Chapter 316 - Episode 308: Negotiations with the Royal Family ②
"Preparing for the acceptance of immigrants and the formation of a domestic aristocratic society. These two points are the preparations for the founding of the state that I would first like the Arqvist family to undertake. Furthermore, I would like you to proceed with preparations to arrange your status befitting that of a Grand Duke."
If he were to go from being a Viscount of the frontier to a Grand Duke ruling a nation, the Arqvist family would be required to demonstrate a higher status than they currently possessed in a tangible form. Preparations for maintaining appearances would be necessary, such as renovating the manor to make it look impressive, gathering furnishings befitting that status, and Noein himself wearing better clothing and accessories.
"I understand. As for the grace period until the final founding... would it be roughly a year?"
"You are perceptive. Just as you say, the Kingdom of Rhodeberg hopes to hold the investiture ceremony for the Grand Ducal title in your territory around August of next year. With that, the Arqvist Viscountcy will become independent as the Grand Duchy of Arqvist."
Marquess Skeggjason nodded to Noein, who had almost exactly guessed the date the royal family desired for the independence of the Arqvist territory.
"Then, until that time, I shall arrange the form of a single state and proceed with preparations so that state administration can be carried out without issue after independence."
"Yes, do your best. There are many other detailed matters that must be decided, but regarding those, it will be necessary to speak not only with you, who will become the Grand Duke, but also with your subordinates who will become nobles... Since the methods of administration differ between a single noble territory and a single state, there will likely be many points you do not understand. When the time is right, may I send bureaucrats from our side for discussions and advice?"
"That... would be very helpful for us. I would most humbly request it."
If they were to become independent as a country, there would be parts that differed from a noble territory, such as diplomatic protocol, trade management, and maneuvering in terms of security. As for Noein, no matter how excellent his vassals were, there were parts where he wondered how much they could achieve from zero.
It was honestly gratifying to be able to learn those things in the course of discussions. Since a blunder by the Grand Duchy of Arqvist would also cause loss to the Kingdom of Rhodeberg, there was no worry that they would intentionally teach him incomplete knowledge.
"Understood. Then I shall send word regarding this matter later via the 'Far-Talk' communication network... Finally, regarding the export of Ballistas and the lending of puppet mages as instructors, which were agreed upon between the royal family and the Arqvist family immediately after the end of the war. Are these two points still acceptable as per the agreement?"
"Yes, there is no problem."
The mass deployment of Ballistas and the creation of a golem unit directly under the royal family were intended to prepare for invasions from across the sea, including a recurrence of the Republic of Betumia. Since a crisis for the Kingdom of Rhodeberg was also a crisis for the Grand Duchy of Arqvist, there was no reason for Noein not to cooperate in efforts to avoid that crisis.
As long as they maintained friendship with the Kingdom, the Kingdom possessing Ballistas and a golem unit would be a plus for the Grand Duchy as well. The stronger the Kingdom was, the greater Noein's peace of mind would be.
"However, in cooperating with the military strengthening of the Kingdom of Rhodeberg as a friendly nation, I would like to ask for certain considerations."
"Considerations, you say?"
"First, regarding the transport of the Ballistas for which the royal family has requested manufacture, I would like a guarantee of customs exemption even after independence."
When Noein asked, Marquess Skeggjason looked toward Oscar. After confirming that Oscar nodded, the Marquess then nodded to Noein.
"Very well. I promise that taxes shall be exempted."
"I am grateful. The other point is a matter for further in the future... In order for the Grand Duchy of Arqvist to fulfill its role, I wish to maintain the current system of twenty-four golem users moving forward. Accordingly, when a vacancy occurs due to a puppet mage currently employed by the Arqvist family retiring or dying, I would like permission to recruit new puppet mages to migrate from the Kingdom of Rhodeberg."
This point was one of Noein's concerns. If there had been no opportunity to speak like this, he had intended to bring it up himself.
The Claymores would become one of the pillars of the Grand Duchy of Arqvist's national power. If their scale were to shrink in the future, the Grand Duchy could not serve as a fortress protecting the northern border, and if the maintenance of the Bezel Great Forest Road stalled, it would hinder trade. Noein hinted that if the Rhodeberg royal family monopolized the talented puppet mages, it would ultimately lead to the royal family's own loss.
"...Very well. Is permission to recruit migrants enough?"
"Yes. For my part, I wish to maintain the Claymores by welcoming those who become residents of the Grand Duchy of their own will. I will think of the ingenuity and effort for that myself, so please do not concern yourself."
If he proceeded with intermediary trade, the Arqvist family would obtain enormous wealth from those taxes alone. He could spend a large budget to hire puppet mages.
If the Arqvist family recruited puppet mage migrants with treatment superior to that of the royal family, applicants confident in their skills would surely appear. Noein believed that a situation where the royal family took all the excellent puppet mages would not occur.
"Understood. Then I shall promise that point as well... Minister of Internal Affairs Skeggjason. Is there anything else that should be spoken from the Kingdom's side?"
"Yes. That conversation was the last."
After confirming with Marquess Skeggjason, Oscar turned toward Noein again.
"Then, separately from that, I have something to say. It is about a gift for the celebration of independence and a gift of apology from the royal family."
"...I understand the celebration of independence, but an apology?"
"That is correct. Even if it was for the stability of the Kingdom, it is an apology for spreading your bad reputation among the common folk through behind-the-scenes maneuvering."
Noein raised his eyebrows slightly, as if a bit surprised.
"I had assumed that such things were included in my right to independence."
"Hahaha. That would have been fine, but at the time of a subject's departure, I must show the caliber of a king of a nation. Now then, Noein, is there anything you want? I shall provide it as far as possible."
"Thank you. Then..."
There, Noein let a smirk play on his lips. Oscar, who had been wearing a generous smile, instinctively tightened his expression.
"The magic paint of the Republic of Betumia, which is currently being researched at the Royal Institute. That paint which realizes the astonishing performance of the 'Magic Carriages.' Once the production method of that is elucidated, I would like our country to receive those research results."
"...I have no memory of telling you that that paint was being investigated at the Royal Institute?"
"I did not hear it from anyone in particular, but I thought there was no way you weren't researching it. If the Grand Duchy of Arqvist can manufacture and operate high-performance magic carriages on its own, it will be effective in various aspects such as military and trade. I believe those benefits will also extend to the Kingdom of Rhodeberg, but what do you think?"
Oscar stared at Noein's fearless smile and mirrored it with a fearless smile of his own.
"Do you not worry that I might send you fake research results?"
"I believe that His Majesty would not do something that would easily damage the friendship and trust between the two nations. Why would His Majesty do something to entrap a friendly nation located in a strategic position from the Kingdom's perspective, and the Arqvist family, who will eventually become relatives?"
If the royal family sent an obviously poor-quality production method, Noein would naturally notice, and trust in the royal family would crumble. Margarete, who was to marry into the Arqvist family, would surely feel extremely uncomfortable, and Oscar or Lucas might, if things went poorly, end up in conflict with their own daughter or sister.
Furthermore, even if they taught the method while lowering the quality to a degree that was hard to notice, there was little merit in doing so. It would not balance with the risk when the slight difference in performance was noticed and the lie was eventually exposed.
With Oscar's mind, there was no way he wouldn't understand that sharing the research results honestly would be the most profitable. That was what Noein thought.
"You understand well, don't you. Very well. I promise that once the production method of Betumia's magic paint is elucidated, I will teach those research results to the Arqvist family as they are. I shall even write a pledge."
"I am grateful. And one more thing."
"Ho, you still want more. Speak."
To Oscar, who looked amused, Noein continued with his fearless smile.
"I wish to keep a certain amount of 'Angel's Honey' in stock in the Grand Duchy of Arqvist moving forward. For that purpose, I would like permission to trade with the Earldom of Senevoa, the head temple of the Milleon Holy Church. This is also a measure to ensure full preparation in fulfilling the role of the Grand Duchy."
"...How much do you want?"
"I would like to be allowed to keep about six jars of the undiluted liquid."
In the unlikely event of an invasion from the Kingdom of Lancel, if there were six jars of undiluted 'Angel's Honey,' the Grand Duchy of Arqvist could, by combining them with Ballistas and Claymores, defend against the enemy's offensive for a long time on its own.
By the same logic, if the Kingdom of Rhodeberg were to turn its military force toward the Grand Duchy, it would receive a counterattack via 'Angel's Honey' in addition to Crossbows, Ballistas, and Claymores, and suffer painful damage. Whether they used a large army or introduced golem units, it would not end without a cost.
Knowing that, if Oscar granted Noein's request, it would become one piece of evidence showing that the Kingdom of Rhodeberg had no intention of becoming hostile to the Grand Duchy of Arqvist.
"Very well. Since the royal family has recovered the leftovers of the undiluted liquid from the Betumia War, I shall give you six jars from there for now. Regarding what happens after that portion has deteriorated over time, I shall put in a word from the royal family so that the Grand Duchy can receive undiluted liquid from the Earldom of Senevoa in exchange for an appropriate donation."
"Thank you. If I can have guarantees on those two points, it is sufficient as a celebration of independence and a gift of apology."
"...With this, you have gained the right to hold technology and magical medicines that will be great weapons for the next generation and beyond. To request things that will be profitable in the long run rather than mere money—as expected of you."
"I am extremely gratified to receive your praise."
To Noein, who bowed while wearing a cool smile, Oscar gave a small, wry laugh.
"With a head like that, you should be able to maintain the country without great error even after independence. There are still matters to be discussed on the practical side moving forward, but for now, today is finished. Good work on your visit to the palace."
With those words from Oscar, the day's meeting was concluded.