Chapter 136: Contact from the Empire
(This is from the perspective of Edgar II.)
“Ooh, so the Vandle Empire wishes to send a goodwill mission to our country?” “Yes. Although your country and our Empire are neighbors, exchange has not been active. Now that the movements of monsters are intensifying, it is Emperor Randelic V‘s wish to promote friendship between our two nations.”
The Ambassador of the Vandle Empire came for an audience carrying a letter from the Emperor. I wondered what it was about, and it turned out to be a proposal to send a goodwill mission. The reason stated by the Ambassador was not unusual.
“Hmm, I believe promoting friendship with your country is a good thing. What do you think, Minister of Foreign Affairs?” “Yes. As Your Majesty says, now that the monster offensive is strengthening, I believe it would be meaningful for our Albion Kingdom and the Vandle Empire to deepen our exchange.” I suppose so.
“Our country shall gladly accept your country’s goodwill mission.” “Thank you very much.” “Please convey my best regards to His Majesty Randelic V.” “I shall certainly do so.”
It wasn’t a strange story, but I felt a slight sense of incongruity. Until recently, the Vandle Empire, the great northern power, was a country that worshipped swords and magic, much like our own. However, since Randelic V ascended to the throne, he promoted commerce, improved highways, and focused on domestic affairs, thereby increasing the nation’s power.
In the past, the children of Imperial nobles, like those in our Kingdom, did nothing but train with swords and magic. Now, it seems many aim to become bureaucrats in charge of domestic affairs. As a result of the Empire’s focus on internal administration, its population is now larger than ours, and a gap in national power has formed. It is frustrating to admit, but the Empire likely looks down upon our country.
Thus, while we have exchanged ambassadors, there has been almost no interaction. Why a sudden goodwill mission now? Could they have become wary because of our equipment with multiple enchantments?
I summoned the Prime Minister to my office to deliberate. “Prime Minister, the Vandle Empire has suddenly proposed sending a goodwill mission. Their reasoning—to deepen friendship amidst the strengthening monster offensive—is sound, so I accepted, but it feels somewhat abrupt.”
“It certainly feels strange. The Empire has regarded our country as backward and has shown little interest in us,” the Prime Minister remarked, looking puzzled.
“Ah, come to think of it, I received information from the Levant Company.” “Ooh? What kind of information?” “It seems Imperial intelligence agents, posing as merchants, are gathering information about Lord William.”
“Information about Lord William? It is unprecedented for the Empire to gather information on a Kingdom noble. Have the Intelligence Department investigate what is happening within the Empire.” “Understood.”
After a while, a report came from the Intelligence Department. “The Vandle Empire has suffered from abnormally low temperatures for two consecutive years, and the harvest of wheat, their staple food, continues to be poor.” “I see. The Empire is also suffering from abnormal weather.” “Yes. Furthermore, the outlook for the rye harvest this year also appears to be poor, and it seems the Empire cannot supply enough food internally.”
“As I thought. Had it not been for Lord William, our country would also be facing a food shortage.” “Indeed. Consequently, it appears the Empire has requested merchants to buy up large quantities of our country’s wheat.” “Since we have a bumper crop.”
“Furthermore, another problem has arisen in the Empire.” “Oh?” “The tuberculosis that was prevalent in our country appears to be raging in the Empire as well.”
“Hmm. Considering that even if there is no official exchange between nations, merchants still come and go, it is only natural for the infection to spread across borders.” “Because the infectious disease broke out amidst a food shortage, many people are physically weakened, and the damage from the illness appears to be significant.”
After receiving the report from the Intelligence Department, the Prime Minister and I nodded to one another. “In this situation, it is only natural for the Empire to take an interest in the wheat and the tuberculosis medicine developed in our country.” “It is exactly as Your Majesty says. And they likely became interested in who developed them. Since we have publicly announced that the developer of the wheat and the medicine is Lord William, the Empire would find out immediately upon investigating.”
“The problem is how the Empire’s knowledge of Lord William‘s achievements connects to the dispatch of a goodwill mission.” “Yes. If it is about building a friendly relationship with our country and wishing to purchase the medicine, there is no problem, but…” “Ah, we have forbidden the sale of the medicine outside the country, have we not? However, since we now have a surplus in supply, we could sell it if there is a request from the Empire.”
I wrote a letter to Lord William‘s father, Theodore, to explain the situation. A reply arrived stating that they already knew from the Levant Company that the Empire was gathering information on Lord William, and they had strengthened Lord William‘s security as a precaution.
Come to think of it, I heard the Levant Company recently opened a branch in Northernford, and the Chairman’s son is serving as the branch manager. The Chairman reportedly admires Lord William greatly, so it is only natural that they are providing information.
The possibility of the Empire suddenly attempting to abduct Lord William is likely low, and Lord William can use Teleportation Magic, but I can understand why Theodore is heightening his guard just in case. Lord William is the treasure of our country. Unfortunately, there are some nobles who cannot understand that.
Merchants are quick to grasp information. Our Kingdom’s Intelligence Department needs to work harder as well, but the fact that the Levant Company is looking out for Lord William is likely something to be welcomed.
