Chapter 51: It Wasn't Intentional (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 51: It Wasn't Intentional (3)
Sensing an impending conflict, Calian had immediately dispatched Kyrie to the Lord's Castle.
Posing as a mercenary for hire, Kyrie slipped into the castle and pressed a few silver coins into the palm of the most gullible-looking soldier he could find. In return, he learned that five lost elves were huddled together in a temporary lodging—and discovered the root cause of the brewing war.
"The Brissen Trading Company is behind it."
The Brissen Trading Company.
"Lennon Brissen again," Calian muttered, a hollow laugh escaping his lips.
He couldn't help but chuckle dryly. Was there no end to the man's troublemaking? Now he was even instigating conflicts between territories.
"They say Brissen is the only trading company that supplies this area," Kyrie's explanation continued. "But because of what happened in the Latran Territory, they declared they would stop operating in this region entirely."
Neither territory was suitable for growing wheat, so both had been purchasing wheat and rye from the Brissen Trading Company. But then, Brissen had abruptly cut off all trade. Fortunately, Nerika had some wheat stockpiled, so Sting requested to purchase it from them. However, Nerika demanded an exorbitant price. The dispute that followed quickly escalated into preparations for war.
As soon as he heard the words "wheat and rye," the tension in Calian’s expression vanished. This was nothing to worry about.
"A war fought over a food shortage won't last long."
It was only natural. How could they possibly sustain a prolonged conflict with hired soldiers and mercenaries when they couldn't even feed them?
Having grasped the situation, Calian took no further action and returned to the elf village.
"Welcome back, Your Highness," Yan greeted warmly, rising from his chair as Calian opened the door to his room.
Calian gave a slight nod in response, set down his Prince's seal, and said, "Bring me some paper."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Yan stepped out and returned a moment later with a few sheets of paper, a pen, and sealing wax. Right there in front of Yan, Calian penned two identical letters.
The letters stated: I will be visiting shortly. Please make preparations to ensure my stay is comfortable.
Watching him, Yan looked slightly bewildered. Calian was not the type to write such a demanding letter, let alone stamp it with his own seal. However, seeing the grim look on Calian's face, Yan simply stood by and waited in silence.
Calian folded the letters, placed them in envelopes, and sealed them with wax as he spoke.
"It looks like Sting and Nerika will be at war within a day or two. I suspect the Elder asked me to find the five elves as an excuse. What he really wanted was for me to stop the war."
"So he deceived you, Your Highness?"
"Indeed. I was tricked."
Realizing what had happened, Yan’s composure broke. For a moment, he looked ready to curse like the duke's son he was.
Startled, Calian quickly clapped a hand over Yan's mouth to stifle the impending oath and hastily changed the subject.
"The two lords are preparing for war under the assumption that I've already passed through the area. If they receive word that I'm coming to visit, they'll halt their plans. They must have heard the Kaera Knights came to Latran, so they'll know there's nothing to gain by provoking me."
Understanding now why Calian had written such arrogant letters, Yan asked, "But what happens after that? They might postpone the war when they receive the letters, but won't they just start fighting again when you don't show up?"
"By then, the five elves will have returned."
Calian smiled at Yan.
"Our deal was to find the elves, not to stop the war. Whether they fight or not is none of my concern."
With that, Calian gave the two letters a light swing and walked over to Jer's house.
* * *
When Calian held out the two letters, Jer stared at them. "What is this?"
"Letters, obviously," Calian replied, making himself comfortable in the seat opposite Jer. "Send one to Sting and one to Nerika. That should delay the war by about a month. The runaway elves will naturally return by then. After that, make sure you manage them properly so they don't run off again."
Calian tapped his finger on Jer's desk and added, "That is, if this place is still standing."
"Then the war...!"
Jer fell silent. Calian smirked at the sight.
"I thought, 'Surely not, they're elves.' But you really did deceive me, knowing full well those two lords were about to go to war."
Calian tilted his head, a sharp, mocking tone entering his voice that perfectly matched his posture.
"Me."
He had learned firsthand that just because elves couldn't lie didn't mean they couldn't withhold the truth. After a long silence, Jer, the very elf who had taught him this lesson, finally spoke.
"Are you... truly planning to leave just like this?"
"You asked me to find five elves, did you not? And I found them."
Whether from anger or embarrassment, Jer's long ears flushed bright red. His lips parted several times, but no words came out.
Not wasting any more time, Calian stood up.
He pointed a finger at the letters on the desk. "Consider those payment for our food and lodging. We're leaving first thing tomorrow morning. We won't be needing your Forest Path."
As Calian turned and walked away, Jer's ears grew even redder. Just as Calian reached the door, Jer's voice rang out.
"Are you truly fine with a war breaking out in your own kingdom?"
"They must have their reasons for fighting. I'm sure they'll stop eventually."
Calian pointed a finger at the ground.
"If this place is so important to you, protect it yourself. Stop playing tricks."
With that, Calian opened the door and walked out.
For a long while, Jer stared blankly at the closed door, utterly speechless. This was not at all how he had expected things to go.
* * *
Meanwhile, back in his room, Calian sat in silence. His expression was far from pleased, prompting a worried look from Yan, who stood nearby.
"Did something else displease you, Your Highness?"
"Lennon Brissen. I already disliked how Brissen monopolized the food trade, but now he's acting completely out of line."
"Because they cut off the wheat trade?"
"Yes. When things like this happen, it's not the lords who starve."
This region was rich in mines, but the soil was too poor for large-scale farming. They must have relied entirely on trade for their food supply.
"They shouldn't be playing games with people's food," Calian muttered.
Just then, a knock sounded at the door. Knowing exactly who it was without looking, Calian gestured for Yan to open it.
As expected, Jer entered. More accurately, it was Jer wearing an expression that was quite a sight to behold.
He probably never imagined a prince would simply walk away from a war happening right under his nose.
Jer hesitated, looking at Calian but saying nothing.
After a long moment of silence, Calian's brow furrowed. "Did you come here just to stare at my face?"
Jer bowed his head low. "I am sorry. I will explain everything. Please, just hear me out."
"Make it quick."
Jer began to speak, his voice exceedingly cautious—a stark contrast to their first meeting or even their conversation just moments ago. He explained the situation with the Brissen Trading Company, which Calian already knew. Then, bowing his head once more, he said, "I knew you became involved in Latran's affairs because of Luca. Since the trigger for this war was what happened there, I couldn't bring myself to tell you the truth. I feared you wouldn't help if you knew Luca was involved. I am truly sorry."
Calian did not answer.
"I know it is shameless of me, but we need your help. We cannot resolve this on our own."
Calian still didn't give an immediate answer, falling deep into thought. Jer watched him anxiously, his eyes fixed on Calian's lips, waiting for him to speak.
In his mind, Calian repeated a single name over and over.
Lennon Brissen.
First, he'd sided with Randel and caused trouble. Now, he was instigating a war by cutting off trade on a whim. Before that, it was Lennon who had tried to eliminate Melfir Polun over the diamond monopoly, and it was Lennon who had given the poison Tacrimosa—the very poison Calian had drunk—to Silike.
Again, and again, and again.
He kept getting in the way.
After a long silence, Calian spoke in a low, swift tone. "I haven't been to Nerika yet, but I imagine it's the same there. Go and confirm that they are preparing for war. If they are, deliver the letter. Also, find out what else they need besides wheat. Once you have that information, I will meet with the lords."
"Does that mean you will help us?"
"Don't misunderstand. I'm not doing this to help the elves."
He was doing this because it was finally time to deal with Lennon Brissen.
Regardless, a look of immense relief washed over Jer's face. Ignoring it, Calian continued, "I absolutely detest playing into someone else's hands. And I don't make deals with people who have hidden agendas. So do it right this time."
"I understand."
Jer thanked him repeatedly before finally leaving the room.
* * *
Sunlight streamed through the window.
Calian had been up all night. He contacted Alan. Alan must have still been at home, as he replied immediately despite the early hour.
—Did you stay up all night?
Calian was quite fond of sleeping in. Whenever he was awake at the crack of dawn, it was always because he hadn't slept at all.
—Yes. I had some things to think about.
—Please, speak.
Calian nodded and laid out his thoughts. He could clearly sense Alan's shock through their connection. Considering it a natural reaction, Calian nodded to himself.
—Do you truly intend to do that?
It was the first time Alan had ever questioned him like that. Calian smiled faintly. Even without seeing him, he knew exactly what Alan was doing right now: leaning back against his bed or sofa, rubbing his temples.
—Yes. Please tell His Majesty. Ask him to inform Marquis Brissen that Lennon has betrayed him.
Alan paused for a long time. —Do you understand the implications of informing Marquis Brissen about Lennon Brissen's dealings with Tensil?
—I know there's a risk of civil war and of starting a conflict between the princes. I also know Marquis Brissen loves money.
This was something Calian had learned from Hale Latran. Hadn't Hale said he was promised a territory in exchange for handing over his earnings to the Marquis?
—Then are you saying you will bribe Marquis Brissen as well, Your Highness?
—No.
After his curt reply, Calian recalled the plan he had spent all night formulating.
—Tell him that if he quietly ousts Lennon without causing any other trouble, we will buy the Brissen Trading Company from him.
Alan fell silent again, likely trying to process the sheer audacity of the proposal.
Calian continued his explanation. —When the rumor spread that Silike had poisoned me, the Brissen Trading Company took the hardest hit. Even Hale, who only traded with Lennon, suffered a blow. The damage to the company itself must be beyond imagination. There is no way Marquis Brissen wants to keep holding onto such a troublesome asset.
The Brissens were a family of knights, after all. The trading company was something Lennon, who lacked talent with the sword, had established and run himself. Lennon's father, Marquis Evan Brissen, had likely only allowed it because it was profitable. Now that it was losing money and tarnishing the reputation of a knightly house, he would have no reason to keep it.
—Even so, it is the top trading company in Kairis. No matter how severe the deficit, how do you plan to purchase it?
—We already have the perfect person to run it, don't we? Baron Polun, the owner of the Polun Trading Company, is more than capable. If the name is changed to the Polun Trading Company, the nobles will resume trading, which will resolve the deficit.
—The issue is not who will run it. Right now, we are purchasing land and preparing to construct buildings for the Valkan Mage Corps. On top of that, the maintenance costs for Valkan are substantial. No matter how much its value has dropped, it will not be easy for the royal family to provide enough funds to purchase a trading company.
—Master. You haven't opened my vault yet, have you?
Lemain had loved Freya deeply. After the death of Randel's mother, Queen Aisha, Lemain had taken Freya as his royal concubine and bestowed upon her a rather excellent territory. Silike had only entered the palace as queen after that.
The territory of the deceased Freya had been inherited by Calian.
And the former Calian had never spent a single copper of that territory's revenues. He hadn't touched a single coin, to the point where even Brissen had never bothered to wonder how much wealth had accumulated in his vault. The money had simply piled up, year after year.
—Please get rid of Lennon Brissen now, Master.
Whitrin, the territory located in the largest wheat-producing region of Kairis.
Calian, the Lord of Whitrin, spoke.