Chapter 216 - Episode 209: A Profitable Proposal and a Sudden Turn of Events
About half a month had passed since the business negotiations with Philip.
Noein, who had been told by Marquis Siegfried Bechtolsheim—the leader of the Northwestern faction—that "there is something I wish to discuss urgently, so please come to the Marquisate," departed his territory while becoming increasingly certain that war with the Pallas Empire was about to break out.
He arrived at Bechtoria, the capital of the Marquisate, the following week and met with Marquis Bechtolsheim at the Marquis's mansion shortly thereafter.
"My apologies for summoning you so abruptly, Lord Arqvist."
"Not at all. As a member of the Northwestern faction, it is only natural that I should hasten to attend when called."
"A commendable attitude... Now then, since I have called you here, there is a matter of corresponding importance. I imagine you wish to hear it quickly. Shall we move to the main topic?"
"Yes. I would very much like to hear it."
Noein straightened his posture and responded to the Marquis, who had cleanly omitted the rambling greetings characteristic of nobles.
"...In the late autumn of this year, the Kingdom of Roadberg will launch an offensive against the Pallas Empire. In short, it is war. That said, few nobles in this Northwest will be directly involved, and I am not telling you, as the one tasked with the defense of the northwestern border, that you must go to the front."
"...I see."
Noein answered quietly. It was just as he expected. If anything, the start of the offensive was earlier than anticipated. He had thought that if preparations were to be made now, it would be around the end of winter next year.
"You do not seem surprised?"
"I had heard rumors. I also maintain my own information network, for what it's worth."
"Hahaha, is that so. You are thorough, my Lord."
Noein returned a smile to Marquis Bechtolsheim, who wore a faint, wry smile.
"Originally, it seems the royal spies caught signs that the Pallas Empire would launch an offensive around next year. Therefore, a plan was hastily drawn up to attack from our side before we became passive, and then withdraw just before winter to seal off the enemy's counterattack."
"I see, that is why the attack is in late autumn."
Once winter arrives, it becomes difficult for the enemy to launch a large-scale counterattack. From the Kingdom of Roadberg's perspective, a late autumn offensive was a perfect opportunity to strike the opponent in a short-term decisive battle.
"That is the way of it. And so... due to a strong request from the royal family, it has been decided to lift the ban on the sale of the Northwest's unique weapons and supplies to nobles of other factions—namely, the ballista, the crossbow, and potatoes. Our monopoly has reached its limit."
Pausing there, the Marquis gave a small sigh.
"...Thanks to the potatoes, we increased our agricultural productivity, and with the introduction of new weapons, our military strength also grew. Based on that foundation, our population will increase and we will develop economically ahead of other factions from here on. The results of several years of monopoly were sufficient."
Noein had heard such things several times. That the Northwestern faction, once said to be the weakest among the regional factions, would soon surpass the Northeastern faction—which had been third—if it continued to develop at this pace.
Even if exports were opened to other factions, they could maintain an advantage of several years before the potatoes and weapons fully permeated. The momentum of the Northwestern faction would likely be maintained for the time being.
"...Even hearing about the lifting of the export ban does not surprise me."
"Yes, well... I had a vague feeling that this would happen."
"You predicted this as well? You really are devoid of any endearing qualities."
Seeing Noein remain calm, Marquis Bechtolsheim laughed with amusement.
"Well, regarding the potatoes, it seems some have already leaked to other factions through smuggling. As for the crossbows, I hear imitations made by trial and error are circulating... but if they can buy genuine products openly, many nobles will want them. The people in the East also seem to want to use them in actual combat as soon as possible. The leaders of the Northeast and Southeast have asked me to arrange the exports."
Having spoken that far, the Marquis turned a sharp gaze toward Noein.
"I will ask you bluntly. Assuming delivery to the Northeast and Southeast within four months, how many ballistae and crossbows can you provide?"
"...Perhaps 20 ballistae and 100 crossbows. And 30 times that amount in bolts for each."
Noein answered after thinking for a few seconds. In addition to the orders he was already receiving from other nobles within the Northwest, he honestly stated the number he believed could be produced additionally from now.
"That is four months, including the time for transport? Setting aside the crossbows, can you produce as many as 20 ballistae?"
"Yes. My territory has established an efficient mass-production system for weapons."
By mobilizing the golem users of the Claymores, large metal parts for the ballistae could be mass-produced using die forging. Excluding the days required for transport, Noein figured that if he could use about two and a half months for production, producing this number was entirely possible for the current Arqvist territory.
"...I see. I was told by the East that they wanted a total of 30 ballistae, and I replied that the Northwest as a whole could probably only prepare about half... but you alone can provide two-thirds. The rest can be managed if the other territories produce them in a distributed manner."
Since ballistae had already been sold to the primary high-ranking nobles of the Northwest, it would be possible for them to make the same ones based on those, regardless of production efficiency.
"Very well, then. I want you to deliver 10 ballistae and 300 bolts, and 50 crossbows and 1500 bolts to Marquis Staufenberg, the leader of the Northeastern faction, by mid-October; and the same amount to Marquis Bittenfeld, the leader of the Southeastern faction, by the end of October. I will handle the communication with them, so you only need to send the goods to their respective capitals... How does that sound?"
"...Understood. I would be delighted to accept this proposal."
Noein smiled and nodded to the Marquis's proposal.
After that, the meeting continued for a while regarding the sale price of the ballistae and crossbows, as well as the additional transport costs.
.....
"Phew... it went exactly as expected, to a laughable degree, didn't it, Matilda?"
"Yes. As expected of Noein-sama. Your insight is wonderful."
After finishing the discussion and leaving the mansion of Marquis Bechtolsheim, Noein exchanged these words with Matilda inside the carriage. Since the contents of the conversation with the Marquis were roughly as he had envisioned, it had been a truly easy meeting.
Predicting that he would be given such a proposal, Noein had already thought about his next move.
On the way back from the Bechtolsheim Marquisate to the Arqvist territory, he stayed one night in Retovik, the territory of Viscount Koenitz, as usual. During that time, Noein visited the main office of the Miles Company.
"It has been a long time, Your Excellency Arqvist. I have always heard of Your Excellency's fame, so it is a heartfelt honor to be able to meet you again like this."
"Thank you. Benedict-san, you have helped me since I first began development, yet I apologize for not coming to greet you much lately."
"No, no. That Your Excellency, who has become a hero of the Kingdom, would concern himself with a mere merchant like me is a joy beyond words."
Led into the company's reception room, Noein exchanged greetings with the president of the Miles Company, Benedict Miles, who welcomed him with even more courtesy than before, almost rubbing his hands together in anticipation.
"Now then, actually, I have a request this time..."
"Ho, to be called upon not by Philip-dono, the commissioned merchant, but by you yourself—what sort of business might this be?"
"He is certainly an excellent merchant, but regarding this matter, there are problems that his Skinner Company simply cannot handle."
"In that case... is it a matter of connections, or perhaps distribution networks? Ah, could it be a story related to the war said to occur in the East?"
"...Correct. As expected of someone managing one of the leading large companies in the Northwest."
Noein was genuinely impressed. He had deduced it well from few hints. As expected, he had not become the company president for nothing.
"The weapons developed in my territory... the ballista and crossbow are to be exported to the Northeast and Southeast of the Kingdom, but the distribution network and name recognition of the Skinner Company still remain within the Northwest. Since this is the export of the Arqvist family's most important products, I wish to use the commissioned company, but in order to deliver them swiftly by the deadline, I would like to borrow the strength of the Miles Company—"
If the Miles Company, which had branches in the Northeast and some knowledge of the Southeast, lent its strength, the selection of roads, securing reliable inns, and procedures at checkpoints could be handled more smoothly. Since they had to be delivered certainly and swiftly, it was safer to borrow the strength of a company accustomed to business in the East.
Therefore, Noein proposed that the Skinner Company, the Arqvist family, and the Miles Company form a joint caravan to head East.
"What do you think? If you contribute to the transport of important weapons, you will leave a good impression on the leaders of the Northeastern and Southeastern noble factions, and the name of the Miles Company will likely reach the ears of the royal family to some extent."
"That is... certainly attractive."
Benedict thought for a moment and nodded to Noein's proposal.
By letting the Skinner Company accompany them, he would be giving away information on safe and efficient transport routes in the eastern Kingdom, but having the favor of high nobles and the royal family was more than sufficient compensation. This would raise the name recognition of the Miles Company, which was not exceptionally famous once outside the Northwest, by another level.
Furthermore, while taking them to the East, the Miles Company could simply bring products that could be sold at high prices in the region before the war. An expedition to the East where they could sell both products and their name simultaneously. It would be quite a good piece of business.
"Understood. If we will suffice, we would be delighted to lend our strength."
"I am glad to hear that. I appreciate it, Benedict-san."
Rejoicing that the matter had been settled for now, Noein exchanged a handshake with Benedict.
.....
Once the discussion with the Miles Company was finished, all of Noein's errands were complete. He left Retovik during the following morning and arrived at the capital, Noeina, before evening.
Since Pence, who served as his guard, had gone ahead as a herald, preparations to welcome the head of the house home were usually ready by the time the carriage Noein rode in reached the mansion... as was customary.
Usually, the steward Kimberly should have been waiting at the entrance of the mansion, but for some reason, the one standing there was the head maid, Mary. Moreover, she was strangely fidgety.
"Mary, did something happen? Where is Kimberly—"
"N-Noein-sama! Clara-sama! She went into labor a short while ago!"
As Noein attempted to ask from the window of the carriage pulled up in front of the mansion entrance, Mary interrupted him.
"!!!"
Upon hearing this, Noein opened the carriage door himself—which should normally have been opened for him by a servant or attendant—jumped out, and rushed into the mansion. Matilda immediately followed behind Noein, running after him.