Day 64 Midday, The Capital, Office
The masses started to stir in the Capital. Some few days of economical isolation threw the market into disarray, leading to a steep rise in the prices of commodities.
There was an attempt to get some of the aid sent by the Merchants Confederation onto the market, but changing the flow that already gained momentum was impossible with such a small quantity of goods.
The gates cannot be unlocked. Without protection ofUltimate Lockwe wont be able to endure armies of the Church. Not only do they overwhelm us both in quantity and quality of magic tools, but they hold the advantage even in troop numbers.
A fortress-like store was built near the city. The name isSouvenir Store, Capital Outskirts Branch, Kind of?, supposedly a branch store that was built to supply the Frontiers magic stones to the Capital under the permit from His Excellency Acting King Musjiks-sama. How should we handle it?
That Royal Prince succeeded in establishing a supply of magic stones?
Even if this is only as a stopgap measure, being able to obtain magic stones should benefit both the Kingdom and the Church, however, if bought up here and then sent to the Confederation, it will serve not only as a business opportunity, but also as a bargaining chip.
If the Frontier holds out it might even become a trump card. I dont know who will profit from this, but the one to obtain them ahead of the others will definitely be at an advantage.
Begin negotiations for the purchase of magic stones on behalf of the Kingdom, dont let them sell elsewhere. Buy up their stock at the lowest price possible. A souvenir store, you said?
Yes. From the Frontiers specialty mushrooms and magic stones to foodstuff and sundries, the assortment of goods is even more diverse than that of the Capital, and all of it is of outstanding quality, is what reports say.
Perhaps it could alleviate the deficit we have. Unlikely theories would have it, emotions of the people cannot be controlled. Thats why a new store with plentiful goods could be useful to change the overall mood.
It will eat into the riches of the Capital, but we dont have other solutions available, and if we can gain access to the supply of magic stones, then there is no need for interference, rather, we should extend our protection to them.
What is the Prince doing? Its going to become a battle against time from here on, but what is he doing?
The Prince is holding a meeting with the nobles of the Capital, trying all possible means to win their support.
Unless he takes half, no, at least a third of the Kingdom, the Confederation is going to abandon and discard him like a sacrificial pawn, and it will be all over. This is a critical moment.
He is merely desperate in his sly attempts at self-preservation, but we have no choice but to believe that he is still better than that pig, the First Prince. The Royal Prince might have noble aspirations, but in terms of ability he is a master at making things worse. No other options exist.
But he cannot be trusted. His backing is way too shady. Poor-thought cooperation might end up with us becoming subordinates of the Confederation. But we have to protect the Capital, the people and the King are within its walls.
Indeed, only the Confederation is capable of keeping the Church in check. As long as the only path to survival lies in between those two powers, there is no other choice but to slip through that gap, no matter how narrow it might be.
That souvenir store has mushrooms in stock?!
Yes, they seem to be available for purchase.
If we obtain even low-grade mushrooms, the Kings illness might be cured. Its not the situation where we can afford the luxury of demanding the highest quality possible, but I dont want to let go of that gleam of hope.
Lead me there. I will go personally. For escort, a few skilled soldiers will do.
Understood, it will be arranged immediately.
Grasping at straws, huh. Even if the King recovers, the question of successor will remain. But with time, perhaps the still very young Third Prince or others might gain supporters and show talent. At the very least, there is a chance.
And if the King makes a complete recovery, it could be possible to fully overturn the situation. Although the current situation is the result of our overreliance on the King, we cant help but rely on the King again.
Even so, this is no different than asking for a miracle, but I have no desire to pray to God, so Id rather put my hopes on the souvenir stores mushrooms.
Ive already given up on obtaining mushrooms from the Frontier, but as things are at the moment, we shouldnt be picky about quality and take a quantity approach Even if they dont have a large number in stock, as long as an order can be placed, a chance will still remain.
But they are expensive. Even if they have mushrooms of high quality, they will cost a terrific sum of money. I shouldnt hold excessive expectations, but just in case, lets take some of the family heirlooms with me.
A hope is a luxury too, but one cant help but dream of a miracle when a sliver of a chance presents itself, as improbable as it might be.
Understood.
She managed to come back. Princess General and Sword Princess, Her Highness Princess Shariceres. This will get the Army to unite. The First, The Second Divisions, and Royal Guard are for certain.
The Third Division will likely split in the nobles faction and common soldiers. And the presence of Miss Meriel must mean that God of War Mellotosam-sama and the Frontier Army are on this side too.
The hopes and dreams that Ive abandoned to focus on the real picture to make sure Ill make the most optimal decisions, were all inside the souvenir store.
But Omui-sama cannot leave the Frontier. Forces of the First Prince are still marching there.
And mercenaries and special forces sent by the Confederation are staying in the Capital. If they were to find out about this place her life would be in danger, at the same time, the Capital and the Royal Palace are even more dangerous.
Were the Prince to be notified about this, the information might leak to the Confederation. She might be safe with this force and the fortress-like building, but acting as shop assistant despite the threat of assassination Is this why she wasnt noticed yet?
Welcome to our humble establishment~, I guess? Err, a big shot from the Second Division?
Big shots tend to talk to no end, so Im not good with those, a lewd person would be another story, with those I could talk for a long while, but the one that seemed to be on the closest wavelength so far was Rafflesia, but thats not even a person! Or rather, it cant even speak!
We almost became BFFs as fellow tentacle buddies, but the very presence of a tentacle buddy will send Affection Rating-san on an endless Full-Stealth mission from which it wont come back? Anyway, welcome? Kind of?Fll0w current novls o/n n/o/(v)/3l/b((in).(c/o/m)
Being familiar with aristocratic society, very particular about the hierarchy, and belonging to the strictly vertically structured society that is an army, I naturally understood. This person is a big shot. But he opened withBig shots tend to talk to no end, so Im not good with those?
Is he perhaps concealing his identity? But this presence and dignity that he demonstrates, standing so casually in between two noble ladies, as if having them waiting upon him, and the young ladies position, as if placing themselves a step behind him. Who is he?
Nice to meet you, My name is Terrysel, I am entrusted with the position of the Commander of the Second Division. Im truly grateful to be welcomed like this despite my abrupt visit, and being in military service, Im by no means a big shot, so no need for titles or formalities.
The status overshadowing that of the Frontier Princess, even praised as the Flower of the Frontier, and a Princess of Royal Blood, the Princess General and the Sword Princess.
The black-haired, black-eyed boy, clad in a black mantle, that if put nicely is simplistic, but in all actuality is shabby and worn out, took a seat to the opposite of me.
The Confederation? They are in the Capital, right? Do you know how far they want to go? Rather than their objectives, more like their aims?
Also, can you tell anything about hidden aces, trump cards, or valuables?
He didnt reveal his identity, but the Princess told me to act as usual, is he operating incognito after all?
Which reminds me, those beautiful maidens also had black and glossy hair like a wing of the raven and eyes dark like obsidian, however, Ive never heard of any peoples with black hair and dark eyes living in the Kingdom?
But he is definitely not an ordinary man, it is like this even with the Princess right beside him. Even if we take other Royals, the Royal Prince or the Monkey cannot even be used for a comparison. He is of a completely different caliber.
Treating him simply as an enigmatic young man, I answer his questions, taking care not to sound discourteous. To which
Then how about the frontal approach? If considering underhanded measures there are thieves, assassins, and also kidnapping not out of the question too? Aah, kidnapping sounds sorta fun? Im yet to have even one of these.
An abduction by a beautiful female kidnapper, followed by a tempting alluring enticement! Ill go and get kidnapped real quick! Where? Where can I find beautiful female kidnappers?
The ransom will be PRICELESS~!
While he may appear to be jesting, playing a clown, glimpses of wisdom, sharpness, and keen mind are peeking through. In this short conversation, he already grasped movements of the Confederations agents from that little amount of information.
An assassination or a kidnapping. Judging from the personnel on site, and taking their possible goals in consideration, it should be either of these, but its still perfectly possible for intelligence agents to steal valuables too.
He seems to be from quite a faraway country, a member of so-calledHighschool Boys, but looking at this stores merchandise and the clothes on the young ladies, I can tell that they are above the Kingdom. Even the Confederation and the Theocracy might fall behind them in status.
Cultured, highly intellectual, and way too well educated. He is clearly not an ordinary person, but I cant grasp who he is.
Did something come into motion? Something tremendously large?