The Returned Sword King Decided to Become a Tyrant Chapter 61
Building a tower underwater (6)
1 The prince gave several instructions… … .
Among them, the instruction to go to the southern continent was somewhat difficult for the merchants to understand.
No, to be exact, it was because one of the items they asked me to get from there was so unfamiliar and out of the blue.
And that was true even for the King and Margrave Walter, who prided themselves on their extensive knowledge.
“… … Are you talking about the butterfly coral that comes from the southern continent?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. That is correct.”
“Hmm… … .”
The king gulped at the merchant’s answer. As expected, it was a name he had never heard before.
And the next question came from Marquis Walter, who was listening to the story.
“Hey, where exactly did you say that thing came from?”
“You said it was a type of coral native to the Elea Islands.”
“The Elia Islands… … Ah, so this is the place called the ocean paradise.”
“Yes.”
Even though they lived on the northern continent, they could not have been unaware of the Elia Islands since they had to be well-informed of the situation.
A marine paradise belonging to the Azran Kingdom. As its name suggests, the vast seas that spread out before you were filled with special products that could be turned into money.
That’s why I was wondering.
“But, what is that butterfly coral used for in the first place?”
“We were curious about that too, so we looked into it, and it turns out that the system is mainly used for making children’s toys.”
“… … Children’s toys?”
“Yes, that’s right. I think the one with a distinct butterfly shape is the prettiest… … .”
“… … .”
Marquis Walter’s strange gaze continued. It was as if his eyes required a detailed explanation.
“Is that what His Highness the First Prince asked you to bring me?”
“To be exact, you are to consult with the Azran Kingdom and conclude a supply contract for Butterfly Coral as soon as possible.”
“Huh, really?!”
It meant that the prince thought this matter was that important.
Of course, there was a positive side to it. If it was considered valuable in the Northern Continent, it would be valuable enough to warrant an uphill journey.
But when the Marquis asked about it, the merchant immediately shook his head and denied it.
“From what I found out, it seems that the system wasn’t treating it well to begin with.”
“But aren’t there things like pearls among the valuables imported from the South? The situation might be different in the Northern Continent… … .”
“They say that even coastal areas are being neglected due to lack of demand.”
“… … .”
An ornament that beautifies coral reefs. The treatment of butterfly corals was just at that level.
If you go there in person, the situation may be different, but at least it is clear that it will not be commercially viable.
For the Marquis, who heard the story behind it, it was literally puzzling.
‘Why did the first instruction you gave have to be something like this… … .’
It wouldn’t have mattered if the first prince knew nothing about state affairs.
It would have been easy to dismiss it as a simple hit and reexamine the affairs of the upper echelons of the kingdom.
But even so, the Prince’s recent performance was so competent that it was questionable why he gave such an order.
That was the moment.
“There is no need to reexamine.”
“……yes?”
“The upper echelons of the kingdom shall follow the instructions of the First Prince.”
“… … !”
The king, who had been silently listening to the conversation, made a shocking statement.
As the Marquis and the merchant opened their eyes wide in surprise, the King continued speaking while looking out over the continent.
“You said it was the Elia Islands of the Azran Kingdom?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Even if we move as fast as possible, it will take a month.”
It was a time when it was possible to minimize the number of wagons that the upper echelons had to lead.
But the king narrowed his eyes as if even that was too late. If he had said as soon as possible, there must have been a reason for that.
“Two weeks.”
“Your Majesty?!”
“Let’s split into two groups and move. Also, let’s use the straight line across the ocean instead of going around too far.”
Some people, including the person in charge of the royal procession, go ahead to discuss with the royal family, and then the group leading the carriage moves behind them.
If we split it like that, we could move the schedule forward by several weeks.
However, the Marquis took a neutral view on this matter.
“Your Majesty, I do not distrust his will, but shouldn’t we at least take some time to consider it?”
“Are you saying that even if we go up, we should definitely consider the necessity of butterfly coral?”
“Yes.”
It might be okay to import gems to make a profit, but importing coral that would dry up and die on the way was too risky.
It was a natural procedure for the Marquis in charge of finances.
But the king’s will was very firm.
“There’s no need for that.”
“… …Your Majesty the King.”
“It is my fault for giving the authority to run the upper echelons of the kingdom to the Prince. Even if I take responsibility, I will still be burdened, so let’s get things going for now.”
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“……All right.”
What can be done when the king of a country takes responsibility?
The Marquis had no choice but to send the merchant away and tell him to prepare to set sail immediately.
At that moment, the Marquis, suddenly overcome with doubt, asked the King.
“Does Your Majesty the King know?”
“What are you talking about?”
“His Highness the Prince intends to save the coral.”
Even though it was a matter of moving the national treasury, it was permitted too easily.
Moreover, since he did not even spare the words that he would take responsibility for it himself, it was in a way an obvious question.
Of course, there was no way he would know that, even though he was the king.
“I don’t know. I also have no idea what coral is used for.”
“… … .”
“But it’s not a lie when you say you take responsibility.”
The word “taking responsibility” is something that is only used when something goes wrong.
Then it wouldn’t matter if no problems occurred.
The king was confident that this would happen. No, he might have even been expecting it.
Allen Esteban, what other amazing things is that kid up to?
“hmm?”
At that moment, the king’s eyes fell on the documents the merchant was carrying.
To be exact, it touched on the part that listed the budget that would be spent on this trip.
“… … But did you say you would sign a contract with the Azran royal family?”
“Huh? Oh, I definitely heard that too.”
“… … Then Alan, what is the bait that the child is trying to use to sign the contract?”
“yes?”
The Marquis’ expression hardened as he looked in the direction the King’s gaze was directed.
This is because the amount requested in the budget was virtually nothing, excluding expenses.
“Well, well, until then… … .”
But, in the place where the merchant had left, there was no one to answer for this.
* * *
While the temperatures in the northern continent were generally cool or cold, the temperatures in the southern continent, its counterpart, were the complete opposite.
Warm or hot.
In that sense, the Azran Kingdom, where a marine paradise exists, boasted the most ideal temperature even in a tropical climate.
Although there are four seasons, the temperature never drops below zero, and even in summer, the temperature does not exceed 40 degrees Celsius, making it one of the best resorts on the continent.
But even such a resort could not soothe the sad heart of the baron.
“Your Majesty, we will arrive at our destination shortly.”
“… … Hmm? Oh, is that so?”
The Baron answered reflexively. Of course, his mind had long since wandered elsewhere.
‘Why am I in a place like this again… … .’
Taylor Beador.
This was the second time he had been forced into a role he did not want, including hosting a delegation from the Federal Empire.
… … No. When I think about it, it was the third time.
Even the position of temporary aide to the prince was something I received by order of His Majesty the King.
But if you don’t think about it so arbitrarily, you might forget that you were just an ordinary baron.
‘Come to think of it, His Majesty hasn’t said anything recently… … .’
It seems like it’s time to return to the territory, or that George’s education is almost finished.
It’s been several months since I heard that story.
Perhaps now, life in the palace seemed more familiar.
Suddenly, the conversation with the First Prince flashed through the Baron’s mind.
-Go to the Southern Continent.
-……yes?
-There is something that must be done.
Yes, it was burdensome enough to welcome the Federal Empire’s delegation. But this time, they asked me to take charge of the delegation.
The only fortunate thing was that, unlike before, there were still some options available.
However, that choice is… … .
-If you say no, I’ll have to send George away.
-… … .
-Unfortunately, his vacation will be postponed again.
The problem was that it was a sacrificial offering to the luggage excited about the upcoming vacation.
It was something I couldn’t laugh about, that I couldn’t refuse and came here.
……ha.
While the Baron unconsciously let out a sigh, the party on top, who had been running quickly on the road, arrived at their destination.
We have finally arrived at the capital of the Azran Kingdom.
A merchant got down from his horse and asked.
“Your Majesty, would you like to send a message to the royal palace right away? Or… … .”
“I guess we’ll just go right in.”
The Baron nodded, caressing the royal seal of Esteban in his hand.
For some unknown reason, the first prince who gave the order said that speed should be prioritized above all else.
To conclude the negotiation as quickly as possible… … .
It was a very questionable order, but the baron already had full trust in the first prince. So he simply followed the order.
However, there were still parts that were clearly not understood.
‘Why did you tell me to take this?’
The magic stone in the baron’s arms shook slightly.
The magic stone was shining with a purple color more brilliant than any other jewel he had ever seen.
* * *
They came from Esteban, a kingdom on the northern continent, to trade.
The King of Azran could not hide his shock when he heard such news.
“… … What? What did you come to buy?”
I knew it would be rude to ridicule the diplomacy proposed by another country.
But think about it.
If by any chance someone comes to you with the intention of doing business, and asks you to sell rocks from the roadside, or to export weeds.
What could be more absurd than that?
The king felt that this was exactly the situation.
What those who came from Esteban demanded was just as absurd.
“Butterfly coral? What would you use something like that for?”
It was a question that came from pure curiosity.
Butterfly coral was just that useless.
But what was truly questionable was the fact that they had come all the way to the royal palace to rescue the butterfly coral.
“Huh, what the heck is this… … .”
Since nothing came to mind no matter how much I thought about it, now it was more than just absurd; it was frustrating.
But one thing was certain: either way, Azran was the one who benefited.
Exporting butterfly corals was literally no different from selling water from the beach.
“… … Okay, tell him that you’ll listen to the conditions first.”
King Azran’s eyes were filled with curiosity.
