“Welcome to the collapse of negotiations?”
Glenn gave a puzzled look, and Puruka stroked his chin, as if even he wasn’t entirely sure.
“Hmm, I’d say that’s close to how it feels. Well… it’s probably best if I start from the beginning of the negotiations. It might take a while, is that okay?”
“That’s fine. Please, go ahead.”
And so, Muruka’s recollection of the past began.
***
The Empire’s envoy arrived around the same time as Puruka, which he considered significant in itself.
Contrat was sent to Riberton right after a letter from Mephisto, the Emperor’s trusted aide, arrived. The swift response was because Contrat had already been considering the Riberton territory beforehand.
In other words, Mephisto’s letter was merely the trigger that turned suspicion into certainty.
Of course, this was only possible because Contrat was exceptionally skilled. Frankly speaking, his political instincts could be called the best on the continent.
“But the Empire’s envoy arrived at almost the same time…”
That meant they sent the envoy to Riberton even before sending a letter to Arian.
Anyone could see this as a suspicious move, and the visitor himself was intriguing.
“Elrian Rochfort.”
A great noble house belonging to the Empire’s Seven Great Houses, the Marquisate of Rochfort. From there came the young genius—or rather, a prodigy—Elrian Rochfort. Although he was still young, he was not someone to be taken lightly.
“Indeed. So, what is the reason the Empire and Arian suddenly sent envoys to find me?”
The Marquis gathered both envoys in one room and began a conference. This was not usual—in fact, it was quite extraordinary.
“A greedy old man, it seems.”
The Marquis’s eyes, seated at the head, clearly did not hold a normal expression. Yet, despite this, he had made such a move, likely because he understood instinctively the situation: Riberton was being courted by both powers.
In other words, the Marquis intended to create an environment similar to an open auction to maximize his own gains.
The Empire’s side spoke first.
“The Emperor has recently expressed grave concerns regarding the security situation in the North…”
Elrian’s argument was as follows.
Recently, bandits had been running rampant in the North, worsening overall security. Especially, those operating around the Lems River had increased, most of whom had come down from the Republic of Lepent. This was a burden even to the Empire, so additional vigilance and security reinforcement in the North were necessary.
“Therefore, we judge additional transit fees from the Republic of Lepent as essential.”
Puruka’s eyes twitched subtly as he listened.
He sensed hidden malice in the Empire’s proposal. The worsening security in the North had been caused by the Empire’s internal strife.
Yet, as if unaware, they blamed Lepent for everything?
How obvious.
“Lastly, the Emperor expressed his gratitude to the Marquis for always working for the Empire’s sake. In that spirit, he ordered a reward of 100 gold coins to be granted if this matter is resolved favorably.”
Muruka’s face tightened now.
At this point, there was no effort to hide the intention—it was just blatant.
One hundred gold coins—an enormous amount, equivalent to a small territory’s entire annual income—and not something to be handed out lightly as a reward.
They demanded additional transit fees for increased security, then promised 100 gold coins as a reward?
“Ah, and I forgot to mention, the Emperor is paying this personally.”
“Hmm… that’s quite an interesting offer.”
After hearing Elrian’s explanation, the Marquis nodded with a complicated expression.
The amount of 100 gold coins was certainly appealing. With that, his golden statue could be made without difficulty.
But the words ‘gratitude’ and ‘reward’ rubbed him the wrong way. He disliked the Emperor’s transparent attempt to keep him underfoot.
Then Puruka spoke.
“First, Marquis Elrian, may I ask two questions? Is that alright?”
“Anytime.”
“We share the concern over security in the North. But why are all the responsibilities being pinned solely on the Republic of Lepent? No one is unaware that those bandits are deserters from your internal conflict.”
Despite the sharp question, Elrian’s expression did not change.
“Do you have any evidence?”
“… What?”
“I’m asking if you have proof that those bandits are deserters from our side. Even if that is true, the security of Lepent’s territory is undeniably their own responsibility.”
Hah, so that’s how they respond.
Muruka sighed slightly in helplessness.
“Very well. Then what about the bandits operating in Arian? We are also in the North and along the Lems River.”
“Arian has judged that it can resolve the issue independently.”
“On what basis?”
“An internal investigation of the Empire. Unfortunately, the data is classified, so I cannot show it to you.”
Damn Empire people.
Muruka ground his teeth unknowingly.
“… That’s unfortunate. Next question: 100 gold coins is no small sum, as you know. Why not just spend that money on strengthening security in the North? I don’t understand why you’d make things more difficult.”
Requesting additional transit fees under the pretense of security reinforcement was just an excuse. The real goal was simply to pressure the Republic of Lepent.
That hidden meaning was implicit in his question.
“As I said, it is the Emperor’s personal funds. If the Emperor wants to spend his own money, why should anyone question it? And who dares to?”
A humorless joke. The Emperor’s private fortune? How different is it from the Empire’s treasury?
Muruka wanted to curse but answered nonchalantly.
“To someone of the Empire Emperor’s stature, there is no such thing as personal matters. The wise Emperor surely knows this fact. Isn’t that right?”
“That’s true.”
Brazen bastards. Well, that was typical of the Empire. Judging by their attitude, there was no point in arguing further. It would only be a waste of time if they stuck to such a stance.
Therefore, Muruka also laid out Arian’s proposal to the Marquis.
“Our proposal from Arian is as follows…”
First, Arian and Lepent share an alliance. Therefore, we have no intention of agreeing to any Empire proposal that seeks to sow discord between the two nations.
Also, out of respect for the Marquis of Riberton, Arian wishes to propose a separate tariff agreement.
“What do you mean?”
“Rather than the existing tariff agreement with the Empire, we propose to establish a Riberton Special Tariff Clause to prioritize the Marquisate.”
“Hmm.”
Upon hearing this, the Marquis’s expression darkened, and Elrian’s eyes narrowed. This was an extremely sensitive matter from the Empire’s perspective.
Riberton, after all, technically belongs to the Empire’s territory. Yet the Marquis considered himself a king within his domain.
In other words, he treated Riberton as a separate country.
If Arian and Lepent established a separate tariff agreement like this, what would that imply?
That Riberton would be recognized as a separate nation distinct from the Empire.
Naturally, this made the Empire uncomfortable, but it was an exquisite proposal the Marquis welcomed.
***
Listening to all this, Glenn unconsciously nodded.
“That’s quite a proposal. So, what did the Marquis say?”
“Sigh… it’s complicated.”
After hearing from both envoys, the Marquis’s conclusion was this: he would accept the reward from the Empire, but simultaneously demand the separate tariff agreement from Lepent and Arian.
Truly arrogant and outrageous words.
“What? What nonsense is that?”
“That’s exactly what I said. But the Marquis got angry at us for questioning him. He said he was the king of Riberton and that if we didn’t want to fall out of his favor, we’d better accept the proposal.”
“… He’s definitely not sane. I don’t know what he’s thinking.”
“Yeah, the Marquis is definitely not right now. But his greed is as strong as ever. He really wants to set up his own kingdom. He’s crazy.”
Glenn, having just met the Marquis himself, understood easily. Surely, given the current state, he would say such absurd things without hesitation.
“Anyway, the talks afterward were pretty much the same. No progress was made with the Marquis. It was a waste of time.”
“But the Empire welcomed it instead… that’s strange.”
“No, more precisely, they don’t seem to show any discomfort. Maybe they’re pretending… it’s ambiguous.”
Muruka seemed doubtful, but Glenn was half convinced. If someone of such caliber felt a sense of mistrust, there must indeed be another motive.
“Something’s definitely going on. We should make contact with this Elrian character as well.”
“Be careful—he’s in his early twenties, but not an ordinary young man… Ah, come to think of it, you’re younger, aren’t you?”
“Well, if you’re going to be picky about it…”
Muruka smiled as if amused, and Glenn replied awkwardly.
“Haha, this is interesting. A clash of prodigies. It’s enough to make my blood boil.”
Prodigies, my foot.
Every time Glenn heard talk of prodigies, he felt a strange, prickling unease.
“Anyway, now about the next plan…”
Knock! Knock!
Glenn’s words were cut off by urgent knocking.
“K-Kyle, something terrible’s happened!”
Though accustomed to formalities, one of Kyle’s subordinates burst into the room in a hurry.
“What’s going on all of a sudden?”
“G-Godric, under the Marquis’s orders, has headed to the city with the security forces. He intends to collect additional taxes!”
Kyle’s eyes widened.
***
The asset structure of the Riberton territory was quite unusual. The fundamental reason was that most of the wealth was held by the Marquis’s family. Whether because of this or not, the central city of Riberton was not as large as one might expect.
It was a place where those involved in enterprises run by the Marquisate gathered to live.
Currently, many agents dispatched by the Marquis were loudly proclaiming in the city.
“Citizens of Riberton, pay attention! There will be an important announcement in the square!”
“Lord Godric Riberton will make a significant announcement!”
The word ‘important announcement’ did not brighten the expressions of the townsfolk. With the Marquis’s condition worsening recently, they had only received negative news.
“Announcement? What kind of announcement?”
“Damn it… should be about rounding up bandits.”
The entire territory was noisy with the Knights of the Riberton, who were the enforcers.
On top of that, refugees fleeing from the bandits had abandoned their villages, adding to the city’s chaos.
Despite the situation, the Marquis had taken no particular measures.
No, if anything, his actions had made things worse.
Just as the young man named Godric was about to speak.
“… After reviewing reports from tax collectors within the territory, it has been concluded that this year’s Riberton tax collection has not even reached half of last year’s. This indicates a shortage of operating funds for the territory and may lead to further chaos.”
On the platform in the square stood a young man with curly brown hair resembling his father. To appear authoritative, his curly hair was dyed gray, and his eyes were a pale gray. His physique was more on the fleshy side than muscular.
Godric D. Riberton.
The Marquis’s eldest son, widely recognized as the next successor.
He maintained the sternest possible expression as he proclaimed the report to the simple townsfolk. He needed to demonstrate his authority as the future Marquis.
“… Therefore, the Marquis of Riberton has decided to impose additional taxes on the relatively wealthy city residents. This is because those city dwellers have enjoyed the Marquis’s benevolence most frequently…”
“W-What did you say?!”
“What nonsense is that?!”
Additional taxes.
For the citizens already struggling financially this year, it was like a bolt from the blue.
Kyle, who was watching the spectacle from the side, furrowed his brows.
“This kind of stupidity…”