The Returned Sword King Decided to Become a Tyrant Chapter 62
Building a tower underwater (7)
The king nodded at the man who entered the conference room.
“Ah! Welcome.”
“Thank you for your hospitality, Your Majesty. I am Baron Taylor Vidor of Esteban.”
The King of Azran personally met with the Baron, who had come as part of Esteban’s trade delegation.
They had originally hoped for public trade between royal families, and they were also very curious about the reasons for purchasing butterfly coral.
Therefore, the king began his introduction in a subtle yet direct tone.
“Yes, I heard you wanted to trade with Azran. You asked for butterfly coral, right?”
“Yes. Prince Esteban sent us to initiate large-scale trade for the benefit of both countries.”
“Well, it’s a large-scale trade… … I see.”
Seeing him express it that way, it was clear that there was a reason.
In particular, the distance between Esteban and Azran was not at a level that could be said to be very close. Rather, it was very far.
If they had come all the way to that country, there must have been a huge reason, even if I don’t know it.
Gulp-
The king swallowed.
“… … Then how much butterfly coral do you want?”
“Your Majesty, I apologize for interrupting you, but may I first explain why I have come to the palace?”
“Huh? Oh, let’s do that.”
“thank you.”
At that moment, the king felt an inexplicable spirit in that appearance.
Of course, the king had no way of knowing that it was the liberation that came from dealing with the man called ‘Prince 1’.
Regardless, the Baron began to speak calmly.
“First, Esteban wants the farm to be built near the coral reefs where butterfly corals grow natively.”
“Are you talking about the form?!”
“Yes, that’s right. To be exact, I want artificial cultivation to be done without spoiling the beauty of the tourist destination.”
“Ugh… … !”
The king, who was listening to the story, could not hide his surprise.
Sure, the number of butterfly corals was limited. But why on earth were they being farmed?
“How big do you want it?”
“The entire area around the coral reef where butterfly corals live.”
“I, I, the whole thing… …!”
Even just along the coast, wasn’t it several kilometers long?!
The King of Azran was astonished.
“Look, if you cultivate a coral reef of that size, the number of butterfly corals that come out of it every year is beyond imagination! It could be hundreds of carriages, or even more!”
It was a small catch, too. If Esteban were to buy it, it would likely take a whole year to trade.
The problem didn’t end there.
“In the first place, wouldn’t it require a lot of manpower to manage such a large area? And since it’s a job that involves managing the ocean, it’ll require high-level manpower.”
“Yes, Prince Esteban has decided to take care of all the burdens regarding that.”
“So, you’re saying that you want to get the quantity even at that cost?”
“Yes.”
“Oh, I see… … .”
The king waved his hands as if he was embarrassed by that calm affirmation.
“But why butterfly coral?”
The King now seemed to have no intention of hiding his curiosity.
That’s understandable, as more beautiful and valuable local specialties were scattered all over the nearby coast.
There were pearl oysters, which were a valuable commodity that they exported right away, and even the fish that were floating around were famous as delicacies.
But why on earth are you looking for a butterfly coral that is only decent in appearance?
That wasn’t the only problem presented.
“Besides, coral is also a living thing. It will dry up and die on the way to the north.”
In that case, even that somewhat presentable appearance would have no value.
But the answer to this was really simple and clear.
“The reason is simple: because Esteban needs it.”
“Oh, I see… … .”
Yeah, they said they needed it, so what can they do?
The king spoke, trying to calm his trembling voice.
“Anyway, I understand that the amount you want is astonishingly large. So, aside from the process of making the formwork, is there anything else you want?”
Then the Baron nodded and said.
“I want the right to own the butterfly corals that will be produced on the farm, literally. I want to have at least half of the production.”
“So that’s why you’re talking about aquaculture of the entire coral reef. So that the royal family of Azran can manage it thoroughly.”
“Yes.”
“… … Do you perhaps intend to make a profit from the trade of butterfly corals? I advise you seriously, if so, you would be better off choosing another option.”
But the Baron did not answer this. Instead, he brought out the terms of the contract as if he was sure that there would be no rejection.
“The Prince has presented a matter.”
“Yeah, yeah. Let me hear it.”
“All trade is diplomacy that must be fair above all else. First of all, we have decided to support all financial burdens incurred by the cultivation of aquaculture plants.”
“Huh… …! You mean everything besides hiring laborers?”
“Yes, that’s right. Also, Esteban said he would take responsibility for and collect all the butterfly corals that would be used for trade.”
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“……hmm?”
The king asked a question without realizing it.
This is because the conditions just now were unusual no matter how much I thought about them.
“Are you saying that you’re going to take it from Esteban, not from Azran?”
“Yes.”
“… … .”
So, in reality, all Azran does is lend the land?
It was just a matter of sitting back and making money. The King, who was thinking about mentioning the transportation costs, felt like he was being dragged into it.
But the surprises that followed didn’t end there.
“Finally, he said he would buy all the butterfly corals at twice the market price at the time of the transaction.”
“Two, double?!”
“Yes, that’s right.”
No matter how little the value of butterfly coral is, it is a different story if you pay twice the market price for that amount.
Rather, it made me question what on earth they were doing it for.
‘… … Is there another use for butterfly coral that we don’t know about?’
It was natural to think that way.
But the conditions were too strange for that to be the case.
Didn’t you ask for only half the priority, not the entire amount produced?
What that meant was that if Azran wanted, they could use the items from the farm they had invested in with their own money.
‘Also, what is meant by ‘twice the price at the time of transaction’ rather than ‘twice the current price’?
He said that even if its true use is discovered and its value increases, he will not commit the atrocity of buying it at a cheap price.
As if promising trust between the two countries.
The king spoke, trying hard to hide his bewilderment and doubt.
“Why on earth would they do something like that? Even at the risk of harming themselves… .”
“It is for coexistence.”
“Symbiosis?”
“Aren’t we victims of the same federal empire?”
“… … !”
Although Azran was classified as being located on the southern continent, its location was closely related to the northern continent.
Even so, they could not escape the tyranny of the Federal Empire. Although it was a long time ago, it was an undeniable truth that remained in history.
That’s what the Baron said.
“Esteban and Azran, who have suffered damages from them since the past, are in the same situation. Is it right politics for such two countries to fight for their own interests?”
“That, that’s definitely… … .”
“As long as the Federation Empire remains on the continent, such a thing cannot happen.”
The king nodded quickly. After all, he too was a king of a country who had grown up learning history.
Suddenly, a piece of news from the North came to his mind.
‘Come to think of it… … There was a rumor that the Federal Empire was trying to overthrow the monarchy of another country.’
It was news that went in one ear and out the other, but when I thought back, it was definitely about Esteban.
On the one hand, attention was also focused on the person the Baron referred to as the ‘First Prince’.
“Then, does your first prince wish to walk out with Azran?”
“Yes. I think what I am saying is exactly what the First Prince is thinking.”
“……her.”
Ultimately, it was Esteban who needed this trade.
In return, they received double the money, but it was not very appealing compared to the national income.
After all, didn’t Azran have a major source of income in the ocean paradise of the Elia Islands?
But the first prince led it to harmony between nations rather than trade.
By mentioning coexistence and being considerate of others, he even proved that it was not a lie.
Literally, he had smothered himself with compliments that he simply could not refuse.
“… … Even so, it would be impossible to conduct public trade without coordinating with the ministers.”
The king said with a kind smile.
“I will definitely persuade the ministers to make a deal with Esteban. It would be impolite to refuse them after they have shown such sincerity.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
By the way, it was great.
Despite his lowly title as a baron, he has the courage to negotiate with the king of a foreign country.
They say it’s a country of knights, but even the nobles, who weren’t even armed, seemed to have tremendous spirit.
It was the King of Azran who was reminded of the name Esteban once again.
… …
… … But it wasn’t Baron Vidor who actually stepped down.
‘Wow, I was so nervous I almost died… … .’
The Baron wiped his palms, which were wet with tension, without any care.
It was an action that had usually scolded George, but now he didn’t even know what he was doing.
I just remembered what I had been hastily taught by the First Prince just before departure.
-The basis of negotiation is cool-headedness.
The Baron shuddered as he recalled the gaze of the First Prince he had watched for a day.
I couldn’t bring myself to tell myself that it was an even worse hell.
* * *
The trade agreement between Esteban and Azran was concluded in an instant.
Not only was the king’s will very firm, but the nobles also added their opinions because they thought they could sell the useless butterfly corals for free.
The story, which was questionable to both sides, ended in a way that benefited both sides.
“her…….”
“Oh… … .”
The upper party, including the Baron, visited the Elia Islands before leaving Azran.
Not only was there strong encouragement from the King, but there was also a significant order from the First Prince that still remained.
But the Baron was absorbed in the sights and forgot about the First Prince’s orders.
“Wow! What a great officer!”
The waves and shoreline were more beautiful than I had heard, especially when compared to the relatively barren lands of the north.
For the Baron, whose heart had been heavy all along, it felt like his heart was being healed to the core.
But there was a real master there.
“That’s butterfly coral.”
“Oh!”
That’s right, it was a coral reef area where butterfly corals grow naturally.
White butterflies stand out among the colorful corals. For the barons and merchants who were seeing this sight for the first time, they could only wonder why it was treated as if it were nothing more than a stone.
‘There was a reason His Majesty told us not to disturb the beauty… … .’
At that moment, the First Prince’s order suddenly came to the mind of the Baron who was continuing to watch.
“ah……!”
The Baron took out something like a purple jewel from his bosom.
It was a magic stone of the highest grade. Perhaps even higher grade.
When I held it up to the sunlight, I saw something engraved like a grain of rice.
Let’s see… … .
“I think this will suffice.”
It didn’t matter to the Baron whether this magic stone was top-quality or had something engraved on it.
The Baron simply carried out the orders given by the First Prince.
Phew-!
Burying magic stones secretly around coral reef areas.
That was the order the Baron received from the First Prince.
