Build towers underwater (6)
1 The prince ordered many things, but… … .
Among them, the instructions to go to the southern continent were somewhat difficult for merchants to understand.
No, it was precisely because one of the items he was asked to obtain there was so unfamiliar and out of the blue.
And that was the same for the king and Marquis Baltaire, who were proud of their extensive knowledge.
“… … You mean butterfly coral from the southern continent?”
“Yes, Your Highness. That’s right.”
“Hmm… … .”
The king salivated at the merchant’s answer. It was a name I had never heard of.
And the next question came from Marquis Baltaire, who was listening to the story.
“Hey, where exactly did you say it came from?”
“You said it is a type of coral that grows naturally in the Elia Islands.”
“Elia Islands… … Ah, it is called a marine paradise.”
“That’s right.”
Even those who lived in the northern continent couldn’t be unaware of the Elia Islands as long as they had to be up to date.
A marine paradise belonging to the Azran Kingdom. True to its name, the expansive feast of the sea was embracing all sorts of specialties worthy of money.
So it was questionable.
“By the way, what is that butterfly coral used for in the first place?”
“We were also curious about it and looked into it, but it is said that it is mainly used for the purpose of making children’s toys in the system.”
“… … Children’s toys?”
“Yeah, yes. Apparently, the one with a distinct butterfly shape is the prettiest… … .”
“… … .”
Marquis Baltaire’s strange gaze continued. It was as if he needed a detailed explanation.
“Is that what the first prince asked me to do?”
“To be precise, he told us to negotiate with the Kingdom of Azran and conclude a supply contract for butterfly corals as soon as possible.”
“Huh, that far?!”
It meant that the first prince was considering this matter just as important.
Of course, there were positive aspects. If it was treated as precious in the northern continent, it was worth enough to go up.
But when the Marquis asked about it, the merchant immediately shook his head and denied it.
“From what I’ve learned, even in the first place, the handling is not good.”
“But aren’t there pearls among the valuables imported from the South? As such, things might be different in the northern continent… … .”
“It is said that things on the coast are being neglected because there is no demand.”
“… … .”
An ornament that decorates a coral reef. The handling of butterfly coral was just that level.
Things might be different if you go there in person, but at least it was clear that there would be no commercial potential.
As the Marquis who heard the story behind it, it was literally something to wonder about.
‘Of course, this is the first order given… … .’
It wouldn’t have mattered if the first prince knew nothing about state affairs.
It was something that could have been dismissed as a mere attack and reexamined the work of the top of the kingdom.
However, to say that, the recent appearance of Prince 1 was very competent. To the extent that I wondered at the appearance of giving such an order.
That was the moment.
“There is no need for a review.”
“… … yes?”
“The upper ranks of the kingdom follow the instructions of the first prince.”
“… … !”
The king, who had been silently listening to the conversation, made a shocking remark.
As the marquis and the merchant opened their eyes wide in surprise, the king looked at the map of the continent and continued.
“Did you say it was the Elia Islands of the Azran Kingdom?”
“Yes, yes.”
“Even if we move as fast as we can, it will take a month.”
Even so, it was possible to minimize the number of wagons led by the upper ranks.
However, the king narrowed his eyes as if it was too late. If I had said it as soon as possible, there would have been a reason.
“2 weeks.”
“Me, Your Highness?!”
“Let’s divide into two groups and move. It also uses straight-line distance across the ocean without turning very far.”
Some personnel, including the person in charge of the uptrend, proceed with consultations with the royal family in advance, and then the group leading the carriage moves.
That split would move the schedule forward by weeks.
However, the Marquis took a neutral view on this.
“Your Highness, it’s not that I don’t believe in his will, but wouldn’t it be nice to at least take some time to examine it?”
“Even if it goes up, are you saying that we should definitely review the necessity of butterfly coral?”
“That’s right.”
Wouldn’t it be better to import jewels and aim for profit, but importing corals that would dry up and die on the way could be said to be too big a risk.
It was a natural procedure for the marquis in charge of finance.
However, the king’s will was very firm.
“There is no need for that.”
“… … Your Highness the King.”
“I am the one who gave Prince 1 the authority to manage the upper house of the kingdom. Even if you take responsibility, you will be burdened, so go ahead with the work first.”
“… … All right.”
The king of a country is responsible, but what should I do?
In the end, the Marquis had no choice but to send the merchant away and tell them to prepare to start going up at once.
At that time, the Marquis, who suddenly had questions, asked the king.
“Is His Highness the King aware?”
“What do you mean?”
“It is the intention of the first prince to save the coral.”
Even though it was to move the national treasury, it was allowed too easily.
Besides, he didn’t spare the words that he would take responsibility himself, so it was a natural question in a way.
Of course, there was no way to know just because he was the king.
“I don’t know. I, too, have no idea what corals are for.”
“… … .”
“But it is not a lie to say that you are responsible.”
The word “take responsibility” was always used when things went wrong.
Then it didn’t matter if nothing happened.
The king firmly believed that it would. No, it might have been what I was expecting.
Allen Esteban, what amazing things will he be doing?
“hmm?”
At that moment, the king’s eyes touched the documents the merchant was carrying.
To be precise, it touched the part where the budget to be consumed for this ascending trip was written.
“… … But did you say you would sign a contract with the Azran royal family?”
“yes? Alas, I must have heard that too.”
“… … Then, Alan, what is the child trying to sign a contract with as bait?”
“yes?”
The marquis’ expression hardened as he looked at the direction the king’s gaze was heading.
This is because the amount requested in the budget was almost nonexistent except for expenses.
“That, well. Well up to that… … .”
However, when the merchant left, there was no one to answer.
* * *
If the temperature of the northern continent is generally cool or cold, the temperature of the southern continent, which is the opposite point, was the opposite.
either warm or hot.
In that sense, the kingdom of Azran, where the marine paradise exists, boasted the most ideal temperature even in a tropical climate.
Although there are four seasons, the temperature has never dropped below freezing, and even in summer, the temperature does not exceed 40 degrees, making it one of the best resorts on the continent.
However, such a resort could not soothe the sad baron.
“Baron, we will arrive at our destination in a moment.”
“… … hmm? Oh, is that so?”
The baron reflexively replied. Of course, that spirit had already gone elsewhere for a long time.
‘Why am I here again… … .’
Taylor Vidor.
It was the second time he had been given roles he didn’t want to take on, including receiving a delegation from the Commonwealth.
… … no. Come to think of it, it was the third.
It was because the position of temporary aide to the first prince had been given by order of His Highness the King.
However, if he didn’t think of it so arbitrarily, he would forget that he was an ordinary baron-level noble.
‘Come to think of it, His Highness hasn’t said much lately… … .’
It’s almost time to return to the estate, or George’s education seems to be almost complete.
It had been several months since I had heard such a story.
Perhaps it seemed that he had become more accustomed to life in the palace now.
Suddenly, a conversation with the first prince passed through the baron’s mind.
-Let’s go to the southern continent.
-… … yes?
-There are things that must be done.
Yes, it was burdensome enough to welcome the delegation of the Federation Empire. But this time, they told me to take charge of the delegation.
Fortunately, unlike before, it was the fact that there were no options at all.
However, that option is… … .
-If you say you don’t like it, you’ll have to send George.
-… … .
-Unfortunately, his vacation will be delayed again.
It was a problem, however, that he was sacrificing a subordinate who was excited about the upcoming vacation.
I couldn’t refuse and came here, it was something I couldn’t bear to laugh at.
… … ha.
While the baron unconsciously let out a sigh, the party of the upper ranks quickly ran down the road and arrived at their destination before they knew it.
They finally arrived at the capital of Azran Kingdom.
A merchant got off his horse and asked.
“Baron, would you like to send a message to Pharaoh Castle? or not… … .”
“I’ll go right in.”
The baron nodded while stroking the token of Esteban’s royal family in his hand.
I don’t know why, but the first prince who gave the order said to prioritize speed above all else.
To conclude the negotiations as quickly as possible… … .
It was a very questionable order, but the baron was already full of trust in the first prince. So, I just followed as instructed.
However, there were still parts that were not yet understood.
‘Why did you tell me to take something like this?’
The magic crystal in the baron’s arms shook slightly.
The magic crystal shone with a more brilliant purple color than any jewel he had ever seen.
* * *
Esteban, a kingdom in the northern continent, came to trade.
Hearing such news, the king of Azran could not hide his absurdity.
“… … what? What did you come to buy?”
He knew that it would be rude to laugh at diplomacy proposed by other countries.
But think about it.
If, by chance, those who came to trade, told them to sell the stones on the side of the road. Or if you tell them to export weeds.
What could be more absurd than that?
For the king, this was just such a situation.
The demands of those who came from Esteban were as absurd as they were.
“Butterfly coral? What do you mean you want to buy something like that?”
It was a question that really came out of pure curiosity.
Because the butterfly coral was as useless as that.
However, what was truly a mystery was the fact that they even came to the royal family to save Butterfly Coral.
“Hey, what the hell is this… … .”
When I tried to roll my head, nothing came to mind, so now I was just frustrated beyond absurdity.
However, one thing was certain, it was the fact that it was Azran who was benefiting from this one way or another.
Exporting butterfly corals was literally no different from digging up and selling beach water.
“… … Yes, let me know that you will listen to the conditions for now.”
The eyes of King Azran were full of curiosity.