Chapter 85

The water lapped against the edges of the flat-bottomed boat as it moved through the reed fields like a needle threading through fabric.

In the vast wetlands, there was still a flow of water in this area. Raising his hand to signal the boatman to stop, Reinhold began to mark the direction of the water flow on the map that charted the waterways.

"Are you really planning to build a waterway here, Mr. Reinhold?"

Godhardt, who was drinking despite the early hour, asked with a puzzled look.

This wetland, a short distance north of the ancient city, had plenty of water, but there were no records of trading ships passing through.

Local fishermen would bring in small fishing boats to catch small fish like Bolganga, Sekko, and Bousgyora, but that was all.

"We have been investigating bit by bit, and it doesn't seem impossible."

"Not impossible, huh? A convenient word."

The other passenger on the boat muttered sarcastically.

Marcel.

A master of the weaving guild and the current chairman of the ancient city's council of aldermen.

There was a reason why three councilors and the boatman had come out to such a place in a flat-bottomed boat. They were investigating whether a waterway could be built through this wetland.

"If we can build a waterway here, it will bring great benefits to the ancient city, as I mentioned the other day, Mr. Marcel."

"The argument was sound. But seeing this place in person..."

The flat-bottomed boat, which the three councilors and the boatman were riding, was a small boat owned by the council for communication purposes. With a shallow draft, it could navigate shallower waters than trading ships. However, just because this boat could pass through didn't mean a waterway could be established immediately.

"Some dredging will be necessary. That's certain. But once completed, the benefits will be significant."

Reinhold readily acknowledged that the wetland's bottom would need to be excavated. It would be a massive project, not impossible, but with many challenges to overcome.

"That's all well and good, Mr. Reinhold. What do you plan to do about the manpower? The ancient city's council has the financial resources from the success of the great market, but it's difficult to gather the necessary people."

Marcel, who had been chosen for the council in a negative way due to a lack of other candidates, was rapidly developing political skills. The environment of the ancient city was the reason. Meeting with the former emperor and other imperial dignitaries in preparation for the year-end great market, Marcel was thrust into a deep valley of growth at his age.

Whether he had talent or not, there was no better political school.

"We will use mercenaries."

"Mercenaries, huh? I didn't expect that."

Marcel's reaction to Reinhold's answer was not without reason.

Among the problems the ancient city currently faced, the issue of mercenaries was a significant one.

The problems in the three northern territories had been resolved, and the witch hunt had been prevented.

Ultimately, the current northern empire was too peaceful.

Once mercenaries flowed in, they would start moving when there was no more war. While it would be nice to pay them to leave, some unscrupulous mercenaries would attack small villages on their way out.

"Many mercenaries are originally good citizens. They become mercenaries because they have no work."

"Providing them with work doesn't guarantee they'll return to being good citizens. It might just tie them to this land."

"If we tie them to this land, the ancient city will become prosperous once the waterway is completed. With prosperity, we can change how we deal with mercenaries."

Marcel grunted lowly at Reinhold's words.

He understood that giving work to some mercenaries would lead them to lay down their arms and become farmers or citizens. However, he couldn't easily agree because he was the chairman of the ancient city's council.

The ancient city needed stability more than prosperity. That was the chairman's duty. He feared making the same mistake as the previous chairman, Baxhof, who had pursued profit and strayed from the right path. Reinhold understood this well.

The waterway would bring profit.

The ancient city, cradled by the great Velfrau River, had flourished due to water transport. Since the ancient empire era, it had been a key transportation hub.

However, the city's prosperity was now showing signs of decline.

All three councilors on the boat must have been concerned about this.

"Indeed, if we can build a waterway here, we won't have to pay river tolls anymore."

Godhardt, lying down with a drunken gaze, muttered.

Reinhold and Marcel nodded.

Several nobles were enfeoffed in the Velfrau River basin north of the ancient city. Not all of them were wealthy, and in recent years, they had imposed river tolls downstream of the ancient city.

The payments from individual households were not significant, but they added up to a considerable amount.

Reinhold, who had been at the center of the ancient city's cargo handling, knew the merchants' complaints. Since he had become involved in the octopus trade, he had felt the severity of the problem even more acutely.

He had also appealed to the imperial parliament, but the nobles' response was disappointingly slow.

It was only natural, as there were few imperial direct-controlled cities like the ancient city with seats in the parliament. With most seats held by the nobles, it was inevitable that the discussions would favor the nobles.

Moreover, there was even a movement to introduce river tolls in their own territories. The costs to maintain the nobles' dignity were increasing every year, but there were no golden geese to lay the golden eggs.

That's why they needed the waterway.

It wasn't just for importing octopus and dried fish. If they could send goods to the northern port towns through this route, the struggling guilds would be revitalized.

The reason was that this wetland was unclaimed land. Only small fish and poor-quality peat could be harvested.

The imperial direct-controlled territory sounded impressive, but the truth was that no one wanted to claim this land.

While increasing territory was usually a cause for celebration, this land was one of the few that was avoided as a disgrace to future generations.

If they could build a waterway here and establish a fait accompli, the land would eventually be recognized by the imperial parliament as an annex to the ancient city. It was that kind of land.

"If the river tolls are eliminated, the ancient city's weaving guild will be saved, indeed."

Marcel's position was difficult. He was the chairman of the ancient city's council but not the representative of the entire weaving guild. He was the representative of one of the three guilds. While he should act as the chairman, he didn't want to be seen as guiding the guild's interests.

"Mr. Marcel, this is about the benefit of the entire ancient city."

"I understand. I'm a true native of the ancient city, after all."

Marcel shook Reinhold's hand, which was then enveloped by Godhardt's large, rough palm.

The bet was won.

Reinhold had a near certainty that Marcel wanted to agree to the waterway, but the issue was his position as a politician.

When Marcel referred to himself as a native of the ancient city rather than the council chairman, the victory was finally secured.

If nothing was done, the ancient city would gradually decline.

But it was not too late to act now.

"…Well, now that Mr. Reinhold's agenda is over, it's my turn."

Marcel cleared his throat and began to speak.

He was quite cunning. It seemed he had come along with Reinhold and Godhardt's invitation but had his own secret agenda.

"What is it, Mr. Marcel? I hope it's not too serious."

"Rather, it's a happy matter."

"Ah, a happy matter is always welcome."

Godhardt, who had finished all the wine, sat up straight.

"It's still a secret, but… there has been a proposal for a match in the ancient city."

"A match, you say?"

Matches were not uncommon. The ancient city, as its name suggests, was an old and prosperous town with many historic inns and dining places. Noble matches were a daily occurrence.

"If you're rejecting it, Mr. Marcel, it must be a big catch. Like a marquis, for example."

When Godhardt thought of a marquis, he probably thought of Arnu Saknussenburg. Considering his age, it wasn't unnatural for him to be looking for a match.

As the lord of the neighboring territory, he had some influence on the city's administration. There were many things to consider in advance.

"Arnu's young lord would make a good husband."

"…Who said it was about the Marquis of Saknussenburg?"

"Is it not, Mr. Marcel?"

If it was someone less prestigious than a marquis, many noble faces came to mind, but none seemed particularly important.

Just as he was about to be disappointed, Marcel muttered:

"The match is with His Majesty the Emperor himself."

The enormity of the matter left Reinhold and Godhardt with nothing but a weak laugh.

Indeed, the current emperor was unmarried.

Rumors of his shyness or inability had circulated, but it was generally assumed that he would eventually take a wife. The time had come, but for it to be in the ancient city was unexpected.

"Then we must prepare accordingly."

"That's easier said than done, Mr. Godhardt. There are no precedents for such a formal match."

"There must be some precedents. If we need to do research, we can ask the cathedral for help. They wouldn't refuse such a celebration."

For Reinhold, failure was not an option. He had already transferred the fishing rights to Godhardt, but if the match in the ancient city succeeded, there might be some form of imperial favor.

He no longer had any attachment to the fishing rights, but the desire to obtain some imperial decree or charter had always smoldered.

"Who is the match with, then?"

In response to Godhardt's question, Marcel weakly shook his head and answered weakly.

"Celestina de Oria. The regent princess of the Eastern Kingdom."

This time, both of them were silent.