Chapter 118
The dishes were set on the table again.
Wine was served as well.
Merchant leader Barako drank some water and asked,
"But there are pirates in the southern seas. That will make direct trade a bit difficult."
"They've probably been bribing the Church all this time."
"That's true."
"If even half of those bribes were given to the navy, the naval fleet would provide protection."
"That makes sense."
I took a sip of wine.
"Our navy can escort up to the neutral waters, and from there, Tern's navy can take over."
"You're aware that Tern is closer to the Church, aren't you?"
"I am. Tern is the one that needs Church mediation if there's a war. But the possibility of war is slim."
"Why do you think that?"
"If the Empire were to invade Verttern, it would be a war led by Grand Duke Syren. Currently, the Grand Duke has neither the means nor the leisure for war. For the next seven years, at least."
"Why seven years?"
"You know the Empress gave birth to a crown prince, right?"
Merchant leader Barako's face hardened.
"Don't tell me... Is the Grand Duke really—?"
"The Syren family has suffered heavy losses among their elites and can't control the military. But after seven years, when the Crown Prince is officially installed, things will be different. After claiming all power as regent, he'll reach for the throne."
"You believe the rumors are true?"
"They are true."
I was referring to the rumor that the Crown Prince is a fake.
Stating as fact that he's a fake must have shocked Merchant leader Barako.
They took a newborn from somewhere and claimed the Empress bore a prince.
Would the Grand Duke stand by as that child grows to become Emperor? That's almost impossible.
Merchant leader Barako understood that, so his face became grave.
So in seven years, whether it's civil war or a continental war, major turmoil could ensue.
"Is it possible... to stop the Grand Duke?"
"We must stop him. Seven years is enough."
"Ah, I see."
Within those seven years, I had to find the Emperor's hidden blood relative.
That bloodline was taken in as the adopted child of Viscount Drian, my father's friend.
There's no way to find them for now.
My only lead was Eilin's father.
He too was a friend of my father and Viscount Drian, had visions of the future, and is the only one who knows about the Emperor's blood relative.
There must be a reason he's avoiding me and went traveling.
"Do you think Tern will be difficult to persuade?"
"Merchants may look favorably on our proposal, but the military and ruling elite there won't be so easy. There are some high-rank officials planted by the Church, too."
"There's a chance the Tern navy could attack us, then."
"I did say I was confident, but in truth, the Tern military is a concern. The Church has used Tern's navy as its escort fleet several times before."
It was possible that when I next visited the Church, Tern's navy would be on alert.
Fighting them would make direct trade with Tern impossible. But the problem was actually simple.
"Who is the Empire's foreign trade official?"
"That would be Count Mals."
"Then please go to Tern with the administrative officer."
"Are you saying I should negotiate a national treaty?"
"That, or a merchant guild agreement would be fine. The reason for bringing an officer is to request naval protection for the fleet."
Merchant leader Barako looked at me intently.
"You want to tie down Tern's fleet, don't you!"
"That's right. With the Imperial fleet entering their national waters, they'll have a hard time sending their own navy far out to the Church's open seas. All we have to do is hold their fleet in check."
"And after that?"
"We'll go to the Church in the meantime. By the time we finish negotiations with the Church, the Tern military will figure out they need to make a big decision."
"Are you really planning to attack the Church?"
"That depends on their choice."
The reason Tern's military supports and aids the Church is because they've received massive bribes.
When there's no source for that money, the relationship ends.
Either way, Tern's fleet intended for the Church must be redirected to Tern's own waters.
They won't blatantly protect the Church, so they won't be stationed nearby.
"We'll write every secret the Church has hidden until now into a book and hand it to Tern's royal family. The ledgers we acquired contain the names of most influential figures involved with the Pleasure Island. The Empire too, of course."
"You want to disclose those names?"
"The Tern royal family will know what to do. It's a rare chance for them to strengthen their royal authority."
Merchant leader Barako looked a bit tense.
He was involved with the Church as well.
He spoke.
"About that ledger—did you perhaps—recover it from that resort island?"
"I'd prefer not to say."
"I understand. I received reports about what happened on that island. Whoever did it, the Church really could fall for good."
He was indirectly acknowledging that I was the one who acted.
It sounded like he was ready to trust me and push forward, seeing that I really had the ability to topple the Church.
"So, what would you like as compensation?"
The price for turning a blind eye to the Barako Merchant Guild's corruption.
The price for the time, effort, and resources we spent.
And the price for sparing the guild and even collaborating with them.
"The Goro Merchant Guild owes us 22,000 gold coins as postwar reparations. Viscount Kiris owes 48,000. Baron Urada paid no reparations, so it's 30,000."
Merchant leader Barako narrowed his eyes.
"You're asking for 100,000 gold coins?"
"The Goro Merchant Guild's compensation can be obtained by seizing their business locations. But even by confiscating the remaining estate of the viscount and baron's families, it won't cover the losses."
"So you want 78,000?"
"It's not like we need more money."
"Then, do you want part of my business?"
This probably woke him up.
"Please give us your inn business."
"What? Our guild runs twelve top-class inns. Even valued conservatively, that's more than 100,000. Besides, it's the foundation of our entire business."
Merchant leader Barako looked distressed.
He continued, smiling wryly.
"You mean you started in the inn business but now focus on shipbuilding and distribution, right?"
"That's true."
"If you hand over the inn business, we'll invest in your shipbuilding business. Once trade with Tern increases, you'll have to expand your shipyards to triple their current size."
"You'll invest?"
"Are you unfamiliar with the East Share-Based Merchant Guild?"
"You want to invest a stake in our guild?"
"That's right. We'll help list the Barako Merchant Guild on the east share exchange. Since your guild is large, you could split it up and list subsidiaries as well."
"Ah!"
Merchant leader Barako's adam's apple was visible.
I'd never seen him open his mouth that wide before.
In fact, the great merchants of the central region were desperate to get listed on the eastern exchange. Who wouldn't want to receive investment funds for business expansion?
Not to mention, once they saw how convenient bank settlements were, merchants began lining up to try banking themselves, though Lord Urke was opposed to other guilds opening banks.
"Can you really arrange for listing?"
"The Barako Merchant Guild must be listed for us to invest in your shipyards. Tern's and Robe's guilds can be listed on our exchange, too."
Now his eyes lit up.
"Oh! If that happens, it'll be much easier to persuade Tern's merchants! They're very interested in the east share exchange. You need to know about it to create your own exchange, don't you?"
There's no rule that only the Church can have exclusive business ties.
We can do it too—legally and in a mutually beneficial, closer way.
"So? Does it still look like a big loss for you?"
"Expanding the shipyards may cost 20,000 gold coins. But if we receive investment, that'll be offset, and profits will probably triple."
"Don't forget this is compensation to us."
"Nobody said otherwise."
Merchant leader Barako fell into brief thought.
I had impressed upon him that this was compensation.
"Then let's do this: On condition that all Empire-wide distribution is entrusted to us, I'll also hand over two new inns under construction. If we're not doing the inn business, those buildings would be sold anyway."
"Where are the buildings located?"
"In the capital and in the central-west region."
"In which territory in the central-west?"
"Count Parde's estate."
I liked that as well.
I already knew there was a Barako inn in the capital and, with another in the southwest, that made it a good deal.
An inn doesn't just serve as a business; it's also a base for information operations.
Naturally, I planned to build secret facilities inside. It would be a foundation for the future resort business, too.
"So should we negotiate with the east merchant guild?"
"The steward at Urada Castle will come."
"Does your house run businesses, too?"
"We do. This compensation is given to us personally by you and has nothing to do with the east merchant guild."
"Now that you say it, you're right."
Merchant leader Barako's face brightened.
He expected to suffer a huge loss, but after calculating, realized otherwise.
For us, it was obviously a huge gain—even for the Barako Merchant Guild, the long-term benefit was great.
Merchant leader Barako took another drink of water.
"You're really an amazing person."
"That's good to hear."
"I'd heard you were extraordinary, but meeting you in person, you're beyond my expectations."
"Thank you. Shall we get up?"
"Let's."
I extended my hand.
Merchant leader Barako stared for a moment, then took my hand. He literally took my hand.
Honestly, I'm not better than anyone here.
It's just that I'm familiar with many different histories and societies these people don't know, so my way of thinking is a bit different.
In my previous life, I struggled through complicated, fierce battles both politically and socially.
Compared to that, life now is much easier. Some things are harder, but it's better overall.
/ / /
I returned to the Goro Merchant Guild building.
Kudo was waiting for me.
"So, are we taking over Goro's business now?"
"What are Goro Merchant Guild's assets?"
"Three high-class inns, five taverns. The fish market warehouse and two buildings. You know about the villa and mansion. They have a little under 5,000 gold coins in cash."
Now I understood why Merchant Goro did what he did.
Having to pay the remaining reparations would really bankrupt their guild. Not that I planned to let them off.
If you can't afford reparations, you shouldn't invade another's house.
If you really intended to repay, you'd work for ten years to do it. The viscount and baron are no different.
I planned to show exactly what happens when someone attacks our house—just as the Geroz Mercenary Corps's advance party was wiped out.
Otherwise, the preemptive warning wouldn't work.
"Take over the taverns and buildings, sell off the villa and mansion. Use that money to buy restaurants. Keep the cash as operating funds."
"What about the inns?"
"They'll be managed directly by the business department of the house."
"Understood."
I went straight to the second floor.
The intelligence squad's squad leader was waiting there.
"Everything wrapped up?"
"Yes. Steward Aldo's family will arrive at Urada Castle by tomorrow afternoon. The viscount's and baron's troops surrendered right away. Since the heads of house abandoned their families, there were very few people left."
There are two ports east of Tris.
The Kali Port, closer to Tris, belongs to the baron's estate. The more distant Kiri Port is under the viscount's territory.
They're both city-territories, just a bit better than fishing villages. The lords neglected the development of their fiefs and coveted others' lands—naturally, this is the result.
Now, these two ports belong to our house.
If we connect Tris, these two ports, and Mouk by road, they'll develop rapidly.
"What about the heads of those houses and their families?"
"They'll arrive at the baron's estate tonight and be locked up in prison. Merchant Goro and Deputy-Commander Geroz will be held in separate places where they can't talk to each other."
"That's everything, right?"
"Yes. It's all done. What do you plan to do with those locked up in jail?"
"Get every last detail out of Deputy-Commander Geroz about the Church. Leave the others alone for now."
"Understood."
/ / /
Four days passed.
Merchant leader Barako was busy meeting with Count Mals and Admiral of the Navy.
I also asked the two for help and sent a letter to the imperial family.
Meanwhile,
There was a flurry of activity in noble society.
Between Tris and the capital, there were countless carrier pigeons flying back and forth.
For merchants, it was a cause for celebration as they'd profit greatly, but the nobles had nothing to gain from trade.
That's why they're always supporters of the Church.
The Syren family remained quiet, but their faction was in turmoil.
Count Mals and the admiral of the navy sent people to Tris to fiercely compete with Merchant leader Barako in negotiations.
In the end, merchant leader Barako came back to see me.
"It seems things might go awry."
"Is it because of the admiral?"
"Even the navy admiral is a noble; he can't ignore their pressure. One is even related by marriage. It seems the Church is staking everything on this."
"Which houses have come to Tris?"
"The heads of seven houses, including Count Parde. Four viscounts and two barons."
"The heads of house came themselves?"
"The admiral is a viscount, and Mals is a count. Sending retainers would be beneath them, so the heads came in person. The Church must have promised them something."
"Are there any houses close to the Grand Duke's faction?"
"Viscount Landan came. He didn't participate in the negotiations, but it seems he is pulling the strings behind the scenes."
"You're sure Viscount Landan is here?"
"I'm sure. The admiral said he met Lord Landan."
I gave a bitter smile.
Someone who should have gone into hiding came directly here.
Was he underestimating me?
Or did he have another motive?
Viscount Landan is the one who massacred my maternal family, the Stranger clan.
And that man came to Tris.
He dared to appear here, in Tris, where I am.