Chapter 102
Chapter 102
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 102
Chapter Title: Wedding Night Rehearsal
Of course.
The Grand Duchy runs on a plunder economy.
It had been sustaining itself by pouring excessive resources—no, even borrowing money—into unnecessary military spending.
So, naturally, after drastically cutting military expenditures on the assumption that there would be no more wars ahead, this was to be expected.
Luna furrowed her brow.
"Finance Minister. Isn't there any way to prepare for war?"
"We could issue bonds, but... that would just mean more debt to repay. Is that alright?"
As Finance Minister Goethe adjusted his glasses and spoke, Luna nodded.
"Sir Aiden. If we issue additional bonds now, do we have the capacity to endure it?"
At her question, I nodded with a troubled expression.
"It'll be tough for the next one or two years, but in the long term, there shouldn't be any major issues. Though the plans for years three and four might get a bit shaken up."
The Grand Duchy's reputation among merchant guilds and companies is good.
So, we can borrow at low interest rates.
But the biggest problem is that it would derail the long-term economic development plan we've laid out for the Grand Duchy.
"Still, it's unavoidable."
Luna pondered for a moment.
Then she looked at me and said,
"But for the future of the Grand Duchy, if we issue a mobilization order only for the available forces without a full-scale conscription, couldn't we avoid issuing bonds?"
An unexpected remark from Luna.
For the Grand Duchy's development,
the Minister of Military Affairs Joseph looked uneasy at the order to draw only from the knights and soldiers directly under Luna's command.
"Isn't 1,500 men a bit precarious? If Duke Ethyl hires mercenaries, he'll have more than that."
"I know. But for the Grand Duchy's future, it's worth the risk."
She gazed at me steadily.
"Sir Aiden. If I decide not to issue bonds, explain here what schedule we have lined up going forward."
She wants me to say that?
The plan I've been drawing up since last year.
The future we've envisioned together with Luna.
She really wants me to say it?
When I signaled her with my eyes, she nodded.
As if urging me to speak.
"Ahem... In two or three years, once the Grand Duchy Ministry's finances stabilize in the long term, we plan to establish a merchant company."
There's no better place to do business than the Grand Duchy right now.
Vain is gradually becoming the Empire's logistics hub, and naturally, the center of finance as well.
In that situation, Luna and I aren't just sitting idle—we're planning to create a Grand Duchy-operated merchant company and bank.
Of course, we're struggling with tax revenue shortages now, but that should stabilize by next year at the latest, or the year after.
In fact, rumors are circulating in the industry that shipyards are receiving so many orders this year they're planning to add more docks.
But if we issue bonds here?
It would delay the timeline for establishing the merchant company and bank by that much.
I don't know the exact scale of the bonds, but supporting 4,500 men with food, shelter, and war supplies is no small amount right now.
Especially when we've been selling off existing stockpiles...
In any case, we'd have to repay the principal and interest on those bonds.
The plans would go awry, and competitors would swoop in to claim the market in the meantime.
"A merchant company and bank? That... would require quite a lot of money."
As Finance Minister Goethe pointed out, I nodded.
"Correct. But based on recent order volumes from major merchant companies, our finances will soon normalize, and we'll even have surplus. So, we need to get into business ourselves."
From there, I began laying out my detailed plans one by one.
I talked about importing cheap spices from the New World, storing them in the Grand Duchy, and supplying them at high prices across the Empire via maritime trade free of gate taxes. And about bringing luxury goods from the Eastern Continent to sell.
Fortunately, the Grand Duchy has favorable currents, so its position for routes to the New and Old Worlds isn't bad.
As I shared my thoughts one by one...
Silence fell over the conference room.
What? Did I make a mistake?
Seeing everyone lost in their own thoughts, I felt awkward too.
"Hrm... I understand such grand plans, but... we must prepare thoroughly for war."
"Indeed. A bright future is visible, but if we lose the war..."
As anxious expressions spread across their faces, Luna spoke confidently.
"Do you really think I'd lose?"
"Well..."
Everyone averted their eyes and gazed at distant mountains.
"Raoul de Balmorevain and Taylor have agreed to join the battle this time."
"Oh?! Really?!"
"Then we're not afraid of anyone!"
"That's great news! Auspicious!"
What? Those two are joining?
That means the world's top three are assembled?
I couldn't hide my shock at the lineup capable of crushing most kingdoms.
"Is that for real?"
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ A week later, following Luna's orders, the army was mobilized.
What... I was suddenly thrown into emergency mode myself, and it was pretty exhausting.
The silver lining was that Luna was busy with military duties at night and didn't come looking for me?
I slept soundly for the first day or two, but after a week alone, I started feeling the lack of warmth.
Holding Luna while sleeping is nice.
Strangely, she always smelled good.
Her breath was sweet too...
Her body heat was perfect, and she had just the right sized breasts to fondle.
-Snap!
"What are you thinking about? Now that war has broken out."
The unprecedented civil war in the Grand Duchy.
But looking at the reality, it's embarrassing to even call it a civil war.
All the Grand Duchy's nobles support Luna, while Duke Ethyl stands alone in rebellion.
Without a full mobilization, our numbers and quality of soldiers are comparable, but...
How do you block a trio including Luna, Raoul, and Taylor?
Honestly, it's like adults fighting kids.
Piles of bills stacked in front of me...
Receipts for supplies purchased since the war broke out.
As the one who has to verify each one and handle current duties, the endless workload felt daunting.
"Haah, no matter how much I do, will the work ever end?"
I let out a deep sigh and looked out the window.
"Not coming today either?"
Heh, who would've thought I'd miss Luna one day.
Honestly, I love Luna, but her excessive libido has been burdensome at times.
I'm a healthy man in my twenties.
A man at the peak of his sexual prime, yet Luna effortlessly surpasses that.
So I'd get wrung dry every night, and there were times I even looked forward to her periods.
Especially the nights before her period—she was like a beast.
But the fact that I'm now anticipating sleeping with Luna proves humans are creatures of forgetfulness.
Tired... should I call it quits?
"Yeah, let's do it tomorrow. I'm beat today."
Tomorrow might be even tougher, but... whatever? What's the worst that happens from one day off?
I stretched and left my office.
Returning to my room, I washed up and changed clothes.
-Thud.
I lay on the bed and stared at the ceiling.
Gazing at the moonlight streaming through the window, I sank into thought.
Tomorrow... finish up the payments, meet with the merchant company folks for tea time.
Tea time, they call it, but it's crucial work to gauge how the civilian economy is faring.
Meeting high-ups from the companies, building rapport, and appropriately resolving their issues.
"Come to think of it... it's been quite a while since I arrived."
A lot of time has passed since I first fell into this other world.
I never planned to stay here this long...
I just wanted to escape the harsh northern winters and live somewhere warm.
-Knock knock.
That was when a small sound came from the window.
"Huh?"
Maybe Luna? I got up from the bed and opened the window.
"Aiden!"
-Hug!
She threw herself into my arms.
"Ah?"
"Didn't you miss me?"
She beamed at me.
"Of course I did."
"Sorry, I've been swamped with war preparations."
-Kiss!
Luna planted a kiss on my cheek.
I shook my head slightly.
"You're not mad, right?"
Seeing her apologetic look, I couldn't help but chuckle.
"Mad? I was just a bit lonely from not seeing you when I wanted to."
Luna's red eyes widened in surprise.
"Really lonely? I'm sorry! The supply situation was messier than I thought..."
"I know all about it. You don't need to apologize."
Reducing military supplies was my suggestion, after all.
That must've kept her busy.
"But did it get sorted out?"
At my question, Luna nodded with a smile.
"Yeah. With so many merchant companies around, we managed somehow."
"Good to hear."
As she entered the room, I closed the window.
-Thud.
Luna sprawled out on my bed like it was her own.
"Feels like the first time in a week?"
"Right?"
She patted the spot beside her on the bed.
"Come here, Aiden."
Already wanting to go at it the moment we meet?
Well, I want to too.
I sat beside her. She propped herself up and looked at me with serious eyes.
"Hey. After this war ends, I'm going to propose to you."
"Pardon?"
A woman proposing to a man? What the heck?
"Of course, I'll bestow the Duke Ethyl title on you too. Then we'll be official husband and wife."
"Ah... But a woman proposing? Shouldn't I be the one proposing?"
Luna pondered my words, rolling her eyes.
"Well... Aiden, if we marry... you'd have to become my consort, right?"
She broached the topic extremely cautiously.
"Yeah?"
"So... it's not me marrying into your family... it's you marrying into mine?"
I nodded along, noticing how she was gauging my reaction for some reason.
"And?"
"Then I should propose. Since you're the one coming to marry me."
Oh? Because I'm the consort, Luna proposing makes sense?
The customs here are way too complicated.
As I was thinking that,
Luna climbed on top of me.
"Hehe, anyway, shall we rehearse our wedding night?"
"Pardon? Rehearse the wedding night?"
We've already had our first night ages ago, done everything imaginable, and now this?
She winked, pressing a finger to her lips.
-Shh.
"Once we're married, you'll have to speak informally to me, got it? Or... do you?"
Whoa... Luna using formal speech?
"Tonight, for my dear husband..."
Watching her get into this role-play—not role-play?—and unbutton my shirt one by one, I felt a surge of excitement.
"Hold on. Who's this boldly trying to undress her husband?"
I grabbed her wrists roughly and pinned her to the bed.