Interlude: Secret Talk

“Now then, regarding the supply of the emergency stores for the Second Chivalric Order...”

“Yes, we will be switching to your company moving forward.”

The Second Chivalric Order’s headquarters lay near the eastern gate of the capital, surrounded by stone walls. And within a manor adjoined to said headquarters, in a dimly candlelit room with the shadow of silver armor projecting against the wall, two men in the prime of their lives faced each other.

One had his back to the wall and was seated in a tall-back chair. He had a large build, and rested both his arms on the chair’s armrests. Across the table from him was a plump man sitting in a simple chair, his hands placed together, humbling himself before the other man.

“At the very least, we can handle some amount of burden this year and next, considering there are no campaigns to be had.”

“Thank you very much for your patronage,” the fat man replied, resisting the urge to rub his hands together greedily.

To a nobleman, he was a commoner. And to a commoner, he bore the honorary title of baron. He had become an expert at such negotiations.

“Although, this does mean changing a habit of many years. Someone like Adel may raise a fuss.” The vice commander of the chivalric order brought up the name of his stubborn subordinate, and smiled suggestively.

“With all due respect, My Lord, we naturally intend to compensate for the burden this will put on you...” The fat man placed a heavy box on the table. The man across from him opened the lid, and the candlelight reflected off its contents with a golden gleam.

“Good, there’s something that we must do given this spare time, now that we don’t have to deal with those damnable beasts.”

“So the crown prince is really...” The fat merchant let his eyes wander left and right as the noble before him began speaking of things that were only known to the innermost parts of the royal palace.

“As saddening as it is, the condition of his health continues to deteriorate. So placing any further burden on him is not ideal... Meaning, the next in line is...”

“It’ll fall to Prince Delnicius, then. I thought the knights would nominate Prince Craig, though...” The fat man squinted his eyes ever so slightly.

The second prince Delnicius belonged to the prime minister’s faction, while the third prince Craig was affiliated to a chivalric order, small as it was.

“Setting aside the deterioration of relations with the Empire, we must follow the trend. In the end, it’s the prime minister who has hold of the nation’s budget. Moreover, that prince is difficult to handle in all sorts of ways.”

The earl angrily tapped his finger on his desk. He had no affinity for his fellow soldier. He looked just like a merchant, breaking into another’s business.

“Certainly, it’s quite unprecedented for one who serves as a prince to lead a chivalric order.” The fat merchant put on a plainly sycophantic attitude.

This was vital information to him, as someone looking to maintain the status quo. The reckless negotiations he was carrying out here gradually continued to solidify his status as a guild representative. It also served as revenge against the Kendalls.

“Oh, yes... please accept this as well.” The guild representative placed another gift on the table, as if to change the subject. The candlelight went through the bottle, revealing a golden liquid seated in a decorative wooden box.

“Hmm. She’ll be grateful.” The earl’s thoughts moved from his principal residence over to the other residence he frequented lately. However, his grin quickly broke back into a cynical smile. “Speaking of honey, I’ve heard a copper has broken into your business. Are the guild regulations really alright?”

He brought up the topic as mere banter, but the merchant’s shoulders shuddered slightly. However...

“There is no need for concern. It certainly does appear that they possess some manner of secret regarding the collection of nectar, but I’ve already played my hand. Soon enough, everything including that secret will fall under my jurisdiction.”

The man’s attitude in constantly humbling himself before his trade partner didn’t crumble, but the expression of the strong suppressing the weak showed on his face just a little.