Chapter 2 Part9 (2/2)

「… … But… … Right! Her highness… … Liz-! 」

Erica veheed his shoulders towards Erica who tried to find an excuse

「- If that's the case, then give up 」

「How could I possibly… … Eh? 」

「As I said, give it up If Miss Erica is not willing to do it, then there is no point in forcing it 」

「… … R-really? 」

「Yes If an entrepreneur… … a lord is not willing to do so anything, since doing so would not solve any problems 」

「Is it really ok to do so? 」

「You didn't want to do it, right? 」

「T-that… … That's right B-but… … If there's some other way, maybe-」

「』Some other way』? 」

Kouta's gaze suddenly turned cold

「In order to , Miss Erica, allow ain I am not a God, not a Buddha, and not 『a hero summoned from another world』 I am a banker A normal banker cannot make miracles appear out of thin air 」

Kouta shrugged his shoulders while still looking at Erica with a cold glare

「Of course, I a that this is a perfect method Who knows, perhaps there is an even better method out there Perhaps there is a method that won't harm anyone, that won't make anyone sad, that won't cause anyone pain, that won't cause anyone to receive losses Alas, I am but a human I cannot think of a ive my best and do what I can do 」

「Ah… … '

「Correct This er many people Apart from Mr Lotte, other lords from other territories will also not be happy If you want to live your lives happily, then realistically, there is nothing you can do Nevertheless, why did Miss Erica say things such as 『I want to ht that Miss Erica will face whatever criticism that comes at you head on, no matter how hard it becomes, just to make Terra better 」

「… … H In short-」

Do you not even have this level of 『awareness』?

「… …If that really is the case, please do not even mutter the words 『I want to make Terra better』 from now on onwards To be frank, these words may not be nice on the ears In the past, all of the businessmen that I have helped have suffered many losses, have endured countless hardshi+ps… … and have undergone various reforh the road ahead beca that I have just said I'm sorry but please do allow me to accept your offer of a life with three meals and an afternoon nap 」

「… … You sure are brave, aren't you? 」

Erica saw red

She had faced many many many problems and hardshi+ps, but even so, she still wished for her territory to become better, and had worked hard till this day In the end, when there were no results, perhaps all she had done was in vain, perhaps all she had done was foolish, perhaps it was all useless Perhaps all of those were true, however-

「- I, have never been told such things by someone else with a smile you know? 」

「Then, do you wish to kill h? 」

Seeing Kouta's indifferent reaction, Erica let out an 'impossible' from her mouth

「… … Kouta, you have asked me this before: 『as the elder sister of the iven this territiory』 」

「That is true 」

「The answer is very simple It is because I ah I aelica has never treated me badly Everyone loved elica… …」

(T/N I have no idea about how to address royals If you have any suggestions, please do tell me)

Erica lightly touched the border of her hat

「This territory was given to me, Erica Aurenfert Fan Flame, by my father! So-」

Her right hand that was caressing her hat, grabbed it by the rie flashed for a brief moment in her mind

「- I will cooperate Kouta, we shall use that 『trump card』 」

「Have you made up your mind? 」

「An entrepreneur has to have 『an undying will that burns like a raging flaht? No matter what I have to do, my will to revitalise Terra will not disappear 」

「Good Since you showed that expression, then perhaps there is worth inHowever, I holeheartedly work towards the transfor Terra Miss Erica, since you haveTerra, then I won't hold back If you are displeased about this-」

「You were thinking of saying, 『then please stop ht? But I did o back on my words 」

「What? 」

「But from my point of view, didn't you turn back on your words just now? Who was the one that described themselves as 『excited』? 」

「T-that… … Umm… … T-that- I was shocked, that's all! 」

Seeing her flustered form, Kouta smiled

「Haha I understand, then that is what happened 」

「Hh, fine then 」

Erica sighed, then slightly gazed up at Kouta

「Just now, you said that you were a 『weak point』, didn't you? Umm… … What did you mean by that? 」

Erica asked with a puzzled expression

「What do you mean? 」

「If I were Lotte, I would naturally remove 『weak points』 Since you were a weak point, he would, without a doubt, try to remove any weak points present in Flame… … And that weak point includes you, Kouta 」

「About that… … that is indeed a possibility 」

「What? Are you not afraid of death? 」

「That's i and have hopes of living long However, what Mr Lotte is afraid of is actually 『rudom has summoned a hero』 to be leaked Even if he kills , it is useless 」

「Is that so? 」

「It's because he is afraid of other countries waging war on Flaer war 」

「Although this may sound a bit baseless', Kouta added

「So, there is no need for you to be worried about me If you are still worried about me… … Hmm, then let's just say that it was Miss Erica that came up with this idea 」

「Can this fool Lotte? 」

「At least it's better than doing nothing, isn't it? 」

Kouta shrugged and Erica shtly in response

「… … I have a question 」

A question appeared in her mind Erica stared at Kouta's eyes but the eyes she was staring at stared back at her unwaveringly, as if they were fake Blue eyes as bright as the sky met with Kouta's dark eyes

「Why… … Why are you willing to do so much for me? 」

「I did say so before, didn't I? That people likedepended upon 」

「But there should still be an upper liood food, good clothing and a coh they may not fully satisfy all your needs, but they should at least make your life easier? Are you really satisfied with just 3 meals a day and an afternoon nap?

「What you are planning to do ht even shorten your life Of course, I will do my best, but we cannotsay with absolute certainty that your safety will be assured 」

「Even though you are the Queen's elder sister? 」

「Exactly because I am the Queen's elder sister 」

I have to uphold ations as a member of the royal family of Flame, she added

「Although from my perspective as the lord of Terra, your proposal is very te, but froerous If Lotte gets wind of this, I may even be forced to execute you myself 」

「You are quite frank, aren't you? It wouldn't hurt to sugarcoat it a bit 」

「I am not the type of person who hides their hand from those that have revealed theirs 」

「That doesn't sound like words co? 」

「Do not jest 」

Erica glared back with a serious gaze Kouta sighed

「It's payment, Miss Erica 」

「For 3 meals a day and an afternoon nap? 」

「Although this form of payment , 『to me, the smiles of my customers are the best form of payment』 On the contrary, I would prefer money or services as pay so me joy, and without a doubt it can also be a type of 『pay their ways for the better,hard… … Similar to a sincere smile, it can also be a form of 『payment』 Naturally, if that's the case, I will also do my part to the fullest 」

「Even if you have to risk your own life? 」

「The reason is quite complicated 」

「It is fine Continue 」

「I have said that an entrepreneur has to have an undying will That is also true for us bankers If one does not respond with the sa the lord of this place working hard to i, is there? 」

Saying that, Kouta shed

「So complicated indeed… … However, I don't hate this kind of stupidity

Her originally sarcastic snicker turned into a bright smile

「- Then, what should I do? 」

「Two things The first is what I had mentioned before, to attract various businesses to open a branch here in Terra In essence, we have to try and sell this idea of ours 」

「You mean, to convince Lotte? 」

「I will leave that to you You can even have Liz help you on this 」

「Eh?… '

「I think we can omit the part about Liz, since she'll leave the decision to Lotte anyways 」

「… … She is the person with the ht? 」

「I neverthe one that h? 」

「Perhaps being the sister of the Queen brings less restrictions,' Erica said while shrugging Kouta thought of the exchange he had while he was at the royal palace Makes sense, he thought

「I will see what I can do about that Then? What's the second thing? 」

「If ant to attract other businesses to Terra, ould need buildings and facilities that they can use to set up shop Since we already have a harbor here, taking into account of future developments in Terra, I would like businesses to be centralized near the coast… … Yes, I want to establish a commercial hub 」

「The coast? There are people living there though? 」

「Of course, ill have to relocate them However, you can also directly order them to leave… …」

「… … I will not bear to do so that, you'll probably say that I am too naïve, won't you? 」

「I won't say so theh so so about the costs of buying the land fros and other costs, perhaps on't have enough s 」

「… … I understand 」

「Then, please explain 」

「You want ht? 」

Seeing Erica's reluctant expression, Kouta couldn't stop a slight s shown on his face

「If you don't want to, you can give up, you know? 」

「… … I will not give up I was only slightly reluctant about it Pay it no heed 」

Seeing Erica's pouting expression, Kouta couldn't stop hi out loud

「Stop that! Don't laugh! 」

「S-sorry I couldn't help it… … Hahaha… …」

「… … About the plan of buying the land near the coast, I will assign Emily to help you Emily, please help Kouta You know the area well and are able to converse with the locals easily Please-」

「Don't cause any troubles, right? 」

「Please don't overdo yourself, and please take the future of Terra into consideration before you do anything 」

「… … It will not be easy following that command… …」

The lanced at Kouta

「… … But I will do my best to assist Mr Kouta 」

「… … Please get along, you two 」

Erica sighed helplessly

「… … Then, pleased to ith you, Kouta 」

She stretched her right hand out while s

「Same here Pleased to ith you 」

Her outstretched right hand shook with Kouta's outstretched right hand