At that moment,
「I believe it’s a compelling proposal」
said Queen Razafia.
「I think intermediary trade with the eastern merchants could bring great economic benefits. I would very much like to enter negotiations with your country regarding the treaty―――――」
「Let’s take a break!」
Queen Farnetta suddenly cut her off.
「The meeting has gone on long enough. Everyone must be tired, right? Let’s take a short recess and resume the discussion afterward」
「Y-yes, I agree. That sounds best」
King Rilincross quickly supported the idea.
「It can’t be helped. We can’t have a productive discussion if we’re all exhausted」
King Galastone also gave his approval.
It was clear they just wanted some time to think things through.
With three of the kings, Farnetta, Rilincross, and Galastone, in agreement, Queen Razafia also nodded.
「I agree as well. It’s a good time for a break」
「……」
Well, fair enough.
I didn’t object either, which meant I implicitly agreed.
「Then we’ll take a thirty-minute recess. We’ll resume in half an hour」
Queen Farnetta declared, and the meeting was temporarily adjourned.
I left the conference room.
-0-
<Each Perspective>
After the meeting was paused for recess.
Queen Farnetta remained in the chamber, quietly deep in thought.
(This proposal is dangerous)
she thought.
(I’d heard that Bernada had been ramping up trade efforts, but… if they pull off this intermediary trade, their power will explode)
It wasn’t just the five countries at this conference that would want in.
All the surrounding nations would likely seek to join the intermediary trade as well.
If ten, even twenty countries sent merchants to trade through Bernada…
Just by providing the location, the nation of Bernada would acquire immense wealth.
(Bernada is already the strongest in terms of military might. If they gain economic power on top of that, we won’t be able to stop them)
This wouldn’t just be about undoing an unfair treaty.
It could lead to Bernada taking control of everything.
Queen Farnetta grew deeply worried. She had to come up with some kind of countermeasure.
Meanwhile,
King Galastone and King Rilincross had moved to a private room to talk.
「We underestimated him」
He was, of course, referring to Henry.
「Yes. He’s proving to be a far more troublesome man than we expected」
King Rilincross agreed.
King Galastone said,
「If Bernada gains not just military might, but economic power as well, they’ll be a serious threat. I’m sure Queen Farnetta sees it the same way」
「What makes King Henry so troublesome is that he’s realized intermediary trade is Bernada’s trump card. The problem of who can serve as the East-West hub is one of geography. You can’t just designate some other place at random」
From the merchants’ point of view, placing the intermediary trade hub in Bernada is completely logical…
Or rather, choosing anywhere else would likely be met with strong dissatisfaction.
The commercial zones of the East and West are that clearly split, with Bernada in the middle.
「Judging by how he spoke, I doubt he’ll accept the proposal to make all five nations the trade hubs. Honestly, I wouldn’t either if I were him」
King Galastone muttered.
Then he added,
「Either way, we must stop Henry. There must be a way…」
「On that note…」
King Rilincross leaned in and whispered something into King Galastone’s ear.
「How about we go through with assassinating Henry?」
「!?」
King Galastone’s eyes widened in shock at the proposal.
Leave a Reply