Chapter 7
Chapter 7
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter Title: Envoys from the Magic Tower, Papacy, and Imperial Family (3)
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"So, our Jonathan."
"-Have you decided whose proposal to accept?"
Lorensia's alluring voice sliced through the heavy air of the banquet hall.
Three pairs of eyes—no, including Erika, four pairs—nailed themselves to my lips.
The choice I made here would determine the fate of me, my family, Erika, and House Argentis.
I swallowed dryly and closed my eyes for a moment.
My mind was a tangled mess.
Power, honor, technology. They were all irresistibly sweet offers, none of which I could easily discard, but behind each one, their respective chains gleamed clearly.
Eventually, I opened my eyes and looked at the three of them in turn, slowly meeting their gazes.
"All three of your proposals are far too generous for someone like me—truly offers I'm grateful for."
I began politely, then, with a faint smile, laid bare my true feelings.
"But I don't think I can fully accept any of them."
The air in the banquet hall froze at my words.
Princess Lorensia's eyebrow arched slightly, and Saintess Lumiel's golden eyes widened in surprise.
Only Iris continued to stare at me with her expressionless face.
"The reason I first made this sauce wasn't anything grand. I just wanted to eat delicious food."
I continued calmly.
"At first, it was purely selfish desire."
"A small, petty wish to enjoy tasty food all by myself. But then my precious fiancée Erika tasted the dish I made, and the territory's servants shared it and felt pure joy."
I turned to Erika with a smile for a moment.
"After that, my gaze widened a bit further."
"As the Kandoria Lord Proxy, touring the territory, I saw the people filling their hunger with hard bread and tasteless stew after grueling labor. I saw precious ingredients thrown away just because they were flavorless."
"That's when I realized: tasteless food isn't just a misfortune of the tongue—it's a problem that robs people of small comforts in life and wastes valuable resources."
My voice was steady, infused with the sincerity of what I'd seen and felt myself.
Of course, laced with a bit of lip service.
"From that moment, my small selfish desire turned into a different dream."
"Not just for wealthy nobles, but for all the empire's people to forget the woes of a hard day, even briefly, through warm, delicious meals. Even with cheap ingredients, this one sauce could turn them into fine dishes, so children wouldn't be picky eaters or leave food behind."
"I came to hope my sauce would be a tool for that small happiness, regardless of high or low status."
Saintess Lumiel's eyes softened at my earnest story.
I seized the moment to present my own solution.
"Therefore, exclusively supplying the sauce to any one side goes against my beliefs. Instead, allow me to offer something that satisfies all three of you."
I first turned to Princess Lorensia.
"Your Highness. Exclusive supply to the imperial family is difficult. But for the empire's military that protects it and the imperial dignity, I promise first-priority supply rights on all production and separate negotiated contracts. The imperial family will always be our first priority."
"Hooh..."
The princess stared at me intently for a moment before lifting the corner of her mouth in evident interest.
Not exclusive, but equivalent in profit and justification.
Next, I looked to Saintess Lumiel.
"Saintess. I deeply empathize with the Papacy's noble intentions. If this sauce can be a small comfort to the poor and marginalized, it would be my greatest joy."
"To that end, I'll allocate a portion of our profits to provide quantities for charity and relief efforts to the Papacy as a gesture of goodwill. God's grace cannot be priced, after all."
"Ah...!"
Saintess Lumiel's golden eyes sparkled with emotion.
She seemed deeply moved by the fact that I'd started all this to let even the poor eat tasty food with cheap ingredients and not waste it in vain.
Finally, I shifted my gaze to Iris.
"Lady Iris. The Magic Tower wants to know the principles behind my sauce, correct?"
I took a breath, then dropped the biggest bomb everyone in the banquet hall could hear.
"Then, it's only right that I share it. I'll disclose the recipe for my sauce and the principles within it to the Magic Tower."
"......!"
For the first time, Iris's composure cracked.
Her stoic eyes widened in shock, and even the princess and saintess beside her looked at me in disbelief.
It was only natural, perhaps. I was casually offering to reveal their biggest secret.
"Jonathan!"
Erika tugged at my sleeve and whispered, but I gently patted her hand to calm her.
"Of course, there are conditions."
"Conditions...?"
"Yes. I want this sauce not to be the privilege of a specific class, but something everyone in the empire can enjoy."
"That means..."
Iris's amethyst eyes rolled as she pondered my words.
I smiled softly at her and conveyed my intent.
"Exactly. To make it enjoyable for everyone in the empire, stable mass production technology is essential."
"Combining the knowledge I gained from Argentis's alchemy facilities with the Magic Tower's magitech could produce the sauce far more efficiently and cheaply than now."
I looked straight at Iris and stated the core of my proposal.
"In exchange for the recipe and principles, how about the Magic Tower becomes the exclusive technical partner for me and House Argentis?"
"Partner, you say?"
"Yes. We'll optimize our sauce production process together, and all technological gains from it will be jointly owned by the Magic Tower and us. Of course, we'll prioritize this tech alliance alongside the other partnerships you proposed."
Iris stared at me, momentarily speechless. I could see complex calculations flickering in her eyes.
Beyond just the end product, gaining the foundational knowledge and possibilities for new tech development.
This was an offer the Magic Tower couldn't refuse.
"...You're a truly intriguing person."
When she finally spoke after a long pause, her voice held a faint note of admiration.
For the first time, clear interest and sharpness gleamed in eyes that had been clouded with boredom from handling tedious errands.
"I'll convey that proposal to Grandfather, the Tower Lord. I'm sure he'll give a positive response."
I inwardly sighed in relief at securing the tacit approval of the three—no, three powers.
In the worst case, I could have made enemies of them all.
But fortunately, my proposal delicately threaded through their interests.
As all the proposals wrapped up, the first to speak was Princess Lorensia, wearing a leisurely smile.
"Heh, not bad, Sir Jonathan. I missed out on exclusivity, but I've certainly gauged your magnanimity and caliber. So, shall we call it settled if everyone agrees?"
Saintess Lumiel nodded gently, and Iris silently signaled her assent.
In that moment, three colossal powers struck a precarious balance centered on the dream that began at my little table.
"Good. Then leave the details to our respective staff."
The princess rose and clapped lightly. Every eye in the banquet hall refocused on her movement.
It was the signal that this long, tense meeting was over.
The saintess rose as well, bowing deeply to me.
"Saintess! P-Please, you mustn't!"
Her attendant monk panicked and tried to stop her, but Saintess Lumiel ignored him and paid me full respect.
She slowly raised her head, her eyes now shining with an even clearer, holier light as she looked at me.
"No, brother. I do this not as the empire's saintess, but as one faithful believer honoring Sir Jonathan."
She smiled softly at me again.
"I've seen countless nobles' donations and charities. But often, they're mixed with calculations for family honor or insurance for the afterlife—worldly desires."
Lumiel's voice rang clear across the entire banquet hall.
"But you were different, Sir Jonathan. Your wish for the poor not to waste food, for children not to be picky, for a small comfort at day's end—that is the love we must learn, the purest form of prayer."
Uh, no, that's not it, Saintess. I just wanted to eat tasty food.
My vague personal whim, reborn through her lips into such noble meaning.
"The Papacy will gladly join your noble cause. I'll cheer you on, so please, never lose that warm heart?"
She gave a cheerful smile, lightly pumping her fists in a cute cheering gesture. Healing.
To her sincere blessing, I bowed my head wordlessly in response.
"Your praise is too much for me, Saintess. I only did what was obvious."
My humble reply drew a slightly relaxed, businesslike yet intellectual voice.
"No. It's not obvious."
Turning, I saw Iris had approached me, looking up with her expressionless face.
But her amethyst eyes, once full of tedium, now sparkled with unparalleled intellectual curiosity and acuity.
"You perfectly understood the value of your greatest weapon and used it as bait to hook three colossal powers at once. Precisely offering what each needed most."
She adjusted her glasses slightly and continued, like a scholar analyzing a fascinating subject.
"Practical stability for the imperial family, moral justification for the Papacy, and knowledge plus tech partnership future value for our Magic Tower. Excellent foresight."
"Uh, no, it's not that grand."
"So humble. You made an offer no one could refuse. That's impossible with mere goodwill alone. It required meticulous calculation and strategic thinking."
She paused, then lifted the corner of her mouth ever so faintly—almost imperceptibly.
"You're a fun person. You look so harmless on the outside, yet your mind is that of a strategist sharper than any."
Pure praise for intellect from the Tower Lord's granddaughter. But getting such high praise makes me kinda embarrassed.
And 'harmless'—is that a compliment?
"My, I never thought I'd see Iris praising someone so highly."
Princess Lorensia had snuck up behind me, chuckling playfully as she placed her hand on my shoulder.
Her alluring rose perfume tickled my nose as she pressed close.
"Y-Your Highness, you're a bit too close..."
"Hm? Even closer would be fine. Like... on the bed, perhaps?"
Erika startled at Lorensia's provocative words and frantically intervened.
"Y-Your Highness, that's too much jesting!"
"Hm? Not joking. Heh. Didn't expect two people I'd say that to."
Lorensia leaned shamelessly against my shoulder, while Erika urgently tried to pry her off.
But Lorensia just chuckled again at Erika's reaction, tilting her head toward her.
"Calm down, Lady Argentis. The more valuable the treasure, the more suitors it attracts—natural, isn't it?"
Then, locking eyes with me again, she whispered with deepened possessiveness.
"And I never let go of treasures I like. Right, Sir Jonathan?"
Her hot breath nearly grazed my ear.
Before her ruby eyes piercing through me, I was speechless.
I could feel Erika's gaze burning like flames from behind.
Breaking the suffocating silence was Erika, gripping my hand tightly and stepping forward.
"Your Highness's insight is truly astounding. Piercing exactly how my fiancé is a treasure of such value."
Erika met Lorensia's provocative gaze head-on, speaking with dignified resolve.
"But Your Highness, a treasure shines brightest at its owner's side—the one who recognizes its worth."
Erika slightly raised our clasped hands. The engagement rings, engraved with our houses' crests, sparkled in the banquet hall's light.
"And this treasure's owner was decided long ago."
"Hooh...?"
Lorensia's eyebrow arched in interest.
She scanned Erika up and down, then pulled away from my shoulder and burst into cheerful laughter.
"Pfft, quite sincere, huh? Fine, I'll stop teasing for today and head back. But—"
"Hm?"
Suddenly, a small but firm heat gripped my butt over my pants.
"-Eek?!"
The princess's small hand clenched my rear with surprising strength, continuing nonchalantly.
"Who the treasure ends up with in the end? We'll see."
"No exclusive contract, but this is even more fun. That's the thrill of claiming a man like you, hehe."
"So think it over, our Jonathan. That offer I made? Still stands."
Such bold, provocative, utterly princess-like aggression.
It overlapped with that time at the palace, making my head spin.
Erika's panicked voice snapped my dazed mind back.
"Wh-Wh-What are you doing?! Th-That's the butt of an un-un-unmarried man!"
"Pfft, long engaged but surprisingly innocent?"
The princess withdrew her hand, sending a wink and blown kiss.
"Anyway, you amused me plenty today. Looking forward to more? Oh, and Lady Argentis."
"...What?"
To the displeased Erika, she tossed a leisurely eye-smile and casual remark.
"I'll lend you my thing for now, so keep it safe? See ya~"
Such provocative, powerful parting words.
Erika froze as if her brain short-circuited, and the princess sauntered out with her knights, leaving her behind.
Soon, only us two and Argentis servants remained in the now-silent hall.
Her provocative words and even more teasing perfume lingered in the air.
Then, Erika's low voice, still holding my hand.
"...I won't forgive her."
"Hm?"
"I'll make sure everyone knows who's to stand by your side! S-So—"
Erika hooked her arm through mine.
Her warm body heat through our clothes, the pressure from her ladyly curves.
She clung tighter, hiding her flushed face by leaning her cheek on my shoulder, whispering.
"So... from now on, don't step a single pace from my side. Got it?"
"I'll stick right by you to make sure that vixen princess never finds an opening again!"
Her cute complaint laid bare her jealousy toward the princess.
She looked up with a pouty expression.
But her teary blue eyes held not anger, but another emotion.
"A-And you're mine... I'll make you mine... We'll be together forever... B-Babies too... Hnngh..."
Finally overcome by shyness, she buried her face in my shoulder.
Yep, Erika's the cutest.