Vol 2 Chapter 42.5 (2/2)
No matter what, she can't say that she wants to confine him after all.
And Meltina's words are within Ryouma’s expectations.
”I see, so that's how it is! If that the case I would gladly help!”
”What's wrong? Is your wish just to confirm my will?”
Listening to Ryouma’s reply, Princess Lupis’s expression changes. Of course, Ryouma wasn’t so stupid, everything fell within his plans. For him to corner both Lupis and Meltina...
”That's not it, Your Majesty! Because if I don't confirm your majesty’s will, it would be hard for me to ask for my wish...”
A chill ran down the spin of the two who were about to hear Ryouma’s wishes.
”What is it that you wish for...?”
”Well, I just want to borrow some money to develop the peninsula... to calculate the borrowed money, I need to understand your majesty intention first... And it is really a great honor for me that your majesty put your majesty's expectation on me. I will do my best to meet your majesty's expectation!”
Ryouma deeply lowers his head toward Lupis.
”Wait! What are you talking about? The Wortenia peninsula is your territory! The royal family should not have to fund that!”
Meltina slightly raises her voice.
While Ryouma's expression does not change.
”Ha? This is different! Her Majesty knows the situation within Wortenia peninsula, and she wishes for prosperity and development of the territory.”
”That's right! That's why we want you to develop the territory with your talent!”
”But then, I'm just a commoner. I have no property. Does Meltina and your Majesty know that?”
”Well, we do...”
”Since I have no money, I need to borrow from someone to answer Her Majesty expectation... But no merchants willing to lend funds for the development of the territory.”
Merchants hate taking such large risks, development of a territory that housed demi-humans and monsters. No matter from which angle one were to view it, there were no merits in developing it.
”That's why, with your talent...”
Meltina desperately tried to cling to their plan.
If they were overtaken by him, everything will burst into bubbles.
If they can't contain Mikos.h.i.+ba Ryouma, Lupis would be crushed.
It is absolutely necessary for them to avoid such thing to happen.
”Of course! I have my talents. However, I'm not G.o.d! There's no way for me to develop such land without any resource... I think the wise Queen understand that?”
Ryouma bows towards the now pale looking Lupis. Originally she planned to impose him under unreasonable conditions but since it managed to proceed this far she could not refuse him because she had already affirmed her will previously.
”How much do you need?”
”Your majesty!”
Lupis ignored Meltina's scream. They were not alone, other n.o.bles were watching and there werethe knights who guarded the audience room. Lupis could not show any disgraceful behaviours in front of her people. She needs to show them that she is the monarch that would ask a commoner to do an important task.
”As expected of your majesty! Very understanding! Well then, the rough estimate fund that I need is around 100 billion baht!”
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*Pfft*
Following Sudou's explanation, Saitou burst out into laughter.
For him who's usually calm and polite, this is an unusual occurrence
and Sardina had no intention of reproaching his behavior either.
After all, she was also surprised because of the explanation.
Firstly, a cheap hotel in town is usually cost 100 baht per night.
Another 100 bath if you want to take meals in the morning and night.
That means, 200 baht is necessary for a person to live for a day.
With that, one can understand, how much the demands Ryouma had put forth.
”Such an incomprehensible amount... With that amount they have to lend the entire income of the kingdom!”
Following Saitou's words, Sardina also nods in agreement.
”Even for the Empire, it is impossible to put forth such an amount in one go...”
It wasn’t an impossible task but no nation within the western continents are able to pa.s.s such an amount in one go since the income of a nation is fixed based on the annual budget.
Most of the things that are impossible to neglect such as salaries of the officials and capital investment in the military.
If the empire had to put out such amount in one go, they would have to spend hours working over the multi-years worth of budget.
Even for just the paperwork alone will take a lot of time.
That's why it is impossible for the Rozeria Kingdom which has smaller size compared to the empire.
Toward Sardina's words, Sudou nodded in agreement.
”I agree... However, it would be bad for them if they don't put some funds despite wanting to develop the land.”
Opening up the forest, creating roads, hiring a work force and soldiers, preparing to take care of the pirates and demi humans. Money was also required to settle emigrates.
If one were to look at it from an economical standpoint, that much would be quite reasonable if one were to develop the peninsula.
”But still that many... Just what... Ah!... I see so that's how it is!”
”As expected of your highness... did you notice?”
Toward Sardina realization, Sudou smiled and narrowed his eyes.
”Did he really think he would be able to receive that amount of money? What if, he expected to get rejected and presented smaller demands?”
Sudou picked out a piece of paper from inside his pocket and presented it to Sardina.
”This is?”
”The list of things that Mikos.h.i.+ba demanded from the Queen Lupis... I've confirmed that all of them are troublesome... It seems like the territory would be completely independent from the Rozeria Kingdom.”
The clauses on the paper are detailed, and there are quite a few items.
Sardina looked at each of the conditions Ryouma put forward, from top to bottom.
Her expression then turns cloudy.
Ryouma was roughly ask for,
To leave all law, military, diplomacy, and economy to Mikos.h.i.+ba Ryouma.
Exempted from a tax that n.o.bles have to pay to the kingdom.
In other words, while being in a position of being a Baron, Ryouma held an authority comparable to that of a Duke.
”Did she... Queen Lupis... Really accept this?”
Sudou nodded his head answering Sardina question.
”I heard she's stupid... But to this extent... This is the same as giving freedom to a venomous viper...”
”It seems like her mind was dazzled by the amount of funds initially asked, thus she gave permission without much thought...”
”Well, I understand that... But still...”
This is the same as giving freedom to a very dangerous man.
Moreover, with the land.
”Well, the saving grace is no matter how much authority over the land he has, the land has no revenue and also unexplored... Basically, he has to create everything from nothing...”
”Saitou... Do you think the same?”
Sardina asked Saitou who was in silence since a while ago.
Land without tax revenue.
Filled with monsters.
No a.s.sistance from the Rozeria Kingdom.
Just what in the world can Ryouma do?
But Saitou could not say that...
Because he also slightly holds some fear toward a being known as Mikos.h.i.+ba Ryouma.
Sardina diverted her eyes from Saitou.
Everyone within the room has the same feeling of anxiety.
”Sudou... Your plan... Are you sure it’s not backfiring?”
Sudou answered her question with silence.
Sudou himself is the one who suggested Lupis to make Ryouma a n.o.ble.
And that is to confine Mikos.h.i.+ba Ryouma.
Of course, Sardina also doesn't want Ryouma being appointed to another country.
Especially the countries located in the northern and western part of the continent.
But the plan might actually backfire...
Such anxiety binds the three people inside the room.
”Well, it's fine... Sudou... Don't let him out of your sight, understood?”
Sudou nodded toward Sardina's command without many words.
”Well then, your highness... The next plan, is it alright to a.s.sume that the invasion of the Zalda Kingdom begins?”
”Yes... As planned before, we're going to invade them next month... Sudou! You remember our plan right?”
”Please be relieved. Due to the previous civil war, unrest is spreading within both the aristocracy and knights. Because they need to focus on their internal affairs, Rozeria won't be able to reinforce Zalda.”
”Very well! I leave the Rozeria's matters in your hand!”
Toward Sardina's words, Sudou and Saitou nodded their head.
The Ortomea Empire began bearing their fangs toward their neighboring country.
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