From noble mtl dot com.
Build a tower from under the water (7)
The king nodded as he saw the man who entered the meeting room.
“Ahh! Welcome.”
“Thank you for your hospitality, Your Royal Highness. I am Taylor Vidor, Baron Esteban.”
The King of Azran personally met the baron who had come as a trade delegation to Esteban.
It was also because they wanted public trade between the royal families in the first place, and it was also because they were very curious about the reason they wanted to purchase butterfly corals.
For this reason, the king opened the introduction in a subtle yet straightforward tone.
“Yes, I heard you want to trade with Azran. Did you ask for butterfly coral?”
“That’s right. Esteban’s first prince sent us to initiate a large-scale trade for the benefit of both countries.”
“Well, it’s a big trade… … Right.”
Looking at it like that, 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 away.
If it was enough to come to such a country, there must have been a great reason.
gulp-
The king swallowed.
“… … If so, how many butterfly corals do you want?”
“His Highness the King. I’m sorry, but can I first tell you why I came to the royal family?”
“hmm? Oh, let it be.”
“thank you.”
In an instant, the king felt an unknown spirit from that figure.
Of course, there was no way for the king to know that it was the liberation that came from dealing with a person called ‘Prince 1’.
Either way, the baron calmly started talking.
“First of all, Esteban wants to build a fish farm near a coral reef where butterfly corals grow naturally.”
“You mean the fish farm?!”
“Yes that’s right. To be precise, we want artificial cultivation to take place within a line that does not spoil the aesthetics of tourist destinations.”
“Huh… … !”
Upon hearing the story, the king could not contain his surprise.
Certainly, the number of butterfly corals was limited. But for what reason are we talking about aquaculture?
“What size do you want?”
“It is the entire vicinity of the coral reef where butterfly corals live.”
“Me, me, all… … !”
Isn’t the coast alone several kilometers long?!
The King of Azran was shocked.
“Look, if you make a fish farm of that size, the butterfly corals that come out of it every year are beyond imagination! Hundreds of wagons, maybe more!”
It was also a small amount. If Esteban bought it, there was a high possibility that it would have to go up and down throughout the year.
The problem was not only that.
“Wouldn’t it take a lot of manpower to manage such a large area in the first place? It will also require high-quality manpower as it is managing the undersea.”
“Yes, regarding that, Esteban’s first prince has decided to take care of all the burden.”
“So, do you mean that you want to get the quantity even if you do that?”
“That’s right.”
“Yeah, that’s right… … .”
At that calm affirmation, the king waved his hand as if he was deliberately embarrassed.
“But why is it a butterfly coral?”
The king seemed to have no intention of hiding his curiosity.
Of course, the nearby coast was more beautiful, and more valuable specialties were scattered everywhere.
There were also pearl shells, which were a valuable item they exported right away, and even the fish that roamed around were famous for their delicacies.
But why, after all, are you looking for a butterfly coral that is just plain good looking and nothing else?
The problem given was not only that.
“Besides, corals are definitely life. It will dry up and die on the way to the North.”
If that were the case, even that modest appearance would be of no value.
But the answer to this was really simple and clear.
“The reason is simple. Because Esteban needs it.”
“Yeah, that’s right… … .”
Yes, they are what they need, but what will they do?
The king tried to calm his trembling voice.
“Anyway, I understand that the amount you want is alarmingly high. If so, do you have other things you want besides going through fish farming?”
Then, the baron nodded and said.
“Literally, we want priority in the ownership of butterfly corals that will be produced in the farm. At least half of the output must be monopolized.”
“So that’s why we talked about aquaculture of the entire coral reef. So that the royal family of Azran can thoroughly manage it.”
“That’s right.”
“… … Or are you trying to profit from the butterfly coral trade? Seriously, I advise you, but if you do, you’d better make another choice.”
However, the Baron did not respond to this. On the contrary, he brought out the terms of the contract as if he was sure that he would not reject it.
“There is an issue presented by Prince 1.”
“That, yes. Listen to it.”
“All trade is diplomacy that must be fair above all else. First of all, you decided to support all the financial burdens of farming.”
“her… … ! Everything besides hiring workers?”
“Yes that’s right. Also, Esteban said he would be responsible for recovering the entire amount of butterfly corals to be used for trade.”
“… … hmm?”
The king unknowingly spat out a question.
It was because the conditions just before were unusual no matter how you think about them.
“You mean to take it from Esteban rather than from Azran?”
“That’s right.”
“… … .”
Then, in fact, all Azran does is lend land, isn’t it?
It was just sitting there and making money. For the king, who was thinking of mentioning the transportation cost, he felt rather involved.
But the surprise that ensued didn’t end there.
“Finally, he said that he would buy butterfly corals at twice the market price at the time of the transaction.”
“Two, twice?!”
“Yes that’s right.”
No matter how low the value of butterfly coral is, if you pay twice the market price for that amount, the words are different.
Rather, it was to the extent that the question of what the hell was doing it for.
‘… … Are there any other uses of butterfly corals that we don’t know about?’
It was natural to think so.
But the conditions were too strange for that to happen.
Didn’t they ask for the priority of half of the production, not the entire amount?
In other words, if Azran wanted to, he would let them use it together. The things from the farm that they invested with their own money.
‘Also, not twice the current market price, but twice the price at the time of the transaction… … .’
It was said that even if its use was revealed and its value increased, it would not commit the atrocities of purchasing it at a bargain price.
As if a promise of trust between the two countries.
The King said, trying to hide his embarrassment and doubt.
“What is the reason for doing that? Even at their own expense… … .”
“It is for mutual benefit.”
“Win-Win?”
“Aren’t we victims of the same Commonwealth Empire?”
“… … !”
Classificationally, Azran was located in the southern continent, but its location was close to the northern continent.
They couldn’t escape the tyranny of the Commonwealth Empire just because they were like that. Even though it was a long time ago, it was a hard truth that remained in history.
That’s what the baron said.
“Esteban and Azran are in the same situation, having suffered damage from them in the past. Would it be correct politics for those two countries to antagonize each other for their own interests?”
“Yeah, that’s for sure… … .”
“As long as the existence of the Federation Empire remains on the continent. That shouldn’t happen.”
The king quickly nodded. Because he was also the king of a country where he grew up learning history.
A news from the north suddenly came to his mind.
‘Come to think of it… … There were rumors that the Commonwealth Empire was trying to destroy the sovereignty of other countries.’
The news went in one ear, but when I remembered it, it was Esteban’s work.
On the other hand, attention was also focused on the person the baron called ‘Prince 1’.
“Then, does your first prince want to walk out with Azran?”
“That’s right. My words must be what Prince 1 thinks.”
“… … her.”
After all, it was Esteban who needed this trade.
In return, they get paid twice as much, but compared to the entire country’s income, it’s not very appetizing.
After all, didn’t Azran have a big source of income called the Elia Islands, a marine paradise?
However, Prince 1 led it to harmony between countries, not trade.
By mentioning coexistence and being considerate of the other person, he even proved that it was not a lie.
Literally, he was tying himself up with compliments he couldn’t refuse.
“… … Even so, it would not be possible to conduct public trade without coordination with ministers.”
The king said with a benevolent smile.
“I will definitely convince the ministers so that I can make a contract with Esteban. It’s not polite to refuse even after showing sincerity like this.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
Anyway, it was great.
Despite the low title of baron, he had the courage to negotiate with the king of another country.
It was said to be a country of knights, and from the nobles of the baron class, who were not even armed, their spirit seemed enormous.
It was the king of Azran who was reminded of the name Esteban all over again.
… …
… … But it wasn’t Baron Vidor who was actually stepping down.
‘Gee, I almost died from being nervous… … .’
The baron casually wiped his palm wet with tension.
It was an act he used to scold George, but now he didn’t even know what he was doing.
Just before departure, the contents of the urgent education from Prince 1 came to mind.
– The basis of negotiations is coolness.
The baron trembled as he recalled the eyes of the first prince he had watched all day.
The fact that it was more hell, I couldn’t bear to tell myself.
* * *
The trade agreement between Esteban and Azran was concluded in an instant.
It was because not only was the king’s will so firm, but the nobles also added their opinion to the idea that useless butterfly corals could be sold for free.
The story, which was questionable to both sides, ended in a way that benefited both sides.
“her… … .”
“Oh oh… … .”
Before leaving Azran, the company, including the Baron, visited Elia Islands.
It was because not only was there a strong invitation from the king, but also a meaningful order from the first prince was still there.
However, the baron forgot the first prince’s order and immersed himself in the spectacle.
“Huh! What a great name!”
The rolling waves and the shore were more beautiful than what I had only heard in words. This was even more so compared to the relatively barren lands of the north.
For the baron, who had a heavy heart the whole time, it felt like he was being healed to the depths of his heart.
But the real name was different.
“That’s Butterfly Coral.”
“Oh oh!”
It was a coral reef zone where butterfly corals grow naturally.
White butterflies that stand out among colorful corals. Barons and merchants, seeing this for the first time, wondered why it was treated like a stone.
‘Your Highness must have had a reason not to spoil the beauty… … .’
At that moment, the first prince’s order came to the mind of the baron who was watching.
“ah… … !”
The baron took out something like a purple jewel from his bosom.
very. Perhaps it was a magic stone that looked more advanced than that.
When I looked at it in the sunlight, I saw something engraved like a grain of sand.
Let’s see… … .
“This should be enough.”
Whether this magic stone was of the highest quality or whether something was intaglio was not the baron’s concern.
The baron simply followed the orders given by the first prince.
hook-!
Burying magic stones in the coral reef area without anyone knowing.
That was the order of the first prince that the baron had received.