72 – 72. Summoning
It’s not fun.
From Noble mtl dot com
The island without Alan is simply not enjoyable.
“Is it really true that there is no excitement…? Well, it doesn’t really matter.”
Princess Siena sighed, thinking about how miserable her situation was.
Then, there were those who looked around cautiously.
“Your Highness, is there anywhere on the island that is uncomfortable for you…?”
These nobles, who had been requesting meetings with Siena since the ceasefire negotiations with the elves began, were there.
Not only the factions that followed Siena, but also those who maintained neutrality, and even active-duty generals.
“I called them out because I was curious about what they would say.”
It was a pointless act. They were blatantly showing their greed in front of Siena.
More precisely, they were showing their greed for the territory that would soon be incorporated into the empire.
Asking Siena for favors was equivalent to self-harm, but they didn’t even care about that.
It meant that the stakes were high. A vast area, accounting for 50% of the territory, had opened up in the Great Forest.
“Our family has been managing lumber mills since the commoner era…! We even have 300 skilled workers. Please acknowledge us…!”
“Your Highness, I heard that capturing elves as slaves is not allowed. However, now that the borders have opened, the elves should become accustomed to economic activities, and even if they are not slaves, there must be ways for them to work in the empire, right…?”
“We are very late with our greetings. Unlike the people here, I have no desires. I just want to support a wise leader.”
In the end, it meant asking for a small favor.
Of course, the business rights in Joachim belonged to the Emperor.
But no one doubted the fact that both princesses, especially Siena, would have the largest stake.
Alan Maydoff, who had dropped Madeline, was Siena’s knight and business partner.
The problem was that Siena herself wasn’t really interested in power.
“Well, I have to eat.”
She planned to claim more business rights than her sister Victoria. Preferably under the name of Maydoff Pharmaceuticals.
That way, she could strengthen her ties with Alan.
Come to think of it, changing the name of Maydoff Pharmaceuticals was also a good idea. Maydoff Industries or ChemTech would be more suitable than Pharmaceuticals.
But she had no intention of using her power to line up the nobles.
“So, you’ve come to ask for money in the end.”
“That’s not it.”
“Can I ask what you’re willing to give me in return? …Without sincere loyalty. I never trusted you in the first place, and I don’t even need you. If you want someone who values that kind of thing, go to Victoria.”
The nobles, regardless of their age or gender, looked around nervously at each other.
Now she realized that some of them were investors in the health syrup.
The person who had lined up in front of Anais had come all the way here.
In the past, she would have mocked them, but now she didn’t even have the energy. It wouldn’t bring any satisfaction to smirk and grovel. She couldn’t expect any sense of impact.
As expected, there was only one presence that sparked her interest.
…
After sending off the nobles,
Siena headed towards the manufacturing room of Maydoff Pharmaceuticals.
Founded not long ago, the company hastily expanded its business, leading to a workforce of over 90 employees. Most of them tirelessly processed op*ium, prepared op*ium flowers for cultivation, and managed the warehouse.
Among the employees, the first recruit, former knight Bono, oversaw security, and his brother Jacob was in charge of raw material procurement.
The sole individual responsible for the most crucial process was only one person—Alan Maydoff, the CEO and majority shareholder with 51%.
At this moment, Alan, the owner of Maydoff Pharmaceuticals, was staying in Dae Sullim. The manufacturing facility of Maydoff Pharmaceuticals stood eerily empty. Even the chef wandering around the deserted courtyard felt out of place.
Sienna felt a tightening in her chest as she explored the production room. Although she hadn’t witnessed it firsthand, the sight of the equipment arranged at appropriate intervals suggested the process of Alan creating dru*gs, creating an adult-like sensation before her eyes.
“I should have expected this and actually visited once.”
Three weeks ago, while communicating through magical means with Alan, who was staying in Medelin, she heard him say, “Morphine production must remain hidden, but there’s less worry with heroin.” It seemed to imply the impossibility of imitating even if seen.
“I should have said that earlier. I would have stayed up all night to witness it.”
Heroin.
A dru*g that toppled the proud race that had steadfastly preserved its territory amid the collapse of many nations on the continent.
Not witnessing its historic birth was regrettable. After all, it was heartbreaking when Medelin fell.
Not seeing the elves gathering in the square in groups of thousands to smoke heroin, not witnessing the elders surrendering their rule while intoxicated by heroin—all these were just regretful.
But there was a more painful fact.
The uncertainty of Alan’s return.
If Alan didn’t return even after the peace treaty was signed?
In that case, she had no choice but to take matters into her own hands. Alan needed to return for a glimmer of light to shine in the monotonous daily life.
When Alan comes, we’ll be able to have fun while tormenting various individuals and groups together. We can also ask him about the knowledge he acquired while researching alone.
However,
Things didn’t go as she wanted.
An hour later, Alan reported through telecommunication magic.
– “Your Highness, I apologize… but I think we need to reconsider our business relationship. There may be a situation where the business is liquidated without my consent. It may also become difficult for me to continue working as your escort knight.”
Alan’s voice, murmuring without any enthusiasm, came through the communication device.
Sienna’s expression instantly turned cold.
**
Princess Sienna knew she would react quickly.
But she didn’t expect her to be this fast.
“Alan, are you mentally disabled?”
Silver hair that reached down to her waist and sharp features.
She had a cute appearance, but her behavior was not cute at all. It had only been two days since she reported about the forced engagement.
Using teleportation can dramatically save time. But Sienna had gone as far as finding Madeline in the heart of the Great Forest.
That meant she even used the elves’ magic circle. It was a privilege restricted to diplomats and military officials. How did Sienna manage to do it?
In any case, it was clear that she had rushed like a madwoman.
“Alan, just answer me.”
“I’m not mentally disabled.”
In response to my answer, Sienna tilted her head and said, “Well, it doesn’t look like it to me.”
She wasn’t usually a foul-mouthed woman. Although she would casually speak informally to older nobles, she refrained from using profanity. She probably thought provoking with profanity was beneath her.
But she was mocking me.
“Well, from her perspective, it’s understandable.”
I deliberately muttered frustrating words in front of Siena.
“I’m sorry, but it seems that Her Majesty has already made up her mind. She refused to allow it.”
“So, you’re really going to get engaged to Anais?”
A bitter smile crossed Siena’s face. She even pinched her own cheek, as if she couldn’t believe it.
The fact that her adopted younger brother, who had undergone surgery, could return, and on top of that, the fact that he could get engaged to me, seemed unbelievable.
“Your Highness Siena, there must be a way to change Her Majesty’s mind.”
“Sorry, but this isn’t my father’s work. It must be my mother’s intervention.”
“I understand. That’s why it’s even more challenging. She is more cunning than me. No matter how much I think about it… there is no way to oppose her.”
“Alan, I only have two ideas that I came up with since I came here. Don’t you know?”
“Yes.”
“Really?”
“Yes. I don’t know.”
At this point, Siena seemed to doubt my intelligence. She might think I took a sip of heroin with the elves.
Actually, there was a way to escape from the pressure of the engagement.
Summoning Siena was only to avoid an immediate crisis.
It would be better to use the princess as a shield rather than directly confront the imperial couple. …It’s about time she understood.
“If I know you… Ah.”
Fortunately, it seemed that Siena also understood.
This awareness. The reason I summoned Siena before Victoria was not without cause. There are tasks for Victoria too, but Siena was the initial choice.
“Wasn’t it all for nothing?”
“….”
“Yes. Your mother… Oh, let me correct that. The empress, she’s not a shallow person. Just because you’re stamped with authority doesn’t mean you’ll willingly become Anais’s puppet. Maybe you’re hoping to use cunning to break free.”
“She definitely has desires. I can guess, but I can’t know for sure.”
“Interesting.”
Siena, who had been irritatingly expressionless just a moment ago, now wore a subtly contemplative face. The annoyed expression from earlier had long vanished.
By now, within that small head, new inspiration and schemes were likely brewing.
From Noble mtl dot com
Then, as if suddenly remembering, Siena smirked at me.
“But… Alan? In the end, you’re passing on tasks you don’t want to do yourself. You’re a guardian knight, so why should I protect you?”
She seemed to enjoy the act of pushing me away while smirking.
I didn’t find it annoying. It was her nature, shaped like this from the start.
Instead of answering directly, I pointed at Madeline.
“Your Highness. I alone destroyed Madeline. Even now, the nobles of the Elven society on the Hoen continent are likely indulging in heroin. The sense of deprivation is gone. They’re just begging for heroin in their rooms.”
“Why all of a sudden.”
“I rely on being able to do such things. You can think of it as a concession.”
Siena fidgeted her fingers and then sighed in response. Along with that, her mouth curved upward slowly, her eyes narrowing.
Soon, the answer came.
“Fine, Alan. I’ll take the lead.”
In my place, she declared that she would engage in a strategic battle with the Emperor, my father, and Empress Yeonhwa standing behind him.
It was a very joyful expression, considering the upcoming battle with her parents.