortress. Third: Since
Her Highness is enrolled, I would like to request a temporary leave of absence
for my wife until the time of the prisoner return..."
"How many Mages does the Archduke need? What is
the purpose?"
"Yes, Your Majesty, the more the better. Especially Earth Mages are needed urgently. The
purpose is construction to secure safety around the old border, and other
construction projects to advance negotiations with the Empire
advantageously."
"Hoh... then
I am not reluctant to cooperate. Old man,
you may cooperate from your position
of Academy Principal."
"Understood. So Demon Territory Duke, what are
your thoughts on the period, maximum personnel, and reward?"
"The period is three months from arrival, and for the
maximum personnel, I am hoping you can arrange 50 Earth Mages, 10 Water
Mages, and 10 Time-Space Mages. How about 50 gold coins as advance
payment for the reward? Of course, this is strictly the maximum personnel, and
I think it would be fine if even nearly half of that actually gathers. Note
that we will prepare housing and meals."
"Hoh...
that's a grand number. Well, we'll make an effort within what's possible. And
for that, would it be fine if they are students of the academy?"
『Knowing
the Old Raccoon, he's probably thinking of making it part of the classes or
something...』 Well, I don't mind that, though.
"I have two conditions. First:
Leaving the Dukedom until the prisoner return, that is, temporarily returning
home, is not possible. Second: We will
censor letters and prohibit communication with the outside via messengers.
Because the matter involves national defense and negotiations... Note that you
may send personnel sequentially as soon as they are decided. The gathering
place will be the Southern Gate Fortress, and the stay will be either
there or Aegis."
The moment I said Aegis, the Old Raccoon narrowed his
eyes. He's surely probing what the other construction is.
"I have understood that. And the second purpose?"
"Yes, originally the Southern Gate Fortress has
its existence value precisely because an enemy country is waiting right in
front of it. But now, it could become a useless long object. Therefore, I want
to proceed with remodeling it newly as a city."
"In that case, that fortress is also Dukedom territory
now. You wouldn't need permission from us, would you."
"Yes, what the Minister of Internal Affairs says is
also reasonable. But there might be sentimental issues too. That fortress was
constructed investing the Kingdom's budget for defense against the Empire. We
can't just act as we please."
"Hohoho, it seems the Archduke is also being
considerate."
"Yes, when the remodeling is successfully completed, we
intend to prepare facilities where the Kingdom's ambassadors can reside as well."
"I see. Hearing the story so far, I cannot say no
either. Let me state clearly that there are no problems from the Kingdom's
perspective."
"I thank you for your generous words."
"As for me... I'm a bit lonely, but I will return
Yuka-san to you. I feel bad making her tag along with my selfishness..."
"I thank Her Highness for your generous words."
"Will Yuka accompany you to the Dukedom after
this?"
"As a result, it will be so. But this time, I will have
her accompany me. If the story this time is settled, I plan to visit Frontier
Duke Model accompanied by my wife."
"Is that so! Then I will also, by all means!"
"You may not! First, preparations for guards and other things
are not in place to take Her Highness along. Second, political problems will
also occur. We won't be able to just head to the northern land. Third, it's my
first trip with Yuka. But if accompanied by Her Highness, it will become
an entertainment trip."
"Kuh, such... you didn't have to say it that
clearly."
"It is a matter for which
I cannot bear responsibility. Her Highness is now a VIP not only of the Kingdom
but also of the Fearalt Principality!
If you are to marry His Majesty Krieger, please exercise self-restraint
on that point."
"Even though I just gave up going to Salaam a
little while ago..."
That's it! I see, no wonder they were conveniently assembled
together. When they were discussing a headache-inducing problem, my herald
arrived just in time. Then let's just involve him. With such thoughts, the
audience was probably granted smoothly.
"If Her Highness goes to Salaam, it won't end
with just staying there. It's obvious you'll selfishly extend your legs to the Demon
Territory over there or Fairy anyway."
Knowing this unruly horse. It's a given she'll start moving
freely once she leaves the Royal Capital.
"Moreover, we can't let Her Highness go to the Principality alone. Frontier Duke Hastburg would
also have to accompany you. My brother currently has no such leeway with the
reconstruction of his devastated territory."
"..."
"I am not going to the north to play either. Because I
am going for business negotiations necessary for the development of the new
territory."
Yes, taking Yuka along is strictly an afterthought.
Saying afterthought sounds rude, but it's an afterthought in the sense that it
makes a good excuse taking advantage of this opportunity.
Besides, compared to my other wives, the time I've spent
with her so far is short. Even after graduating from the academy, she stayed in
the Royal Capital and moved for me, so it's a short trip also doubling as
gratitude for that.
"I understand. Then I will look forward to the journey
to the Westlights Dukedom."
"It's not a journey. It's work, you know!"
I mean, you three over there!
Making people do all the talking and just nodding happily, give me a break!
Do you arbitrarily think of people as trainers for unruly
horses?
Well, although some anxiety remained, my business was
settled. Wrapping things up quickly and leaving the room...
"Oh right, I had forgotten."
Hmm? Your Majesty, what is it?
"A branch office of the Dukedom is necessary in this Kylar
too, isn't it? Much less, the current state of your residence would look bad,
wouldn't it?"
Somehow, I have a bad premonition.
"Hohoho, just as His Majesty says. We must proceed with
discussions carefully around here. Let's consult on your way back from going
north, shall we."
Tch, now that the war with the Empire is over and immediate
peace is assured, do you want to keep me in the Royal Capital as much as
possible? You want to keep those with power as close to you as possible. It's
no wonder the Old Raccoon and others think so.
Like the Sankin-kotai
system (alternate attendance) of the Edo period...
But, you're the ones who made me Archduke and gave me power (responsibility)! I decided to just be
pragmatic about it with a straight face.
"Then I will send civil officials from Teigoon
at a later date. Our urgent task now is establishing defense measures for the
new territory. After all, we were entrusted with a death trap in a sense now.
The residence in the Royal Capital should be fine after that."
"I-I see..."
Yeah, this just cause (excuse) seems to work for the time
being.
"Then, since everyone seems busy, and we also need to
hurry north to deal with the new territory, so please excuse me here."
Saying so, I avoided getting in too deep and hurriedly left
the Royal Palace.
My heart is already flying north.
In this world, land I've never seen before, and above all,
the sea! Just thinking about it makes my heart race. And, although there are
important business negotiations, this time there are no orders from the
country, nor is it an expedition for war.
I was swelling my chest with expectation for my first trip that actually felt like a vacation.
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