War on the Table (6): Erwin Iferia
Erwin Iferia. Though I'd never met her in person, I knew all about her from the information I'd gathered.
Her occupation: Chairwoman of Iferia Industries. The key point was that word "Industries." A concept the kingdom doesn't have. It was a colossal corporation handling the entirety of the magitech industry. In kingdom terms, it was like several merchant guilds merged into one.
The gap in eras is already palpable. While the kingdom polished its traditions and etiquette, the empire advanced its technology—not just in magitech, but across science, commerce, and culture as a whole.
In terms of military power, everything except the might of individual powerhouses is being outclassed. That's the reality. At this point in time, the only edge the kingdom held against the empire was its suspiciously powerful Sword Masters. Without the Gibraltar Canyon, the kingdom would have long become an imperial colony. And Iferia's magitech goods would have flooded in—magibikes, magitrains, security automatons, you name it.
Erwin Iferia was the chairwoman of the era, a capable woman who had inherited a massive corporation from her father and elevated it to the empire's number one enterprise. She was kind-hearted, but her prowess in magitech R&D surpassed anyone in the empire.
Too nice for her own good, that's what did her in. According to the records, she was an exceptional developer but not so much a manager.
The emperor took it all from her. Starting with her magitech labs, every factory was seized. Even as the mother who bore the emperor's daughter—the imperial princess—she lost everything.
Because she was a commoner. The empire proclaimed that commoners could rise to high office, but that didn't apply to Erwin. They built ladders for commoners to climb, but made the ceiling even more impenetrable.
The noble-born empress ensured Erwin never even set foot in the imperial palace. I heard the crown princess consort whisked the baby away right after birth and registered her as her own adopted daughter.
At least they meet regularly now, but not as mother and daughter—more like teacher and prized pupil in technology. The world thinks the current imperial granddaughter is the crown princess consort's child, but anyone could see that the woman before me was her real mother.
Carmen Queen doesn't know. That was her hidden truth. She'd mentioned her daughter earlier, but if pressed, she'd pivot to "my daughter-like disciples."
This all came straight from the emperor himself. Regrettably, it was knowledge from the future, so I couldn't share it with anyone.
How did the emperor fund the war? By purging the chairwoman. Seizing all her stocks for the state. Jailing dissenting employees on trumped-up corruption charges. Repurposing factories from daily goods and transport vehicles to weapons production. That's how he secured the initial war chest.
"Love is not possession—domination." I still remember her saying it proudly.
"War demands vast sums, and I just happened to have a well-stuffed purse ready outside." That's how this woman met her ruin. Without even leaving final words for her own daughter. Everything she built stripped away, denied, and her name slandered in history as a criminal and corruptor. A tragic figure.
But right now, I was Carmen Queen's political son. I'd been listening silently from the sidelines, ready to step in for her if needed.
Or so I thought, but this isn't even a negotiation.
Carmen Queen had come fully prepared to face the empire. She analyzed every expression, every word for political intent, steering it all toward the kingdom's benefit.
"...Chairwoman Erwin."
"Yes!!"
But an opponent like this? Probably a first for her.
"So, you're saying you'll invest billions while leaving all operations to the kingdom—academy leadership, faculty, plans, everything?"
"Yes!!!"
Erwin Iferia stood at the opposite pole from Carmen Queen.
"As long as a few demands are met, the rest is up to the kingdom!"
"Those demands... haa."
She must have anticipated that. Demands like keeping Gibraltar Canyon gates open, opening southern strait ports, leasing kingdom land. Proposals the kingdom couldn't accept lightly. How to refuse while pocketing billions? She'd agonized over it.
"The empire's demands are simple! One: No physical violence or corporal punishment! Two: Accept 10 imperial exchange students annually! Three: Allow five overseers for the imperial students' dormitory wing!"
"......."
"That's it! Oh, one more: For the initial trip to the capital, may we pass through Gibraltar Canyon? Just the kids!"
"Haa..."
Carmen Queen sighed openly.
"Oh? Ah, no good? If you need more money, I'll provide as much as it takes! If our demands are the issue, we can negotiate closely right here!!"
"No, it's fine. That's acceptable."
Carmen Queen straightened, regaining her composure.
"...Four items total, including passage through Gibraltar for the entrance ceremony. Nothing more?"
"No! Nothing! Oh, tell us if you need anything—we'll prepare whatever we can!"
"...I'd like the opinions of the palace officials on this."
Carmen Queen gestured behind Erwin.
"The two ministers aren't field experts, but as specialists in education and diplomacy, what do you think?"
"Three years of kingdom study abroad will greatly aid the holistic growth of imperial students."
The kindly-looking Minister of Education nodded with a hearty laugh.
"We're not imposing our curriculum, but personally, I'd appreciate adhering to age and grade levels. Just a request."
"Seventeen for first-year, nineteen for third-year?"
"Yes."
"...No major issues, then."
Carmen Queen glanced at me briefly.
"With sufficient capital, the academy could open in three years."
If built four years from now, it would align perfectly with my age—or Princess Naria's—for freshman entry: seventeen.
"And the Foreign Ministry?"
"As stated in our letter, His Imperial Majesty desires both nations to build healthy ties through future talent cultivation."
"......."
"And the chairwoman has been granted full authority by His Majesty for this matter."
"......."
To the kingdom folk, it was incomprehensible. Iferia wasn't a noble house; Erwin was a commoner. For the emperor to grant her more power than his own ministers?
"Frankly, I don't understand. What does the empire gain by giving so much to the kingdom?"
In the end, Carmen Queen cracked first.
She'd never say something like that normally. She looked exhausted. She'd glanced at me midway, but I'd kept my mouth shut.
"What's the real goal? What does the empire get out of this?"
"What we gain is exactly as I said—literally!"
Erwin Iferia beamed, rising from her seat.
"Diverse experiences for the children! Exchange between kingdom and empire! It could be the small but vital first step toward reconciliation between our nations!"
"You mean that sincerely?"
"Yes!"
Her sky-blue eyes sparkled purely, clear as a cloudless sky.
"The grudges built up can't vanish overnight. But I believe: After the kids return from the kingdom, as exchanges grow over 50, 100, 200 years..."
None of us here would live that long.
"Our descendants, even from different nations and tongues, won't point swords at each other or spill blood."
"Such idealism..."
"Your Majesty."
Before Carmen Queen could object further, I leaned in and whispered in her ear.
"The money. She's really rich."
"......."
"Her personal wealth rivals the palace's annual budget. No doubt."
"......!!"
Carmen Queen's eyes wavered.
"Truly?"
"An estimate, but yes. In enterprise value alone, it's comparable not to the kingdom's treasury, but the kingdom itself."
"A 'king' of sorts."
"Yes. In capital, she is a queen."
Carmen Queen nodded thoughtfully, then stood.
"We sincerely thank Chairwoman Erwin Iferia for her proposal. We'll review positively and reply in writing later."
Carmen Queen extended her hand first.
"Ahh, really?! I'm thrilled! Thank you!!"
Erwin dashed around the table, grabbing Carmen Queen's hand with both of hers.
"Shall we draft the contract in detail, then?"
The word "contract" hit like a spark.
"Yes, let's."
Carmen Queen finally smiled, as if coming alive, pointing at the table.
"Viscount Hex Romana and I will handle it directly. As discussed, have the two ministers sit here."
"Ah, what about me?"
"Chairwoman..."
Suddenly.
"This is Grey."
Carmen Queen pointed at me.
"Grey? Show the chairwoman around the top of Gate 2's walls."
"......As you wish."
What mother dumps political baggage on her son like this?
"Chairwoman Erwin Iferia. An honor to escort you."
"Oh, the honor's mine! But..."
I bowed properly, but Erwin tilted her head.
"Grey—isn't that the Gibraltar heir's name?"
"...Yes."
"Whoa! Nailed it! Hehe, high-five—!"
She thrust her hand out with a grin, oblivious to Carmen Queen's hardening expression behind her.
"Ah. Don't know high-five? Like this—clap hands together."
"No, I know. Just as you knew who I was without introduction."
I hadn't introduced myself yet.
"I'm quite interested in the empire myself."
As Carmen Queen's political son, I high-fived Erwin and spoke again while escorting her.
"I'll guide you to the ramparts, Chairwoman."
All eyes turned to me—kingdom knights, imperial side even more so.
"...Imperial tongue?"
"I studied it."
"......."
Erwin's face stiffened in surprise at my fluent imperial speech.
"Then."
She bowed slightly, whispering.
"May I speak imperial casually...? Kingdom speech is giving me a headache."
"Of course. Language and tone, as you please."
I smiled, offering my hand in kingdom escort fashion.
"An honor, Lady."
"Ahaha!!"
Erwin burst into laughter.
"Lady...! Ahh, thank you, little knight. Now, show me around."
A bit awkwardly, she placed her hand atop mine.
* * *
A moment later.
"What a view!"
Without even a guard escort, Erwin followed me to the ramparts, savoring the panorama with the wind.
"No photos?"
"Oh my. Gibraltar young master saying that? Kid, you can't just snap pics of military sites!"
"Ha."
"Oh? A laugh?"
"Feel free to take some."
At my words, Erwin glared with mock sternness.
"What? Kid, you don't get it..."
"I'm here representing Margrave Gibraltar. My word is his. Just as you're here for His Imperial Majesty."
"......."
"Why the face?"
"Hmm, you seem less like a kid and more like an adult. Are all kingdom children this mature young?"
"I grasped the ways of the world a bit earlier than most."
"Oh dear. Big words too. Impressive."
Erwin stuck out her tongue in admiration, cautiously pulling out her camera.
"W-well, then one—"
"Shall I take it?"
"Huh?"
"If you prefer self-shooting, no choice..."
"Ah, no! I'd love that. How..."
"Saw you do it at first meeting."
I took the camera, snapped her photo.
"Eek?! Kid! At least let me pose...!"
"Came out beautifully. Natural."
"...Hmph. Let me see. ...Not bad?"
Erwin marveled at my shot.
"You've got talent! Could be a photographer someday!"
"First to suggest that to Gibraltar's heir."
"Why? Future's unpredictable?"
Erwin scrolled through the projection crystal's saved images.
"Could snap photos as a margrave hobby. Title, not job, right?"
"...You're truly entertaining, Chairwoman."
"Says you. They say Gibraltars kill with a casual knife flick—total lies."
"......."
If Carmen Queen said it, I'd wonder if she knew and was probing. But this woman didn't need such twists.
"Chairwoman. You mentioned a daughter earlier."
"Huh? Oh, uh, y-yeah! I have a daughter. Well..."
As expected.
"Every child of my company's employees is my son or daughter! Our firm... um, guild is like one big family!"
She pivoted, forcing a bright smile—like this should slide by.
"In that case, Chairwoman."
I reached for her left hand, lifting it lightly.
"Right now."
"Wh-what...?"
"Are you single?"
Her left ring finger was bare.
"Perhaps."
No ring mark, pristine.
"Planning to marry?"