Chapter 207

「My, my…… I sincerely apologize for calling you out when you were about to head out . 」

A middle-aged man bows his head deeply in the mansion’s reception room .

However, his facial expression does not align with his words and he probably does not feel any sense of guilt at all .

Even I can tell he is simply displaying the courtesy required in a negotiation .

「No, it’s fine, I’ve finished my business after all . I don’t mind at all . 」

My errands are done and the dwarves don’t like sticking around for too long .

I just regret not being able to go around to Lintbloom’s brothel .

「More importantly, about the foreign affairs of the Democratic Nation of Libatis…… er, let’s see, can I ask the reason Foreign Affairs Molester Minister1 has come to see a local feudal lord like me?」

「Lord Hardlett, it’s Foreign Affairs Vice Minister Juno2 . 」

This man is the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs for Libatis and the person responsible for all things related to foreign affairs . Apparently, he has a standing close to that of a cabinet minister .

Beside the middle-aged Vice Minister is a young man and a young woman .

The young man seems to be a sharp-minded domestic affairs official while the woman has a serious expression on her face and is taking notes of even the most meaningless chatter .

The earnest-looking woman appears to be around 30 years old, is quite the beauty and has fairly large breasts .

Judging by the elasticity of her thighs, her ass should be plump and soft as well .

If I grab her hips from behind and thrust into her, the dignified face she has on right now should quickly warp with pleasure .

「Fufufufufu……」

「Hardlett-sama, please concentrate . 」

On the other hand, I have Leopolt and Adolph sitting beside me while Celia is acting as my guard, standing behind me where my I can’t reach her .

How unfair, it would be nice if these two were plump beauties too…… on second thought, nevermind . Thinking of these two like that is gross .

「The reason I paid you a visit today is because I want to negotiate with Goldonia, more specifically, Hardlett-dono . 」

「WIth me, personally?」

The feudal lords in Goldonia are similar to those in other Kingdoms, they are obligated to pay taxes and contribute soldiers during wartimes .

On the other hand, if the corresponding party is not anyone who opposes the Kingdom, you are free to conduct diplomacy for your own territory or sign treaties and pacts .

In that case, he must want to create a trade treaty with me or something .

But then again, he could have talked to Adolph rather than calling out to me specifically, and he didn’t need to come in person either .

「It’s true I want to talk about trade as well, however, I have a different reason for visiting you today . That reason is also why I couldn’t contact you before I came . I didn’t want it to be an official meeting, you see . 」

For some reason, I get the feeling this is going to be about something troublesome .

「First, let me present the pretense3 . Currently, the group of city states is using an open trade route which passes through my nation to Lord Hardlett’s territory in a separate agreement . 」

He went and said it himself .

「Yes, there is an issue with the domestic tariffs . So I’m thankful for your nation’s help . 」

Adolph nudges my side, meaning it’s probably better if I don’t say anything .

「Hahaha, well that is the weakness of a feudal system . We have to pay a tax like that too, so there is no need to thank us . ……which leads me to why I’m here, I was asked to negotiate an agreement with you which would allow the merchants in our nation to utilize this newly opened trade route and conduct large-scale trade . 」

Adolph, explain what that means .

「Currently, the caravans are conducting trade using smaller business transactions…… now they want to expand their trade opportunities . They are probably looking to use our territory as a foothold and enter into trade with all of Goldonia in the future . 」

「Do we need to do this?」

「If you’re asking if it’s necessary or not, it’s not…… Libatis is fairly rich and has a sophisticated industry . Our territory does not have much production of luxury goods, so perhaps it is a good idea if we have more paths to procure goods?」

The problem is Claire then, since she will probably get angry if we agree to trade here .

If I’m not careful, she may not spread her legs for me anymore .

Thrusting into Claire while Laurie licks my balls is such a supreme moment after all .

We will need to choose the best option possible right now .

「I leave everything to you, Adolph . Make sure Claire doesn’t get mad while ensuring we get benefits too . 」

「……」

Adolph looks unhappy .

It’s a matter I can’t resolve on my own, so it can’t be helped .

I’ll treat you with some wine later .

「Understood . Then I will be negotiating with the domestic affairs official hereafter . 」

Like he said himself, he’s acting under pretense, and maybe we can deal with it later since he’s not focusing on it .

「Alright, now let’s address the real issue at hand . 」

Juno folds his arms and narrows his eyes .

This might become a tough negotiation .

「It’s about the Malt Kingdom . 」

「Malt? What do you want to tell me?」

Juno continues without answering my question .

「My nation was thinking about trading with the Malt Kingdom, however we were unable to get a favorable reply . 」

Without delay, Adolph hands me a note in such a way the opposing party could not see .

Written there is a question, asking “Is he not exploring for an alternate solution after not being able to import grain because of the effects of the war between the Federation and the Empire?”

Juno continues .

「Even after all that negotiating and even presenting better conditions, they did not want to agree . They reacted almost like they didn’t have the power to make the decision . 」

It’s because they really don’t .

According to the secret pact between Celestina and I, any form of trade and diplomacy is restricted .

「I tried negotiating with the Goldonia Kingdom in regards to this issue, but I didn’t get any response . And now you…… you, who invaded into Malt’s capital Biado during an earlier war and put the young King back on the throne . 」

Juno’s face is practically accusing me of making Malt into my puppet .

Adolph hands me another note, telling me to try and deceive him somehow .

「Aah, well I did feel sorry for the little Queen and helped her out, but that’s it . We have a friendly relationship, though nothing special-……」

As I try to talk my way out, something unforeseen happened .

「Monica! Is brother finished talking yet? I want him to eat sweets with me~」

「Your Majesty Celestina, Hardlett-sama is in the middle of an important discussion, please wait a little longer . 」

A voice which should not be heard can be heard from the corridor .

Having negotiated with Malt, Juno should know Celestina’s name .

「……」

Silence enshrouded the entire room .

Adolph looks at me and hands me another note…… on it was a drawing with two hands raised and a face which appears to have given up .

As a result of the negotiations which followed, a fixed quantity of grain will now be exported to Libatis when they ask .

Apparently, they’re going to purchase it at a high price . Well, this outcome is probably more sensible than rejecting them and creating unnecessary conflict .

「I was prepared to pay a fairly higher price for my nation . Now that I can provide enough food for the people, they will surely feel relieved . 」

I’m tired now, I want to play with Celestina or have the other girls serve me while I drink alcohol .

「Whew, that’s one load off the shoulder . 」

「Hahaha, then let’s have a drink and close things-……」

「I have one more important thing to talk about . 」

Ah, so annoying .

Can I dress Celia in my clothes and have her sit in for me?

But then I can’t embrace her…… Kroll can sit in then .

I imagine Kroll sitting in my position with my appearance .

Not good, the size of his dick is too different .

People will find out immediately if they saw it .

「It’s about those adjacent to our nation…… the Divine Nation of Altair and the Vandolea People’s Federation . 」

「Yes, of course I know and am concerned about them, however I naturally need more specific information . 」

Leopolt sends me several glances as I speak .

His shoulder wavered lightly .

This guy, he sighed without making sound .

「Like I explained before, those two are nations to the south of our land . The Vandolea People’s Federation is directly adjoined with our territory while the Divine Nation of Altair is on the border of the nation, connected via the Malt Kingdom . Both of them are fairly large countries . 」

Of course I knew that .

I just wanted to confirm .

「So, what about these two nations?」

Both of them are expanding nations and there is a high chance either of them can do something dangerous, however, they currently see each other as the greatest enemy and shouldn’t interfere in Malt or my territory .

I don’t think they are opponents I can handle with my army alone, so if they decide to make a move, I would have to rely on Erich and the Royal Army .

Juno orders the young man to spread open a map on the table .

It is pretty detailed…… is it alright for me to see this?

I’m not exactly an ally of the Democratic Nation of Libatis after all .

「As you can see, my nation is adjoined with the Divine Nation of Altair and its growing borders . On the other hand, you are adjoined to the borders of the Vandolea People’s Federation . Furthermore…… the Malt Kingdom, which you have taken under your protection, is connected to both of them . 」

「Right . They won’t be meddling with me at the moment though . 」

Juno makes a troubled face .

「They are certainly fighting with each other now and don’t have the luxury of preparing for anything new . …… however these two nations are more dangerous than you think . 」

When I look over at Leopolt, he makes a face as if telling me to hurry up and ask about it .

This guy only sends me to the front when it’s convenient for him .

「Fumu, we would like to hear more about the nations we’ll be dealing with, plus the day is still long . I would appreciate if you provided us with more information . 」

Juno nods slowly and starts talking .

「The ruler of the Divine Nation of Altair was named the reincarnation of the Ancient God Altair by the Pope and demands for the people to unconditionally worship and serve . If anyone expresses their refusal to do so, they will be made to do disgusting jobs . 」

Juno seems to stall for time by taking a breath before talking again .

「That country was extremely small at first…… no, it was really just a group of cult followers . And then, riding the momentum of wars, they instantly expanded in size . 」

When the world goes out of control, unsavory things start rearing their ugly heads . .

「There was a historic yet small country in the northern part