Chapter 25

Well, I'll translate this extensive text into English for you:

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As I mentioned before, in the past, nobles were expected to work according to their rank and status. Do you remember that?

My current rank is still fifth from the bottom. In reality, I'm a baron! ...How did it come to this?

This means that the country expects me to do work befitting my rank.

Not only am I expected to contribute regularly, but in times of war, I am also required to perform my duties. It's a very difficult position to be in.

If war breaks out, even as a student, it would be difficult for me, a baron, to refuse a call to arms. Therefore, I decided to lay some groundwork. ...At the tavern!

"Leon, did you really get an airship?"

"I'm so jealous. It's a warship, right?"

"Having an airship is enviable enough. I don't have one at home."

At the tavern where I gathered the heirs of rural nobility, I was hosting a banquet to celebrate my recent achievements and various profits. It was a way to socialize with my peers in the same group.

There was envy, but it also included feelings of jealousy and resentment. ...As expected.

In front of these same group members, I said:

"Yeah, I got it and it's being maintained. But I have too many. Even with my father's house, we still have more than we can handle."

The boys' gazes sharpened at this.

Daniel swallowed hard.

"...Do you guys want them?"

Raymond stood up on the spot.

For those who will inherit their families, an airship is something they desperately want. Owning one makes a huge difference. However, buying one is expensive.

Maintenance costs are also significant.

Most baronial families use old, cheap airships. None of the people here own the latest models from the duchy.

"What do you want in return?"

Everyone knows the value. They understand that getting something for free is too good to be true and would be considered a scam. On the contrary, I appreciate that they don't expect it to be free.

I took a sip of my drink to moisten my mouth and looked at everyone's faces.

"Actually, I'm setting up a factory at my family's estate. It will be for maintaining the ships. If you can entrust all maintenance to me... I'll provide them for free."

The boys' eyes widened.

"Is there such a convenient deal?"

"Is it defective?"

"But it's a duchy airship, right? If it actually works, it's not defective."

I faced the boys, who were eager to know.

"I want you to feel reassured. I'm also considering my profits. Besides, I promise not to make excessive profits from repairs and other services."

I don't like the method of providing things at a low price and then making excessive profits from maintenance.

Still, they had doubts, and I sighed.

"Alright. For each airship, I'll also provide up to four suits of armor for free. Duchy armor. I guarantee the quality."

Raymond wobbled towards me, but Daniel held him back.

"Wait, Raymond! This is Leon. He might suck the marrow out of your bones if you're not careful!"

"Ha! That's right!"

My sensitive heart cried out at my friend's harsh evaluation.

The others had similar expressions. It was cold and made me want to cry, even though I brought a good deal to everyone in the same group.

"It's a shame. If you all perform well, it will also be good publicity for the factory I plan to set up. It would have been a mutually beneficial arrangement. I'm sorry. I'll consult with others."

Daniel called out to stop me.

"Wait! Is it really free? It won't be broken or cost extra, right?"

"I want you to trust me. I'm a man who doesn't lie."

Several boys were saying "liar" which made me sad, but I wasn't lying.

I intend to do business properly.

I'm setting up a factory at my family's estate, and I will be the owner. I plan to earn money from the factory in the future and contribute to the kingdom. Advancement is tough. I need to earn money.

Reward? It's not possible. Being asked to contribute every year, a one-time payment is meaningless. Such money would be used up in ten years, leaving nothing behind.

The floating island I own can only generate income at the level of a minor baronial family. Even if it thrives as a tourist destination, it won't match the income of a baronial family.

That's why I'm setting up a factory to increase future income sources.

"I wouldn't sell a broken airship. It would ruin my reputation for future business. If I set up a factory right away, there would be no customers. So, I'm making some sacrifices to gain customers. Fortunately, I have captured airships."

Airships that can be sold are not that large, ranging from fifty to a hundred meters. They are easy to handle, and smaller ones are also popular.

Thinking back, Luxion and Partner... were too big.

"Airships and armor are practically free for now! Don't worry about maintenance. We will take full responsibility!"

The boys raised their hands one after another.

"I'll take it!""Me too!""Me too!"

I smiled and prepared the contracts to give to them.

"Here, send this to your family and have them sign it. Make sure to explain it properly to your family. Oh, if you have old airships, I'll buy them."

Seeing everyone receive the documents and be excited, I smiled.

"Everyone, let's continue to be good friends."

...Thank you for jumping at the chance for practically free.

Gentlemen, let's work together for a long time. With the important maintenance of your airships in my hands, it will be harder for you to betray me. I smiled broadly in front of my friends.

◇

At the mansion of a ducal family in the capital.

Gilbert, the heir of the ducal family, was there.

Ange, who was on a break from school, had been called by her brother.

"Brother, is there a problem?"

Gilbert had a slightly troubled look.

He showed Ange the documents on the table.

"…What is this? A contract for the sale of airships?"

"That's right. Leon prepared it and is distributing it to baronial families."

"Leon?"

Hearing this, Ange had a bad feeling. Her family, the ducal house, might be displeased with Leon's actions.

"I'm sorry. I'll stop him immediately."

"There's no need. The issue itself is not a problem."

Ange was relieved to hear that it wasn't a problem.

But she was curious about why she was called.

"Then, what is it?"

"Don't you understand? —Leon Fou Bartalfort is either preparing for a war with the duchy or believes a major war will break out. The establishment of the factory is also too hasty. Normally, offering airships for free would be considered foolish and laughed at..."

Gilbert told Ange that the kingdom's leadership was taking the current incident lightly.

"The royal palace is underestimating the duchy, which was defeated by students. However, those who fought are on high alert. …How should we interpret this?"

Gilbert was asking Ange for her opinion.

"I, I don't know. But—"

"But?"

"But—He has indeed been busy lately. He has been focusing on training. He said he would enter the dungeon today. The atmosphere is different from before."

He said something like, "The Black Knight is too strong, so I'm losing confidence and working hard," but when Ange thought about it—

(Is he on guard against the duchy? The royal palace is hardly on guard?)

The duchy, which was defeated by the students.

The royal palace made this judgment.

Hearing that the Black Knight also lost, they thought, "Even a famous knight is getting old."

Gilbert was tapping his fingers on the table, thinking.

"The princess of the duchy, who controls monsters, and the magic flute are indeed in the kingdom's hands. Negotiations will begin soon, but... I don't understand why we should be on guard. It doesn't seem meaningless. He is truly troublesome."

Ange, who was curious, asked.

"What will be done with Princess Heltrude?"

"Her treatment, you ask. It's too lenient. It has been decided to let her continue her studies in the kingdom."

Ange's eyes widened.

Gilbert also seemed to be against it.

"The royal palace believes that learning the strength of our country at school is sufficient. There were few casualties. They probably see this as an opportunity to bring the princess back and place the duchy under our control again."

As Ange couldn't agree, Gilbert changed the topic. He seemed to have no more questions since he understood that Leon was on guard.

"Changing the topic, you seem to be quite close to the special students, don't you?"

Ange looked down, and Gilbert continued.

"I'm not saying you should dislike the special students. It's the royal palace's decision. But there's no reason to be overly friendly."

Ange showed a strong-willed gaze in front of Gilbert.

"…They are my