Margrave's Bastard Son was The Emperor-Chapter 308

Perhaps still not fully recovered from his hangover, Noah lay languidly on the bed, fingering the edge of the documents. While partly to read the text carefully, it was also a gesture trying to recall the forgotten night from two days ago.

May glanced at him while preparing the prince’s formal ceremonial uniform.

His narrow eyes and upturned lips.

Strangers often mistakenly thought the prince was smiling, but-

“May.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

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“Everything written here, they said it’s all feasible?”

“We received definite confirmation. If Your Highness sees anything that needs modification after review, there won’t be time today due to the main appointment ceremony. Lord Ian said he would arrange another meeting before our departure.”

Whether handling official business, standing before the king and queen, or even reprimanding subordinates, Noah maintained that same expression.

The only clue to his mood was his brow. May focused all her attention on staring intently at Noah’s brow. Sure enough, faint wrinkles gradually began to form.

“At first glance, there’s no problem. Like any contract.”

Unlike the praise, as Noah’s brow deepened, May anxiously rolled her eyes. She couldn’t understand why he was acting this way when he said it was good. The hangover?

Noah pressed his temples while making groaning sounds.

“According to what Beric said earlier, I…”

‘I am the prince of the cream grape country! How dare you mock the grape country, waaah!’

Crunch.

The proposal crumpled along with Noah’s brow. An unfiltered display of displeasure.

May swallowed dryly in high tension. Though it was truly fortunate the curse had lifted, dealing with the aftermath like this truly made her head spin with the same helplessness as when the curse was active.

“…Made a mistake, he says.”

“A mistake? Ah, that, you did make some embarrassing sounds, but not enough to worry about.”

Waaah? Is that what he’s talking about?

Though May tried to reassure him it was fine, Noah’s brow only furrowed deeper. He seemed to judge it better not to hear and not to know.

As if changing the subject, Noah waved the now-wrinkled paper.

“May. Do you remember the ministers’ reactions when the three-nation alliance was discussed?”

“Of course. It was incredibly tumultuous.”

One side warned they would face punishment for defying Bariel, while another said they couldn’t remain under the great nation’s influence forever.

But honestly, no one could deny that now was the opportunity, with only a young prince remaining.

“But now, what would father say? If I put my seal on this.”

The contents of Ian’s proposal were as follows:

Bariel officially demands exclusive trade rights for two years’ worth of Burgos’s high-grade fertilizer.

1-1. Including all of Burgos’s existing fertilizer and the amount to be produced over the next two years, this constitutes bulk trading, enabling purchase at slightly below market price, with tariffs removed for an even lower supply price.

Bariel will sell the high-grade fertilizer to Clifford at this lower established price. Similarly, tariffs will be removed.In return, Clifford will dissolve the three-nation alliance with Burgos and Ruswena and form an exclusive alliance with Bariel.Matters regarding the exclusive alliance will be officially drafted separately with set dates.

…

Burgos had few justifiable reasons to refuse Bariel’s deal.

First, it was an opportunity to sell all their stockpiled fertilizer at once, plus a massive contract extending through next year. Even setting aside relations between the great nation and its neighbor, such economic benefits couldn’t be ignored.

“Don’t we make separate contracts every half year? When Bariel offers to remove tariffs too, Burgos has no reason not to consider it. They’ll have no choice but to sell there.”

“Is setting it for two years because of fertilizer production timing?”

“Yes. What’s being made now comes out next year.”

But was this a structure where Bariel was taking losses to persuade Clifford? No. Though tax exemptions would be implemented, these were items they had no trade in to begin with.

Since they weren’t reducing existing imports, there was no actual outflow of money. And wouldn’t Clifford buy back the fertilizer anyway?

“It’s much more profitable for Clifford than buying through Burgos.”

“Roughly calculated?”

“We can get it about 10% cheaper. There was information that prices would rise as Burgos becomes increasingly barren. Though they say they have no plans to increase prices, didn’t they raise them without notice the year before last?”

Beyond getting fertilizer cheaply, Clifford would form an alliance with Bariel, the strongest nation.

That would actually be the biggest benefit. Being able to pass without issue despite secretly joining hands with the three nations.

Also, being able to completely break free from Burgos, with whom they had formed trade relations because of fertilizer, one of their key imports.

“I suppose this is why it’s better to have money first. May. To think there’s a country capable of buying all that fertilizer at once.”

“We too can become like that someday.”

“Indeed. We must. But…”

Noah fell silent while stroking his chin.

Lowering dependence on Burgos meant, in other words, increasing dependence on Bariel. Could Clifford handle dealing with the great nation that held control over two years’ worth of fertilizer?

No. If Burgos found out about this, future contracts would clearly fall through. All future fertilizer trade would have to go through Bariel only.

They call it an alliance, but well. Hard to say. Nothing is as precious and valuable as a nation’s pride.

‘Monopolies are always dangerous. But refusing the proposal would become a risk factor.’

If Clifford appears uncooperative, there’s a possibility Bariel might buy the fertilizer and not release it anywhere. Then they would face the greatest crisis.

“And this is just verbal, but they say if we form an official alliance, they’ll include a clause maintaining permanent silence regarding the Clifford royal family’s curse.”

Right. There’s that too.

If fertilizer was a card that could destroy the nation’s economy, the curse was a weapon that could collapse the nation’s system. They didn’t really have other options. If they did…

‘Sharing this with the three nations and establishing countermeasures.’

It was uncertain how Burgos and Ruswena would react, and even if they helped under the banner of the three-nation alliance, it was unclear if that would be effective.

Too reckless a choice. If they informed Burgos about this, it would immediately amount to rejecting Bariel’s proposal.

“Good grief. Really, how dirty. So damn dirty.”

“I understand your concerns well. But those are issues that could arise when forming the official alliance, and for now, I believe there’s no better proposal than this. Regarding the dependency issue, we can devise countermeasures with time and putting our heads together.”

That’s right. They couldn’t miss the immediate benefits worrying about uncertain problems. Noah threw off his blanket and got up from bed.

“Tell Minister Ian Hielo we’ll rewrite the proposal.”

“Which parts will you modify?”

“Not two years but at least ten years. And the part about providing at the established lower price is good, but we need to be able to trust it. Add a clause stating they’ll disclose the transaction details between Bariel and Burgos when setting prices.”

With the longest possible supply period and stable price settings, even if dependency increases, the risk level should decrease. In ten years, Clifford should be able to come up with their own solution regarding fertilizer.

May nodded in understanding and rang a small bell.

Ding.

“Prince Noah is preparing. Send in the attendants.”

At her call, attendants waiting outside rushed in in perfect order.

“Ah yes, what about the King of Burgos and Queen of Ruswena? What have they been doing?”

Noah asked while receiving the attendants’ assistance. Though he had spent the time passed out due to the medicine’s side effects, the others wouldn’t have.

May merely shrugged her shoulders and whispered:

“I haven’t seen them either. Bariel intentionally separated everyone’s movements. I heard Ruswena went to the western hunting grounds to discuss related business, and Burgos visited the Ministry of Magic to discuss magic stone trade and supply matters they’d tried to progress before. But that was all yesterday’s news, and now they’re probably preparing like Your Highness?”

They had thoroughly separated the three nations. Probably other than the banquet and main ceremony, they would have no chance to meet during their stay. Presumably, even the departure dates back to their countries would be set separately.

“I should have avoided drinking at the banquet. It seems that was the last chance for the three nations’ leaders to sit close and talk.”

“No. There’s no need for self-blame. Though King Damon and Queen Eripony both left their seats, it wasn’t for long. I heard Queen Eripony didn’t return until His Highness Jin left.”

“Really? What was she doing?”

“I’m not sure about that. But it’s certain that King Damon and Queen Eripony couldn’t have deep conversation either. How could they, suspecting mages’ eavesdropping?”

May muttered while glancing around the room. Though it was groundless suspicion, it was so reasonable she couldn’t help it.

After changing into Clifford’s traditional ceremonial uniform, Noah checked the time.

“What time is the appointment ceremony?”

“Oh my. It’s a bit tight. Let’s hurry with preparations.”

The appointment ceremony would be held at noon when the sun reaches its highest point. A very fitting time for the beginning of a new Bariel.

***

“Lord Romandro. Prince Noah will request modifications to the proposal. I think he’ll point out issues with the duration and pricing. Please set the meeting date for the day after Burgos’s departure. That would be advantageous for negotiations in various ways.”

“Hmm. Understood. Though honestly, we don’t need to talk about advantages or anything. Haha! So we’ll keep Ruswena in the palace?”

“Yes. It would be right to send Ruswena last.”

“We’ll proceed as planned. But one worry is, if we pressure Burgos like this, won’t magic stone supply be difficult during the Ministry of Magic annex construction?”

Romandro had been organizing work while running alongside Ian. At his question, Ian smiled and tilted his head. It was a slightly surprised smile.

“No. I can see it. Ahem.”

“I thought Lord Romandro was opposing the annex construction.”

…You see right through me.

Romandro repeatedly cleared his throat while avoiding an answer.

Actually, as the Ministry of Magic’s assistant, he should be in favor of it, but before that! Isn’t it worth considering whether there’s any need to create controversy by scratching where it doesn’t itch?

“Better to let good enough be good enough. That’s why.”

“You don’t need to worry about that.”

Just then, a mage came running breathlessly.

“Lord Ian! Lord Ian! We just received word through the Magic Stone Management Department, there seems to be an omission in the report. Please check it first. And two mages for the main ceremony front positions are duplicated. What should we do?”

“Change Philip written at the end to Felix. Give me the report.”

“Ah, Felix? But he didn’t look well. I’m worried about him conducting from the front.”

“His condition? How so?”

“They say he ate in the carriage while receiving items from outside. Seems he got quite indigested.”

“Tell him to come up to the office. And there are no omissions. The recorded figures are correct.”

Ian didn’t elaborate on what the concern was about. If they had time, he might have continued the conversation, but well.

Romandro firmly gripped his documents and pen while watching mages running here and there. For now, what mattered was carrying out the main ceremony that had approached just hours away.

Creeak.

Ian and Romandro entered the office and immediately faced those sitting on the sofa.

Jin wearing a stiff smile, seemingly nervous. And Viviana offering him praise and encouragement with all her might.

“Ian.”

“Welcome, Mother.”

Philea and Nersarn were there too.

Ian exchanged greetings while sharing light embraces with the guests.

“Your Highness. It’s time to move to the main palace first. I will finish work at the Ministry of Magic and escort the guests in. The Prime Minister will review the ceremony procedures again, so please check with him.”

“Yes. Al-alright. I understand.”

“Your Highness.”

The child’s posture had become rigid. Seeing this, Ian matched his eye level with a sympathetic smile.

“What day did we say today was?”

“The main appointment ceremony.”

“And?”

Jin unconsciously gripped Ian’s shoulders tightly. As if trying to shake off his nervousness by giving it to Ian.

Ian gladly accepted while supporting his elbows.

“…The day a new era opens for Bariel.”

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