Chapter 312

Negotiating Compensation
Now that it’s confirmed I’m not at fault, it’s time to discuss the next steps.
In simple terms, this means negotiating compensation.

The negotiations include demanding responsibility from Count Galette's family for stealing the Connie trees owned by the Marquis Vardmoi’s household and myself, covering the costs of the military dispatch, and the transfer of the captured prisoners, including that spoiled son of theirs.
I wonder how much this will amount to.

This negotiation cannot take place in Connie Village—partly because Count Galette, the other party involved, isn’t present.
Thus, we moved to Count Galette’s estate.
We borrowed two of the bird couriers that Lord Sharon and his group used for transportation.
Our group included me, Plum, Talat, Mr. Gyan, and two soldiers.

Upon arriving at Count Galette's estate, we found it already under occupation by the McFarlane family.
Marquis Vardmoi was also there, apparently having traveled with the bird courier.
Good, we can leave the responsibility to him.

By the way, Young lady Conniette wasn’t present.
It seems she’s still at the Trade Guild.
Since the compensation discussion doesn’t concern her, I suppose that’s fine.

When we entered the reception room, a skinny older man and a healthy, elegant woman were there.
They must be Count Galette and his wife.
I heard there were two of them, but why is only one here?

"Now that everyone is assembled, let’s proceed with the negotiations for compensation regarding this incident."

"W-wait, Your Highness! This entire matter was caused by my son acting on his own. I had no involvement whatsoever!"

Count Galette immediately objected to Lord Sharon’s declaration.
Of course, such an excuse didn’t fly.
Since the incident was caused under the name of the Galette family, the family was held accountable and sternly reprimanded.
Count Galette looked quite deflated—hopefully, he’ll be okay.

From that point, Mr. Gyan, the one responsible for the military dispatch, read out the compensation terms and amounts.
I wonder who prepared that document listing the terms.
It must be Marquis Vardmoi. That’s the only explanation.

"The total is 40 million Rubies. This does not include compensation to the Trade Guild or the ransom for the prisoners."

"Wait! Our family can’t possibly afford such an amount!"

"Whether you can afford it is irrelevant. You *must* prepare it… By the way, I heard there is another wife in the Galette family. Where is she?"

"… That woman stole valuables from our home and disappeared—jewels, gold coins, everything!"

"Is this the woman?"

At Mr. Gyan’s command, a woman was brought in from the hallway.
Her body showed signs of neglect and overindulgence.
Hmm, isn’t the thread binding her spider silk? It’s not Talat’s or Kiblinki Saltas’ thread.

"The patrolling soldiers captured a suspicious group and found her carrying a large amount of gold coins and jewels. She’s undoubtedly the first wife of Count Galette, correct?"

"Y-yes. She is my wife…"

"Then we will judge this woman as a thief under the authority of Marquis Vardmoi. Ordinarily, we would retain some of the seized valuables, but this time, everything will be returned. Use it toward the compensation."

"Y-yes…"

Though the stolen money was recovered, almost all of it will go toward the compensation.
Well, it can’t be helped.

"Now, the remaining compensation to be decided is the ransom for the prisoners. Lily, what will you do?"

"Eh?"

Uh, Marquis Vardmoi, what do you mean by ‘what will I do’?
I must look incredibly dumbfounded right now.

"You were primarily responsible for subduing the enemy soldiers. Therefore, the ransom is your rightful reward. How much will you demand?"

"Well, I don’t really know the going rates…"

"Releasing the noble heir would be 10 million Rubies. For officers, it depends on their rank but ranges from 8 to 2 million Rubies. For regular soldiers, 300,000 Rubies would be fair."

"Oh, regular soldiers are surprisingly cheap."

"It reflects their value."

I see, that’s how it works.
But I don’t think they can afford high sums anyway.
Maybe I’ll keep it reasonable.

"Then, for the heir, Modwoir, I’ll set it at 7 million Rubies. For the other soldiers, 200,000 Rubies each. How does that sound?"

"You’re valuing them rather low."

"Even if I demanded more, I doubt they could pay."

"That’s true."

Despite these lowered amounts, they hesitated to pay, so the release was temporarily canceled.
I couldn’t lower it too much, considering Marquis Vardmoi’s position.
I’m not sure how things will unfold, but for now, the prisoners will remain in our custody.

What do you think about this chapter?