Chapter 235 - Episode 228: Helping Each Other in Times of Need ①
Late July. Bart, a squire of the Viscount Arqvist house, and Philip, the house's designated merchant, were visiting the main office of the Miles Company in Retovik. They had been summoned by the company president, Benedict Miles.
"Bart-dono, Philip-dono. I apologize for calling upon you amidst such turbulent times."
Benedict greeted Bart and Philip after they were shown into the reception room.
"No, if you have business with us, we will come at any time."
"The Miles Company has always been of great help to us."
"No, it helps me greatly that you would say so. This company wishes to continue maintaining a good relationship with the Viscount Arqvist house and the Skinner Company..."
Benedict bowed his head repeatedly at Bart and the others' words. Finding this humility strange, Bart and Philip exchanged glances.
For the Miles Company, the Arqvist house and the Skinner Company were large-scale clients. On the other hand, for the Arqvist territory, the Miles Company was an important firm that mediated exports to distant lands. Both sides relied on each other, and the power dynamic was nearly equal.
It would be one thing if the noble Noein had visited in person, but it was odd for him to be this humble toward those who were merely messengers.
"...So, what matter do you wish to discuss today?"
Philip asked, while maintaining a calm expression.
"Y-yes. Actually... it is a request that is truly difficult to bring up... but regarding the mining resources you provide us every month, I was wondering if you could wait for our payment. For about the next three months."
"...I see."
Bart replied shortly, without moving a muscle in his expression, to Benedict, who spoke while sweating profusely.
"May I ask the reason?"
"Yes, of course... As you both know, the entire kingdom has been struck by a disastrous harvest this year. The Viscount Koenitz territory is no exception; the wheat harvest did not even reach forty percent of a typical year, and the current lord, His Excellency Arnold Koenitz, decided on significant tax cuts to rescue the people. It is a measure nearly equivalent to zero tax."
"Ho, as expected of His Excellency Koenitz, who is praised for his deep mercy toward the people."
Bart responded, putting on an impressed expression. This year, unless one was an exceptionally wicked lord, everyone was implementing tax cuts to some degree. It was not an unusual story.
"Yes, as one of the people myself, I have come to respect and love His Excellency Koenitz even more... However, our Miles Company is the designated merchant for the Koenitz house. Every year, we are commissioned to monetize the wheat collected as tax, but since that did not happen this year, our profits have decreased significantly."
"That... must be difficult. I sympathize with your situation."
Philip said pityingly. Philip's profits had also decreased for the same reason this year, but since the Arqvist territory originally had a low dependence on wheat, it ended up being a minor wound. It was not difficult to imagine how deep Benedict's wound was.
"Thank you. For those reasons, the cash on hand is currently on the verge of exhaustion... However, I have a prospect for a lump sum of cash to come in three months from now."
"...May I ask what kind of prospect that is?"
"Yes. Do you both know of the noble territory in the southeast called the County of Kivileft?"
"Yes, of course. It is a large territory that possesses the largest port in the kingdom and actively trades with the Republic of Betumia, which lies beyond the southern sea."
"...I am also aware of it."
Philip answered Benedict's question fluently, while Bart, who knew of the grudge between Noein and the Count of Kivileft, paused for a moment and answered while striving to remain composed.
"It has been decided that a large amount of food will arrive at the County of Kivileft from the Republic of Betumia. I hear it is the result of a deal the current Count Kivileft concluded with the Betumian merchants... The fleet carrying the food is expected to arrive between the end of September and the beginning of October."
"Which means... the fleet from the Republic of Betumia, after unloading the food, will be able to buy things to take back when they return to their country, is that it?"
Philip muttered, sensing Benedict's aim.
"As expected of Philip-dono, it is exactly as you say. The Betumian fleet intends to load various materials from the Lordberg Kingdom upon their return... In particular, they are seeking metals such as iron, as well as horses. Therefore, I am thinking of exporting the mining resources mined in the Viscount Koenitz territory, as well as the iron and copper provided by the Arqvist territory, to Betumia."
"...I see, in that case, you will certainly obtain cash."
Bart also nodded at Benedict's story. The Arqvist territory and the Viscount Koenitz territory were extremely rare within the current kingdom for being territories with a certain amount of leeway regarding food. Since they did not have to rush to buy up food imported from Betumia, they could take back almost all the sales from selling ores. The Miles Company's lack of funds on hand would likely be resolved all at once.
"Yes. Therefore, in three months, from the end of October to the first half of November, I will certainly make the payment for the mining resources. I am terribly sorry for making such a selfish request for our own convenience, but I beg of you..."
"I understand the circumstances."
Bart replied calmly to Benedict, who was cowering with his head bowed.
"However, I am merely a messenger for His Excellency Arqvist, and Philip-dono is merely entrusted with the export of resources obtained from the mines owned by His Excellency Arqvist. Whether His Excellency will consent to Benedict-dono's consultation is something I cannot yet determine."
"Y-yes. That is, indeed, a most reasonable point."
Benedict also nodded repeatedly to Bart, who spoke with a soft tone but clearly.
"I will deliver this story to His Excellency once and seek his instructions. Since this is an important matter for us as well, I promise to provide an answer as quickly as possible. Please forgive me for today."
Having finished the discussion, Bart and Philip immediately left the Miles Company main office.
It was already afternoon, but the two galloped their horses and returned to the Arqvist territory within the day.
.....
"...I see, waiting for payment."
Having been told by Bart and Philip, who returned to the Arqvist territory near dusk, that they had an "urgent report," Noein had invited the two into the lord's office.
"What will you do? In terms of cash on hand, I do not think the Arqvist territory can be said to have much leeway either..."
"That's true... This year, the mining resources are our only lifeline."
Noein also nodded at Bart's words. The profits obtained from wheat and commercial crops were devastated, and Noein's expected income for this year had become almost entirely the profits from the Lestio Mountains.
Even that was taking a hit due to the decrease in demand for lapis lazuli. For that to become zero, even temporarily, was considerably painful. If the payment was not made as planned in three months, they might exhaust the Arqvist house's cash reserves for the year.
"...That said, if I refuse, it will just mean the trade with the Miles Company is cut off."
"They cannot give what they do not have, after all..."
Philip answered Noein's mutter.
If Noein said they would not wait for payment now, the trade with the Miles Company would simply be canceled. It would not be easy to find another reliable large company that could take mining resources starting now. The relationship with the Miles Company after the country returned to normal would also become awkward.
"There is no other choice. I'll accept the Miles Company's request... However, I can't just nod based on goodwill without any reward. We're taking a fair amount of a risk here too."
"...What kind of reward will you demand?"
Asked by Bart, Noein wore a fearless smile.
"There is something I absolutely want the Miles Company to procure. I was just thinking of asking them myself. The negotiation... I'll go in person."