Chapter 130 - Episode 127: The Meeting
"There is no need to be so nervous. They are the ones who requested the meeting. You are, so to speak, the guest."
"Even if you say that... when it comes to a discussion with the Minister of Military Affairs, it is far too daunting for a petty noble like me."
While exchanging these words, Noein was being carried to the royal castle alongside Arnold in the carriage of the Viscount Koenitz family. Clara remained behind to watch the house, and Noein was accompanied only by Matilda as his guard.
To ensure they would not be late for the ceremony under any circumstances, Noein and the others had arrived in the royal capital with about a week to spare. Consequently, Count Burkhard, the Kingdom's Minister of Military Affairs, who had learned of Noein's arrival, requested a meeting, and they were headed toward the Ministry of Military Affairs headquarters within the royal palace.
"The topics of discussion are decided: the Crossbow, the Ballista, and the potatoes. It is simply a matter of offering them as a tribute... They should not make any unreasonable demands. We will be present as well, so there is nothing to fear."
At the moment Noein was informed of the request for a meeting, the general purpose had also been conveyed. In short, it was that they wanted him to present some Crossbows, potatoes, and Ballistas to the royal family.
Marquis Bechtolsheim, the leader of the Northwestern faction, would also attend the meeting, and Arnold would be present under the pretext of introducing Noein. Even so, Noein was somewhat nervous about meeting the head of the country's military department.
Soon, the carriage arrived at the Ministry of Military Affairs headquarters, and Arnold and Noein were shown to a room within the facility.
"Oh, you two have arrived."
The first person to speak to the two as they entered the room was Marquis Bechtolsheim, who had arrived ahead of them.
Following the Marquis, the man beside him—Count Burkhard—also stood up and gave a slight bow with precise movements. In response, Arnold and Noein showed their respect as lower-ranking nobles by placing their right hands over their left chests.
"It has been a long time, Lord Koenitz."
"Yes, it has been some time. Your Excellency, Count Burkhard."
After exchanging brief greetings with Arnold, Count Burkhard turned his gaze toward Noein.
"Meeting you for the first time, Baronet Arqvist... A youthful young man accompanied by a beastman slave; you are exactly as I heard."
"I am profoundly honored to be granted this opportunity to meet you, Your Excellency, Count Burkhard."
"Hahaha, do not be so nervous. For now, please take a seat."
Count Burkhard laughed softly at Noein, who spoke in a somewhat stiff voice, and urged him to sit. Once everyone was seated, the discussion began.
"Now then... I believe you have heard the general gist of this beforehand, but the reason I have asked you to come here today is for no other than the matter of several inventions created within your territory."
Count Burkhard cut straight to the main point. His expression was calm and his tone soft, but to Noein, his gaze seemed sharp, leaving not a single opening.
"Yes. The Crossbow, the Ballista, and the potatoes. The former two were developed by an excellent blacksmith employed by the House of Baronet Arqvist, and the latter I cultivated by purchasing imports from the Southern Continent based on knowledge I obtained from books."
"Precisely. Regarding the Crossbow, I have heard of its utility from various quarters during the previous war with the Kingdom of Lancel. And regarding the Ballista, as well as the Explosive Flame Arrows... I have received reports from Knight Frederick Koenitz, the son of Lord Koenitz. That they are weapons possessing terrifying attack power."
Count Burkhard seemed to already know the details. Seeing that Marquis Bechtolsheim beside him maintained a composed face, Noein figured that an agreement had already been reached between the leader of the Northwestern faction and the head of the national army.
Regarding the Explosive Flame Arrows, he had wanted to keep them secret as a weapon exclusive to his own territory if possible, but since Frederick and the royal army soldiers under him had seen them, it seemed impossible to hide them from the royal family.
"Furthermore, I have heard from His Excellency Bechtolsheim that the crop known as the potato is extremely useful for improving food production capacity. I understand that a certain level of cultivation knowledge has been established in your territory? His Majesty has stated that he wishes for you to present the actual items and the production knowledge regarding the Crossbow, the Ballista, the Explosive Flame Arrows, and the potatoes to the royal family."
"If you present them to the royal family, His Majesty has granted permission that you need not necessarily provide them actively to other regional noble factions... That said, regarding the Crossbow, since it was used on a large scale in the war, secrecy is no longer possible."
Marquis Bechtolsheim spoke, supplementing Count Burkhard's words. In other words, as long as he handed over the Crossbows, Ballistas, Explosive Flame Arrows, and potatoes to the royal family, the Northwestern faction alone could mass-produce them and strengthen their influence as they pleased.
As the Marquis said, it was too late for the Crossbow, and information about the other items would eventually leak out from somewhere, but even so, the Northwestern faction would likely achieve development several years ahead of other factions.
For Marquis Bechtolsheim, who wanted to protect the interests of the Northwestern faction, this was an impeccable arrangement. And it seemed he also remembered that Noein had once said he "wanted to make the Northwestern faction strong to use as his own backing."
"Of course, for establishing the manufacturing methods of these new weapons and the cultivation method of the potatoes and presenting them, a fitting reward will be given to you. I believe this is not a bad deal, but what do you think?"
What did he think? If the royal family wanted them and the faction leader, Marquis Bechtolsheim, had approved it, there was no way a lower noble like Noein had any means to refuse.
It was only phrased gently to avoid causing friction, but this was effectively an order. The fact that they were framing it as Noein presenting them himself so that he could receive a reward made it almost conscientious.
"I feel this is a most honorable proposal. I would be delighted to present them and wish to contribute to the royal family in my own meager way."
With no other options, Noein answered with a fake smile that seemed to say, "I am overjoyed to be of use to the royal family." Truthfully, he wanted to keep the new weapons and potatoes exclusive to the Northwest for now, but if he recklessly opposed the royal family, he might be viewed as a rebel element.
"That is good. His Majesty will surely be pleased with your loyalty... Now then, let us decide on the specific quantities and contents to be presented."
In the subsequent discussion, it was decided that 100 Crossbows, 4 Ballistas, 50 Explosive Flame Arrows, and 500kg of potatoes would be presented to the royal family. Naturally, the manufacturing and cultivation know-how were included as well.
The delivery deadline was the end of the year. Since there was not much time to spare, they decided to borrow the help of the Viscount Koenitz family to send a fast horse to the Arqvist territory as early as tomorrow.
"Now, what about the reward?"
"Regarding that, while the potatoes and Explosive Flame Arrows were my own ideas, the Crossbow and Ballista, as I mentioned before, were independently developed by a craftsman in my territory. I would be grateful if some form of reward could also be given to this craftsman..."
"I see... Then, how about granting that craftsman a sum of money and the title of honorary noble?"
"That is... that craftsman is a tremendous eccentric, so I believe he would likely show no interest in an honorary noble title."
"Hahaha, to be called an eccentric by an eccentric lord yourself, he must be quite the oddball."
Noein gave a wry smile at Count Burkhard's words. Damian was a man who, even when picked up by Noein, rejoiced in the fact that he could devote himself to development more than in the status of a squire. He would likely not even glance at an honorary noble title, and even if he received money, he would probably pour it all into expanding his workshop.
"However, that man is very particular about leaving his name behind as a craftsman. He is a blacksmith named Damian; I would be grateful if you could ensure that his name is carved into the history books and that he is widely known as a great man who contributed to the strengthening of national power."
"Damian, I see. I promise to ensure that he carves his name into the history of the kingdom as a great craftsman. I will inform the records department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs immediately, and I will arrange for him to be taught as an important figure even at the officer academy after the new weapons have become widely widespread."
"Thank you very much. I believe he will be greatly satisfied."
Damian was someone who cared only about working to his heart's content as a craftsman and leaving results. If he knew his name would certainly remain in the kingdom's history, he would likely create the Crossbows and Ballistas for presentation while dancing with joy.
"...Now, for the reward for you yourself. I believe His Majesty will approve of most things, so what do you want?"
Told this by Count Burkhard, Noein thought.
This was separate from the rewards for merit in war. This was a personal reward from the royal family in exchange for the various trump cards of the Arqvist territory. He had to think carefully about what to receive for the sake of his territory, and for his own happiness and peace.
He had to think of something that could only be obtained from the royal family.
After thinking for a while, Noein spoke.
"Then, I have two requests. Before that... Your Excellency, Count Burkhard, are you aware of my origins?"