Chapter 7 – Progress (Part 8)
This particular audience chamber, used for receiving a small number of people, was arranged around a large round table to facilitate simple discussions with the king. Once King Clois took his seat, Cassius and Ronan each sat on either side of him, and Aaron took his place in the attendant’s seat behind Cassius’s chair.
“Both of you requested separate audiences with me unexpectedly, but I thought your issues might be connected to something I’m currently contemplating, so I decided to see you together. Ronan Hass, why did you request an urgent audience? I assume the matter of the Royal Academy’s supply was just an excuse.”
“It’s not entirely unrelated. It’s about securing ownership of the southern Kingdom’s mines, as per Your Majesty’s directive for mass-producing weapons. You must be aware that Marquis Orga recently returned from a vacation in the southern Kingdom. Suspicious activities were observed on his part during that time. I sought an urgent discussion to understand how this might affect the nobility and royal family dynamics related to the mines.”
“I see. And the reason for your audience request, Duke Grendel?”
“It was to ascertain if there was anything specific I needed to be aware of before the noble gathering hosted by Earl Kumaran tomorrow.”
Ronan had also received information through the trading company’s network about some nobles quietly organizing such a gathering.
Seeing that neither was surprised by the reasons for each other’s audience requests, King Clois concluded that the two matters were likely connected.
The king was attempting to import large quantities of alchemical materials from the southern Kingdom’s mines through the Haas Trading Company. If Brunchia imported such a large volume of minerals directly from kingdom to kingdom, the move would be visible to neighboring countries, who could easily infer that Brunchia intended to manufacture a large number of weapons.
This could lead to diplomatic tensions and potential containment efforts, so the king wanted to disguise it as a personal-level trade through a commoner trading company.
Another reason was to prevent senior nobles who disliked the current king’s ambitious projects or aristocratic supremacists from noticing and interfering.
“The second prince of the southern Kingdom has promised to help transfer the ownership of the mines we need to a Brunchia-born immigrant noble. In return, he will take control of some of our grain-producing areas. The problem is that the current owner of the mines isn’t particularly friendly towards the second prince. Even if we offer a high price, we can’t be sure our people will be able to purchase it.”
Following King Clois’s explanation, the Duke added his thoughts.
“It’s possible that Marquis Orga’s trip to the southern Kingdom was for covert negotiations to seize the mine’s ownership.”
Ronan asked,
“Isn’t the southern royal family actively assisting us?”
“Officially, as a relative nation, they pretend to be friendly, but in reality, they’re not. They’ll likely choose to observe rather than actively assist. As you know, the only royal actively working there is the second prince. It’s almost pitiful to hear how the other royals, who do nothing, constantly hold him back.”
King Clois chuckled, perhaps out of disbelief or sympathy. He noted that the southern Kingdom’s second prince would want to avoid giving his political opponents any leverage and would keep the deal secret until it was safely concluded.
“If the agreement on the mines and our grain-producing areas succeeds, he’ll gain a clear advantage in succession. But if the deal fails before it’s concluded, he’ll be left vulnerable to attacks. If I were in his position, I wouldn’t make any overt moves until the deal was secured.”
“Even if Marquis Orga intends to interfere in the deal, he doesn’t have the financial resources to purchase the mine’s ownership. Even if he gathers all the wealth of the nobles attending the gathering hosted by Earl Kumaran, it’s barely enough. And although they claim to share the same intentions, they wouldn’t lavishly spend their wealth on something uncertain.”
After Cassius’s response, King Clois pondered for a moment before asking Ronan.
“Assuming we successfully purchase the southern Kingdom’s mines, how does the Haas Trading Company plan to bring such a large quantity of minerals into Brunchia?”
“We plan to import them indirectly. There are small trading companies in the southern Kingdom and surrounding countries that, while not owned by us, are influenced by us. We will divide the load among multiple small trading companies to avoid drawing attention to a sudden influx of minerals in one place. However, this means it will take more time.”
“That’s acceptable. Once the weapons are made, we can handle any rumors that spread to other countries. But during the preparation stage, we need to ensure no information leaks.”
The three discussed securing the mine’s ownership, mineral procurement, and Marquis Orga’s movements in more detail.
“But does Orga know that I’m supporting military weapon development? This hasn’t even been discussed in the court meetings.”
“He likely doesn’t know the specifics. However, if he’s received information from Earl Kumaran about Your Majesty’s discussions with Defense Minister Lance and the military’s reorganization, he might deduce that you’re preparing something.”
Marquis Orga was not only foxlike in appearance but also cunning in nature. Despite his sharp calculations, King Clois had refrained from appointing him as the Minister of Finance, limiting him to an advisory role in court meetings.
However, even without a ministerial position, Orga might have gleaned more information through the marquisate’s longstanding connections.
If Marquis Orga hadn’t caught on to King Clois’s intentions, they also speculated on other reasons for his visit to the southern Kingdom. Ronan, as the head of the trading company, expressed his concerns.
“He might be trying to acquire the mines to supply materials cheaply to the southern Kingdom’s alchemical workshops. In return, Orga’s trading company could secure exclusive contracts with those workshops. If he monopolizes the distribution of specialty workshop products, it would impact our trading company.”
Various conjectures arose, but without precise information about the marquis, it was difficult to reach a conclusion.
Ultimately, the three concluded that they had to keep a close watch on his movements and respond accordingly as situations developed.
“We’ll need to revisit this matter after Duke Grendel returns from Earl Kumaran’s gathering.”
Just as King Clois was about to conclude the meeting, a commotion erupted outside the audience chamber, and the door swung open as Princess Karinsa entered. The guards stationed outside the chamber had been unable to stop her in time and were following behind.
“Ka… Karinsa?”
King Clois’s eyes widened in surprise at the sight of Karinsa bursting in unannounced.
***
Since her failed attempt to charm the Duke during their walk, Karinsa had been waiting for another opportunity to redeem herself. This time, she intended to follow her lady-in-waiting’s advice. She needed to show the Duke that she was no longer the little sister from their childhood days but a mature adult. Karinsa was eagerly looking for the right moment.
However, it was now difficult to create opportunities even by begging her brother. King Clois firmly refused his sister’s request, saying that he could no longer deceive the Duke with such matters. The last time he secretly arranged a meeting under the pretext of an emergency meeting was the final time, he said.
Normally, King Clois would grant almost anything Karinsa demanded, but this time he was very firm.
‘You are not a child anymore, so you should understand. Of course, if I had to choose between you and the Duke, you, my only sister and blood relative, are far more precious. But I am the King of Brunchia, and I cannot risk losing the trust of Duke Grendel by assisting in your romantic games. Last time, I went to great lengths to summon the Duke, and it amounted to nothing. For the sake of the country and for you, I can no longer deceive the Duke into meeting you.’
As Karinsa’s expression twisted as if she was about to cry, Clois turned his back and left the room, issuing a warning.
‘And from now on, you are banned from entering the Administrative Palace. If you appear there every time the Duke is present, the administration of our Brunchia will be completely paralyzed! If you defy this and enter, you will be prohibited from organizing or attending any gatherings for three months!’
Since King Clois, who was usually lenient with her, spoke so firmly, Karinsa found it difficult to find opportunities to meet the Duke. Then today, upon hearing that Cassius was having an audience with King Clois, she realized it was an opportunity she couldn’t miss.
“Hurry, hurry! Yes, lift that side of the hair a bit more! Make it look more mature! Is this dress supposed to flare out only this much? Make it puffier!”
The lady-in-waiting, enduring Princess Karinsa’s constant nagging, dressed her in the ‘mature’ look she desired.
Not knowing when the audience would end, Karinsa, anxious about missing the Duke, grabbed her skirt and headed to the king’s audience chamber with a fierce determination. She burst into the chamber without waiting for the attendant outside to announce her arrival.
King Clois, seeing his sister in an unusual appearance, stood up from his seat, eyes wide with surprise.
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Tillda
What a waste of chapter. Boring political talk and appearance of idiotic princess 😤 Seriously, how old is she? Because she’s acting like 10 year old brat. I hope she won’t be throughout the whole next chapter.