Chapter 46
1.
Before making this request of the Emperor, according to what I had investigated.
The Dwarf Company's magicite supply routes were quite diverse.
They gathered it from multiple floors inside the Tower, and outside the Tower, they dragged it in from anywhere within reach.
Only two locations had overwhelmingly high production, but the combined share of all the others was not insignificant either.
In other words, losing Bellua alone wouldn't bring down the Company.
It wasn't as though I held any grudge against them, so I didn't particularly want that, either.
However, one thing did piss me off.
“You really had it easy, huh?”
Every year, they signed a mining-rights contract with the Imperial Family, but in reality, magicite had no competitors.
So an auction was held every year, and the Company took it for a cheap price every time.
Magicite did have uses.
It could power magic tools, provide lighting, heat buildings, and so on. It wasn't as if there were no uses for it….
‘Its efficiency is atrocious.’
Burning something else at the same price was far cheaper, so there was no reason to go out of one's way to buy and use magicite.
In the end, it only became worth its price when turned into Enchant Powder.
There were many sellers, but only one buyer.
They had been getting away with what was closer to a renewal procedure than a contract.
You couldn't find a cheaper deal if you tried.
Hey, let me have a little, too.
Of course, I'm thinking long-term.
“Would you grant me a long-term contract?”
The Emperor tugged up the corners of his mouth, then quietly opened his lips.
“Master Lionel.”
Master.
It was the first time I had ever heard someone address me that way.
Not in my previous life, of course, and not in this one, either.
However, before I could even savor the title.
“The accessory is remarkable.”
The Emperor took another step toward me.
“The size of the gemstones is remarkable.”
“……”
“And the craftsmanship… remarkable as well.”
“……”
“Your confidence is quite remarkable, too.”
The praise continued.
He placed a hand on my shoulder.
And then.
“But your scope is a little small, isn't it?”
The Emperor grinned wide enough to show his teeth.
“…Pardon?”
Small?
I hadn't expected to hear that.
What I had just requested was for the Imperial Family to relax the contracts and rules it had established, granting special treatment to the Ducal House alone.
I never thought he would call that a small request.
“A long-term contract for the Bellua Mountains' mining rights.”
- Swish.
The Emperor lightly brushed my shoulder.
“It's an exceptional request, but… of course I can grant it.”
Such a simple answer.
“That mine was being entrusted to someone because there aren't enough people to work it anyway.”
The Emperor's answer was far more laid-back than I had expected.
“However, the current contract is still a contract.”
“Ah.”
“How about we discuss it again starting at the end of this year? You have my word.”
I nodded slightly.
There was nothing to be done about the existing contract.
If he stamped the contract with his own hand, then suddenly told the Company to pack up and leave, who would trust that contract?
My original plan had been for the end of this year anyway.
“Th-thank you.”
“But do you need magicite?”
The Emperor rested a hand on his chin and slowly looked me over.
“I do.”
“There can hardly be any magicite on the market.”
Yes, Your Majesty, you hit the nail on the head.
I would gather up whatever I could, but it wouldn't be easy.
“That is true, but if the contract begins at the end of this year, I think it should be fine.”
Even if magicite was scarce, it wasn't completely nonexistent.
And if I managed to scrape by while making other things, it seemed like it would be all right.
“The Imperial Palace receives one-tenth of one-tenth of the ore mined each year, does it not?”
One-tenth of one-tenth meant… one percent of the whole.
I didn't know why he made it sound so complicated, but I was good at math, so no problem.
It might be a system that was difficult to understand, but perhaps it was only natural.
This was an empire, after all.
The mountain range belonged to the Empire to begin with, and mining rights were merely the lending of those rights.
It was basically like rent.
“That's why there is a great deal of magicite in the warehouses.”
“……”
My mind began racing.
This system couldn't have been created yesterday or today, so whether it had been ten years or a hundred years.
There would be piles of stones nobody used.
Once I thought that far, I remembered when I had requested ore before to make accessories.
The Imperial warehouses had contained an absurd amount of ore.
At the time, I had simply thought, Well, it is the Imperial Palace, and let it go.
So there had been a reason for all of it.
Holy shit.
And what he said next was.
“You may take that as well.”
That was more than enough to surprise me.
“What good is it to leave stones piled up? They ought to be provided to someone who will use them.”
The Emperor patted my shoulder twice.
“……”
I immediately bowed my head deeply.
“Thank you!”
Gratitude. Overwhelming gratitude.
With this, getting all of Doloris's equipment to at least +15 should proceed without any major problems.
Wait for me, Doloris. If I get everything to +15, you might even be able to use Armament Haki.
Just as I was about to conclude the negotiations in satisfaction.
“…And?”
“Pardon?”
“…Are you saying that's all?”
The Emperor gave a disbelieving little laugh, then.
“Hahaha.”
He roughly pulled over the chair behind him and sat down in it.
“You must understand; I'm at an age when my whole body aches.”
“It's all right.”
The Emperor crossed his legs and faced me.
Perhaps because I was short, he had to sit down before our eye levels finally matched.
“…You still don't seem to understand exactly what it is you've done, do you?”
“What do you think, Grand Duchess Doloris?”
“…I believe it is because he is still young.”
The Emperor asked with a smile, and.
Doloris lowered her head with a smiling face.
The atmosphere itself seemed fine.
Okay, I get it. Then I'll shoot a little higher.
A little more lightly.
“I need an ultra-high—no, an excellent smelting furnace facility.”
Unable to bring myself to say ultra-high-temperature smelting furnace, I asked carefully.
“Kahahahaha!”
This time, he burst into roaring laughter.
The Imperial Princess, who had somehow entered my field of vision, also covered her mouth and laughed elegantly.
“For that, you can simply take one from the Imperial Palace's finest forge. I will help you dismantle it.”
The Emperor struck his fist against his palm and added.
“No, wait. If I provide the resources, will you build one yourself?”
What? It was going to be this easy?
I had gotten a brief look at the Imperial Palace forge when we reclaimed the mine last time.
It really was no joke. So I wanted both to dismantle it and receive the resources.
But that wasn't the important thing right now.
I cautiously opened my mouth.
“The thing is, a permanent ironmaking facility would be coming to the ducal estate….”
I mean, wouldn't that be politically complicated?
“His Majesty is saying that would be all right.”
The Imperial Princess spoke first on the Emperor's behalf with a smile.
The Emperor nodded as well.
So that's how it was.
I nodded at her words.
“You truly are the most entertaining negotiating partner I've ever encountered.”
“……”
“I thought I was going to have my pillars pulled out. I may become the first emperor in the history of the Empire to put his name on something without having his pillars pulled out.”
I swallowed down a little resentment inwardly.
I had made my demands fairly big, too.
Honestly, wasn't it true? Mining rights were a national enterprise, weren't they?
A long-term contract was completely outside the system—a total irregularity.
I was asking for special treatment on top of special treatment.
Even so, it did seem certain that I had called out of line somehow.
It seemed best to find out the exact market value.
If you don't know the price, you can't name one.
There was only one person I could ask at a time like this.
‘Yuna, you there?’
[I’m hereee]
Research it fast and tell me fast!!
[I’ll dig through the Outer Tower community]
And so, a moment that felt like eternity passed.
[There are about three cases recorded in the annals]
[First one]
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『Around Imperial Year 300.
The emperor of that era asked a general who had led the Empire to victory in a northern expedition for a favor, staking his name on it.
What he received was the title of Border Marquis, a fief, and a betrothal to an Imperial Princess.』
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What the hell was that supposed to mean?
A title, a fief, and an Imperial Princess?
[Next!]
─────────────────
『In the 400s of the Imperial calendar.
The emperor of that era asked the person who slew a magic dragon that had appeared in the south and burned three territories for a favor, staking his name on it.
What he received was the title of Duke and the territory that came with it. And a betrothal to an Imperial Princess.』
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“……”
[Last one!]
─────────────────
『In the 500s of the Imperial calendar.
When a tribe that worshiped a barbarian god of the north abducted an Imperial Prince and Princess, there was a hero who rescued them both.
The emperor of that era asked him for a favor, staking his name on it.
What he received was access to the Imperial Family's treasure vault. He was permitted to take any relic he wanted from among those collected by the emperors of old. And a betrothal to an Imperial Princess.』
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[They seem to be pretty famous stories~]
Ah, okay, that's enough.
I get it. I understand.
I had a rough idea of the weight of it now.
I had been completely off the mark.
In my case, it was probably similar to the last example.
I had saved the lives of an Imperial Prince and Princess, after all.
But I had only really been thinking about two things, so even if I tried to come up with something now.
It would either be absurdly excessive or pathetically inadequate.
So rather than forcing something out right here….
“I beg your pardon, but.”
“Hmm?”
“I truly cannot think of anything to ask for at the moment.”
I answered honestly.
Outwardly, I was thirteen years old.
It seemed like this much could reasonably be excused.
The Emperor looked at me, then gave me a faint smile.
There was something almost playful about it.
“Then may I make a proposal? It would be a historically famous and traditional method.”
Yes, it would be cleaner if he made the proposal himself.
As long as it wasn't something like an Imperial Princess.
Saying something like that made me sound like a bad person, but I meant it sincerely.
What meaning would there be in my marrying an Imperial Princess?
Beyond my field of vision, I noticed the Imperial Princess's skirt trembling slightly.
Her face had reddened like before. Her skin had taken on a lively glow.
Wait a second.
Could this man possibly be thinking of an Imperial Princess…?
If something resembling a marriage to an Imperial Princess came out of his mouth here.
I would be trapped either way.
If I refused, I would obviously be insane.
And accepting? I was thirteen years old.
The moment it left my mouth, there would be a problem.
I had the feeling that one wrong step here would turn me into Married-For-Real Lionel.
So I quickly shook my head.
“I beg your pardon, Your Majesty, but I am far too unworthy to accept your proposal…!”
“……Hmm?”
“One week! I will definitely tell Your Majesty my answer within one week!”
The audience chamber grew slightly quiet.
“Haha.”
The Emperor laughed and nodded.
“What a shame.”
Then he rose from his seat and extended a hand toward me.
I hurriedly clasped it with both of mine.
It was large and thick.
The calluses showed that it belonged to someone who had held something for a long time.
A sword, most likely.
It was not the hand of an office worker.
I lowered my head and opened my mouth.
“I am overwhelmed by Your Majesty's grace.”
“…Overwhelmed by my grace? You say some very amusing things.”
Ah, wait a second.
Wasn't that something people said in the Joseon era? I had slipped up without realizing it.
“Well, it truly is a shame, but.”
- Squeeze.
Strength entered our clasped hands.
“Think it over carefully during the week. I look forward to hearing some interesting news from you.”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
I bowed my head even lower.
Then the Emperor released my hand, and.
I glanced briefly at the Emperor's back.
The Imperial Princess had composed her expression by then, but.
Her tightly pressed lips and.
- Clench.
The hand gripping her skirt had still not opened.
2.
After leaving the Imperial Palace.
Doloris and I discussed things at some secluded, private teahouse.
I was hungry, too.
And mentally drained.
I felt like I was dying.
It was too exhausting. Politics was not my thing.
Half leaning back in my chair, I opened my mouth.
“I think I've expended too much mental energy, Lady Doloris.”
“……So have I.”
Doloris pressed a hand to her forehead as though what had just happened had left her dizzy.
“I never thought His Majesty would make such a proposal….”
“……”
Even Mama hadn't predicted it at all.
Looking at history.
What I had done today could, if one insisted on comparing it, be counted as saving an Imperial Princess and Prince.
But in the end, it wasn't really about that….
Whether he gave a reward or not was entirely up to the Emperor.
It was clear that he treasured the Imperial Princess and Prince.
Surprisingly, we had brought the earrings back out with us.
‘The payment has not been made yet, so take them.’
I wondered if this was the Emperor's philosophy of trade, but.
‘What would you do if I took them and then changed my mind?’
Since he had put it that way.
It actually made me trust him and feel reassured.
It sounded like he simply wanted to conduct the transaction thoroughly.
In the end, the Imperial Princess had to leave after doing nothing but lick her lips.
- Swish.
At that moment, Doloris scooped up a piece of cake and put it in my mouth.
- Munch, munch.
Sweet.
I felt as though my depleted blood sugar were being replenished.
“Um, did I happen to violate etiquette or anything?”
I had squeezed my brain as hard as I could.
I had dragged out every manner of etiquette I knew, even going all the way back to the Joseon era.
However.
“Overall, you did violate it.”
What the hell.
I did?
[There were so many things to fix that I gave up halfway through]
I had managed to make Yuna give up.
“Fortunately, His Majesty seems to have taken your youth into consideration.”
The advantage of being thirteen.
I wish I could just stay this age forever.
- Swish.
Another piece of cake was scooped up.
I obediently opened my mouth.
- Munch, munch.
“But Lionel, what are you planning to use the magicite for?”
Doloris and I had finished discussing the mining matter on the way there.
One might ask, doesn't mining cost an enormous amount?
But.
There was a reason the Empire simply took one percent of the mineral.
To begin with, the mountain range and every piece of equipment embedded there belonged to the Imperial Family.
They lent out the land and the tools, so taking a cut was only natural.
So the only thing we had to cover was labor costs.
And labor costs… to be honest.
They were no burden at all.
‘I intend to start making money soon, too.’
I wiped the cream from the corner of my mouth and looked at Doloris.
Then I slowly looked her up and down.
Ears, nape, fingers, wrists.
Waist, thighs, stockings, ankles, stockings, feet.
Doloris opened her eyes wide.
“……”
“Lady Doloris.”
“Yes?”
This time, I took the fork from her, scooped up a large bite of cake, and.
The conclusion of a thought I had always carried with me.
I brought it out.
“Equipment.”
“Equipment?”
- Swish.
I put it into her mouth.
“Munch….”
Doloris accepted my cake with her eyes slightly widened.
“I intend to enchant all of your equipment.”
“……My equipment?”
She asked with her eyes wide.
This was the important part.
“Once you recover your health.”
“……”
“You will have to climb the Tower again.”
The clock of her Tower, stolen by the curse.
The clock that had stopped.
I intended to set it moving again.
‘Armament Haki Doloris.’
Upon hearing my ultimate goal, Doloris opened her eyes wide.