Chapter 68
Chapter 68
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 68
Chapter Title: The Delegation to Anchester Kingdom
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A few days after the meeting ended, I met beforehand with the members of the delegation that Luise had assembled.
Luise hadn't prepared many personnel.
"This is Baron Moritz Hughes, who will be in charge of managing the betrothal gifts."
"Baron Hughes, pleased to meet you. I'm Victor, the overall leader of the delegation."
He looked like a diligent treasurer at first glance.
"Legion Commander Victor, sir! Pleased to meet you! I'm Erika Bauman, in charge of records and interpretation!"
"...It's been a while, Miss Erika."
"Yes! And this person next to you is...?"
"I'm General Victor's adjutant, Anna."
"Nice to meet you too, Anna!"
"...Yes."
Erika, who had been with me when I was first sent to the Empire.
Just the two of them.
After shaking hands with Anna while smiling, Erika pulled a letter from her bosom.
"Here is the message entrusted to me by Her Majesty!"
I took the letter from Erika and read it.
"...Handle it yourself. Is that it?"
Whether Luise had written it herself or not, the content was straightforward without any flowery language.
"Pardon?"
"Ah, it's an explanation of the mission and words of encouragement. It says Baron Moritz Hughes has the list of prepared betrothal gifts."
It minimized interference, urged me to demonstrate my full abilities—somewhat provocatively—and briefly described Moritz and Erika.
Moritz was said to be reliable in his diligence,
"You can handle interpretation as well?"
"Yes!"
and Erika possessed knowledge of diplomacy along with the ability to interpret the dwarven language.
Since the Bauman family had handled diplomatic affairs for generations, it was probably due to that influence.
Not bad.
I'm heading to Anchester Kingdom not just for negotiations, but also to gauge any signs of the 'mine depletion' crisis.
Especially since it directly involves the dwarves, even if it's early, I should be able to sense something.
With just these two and no extras, I can move freely without interference.
"I've wanted to work on a mission with you for a long time, Legion Commander! I look forward to working with you!"
"Yes, likewise."
After exchanging lively greetings, she fidgeted with her fingertips.
"Um, then, could I have a quick word with Anna?"
"With Anna?"
"Yes!"
Her request was within expectations.
She's closer in age to Anna than to me or Moritz, and talking with another woman would be more comfortable for her.
"Anna, is that alright?"
"It's fine with me."
"She says it's fine."
"Thank you! Anna, over here for a moment!"
"..."
Erika quickly led Anna away, and I approached Moritz, who remained.
"Baron Hughes, could you show me the list of betrothal gifts?"
"Yes. Here you are, Victor."
He handed me the scroll listing them.
"Thank you. Hmm..."
The scroll had the names of the gifts along with brief descriptions.
I skimmed the names first,
"...Weren't these supposed to be betrothal gifts?"
before asking Moritz halfway through.
"That's correct."
"...Haha."
The sword 'Vortis,' said to have been used by the legendary hero 'Fried' and forged by the legendary dwarven blacksmith 'Josh Schmidt'; the anvil and hammer supposedly used by Josh himself; dragon scales occasionally mentioned in legends.
They were all such extraordinary items that, if their origins weren't verified, one might doubt their authenticity.
This alone should make negotiations easy,
"Does that mean negotiation funds are prepared separately?"
"Yes. Here is the range Her Majesty has set for your use in negotiations."
"..."
Another paper was handed over with an unimaginable sum.
Perhaps because she's a dragon, her sense of economy differs greatly from ours.
"...Did you know?"
"I had no idea. ...Honestly, I still don't quite grasp it."
Moritz and I both let out wry chuckles.
Trading for divine weapons is naturally difficult, but with this, failure seems unlikely unless I mess up.
Or perhaps, with preparations like this, it's a stern warning not to fail.
"I'll adjust it to an appropriate level."
"...I look forward to it."
Moritz and I were in agreement.
Now, it's not about worrying if the deal will go through, but figuring out how to negotiate without setting a bad precedent with the funds and gifts.
"One of these scales might be enough, right?"
"Indeed. It might be. ...Better to go small."
"The large scales would be hard to transport..."
While Anna chatted with Erika, Moritz and I pondered which gifts to bring.
Theodore showed no reaction to my caution, so preparations for the delegation proceeded smoothly.
Alexandrov would take command of the Crimson Dragon Legion in my absence.
"With Her Majesty's orders, there's no need to worry, but... if anyone tries anything, I'll step in."
"Thank you, Field Marshal."
"...That title still doesn't sit right."
I'd informed Gerhard as a precaution, so the Crimson Dragon Legion should be fine.
After drawing guards from the Crimson Dragon Legion and loading the gifts and provisions onto the carriages prepared by Luise.
"I'll return having sealed the deal."
"Mm, I expect great things, Legion Commander Victor."
The delegation of 20, including guards, departed Rainesberg.
Anna, Moritz, Erika, and I rode together in the massive carriage emblazoned with the imperial crest.
"Have you been to Anchester Kingdom, Anna?"
"...No, I haven't. What about you, Miss Erika?"
Moritz and I barely spoke, occupied with checking our tasks, so Erika and Anna—who had nothing particular to do until arriving—handled most of the conversation.
Perhaps because they'd broken the ice early, or due to having another woman present, Erika, unlike her quiet demeanor before, peppered Anna with questions nonstop.
Anna's expression remained her usual stoic one, but the end of her responses carried a slightly warmer lilt than usual.
"I've visited a few times with my father. The other cities are unique, but the capital, Dinium, is like one big blacksmith district from Rainesberg. It was winter when I went, but the heat from the forges made it not cold at all."
"I see."
Of course, I'd spent enough time with Anna and was sitting right next to her to notice, but to ordinary people, it was a dry response.
"...Hmm."
It wasn't strange for Erika to squint slightly at Anna.
"Anna."
"Yes."
"Your reaction is quite different from last time, isn't it?"
Erika asking Anna directly contradicted my expectation that she wouldn't mention it outright.
"...What do you mean."
Anna's response was odd too.
She averted her gaze slightly and leaned her body a bit toward me.
I set aside my papers for a moment and focused on their conversation.
"Come on, are you embarrassed? Last time, you were so excited talking about Legion Commander Victor!"
"Th-that's not... uh..."
"You bragged so enthusiastically that he devised most of the strategies and played a key role in diplomacy and treaties."
"..."
"As his adjutant, isn't that a bit much?"
"...Uh."
Anna's head gradually lowered, and her hands, neatly placed on her thighs, slowly slipped between her legs.
"Is what Miss Erika says true, Anna?"
"...Yes."
She answered in a tiny voice, barely audible.
"Well, that can happen. Still, we'll be spending quite a while together round-tripping to Anchester Kingdom, so it'd be good if you warmed up to her a bit."
"...I'll try."
"Miss Erika, please understand a little too. My adjutant can seem a bit standoffish."
"Got it, Legion Commander Victor!"
To keep Anna from feeling too burdened, I mediated at what felt like the right point.
Erika's ready agreement suggested she didn't have any real complaints.
If this counted as ice-breaking, it was a huge step up from their first meeting.
"...I'd like to hear more about Anchester Kingdom."
"Hehe, of course!"
Soon after, the recovered Anna spoke to Erika with a noticeably lighter expression.
"Ah, Victor. Could you check this list for a moment?"
"Mm."
As I handled work,
"The dwarves of Anchester Kingdom specialize in metalworking. Those intricate metal puzzles that sell for high prices? All their work! Pricey, though."
"What do you think, General? It might be good to commission some gear this time."
"Hm. We can certainly do that much for the soldiers who guard us."
"..."
We chatted intermittently as we headed toward Anchester Kingdom.
"...!"
"...Hey! ..."
Noise erupted outside the carriage, and it gradually came to a stop.
Thanks to the emperor's carriage, sounds from outside were barely audible.
"Looks like the carriage has stopped."
"Yes. Hard to check from the window, so I'll go out and..."
I reflexively reached out with my right hand and grabbed Anna's arm as she moved to exit almost immediately.
"...General?"
Anna, with her arm grabbed, turned to me with a slightly surprised face, while Erika watched wide-eyed.
"It's nothing serious. Stay in the carriage."
"...Handling situations like this is my duty as adjutant."
"No, that's the guards' job. Wait here."
I glanced at the minimap always in the corner of my vision, confirmed no red dots nearby, and released her arm.
Graciously, Anna paused and sat back down quietly.
-Knock knock.
"Legion Commander Victor! Wild animals are blocking the road temporarily, so we've stopped the carriage! We'll resume as soon as it's cleared!"
"Thanks for your work."
"Yes, sir!"
Before a minute passed, a guard opened the carriage door and reported.
It was wild animals—a minor, common occurrence.
"...Oh!"
"All good?"
"...!"
Faint shouts and hoofbeats sounded, then the carriage started moving again soon after.
"Anna, sorry for grabbing you without warning."
"No, I was rash."
"...Be careful."
"Yes."
With Anna's reply, silence fell inside the carriage, and I picked up my papers again.
"..."
But I couldn't focus on the documents.
My mind dwelled not on their contents, but why my arm had moved on its own to grab Anna.
"...Sigh."
Right.
I have the minimap, so there's no reason for my adjutant to court danger.
...No, it's an efficiency issue.
No need for Anna to go through the trouble when I can check it with a glance.
That's all.
...It has to be.
"..."
I read the documents again.
Things are going smoothly, and the future looks bright.
Yet somehow, a corner of my heart felt stuffy.