Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 303

‘Are you referring to the Blaster Sea? That sea at the edge of the Great Desert?’

‘Yes. There are rumors of pirates appearing lately, and logistics are completely blocked. Since that’s the only path to the East, well. Thanks to that, there’s been a slight increase in merchants crossing the desert to enter the Gaia continent.’

‘Ah, I see. Since Luswena is adjacent to Hawan, the news must travel quickly. Clifford has never officially gone up to the desert.’

‘The same goes for Vergos. Clifford is on the right, and the civil war zone is above. Haha.’

‘Is there a problem with Clifford being there? Hahaha. Even without us, it would have been difficult for you to go. Who would dominate the desert?’

‘Oh, no. That’s not what I meant, but the climate of Vergos is a bit similar to the desert. If you live in a place that produces such delicious wine, the desert must be difficult!’

The delegations from Luswena, Clifford, and Vergos were gathered together, sharing information about their respective countries.

There were occasional sharp retorts, but everyone was able to brush them off. Partly because they were moderately drunk, and partly because they were all talented individuals dispatched to foreign countries, serving their kings, they valued the sharing of information.

Moreover, with the alliance of the three countries becoming openly certain, even though Bariel officials were present, there was an undeniable atmosphere of them subtly sticking together.

Swoosh.

Ian, standing at the railing, watched them.

He gestured to the mages and staff stationed in various places, ensuring that the banquet was flawless. Soon, the wine presented by Clifford was placed on every table.

Ian looked around the hall and nodded slightly.

‘Your Highness. There are only two purposes for this banquet.’

‘Yes, I know. To warn the King of Vergos and to fracture the alliance of the three nations.’

Before coming to the banquet, Jin recalled the conversation they had in the carriage and put down his knife.

‘As rumored, the quality of the fertilizer imported from Vergos was considerable. There was a report that the cultivation period for the same crops was reduced by about a week compared to the average year. Whether this is a coincidence or not needs to be observed for a few more years.’

Eriphony was talking about the fertilizer imported from Vergos.

Tap.

When the prince put down his knife, she trailed off and looked at Jin. The others did the same.

All eyes were on him, but the child calmly quenched his thirst with a drink and smiled brightly.

‘I didn’t know that the fertilizer from Vergos was so excellent. Does Clifford also use Vergos’ fertilizer when cultivating grapes?’

Since they were a wine-producing country, farming was essential for them as well. So, if there was good fertilizer in a neighboring country, they would naturally import it.

Prince Noah nodded in agreement.

‘Yes. It’s a trade that has been going on since the previous generation.’

Not knowing what Jin’s intention was, he said that first. Although the possibility was slim, it would be troublesome if they questioned the trade by latching onto the alliance of the three nations.

Even if the relationship between Clifford and Vergos was cold, the influence they had on each other as neighboring countries was considerable. Perhaps one out of every three bottles of wine distributed in Vergos came from Clifford.

‘I see. That’s why Clifford’s drinks are so delicious. I wish I could have some wine too.’

However, the reply was harmless. When Jin turned to Ian and said that, Ian firmly shook his head.

‘I apologize, Your Highness, but that is not possible.’

‘I know. I’m just saying it out of regret. The wine is said to be a delicacy on the lower floor, and the kings are not stopping from emptying their glasses.’

‘…Then, how about placing an order in advance?’

‘Order?’

Jin widened his eyes and asked back. It was already a rehearsed line, but wasn’t it so natural that it was almost brazen? If Romandro had seen it, he would have been overwhelmed with emotion.

Ian hid his subtly rising smile and turned to Prince Noah. He looked very tense, not knowing what kind of discussion would take place.

‘There must be wine that is being managed and stored in the kingdom. How about ordering the best-tasting wine in advance for Your Highness’s coming-of-age ceremony?’

‘That seems like a good idea. What do you think, Prince Noah? Do you have anything good in your kingdom?’

Good? It would be disappointing if he said that.

It was the royal family of a country famous for its high-quality wine. Rare and precious items were abundant in the underground warehouse, forming the royal family’s assets.

‘A 100-year-old wine is prepared every year for the kingdom’s festival. I will tell my father to present such a high-quality wine on Your Highness’s coming-of-age ceremony.’

‘100 years old? That’s truly amazing. But the presentation has been made. There is no precedent for receiving a presentation from another country when a member of the imperial family comes of age.’

‘However…’

‘Isn’t that so? Sir Ian?’

‘That is correct. It is a rare occurrence, except for His Majesty the Emperor.’

Jin and Ian’s lines blended together seamlessly.

It was impossible to know their intentions. Eriphony exchanged glances with Eldert, and Damon watched the situation unfold with a calm gaze.

‘Alright. It is only right to pay the price. You are guests gathered to celebrate my inauguration, so it is fitting for Bariel to give a proper reply. Listen, everyone.’

No one expected to return empty-handed, but it was hard to guess what form it would take.

Whether it would be a firm belief in the alliance, or the conclusion of a contract that had been sluggishly postponed, or even a small token of appreciation from the Bariel imperial family.

If it were the last case, it would surely be considered the worst outcome.

‘Regarding the royal gifts presented by each country, I will select the parts that can be exported and imported from Bariel, and completely abolish tariffs for one year.’

‘……!’

‘……!’

Noah and Eriphony could not hide their surprise. Noah had presented the royal instrument, the Braqui, and Eriphony had presented a bow. May, surprised, whispered to the prince.

‘Your Highness. If I heard correctly, you said that you would select one of the items used in the production of Braqui and exempt it from import and export taxes.’

‘Yes. I heard that too.’

Then Eldert. He also whispered quietly to Eriphony, his ear close to hers.

‘Your Majesty. It would be best to mention silver. Isn’t the bow made of silver? The silver that Luswena imports from Bariel accounts for 30% of the total. If the tax is removed, the amount that can be bought for the same amount will increase significantly.’

‘What about the black jewels? The bow is decorated with jewels. Since it is only exported without import, it would be extremely beneficial if the tax is removed.’

‘Jewels and silver have exceptional utility.’

While Luswena and Clifford were busily exchanging various opinions, Timothy glanced at Damon with a troubled expression. It was because of the condition Jin had added.

‘Limited to royal gifts.’

This meant that it only applied to items directly produced and presented by the royal family, which Vergos did not have. This was a warning that they had prepared it with the help of nobles, right in front of their faces.

Timothy quenched his parched throat with water and turned to Ian. He was bowing his head to Jin and saying something.

‘Ah, Queen Eriphony.’

‘Yes, Your Highness.’

Jin raised his hand as if to correct himself and called her. Eriphony, who had been quietly coordinating with Eldert, reacted reflexively.

‘Luswena’s gift will be newly made and presented, so we will decide on the item when the bow arrives again. It would be best to hurry. The period will be counted from my inauguration for only one year. Clifford also does not need to decide anything right now. It is a night too short to enjoy the banquet.’

The tax exemption period would start within a few days, but since Luswena would receive a new gift, it meant that it would be implemented from then on.

‘Oh, my. That cute one is not acting cute.’

Could the price of provocation be this high?

Eriphony smiled bitterly and bowed her head in acceptance. When she returned to the detached palace, Eldert’s nagging would surely pour out again. She had foolishly missed half of the tax exemption opportunity with her careless tongue.

‘I will be waiting. If the tax exemption is announced, the people will also be very pleased.’

Even as he raised his glass and said to enjoy the tax exemption, Jin’s gaze was firmly fixed on Damon.

Of the three countries, only Vergos did not present a royal gift, so he was telling him to watch the loss caused by his arrogant attitude. And if he was willing to bow his head even now, he could bring the gift again at any time.

Since Luswena had also decided to present a new one, wasn’t he at least giving them a chance to save face? He would be waiting.

‘It’s vivid in my ears.’

So resolute and clear, Damon understood what the child’s eyes were trying to say.

He was giving them a chance. Although Vergos’s attitude was arrogant, Bariel was showing generosity as a great power. If they had a desired tax-exempt item, they could prepare it as a gift. If they accepted, it would be no different from kneeling and crawling in for a mere year’s worth of tariffs.

Damon took a sip of wine and glanced at Noah. At that moment, Ian intervened appropriately.

‘Your Highness. The tax exemption is a reply from a great power, but the 100-year-old wine is a personal matter. It would be appropriate to proceed separately.’

‘That’s right. It’s a precious item used for the kingdom’s festival, so it must be very valuable. Prince Noah. I can’t take it out of the national treasury right away, but if you want, I’d like to leave collateral.’

‘Collateral, you say?’

Noah quickly wiped his mouth with a napkin and asked back. Something felt a little uneasy. Even between friends, a deal that doesn’t make sense is unsettling.

Moreover, since the other party was the only prince of Bariel, it was inevitable that his senses would be heightened. Although there was no precedent, wasn’t it possible to give the wine for free under the name of a gift rather than a presentation?

‘Yes. With the condition that I will hold the contract as proof of the transaction and return it when we trade ten years later.’

‘Um, I apologize, but what…’

‘I will give you the most precious and valuable thing I have, something whose worth cannot be measured. Would that be acceptable?’

No. It’s burdensome.

Noah swallowed the words that were rising to his throat and bowed his head.

‘It is too much, Your Highness.’

‘It is appropriate. Isn’t it used for the kingdom’s festival? It’s not just for the royal family, but I’m buying a part of the joy of your people. Is this too much?’

Since he brought up the people, Prince Noah had no choice.

Jin pretended to ponder for a moment, then smiled brightly and asked Damon.

‘King Damon. I am still young, and I do not have many possessions that are entirely in my hands.’

‘What are you saying? The future of Bariel belongs to Your Highness.’

‘The future is the future. But now is now. Everything belongs to His Majesty the Emperor, so the only things I have are the gifts you gave me today.’

Damon, who had been replying indifferently, paused. He realized what Jin was about to say.

When he turned his head, he saw the child smiling innocently and Ian firmly guarding his back.

‘I am going to give the jewels presented by your nobles to Clifford as collateral, but I am telling you in advance in case you might feel resentful.’

It was absurd. To pass on what was presented to another country on the same day. It was truly rude, but since it started with Vergos, there was nothing to say. Moreover, Jin already had all the rights to dispose of the jewels.

The only problem was….

‘Prince Noah. Please keep the jewels safe. They are precious items that Vergos prepared with great difficulty.’

The situation itself was the problem.

The nobles of Vergos, or rather, those who had presented their heirlooms, thought that they would be able to retrieve them when the doors of the Bariel imperial family opened.

But what if their whereabouts were transferred to another country?

Could they continue to draw attention to Bariel?

‘Ah, there. Your Highness.’

‘Why, Prince Noah? Is there a problem?’

Prince Noah was also flustered and turned to Damon and May. Since Prince Jin himself had said that they were precious, they could not be taken out carelessly, and the moment they were returned to Vergos, they would be providing Bariel with an excuse.

Clifford was dragged into the power struggle between Bariel and Vergos. Eriphony sipped her wine and quietly watched the scene.

‘Look at these guys?’

It seemed like things were going strangely.

The atmosphere of the banquet felt even more ripe.