After-Story Chapter 22: The Boisterous Everyday Life of the Kingdom of Euphoria (Part 3)
The location shifts to the conference room of Valois Castle. Jeanne, Hakuya, Shuukin, Lumière, and Kasen, having moved from the audience chamber, were in the midst of negotiations. Naturally, officials from both nations were bustling around, recording the summarized points and relaying instructions to subordinates, while stewards rushed to serve tea and light refreshments to the five leaders and the officials. Jeanne and the others were so focused on the negotiations that they were oblivious to the surrounding commotion.
“So, the Great Tiger Kingdom’s territory has Cursed Ore veins, then, Lumi?” Jeanne asked.
“Yes. Our investigation showed a sizable deposit, though probably not as large as the Kingdom of Friedonia’s. While we’ll need to send engineers to the Kingdom of Friedonia to learn the techniques to process it ourselves… I’m relieved that it looks like we’ll have an exportable product for the time being.”
“Good. With this, the three-nation trade plan, including the Spirit Kingdom, can proceed.”
The five were negotiating the terms of trade between the Kingdom of Euphoria, the Great Tiger Kingdom of Haan, and the Garulan Spirit Kingdom. During the world reorganization, the vast Great Tiger Empire split into three nations, and the Maritime Alliance was absorbed into the larger framework of the South Continent Union. Even though all nations in the Southern Hemisphere formed a loose federation, relations with neighboring countries remained crucial.
In particular, the Kingdom of Euphoria and the Great Tiger Kingdom had a history of fierce conflict. Even though the higher-ups like Jeanne and Lumière were in a peaceable mood, resentment lingered among their citizens. The two nations had agreed that trade would build connections to resolve this, but the reconstructing Great Tiger Kingdom had been unable to find any notable trade goods.
This was where Hakuya’s suggestion to search for Cursed Ore veins came in. Cursed Ore is the basis of next-generation energy storage devices, but it was historically considered a nuisance that hampered mining until its usefulness was discovered by the Maxwell family. It’s likely that a considerable amount of Cursed Ore in every country was disposed of without its potential being realized.
The reason the former Kingdom of Elfrieden territory in the Kingdom of Friedonia had large deposits seemed to be because the land was mostly flat and known to be poor in mineral resources, so the Cursed Ore had remained untouched. Hakuya speculated that Cursed Ore might also be found in the Great Tiger Kingdom’s territory, which consisted of vast deserts and plains and had been untouched by human development for over a decade.
His conjecture proved correct. Jeanne said, “We can offer grain and reconstruction materials. The Great Tiger Kingdom will supply Cursed Ore. And the Spirit Kingdom has specialties like spices and coffee. If we can circulate these effectively, we can link up as an economic zone on the western side of the continent.”
“That’s right. The flow of goods invites the flow of people. Opportunities for personal exchange will increase,” Lumière agreed. Despite their past, the two women clearly got along.
Then Hakuya interjected, “By the way, what is the status of the remaining monsters and dungeons within the Great Tiger Kingdom?”
“The monsters are being driven out,” Shuukin answered. “Thanks to the large influx of adventurers using it as a warm-up before heading to the Northern Hemisphere, and the cooperation of the Sirens, monster subjugation is complete in areas close to human habitation. However, it’s difficult to verify the situation when they hide in remote areas like the desert.”
“It’s difficult to prove a negative, that they don’t exist,” Hakuya noted.
“Yes. If we could confirm the monsters were eliminated, we could allow people in to develop the desert region…” Shuukin sighed.
If the safety of the desert region could be guaranteed, they would have the option of either planting trees to reduce the desert area or preserving the unique landscape as a tourist resource. But that was currently impossible. Shuukin then rallied himself and continued, “And the existence of several dungeons has been confirmed. Since they have been untouched for ten years, there are likely some undiscovered ones, too.”
“That is… both troublesome and a stroke of luck.”
“Indeed. We’d be happy if we could secure a few Orbs, and the dungeons can attract adventurers. And, of course, the merchants who cater to them. Perhaps we could promote ourselves as the only country in the Southern world still full of adventure.”
“Selling the fact that it’s an undeveloped land! That’s brilliant, Lord Shuukin!” Kasen’s sincere reaction made the four leaders share a wry smile.
Being overly praised for a desperate measure is always a strangely awkward and complicated feeling. Lumière cleared her throat.
“Well, we must do whatever we can. So that when Lord Suiga inherits this country, he can look upon it as a good one.”
“Lumi…” Jeanne looked conflicted at Lumière’s words. “Lord Suiga is still a child. Isn’t it premature to make him succession a certainty? There may still be those within the Great Tiger Kingdom who are bound by the illusion of the hero Fuuga.”
“…”
“Is it right to force that burden upon Lord Suiga? Would Lady Yuriga approve of making her precious nephew shoulder her brother’s legacy? Wouldn’t it be better if either you or Lord Shuukin took the throne, avoiding unnecessary confusion?” Jeanne asked with concern.
A slightly heavy atmosphere filled the room, but Lumière eventually nodded. “I understand, Jeanne. We won’t force Lord Suiga if he refuses. Protecting Lord Suiga’s well-being, who was left behind by Lord Fuuga and Lady Mutsumi, is more important than protecting the illusion of the deceased Lord Fuuga. Isn’t that right, Lord Shuukin?”
Shuukin, when the question was put to him, nodded firmly. “Of course. Besides, Fuuga would surely say this: ‘The dream I chased was mine alone. So, Suiga, live your life as you wish.'”
Everyone present was convinced by the words, which sounded exactly like something Fuuga would say. Lumière nodded and continued.
“If Lord Suiga says she doesn’t want to inherit the Great Tiger Kingdom, that is fine. But we want to leave the option of inheriting her parents’ country open to her. So that Lord Suiga can make any choice she wants, knowing how Lord Fuuga and Lady Mutsumi lived.”
“…I see.”
Jeanne felt the nostalgia and grief for the departed in every word Lumière spoke. She had nothing more to say. She was convinced that whatever choice Suiga made, Lumière and the others would support it.
Afterward, the meeting adjourned, having successfully addressed several negotiation points. Normally, a social gathering would follow to entertain the guests from the Great Tiger Kingdom, but since the peace was still fragile, they decided against it this time to avoid making Lumière and the others uncomfortable.
Instead, they split into male and female teams: Hakuya, Shuukin, and Kasen would have a drinking party in Hakuya’s room, while Jeanne, Lumière, and Elulu would have a tea party under the gazebo in the flower-filled garden. Of course, both groups had proper servers and guards.
“What a beautiful garden. I’ve never seen anything like it in the Spirit Kingdom,” Elulu said, her eyes shining as she looked at the garden.
Jeanne tilted her head. “The Spirit Kingdom doesn’t have gardens?”
“No. Partly because they are reluctant to build stone castles or structures… but the general belief in the Spirit Kingdom is that flowers belong in the wild and shouldn’t be confined to a garden. So, this is the first time I’ve seen such a flower-filled garden.”
“Ah, I didn’t know that. Did I lack consideration?” Jeanne asked apologetically.
Elulu quickly shook her head. “No, no, no! It’s just that countries have different ways of thinking! When I was in the Spirit Kingdom, I thought my country’s way of thinking was normal, but after going outside and experiencing different things, I realized that thinking was narrow. Flowers that bloom naturally in the wild are lovely, but flowers like those here, which have probably been cross-bred for generations just to please people’s eyes, are beautiful too. What one values and what one likes is simply up to the country or the person.”
“I-I see.”
Jeanne and Lumière were both impressed by the words of the perpetually innocent Elulu. Although she seemed like a headstrong, curious girl, Elulu was still a princess of a nation.
Just as the three were talking, a voice interrupted them.
“Oh, you all look like you’re having a fun conversation.”
“!“
The three turned around at the unexpected voice. Standing there was Jeanne’s older sister, Maria, smiling warmly while carrying her daughter, Stella.
