CH 204

I was wondering if it was okay to explain in detail to Ferdinand, but I thought that if I didn’t let the information flow to some extent, there would be no way for us to accurately judge each other’s worth, so I told Victoria and him about the circumstances. It was a summary of destroying the Hollant Fleet, which had been making port on Goslant Island.

“No, that can’t be right…” Ferdinand muttered. “It’s hard to believe that the pirates have already been destroyed and that Goslant Island was cooperating with them.”

It’s not like I don’t understand what Ferdinand is saying. He says they’re pirates, but he understands that it’s the Navy of the Kingdom of Hollant. Openly saying they’re Hollant soldiers make matters worse, so he’s just saying they’re pirates out of political considerations.

Who would believe that such a country’s navy was destroyed in just a few days by us, who are only a local lord and a knighthood?

And more than that, it is hard to believe that Goslant Island, which is within the Kamaal Alliance’s sphere of influence and claims to be fair and neutral, cooperated with the Kingdom of Hollant, you know?

Goslant Island is believed to be within the Kamaal Alliance’s reach and under its patronage. I know that’s not the case because I’ve heard the details from its Lord, Gustav. According to Gustav, it seems that Goslant Island is not even under their protection, let alone influencing them.

But those who are active in the Hulk Sea think so. Everyone thinks that the Kamaal Alliance will come out if they put their hands on Goslant Island. On the other hand, Goslant Island declares neutrality and does not discriminate against ships calling at its port. Accept everything and stick to fairness and neutrality. That is believed to be Goslant’s policy.

Even so, if you open the lid, you’ll find that they unilaterally sided with the Kingdom of Hollant, lending a hand to the damages and disadvantages suffered by the ships and coastal cities of Ploiss. It is neither impartial nor under the protection of the Kamaal Alliance. It’s like we invaded Goslant Island to attack the Royal Navy of Hollant, but the Kamaal Alliance won’t interfere.

For those who have been doing business in this sea, it is a big incident that overturns what they believed until now. I guess it’s not a story that can be believed even if it was explained briefly by mouth. Normally, I would say that there is no need to force people to believe it, but I can’t say that this time.

“You can see the harbor from here,” I said. “Those two ships being towed are pirate ships used by the Hollant Navy that were captured this time. And the Admiral of the Royal Navy of Hollant and the Lord of Goslant Island have also been captured and brought here.”

“Oh, where, where…?” Ferdinand stammered, standing up and looking out the window to my side.

A normal person wouldn’t be able to do this. We’re not even close, and that’s why it’s incredibly disrespectful for a mere merchant you met for the first time today to stand next to me, a nobleman, and look into the window without asking permission.

I just kind of figured it out. Victoria doesn’t mean to lie. But I understand Ferdinand and Lubek’s intentions. They neither respect nor fear me. On the contrary, they’re underestimating me. That’s why they have this kind of attitude.

Victoria said, “First, let’s get rid of the pirates and show the usefulness of Caanza Trading Firm, then negotiate the details.” I’m sure she explained it that way and meant for me to take it literally. But the Lubek Council, including Ferdinand, has no intention of following up with that.

I guess he was going to make us get rid of the pirates first, and then negotiate terms later, and that’s why there were no discussions. It will probably happen even if we negotiate with Lubek from now on. Wouldn’t it be so? There are no idiots who play the cards of their hand first.

If these guys were in trouble due to the naval blockade, the negotiations would have proceeded smoothly, saying that even if the terms were somewhat unreasonable, they would have no choice but to just shut up and sign. But if we lift the naval blockade first, Lubek has no reason to hold back or make concessions with Caanza.

If you don’t show any kindness, the others will stand up and leave, and you won’t be able to use them the next time something happens. That’s why I’m sure he thinks it’s okay to pay me some amount and just say his gratitude. If they had been under a sea blockade, they would have recognized the superiority of Caanza, but now that the sea blockade has been lifted, they should not think it necessary to accept such conditions now that we’ve lost our leverage.

I’m not thinking about wanting to put Lubek under my umbrella. When Victoria brought up this discussion, I lent a hand because she asked not because I wanted the town. But I can’t accept being underestimated like this.

The Caan Knighthood and the Caanza Trading Firm are emerging powers. Naturally, those who have been around for a long time will look down on such emerging powers. It’s not uncommon to say, “It’s a study fee,” even if they steal your fortune through a fraudulent transaction. We have never been caught in such a bad hand until now, but such stories are common tales everywhere.

In this industry, in means the end if you’re underestimated and looked down upon, and once you’re taken advantage of, they’ll take you for everything you’ve got. If the rumor spreads, even the partners who used to be normal until now might lower their opinion of us and start taking advantage, too. That’s why I can’t forgive the Lubek Council so underestimating us.

This wouldn’t have happened if this was a large noble House like the Carruthers Margraviate or a long-established big firm like Kruck Trading Firm. Both have a track record and ability and are widely used in the world. There are no idiots playing around with the National Hero of the Border, Albert von Carruthers, and there are no naive people picking fights with the Kingdom of Ploiss.

This is the turning point. Will we become nobles and trading firms in the true sense of the word? Will it end with just one local aristocrat or firm? Depending on the response here, we will see which side the Caan Knighthood and Caanza Trading Firm will fall.

I can’t say that it’s okay to be looked down upon as a small local firm. In order to carry out what I have in mind from now on… both House Caan and Caanza Trading Firm must spread their wings…

Was it a mistake to let the Galleon fleet enter the harbor beyond their sight…? No, this was good.

In addition to the regular harbor, Cien has Cien Naval Port, which is hidden from view and protected by coastal batteries. Well, Cien Naval Port is still under construction and not completely functioning. We’ve completed securing the depth of water in the harbor, dissipating oncoming waves, and installing the battery, but land facilities are still under construction.

Cien Naval Port is a complete military facility and civilians are not allowed to enter. Since the Galleon Fleet is our tiger’s cub, Ferdinand will probably not know of the existence of the Galleon Fleet because we sent it to Cien Naval Port, which again is under construction. The launching ceremony for the galleon ship was held secretly with only relatives, so little information should have been circulated.

Caravels and carracks pass right in front of Lubek on the Dierbe River, so he probably knows about them. In fact, both ships are also on Lubeek’s escort details. That said, he’s probably never seen anything that has undergone repairs with shipboard guns, and he doesn’t even know the power of the guns. It seems that they are only recognized as slightly large and rare ships.

There are various reasons why the Lubek Council looks down on us. Some parts are unavoidable. It’s a veteran group of politicians who have dealt with merchants and nobles by the thousands, so large they’d build a mountain out of them. After all, the newly emerging aristocrats who have suddenly risen next door are probably being despised as little ignorant chicks.

So I have no choice but to remind them. I’ll let them know what happens when you underestimate House Caan and the Caanza Trading Firm.

Even though I said something like that, in fact, it wasn’t because I was thinking that far ahead… something like that might happen. This is just to prepare for the possibility that they might try to take advantage of our newness. If Lubek behaves properly, I don’t feel the need to force and threaten them. It’s best if I’m overthinking things.

“Both Mrs. Victoria and you, Chairman Ferdinand, must be tired today,” I said. “Please take a long rest at my mansion.”

“No, no, it’s not that long between Cien and Lubek, is it? It won’t be a while if we leave on a ship,” Ferdinand said. “If we all leave now, we both can still arrive at Lubek in good time.”

And now you see… this is how they look down on us… I just returned from the pirate subjugation today and just disembarked. Normally, I’d probably be tired, so usually, you would ask me if I could come at a later date.

It is the behavior of a King to summon those who have fought and won the war while they are still battle fatigued. Such a thing is allowed only when the Lord thanks the vassals who have worked hard for him, and there is no reason for us to be like that with Lubek’s Council. We are neither Lubek’s subordinates nor mercenaries, nor do we work for Lubek.

“Apparently, you don’t understand what I meant, Chairman Ferdinand,” I said. “You must be tired. You should take a good rest today.”

“Ah, no… excuse me for this…”

When I said that with a little intimidation, he finally realized his mistake and withdrew. In other words, that attitude and words are the real intentions. If you really respected us, you can’t tell those who have just returned from battle to come travel with you to Lubek.

After that, I had a simple discussion and then stared at Ferdinand as he left the room, my head spinning about the future.

After talking with Ferdinand and finishing dinner, I called two people. I wait for them in the office of the Cien Villa.

“Please pardon me,” one of the servants said. “I have brought the two you’ve summoned.”

“Thank you for your hard work,” I said. “You can go now.”

“Yes… however…” the servant said, worriedly glancing at the two I’ve summoned.

They must be wary of what they might do to me. But don’t worry about that. If they were going to resist or do something to me, they would have already done it when we were on Goslant Island. No, since they tried and failed, should I say that they’ve realized that it’s impossible?

“It’s no problem,” I said more forcefully. “Leave now.”

“Miss!” the servant said before leaving.

Now, only the two I’ve called remain. I offered the two of them a seat and called out to them while facing each other.

“Did you like the food, Admiral Ramor, Lord Gustav?” I asked.

As they sit across me, Ramor and Gustav look at each other.

“Even if you say you were holding officers, that was not a meal to feed a prisoner of war,” Ramor said.

“I, too, feel you were just showing the difference in your national and economic power, the food you served us in your territory is just too luxurious,” Gustav said.

“Well! Seems you’ve both got quite interesting things to say,” I said.

Ramor and Gustav said so openly. Normally, if you were in the position of these two, they wouldn’t be able to talk casually like this to me. Are they really nervous or have they already given up? It’s not like they’re underestimating us like the Lubek Congress or Ferdinand. I don’t think there’s even a shred of disrespect for us after we beat them so one-sidedly.

“Actually, I’ve summoned the two of you because I had a very important matter to discuss,” I said. “Admiral Ramor and your subordinates, Lord Gustav and Visvy, no, Goslant Island, please become my subordinates.”

At the meeting on Goslant Island, I told Ramor to join me as my subordinate. Even now, there is no clear answer and it is on hold, but I can’t leave it on hold forever. Besides, depending on Lubek’s movements, it is necessary to have these two perform a show. Well, it’s not like it’s just a show, it’s just that it would be nice if they really acted as my subordinates…

It’s likely that even if we show up at the Lubek Council without any plans, we’ll make the excuse that it’s okay, but our efforts to lift the naval blockade this time will be ignored. It’s not like I want to force Lubek under my control or want rewards or praise.

However, if they were underestimating us and forcing us to work as is, there will be a precedent that they could have us do anything, whatever happens in the future. If they think of us like maids and keep us like bodyguards in the future, it will hinder our business in the future. This case must be brought to a close.

It won’t be easy, though. It’s not like there was any pre-arranged remuneration. They just told me that if I can subjugate the pirates first, we’ll discuss the reward later. Since they said that they would discuss the reward later, they would argue that they did not break their promise whatever the reward becomes.

Make the other person work first and reduce the reward later while giving a hint of something better. Such a thing is a daily occurrence in any era and in the world. Even if Lubek said that it would be the end with a small bounty for subjugating pirates, it would not be illegal or unethical. Rather, if we put pressure on them by saying that the reward is small, Lubek’s side will sue the kingdom and the Church as victims of extortion by a state actor, a Feudal Lord.

That’s why… from here on out, we need the cooperation of Ramor and Gustav. I couldn’t think of a good solution, but Victoria gave me a good hint. Perhaps Victoria has already factored in this and is trying to see if I will notice it.

Victoria said it. She wants to create a “Caanza Alliance” with the Caanza Trading Firm as its leader. Let’s make this Caanza Alliance. House Caan and the Caanza Trading Firm will set out on the Hulk Sea, the Hermann Sea, and the ocean beyond. For that, the cooperation of these two people is essential.

""

I had a long talk with the two of them about the future, and they looked quite conflicted about it.