Volume 3 Chapter 3 My Heart Was Already Corrupted
Lene and I conveyed detailed information regarding the other "gifts" of the magic stone to Your Highness, including precautions for using the <Magic Stone of Peul>.
After all, this magic stone can strip the earth of nutrients in a single day, causing other farmers' businesses to collapse, so one must be cautious in its usage.
It seems that gratitude for the magic stone will be properly expressed through a messenger sent to deliver gifts later.
It is indeed a blessing.
With this, the once cold pocket from the renovations feels a bit more full.
Thus, the conversation had become lengthy, but just as Her Highness seemed ready to leave for Lord Reichner's residence.
"Your Highness, you haven't yet spoken about that matter."
"...Ah, you're right. I became so engrossed in discussions about the magic stone."
Her Highness, who had risen, took a seat again upon Mr. Dietrich's advice.
Is there still something more to discuss?
"Do you remember Stern, the former High Noble?"
"Stern... Ah, yes."
Among the High Nobles, there is only one person I interacted with: Prime Minister Elmer of the Beistein Kingdom.
How could I ever forget him?
"I have discovered who it was manipulating that person from behind."
"...You mean it wasn't a Dark Mage?"
Her Highness spoke in an even lower voice than before.
It is indeed a matter of state secrets, and I understand why this would naturally occur.
"Yes. Dark Mage Ferron is merely the executor of the plan. While searching the former High Noble's mansion, he found a document. Goldmont Kingdom was pulling the strings behind the scenes."
I realized Lene gasped at Her Highness's unbelievable confession.
Goldmont, the kingdom to the north, is famous for being a friendly nation with Beistein Kingdom.
That country orchestrated the assassination of the king secretly?
"They claim to show friendship on the surface, but were they inciting assassination behind the scenes?"
"Even in the heart of a nation, there are not always unified opinions. Such things happen. As a matter of fact, even my country's Prime Minister was involved."
Her Highness answers my questions without changing expression, remaining dry and to the point.
Perhaps that's how royalty must be to survive.
However, Goldmont.
Currently, the main trading partner for Sartzstadt Port is Goldmont, a renowned maritime nation.
If things go south, I envision Sartzstadt falling swiftly with their warships.
"...Ah, I don't think it will come to declaring war against Goldmont Kingdom. Our nation simply doesn't possess that kind of military might, and facing 2 fronts, us and the Guant Kingdom to the northeast, would be unbearable."
"...I see."
As if she saw through my thoughts, Her Highness added, "
That's realistic.
She's truly direct.
She's really cold.
"Please keep this to heart. If anything happens in the future, please report it to me. Mr. Ryuuji and Ms. Lene, continue your dealings with Goldmont Kingdom as usual."
"Understood."
I understand what Her Highness is trying to say.
I see.
If something else happens under our watch, then any information we get could lead to new discoveries, that's what you're saying, right?
* * *
The figure of Her Highness, leading the soldiers, disappeared into the distance, and I felt a wave of relief, like I had finished a hard day's work.
Well, Her Highness may be a straightforward person, but they must be exhausted.
"Well done, Ryuuji."
"You too, Lene."
Seeing our tired faces, Lene offered me words of comfort.
Since she asked me to use more casual language with her, she stopped using honorifics with me.
"Mr. Ryuuji, Ms. Lene, good work."
"Good work!"
Lana the Dark Elf and Sis Lena, mimicking us, also offered their well wishes.
Without thinking, Lene and I looked at each other and burst out laughing.
"Yes, yes, thank you, Little Lana, Little Lena. You were lucky to get sweets from the princess."
"Hehe."
Lana, with her head being petted by Lene, hugs the sweets she received from Her Highness, looking happy.
What a peaceful scene.
"Oh, right. I need to apologize to Lana and the others."
"Apologize? For what?"
"What is it?"
Suddenly, I started talking, and the sisters, still holding their sweets, tilted their heads to the left in unison.
Lene made a strange noise at the sight, but I'll just ignore her for a bit.
"You remember that magic stone that helps the fields grow, right? Well, I've produced another one and handed it over to Her Highness. I apologize for increasing our business rivals without asking."
If vegetables can be harvested daily from other places, then the value of Lana and the others' fields will inevitably decrease.
I was thinking along those lines when I apologized to the two of them──
"Why are you apologizing? If we can harvest plenty of vegetables, it means fewer hungry children, which is a good thing, right?"
It was Lana, with her sparkling and pure eyes, who said such things.
Wow, her innocence made me feel like my thoughts were tainted, and I reflected on myself.
I really am sorry.
As for Lene, she was so moved that she hugged the two of them tightly.
The two who were embraced looked at each other in surprise.
"...Ah, by the way, while the princess is here, Big Brother Thor came by, didn't he? He seemed to have business with Mr. Ryuuji."
"Mr. Thor, you say? I see, thank you."
Finally freed from Lene's grip, Lana shared that information with me.
Mr. Thor probably didn't have the courage to interrupt Her Highness the Princess, so perhaps he went home first.
Well then, I will leave guidance for the disciples to Belle to some extent and head to the merchant guild now.
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