CH 71

After confirming that Rid was awake and feeling well, Reiner returned to his prepared room on the second floor of the guest house.

He then sat down in his desk chair and folded his hands and looked thoughtful.

As he furrowed his brow and wondered what he should say to his guest after this, he recalled the conversation he had had with Zack upon his arrival in Renalute.

The night of their arrival in Renaloute (Their talk that was  not shown in chapter 56)

"Then, it's time to get down to business."

"Mm."

Rainer nodded at Zack's words.

Reiner explained to the Imperial Capital that this visit was also about strengthening the relationship between the Bardia family and Renalute.

Naturally, he contacted the Renalute side in advance and received an unexpected offer.

They asked for help in wiping out Renalute's opposition to the marriage.

About six years had passed since Renalute had become an ostensible ally and a vassal state of the Empire.

However, there have been various delays from the schedule, and irritation has arisen among the nobility in the imperial capital.

In fact, Irwin, the emperor, had told him to look for a solution to this problem when he contacted him for permission to visit, if possible.

It was truly a good thing that came to pass, a true thing that came out of a lie.

It was Zack who brought the proposal about the clean-up.

And Elias, the king, had already approved.

They had been investigating the Hua family, who were dissatisfied with the alliance with the empire, since they had become a vassal state.

Their consultation was that they had gathered the necessary information and now they wanted a cause for the cleanup.

So, they consulted him about using Rid, a prospective fiancée, as bait.

Naturally, at first Rainer looked at him grimly.

However, even though he was a member of the kingdom, he had been approached by Elias, the king of the kingdom.

He could not refuse the offer.

Reiner asked Zack, who was there on behalf of the king, without losing his stern face.

"I understand the general situation, but how do you intend to use my son as bait?　You can't risk the life of my son, can you?"

"Yes, . I'm very careful about that. I am sure that they would not do such a foolish thing as assassination, considering their relations with the empire."

Zack answered Reiner's question politely and explained the opposition's movements to Reiner.

He explained the opposition's moves to Reiner: the match, the magic performance, and their ultimate goal.

Hearing this, Rainer wrinkled his brow and let out a sigh.

'...... what are those opponents thinking?　Even if Rid said he didn't like it, it's a country-to-country dynamic.　Nothing will change. And there's no way I could ask the emperor to withdraw. You seem to be obsessed with your own delusions of grandeur."

..."Yes. We set it up that way."

Reiner was a little taken aback by Zack's words.

What Zack is trying to say is that there are probably a lot of agents in the opposition, pushing their thinking.

It's a common tactic used to set off internal strife in other countries, but to use it against one's own people is relentless.

But it is a very merciless move to use it against one's own people, but that is how much it must be stewing.

Reiner looked at Zack, who was having a calm atmosphere but had cold eyes, and said.

"...... is a good idea. I'll accept your offer. , I agree to use Rid as bait."

"I appreciate your consideration, Master . Rainer,......."

"However, there are ...... some conditions."

"What are the conditions?"

Zack's words were covered by Rainer's words .

Zack looked doubtful.

But Rainer continued to speak.

The first and foremost premise is to guarantee Rid's safety. You promise to use your shadows and whatever else you can use "

"That thats' fine , "

"If anything happens to Rid , I will not tolerate it, even if it is you. ......"

Reiner said, and then turned on Zack with the killing intent he muster.

The murderous intent was so strong that even Zack, who is at the top of the dark side, felt a shudder.

Zack felt that he was sweating fatty sweat, which he usually did not perspire.

Seeing this, Rainer was satisfied and said, "

"As expected of you, Zack. Zack, you're the man.

"I have not felt such a murderous intent in a long time and it gives me a shiver. ...…"

Zack then wiped the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief he took out of his pocket on his chest.

Rainer said as he watched.

"One of the conditions is the alleviation of business flow. I'll ask you to take this in consideration of the future. The latter condition will depend on how well Rid performs. Otherwise, we're going to suffer a loss."

"What do you mean?"

Zack looked stunned, unusually unable to comprehend the meaning.

Zack had no idea that Rid was capable of anything out of the ordinary at this point in his life.

"The reason is that tomorrow you''ll find out. Tell His Majesty Elias that the conditions for using Rid as a decoy are the easing of the business flow and the additional conditions that he will add to his demands on a piece-rate basis."

"With all due respect, Master Rainer, I don't understand the idea of a piece-rate system based on Master Rid's success. I don't understand, Master Rainer. I don't care how good he is, he is still a child, right?"

"Yes, that's right. t. But anyway, please tell His Majesty Elias that. I will add a demand for the cost of using my son as a decoy in accordance with Rid's success."

As expected, this was the first time Zack had ever been told something like this.

However, as long as there was no specific offer, Zack shook his head and wondered if there was a way out of this.

"I understand. Then, I will inform His Majesty Elias accordingly."

Reiner looked really satisfied, but Zack was dubious, not understanding his intention.

Then, after the necessary discussions with Rainer, including other details, were almost completed, he suddenly muttered,

"I think that's about it."

"I understand. I'll keep my eyes open for what will happen tomorrow."

"Thank you . I'll leave you to it."

Zack got up and left the room after his discussion with Rainer was over.

Reiner looked thoughtful and smiled with a "couscous" as he thought back to the other day.

He had been heartbroken when Rid had fainted, but today he seemed to be in good shape.

However, Reiner was personally angry with Elias and Zack regarding Elias and Zack, who had asked him about using Rid as a decoy.

(We did what we had to do as a national relationship.)

(I understand what they are asking for.)

(But what we are going to do now is negotiate with the Renalute via the Bardia family.)

Reiner was contemplating how to pull the plug on their asses.

At that moment, there was a knock on the door and when he answered, Elias and Zack entered the room with a dark and heavy mood.

Reiner got up from his desk and with a big smile, invited them to a nearby sofa, where they sat down across from each other.

Then, Elias suddenly spoke with a grim look on his face.

"Thank you for your cooperation ....... Mister Rainer."

"I am happy to be of help.　...... By the way, what happened to that Norris?"

"He's going to die after you leave."

"I see."

Reiner knew that Norris was already dead.

Then he got down to business.

'Now, may I add a further condition to my request for compensation for using my son Rid as a decoy? I know that Rid's efforts were well worth it, Your Majesty Elias?"

"..... I hope you can keep this as quiet as possible."

Zack and Elias looked at each other grimly.

It was also the fact that he had allowed an additional demand for compensation from Rainer depending on Rid's success.

Incidentally, Zack and Elias, who had approved this matter at the time it was promised, had also forgotten about it.

When Rid was passed out and sleeping, he remembered it when Rainer pointed it out to them, and they turned blue.

What Rid did, as a result, created a clue that almost solved the problem that the present Renalute was having.

That is a very big achievement.

Too big.

When Zack remembered this fact, he felt that he would probably never forget that he had misjudged Lid's ability.

As he looked at the two of them, Rainer said with a rare smile on his face.

First of all, we would like you to pay for the mansion we are building in Bardia to welcome Princess Fara. We have applied to the Imperial Capital for a budget, but it is not enough. We would like to ask for the full sum that is missing from the budget, is that alright with you?"

Hearing Rainer's words, Elias pondered and then answered politely.

, "I understand ....... It is also the house where my daughter will be living. If the Imperial budget is not enough, I will make sure that the rest of the money comes from our country.:

:Thank you for your consideration."

Reiner bowed and chuckled to himself.

Because, they do not know.

They did not know that Rid was involved in the design of the mansion.

Reiner had a hunch that it would be a ridiculous amount of money.

But as a reward for being a decoy, he would let them do what way he wanted.

This was supposed to be a wedding gift from her father.

And Elias had now given his word on the matter.

When he raised his head, Rainer said something with a big smile that caught them off guard even more.

"In the presence of His Majesty, I debated Norris. In the imperial match, he contributed greatly to the enhancement of relations between the two countries, and even converted the prince. And Rid gave His Majesty Elias the cause of cleaning up Norris, who should be considered the core of the opposition."

"Mm-hmm."

'Now, to the main point, what do you two think is a good reward for the activities of my son this time around?　For my part, I think it would be appropriate to give him a tax break, such as a transportation tax, for all the business channels connected to the Bardia family."

Elias and Zack looked very tired after the meeting with Rainer.

But there was more to this matter.

About the time Elias had forgotten about this, he received a document signed in his handwriting and an bill that said he would cover the cost of building the Bardia family's mansion.

And Elias was astonished at the amount, but that is another story.

T/n Guessing number challenge is still in powe