Chapter 410 - Episode 393: Investigation Results and Groundwork
By mid-April, the strained atmosphere between the various races in the Grand Duchy of Arqvist had been resolved, thanks in part to the public execution of three agents claiming to be from the Milleritz Company and the effect of Noein's speech during the event.
Foreign Minister Bart, who had investigated the Baron house of Solonheit and the Helder Company in the southwest of the Kingdom of Lordberg—both suspected of being the masterminds—met with Noein in the manor's conference room, along with Philip, a merchant employed by the Grand Ducal House of Arqvist who had assisted him.
Also present at this meeting were Noein's adjutant, Matilda, and Yuri, the Minister of Military Affairs and Noein's closest confidant.
"First, as for the conclusion of the investigation into the current situation in the southwest of the Kingdom of Lordberg, from both political and commercial perspectives... the common view between Philip-san and myself is that the Baron house of Solonheit is innocent, the Helder Company is guilty, and there are no other involved noble houses or companies."
Hearing Bart's words, Noein reacted by slightly raising one eyebrow.
"...I see. Care to tell me the reasons?"
"Yes. First, regarding the Baron house of Solonheit; as their reputation suggests, they are a decent noble house. It is a family where many heads have been praised as geniuses in territory management, and the current head in particular is called the founder of the house's revival. In the conflicts with the Kingdom of Lancel until a few years ago, they steadily defended the border, and currently, they have successfully shifted the industrial structure of their territory, supporting the leader, Marquis Galdwin, and the southwestern faction."
"Due to the opening of the Bezel Highway, the trade structure of the southwest changed significantly. When the roads in the Solonheit Baronry were hardly used for trade anymore, the current head apparently sought to shift the economic foundation of the territory, which had relied too heavily on trade. He focused on agriculture, which had not been large-scale until now, and implemented large-scale potato cultivation on untouched land within the territory. I heard that they are now becoming an important agricultural hub supplying food to the Marquis Galdwin's territory," Philip added to Bart's explanation.
"I see. In other words, the Baron house of Solonheit built its own unique value by positioning itself as the support for the stomach of the Marquis Galdwin's territory."
"In the current southwest of the Kingdom, having gone through the Great War of the southwestern border and the Betumia War, the food supply system—especially to urban areas—must have become fragile. By establishing a system within their territory to stably supply food to the leader of the faction, they could instantly increase their presence. By having them grow potatoes, which are relatively easy to cultivate, the possibility of failure is extremely low even if they mobilize those unfamiliar with agriculture... If he moved with those calculations, I must say he is a truly clever head."
As Noein spoke with wide eyes in admiration, Yuri also crossed his arms and nodded in agreement.
"...Ah, so is that why the Helder Company was cast aside by the lord's house, pushed into a corner, and ended up running wild?"
When Noein asked as a sudden thought occurred to him, both Bart and Philip nodded.
"It is exactly as Your Excellency says. The Helder Company, which had used trade with the Kingdom of Lancel as its source of profit, was already seeing a significant decrease in revenue when the Baron house of Solonheit showed signs of withdrawing from trade, making their ruin certain."
"As a result... I cannot know for sure without asking the chairman of the Helder Company directly, but they likely lost their minds thinking something like, 'If the ducal capital Noeina stops functioning as a trade city, the roads of the Solonheit Baronry will be used as trade routes again, and the Helder Company can achieve a revival.'"
Hearing this, Noein wore an ironic smile.
"Well, that's probably it. As for the definitive facts, it's just a matter of asking the chairman of the Helder Company directly. Regarding the Baron house of Solonheit... in the end, one could say that the fallout came to the Grand Duchy of Arqvist because the current Baron Solonheit pushed the Helder Company into a corner, but it would be a bit much to resent that house for it."
"Regarding that Helder Company, the current chairman in particular seems to be a person with a very bad reputation. According to Philip-san, the Skinner Company has also been inconvenienced by them in the past."
"Is that so, Philip?"
When Noein turned toward Philip upon hearing Bart's words, Philip nodded with a bitter smile.
"Yes. This was before the Bezel Highway was developed, back when the Kingdom of Lordberg and the Kingdom of Lancel were in a state of war. The Skinner Company once contacted the Helder Company to see if they could extend the sales channels for lapis lazuli products toward the Kingdom of Lancel... but when handling the products, the current Helder chairman demanded exorbitant fees."
"Exorbitant fees?"
"Yes. The chairman claimed that since he possessed connections to Lancel merchants even during wartime, he had the right to receive a large fee as a reward for allowing the distribution... Taking advantage of the fact that the Marquis Galdwin house, the leader of the southwestern faction, had almost completely stopped trade with the Lancel direction at the time due to their position, he apparently made profits from other business partners using similar methods. The Skinner Company could not possibly accept such conditions and declined the deal."
"I see, he's quite a piece of work."
Noein couldn't help but smile bitterly upon hearing the story.
"According to rumors in the aristocratic society of the southwest of the Kingdom of Lordberg, Baron Solonheit was also troubled by the attitude of the current chairman of the Helder Company, and it seems their relationship was far from good, to put it politely. In the midst of that, the situation in the southwest changed, and since the transition from a commercial territory to an agricultural territory seemed possible, he likely cut off the chairman—who was both a problem child and a shackle—along with the company."
"Then the fall of the Helder Company is their own fault..."
"If they tried to plot the downfall of the Grand Duchy of Arqvist to attempt a comeback just as they were about to fall due to their own responsibility, that is unforgivable," Yuri said, frowning, beside Noein who muttered with an exasperated expression.
"True. If they tried to rise again through their own efforts, that would be one thing, but trying to raise one's own relative position by pulling others down... I don't necessarily deny that as one way to survive in the world, but I won't let them say they weren't prepared to be hit back if they failed."
Saying so, Noein wore a vicious smile.
"I'd like to hear what the chairman of the Helder Company has to say and have him settle the score immediately... but he is in the Kingdom of Lordberg. First, I'll give His Majesty Oscar a word of notice."
...
Late April of the Royal Calendar year 223. Oscar Lordberg III, the current King of the Kingdom of Lordberg, was meeting with Count Arnold Koenitz in a reception room of the royal castle.
Among the many reception rooms in the castle, the one used this time was a room of moderate luxury. It was a room primarily used for unofficial meetings with important nobles within the country.
"Your Majesty, I am truly grateful that you have granted me your time despite your busy schedule."
"Do not worry about it. Having heard that a letter arrived from your son-in-law, who is an important friend of our country, I could not fail to arrange a meeting."
Oscar answered magnanimously to Arnold, who kept his greetings simple because it was an unofficial meeting, yet paid the necessary and sufficient courtesy.
Arnold, who had left the territory management to his eldest son Frederick and now lived in the royal capital, led a life akin to semi-retirement, but as one of the heavyweights of the northwestern faction of the Kingdom, he made it his duty to strive for groundwork in various directions in the capital for the benefit of his own house and faction.
Along with that, an important role Arnold played was as the pipeline between the Kingdom and the Grand Duchy of Arqvist.
Arnold was the father-in-law of Grand Duke Noein Arqvist and the biological father of Grand Duchess Clara Arqvist. Due to that relationship, he was one of the few people Noein placed a certain amount of trust in. Therefore, he was in a position to act as the mediator when Oscar and Noein discussed and adjusted matters privately to ensure no trouble arose between the Kingdom and the Grand Duchy.
The reason Arnold requested an unofficial meeting with Oscar this time was that a personal letter from Noein to Oscar had arrived just a few days ago.
"Now then, shall I see that letter immediately?"
"Yes. Here it is."
Saying so, Arnold handed the unopened letter to Oscar. After breaking the seal and reading the contents, Oscar wore a small smile.
"I see... Here, you should read it as well."
"Then, excuse me... Ho, so it was regarding this matter."
It was a request seeking the permission of Oscar, the sovereign of the Kingdom, for the Grand Ducal House of Arqvist to carry out certain operational activities in the Solonheit Baronry in the southwest of the Kingdom of Lordberg.
Both Oscar and Arnold knew that an incident had occurred last month in the ducal capital Noeina that worsened relations between the races. Oscar knew through reports from spies disguised as merchants entering and leaving the Grand Duchy; Arnold knew through reports from his eldest son, Frederick.
Naturally, information had also reached them that the series of events was the work of three men claiming to be from a fictional company, and that the perpetrators had been publicly executed.
Noein's current request was related to that.
From the interrogation of the perpetrators who threatened the security of the ducal capital Noeina, they identified the mastermind as the Helder Company of the Solonheit Baronry and discovered that the chairman there had circumstances that could serve as a motive. Therefore, he wished to send the Grand Ducal House's people into the Solonheit Baronry to hear the circumstances from the chairman of the Helder Company and, if necessary, force him to settle the score. He stated that he would ensure no damage extended to anyone other than those involved in the incident in the ducal capital Noeina, and thus sought Oscar's permission to engage in rough business within the Kingdom. That was the content.
"People of the Grand Ducal House of Arqvist within my country... well, in other words, likely the Guard soldiers of the Grand Duke of Arqvist. He wants permission for them to commit killing. Count Koenitz, what do you think?"
"...As a personal opinion, I believe there is zero possibility that Your Majesty would suffer any loss by permitting this. Since I am aware of the relationship and current state of the Baron house of Solonheit and the Helder Company to a similar extent as other nobles. If Your Majesty were to put in a word for Baron Solonheit and Marquis Galdwin, the leader of the southwestern faction, I believe they would not lodge any complaints."
"I am of the same mind. Baron Solonheit would not grieve over the loss of a single fallen company. Moreover, if I permit this one point, he has left it in writing—albeit in a private letter—that he will not hold the Kingdom of Lordberg or the Baron house of Solonheit responsible for last month's incident in the ducal capital Noeina. Baron Solonheit will likely hand over the Helder Company with pleasure."
What Noein likely wanted was revenge for having his own backyard ravaged, and to implicitly show those around him what end awaits those who ravage his backyard. If Grand Duke Noein Arqvist, an important friend to the Kingdom, could satisfy his grudge and guarantee that last month's incident—caused by citizens of the Kingdom, albeit agents—would not become an international issue, it was a wish come true for Oscar and Arnold.
"I shall draft a letter within today or tomorrow stating that I readily accept this request from the Grand Duke of Arqvist. The task of delivering it to the Grand Duke... Count Koenitz, I may leave it to you?"
"Of course. I shall carry out the duty with all my heart."
At Oscar's words, Arnold bowed respectfully.
[Author's Note]
Thanks to everyone, many people have picked up Volume 1 of the book version of "The Happiness Tale of the Twisted Lord," and it seems to be doing well in bookstore and sales site rankings. Thank you all very much.
In aiming to continue this series, the greatest strength is the voice of the readers. If you could provide honest reviews (critical ones are also very welcome) of this work on various sales sites and SNS, it will make it possible for more people to know about this work.
It pains me to do nothing but make requests, but if you feel inclined, I humbly ask for your kind support.