”Of course, I’m not offering this for free. Please take a look at this.”
Alfred opened a box he’d brought and pulled something out.
”…Hm. This is a board and pieces just like that Reversi from earlier… but the pieces are shaped differently, and the board’s a bit different too, I’d say,” Lord Rommel rested his chin in his hand, wearing a thoughtful expression.
…Not that it matters, but Mr. Rommel, that thinking pose really suits you, y’know. Truly, that didn’t matter at all.
”Yes. This is something I devised myself-well, not really-called Chess.”
”…Oh? Chess, you say?”
”Yes, this is another game you play against an opponent for enjoyment, just like Reversi. Now then, allow me to explain the rules…”
Once Alfred had finished explaining the rules, Lord Rommel adopted his signature thinking pose-chin in hand, thoughtful expression.
”Hmm. This has more depth than Reversi, doesn’t it… the strategic aspect seems to carry more weight.”
”Well then, shall we give it a try right now?”
Alfred began setting up the chess pieces, worrying whether it’d be a bad move to beat Lord Rommel too easily, but then again, as the game’s “creator”-even if he wasn’t really-losing to a beginner wouldn’t look good either. He looked up and noticed Viscount Bruno sitting across from Lord Rommel, having quietly taken a seat.
…When-when did he get here…? This guy’s got no shame when it comes to seizing an opportunity. Not that I mind, but-oh? He’s changed his trousers too! He’s surprisingly nimble when he wants to be.
…A nimble orc… maybe he’s actually tougher than he looks.
…Nah.
”Checkmate.”
”…Whew, Lord Rommel, I concede.”
The two of them looked away from the board with satisfied expressions once the match ended.
”Lord Rommel, what did you think?”
”…Hmm, splendid! Absolutely splendid! Moving the pieces while planning your strategy-it reminds me of actual warfare, and that made it quite engaging! Reversi is good too, but I feel like Chess might suit me better.”
Alfred’s question was met with a delighted expression.
…Good. When Zeno the stonemason crafted these for me, he’d laughed heartily and said, “Al, you came up with somethin’ right interestin’! I’m proper hooked meself! Wahahaha!” Seeing that made me think this could work-but actually hearing those words from someone like him really bolsters my confidence.
”Indeed, knowing how to react when your opponent doesn’t move as expected-that sort of thing would definitely be useful in wartime! As expected of Lord Rommel! Your insight is leagues above ours!! Truly magnificent!!” Viscount Bruno was rubbing his hands together, desperately trying to flatter Lord Rommel.
…This guy never learns, does he.
”Lord Rommel, I’ve actually already filed a patent application for Chess with the Commercial Guild as well. However, unlike Reversi, I haven’t entered into a royalty contract for this one.”
”…Hoh.”
Lord Rommel’s eyes flashed sharply.
”And in return for your support earlier, I’d like to offer you the full rights to manufacture and sell this Chess game.”
”What!? You mean that!?” Lord Rommel shot up from his chair, his earlier composed demeanor completely gone.
Even if he had to pay Alfred for the patent rights, taking sole control of manufacturing and sales would guarantee considerable profit. And this wouldn’t stop at this country alone-it was bound to become popular abroad too. It would be impossible not to be excited.
”Lord Rommel, that’s not all. Just like with Reversi, would you try channeling some magic into this board?”
Following Alfred’s suggestion, Lord Rommel poured magic into the chessboard.
”Ohh!?”
”Th-this is!?”
The chessboard began to glow blue across its entire surface, just like Reversi had. That radiant board made the dark squares stand out sharply, while the pieces glowed with a soft pink luminescence-so breathtakingly beautiful that just looking at it was overwhelming.
”…This is… how exquisite.”
The two of them gazed at the chessboard as if entranced.
Well, of course they would. There probably wasn’t anything else in this world that glowed so brilliantly. Unless someone invented electric lighting, you wouldn’t find anything else this sparkling anywhere-and their reaction was completely understandable.
…Hm? Electric lighting… maybe that could be another money-making idea.
”This was crafted using White Demon Stone, which can only be mined from our Lindrott territory. And I would like to present three sets of this to each of you.”
”…What!? You’re giving them to me too!?” Viscount Bruno shot up, unable to hide his excitement.
”Yes. From my Lindrott territory, there’s no way to reach anywhere without passing through Viscount Bruno’s domain. I’ll be relying on your goodwill going forward, so consider this a token of my appreciation.”
Alfred was implicitly asking him to do something about the transit tolls.
”…Mmm~… I suppose there’s no helping it.”
It seemed Alfred’s meaning had gotten through to Viscount Bruno clearly.
”Additionally, these six Chess sets crafted from White Demon Stone-the ones I’m giving you today-are all there are. There won’t be any others, and I have no intention of making more in the future.”
”…Hoh. I see what you’re doing,” As expected of Lord Rommel-he’d caught on to Alfred’s intent immediately.
”…Um, wh-what do you mean..,” Viscount Bruno hadn’t caught on yet, so Alfred continued explaining.
”I’m certain this game is going to become incredibly popular among the nobility before long. Before too many years pass, many nobles will own Chess sets. And once that happens, naturally, there’ll be those who want to show off their superiority by playing against one another. Perhaps we’ll even see games played before or after meetings, or during dinner parties.”
Viscount Bruno still didn’t seem to get it.
”At that point, what do you think the other nobles would think if they saw this special glowing Chess set? A set they could never obtain no matter how much money they threw at it-a set even the royal family doesn’t possess.”
Viscount Bruno finally seemed to understand.
Alfred was telling him to use this as a political tool. Use it to gain leverage in negotiations. Send it to someone as a gift when bringing them into your alliance. Present it to the royal family to earn their favor. That’s why he’d given three sets to each of them-Alfred had communicated that implicitly.
”…I see. Impressive, Alfred. I’ve taken full note of your request for support. I promise to conduct an inspection of the Lindrott territory.”
Ohh! Yes!!
Finally, a step forward!!
”Right, now that that’s settled, let’s get preparations underway at once. You there! Select members from the Knight Order and Magic Division to form a unit heading to Lindrott territory! I’ve heard the monsters there are formidable, so we’re bringing our finest! Stock up on plenty of supplies! We depart the day after tomorrow! No delays!” Lord Rommel issued crisp, efficient orders to his subordinates.
”Now then, Viscount Bruno, send a fast rider to your own domain and have them order your Knights to prepare as well. We’ll rendezvous in five-no, four days!”
”W-wait, you mean I’m coming along too!?” Seeing Viscount Bruno leap up in surprise, Lord Rommel spoke with exasperation.
”Naturally. Surely you wouldn’t be so shameless as to accept all of this and then offer no support at all, would you? Besides, Lindrott territory is right next to yours, isn’t it? Those monsters could spill over and head toward your land at any moment. This inspection is precisely to prevent that. You can hardly refuse to go, can you?”
”…Guh… f-fine. Understood,” Viscount Bruno looked like the world was ending and began issuing orders to his attendants.
”And Baron Alfred, your attendants are still staying in town, correct? I’ll take responsibility for seeing you safely to Lindrott territory. Why not have your people return ahead of you and get things prepared before we arrive?”
”Yes, I’m grateful for your thoughtful suggestion. I’ll go give them instructions right away.”
Alfred bowed deeply and took his leave.
Lord Rommel had been considerate enough to ensure Alfred’s people wouldn’t have to spend unnecessary money. With more than ten people staying at an inn, the costs would add up significantly-and Alfred fully understood the gesture Rommel had extended.
That night, Lord Rommel sat alone in his office, chin in hand, lost in thought.
…Alfred Lindrott… Just who is that man? Is he really a fifteen-year-old who just came of age?
His unnatural composure, the way he’d remained completely unflappable in front of me and Viscount Bruno-that kind of nerve was abnormal for someone his age. The way he’d used Chess as a bargaining tool for seeking support was the sort of maneuvering that would have impressed any adult. And yet, he’d executed it flawlessly and had us dancing in the palm of his hand.
The Reversi and Chess games-Alfred must have devised them from the very beginning with this exact purpose in mind. The fact that he hadn’t placed Chess under a royalty contract was proof of that. When you considered that possibility, it was terrifying.
…If left alone, he might become a dangerous presence one day… In that case, it might be better to-
No. But if he were on our side, he’d be quite a reassuring ally to have.
…Hmm.
Wasn’t our Flora about the same age as Alfred…
It might be too early to act, since he’s only just become a baron in some rural backwater-but perhaps it wouldn’t hurt to lay the groundwork.
…Hmm.
Lord Rommel sat alone in his office, chin still in hand, still wearing that thoughtful expression, sinking deeper and deeper into contemplation.
Trivia:
- Rommel’s repeated chin-touching gesture functions as a dramatic motif, marking moments of genuine consideration versus mere politeness.
- Alfred’s internal aside about electric lighting at the end of the chess demonstration is subtle foreshadowing of future inventions.
- The three-set gift structure creates artificial scarcity, a classic negotiation tactic that Rommel immediately recognizes.
- Bruno’s quick clothing change between scenes suggests he’s more physically capable than his sycophantic demeanor implies.
- Rommel’s consideration of Flora as a match for Alfred carries political weight far beyond simple matchmaking.
- The “nimble orc” comment reinforces Bruno’s surprisingly swift movements, a detail that may foreshadow future action sequences.
- Alfred’s self-corrections “well, not really” when claiming invention status maintain his character’s honesty while preserving the isekai premise.
- Zeno the stonemason’s enthusiastic reaction serves as early validation that Alfred’s game designs have genuine appeal beyond noble circles.
- Rommel’s shift from “you” to “thou” in his final thoughts signals a transition from formal address to intimate political calculation.
- The chapter’s final line breaks the tension with humor, a deliberate structural choice that prevents the political maneuvering from becoming too heavy.