Chapter 17

"**I am Yuria's father.**"

...

Isn't this a bit too sudden?

In front of me lies a man on the bed, the King of Rosais. Next to him, Yuria is smiling smugly.

I didn't know about this.

I had imagined that Yuria might be the daughter of a noble or a high-ranking official. I never thought she could be the daughter of the King of Rosais...

"**My daughter is in your care.**"

"**Oh, no, not at all. Ah, this is honey.**"

In the ancient world, honey is used as medicine. It's probably the same here. I thought it would be well-received by the sick, but I didn't expect to hand it over to the person himself.

"**By the way, I don't know anything about you. I only found out last night when I questioned Yuria. So, can you tell me?**"

"**Yuria didn't say anything?**"

"**No, she said it would be a breach of trust. She didn't even talk about that pottery. Well, I wanted that pottery too, so I turned a blind eye... but now I want to meet the maker himself.**"

I see.

Yuria managed to escape not because the guard was incompetent, but because this person turned a blind eye.

That makes sense.

"**Then I'll tell you.**"

Of course, I'll leave out the things I don't want to tell and the inconvenient details.

...

"**I see. I understand. By the way, do you have any intention of joining my country?**"

"**Thank you for the offer, but I must decline.**"

"**Why?**"

I explain the reason I had already thought of.

"**Because you are ill. When King Dorgal attacks, will you be able to protect us? Besides, you are ill and can't even deal with King Verm. I think it's too early to reveal our affiliation.**"

"**I see. That's true. What about trade, then?**"

That's the main topic, huh.

Well, I know from Yuria that I don't want to affiliate.

"**No problem. What do you want? Sueki pottery?**"

"**Yes, that's right. What would you like in exchange?**"

"**I want livestock. Chickens, cows, goats, and pigs. If possible, horses.**"

"**Livestock... We can't easily part with our livestock. Cows and horses are difficult to breed, and we import them from abroad. We can't raise them in the country. Is there anything else you want?**"

"**Then, slaves.**"

What we lack is labor.

If we have several adult male slaves, it will make the work much easier.

You might think it's cruel to have slaves, but in this region, slaves are common. Especially with the existence of magic, they are easier to control.

"**Understood. Ten Sueki pottery for one slave, how about that?**"

"**That's fine.**"

Slaves are cheap. But that's how it is, I guess.

By the way, I have other reasons for buying slaves besides labor.

Slaves weren't always slaves. They used to have proper jobs.

For example, grape farmers.

I don't know how to grow grapes. It seems difficult.

If I can get someone who knows how to grow grapes, that would be lucky.

Also, carpenters.

"**By the way, I would like to continue interacting with Princess Yuria.**"

"**...It's dangerous. Yuria is my only daughter. I can't allow that.**"

"**Dad, I've been with Almus for four years and it's been fine, right? It's okay.**"

Yuria tries to persuade him.

"**There's no helping it. If you insist, I'll allow it. But! Almus, you must never hurt my daughter. If you do... you know what will happen, right?**"

"**I understand. I know my place.**"

Probably, "don't hurt" doesn't mean emotionally.

It means physically... specifically, her hymen.

I know that much, of course.

Still, it's a relief.

If Yuria were gone, I would have to hire someone to teach me magic.

By the way, my relationship with Yuria isn't just about her teaching me magic.

But if the worst comes to the worst, I can still talk to her.

The biggest loss would be the magic.

"**By the way, do you have a wife?**"

"**No, but...**"

"**Would you like me to introduce you to someone? What type do you like?**"

What's this? So sudden.

Is he trying to strengthen the connection?

Maybe he wants to introduce me to a relative or a noble's daughter to get some technology?

Not that easy.

Besides, Tera is scary. She'll kill me.

But how do I refuse...

I got it!!

"**Yuria, then. Will you give her to me?**"

"**No way.**"

King Rosais snorts.

I managed to get out of it somehow.

I glance at Yuria, and she's blushing and frozen.

Hey, with that face, it looks like I'm serious.

What if King Rosais kills me.

"**Hey, you don't mean...**"

There, I'm being glared at.

What do I do?

"**Are you serious?**"

"**Well, what do you think?**"

I act playful.

I don't firmly deny it out of consideration for Yuria, and also because it's somewhat true.

"**You're a tricky one. Are you really fifteen?**"

"**Actually, I'm over twenty.**"

"**Don't lie. In any case, you're still young.**"

Well, that's true.

Now that I think about it, I'm not that nervous.

Maybe it's because I see him more as Yuria's father than as a king, or maybe I'm just a strong type of person...

"**By the way, your village is close to King Verm's country, isn't it?**"

"**Yes, but...**"

"**If something happens, would you consider coordinating with us?**"

Here comes the troublesome part.

In essence, he's asking for an alliance.

If I accept, the risk of being dragged into war increases.

If I refuse, I'll have to defend myself alone.

It's a very troublesome issue, even in modern times.

"**...Can I think about it? We have very few people. That's why we can't easily go to war. I hope you understand.**"

It would be fine if we were a country with considerable power.

But we only have about thirty people who can fight.

Fortunately, we have technology. We can negotiate to some extent with that as leverage.

There are plenty of ways to avoid war.

I would gladly accept if King Rosais's country were smaller than King Verm's.

But King Rosais's country is larger than King Verm's.

So, it's more likely that King Rosais's country would be the one to initiate an attack, not King Verm.

Mutual defense would be fine, but spilling blood in an invasion war is foolish.

"**I understand that much, of course. I hope you can give me a favorable answer.**"

He backs off.

He probably thinks there's still time for negotiation.

Do I have to have this discussion every time we meet...

Maybe I should prepare some weapons.

"**Lastly, about the foreigners... the Kirisians, right? I want to buy livestock from them. Can you introduce me?**"

"**That's not a problem. There are several Kirisian colonies far to the south. You can get all sorts of rare items there. I'll write a letter of introduction.**"

"**Thank you. Is there anything...**"

"**No, it's just writing.**"

With that, King Rosais writes on a wooden board with ink.

There's no paper here...

"**Well, I've had a productive time today.**"

"**I have too. Would you like to stay the night?**"

"**No, I told my village friends I would return today.**"

I stand up.

It feels a bit rude to decline the invitation, but staying here is dangerous.

If I get drunk and they take advantage of me to create a fait accompli, it would be troublesome.

Besides, Tera would kill me.

King Rosais is very lenient with his only daughter.

Maybe it's because he's on the verge of death.