Chapter 420

Tea After the Dinner Meeting
The dinner proceeded in a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere, and we smoothly transitioned to tea afterward.
Drinking tea in a furisode... it feels kind of exotic.
Ah, it's quite good.

“So then, Marquis Vardmoi, what kind of settlement are you aiming for?”

After taking a sip of tea, Duke Roberaud brought up the topic.
That's something I want to know as well.
We’ve already decided to release all common soldier prisoners, and we've more or less discussed the fate of the officer class too, but things like reparations for the invasion—I figured that was for the nobles to sort out among themselves, so I didn’t interfere.
What kind of settlement are we aiming for?

“I’ve discussed it with His Majesty the Duke and we've reached a decision. I can't disclose the exact quantity, but rather than a monetary settlement, we’re seeking compensation in goods. Specifically, in magic metals.”

“Magic metals, huh? Come to think of it, there's a dungeon within the territory of the King's brother’s faction that produces a lot of magic metals, isn't there?”

“Yes. We intend to request the metals produced there as a form of compensation.”

I see—magic metals, huh.
I’m not very familiar with them, but I’ve heard they’re hard to obtain near Vardmoi, so I guess they’re valuable.
And if the Duke agrees, maybe it’s something the country itself doesn’t have easy access to either?
Either way, sounds like we’re not asking for money.

“But will that man actually agree to hand over magic metals if you ask? The King’s brother and the Third Prince’s faction still haven’t settled their succession dispute. It’s hard to imagine them giving up a valuable resource that could be used to make powerful weapons so easily.”

“That won’t be an issue. According to our information, there aren’t any skilled blacksmiths in the King’s brother’s territory, so most of the magic metal is just being hoarded, unused. We’re asking for that surplus.”

“Oh? But even then, there’s no guarantee he’ll give it up so easily.”

“That, too, shouldn’t be a problem. As Your Grace mentioned earlier, the King’s brother hasn’t finished his war with the Third Prince’s faction. He likely intended to use Vardmoi as a foothold to absorb the dukedom and expand his power base, but that plan has failed. To avoid a declaration of war from the dukedom, he’ll likely be willing to make some sacrifices.”

So… if the King’s brother’s faction refuses to offer reparations, does that mean the dukedom would then invade his lands?
But if I remember right, Alizée once said those lands aren’t particularly desirable to the dukedom.
In other words, they’ll just make it look like they’re ready to attack, but won’t actually do it?

Hmm, I’m not sure I get it.

Marquis Vardmoi probably knows that I’m not the type to lead forces all the way to the front lines, so I’ll just leave this to him.
Dealing with noble affairs is hard for me anyway…

What do you think about this chapter?