Chapter 271: Apollo's Decision
“Unfortunately, I only managed to gather partial knowledge. Charcoal and sulfur, and something I couldn’t identify, but a white powdery substance… It is thought that these are mixed to create it.”
Hearing that from Apollo, I slumped my shoulders.
“It’s useless if we don’t know what that white powder is. It would have been fun if we could make black metal, as there are so many things we could do, but it can’t be helped.”
When I said that with a smile, Apollo crossed his arms and groaned.
“…Opinions are divided within the Merchant Guild as well. There are those who prioritize the relationship with the Solstice Empire and advocate for full cooperation, and those who aim to maintain neutrality as a Merchant Guild.”
“So there’s no one advocating for siding with the Kingdom of Scuderia. Does that reflect the difference between the Solstice Empire and the Kingdom of Scuderia, as seen by the Merchant Guild?”
One could interpret the fact that there was even a suggestion of full cooperation with one country—for the Merchant Guild, which trades with numerous nations—as exceptional. However, just how powerful are the Solstice Empire’s latest weapons? Depending on that, we might not be able to win with just ballistae and catapults.
As I felt a little anxious, Apollo offered a knowing smile.
“That’s true. Indeed, within the Merchant Guild, all the conversation is about how far the Solstice Empire will expand its influence. The current state is a discussion about whether or not we should profit by riding that trend. Therefore, I have decided to side with you, Lord Van.”
“…Are you sure?” I asked, completely unguardedly.
Apollo smiled happily at my question.
“The Merchant Guild is operated by numerous members, but there’s no harm in having someone like me within it. In exchange, when the Kingdom of Scuderia eventually grows strong enough to surpass the Solstice Empire, all commerce with the Merchant Guild must go through me. Is that agreeable?”
“Of course! Thank you very much!”
Apollo offered the condition with a slightly mischievous smile, but for me, it was an offer with nothing but benefits, so much so that I didn’t need to think about it. In fact, I never intended to conduct business with the Merchant Guild except through Apollo, so the situation remains unchanged.
I replied based on that judgment, but Apollo himself gave a wry smile at my quick acceptance.
“I am grateful for your trust. In any case, now that the decision is made, I will fully lend my support! I feel an excitement that belies my age, thinking that I might be crossing a dangerous bridge for the first time in a while.”
Apollo spoke with a rare rise in his voice, growing animated, and laughed aloud. I believe he had been quite cooperative even before, but his actions must have been right at the edge of the Merchant Guild’s rules. But now, he had virtually declared himself an ally of the Kingdom of Scuderia. The birth of a strong collaborator was welcome.
Apollo sold half of the goods he procured from the Solstice Empire to Seatoh Village. In fact, it seems he had been granted preferential rights, allowing me to purchase anything I deemed necessary. He was taking the rest to the Royal Capital. I felt that the arrangement was backwards, but since it was convenient for me, I didn’t point it out.
Apollo also purchased goods from Seatoh Village. The focus was on weapons and unique clothing, but even the toys I made for fun were sold.
“The toys Lord Van makes are very interesting. They are all things we’ve never seen before,” Bell and Rango commented.
However, I found the toys unique to this world to be more fascinating. There are things like treasure chests that require solving complex puzzles, similar to a wire puzzle, to open, and they were incredibly difficult and fun.
“Well, things like chess and Othello are certainly profound and interesting. And I put a lot of effort into the designs of the playing cards, too…”
“I don’t think that was the issue…” Bell and Rango gave me vague answers, but at least the toys I made seem to be popular. That’s good, that’s good.
While spending my days leisurely in Seatoh Village like this, a terrifying letter arrived for me just before my tenth birthday.
“Lord Van! A letter from His Majesty!”
“Wow, open it! Read it to me!” I replied, leaning on Till as I sat on the sofa eating snacks. I was about to reach the milestone of ten years old. The privilege of being nine years old was nearing its end. I felt entitled to this much pampering.
Till gave a wry smile, placing the letter on the table in front of me.
“Actually, it’s severely punishable for a servant to open a letter from His Majesty, you know? Please keep it a secret that I opened it.”
“I know, I know.”
When I replied, Till, looking slightly nervous, carefully tapped the seal with the small golden hammer used for breaking wax seals and opened it. She carefully unfolded the letter so as not to crease it and began reading the contents.
“Um, it seems to be a handwritten letter from His Majesty. That’s amazing. I never thought I’d see His Majesty’s own handwriting.” Till was humbled. Is the King’s letter that important in noble society? Well, Till isn’t a noble to begin with, so perhaps that’s natural.
“What does it say?”
“Ah, sorry! Um, it says that His Majesty is granting Lord Van the rank of Viscount! That’s incredible. Also, half of the territory gained in this war will belong to Lord Van…”
“Ugh, how troublesome. Write a letter declining the offer.”
“Declining the offer. Then, on nice paper… Wait, a letter declining the offer!?” I replied in a casual tone, but Till opened her eyes wide in shock and spun around.
“You can’t decline a reward from His Majesty! That would be disrespectful!”
“Ehh… Is there anything else written there?”
When I asked, Till returned her gaze to the letter with a troubled look.
“A-anything else? It says that all the things you requested are being prepared without issue… And also, he asks you to come to the Royal Capital to be honored for these achievements in front of everyone…”
“Ah, I don’t want that! Going all the way to the Royal Capital is definitely a no! Just write that I’m grateful for granting my requests.”
“Wouldn’t that itself be disrespectful!?”
“It’s fine, it’s fine.”
After conveying the contents of the letter and issuing instructions to Till, she started writing a letter to His Majesty with a tearful expression. The contents were an expression of gratitude for the peerage, the territory, and the granted requests, followed by an apology for being unable to travel to the Royal Capital due to personal circumstances.
“Lord Van is about to turn ten, so perhaps he’s entering his rebellious phase…” Till murmured worriedly.
It’s not a rebellious phase. I just don’t want to leave Seatoh Village. It’s a wonderful village where I can take a bath every day, eat Till’s delicious food, and sleep soundly. If I head to the Royal Capital, I’ll often have to camp overnight during the journey. The difference in living environments is immense.
However, Till left to entrust the letter to the Mary Chamber of Commerce with half-fear, only to return with a pale face just an hour later.
“What happened, Till… Hah!?”
Behind Till stood Esparda, carefully holding the letter. Esparda opened his mouth with a smile.
“…Lord Van. I heard it was a letter to His Majesty, and I took the liberty of looking at it…”
“H-Heeek!?” I cried out, terrified by Esparda’s smile, and hid myself by burying my head in the sofa.
However, Esparda did not let me off.
“Lord Van. Now, let us rewrite this letter. I shall guide you.”
Hearing those words, I despaired.
