* * *
The meeting that began after lunch did not conclude until nearly dinnertime.
However, today’s meeting had only been the beginning.
They had merely confirmed each other’s positions, so they would likely spend the remaining time working out the specific details.
“So… what was discussed?”
After finishing dinner, I visited the marquis’s study.
The marquis and his butler, Sebas, happened to be discussing the negotiations that had taken place that day.
“Ahem. Indeed… the conditions they proposed were remarkably similar to what you predicted.”
Just as I expected.
They had proposed the same conditions for this business back when I was the Third Prince.
Although the circumstances and timing were different now, the situations of the Imperial Court and the Magic Tower had not changed significantly. I had therefore expected them to make similar demands.
“Hmm~ I see. Then did you present our proposals as I suggested last time?”
“Hehe, of course.”
The marquis had used the conditions they proposed as leverage to include the things necessary for developing the territory.
First, he had demanded that the Magic Tower establish a branch here.
― A Magic Tower branch… in Verdin?
― Indeed. From now on, we will have to request that the Magic Tower verify whether the monster corpses have been properly purified.
The Magic Tower had established branches in every major city of the empire.
It used them to build friendly relationships with powerful lords and conduct business involving magical products such as Artifacts, potions, and scrolls.
Naturally, there was no Magic Tower branch in the insignificant Verdin Marquisate on the empire’s remote frontier.
“You did well. If a Magic Tower branch is established in our territory, it will benefit us in many ways.”
“Hehehe… And what benefits do you have in mind?”
The expression on his face suggested that he already knew the answer, but it seemed the marquis wanted to hear it from me directly.
“First, the distribution of Artifacts throughout the territory will become much more active.”
The establishment of a Magic Tower branch also meant that investments would be made in our territory.
It would create many jobs for the commoners as well.
“It will make it easier to secure talented individuals, particularly mages.”
That could directly lead to an increase in the Verdin Marquisate’s military strength.
The rise in tax revenue would also help support the territory’s finances.
“If this were the Verdin of the past, the Magic Tower would only lose money by establishing a branch. However, once the business involving monster corpses becomes active, the situation will change.”
It was not a bad proposition for the Magic Tower either.
They had probably accepted it readily.
“Hahahaha! Yes, Evan. You are absolutely right!”
The marquis, who had been struggling to maintain a dignified expression, burst into hearty laughter.
The marquis’s next demand concerned the base amount used to calculate the fees and taxes.
― Ahem… There are aspects of the fee and tax rates that seem excessive, but I also believe there is a problem with using ‘revenue’ as the base amount.
― Why is that?
― You compared this business to the mining industry earlier. However, a ‘mine,’ which poses little danger after it has been developed, is fundamentally different from ‘subjugating’ the monsters that endlessly pour out of the Behamag Mountains.
The expenses of the mining industry were relatively fixed, but monster subjugation involved countless variables, and the circumstances differed each time.
For instance, even if they earned five hundred gold, they might have spent four hundred gold on the operation itself.
― Therefore, I believe it would be reasonable to calculate the tax based on ‘net profit’ rather than ‘revenue.’
― Net profit….
At that moment, Duke Luke and Yandel wore somewhat troubled expressions.
If they accepted that condition, the taxes and fees they collected would be much lower than anticipated.
However, they had no justification for rejecting the marquis’s proposal to use ‘net profit’ as the base amount.
― Phew… Then let us use net profit as the base amount and discuss the tax and fee rates again.
― Thank you.
― Is there anything else you wish to discuss?
Duke Luke and Yandel sensed that the atmosphere of the negotiations was gradually tilting in Marquis Verdin’s favor.
However, the marquis’s conditions… or rather, Evan’s conditions had not yet ended.
― As this new industry becomes active, countless people and goods will begin passing through our territory.
― Hmm?
― However, the roads in Verdin are currently unsuitable for use as trade routes, and our territory is geographically located on the empire’s remote outskirts.
― That is… certainly true.
Duke Luke became tense, wondering what the marquis intended to propose this time.
― At this rate, the costs of transportation and distribution will become astronomical.
― Ahem! Marquis, what exactly are you proposing?
― Marquis, please speak freely if you have a good suggestion.
Sure enough.
Once again, his proposal was so unexpected that neither of them had ever imagined it.
― We of Verdin….
He paused briefly before finally speaking.
― We would like a Warp Gate to be constructed within our territory.
― A-A Warp Gate…?!
Duke Luke and Yandel involuntarily raised their voices.
They were so shocked that their eyes widened.
“Urgh, were they very surprised?”
“Hehe! Even I was surprised, so how could they not have been?”
The marquis answered my question with one of his own.
However, the corners of his mouth were curling upward, suggesting that he was in an excellent mood.
He continued recounting what had happened during the negotiations.
― Marquis, a Warp Gate is a rather sensitive matter….
― Countless territories throughout the empire have requested that one be installed. Each of them has its own plausible justification.
― The Imperial Court and the Magic Tower would gladly construct Warp Gates in every territory if they could, but the costs of constructing and operating them are enormous.
They phrased it in various indirect ways, but in simple terms, they were saying that it would be difficult.
Marquis Verdin, however, pushed even harder.
― Duke, this is not a matter in which we can afford to concern ourselves with those who are merely trying to advance their own interests.
― Hmm? What exactly do you mean…?
― The industry of processing monster corpses with clove will also develop rapidly in other nations. If we fall behind in this competition, Asron’s armor and weapons may become significantly inferior to those used by foreign armies.
― C-Could such a thing truly happen…?!
Would it actually happen?
However, this was not an empty warning.
For a moment, I recalled what had happened when I was the Third Prince… or rather, what would happen in the future.
‘This will alter the balance of power between the nations.’
The kingdoms bordering the Behamag Mountains would initially suffer severe damage immediately after the ‘calamity.’
However, once the purification method became known, their military strength would increase tremendously.
As a result, they would even seize dominance over the central region of the Arvania Continent.
‘This time, the method was revealed before the calamity occurred, so they will probably become powerful even faster.’
While I was briefly lost in thought, the marquis continued his account.
― Constructing a Warp Gate in Verdin will ultimately benefit every lord in Asron. The same applies to the Imperial Court and the Magic Tower.
― What? What do you mean by that?
A smile appeared beneath the marquis’s thick mustache.
He reminded them of the imperial law titled 「Article on the Transportation of Taxes and Tribute」.
― According to this article, the Imperial Court is responsible for those expenses. Furthermore, as the Imperial Court and the Magic Tower anticipated, it will likely be difficult for Verdin to pay all its taxes and fees exclusively in cash.
In other words, monster corpses would have to be transported as tribute.
What would happen if they attempted to transport all of them overland without a Warp Gate…?
― The cost… would be enormous.
― Haa, the transportation costs may exceed the value of the tribute itself.
The expressions of Duke Luke and Yandel darkened.
Ultimately, this was another demand they had little choice but to accept for the sake of the Imperial Court and the Magic Tower.
Come to think of it, every territory that contributed a significant portion of the empire’s tax revenue already possessed a Warp Gate.
― However, if we construct a Warp Gate as well, you must understand that the tax and fee rates may need to be somewhat higher.
― Yes, of course. However….
At this point, the marquis presented another proposal.
Verdin would supply the mana stones needed to operate the Warp Gate.
He suggested that they take this into account when negotiating the tax and fee rates.
― Verdin will supply the mana stones…?
― Hmm… Marquis, the cost of those mana stones will not be insignificant.
― I am aware. However, whether the money is spent on taxes and fees or on purchasing mana stones, is there truly much difference?
― That is true, but….
Doing so would result in numerous complicated administrative requirements.
They would have to find suppliers and negotiate agreements.
There was also no way to know what unexpected variables might arise.
“Ahem, I presented the proposal just as you instructed, but….”
The marquis still appeared somewhat uneasy.
Fortunately, it was not something that would cause us any major losses, so he seemed to have followed my recommendation.
‘Hmm, I should reassure him a little at this point.’
My original plan involved the ‘mana-herb field’ in the Behamag Mountains.
The quantity there would be enough to operate a Warp Gate for at least fifty years.
‘There is also a high probability that a mana-stone mine is nearby.’
However, it was still too early to tell the marquis about those matters.
I had no choice but to provide another plausible explanation.
“Father, why are mana stones so expensive and difficult to obtain?”
“That is… naturally because many people require them, while the number of places where they are produced is limited.”
“Then will the monster corpses we sell not become the same?”
“Hmm…!”
The marquis let out a low groan, looking slightly surprised.
Sebas, the butler standing beside him, reacted similarly.
He adjusted his glasses and asked.
“Y-Young Master Evan… do you believe the value of the monster corpses we will sell could become comparable to that of mana stones?”
“Hmm~ Is that not entirely possible?”
“…Indeed. Just like mana stones, demand will increase explosively while the available supply remains limited.”
“Exactly. And there is not much danger involved in mining mana stones, but people can be injured or killed while subjugating monsters.”
“I see. Now that I have heard your reasoning, you are absolutely right.”
In other words, there was ample room for us to demand a higher price.
I presented this as though it were merely a plausible prediction, but it was another ‘actual situation’ I had experienced in the past.
There was one more thing.
“And I learned something while studying Imperial Geography.”
My voice was that of an innocent young child.
However, behind it lay the experience of a battle-hardened veteran who had weathered countless hardships in both the Imperial Palace and Murim.
“The Luke Duchy is also famous for its mana-stone mines.”
“What…?!”
CLATTER―
The two men were incomparably more shocked than before.
Sebas even nearly lifted himself out of his seat without realizing it.
Heh.
“I became quite close with Ainsera while we were outside the castle today. We agreed to maintain a good relationship from now on, so should I discuss it with her when I see her tomorrow?”
“D-Discuss what…?”
Sebas cautiously asked, even stumbling over his words.
Still smiling brightly, I answered.
“I will ask whether House Luke would also like to become close with House Verdin.”