Margrave's Bastard Son was The Emperor-Chapter 304

“The Blaster Sea, you say? The one touching the edge of the Great Desert?”

“Yes. There are rumors of pirates appearing lately, causing logistics to be completely blocked. Since it’s the only route to cross to the East, well. Thanks to that, there’s been a slight increase in merchants entering the Gaia continent across the desert.”

“Ah, I see. Since Ruswena borders Hawan, you’d naturally get news faster. Clifford has never officially ventured up to the desert.”

“The same goes for Burgos. We have Clifford to our right, and above us is the civil war region. Haha.”

“Is having Clifford there some kind of problem? Hahaha. You’d have had trouble getting there even without us. Who can claim to control the desert?”

“Oh my, that’s not what I meant, but Burgos’s climate does somewhat resemble the desert. For people living in a place that produces such delicious wine, the desert must be quite challenging!”

The delegations from Ruswena, Clifford, and Burgos were mingling together, sharing information about their respective countries.

Though sharp retorts occasionally crossed between them, everyone could brush them aside without taking offense. Partly due to being slightly drunk, and partly because they were all talented individuals selected to accompany their kings to foreign countries, they valued the exchange of information highly.

Moreover, with an alliance between the three nations becoming increasingly certain, even with Bariel’s officials present, they couldn’t suppress the atmosphere of subtle solidarity among themselves.

Rustle.

Ian watched from the railing above.

He directed the mages and staff positioned throughout with subtle eye signals, ensuring the banquet proceeded without shortage. Soon, the wine that Clifford had presented as tribute was served to all tables.

Ian turned to Jin and gave a small nod.

‘Your Highness. The banquet has only two purposes.’

‘Yes. I know. Warning the King of Burgos and creating cracks in the three-nation alliance.’

Recalling their conversation in the carriage before the banquet, Jin set down his knife.

“As rumored, the quality of fertilizer imported from Burgos was substantial. There are reports that cultivation periods for the same crops were reduced by about a week compared to normal years. Whether this is coincidence or not needs a few more years of observation, though.”

Eripony was in the middle of discussing fertilizer imported from Burgos.

Clack.

When the prince set down his knife, she trailed off and looked toward Jin. Others did the same.

Though all attention focused on him, the child simply moistened his throat with his drink and smiled brightly.

“I had no idea Burgos’s fertilizer was so excellent. Does Clifford also use Burgos’s products for grape cultivation?”

As a wine-producing nation, they necessarily engaged in agriculture. So if their neighboring country had good fertilizer, they would naturally have imported and used it.

Prince Noah nodded in affirmation.

“Yes. It’s a trade relationship that’s continued since previous generations.”

Not knowing Jin’s intention, he responded thus first. Though unlikely, it would be troublesome if questions were raised about the trade in connection with the three-nation alliance.

Despite the cold relationship between Clifford and Burgos, as neighboring countries, their influence on each other was considerable. Probably one in three bottles of wine circulating in Burgos came from Clifford.

“I see. Is that why Clifford’s beverages are so delicious? I wish I could try some wine myself.”

But the response was harmless. When Jin turned to Ian saying this, Ian shook his head firmly.

“My apologies, Your Highness, but that cannot be.”

“I know. I’m just disappointed. I hear the wine downstairs is exquisite, and I see the kings haven’t stopped emptying their glasses.”

“…Then, how about placing an order in advance?”

“An order?”

Jin asked with round eyes. Though it was rehearsed dialogue, wasn’t it almost too natural and shrewd? If Romandro had seen it, he would have been beside himself with joy.

Ian turned to Prince Noah while hiding his rising smile. The prince’s tension was evident, not knowing what discussion would ensue.

“The kingdom must have wine stored under royal management. How about ordering wine that will be at its best taste for Your Highness’s coming of age ceremony?”

“That seems like a good idea. What do you think, Prince Noah? Does the kingdom have anything suitable?”

Suitable? That would be an understatement.

As the royal family of a country famous for fine wine, their underground cellars were lined with precious vintages that constituted royal treasures.

“Every year, hundred-year-old wine is prepared for the kingdom’s festival. I will tell my father to present such fine wine for Your Highness’s coming of age ceremony.”

“Hundred years old? That’s truly remarkable. However, tribute has already been given. There is no precedent for receiving tribute from other countries when a member of the imperial family comes of age.”

“However…”

“Isn’t that right, Lord Ian?”

“Indeed. It’s a rare occurrence. Except for His Majesty the Emperor.”

Jin and Ian’s dialogue meshed together seamlessly without gaps.

Their intentions were completely unfathomable. Eripony exchanged glances with Eldert, while Damon watched the unfolding situation with an impassive gaze.

“Right. It’s only proper to pay a price. You are guests gathered to celebrate my appointment, so it’s fitting for Bariel’s dignity to properly return the courtesy. Listen, everyone.”

Though no one expected to return empty-handed, it was difficult to gauge what form that return would take.

Would it be faith in a solid alliance, or the conclusion of contracts that had been pushed back and forth listlessly, or perhaps some token return gifts from the imperial family of Bariel?

If it were only the last case, this would surely be evaluated as the worst schedule.

“For items presented as royal tribute from each country, we will select items eligible for export and import with Bariel, and completely abolish tariffs for one year.”

“…!”

“…!”

Noah and Eripony couldn’t hide their surprise. Hadn’t Noah presented the royal instrument Bracu, and Eripony the bow? May whispered to the prince in surprise.

“Your Highness. If I heard correctly just now, they’re saying they’ll select one of the materials used in crafting the Bracu and remove import and export taxes.”

“Yes. That’s what I heard too.”

Then Eldert. He too pressed close to Eripony’s ear and whispered quietly.

“Your Majesty. You should mention silver. Isn’t the bow made of silver? Three-tenths of Ruswena’s silver imports come from Bariel. If taxes are removed, we can import much more for the same amount.”

“What about black jewels? The bow is decorated with gems. Since we only export those without importing, removing taxes would be an unmatched benefit.”

“Gems and silver have distinct utilities.”

While Ruswena and Clifford busily exchanged various opinions, Timothy glanced awkwardly at Damon. It was because of the condition Jin had added.

‘Limited to royal tribute gifts.’

This meant only items directly crafted and presented by the royal family would be eligible, so Burgos had nothing that qualified. This was openly warning them about preparing gifts through the hands of nobles.

Timothy turned to Ian while moistening his parched throat with water. Ian was bowing to Jin and saying something.

“Ah, Queen Eripony.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Jin raised his hand to indicate a correction as he called to her. Eripony, who had been quietly coordinating with Eldert, responded reflexively.

“As Ruswena’s tribute is to be newly crafted and presented, we shall determine the items when the bow arrives. It would be best to hurry. The period will be counted for one year from my appointment ceremony. Clifford need not decide immediately here either. The night is too short to simply enjoy the banquet.”

Though the tax-free period would start in just a few days, since Ruswena was set to present tribute again, it would be implemented from then.

‘My. The cute one isn’t acting so cute.’

Could the price of provocation be this great?

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Eripony bowed her head in acceptance with a bitter smile. Once she returned to the private palace, Eldert’s nagging would surely pour forth again – about how her loose tongue had half-squandered their tax exemption opportunity.

“I shall wait. When the tax exemption is announced, the people will truly rejoice as well.”

Even as he raised his glass and spoke of enjoying the tax exemption, Jin’s gaze remained firmly fixed on Damon.

Among the three countries, only Burgos hadn’t presented royal tribute, so watch carefully the losses brought by that insolent attitude. And if you’re thinking of bowing your head even now, you can bring tribute gifts again anytime.

Even Ruswena agreed to present anew, so haven’t I allowed for at least maintaining face? I’ll be waiting.

‘It rings clear in my ears.’

So resolute and clear was the child’s gaze that Damon caught what it meant to say.

He was giving an opportunity. Though Burgos’s attitude had been presumptuous, Bariel was showing magnanimity as befitting a great nation. It was persuasion to prepare and present tribute gifts now if there were any tax-free items desired. Accepting would be no different than crawling on their knees for mere yearly tariffs.

Damon glanced at Noah while drinking his wine. Then, Ian cut in appropriately.

“Your Highness. While the tax exemption is the great nation’s return courtesy, the hundred-year-old wine is a personal matter. It would be proper to handle them separately.”

“Indeed. Being precious enough to use in the kingdom’s festival, its value must be extraordinary. Prince Noah. I cannot pay from the national treasury immediately, but if you’re willing, I’d like to leave collateral.”

“Collateral, you say?”

Noah quickly wiped his mouth with a napkin as he asked. Something felt slightly unsettling. Even between friends, deals that don’t make sense feel uncomfortable.

Moreover, with the counterpart being Bariel’s only imperial prince, he couldn’t help but be on edge. Though there was no precedent, couldn’t wine be given freely under the name of a gift rather than tribute?

“Yes. To hold the contract as proof of transaction and return it when we trade in ten years.”

“Um, my apologies, but what…”

“I’ll give you the most precious, valuable thing I have, something whose worth cannot be dared to measure. Would that be acceptable?”

No. This is burdensome.

Noah forcefully swallowed the words rising in his throat and bowed his head.

“It’s too much, Your Highness.”

“It’s fitting. Isn’t it used in the kingdom’s festival? I’m not just buying the royal family’s pleasure, but part of your citizens’ joy. Is this too much?”

With even the citizens being brought in, Prince Noah had no choice.

Jin pretended to contemplate briefly, then turned to Damon with a bright smile.

“King Damon. Being still young in years, I don’t have many assets fully in my possession.”

“What are you saying? The future Bariel belongs to Your Highness.”

“The future is the future. But now is now. Everything belongs to His Majesty the Emperor, so all I have are the gifts you gave me today.”

Damon, who had been responding impassively, faltered. He realized what Jin was about to say.

As he turned his head, he saw the child smiling innocently and Ian standing firmly behind him.

“I’m telling you in advance lest you feel upset that I’m going to pass the jewels your nobles presented as collateral to Clifford.”

This is absurd. To pass on tribute gifts to another country on the same day. This was truly a discourteous act, but since Burgos started it, there was nothing to say. Moreover, Jin already had full authority over the jewels’ disposal.

The problem, however, was…

“Prince Noah. Please take good care of the jewels. They are precious items that Burgos prepared with great, great difficulty.”

The situation itself is the problem.

The Burgos nobles, specifically those who had offered their family treasures, thought recovery would be possible when Bariel’s imperial doors opened.

But if their whereabouts shifted to another country?

Could they maintain continued focus on Bariel?

“Ah, um, Your Highness.”

“What’s wrong, Prince Noah? Is there a problem?”

Prince Noah also turned to Damon and May in confusion. Since the imperial prince had personally called them precious items, they couldn’t be carelessly exported, and returning them to Burgos would give Bariel cause for complaint.

Clifford, drawn into the power struggle between Bariel and Burgos. Eripony watched quietly while sipping her wine.

‘Look at this.’

Something seemed to be flowing strangely.

The atmosphere of the banquet was becoming even more ripe.

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