Chapter 72 (1/2)

Chapter 72

Filsand was originally the capital city of a tribe that claims to draw blood from an ancient royal family, the Shulz. However, it was invaded by the country of Feldi, then placed under the rule of the Duke of Filsand.

This happened about 20 years ago.

A great number of the Shulz tribe fled southward. To this day, they still fiercely hold onto the wish of recapturing Filsand. To that end, they have launched numerous attacks on the city, but were repelled every single time.

Fifteen years ago, Elizabel Roni Filsand was born between the Duke of Filsand and the princess of the Shulz.

The princess of the Shulz, Sheira, was captured during the invasion of Filsand.

The Duke took her as his second wife in a move to sh.o.r.e up the legitimacy of his rule over Filsand.

For her mother, her father was someone to hate with her whole being, and it would still not be enough.

Fortunately, her mother did not actively plant that hatred within Elizabel. However, growing up while seeing the discord between her parents up close made it hard for her to see her father in a positive light.

Despite all that, it cannot be denied that her father was relatively loving towards Elizabel and her mother. Their living standards were not significantly inferior in comparison to that of his first wife and her children, and proper education was also provided. Her eldest stepbrother was also especially nice to her.

Due to this, she aspired to work as a diplomat on behalf of the Filsand that she had been brought up in, rather than the Shulz tribe that she had never even seen before. In actual fact, she gave her all towards realizing this aspiration of hers.

Originally, the purpose for which Elizabel came to Senpu Village for is a business deal — the purchase of siege weapons to use against the Shulz, who have barricaded themselves up in a castle.

The dwarves could not care less about the wars between humans. However, due to the Feldians’ long-seated contempt of the dwarves, the negotiations went very stormily. In spite of that, she managed to seal the deal.

Despite being only 15 years old, it has already been 3 years since she was entrusted with the full authority to represent the Duke. Having gone to other cities in her home countries, Ran Balt, and even Shulendal, she already has several business and treaty successes under her belt.

Of course, she was not granted the authority for conducting negotiations from the very beginning. At the start, she was no more than a proxy, a figurehead accompanying trade caravans and negotiation parties.

However, she knew how to use her attractive, harmless, innocent appearance to its full potential.

For example, the negotiations with the dwarves that took almost an entire week, mostly went like this.

“In the first place, you people from Feldi and Filsand are contemptuous of us dwarves, aren’t you.”

“That…… might be true. I’m really sorry…… someone like me being so self-important……”

“Oh, n-, no, we’re not really saying that you are the one at fault.”

“Thank you…… very much. Even though we say such terrible things, you all are still so gracious about it.”

“Well, we’re different from humans after all.”

Or perhaps like this.

“Three easy-to-a.s.semble siege towers? That’s going to place quite a heavy burden on our craftsmen. But

that the price you’re offering, it’s a bit……”

“I, I really don’t know anything, do I…… So it’s very hard to make siege towers, is it. Exactly how is it made?”

“You don’t even know that? Listen carefully, you first take the blueprints……”

Or this.

“Do all dwarves like alcohol very much? I myself don’t really drink much, but…… my father is often drinking a strange wine that he gets from taverns in the south.”

“Ho ho, what kind of wine is that?”

“Umm, I’m not really sure…… next time, I’ll make sure to ask him!”

Her numerous successes were by no means due to a cheat from the G.o.ds.

“Make the other party feel good.” “Listen well.” “Make the other party want to talk to you again.” All she did was persistently apply these principles to as many situations, as many people as she could.

Emotional gulfs could mostly be overcome somehow with this approach, after which talks would naturally proceed towards the discussion of reconciliation of interests.

Those who hate her label her methods as ‘seduction’ or ‘persuasion by tears,’ but the way she sees it, she was born with these tools, so there’s no reason to not take full advantage of them.

Though she worked so hard for the sake of Filsand, the feelings of contempt that those of the conquering side felt towards her due to her blood was deep-seated.

Day and night, the hara.s.sment against her never ceased, and she had even been called a savage to her face.

The first wife, her second son, and a few other family members all made no effort whatsoever to hide their hatred of her.

Then half a year ago.

Her position, which she had been able to somehow maintain despite being showered in her mother’s resentment and other people’s hatred, crumbled all of a sudden.

Her mother died of illness, and as if it was all timed, her eldest stepbrother died in battle during an a.s.sault by the Shulz tribe.