Chapter 50

Today, I'm updating three chapters as a Christmas present. Please be advised.

There's an issue with the remaining backlog of writing being quite low.

There's a possibility I might take a break.

"Rock salt... how wonderful."

I said this while inspecting the mine we had discovered.

Rock salt can be sold at a very high price overseas.

While the Adeinia Peninsula has an abundance of rock salt, making it not so valuable here, it is always in short supply overseas.

Both the Kirishia countries and the Persian Empire have large populations, so they need salt.

"Wow, this is amazing!! Really! I never thought we'd find rock salt. By the way, there's an efficient method for mining rock salt. I can teach you, but in return..."

Einz approached me, rubbing his hands together.

But Ismea intervened.

"No, my lord. There's no need to deal with such a merchant. I know how to mine rock salt."

"Haha, an architect teaching mining methods? Someone who fled to the Adeinia Peninsula because they couldn't find a job elsewhere, what do you know..."

"You're just a merchant too, aren't you? You really wanted to trade with the East, but the competition was too fierce, so you're buying salt here and selling it. Am I wrong?"

Sparks flew between the two.

"Hey, Seimei. Are merchants who do business in the Adeinia Peninsula losers?"

When I asked, Seimei smiled wryly.

"Well... it's true that the profits from trading with the East are higher... but for a large merchant guild like the Einzworth Trading Company, the difference isn't that big. In fact, by entering a less competitive market early and making a profit, they might be considered winners. Salt trade is profitable. It's said that salt from the Adeinia Peninsula can be sold for ten times the purchase price in Persia."

Ten times. Even considering transportation costs, it's a huge profit.

I see. So, Ismea is the only loser here.

"Ismea, do you really know how to mine rock salt?"

"Yes, of course."

Ismea puffed out her chest.

Well, if she knows, it's not a problem.

"So, Mr. Einz, we'll discuss the mining method another time... but..."

I leaned in close to Einz's ear.

"I'll favor you as much as I can."

"That... thank you. Next time, I'll give you a special service."

We laughed together.

"Wow, you look so evil..."

Ron was taken aback.

"But it's really good news, right, brother!!"

Rosward got excited.

Well, it is good news, but...

"There's a problem, though..."

"What kind of problem?"

Soyeon tilted her head.

"Is there a problem with having too much salt? Will the market price drop? But that's impossible, right?"

If we could dig enough to cause a price drop, it would balance out the problem, but...

We can't dig that much.

"This used to be the Dibel territory."

Tetra pointed out the problem.

"Speaking of which, the eastern part of the As territory was originally part of our Dibel family's land, wasn't it?"

Rigal called his close aide, Vermouth, and his closest relative, Gilbert, and said this.

"Now that you mention it, that was Dibel family land."

"Right... it was taken by King Verm."

The two nodded in agreement.

The eastern part of the As territory.

This area was not originally part of the As territory.

After King Verm took the As territory, he attacked the Dibel territory and took this area.

It was under King Verm's control for a long time.

Later, the former Verm territory came under Almus's control.

So, the current eastern part of the As territory could be considered Dibel family property.

However, this is a rather forceful interpretation.

The ownership of a territory is determined by war and actual control.

That's why no one mentioned the territorial issue.

But with the discovery of the rock salt mine, things are different.

"Many of our people were abducted to that area during King Verm's reign."

It was more like they fled, but that's a matter of wording.

The important thing is that the eastern part of the As territory was originally Dibel territory, and many former Dibel residents still live there.

"It was impossible to take it back during King Verm's reign... but can we do it now?"

Rigal asked the two.

About five years ago, King Verm attacked the Dibel territory, and Rigal fought against him.

And he was defeated badly.

So badly that Rigal defecated while crying.

Incidentally, Rigal is ashamed of this, and if you mention feces in front of him, he might kill you, so it's taboo to talk about feces in front of Rigal.

At that time, King Verm laughed heartily and made a secret non-aggression pact with Rigal.

To King Verm, Rigal Dibel was easy to defeat. But being threatened from behind was dangerous.

If Rigal Dibel didn't raise an army, others wouldn't either.

This was the thinking behind the treaty.

Additionally, it aimed to sow distrust between King Rosais and Rigal Dibel and his allies, who shared a border but didn't raise an army.

In any case, Rigal feared King Verm.

But King Verm died easily.

Now, the one in the As territory is a young man in his teens, rumored to be the son of a griffin or the son of a war god.

It seems easy to take it back.

"Alright, let's protest, Lord Rigal!! If they refuse, we can just attack and take it back. They are illegally occupying our land!!"

Gilbert shouted loudly.

It's a bit forceful, but the rock salt mine is very tempting.

Rigal was about to agree with the plan, but...

"Wait a moment!!"

Vermouth stopped him.

"Please think calmly. That land was newly granted to Almus As by King Rosais. So, we can consider our relationship with them severed. Moreover, they have a legitimate claim. Almus As is in actual control, and King Rosais, who would arbitrate the territorial dispute, is clearly biased towards Almus As. I think it's better not to protest. If we use force, we'll lose credibility."

Generally, the one who initiates a military conflict is seen as the aggressor, regardless of how just their cause is.

It's common for disputes over water sources between border villages to escalate into armed conflicts, leading to disputes between lords and ultimately military clashes.

However, according to the customs of King Rosais's country, territorial disputes should be resolved through negotiations, arbitrated by King Rosais.

Using force is a poor strategy.

Moreover, while both parties might be punished in a water source dispute, it's impossible to punish both equally if one side steals a rock salt mine.

"Moreover, I think we should avoid antagonizing Almus As."

"Why?"

Rigal asked Vermouth.

He thought it would be fine to destroy them.

There are quite a few nobles who resent the sudden rise of Almus and believe they won't lose.

"We should look to the future. If you become king, Almus As will be the most powerful noble in the country. It's better to build a friendly relationship. Fortunately, Almus As doesn't seem to have much ambition. They appear to be trying to avoid conflict with us."

"So, you want us to kowtow to them?"

Gilbert looked at Vermouth as if he were a fool.

Gilbert usually thought of Vermouth as a coward.

But Vermouth ignored Gilbert and approached Rigal.

"Do you understand? When you ascend to the throne, the country will inevitably be in turmoil. At that time, there's a risk that Almus As might invite King Domorgal into the country. Therefore, we must not antagonize Almus As. On the contrary, making them an ally would be a significant advantage for us."

Rigal was conflicted.

The plan he most agreed with was Gilbert's.

Rigal was confident he could defeat Almus As. He had no evidence, but he was certain he could win.

However, Vermouth was a loyal and capable minister who had supported him.

So far, following Vermouth's advice had never led to a mistake.

But...

"They harbored fugitives. Isn't that enough to consider them hostile?"

"True, but..."

"I can't be friendly with them. They are our enemies. I want to weaken them. I want to find a way to take the rock salt mine... do you have any good ideas?"

Rigal said this.

Vermouth sighed inwardly.

In politics, it's important to work with both friends and foes.

You have to deal with people you don't like.

In fact, King Rosais did nothing to help the Dibel family when they were attacked by King Verm's country.

This time, they only harbored two hundred fugitives... a small matter.

If we make a fuss over this, how many nobles will we end up antagonizing after becoming king...

Moreover, the mine can't be easily taken.

We would almost certainly lose in court. If we try to take it by force, we'll face criticism and ultimately have to give it up.

However, Rigal rarely changes his mind.

We should consider a second-best plan.

"If we sue King Rosais, what are our chances of winning?"

Rigal asked.

Vermouth replied,

"Extremely low... if we lose, our reputation will definitely suffer."

"In that case, we have no choice but to take it by force."

Gilbert said this with enthusiasm.

He seemed ready to lead an army and attack immediately.

But...

"If we do that, we'll be the ones breaking the law."

"Then what do you suggest!!"

Vermouth answered the question.

"Let them fire the first shot."