I Became a Food Developer in Another World-Chapter 116 - : Side: Neutrality Conference (3)

[ 10 to 1. ]

The Three Northern Kingdoms protested against the outrageous and unfair ratio, but they couldn't outright refuse either.

If they did, they wouldn't be able to distribute air fryers in the north at all.

Thus, the conference ended that day without any meaningful conclusion.

After all, negotiations were set to continue for three days.

As they left the conference hall and walked through the corridor, the Second Princess suddenly turned to me and asked:

"Aren't you curious why I did that?"

"Is there a need to ask? You wouldn't follow through with it anyway."

The Second Princess's eyes widened slightly.

"Why do you think I won't?"

"Because you're not someone who stirs up trouble for no reason. You prioritize efficiency."

It was true that the Three Northern Kingdoms' nobles had underestimated the Second Princess, assuming she lacked diplomatic experience.

Even from where I observed, it was obvious how blatantly they tried to pressure her.

Had it been anyone else, they might have been swayed by the nobles' rhetoric and conceded to their demands.

But the Second Princess was not so emotional as to let personal emotions dictate major decisions.

She was far too intelligent and rational for that.

"Though I do wonder why you made such an extreme demand and provoked their resentment."

The Second Princess, who had been quietly listening, suddenly smirked.

"I didn't realize you were so interested in me."

"...It's just a guess, nothing certain."

I cleared my throat awkwardly, but her smile only deepened.

"You're right. There was no need to impose such an unfair ratio and provoke the Three Northern Kingdoms."

There was no need at all.

Even with equal tariffs, the Empire, with its overwhelming cultural influence, could easily turn the Three Northern Kingdoms into vassal states.

And yet, the Second Princess had made such a move to demonstrate that the Empire could apply pressure whenever it wished.

Otherwise, the Three Northern Kingdoms would maintain just enough tariff barriers to limit imperial influence while continuing to keep their distance—just as they always had.

The notion of "free trade" and "no tariffs" had never been their true intent.

Their rhetoric was just a facade.

The Three Northern Kingdoms had always played both sides, wavering like opportunistic bats between the Empire and other nations.

This time, the Second Princess was pressuring them to stop hesitating and choose a side.

They could no longer hide behind the convenient guise of neutrality.

Given the volatile political landscape of the continent, maintaining a "gray area" for too long was dangerous.

Of course, that wasn't the only reason.

"Let me tell you a story from the past."

As we strolled through the corridor, the Second Princess recalled a moment from long ago.

A moment when she had been pushed to the brink of death—after an attack by the demon worshippers, who were driven by anti-imperialist ideals.

The Imperials didn't always remain within the imperial palace.

There were special vacation estates, "Summer Palaces", where they could enjoy their leisure time.

The First Princess, Luciella.

The Second Princess, Christina.

And the Third Prince, Leon.

It was during a visit to one of these summer palaces that they were ambushed by demon worshippers.

Normally, such an attack should have been impossible—the imperial palace and its estates were protected by barrier magic.

The problem lay within.

There was a traitor among the wizards maintaining the barrier.

No one had suspected that a wizard who had loyally served the imperial family for years was actually a demon worshipper.

The consequences of this lapse in vigilance were disastrous.

What was supposed to be a protective shield against external threats had instead become a prison, trapping them inside.

── "R-Run! Guaaahh!"

The young imperials could only watch as their guards were slaughtered before their very eyes.

That was the first time the Second Princess had blood on her hands.

Had external forces not sensed the disturbance and broken through the barrier in time, the situation could have been far worse.

After that day, the Second Princess became cold and calculating, like a blade.

The First Princess sought to live life to the fullest.

The Third Prince developed a crippling paranoia, suspecting everyone around him.

That day had changed all three of them.

"Lyonia, Arendelle, Drum. Those three kingdoms knew about the demon worshippers and did nothing as those cultists entered the Empire through the north."

The northern territories were the perfect hiding place for demon worshippers.

Sheltered by their so-called neutrality, the Three Northern Kingdoms turned a blind eye, refusing to act against them.

Even when the imperial palace was attacked, they denied any connection—despite having the power to prevent it.

"Those bastards... Just go ahead with the 10 to 1 deal."

At my blunt remark, the Second Princess let out a quiet chuckle.

"I know you're just saying that, but it's still nice to hear."

"I was somewhat serious, though."

"Enough. I won't let personal grudges dictate state affairs."

Despite her words, the corners of her lips lifted ever so slightly.

"And besides, wouldn't it mess up your plan?"

Her crimson eyes curved playfully as she looked at me—like a mischievous trickster awaiting my reaction.

The second day of negotiations began.

Since the first day had ended without resolution, today would determine the final tariff agreement.

The Second Princess had proposed 10 to 1—and even that applied only to the first kingdom that accepted.

For those who followed, tariffs would rise sequentially.

Now, they had to decide whether to accept her conditions or not.

But then—

"Drum Kingdom's tariff is set to a ratio of 10 to 1."

The moment the Second Princess spoke, the nobles from Lyonia and Arendelle blinked in confusion.

"What do you mean, 10 to 1?"

"We haven't decided yet."

"It's already been decided."

"?"

The nobles of Lyonia and Arendelle turned toward Drum Kingdom's foreign minister.

Their faces instantly stiffened.

The foreign minister of Drum Kingdom avoided their gazes and quietly turned his head away.

"You...!"

"You sneaky bastard!"

The night before, he had gone directly to the Second Princess and accepted her terms—without informing the other kingdoms.

But that wasn't the end of it.

"And Lyonia is second. Arendelle is third."

"...."

"...."

Silence fell over the room.

All three kingdoms had secretly approached the Princess on the same night, each hoping to minimize their losses.

Hearing that Drum had been first, their shock wasn't out of betrayal—it was out of frustration that they had been too slow.

A crack had formed between the three kingdoms.

'She's ruthless.'

In just one night, the Second Princess had sown discord among allies.

They would no longer be able to trust one another.

And yet—the conference had yet to officially begin.

"Let's start the meeting, shall we?"

The Second Princess smirked.

By the second day, the negotiations were already over before they even started.

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And yet, everyone knew why she still proceeded with the meeting.

Understanding her words was one thing.

Accepting them was another.

The nobles sat in silence, their faces grim, watching each other carefully.

It was Arendelle's chancellor who finally spoke.

"...Arendelle will consider forming an alliance with the Empire."

"!"

"But this is not a decision I can make alone. I request time to consult with my homeland."

The moment the word "alliance" was spoken, the other nobles closed their eyes.

The Empire had a no-tariff policy for allied nations.

The Second Princess was forcing them to choose sides.

But abandoning their neutrality was easier said than done.

And yet—seeing Arendelle shift toward the Empire left the other two kingdoms deep in thought.

Then, just as silence settled—

"I'll help you decide."

"?"

The nobles turned toward the voice.

A young man, the so-called Apostle of the Goddess, placed a glass box on the round table.

Inside were cans of coffee, honey tea, and fruit beverages.

"What is this?"

"A warming cabinet."

"A warming cabinet?"

"Yes. Think of it as the opposite of a cooling device—it keeps drinks warm."

The nobles' eyes widened.

"!"

"You mean... we can drink warm beverages?"

"Exactly."

Smiling, he opened the box and distributed warm cans of coffee to each noble.

"You must be thirsty from all this debating. Please, have a drink."

The moment the nobles took their cans—

"Gasp!"

"This is...!"

Their hands trembled.

The drinks were warm—as if freshly heated over a fire.

***

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