“If we’re selling them as gemstones, the value changes greatly depending on the craftsman’s skill and the place of origin. If I arrange for craftsmen, profits will decrease, and considering Felmund’s bad reputation, even if we process them into gemstones, the bad reputation will limit potential buyers. In that case, it’s better to wholesale them as raw stones where profit calculations are easier.”
“Yes, I also think that’s the best plan if we prioritize the stability of territorial management.”
Probably anyone would consider Edel’s proposal to be the best.
However—that’s only talking about the [current situation].
“But we will continue to hold onto the raw gemstones without wholesaling them as they currently are.”
“…Even if it means large expenditures for storage and management?”
“Considering the current pace of mineral extraction and the mining volume we can expect in the future, there won’t be any problems. We should be able to secure sufficient profits necessary for territorial management.”
I have a complete grasp of the quantity of minerals produced from Felmund.
In my previous life, after [Sanctus’s Divine Punishment] occurred, Ornament increased the mining volume of minerals including the [Philosopher’s Stone] by making deals with Sanctus to buy the dragon people as slaves, and gained funding sources and influence through the numerous minerals sleeping in Felmund.
The amount reaches enormous sums even for just gold and silver minerals alone, and at least seven years of territorial management could be sufficiently covered by mineral exports alone.
If raw gemstones are added to that, it wouldn’t be impossible to become a force with the mighty power of [gold] second only to the Mercator Grand Trading Company, but—
“I will resolve the securing of processing craftsmen and Felmund’s bad reputation in the near future. Regarding the latter, it will be limited to the empire, but we won’t face a situation where buyers are limited.”
“Okay. If Kurtz has decided, I’ll follow along, but I’d like to hear the reasoning if possible.”
“Regarding processing craftsmen, it’s because there are excellent ones nearby.”
Hearing Kurtz’s words, Trakia raises one eyebrow suspiciously.
“…Don’t tell me you’re talking about the dwarves of Empinada Territory?”
“Yes. I’m thinking of inviting the dwarves of Empinada Territory, who were damaged by the recent volcanic eruption, to Felmund to have them process the raw gemstones.”
“Hmm… However, Empinada Territory suffered severe damage from the recent eruption and is in such a dire situation that they cannot accept refugees from Vechta Village. No matter how much weight my words carry due to our acquaintance, we can’t expect cooperation until they finish their reconstruction work.”
“Then what if there was no need to carry out that reconstruction work?”
“…What did you say?”
“I have doubts about the reason that [they cannot accept refugees because they need to carry out reconstruction work]. Just like what we did, don’t you think Empinada could also accept the people of Vechta Village and request their cooperation with the reconstruction work?”
And yet, Kobald, the lord of Empinada Territory, refused to accept the refugees.
That’s because—even though he understood that accepting the people of Vechta Village would be the best option, there was a reason why the reconstruction work had to be carried out internally without borrowing the hands of others.
Noticing this point, Trakia raises the corners of his mouth while deeply furrowing his brows.
“I see, then it doesn’t seem like a difficult matter.”
“If the significance of reconstruction work is lost, the dwarves who were involved will lose their jobs. I’m thinking of entrusting the processing to those people, and I’d like you to play an active role at that time, Lord Trakia.”
“Kakka… Really, despite your childish appearance, you’re quite a cold-hearted human.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
As the two exchange meaningful smiles, Feiyu lightly raises her hand.
“I understand about securing personnel, but what about eliminating Felmund’s bad reputation that you mentioned earlier?”
“For that, I’ll add the value of [Imperial Court Purveyor] to the gemstones processed in Felmund.”
“Meaning… you’re going to dedicate the processed gemstones to the empire’s imperial family, right?”
“Yes. If we receive that certification, we won’t have trouble finding buyers at least within the empire.”
“Mmm… Certainly, grandfather and I could bring the matter to Emperor Klaus without much difficulty, but…”
“That method would only get the conversation through, and we don’t know how much time the certification would take. Not only that, but unlike other countries, it’s not the imperial family who grants [Imperial Court Purveyor] certification.”
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The imperial family uses [Imperial Court Purveyor] goods, but it’s the six great ducal houses who evaluate and guarantee their quality.
“Normally, the faction would select tribute items, and after the ducal houses finally evaluate them, if there are no problems, [Imperial Court Purveyor] certification is granted. In other words, unless you belong to one of the six great ducal houses’ factions, you won’t even be considered for selection.”
“…While I find it very disagreeable, it means there’s a possibility if we bring the matter to House Ornament, which currently has the deepest connection with us, right?”
“No, that’s also difficult this time. Due to Feiyu’s kidnapping incident, House Ornament is held responsible for faction management, and as a result, some of their authority will be frozen for one year. This includes the authority to grant [Imperial Court Purveyor] certification.”
While we’re keeping secret the fact that the head, Zarvis-Ornament, has already died and become a puppet through the [Philosopher’s Stone], even without that, they cannot be involved in this matter.
House Ornament has lost not only authority but also influence among the six great ducal houses due to the previous incident, so even if Kurtz were to give orders, it wouldn’t affect the bigger picture.
That’s exactly why—
“—This time, I plan to bring the matter to [House Sanctus].”
Kurtz declared with a smile.
However, hearing that name, everyone simultaneously makes sour faces.
“House Sanctus… that’s the headquarters of [Divine Word Church], the religion worshipped in the empire, right?”
“…No. While I didn’t intend to interfere much with decisions, I think religious matters complicate everything, so they’re not suitable as negotiation partners.”
“Indeed… I’ve heard that [Divine Word Church] doesn’t conduct missionary work or forced conversions in other countries, but instead doesn’t allow anyone other than empire citizens to convert, and is a closed-minded religion with strong supremacist thinking. Far from listening to our negotiations, it wouldn’t be strange if we were turned away at the gate.”
“…I’m not familiar with the empire’s circumstances, but that name alone has reached even us. It’s the name of the house that long ago carried out [Dragon Slaying], slaughtering numerous dragons and dragon people through conflict.”
Even Falsen, who shows little change in expression, is displaying an atmosphere close to disgust.
[Divine Word Church] has the head of House Sanctus as its pope, and among his children, those with excellent magical power and specific aptitudes are called [Saints] and made into symbols.
The believers worship the [Saint] who receives [Divine Words] and House Sanctus, and are strongly influenced by the supremacist thinking at the core of House Sanctus.
By following the words of House Sanctus, chosen by God, the believers delude themselves into thinking they have righteous cause, and act without question regardless of what orders they receive.
If it’s God’s word, they won’t hesitate to take the lives of others.
If it’s God’s word, they’ll carry out orders even at the sacrifice of their own lives.
Because they’re also a group with such fanatical aspects… the tragedy called [Sanctus’s Divine Punishment] occurred in my previous life due to orders from the pope and saint.
Normally, they’re not someone we should carelessly make contact with.
With our current military strength, if we faced House Sanctus’s faction and its affiliated believers, we would undoubtedly be crushed.
“—However, they are the optimal negotiation partners for us in our current situation.”
With a fearless smile, Kurtz directs his gaze toward Falsen.
Kurtz didn’t bring in Falsen and the people of Vechta Village solely out of personal feelings from past connections or wanting to save them from their circumstances.
They were necessary pieces for confronting House Sanctus.
“If Falsen and the others had not agreed to relocate, I would have chosen a different ducal house. But with the people of Vechta Village joining us, our range of actions has greatly expanded.”
Kurtz has regressed to the past with everything from the best to worst-case scenarios in mind.
Among these, having Falsen and the others join as subjects can be said to be the best outcome.
That’s exactly why Kurtz believes he can take on House Sanctus, having made the necessary preparations and scattered many [baits].
“I can declare with certainty that this matter will be resolved if House Sanctus is our opponent.”
After saying that, Kurtz takes out a candy from a small bottle and tosses it into his mouth.
“—And two months from now, everything about House Sanctus will fall to the ground.”
While crushing the candy with his teeth, Kurtz declared with a confident smile.
■
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