Chapter 248 Harvest

It’s quite the harvest.

Yeah, weapons and ammunition, the ship’s gear and equipment, food, and other items requisitioned from the Noral fleet, ……and the contents of the safe.

No, I got the whole safe, not just the contents.

Weapons and ammunition and so on should really be sold to our country to be installed on our ships……

But there’s a little bit of a problem with that. Yeah, just a little bit of a problem.

Yes, the question about, <Where did you get that from?>…….

There’s no hiding the fact that I led three ships in the war by <Crossing>.

And that, in itself, is not a problem. I gave notice and got permission to do so, and I’ve given appropriate explanations about the two countries I fought in……

Well, I’ve been honest about the fact that it was <a battle between their home country and its opponents> and that I was on the side of their home country, a country that is currently at war with our country, which I knew would be leaked by the former crew members sooner or later anyway. Lying about such a basic part of the story would be exposed anyway, and there is no point or need to lie about it in the first place.

The upper echelons of this country understand, of course, that the war with that country was caused by the selfish actions of the merchants who rented the ships and crews, and that the people back home had nothing to do with it.

But that’s why I didn’t say that the home country is innocent and the two countries are not at war, simply because when it comes to negotiations with the Vanell Kingdom in the future, it would be overwhelmingly more advantageous to negotiate if the situation was <unilaterally invaded, preemptively attacked and declared war>.

However, that’s a story when the Vanell Kingdom would be willing to negotiate with our kingdom on an equal footing, and if they were judged to be a weak country that can be easily succumbed by force, then it’s meaningless... So, let’s continue the war as it is, …and it’s over.

So I’ll make them realize that even if they continued to make ultra-long-distance voyages, they’re going to get beaten up by our energetic fleet and that they can’t exploit us as a colony or a vassal state, they’re going to get burned badly and lose a lot of money.

This was why I gave a simple explanation that we were going to pose as a volunteer fleet and do a live combat exercise, and I’ve kept my <political intervention to prevent a major change in the international standing of the Vanell Kingdom> part under wraps……

If the upper echelons of this country were to learn of such a thing, there would surely be fools who would say, <Isn’t it unnecessary to spend a lot of money and develop ships and weapons in a hurry?>.

I don’t think His Majesty, Count Bozes, or Marquis Icebringer would be so stupid as to suggest such a thing, but there are a lot of dumb nobles in this world……

Those three are not thinking about taking over the country or using me, but they are really thinking about the country, believing that it is the best thing to do for the country and the people, and they insist on it out of goodwill, enthusiasm, and a sense of duty as nobles.

……Yes, the <incompetent worker> or rather the <stupid ally> which is scarier than a superior enemy.

Don’t give them any unnecessary information when you make a report. Never!

Can I just keep my mouth shut about the crew of the ship?

Believing in the existence of the goddess……, or even knowing ・・・・・ sailors, there is no way that they will blabber about what I have been told, <In the name of the goddess, I forbid you to speak of it>, as I have been entrusted with her favor and her miraculous power.

A sailor with a reputation for piety, and a soldier with even more piety because his life depends on his luck. It is impossible for a warship-man, who can have both or to defy the Goddess.

Maybe he wouldn’t talk even if they tortured him.

I also told him that if they said he was going to be harmed or fired for not speaking, he should contact me immediately. If that happens, I’ll take good care of him in my territory.

Well, before that happens, I’ve told him to answer that he’s been ordered to keep silent by me in the name of the Goddess, so Count Bozes won’t pursue it any further.

[Ok, put it here!] Mitsuha

[You’re bringing in the weird things again……] Captain

Yeah, if you want to store weapons and ammunition, it’s got to be the Wolf Fang’s home base.

[No, I’m afraid that if we keep it in our territory, the gunpowder may be soaked in moisture or explode in an accident……

So I have to store it here in an air-conditioned warehouse. Of course, I will pay the storage fee!] Mitsuha

[…It can’t be helped then…

I’m sure you’ll be back with more stuff anyway. I’ll put it in an empty warehouse, but I’ll build a new one for you soon. If you have any requests about the size or types of facilities, please enter them into the computer.

We’ll pay for the construction of the warehouse, but you’ve got to pay for the usage!] Captain

[Yes, that’ll help a lot, thank you!!] Mitsuha

How generous of him to build a warehouse with his own money!

Well, I heard that they make a lot of money from the dragon business and the stock trade, so I guess that’s not so bad.

Besides, it’s just like renting an apartment, as long as I pay the rent. It’s not like I’m losing money… As long as I continue to pay my rent…….

Well, I don’t intend to die early either, so I’ll do my best to keep borrowing until Wolf Fang’s investment is properly recovered.

Okay, that’s a relief for now.

At present, the amount of ammunition and shells onboard those three ships has been reduced considerably, but it’s not like they’re going to suddenly start a head-on gun battle with some other warship, so it’s fine to leave them as they are for the time being.

Well, that settles it!

……In this country, at least.

[Viscount Yamano, you must be at this party.] Marquis Mitchell

Here it comes…….

I’ve been thinking that I should make some appearances in the social circles of the Vanell Kingdom in the new continent. There have been a lot of big events, so I wanted to check on the situation and make a connection.

Then, when I went to visit Mitchan for a meeting for the <Society>’s tea party, I was caught by Marquis Mitchell.

[I didn’t ask the Marquis to sort out the parties I’ll be attending, have I?] Mitsuha

That’s right, ever since that certain incident, I have been making my own decisions about the parties I attend, which has drastically reduced the number of parties I attend.

But I’m sure Marquis Mitchell had already accepted and given up on that. So, what’s up with him now?……

[No, I’ve accepted and resigned myself to the fact that it’s not an option.

This is an invitation to Viscount Yamano, a foreign noblewoman, to attend a victory party to celebrate the country’s recent naval battle. The party will be attended by many of the country’s leading aristocrats and the upper echelons of the military, regardless of faction.

And they decided to invite even the noblemen from other countries who live in the Royal Capital……] Marquis Mitchell

[Pass!] Mitsuha

[Eh…….] Marquis Mitchell

Marquis Mitchell thought that I was here to conduct preliminary research for my country. He seemed to think that there was no way I would refuse to attend the victory party, which was the perfect opportunity to gather information, and he was in a state of shock.

But…

[That means that <Count Wonrade and Viscount Effred> will be there, right?] Mitsuha

[Uh……, that’s……, ah no, those two will not be attending!] Marquis Mitchell

Eh? It is impossible for the king and the crown prince not to attend such a party. How come…….

Oh, I see!

[Does this mean that Count Wonrade and Viscount Effred will not attend, but His Majesty the King and the Crown Prince will?] Mitsuha

[Umu.] Marquis Mitchell

I knew it…….

[Then pass! His Majesty the King and His Royal Highness the Dauphin, both of whom have been very arrogant and tried to trick me, I don’t want them to be within a hundred-meter radius of me. I feel like I’m in danger whenever they’re around!] Mitsuha

Yeah, let’s put it this way, so there’s nothing the Marquis can do about it.

Well, I’m too scared to attend a party where those two are going to be present, because there is a possibility that they might make ridiculous demands, thinking that I won’t be able to refuse in front of so many nobles. I’ve already told the Marquis about it.

Have I been rude to anyone before in front of a lot of people at a party?

No, I have nothing against His Majesty the King or His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, but against <Count Wonrade and Viscount Effred>, who were rude to me, so there is no problem.

And the rudeness from the other party was swept under the rug as <that was the Count and the Viscount>.

But now, for me, that was <His Majesty the King and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, who invited the daughter of a foreign nobleman to the royal palace and tried to deceive her with their arrogant attitude and unreasonable demands>, so it’s no wonder I’m scared and don’t want to get close to them, right?

As a lone minor (in appearance) with no family or vassals, it is only natural for such a girl to try to protect herself from scary men.

Regardless of the aristocrats of a kingdom, they will not be able to force the aristocrats of other countries to attend.

Yeah, absence. It’s decided!