Chapter 22
Chapter 22
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: Bluff
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A month had passed since the day Luna had delegated full authority to me.
Honestly, I was terribly worried that it wouldn't work out.
All I'd done was write novels desperately to survive and argue passionately against those who opposed me.
So naturally, I thought it would fail.
"Aiden, sir! The Byren Merchant Association is here! After this meeting, you have an appointment with the Blacksmiths' Guild, then the Carpenters' Guild and Weavers' Guild—so you need to wrap this up in thirty minutes!"
"Aiden, sir! The Leatherworkers' Guild wants to meet about tanning facilities!"
"The Carpenters' Guild has proposed buying northern forests! They want your review by the end of the month!"
"The Peddlers' Guild is inquiring about permits to build warehouses!"
Jin's words kept coming endlessly.
Was it because we offered certificates promising no major tax hikes in exchange for tax reductions and investments above a certain amount?
Dozens of groups visited every day, demanding meetings and explanations.
As a result, I was now conducting interviews and negotiations almost minute by minute, utterly exhausted.
Who would've thought this would work so well? I just showed off modern sales talk.
Suddenly, it got adopted, and my workload grew day by day.
And this was even before things officially kicked off.
I dreaded to think how much work would pile up once it hit full stride.
"Aiden, sir! My girlfriend wants to buy fishing rights!"
But what was that last one?
"Jin? Your girlfriend wants to buy fishing rights?"
Jin scratched his head sheepishly at my question.
"She's someone I've been with since we were kids. When she heard about the tax cuts in the Grand Duchy, she said she wanted to buy fishing rights."
This guy was every man's enemy.
He'd already hooked plenty of the palace cooks and maids... and now outsiders too?
What puzzled me was how a squire like Jin even knew fishermen.
"You know fishermen?"
"Oh? She's not a fisherwoman. She's a privateer."
"What? A pirate? Why would a pirate buy fishing rights?"
Fishing rights meant permission to fish in the Grand Duchy's territorial waters.
A privateer was a state-sanctioned pirate... so why?
Pirates wouldn't focus on catching fish. Something smelled off.
Unaware of my suspicions, Jin tilted his head.
"Beats me."
I had a feeling there was some ulterior motive.
"Put that one on tomorrow's schedule... Next up was the Builders' Guild, right?"
"Yes, and if you go over twenty minutes, the whole schedule falls apart—so please stick to the time!"
I felt annoyed looking at Jin's beaming smile.
I was swamped, and his cheerful innocence grated on me.
"Sigh... alright, I'll do my best."
With that, I grabbed the necessary documents and headed to the meeting room.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Luna's red eyes widened as she looked over the report Aiden had brought.
'They're bringing in... this much money?'
It wouldn't go straight into the Grand Duchy's treasury, but having it flow within the duchy was huge.
Wondering if she'd misread, she rubbed her eyes.
But the contract amounts listed far exceeded her expectations.
'This isn't some shady deal, is it?'
Having been betrayed so many times, she couldn't trust the report at face value. She flipped through the pages, checking the details.
Plans starting with real estate purchases, labor transport fees, and communal housing for workers.
Even construction costs for developing mines that sat idle due to lack of manpower.
Her jaw dropped at the immense wealth. She checked who was investing such a fortune.
"The Byren Merchant Association... I knew they were rich, but not this rich."
When naming the world's wealthiest merchant group, the Byren Merchant Association topped the list.
Luna nodded, recalling their massive profits from trade between East and West, and the New World.
Feeling good from the first report, she read through all of Aiden's submissions.
Dozens of reports, hundreds of pages later, she stretched with a bright smile.
"Oof!"
A proud smile she rarely showed others.
'If this all pans out, the Grand Duchy's future is bright!'
She was in high spirits.
And the one who'd made it happen...
'Aiden... that man.'
At first, his results had shocked her to the core, but as reason returned, she pondered him.
She'd thought he was just good in bed, a decent-hearted guy with some talent.
But she never imagined he possessed such outstanding ability and insight.
The amounts in the negotiation reports with merchant associations and guilds were staggering enough to leave her stunned.
Still doubting, she double-checked the reports.
She found no flaws.
'They're really investing this much?'
Merchant associations and guilds had visited the Grand Duchy, inspected, and readily agreed to dispatch personnel and artisans for branches.
The plans for facilities to accommodate newcomers were still hard to believe.
On a whim, she pinched her cheek.
The sharp pain confirmed it wasn't a dream.
Once she stamped these reports, the Grand Duchy would transform beyond recognition.
That thought brought a certain man to mind.
'It really... turned out just like Aiden said.'
She still remembered Aiden's passionate speech at the council meeting.
His confident gaze, almost arrogant expression.
But with skills like these, he had every right.
'Aiden's a true genius.'
After ousting the regent, Luna's first act was seeking talent.
She'd scoured the Empire for exceptional individuals.
Believing they'd bring glory to the Grand Duchy.
Thanks to them, she'd come this far—but none knew how to fix the current state.
Or rather, none could know.
Abundant resources, but no one to mine them.
Food for the people, but a shortage of skilled craftsmen.
Commerce existed, but few buyers.
Taxes collected, but barely enough to keep the duchy breathing.
In this bleak situation, the only option besides one-shot gambles on the north was conventional wisdom.
It was the common sense, the near-truth of governance here.
Of course, reality was Aiden's desperate survival ploy hitting jackpot—but unaware, Luna naturally grew interested in him.
Especially since she coveted capable talent.
"But I can't figure out who he really is."
She murmured in her clear, pearl-like voice.
Frowning deeply, Luna pondered Aiden.
His abilities were proven, but she couldn't gauge his thoughts or loyalty.
After much deliberation, she rose from her chair and headed somewhere.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "What? Her Highness the Grand Duchess summoned me to her room?"
"Yes, she said to come to her room before you clock out."
I'd been in a great mood, ready to head home, but Jin's words felt like a stone on my chest.
Shouldn't they leave a guy trying to leave on time alone?
"Why?"
Jin shrugged at my question.
"No idea? Probably about the report you submitted this morning?"
As Jin said, I'd sent Luna the reports and approval requests on my negotiations with the merchant associations that morning.
Likely that.
I worried if something was wrong.
"Her room? The Grand Duchess's private quarters?"
Jin nodded at me.
"Not the office?"
"Nope, her room."
Luna's room.
Her personal space.
Why summon me there?
Business should've been in the office.
"Why?"
Jin shrugged again.
"No idea?"
"Did I... mess something up?"
"Nah, probably to praise you?"
Praise? In her room?
Our little secret flashed in my mind, and I shook my head.
Very unlikely.
Luna saw men like roadside pebbles; no way.
"Heh? What're you thinking, sir? Don't tell me you're imagining something naughty because she called you to her room?"
Jin teased with a grin.
"Better not. If Her Highness finds out, it won't end with just losing your head."
His chilling words made me ask tentatively.
"Come on... really?"
"You don't know? What happened to that prince who proposed to Her Highness, treating her like some woman?"
"Oh?"
Jin's words jogged my memory of the novel's plot.
A young prince had rudely proposed to Luna.
She'd politely refused multiple times.
But at the Empire's founding anniversary banquet, they met by chance. Drunk, the prince molested her.
-Why reject my proposal? I could warm your cold heart!
-I won't marry a rude, incompetent man.
-You... you bitch! I'm incompetent?!
Rage boiled in the prince's eyes.
-If... you beat me in combat, I'll be your wife. But if you lose, will you stake your life?
Luna wasn't a Swordmaster then, but still renowned as strong in the Empire.
Sane people would've avoided the duel, but...
Drunk and competitive, the prince challenged her—and she beheaded him.
His parents used it as a pretext for war. Luna rejected all suitors' aid and won, ending the novel.
Why tell this story?
If even a prince lost his head, a commoner like me wouldn't get off lightly.
I might even be skinned alive.
"Oh? It's quitting time, so I'm off. See you Monday!"
I envied Jin leaving like that.
Tomorrow was a golden holiday.
"Damn... why today of all days."
Grumbling inwardly, I headed to Luna's room.
A knight approached midway.
"Aiden, sir. I'll escort you to Her Highness's room."
"Ah... thank you."
Under their guidance, I arrived.
A massive door.
Knock knock.
The knight knocked on the pristine white door.
-Who is it?
"Aiden the secretary has arrived."
-Yes? Let him in.
With her permission, the door opened.
"You're here?"
Luna, in a casual dress, gestured from the sofa.
"Yes... but... what's this?"
A liquor bottle and ice bucket on the tea table before the sofa.
Fruits and snacks too. I looked at Luna, who said flatly,
"I called you for a drink. Sit."
You... don't even get drunk on booze? Where's the bluff coming from?