The War Upon the Table (7)
"A moment, if you please. Let us discuss the clauses of the contract. Your indulgence, Queen."
The two ministers from the Empire began whispering in the imperial tongue over the draft agreement.
"Your Majesty."
"Hm. This is troublesome."
Viscount Hex whispered softly from the side, and Carmen lowered her voice to snipe back.
"I know a bit of the imperial language, but I can't make out whispers like that."
"But they understand the kingdom's tongue perfectly well over there."
"We'll have to watch our words. Tsk."
Any careless remark could reach imperial ears and cause headaches.
"Your Majesty. Speaking of which... are you really okay just leaving Gray like that?"
"Why Gray?"
"You told him to escort that woman... the Iferia Chairwoman. But you seemed awfully pleased about it."
"And so? What do you want me to do?"
Carmen unwittingly raised her voice.
"She shouldn't be at the table. She'd just shower us with favors one-sidedly. I sent her away precisely so the agreement stays within what they can accept."
"Even so, you kept glancing at Gray quite a bit."
"Well, of course. Ha."
Carmen lowered her voice even further.
"...That kid smells money."
"Pardon?"
"Don't you get it? In crude terms, he's trying to hook a sucker right now."
The two imperial ministers were focused on the agreement clauses, oblivious—or rather, indifferent—to Carmen's words.
"That kid must've been thinking the whole time on the lift, 'How can I squeeze cash out of this moneybag?'"
"The Chairwoman didn't strike me as an easy mark, though..."
"And Gray is?"
"Well..."
Viscount Hex nodded vigorously.
"Judging by what we've seen so far, Gray's got the edge in wrapping her around his finger."
"Right. ...Maybe I should've turned a blind eye to him siphoning that budget."
Carmen fidgeted with her dress, smacking her lips.
"I squeezed too hard, didn't I?"
"No, ma'am. If you hadn't, they'd have sniffed out our ties to Morgania ages ago."
"True. Everyone just rolled over because we were handling it. If another house had stepped up for an audit... Ugh, don't even think about it."
It was a 50 billion project. No one knew exactly how much ended up in Gray's pockets, but even 3% was a staggering 1.5 billion. For a 13-year-old to execute it? Astronomical. And the project was running smoothly. At a loss, but still.
"Will the mana herb mass production succeed?"
"Odds are still against it. I snuck into the orphanage basement yesterday—it's stacked with failure logs."
"But if, by some miracle, it does?"
"It'd be a boon for the whole kingdom. And maybe even a prime export to the Empire."
An export to the Empire. In the kingdom, it'd never fetch fair value. If Gibraltar sold it officially, folks would haggle ruthlessly because it was Gibraltar, or curse them as money-grubbers for charging full price. Makes sense? Humans have a tendency to look down on and exploit even vastly superior people if they act like pushovers. After centuries of that, a mana herb venture under the Gibraltar name had zero business appeal.
"That kid's definitely gonna reach out later on the down-low."
"Pardon? That would be..."
"He'll propose it formally. Limited access for approved personnel only. And look, perfect trading partner just showed up, right?"
Carmen sighed inwardly.
"Whatever he's selling, he's all fired up about it."
"...He won't try peddling something weird, will he?"
"Weird how? Ha. What, you think he's gonna sell his own future or—"
Suddenly, a chill ran down Carmen's spine.
"...Nah. No way."
A possibility flashed through her mind.
"He told me something once."
Carmen shook it off.
"......"
Atop the ramparts. Too high up to see clearly, but that made it look all the more different.
Gray Gibraltar and Erwin Iferia looked just like a fond mother and son you'd spot strolling through the plaza.
"......"
Suddenly, something in Carmen's chest felt stuffy.
Erwin Iferia was someone I absolutely wanted to recruit—
No. Not top priority before, but now that we've crossed paths, that's changed.
If you seize an opportunity in business, you don't let it slip.
I'd never met Erwin directly, but I'd heard plenty about her life and mindset indirectly.
-Ahem. Gray Margrave, don't go blabbing about this. Back when I served the Chairwoman, Iferia was...
The Chairwoman might be gone in the future, but her underlings lingered. I'd gotten some stories from them. But even setting that aside, based on current intel alone, she was a goldmine I couldn't ignore.
"Are you single?"
"Eh, yeah, I am. Why? Got a crush on this auntie?"
"Auntie? If we'd met privately without titles, I'd have called you 'big sis.'"
"Look at you, smooth talker. So you want me to wait seven years? Goodness."
"If you're okay with someone like me, I wouldn't mind."
"Uh..."
Erwin frowned, momentarily at a loss for words.
"Young master Gibraltar. I'm being serious."
"So am I. Though others might suit you better than me."
"What are you...?"
Candidates flash through my mind. A heartthrob who'd make her pulse race on sight. A man she'd fall for regardless of his specs. And one who'd ultimately benefit me if they hit it off.
"...No. I just want to build a cooperative relationship going forward, but I'm worried personal feelings might muddy the business."
"Business? Wow, you really know your imperial tongue. How'd you learn? Got an imperial servant?"
"Newspapers keep blowing in on the wind."
"...They must print a ton. Sorry. I'll chew out the press on my way by."
The imperial paper Empire Daily fell under Erwin too. As a major investor, anyway.
"No worries. Thanks to it, I stay updated on the Empire—and personally, I'm quite curious about its affairs."
"Oh, uh, really? That's fortunate then."
"So, I'd like an Iferia Market—an imperial 'mart'—in Gibraltar."
"......Huh?"
A bolt-from-the-blue pitch. To seal a deal, stun them first.
"What do you mean?"
"Gibraltar is positively reviewing exchanges with the Empire."
"Why?"
"Father's tired of all the fighting."
"Uh..."
Erwin looked bewildered.
"Guarding the kingdom as Nostrum's shield gets old after a while. He hates rushing here every time His Majesty stirs up trouble."
Now wasn't the time to slack on defense.
"So if we start with simple trade to foster exchanges, at least open war won't erupt, he says."
"Trade, exchanges."
"Of course, inspections and censorship will be airtight, but if Gibraltar and the Empire start trading, won't kingdom-Empire relations shift somewhat?"
"I... not sure I should say this, but... treason... no?"
"Gibraltar has the power to pull it off."
"Power, sure. Yeah. A Sword Master."
Erwin's eyes darted side to side.
"Specifically, how far?"
"Up to maximum border trade, as long as no war or unrest breaks out?"
"......"
She blinked. Probably punching numbers in her head.
Just like her daughter.
Blood tells. No matter how the current crown princess consort claimed the imperial granddaughter as her own, with such a spitting image in hair and features, rumors were inevitable. That's why the purge happened. Such a shame to lose her—might as well lay groundwork now that we're here. Erwin's capital was one thing, but her tech was top-tier too.
Give her options.
Prep an escape to the kingdom—Gibraltar—if the Empire moves to execute her later. Can't hurt.
"Oh, right."
Calculations seemed done; time to probe.
"You could oversee operations here personally, Chairwoman, but I worry it might get awkward running into my father."
"What? Does Margrave Gibraltar dislike me or something?"
"No, actually."
One thing she'd be curious about at this point.
"I'm just afraid you might fall for him at first sight."
"......"
"Father's a married man. Mother's still very much alive."
"Ah, pfft, got it. That kind of worry? Yeah, I've heard."
Erwin nodded as if it made sense.
"A portrait of Crimson Gibraltar Margrave sold for 10 billion once. They said even the Empire's handsomest man couldn't compare."
"Father is exceptionally handsome."
"I know. It could be awkward, but... remember three years ago when General Claydoll came here?"
"Of course."
Officially, Claydoll Marquis camped one night at the gates. Unofficially, kidnappers breached the mansion.
"A war correspondent snapped your father's photo and rushed an early edition. It went through 24 printings. I mean..."
"The paper with Father's photo sold like hotcakes?"
"Exactly. You get it. Hmm, this is..."
"It'd sell well, right?"
"Are you seriously trying to sell your father right now?"
"He's prime modeling material business-wise. A golden chance to spread Crimson Gibraltar Margrave's charm across the Empire."
Clap.
"As his son."
I smile lightly, clapping once.
"Boosting Father's fame? What filial piety!"
"The modeling fee goes straight to the Margrave's pocket."
"After he passes, his estate goes to the next Margrave."
"Wow. Kid's got no filter."
"Just realistic, Chairwoman."
I harden my expression, turning serious.
"When you die, Chairwoman, who gets the empire you've built?"
"......"
"Too early to talk death at your age, but it doesn't follow birth order."
"You... you're a wicked kid. You know how many in the Empire beg for a meal with me?"
"Wouldn't you prefer my wild but profitable pitch over their bootlicking? Realistically."
"......"
Silence. She crosses her arms, staring me down.
"You're right. If I die, my fortune just floats away."
"To a loved one as inheritance? Or all to charity? The state?"
"Ha. You think I'd hand my company to the Empire on a platter?"
Erwin let out a hollow laugh, irritation showing.
"I'd leave it all to the one I love..."
"The one you love?"
"...My only family. If I were to die."
Erwin gazed toward the Empire, smiling bitterly.
"Just one person in this world."
"A man?"
"...No. A woman. I have a daughter. No one knows. Satisfied? Why obsess over whether I'm alone?"
"I told you. Can't have you falling for Father."
"...Sigh. So confident. Think I'd swoon at first sight? I've seen his photos plenty."
"Photos and the real thing are worlds apart. ...Oops. Haven't even hit the main point, and the talks are wrapping up."
Shame; wanted more chat time, but the table's clearing.
"Chairwoman, if it's alright, could you visit the gorge once more within the month?"
"A month? Secretly?"
"Yes. Around midnight, bring Father too. This agreement's with Nostrum."
I turn away from the table's view, pointing between us.
"Deals between Iferia Industries and Gibraltar Margrave Territory can happen anytime. For instance."
An irresistible offer, one.
"A 'branch campus' for the capital's academy."
"......"
"If you have a daughter, sending her there works? As you know, kingdom exchange students to the capital are all hostages anyway."
I board the lift, lightly gripping my throat.
"The Empire's 'reassurance' to the kingdom."
"......"
"Ideals are for the future, but reality's cold."
And if you don't grasp that, you don't become a megacorp chairwoman.
"Looking forward to our reunion, Chairwoman."
The agreement concluded.
The little war on the table ended in Nostrum's unilateral victory on paper. The Empire would fund the academy via Iferia Industries and send some exchange students.
One clause that nagged.
-Among the exchange students, the imperial granddaughter must be included. On the day the academy is built, the princess comes to Nostrum.
Back at the mansion, I headed straight to the study and reported to Father.
"I've decided to sell you to the Empire."
"...Don't just spit the conclusion. Give me the full story."
"It's your favorite style, Father. Like that day you pledged treason out of nowhere."
"......"
Father was speechless.
"Anyway, Father—just to confirm—are you still serious about treason?"
"Yes. Deadly serious."
"Planning to do whatever it takes?"
"......What are you scheming now."
"Nothing major."
This was one of Father's future assignments for me.
"Need to win over a single mom chairwoman with a kid for our side, and no one but you comes to mind right now."
Father would sell for sure.
"Time to strip."