Chapter 4 – Magic Didn’t Play Much of a Role after all

 

 

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“Your Excellency! Have you seen this newspaper story?”

“No, not yet. Is there something special about it?”

 

The negotiations with the Helmut Kingdom, which had caused the airship incident in our airspace, weren’t proceeding well. The government, which had just been changed one week before the whole incident, has been a chaotic mess even before this whole matter and this incident only made it worse.

Even so, the folks of the CRP apparently managed to somehow start the negotiations by borrowing the power of the bureaucrats, but the talks weren’t moving forward at all. It’s frustrating, but right now we don’t hold any authority as an opposition party.

The negotiation team had been formed while aiming for a favorable rating by the media and people, and just as we had predicted, they were diverting the talks with their own agendas, angering the Helmut Kingdom. And because a weird group of people had started to appeal for an invasion of the Lingaia Continent to resolve the current stagnation of the demon society, it has become impossible to settle negotiations which should have been solvable under normal circumstances.

The CRP was supposed to be a political party touting liberalism, but in the end they’re a hodge podge of different interest groups.

There are also weird folks among them like the ones who are in front of us right now.

Although we’ve been demoted to being the opposition, our National Sovereignty Party (NSP) doesn’t sit around twiddling its thumbs either. We were consulting bureaucrats who were worried about an impending crisis because they hadn’t anticipated the CRP to be such a bunch of amateurs, and we also proposed political measures to the CRP, even while knowing that it was pointless.

Well, the CRP folks’ pride is pointlessly high, so they’ve been mostly ignoring our suggestions. Some of their decent parliament members feel that things are heading in the wrong direction, but they don’t have much to say as a minority group.

Dumb parliament members exist amidst our ranks as well, and right now I’m talking with a person after being told by those idiots that they’d like me to meet him. His name is Otto Heinz. He’s abnormally thin, and his silver-gray hair is parted to one side. He appears to be quite neurotic as his widely opened eyes are constantly darting around all over the place. Given how he seems to have difficulties meeting other people’s eyes, it’s amazing that he’s the leader of a political organization.

『World Conquest Alliance』 was written on the shabby business card he had offered me. And at that time all alarm bells had rung inside my head. Because it was a political organization I never heard of, they must have bubbled to the surface just recently, but with them having chosen this name, it was pretty clear that they were a group of people to be avoided, if possible.

He had first explained the political belief of their 『World Conquest Alliance』, and it seemed like this guy would become suddenly talkative, once he started to speak. Having said that, it’s not like his speech was overly skillful. I think he’s one of those guys who become excited over their own words.

Because he’s running his mouth about world domination, he’s obviously scheming to invade the Lingaia Continent. His logic is very simple. He thinks it’ll be possible to provide the unemployed youths with decently paying jobs as long as we subjugate the humans and exploit them.

And certainly, it’s a good plan if you don’t have a shred of conscience.

But, before you can talk about any of that, you need to prepare your military in a way that would allow your army to achieve that. All the unemployed youths would have to be forced into conscription. After all, the demons are already short on hands due to the population decline.

And then it’d still be unknown just how much territory we’d be able to secure on the Lingaia Continent.

His claim was in line with his organization’s name, but in the end, it was no more than the prattling of a transient organization. In the first place, he came to me, a member of the opposition party, because he was locked out by the liberal labor federations, citizen’s groups, political organizations, and human rights organizations who all form the CRP as an alliance. It’s evident that those guys wouldn’t go along with his thinking since he’s advocating to overthrow the Helmut Kingdom and Holy Urquhart Empire who are still ruled as savage feudalistic countries.

Eh? Aren’t you the same, you ask?

Some folks in the CRP are quite capable of word games like for example claiming that it’s proper to invade, if it’s for the sake of liberating the people of their feudal rulers, even though it’s wrong for us demons to attack those countries. And even in my party, a reasonable number of people agree with that way of thinking. In reality, several groups in the CRP also advocate the same idea as the World Conquest Alliance.

It’s unclear to me why those groups have excluded the World Conquest Alliance, but these kinds of organization sometimes tend to have fierce internal struggles. Maybe they were defeated in a dispute among far right groups. Also, they’re a World Conquest Alliance, but it seems like they aren’t a genuine extreme right organization as they’ve been criticizing the monopoly of capital by rich families. Or maybe they’re an ultra left powers, seeing how they’re criticizing big capital families?

Either way, they are a group I don’t want to get involved with. Even so, being a politician also means that you must humor certain parties, even if you dislike it. Especially when it comes to big organizations. However, there’s no need to pay any attention to such a temporary organization. After all, these guys won’t be able to win me any votes for the election.

“At last the demon queen has started to move towards a resurrection of the old dictatorship!”

“Where have they written an article like that?”

“Isn’t it written right here, Your Excellency!?”

Otto pointed at a single news article in the Everyday Journal. So far as it goes, it was in the politics section. It was signed with the name of the reporter, but I never heard that name.

When you become a major politician, you’ll have an idea of the important reporters, and you’ll also associate with them to have them write positive things about you in their articles. I’m sure this reporter must be a newcomer.

The article was about youths who got tired of unemployment and their life where efficiency matters first and foremost, and thus started a farm village restoration movement in several abandoned villages. While repairing the infrastructure over there, they provide for their own life. They have the people supporting their movement buy up the leftover produce and use that money for living expenses. There are even some people who married over there and gave birth to children. Their current challenge should be how to make it possible for their kids to commute to school…I guess.

It’s not a bad story. Isn’t that just fine? The unemployed youths are groping for new ways to design their life. If this way of living goes according to plan, they won’t need to receive welfare and since they’re young, the number of people marrying and getting children will increase as well. If the NSP was the ruling party, it’d have even been fine to consult with us about a school or two.

“What is the problem with this?”

“Your Excellency! The representative of this movement is the former demon queen!”

“Demon queen, eh…?”

Just how many years have passed since the demon king and his kin gave back their political power and state property. The current demon queen has no power whatsoever, has she? Even her becoming the representative of this movement probably happened out of the calculation that she’d be useful as a figurehead. The current demon queen appears to be a little girl. If you look at her pictures, it’s clear that she’ll become a beauty in the future. No matter the era, a beauty at the top of an organization is always a great eye-catcher.

If their movement works out well, it’d be even fine to have them run in the elections for the NSP. At the very least they should make for better politicians than the guy in front of me.

“They’re dangerous!”

“It’s not like they’re rampaging around or anything like that, though.”

Dangerous, you say… Personally I believe they’re much less objectionable than you are, buddy.

“Farming tools can also be used as weapons!”

Well, sure. But, it’s unthinkable that they’d be able to win against the defense force with such primitive equipment. What’s this guy talking about anyway?

“It’s also possible that they’ll start a revolt! The demon queen and Earl Baumeister got in contact!”

So it seems. It’s written in the article.

“『Earl Baumeister and his wives, our guests from the Helmut Kingdom, helped with today’s harvest, and we all enjoyed potato dishes which we cooked after having freshly gathered the potatoes』…that’s nothing more than visiting a harvest festival, isn’t it?”

It seems like Earl Baumeister and his retinue was sent here to oppose our government which is making absurd demands in the negotiations, such as gender equality, the introduction of democracy, and the ban of hunting specific animals. Earl Baumeister himself seems to understand the political situation in our country quite well. He earnestly worked hard to create a peaceful mood by even taking his family along without concerning himself with the potential dangers of that.

I think it was a smart move, but Earl Baumeister apparently misread that most of our citizens have absolutely no interest in the outside world. People got quickly tired of him and he quickly stopped being a hot topic. The only ones being oddly interested in him are the guy in front of me and a part of his supporters.

“Their objective is as plain as day! He’s planning to start a coup d’etat to restore royal rule in this country while colluding with the demon queen!”

“Haaah?”

No, Earl Baumeister was constantly being watched by his defense force guards. Even if he really schemed something like that, they’d see through it in no time. The defense force members not having said anything means they’ve only seen Earl Baumeister and the demon queen having a regular exchange with each other. Of course, you can’t say that the defense force never makes mistakes, but they are a lot more superior than the folks from the World Conquest Alliance who only clamor around. At the very least, I can trust the defense force much more than these shady guys.

“You seem to have a much richer imagination than your appearance gives away.”

“It’s no imagination! Danger is going to soon befall this country!”

I guess that’s a peculiarity of fleeting organizations. They try to garner support from the people by gathering attention from society through absurd claims and statements. Or rather, just who is funding these guys anyway? Capitalists who plan to run their business on the Lingaia Continent? I’d like them to stop pointlessly feeding mongrels.

“I won’t exclude that possibility altogether, but the talks between our countries start with trade and diplomacy first, so I think this would be a matter of the distant future…”

If our country’s magic tools start being sold on the continent, the humans might imitate those and slowly raise their technological level. And if the humans start sending immigrants to uninhabited regions after growing too much in number, territorial encroachment might become an issue. It’s an extremely complicated problem, but seeing how both parties have come in contact, they must find a point of compromise.

Damn! For the CRP to have become the ruling party at a time like this sucks! They’re unable to deal with it pragmatically, aren’t they!?

“Your Excellency, your perception of the situation appears to be slightly naive.”

What a rude fellow. Unlike you, I’ve been doing my work as a politician. Don’t lump me together with an unemployed guy standing at the top of a self-alleged political organization like you!

“Let me warn you just in case, but even if you people head out to use force, it will be in vain.”

They’ll simply get arrested by the defense force. Our current government is a joke, but the folks serving in the defense force are normal. Even if these guys were to take armed action against Earl Baumeister and the demon queen, they’d be stopped and arrested.

Does this idiot in front of me seriously believe that an attempt to attack an official foreign envoy and his family would go through without any rebuke?

“Your Excellency…I’m disappointed in you. For you to be unable to see into the future to such an extent…”

See into the future? Is that something you should say as someone who still has no job?

“They’re dangerous. I must get rid of them while betting my political life on this!”

The idiot in front of me reached a conclusion all by himself. Let’s throw out the dumb parliament member who introduced this idiot to me.

“You will definitely regret your decision!”

The idiot got angry of his own accord and stormed out of my room. He only wasted my time pointlessly.

Even though we’ve been demoted to opposition, politicians are busy.

“Oh right, I guess I should contact the defense force, telling them that there’s an idiot who’s planning to attack Earl Baumeister.”

A different race called humans have appeared in our society, which has consisted of only demons so far, causing our lives to face great changes. I suppose it’s not unusual for people like that idiot to show up during such times of chaos.

“World Conquest Alliance…they have ten members, don’t they? So few…”

Since I informed the defense force right away, I immediately forgot about those guys. I was busy in various ways in regards to dealing with humans. You could also say it was unnecessary for me to remember each and every transient organization.

“The diplomatic negotiations between both countries not moving at all is bad. Even though they could at least set up a treat about trade and travel between both countries first…damn it! Those blasted fools of the CRP!”

Anyway, what matters now are the diplomatic negotiations between our two countries. Even though it’ll obviously end up being in vain, I immersed myself in compiling a policy to propose to the CRP once again.

 

＊　　　＊　　　＊

 

 

“Comrade Otto, what is the outcome of our appeal?”

“Comrade Raymond, it was still in vain.”

“Damn it! That blasted imbecile who still doesn’t understand the danger! For such an idiot to be the leader of the NSP…”

“Comrade Raymond, the NSP lost its power because that sort of man has been at the center of the government.”

 

Once again, our appeal failed. It’s a continuous streak of refusals. First several politicians of the CRP and now even a politician of the NSP.

When I reported the details to Vice-Leader Raymond of our World Conquest Alliance, he could only answer with a vexed expression.

“The demons live in a country that keeps heading towards ruin thanks to the declining birthrate, political measures catering only to old people who have lived past their time, and exploitation by the big capital! Many folks scoff the humans as being savage brutes, but those humans have big populations. Why does no one realize that the demons will be overpowered by the human numbers in the future, leading to life-threatening danger!?”

Approving our notion, 46 of our supporters had gathered last week. The organizer’s announcement mentioned 500, but this wasn’t a lie. Each of our supporters had more than ten people’s worth of motivation as they assembled at this rally.

“We’re suffering poverty thanks to the unfair exploitation by the rich capitalist families. They only let us live on a tiny welfare payment without even letting us have jobs! The young demons can’t marry, nor give birth to children. At this rate, the demons are going to perish, but the government doesn’t do anything about it. The folks of the CRP got into power after winning over the votes of those who were unhappy and disappointed with the policies of the NSP, but you can’t expect these people to be useful in any way.”

Even though we suggested political measures in order to help them out, we’ve been completely ignored by them! Just what do they take me, Leader Otto of the World Conquest Alliance, for!?

“Comrade Raymond, what are the other alliance members doing?”

“They’re practicing magic as usual.”

“That is wonderful.”

Magic has become completely obsolete because of the rampant popularization of magic tools, but we aim to revive magic. The demons’ biggest advantage over humans should be the ability of every demon being able to use magic by birth. Most demons nowadays would claim that we just need to supply mana to magic tools, but what’s the point in giving up our forte as demons?

『What are you going to do if your offensive magic hit someone else?』

『It’d be dangerous if children let magic loose in the middle of the city, you know?』

Because of use idiotic reasons, the government forbade practicing magic in many places!

But, we’re different. The nine comrades, who gathered under my command, were spending most of their time training their magic.

Magic is essential for demons. In ancient times, our race gave birth to many great magicians. They obtained many achievements with their mighty magic during the era of warring states.

The demons have to go back to their original calling and conquer the threat of humanity by using magic. If each demon rules over a hundred humans, the demons will be able to develop on a grand scale.

They’ll be able to lead a prosperous life even without working…no, all of the demons will become nobles. The difference in standing and income will decrease, and the number of demons marrying and giving birth to children will increase. It’s also going to have the effect of suppressing the dangerous humans.

And yet, despite these wonderful political measures which would make everyone happy, those damn bastards of the CRP and NSP ignore us. Just what do they take a genius like me for!?

“Comrade Raymond, I will talk to everyone later.”

“I understand.”

A few hours later, I gathered my comrades who had finished their training at that point. There was something I wanted to tell them.

“Comrade Otto, the power of our magic has grown significantly.”

“That is great news, Comrade Leon.”

Our World Conquest Alliance was run by ten elites and several support members. All of them have been leading miserable lives thanks to the stingy capitalists and their lap dogs, the politicians, but once they began their magic training, their expressions quickly brightened up.

As I thought, demons truly shine when they’re able to use magic. We will use our magic and conquer the human countries with it.

“Comrade Otto, I heard our appeals were ignored by both parties…”

“It’s a very deplorable situation. Even though we offer them an ingenious plan that would resolve all the problems they’re facing, they yap about civil rights, combat power, budgets, and such. And on top of all that, they criticize our political measures while spouting some nonsense about humans and demons living together in peace. The capitalist swines who only care about their own well-being, the incompetent government which couldn’t stop the decline of the demons, and the media which acts as their lackeys; I feel like barfing whenever I see them only act in their own, selfish interests!”

While providing nicely-sounding lip service, they exploit our youth and kill all their spirit! The civil rights of humans? Something like that will be immediately settled once we rule those lowly brutes. As soon as we demons become the rulers of the world, all talks will be over with us reigning over the humans.

“Comrade Otto, what are we going to do next?”

“Of course we’ll take action, but we’ll need some more time for that.”

“Figures…”

In the end, the CRP only recently came into power. If we rush things, we’ll be very likely caught by the defense force after they become wary of us.

“But, the CRP idiots are completely incompetent! They’ll surely start to mess up the defense force!”

And at such a time, we’ll quickly make our own move.

“What actions?”

“We are few, and our organization isn’t big by any means, so we’ll garner a lot of support by standing out with our actions!”

“Okay, so what are we going to do?”

“Isn’t that obvious? We’ll assassinate the demon queen and Earl Baumeister.”

Terror against the government and NSP would be bad. Those guys hold themselves dear and thus they’ll show no mercy to those trying to kill them.

However, things are different with the demon queen and Earl Baumeister. The demon queen currently holds no power at all, but I hear she’s a young but very pretty girl. What if she embarks into the world of politics once she grows older? Many politicians should tremble in fear, worrying that she might rob them off their seats.

And as far as Earl Baumeister is concerned, he’s a human from another country.

 

 

If we kill these two, we’ll earn ourselves a lot of popularity. We’d need to go to prison for around forty years, but the death penalty has been abolished in this country. We’ll eventually be able to leave prison.

“If we kill Earl Baumeister, the Helmut Kingdom behind him should become enraged. If we provoke them a little bit further afterwards, it’ll lead to war. And once a war breaks out, it’ll also become possible to depart to the Lingaia Continent to lower some of our sentences. We’ll fight and win. All we have to do is to rule over the humans.”

“Oohh! That’s Comrade Otto for you.”

“Magnificent!”

“He’s going to become the cornerstone of us demons.”

Our ideas not being accepted stems from us being nice boys and following the rules of the government, capitalists, and medial folks, who only care about themselves. Yep, we must smash the framework forming those rules and use this as a chance to create a new world and order!

“Right now we must endure! The idiots from the CRP will definitely weaken the defense force! And at that time we’ll strike at the demon queen and Earl Baumeister!”

It’s not like I have any grudge against these two. They just have to die for our sake.

“With that said, I suppose I’ll work hard at my magic training as well.”

“Ooohh, Comrade Otto, you’re going to join us!”

“I hear Earl Baumeister is a famous magician among the humans, but he won’t be able to win against us with Comrade Otto on our side.”

My mana exceeds the demon queen who used to be the elite family when it comes to mana. I’ll kill those two without fail and climb to new heights.

With that decided, I strove hard at my magic training together with my comrades.

 

＊　　　＊　　　＊

 

“…Earl Baumeister, I read your report about the demons and the Zontark Republic. Still…”

We tried all sorts of things in our own way, but to speak plainly, I don’t think our visit to the demon country bore much, if any, meaning. At first the public opinion of us was positive because I visited while bringing my wives and children along, but with the negotiations between both countries at a standstill and the demons’ interest in foreign affairs being low, it didn’t take much time for us to stop being in the center of attention.

It’s said gossip lasts just 75 days, but we didn’t even stay a topic for an entire month.

The demons live long lives and they’ve spent all their time with their brethren thus far, so I I believe the number of people with interest in humans is low.

We didn’t do anything worth mentioning in the second half of our visit, and only spent some time playing with the demon queen and her friends. Since she was promoting a farm village restoration movement, we helped out with the farm work over there, ate the yield after cooking it together, and did some other trivial stuff.

Given that the government didn’t spare us any time, the demon queen and her prime minister were the only ones accompanying us.

Seeing how the negotiations weren’t advancing, there was no point in staying in the Zontark Republic for an extended period of time, and thus we returned to the Helmut Kingdom on our magic airship. Even the order to gather in the west has already been rescinded.

Right now both countries were continuing to negotiate, but Margrave Holmia had called off the expensive mobilization and deployed a unit of a select few, who would be able to react immediately, after judging that the number of enemies and scale of the base on the archipelago was low.

Because the negotiations were obviously dragging out, Margrave Holmia and the other nobles would go bankrupt, if they kept a large army on standby for a long time. The wartime policies in the west haven’t been called off yet, but even Margrave Holmia should wish for peace to return as quickly as possible.

I also wish for that, but the misalignment in the negotiations between both parties seems to keep becoming a problem for even the royal palace. If they accept the demons’ demands as they are, the Helmut Kingdom would cease to exist as a country, but they didn’t think that the demons would compromise on this part.

Any normal government would garner criticism for negotiations being stuck, but the demons didn’t care about diplomacy. As soon as the big newspapers started to refrain from reporting on the negotiation out of consideration for the government, the people immediately lost interest in the contact with the humans, including the whole matter of airspace infringement.

Occasionally the government proclaimed through newspaper articles that they were negotiating with a strong stance, which seemed to be enough for the people to feel satisfied.

『It gives them a good reputation if they say they’re negotiating firmly, but you can also say they’re just saying whatever they want to say about this』

When we were about to leave Zontark, Lumi explained the circumstances to us at the port after coming to see us off.

The leaders of demon rights organizations and animal protection groups had joined the negotiation team on the demons’ side. They kept insisting on a hunting ban and the introduction of democracy and civil rights in the Helmut Kingdom.

“Why are they doing something like this?”

“It’s because they lead prosperous lives.”

“Considering that, your population keeps decreasing, does it not…? I do not get it.”

I don’t understand it either, but among humans it’s usually the poor families who have many children. I heard they give birth to many since they’re uncertain whether their children will make it to adulthood.

…The humans on Earth and Lingaia are the same sort of people, so I suppose they do have parts they share commonly…

“Our foreign minister said that they’re persisting in proceeding with the negotiations.”

They’re persisting, huh…? That man has the flaw of being a braggart.

“They simply cannot conclude an unequal treaty after being overpowered by the other side.”

“He is making all the people involved with diplomacy help out, so that should not happen.”

Following the negotiations with the Empire after the civil war, this is another big diplomatic job after a long time. It seems like the nobles of the foreign affairs faction, who appear to have lots of free time usually, are actively assisting our negotiation team. In short, Minister Überschaar has set up a system where other people will cover for him, even if he makes a mistake.

In exchange, things follow the proverb 『Too many cooks spoil the soup』 to a tee. Far from them not being able to decide anything, it’s also possible that things will head in a crazy direction.

“I have resolved myself that the negotiations are going to take time.”

The Kingdom is probably thinking that it’s better to stall without coming to a conclusion rather than agreeing to an unequal treaty after hurrying too much. The demons might get criticized by the citizens, but the Helmut Kingdom had no need to worry about something like that occurring.

The other side’s impatience would work in our favor. At any rate, the Kingdom cannot accept things like a ban on hunting, an introduction of democracy, or more rights for women.

Even on Earth it wasn’t unusual for diplomatic negotiation to not reach a conclusion, and seeing how they aren’t finding a common ground, it’s also possible to leave things as they are right now.

“Another part in the negotiations is about the return of the 『Lingaia』 and its crew.”

“Is Minister Überschaar handling these negotiations?”

“He is, but they aren’t going well.”

“Why?”

I had heard the details about this matter from the Lingaia’s crew, but one of the vice-captains was the heir of Earl Platte and he seemed to be the reason why magic was shot at the demon’s ship. The defense force of Zontark had reached the same conclusion after questioning the crew.

Seeing how it was a misdeed by his vice captain, the captain had apologized since he was accountable as his superior officer. Because Earl Platte’s son had acted against orders, he’d be strictly punished in the royal air force. The Kingdom would shoulder the costs for detaining the Lingaia and its crew.

I thought it’d be best to strike a deal with these conditions, and His MAjesty also believed that it’d be best to settle things in such a way.

But, one person started to resolutely claim that he couldn’t accept those conditions. Of course it was Earl Platte.

『Is there any need for the Kingdom to apologize and thus boost the demons’ side in this critical moment when the demons might cause large changes to the situation surrounding the Kingdom itself? That’s a dangerous idea!』

At a glance, it sounds like a reasonable argument…is nothing I thought.

In short, Earl Platte feared that the career of his heir would be damaged by receiving a severe punishment. The Platte House was a family which had produced generations of royal air force commandants, but as might be expected, someone who caused an international incident and received a severe punishment would never be able to become a commandant or make a proper career. This meant Earl Platte would be forced to remove his current heir from the seat of becoming the next family head, but for some reason he was doting on that idiot of a son.

Because of that, he started to run his mouth about the pride of the Kingdom, getting in the way of the Lingaia release which was possible to implement.

From my point of view, this was nothing but dumb, but since his opinion had some supporters in the military and foreign affairs faction, the negotiations about the release weren’t advancing at all.

“In other words, Earl Platte claims it’d be bad for the Helmut Kingdom to apologize?”

“Those are his words, yes.”

If you consider Earl Platte’s argument in light of international relations, you can’t say that he’s completely wrong. For this reason, some people in the royal court support his view, making this whole problem even more complicated.

“Isn’t there any point of compromise? All of this only lengthens the crew’s detention.”

The other side was a country that took civil rights into account, so they wouldn’t mistreat or torture the crew. But, a long detention would make the crew accumulate stress.

“What has Earl Platte said about the detention of his son?”

“Because he’s aware of the other side’s circumstances, he’s been demanding to have just his son released first.”

What, so in the end he’s just doting on his own son, huh? As I expected, he and I don’t mesh at all. As soon as I heard this, I started to hate father and son even more.

“In such a case, I believe it’d be fine to have him released last.”

In an official stance, the noble man would prioritize the release of the commoners, remaining there to the bitter end. It’s what you call noblesse oblige.

Putting aside whether any nobles actually practice it…his stupid son approached me about releasing only him alone, so he’s obviously one of the nobles not following that maxim.

“You’re right. I also believe it’d be better to release the son of Earl Platte last. Even if the person himself says that he hates it.”

His Majesty apparently hated Earl Platte’s son as well, but then again, I think the only person liking that guy would be his father.

“What does Minister Überschaar think about this?”

“That man is somewhat weak to pressure from outside. He’s nervous since Earl Platte and his sympathizers have been pushing him. However, other nobles of the foreign affairs faction argued that negotiations to release only Earl Platte’s son first bear the danger of being looked down upon by the demons instead, and thus this proposal wasn’t accepted.”

“Well, they’d definitely take advantage of this. They’d likely start thinking that the nobles ruling in the Helmut Kingdom only care about the safety of their family.”

“There’s that, but if only the noble son gets released, it’s possible that the demons will think of the Helmut Kingdom as a country where arrogant nobles dominate the political sphere.”

“Democracy or whatever, was it? Right now I have our scholars investigate the concept, but it’s a system of rule I don’t really understand.”

It’s difficult to explain democracy to people who have grown accustomed to a monarchy over a period of several thousand years. I answered His Majesty’s questions within the range I comprehended the system, but I’m not sure whether I was able to explain it properly.

It’s not like I can tell him about my previous life, so I ultimately talked about it as a private opinion.

“Dragging out the negotiations about trade is no problem, but the same cannot be said about the crew of the Lingaia. I have decided. I shall officially assign you, Earl Baumeister, as special ambassador. Please free the crew of the Lingaia.”

“Me? But…”

Minister Überschaar will obviously be unhappy about this arrangement. After all, it’ll be a transgression into his authority.

“The only thing entrusted to you will be the release of the Lingaia and its crew. Originally I assigned that mission to Minister Überschaar first and foremost. So I’ll simply have two negotiation channels, just in case.”

“I understand. I shall comply.”

It was impossible for me to refuse here, and thus it was decided that I’d be assigned to the negotiations for releasing the Lingaia and its crew.

 

＊　　　＊　　　＊

 

“So I’m going to accompany you?”

 

Seeing how I was supposed to hold confidential negotiations, I couldn’t take too many people with me. Accordingly, I nominated Lisa to go with me. Because she’s an outstanding magician, she’ll be able to perfectly serve as bodyguard, and above all, it had been her pupil who caused the whole incident of firing magic at a demon ship.

Given that the goal of the upcoming negotiation would be to decide what would happen to that pupil and Earl Platte’s dumb son, Lisa was most qualified as an acquaintance of the perpetrator. Also, probably because it was about her pupil, Lisa also felt somewhat uneasy about his fate.

“Please.”

“I will gladly undertake that mission, but Anakin, huh…? Will it be difficult to get him out?”

Sure, he’s the perpetrator who fired the spell, but he was also a victim since he only listened to the order of Earl Platte’s dumb son. As far as I could tell from the attitude of the demons’ defense forces, they didn’t seem to harbor any animosity towards him, seeing how Anakin’s magic didn’t damage the ship either.

Because of that, it might be possible to successfully negotiate the release of the Lingaia and its crew.

“Wend, are you going to the demon country once again?”

“His Majesty ordered me to negotiate.”

“The captain and his vice-captain took good care of us during the case with the bone dragon, so it’d be nice if they could be released without a hitch,” commented Ina.

“I mean, they’re victims of their subordinate going berserk.”

I won’t say they don’t share any responsibility, but Earl Platte’s dumb son is an idiot going way beyond our wildest expectations. Ina and I judged his erratic behavior to have been completely out of the captain’s hands.

“I’ll head over and quickly negotiate their release.”

“You think it’s possible to wrap up the negotiations so easily?”

“I feel like it’ll drag out if I don’t say it like that.”

At once Lisa and I leaped to the archipelago with Teleport.

 

＊

 

“Oh, is something the matter.”

“I have been officially appointed as special ambassador by His Majesty.”

Since it seemed like Minister Überschaar would get angry if I acted on my own device, I made sure to contact him first. I think he was already informed by His Majesty, but this was a move for the sake of us having a smooth relationship.

“I’ve heard about it, but are you going to be alright?”

“To be honest, I don’t know.”

It’s not like I’m lying or anything. I really can’t tell. This is something I won’t be able to predict unless I actually try my hand at the negotiation.

“We’re currently struggling with just the negotiation in regards to trade-related matters. So feel free to give it your best shot.”

The minister seems to believe that it’ll be difficult for me to succeed with negotiating a release of the prisoners and their ship. Or rather, any normal person would actually make such a call.

“Wendelin-sama?”

“Anyway, let’s go.”

Having said that, we’re not headed for the demon country. Even if we were to teleport there all of a sudden, we do not have any connections, so we wouldn’t be even able to get them to negotiate with us.

“Who are you going to negotiate with?”

“I can tell as much that it’s certainly not those guys.”

The demon representatives were sitting opposite Minister Überschaar at the negotiation table. But, as far as I can tell, most of them are pretty mediocre, to put it diplomatically. Given that many of their politicians come from citizen groups, they’re pretty vocal about their opinions, but they’re unsuited for practical work.

Rather than them, I’ll instead target the bureaucrats who are supporting those politicians by handing them documents or whispering advice.

“Excuse me.”

Aiming for a moment when he was away from his politician, I called out to a demon who looked like a young bureaucrat.

“Is it correct for me to assume that you serve as a bureaucrat involved with foreign affairs?”

“Yes. I’m part of a group of bureaucrats who have been transferred from other ministries after the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was restored in a hurry.”

The demons abolished the public office in charge of foreign affairs 2000 years ago since there were no foreign countries to deal with. Now the bureaucrats were serving as assistants for the politicians while forming new structures.

“Do you already have someone serving as vice-minister?”

“We do, but what about it?”

“Ah, right….” After lowering my voice, I whispered in his ear, “I’ve been appointed as special ambassador in regards to the negotiation for a release of the Lingaia on a short call. I’d like to hold a confidential meeting as soon as possible.”

As soon as I showed him the authorization I received from His Majesty, the bureaucrat’s face changed.

“A negotiation for a release, you say?”

“I mean, there is no need to expressly cause problems for the ladies and gentlemen working as politicians for your fine country. It might not be the best approach as far as public face is concerned, but allow me to be very open here. You do understand what I mean, right?”

“…Vice-Minister Gateau is currently resting, but I will take you to him.”

We were led to another room by the young bureaucrat. A demon with grizzled hair was sighing over documents inside the room built into a prefab-like building by the defense forces.

“Is something wrong, Outen?”

“I have brought Earl Baumeister-dono.”

“Earl Baumeister-dono? Ah, the person who visited our country as a goodwill ambassador. I have heard the news.”

“I’m Earl Baumeister. Today I’ve come here as a special ambassador in regards to the Lingaia release.”

“So, negotiations for a release, huh…?”

“By the way, I haven’t told the politicians anything about this. You understand what I mean, correct?”

“Outen, no one is to enter this room for the time being!”

“Yes.”

The young bureaucrat called Outen stood watch at the room’s entrance while Vice-Minister Gateau and I started our secret negotiations.

As expected, it’s much faster to speak with bureaucrats who excel at practical business. I guessed that it’d be easier to negotiate with bureaucrats than politicians, now that the new government was still unstable due to the recent change in power.

“So you wanted to talk about the release of the Lingaia, right…?”

“Yes. The costs for detaining the ship and its crew is nothing to sneeze at, is it?”

“The government officials of the defense forces seem to be unhappy about that part.”

Their expenses shot up due to the detention. On top of that, politicians have been running their mouth about invading the Lingaia Continent, despite having cut down the defense budget in recent years.

It’d be weird for them to not be unhappy about this. In such a case, they’d actually demand a budget increase, but the politicians of the CRP got elected on the ticket of reducing the rampant state deficit. They’re sensitive to the public opinion, so they’re unable to speak about a defense budget increase no matter what.

“For this reason, I think it’d be smart to release everyone except for the related parties, including the ship. Only the perpetrator and the vice-captain who gave the instruction to fire will be excluded from this. We will discuss their treatment in detail later on…”

If it’s just the detention of the two offenders, it’ll cost the demon country a lot less money than now.

“Just two people? No matter how much the vice-captain might have acted on his own, the captain and the other vice-captain carry a part of the blame as well, don’t they? They have neglected their professional duty after all. I’ve heard that some of the defense members also got slightly injured.”

Some defense force members got a few scratches when they counterattacked and took control of the Lingaia. The Vice-Minister keenly pointed out that those offenses weren’t to be shirked either.

And sure enough, bureaucrats like him notice even the slightest things. He didn’t forget to earn some points for himself while attacking the flaw in my reasoning.

“But, the public opinion would be happier to set the stupid son of Earl Platter as the main culprit, no?”

A noble guy, who suppresses the masses, went against the orders of his commoner captain and ordered a commoner magician, who couldn’t talk back because of his social status, to launch a pointless attack. The demons should come much easier to terms with the noble son to be the main offender.

“I certainly cannot deny that.”

“I hear the royal air force plans to strictly punish Earl Platte’s dumb son for acting against order. I’m pretty sure that he will be regarded as the principal offender there. Either way, in the end he must go back to his country. And even in the Helmut Kingdom, worthless nobles become the target of public criticism.”

“I see, so you’re saying it’d actually be more convenient to delay his return to your home country.”

“Yes.”

If we allowed for just his dumb son to return first, just as Earl Platte demands, the criticism would be intense. As such, it won’t be a problem even if we keep him restrained here for a long time. Him staying back here alone while the commoners go back first would save his reputation somewhat.

In reality, that scum demanded to be released from detention first, but his will doesn’t play any role here. At the most, I’ll use him as a scapegoat for the demons.

“This method will lead to just one person being detained, though.”

“What about the magician who fired the spell?”

“Wouldn’t it be fine to give him a summary trial? His offense is at the level of property damage, right? Moreover, he isn’t the principal offender.”

In addition, he hasn’t caused any damage to the defense force ship he hit with his spell either. If we negotiate this skillfully and set it as a minor offense, it’d be possible to have him return alongside the Lingaia while treating it as deportation.

“Earl Baumeister-dono, you know our country’s laws surprisingly well.”

“Not quite. I simply read a book about them during my previous stay there.”

In reality, the laws of Zontark resemble the laws in my previous life quite well. Even if I had some free time, I’d never read something like a law book of the demon country.

“The accused side won’t dispute the case during the summary trial. So it’d normally result in imprisonment with a stay of execution, wouldn’t it?”

“In many cases it ends with the payment of reconciliation money.”

“Okay, then let us go with that? We’ll settle it during the trial and the magician will pay a slightly bigger amount than usual. Even though there’s no damage to the defense force ship, you used manpower to maintain and inspect the Lingaia, right? The labor costs shouldn’t have been cheap.”

It won’t reach the expenses for detaining the sailors of the Lingaia, but a part of it will be covered by the magicians under the pretext of reconciliation money. Since it’s a reconciliation, our side will recognize the crime and apologize while paying in cash so that he won’t get imprisoned.

“Does he have that sort of money?”

“Uuumm…Lisa?”

Since Anakin was her pupil, I tried to ask her about his financial situation.

“He’s an elementary magician, so I doubt he has that much money.”

A Fireball shot by an elementary magician wouldn’t be able to pierce through the armor plating of a warship. In this case, his low level actually saved his hide.

“I will pay the missing money. Of course, we’ll pretend it was all paid by him. Anakin will simply get a loan from me.”

“If you guarantee it, Earl Baumeister, let me contact the defense force and start the reconciliation negotiations. I will also refer an attorney to him…a proper, professional attorney…”

Vice-Minister Gateau seems to distrust the politicians of the CRP who have many lawyers in their ranks. Well, if they were busy with their main occupation, I don’t think they’d become politicians.

“Earl Baumeister-dono, could you please give me some time?”

Vice-Minister Gateau used around an hour to negotiate with various agencies through a MHCD. The way he worked looked very professional. Now I can fully get behind the saying that the demon country is run by bureaucrats.

“Earl Baumeister-dono, I would like you to head to the Zontark Republic together with Outen.”

“I got it. We will hurry over with Teleport.”

“You can use the lost magic art of Teleportation?”

“Yes.”

Arnest mentioned it before, but even though many demons have more mana than me, they cannot use Teleport for some reason. It seems like many of them were able to use it in the past, but nowadays not a single demon alive is capable of employing that spell.

They investigated the matter in various ways, but it sounds like they didn’t manage to find out why demons can’t use Teleport anymore.

“In that case, it seems like we’ll be able to quickly release the Lingaia.” Vice-Minister Gateau looked very happy. “To be honest, the maintenance of other ships is being obstructed as long as that huge ship clogs up the dock.”

No one uses an old-fashioned ship like the Lingaia among the demons, so they’d like to quickly get it out of the dock. Originally the defense force had stored the Lingaia in the dock since keeping it outside would have carried the risk of them being blamed if the Lingaia got damaged by the weather or some such.

“Very well, we’ll hurry then. Lisa.”

“Okay.”

 

＊

 

Once we leaped to the defense force’s base together with the young bureaucrat called Outen, defense force officers in uniform and a young demon man, who seemed to be a lawyer, waited for us there.

“I have heard about your case. We will deal with things in a hurry, but before that, we will have a meeting with Anakin-dono.”

“Yes, please.”

We hurried to the detention facility managed by the defense forces and interviewed Anakin.

“Big Sis, you’ve come to bring me refreshments?”

“gh! As if I’d do that, idiot!”

Lisa had recently been quite docile, but thanks to her pupils silliness, she apparently snapped for real. She roared at him with the same tone she used to use when I met her for the first time.

“Listen closely to what my husband is going to tell you from now on and do as you’re told! If you mess this up, you’re going to stay in jail until you croak!”

“Yes ma’a───am!”

Did he recall the time when he received Lisa’s training in magic? Anakin fervently nodded his head, apparently scared by Lisa’s extreme statement.

“Your crime will be settled with a reconciliation, so be a good boy, admit your fault, and apologize. Then you’ll only need to pay the reconciliation money afterwards.”

“Big Sis, I don’t have that sort of money…”

“My husband is going to lend you the money you need.”

“Thank you!”

“You’re going to work it back for us.”

“Eh? I’m going to work in the Baumeister Earldom?”

“Yep. You understand that you have no other choice but this, right?”

Given that Anakin looked like he didn’t actually understand his own situation, I explained it to him.

“The stupid son of Earl Platte is trash who will request to be released as soon as possible, even if he has to blame everything on you. Now, if you’re being released first, not only that dumb son, but even his father, Earl Platte, will hate you for it.”

If things go very badly, it’s quite possible that Anakin gets killed by a raging Earl Platte. An elementary magician would be hard pressed to oppose an Earl House by himself.

“Even if you work as an adventurer, it might become tricky in various ways.”

“I just fired the spell upon the order of the vice-captain, and yet…”

“The other side will come up with the worst-possible story for you, so it’ll be pointless, even if you try to explain yourself.”

“No way…I want to marry and build a family by earning money with magic…”

Contrary what you’d expect from his appearance, Anakin embraces a very wholesome dream.

“I mean, it’s tough to be single for a long period of time like Big Sis, I’d think.”

At the same time, he can’t read the mood. He offended Lisa by running his mouth unnecessarily. You could immediately see veins pop on her forehead.

“Lisa, calm down. I’m very happy that I married you.”

“Thank you.”

Somehow I succeeded in soothing Lisa.

“Do you want to stay in prison for the rest of your life?”

“Sorry!”

Once I threatened Anakin who had pissed off Lisa, he immediately apologized.

“The reconciliation money will be a rather large sum of money due to several circumstances. I’ll lend you the amount of money you lack, so work it off in my territory.”

“Got it.”

“Very well, the further arrangements…”

Things after this went very quickly. Outen and the lawyer discussed the case with the defense force officers, and contacted the other ministries, government offices and the court. Anakin’s trial thus started after just a day. There Anakin and his lawyer immediately accepted the reconciliation money demanded by the defense forces, agreeing to pay 100 million Yen.

It was a large sum of money, but since it’d help to suppress the backlash by the demon public, it was inevitable. It’s a common precedent for a suspended sentence anyway, even if there had been a judicial decision. In such a case, paying reconciliation money was better as it’d give people the impression that the money was added to the national funds.

“How much are those 100 million Yen?” ¹

“Around one million cents.”

The value of one En is one Yen.

“I’ll never be able to pay back such a huge sum of money! I’m not a high-level magician like you, Earl Baumeister-sama.”

“I won’t add any interest rate and we’ll do a tenth instead of a down payment. Just work at our place diligently from now on.”

“That is something I can handle.”

Anakin looked relieved.

Even though he’s an elementary magician, I still managed to secure a magician for us. And I’ll be able to charge His Majesty for the necessary expenses anyway. In short, I was making a profit while getting Anakin indebted to me. I’ve become a nice noble, haven’t I?

“Earl Baumeister-dono, we have reached a compromise settlement. By the way, do you own En?”

Because we settled it out of court, there was no need for a further trial anymore. Anakin’s lawyer asked me whether I could pay the money, including his own pay.

“Just a bit from before. I’ll sell some gold and pay you later.”

“Oh, so you own gold?”

The lawyer’s expression instantly relaxed. I sold my money in the city once again and paid the reconciliation money without a hitch. However, I doubt you’d find any novel talking about a noble who sells gold in a pawn shop to pay off reconciliation money.

“So the market price has gone up…?”

Currently the price for gold is 8700 En per gram. It seems to have doubled after the demons came in contact with the humans. Are there many demons thinking that there’s demand for gold?

I heard demons have no interest in humans, but I guess some shrewd folks are moving behind the scenes in anticipation of future business opportunities.

“Earl Baumeister-dono, please call me up whenever you need a lawyer for anything else.”

Once I paid him a slightly bigger pay than agreed upon, the lawyer became very cheerful. According to him, there are recently too many in the demon country, so many seem to have become politicians instead.

“The defense force has also decided the release of the Lingaia’s crew, and all the crew members except for one are working on getting the Lingaia back up running under the watchful eyes of the defense force.”

Things were resolved much faster than I had expected. One person was still under arrest and he’d be facing a trial as ringleader behind the attack against the defense force’s ship.

The lawyers didn’t seem overly eager to defend a noble brat, and Anakin had already confessed his crime during the reconciliation negotiation process. Since the prosecutor would use that confession as evidence, Earl Platte’s dumb son would definitely get sentenced to jail. Because it’d be a verdict by demons who have a long life span, I intended to report to His Majesty that I didn’t know how long his sentence would become.

『Earl Platte’s eldest son has deliberately become a prisoner for the sake of allowing the other crew members to be released』

Of course that was a huge lie, but this would stop Earl Platte from making a move on the Lingaia’s crew. After all, the reputation of the Platte family would drop to rock bottom, if Earl Platte did anything to the crew members whom his son had saved by basically sacrificing himself.

“Wendelin-sama, is such a method really okay?”

“Yep, it’s fine.”

I had consulted with Roderich before carrying out this plan. I had anticipated him to tell me to not do it, but unexpectedly he gave his approval.

『Although he’s a noble, he’s also a human. It’s impossible to get along with everyone. I’d say that your compatibility with Earl Platte is quite bad, Milord. But that’s no problem. It’s better to clearly know your enemies rather than having to watch out for nobles who keep a weird, ambiguous relationship with you』

『After all, it’s easier to react, if you know your enemies』

『Yes, and because the other side regards you as an enemy as well, they will keep their distance from you. Nobles who hide their real intentions are much eerier in comparison』

Based on that conversation, I achieved my goal of turning only the stupid son of Earl Platte into a sacrifice.

“I wanted to greet the captain and his vice-captain once more.”

“They’re your acquaintances, I hear, so it makes sense,” answered Lisa.

“In reality, I only met them twice. Once during my battle against the bone dragon and the second time during the previous prisoner visit.”

Still, for the same duo that I encountered during the bone dragon incident to be involved in this incident as well means they are prone to get dragged into events, or rather, accidents as sailors.

Huh? Is that possibly because they became my acquaintances?

“Because you are here as a secret envoy, we would like you to refrain from going to the Lingaia where you could be spotted by the press. We will create an opportunity during the departure of the ship.”

“I know, Outen-dono.”

Since the Lingaia would return to the Helmut Kingdom after finishing its final checks, it’ll be fine to postpone the greetings.

“You are not going to meet with Earl Platte’s honorable son?”

“I will pass on that since it’s certain that he’ll give me an earful. Moreover, I think he doesn’t want to see my face either.”

It’s only natural for him to hate me since I succeeded in my negotiations on the term of putting him into jail. So he’d just bicker about me not getting him out anyway. Just as Roderich said, it’d be better to keep my distance.

“There are still two or three days until the departure. We must see the Lingaia off with our own eyes. Is there any place where we can kill some time until then?”

I think the whole situation would be reported on by the press, but it’d turn into an uproar if we showed ourselves too much in public. Currently I was being treated as secret, special envoy, after all.

“If we can have you stay here, it won’t lead to any pointless expenses, but when it comes to going out in secret, you will need to pay for it yourself.”

As long as I stayed in the defense force’s facilities, the defense force and the ministry of foreign affairs would cover the necessary expenses. If I go outside, they want me to pay for things myself.

I feel like that’s slightly stingy, but that’s what it means for a government to have a limited budget.

“Of course I’ll pay for it myself. A place, where I can stay in secret, would be nice, even if it’s expensive.”

Being bothered by the press and getting questioned about the negotiations would be tiresome, and I’d hate it if my successful negotiations got spoiled by unnecessary meddling.

“In that case, I shall arrange for something. There exists a tight-lipped inn for guests like you. In return, they’re quite expensive, though.”

I heard rumors about hot-spring hotels used by entertainers and politicians when traveling incognito in modern Japan, but I guess they actually exist in the demon country.

“Wendelin-sama, I’m a former adventurer, so I don’t mind this place here, though.”

Lisa was considerate of me, trying to avoid spending money on something unnecessary. Without her flashy outfit and make-up, she’s a very grounded woman.

“I’ll be bored here, and sometimes it’s nice for us two to spend some quality time as a married couple as well, isn’t it?”

“Us two…yes, that sounds like a nice idea.”

Lisa looked very happy and I’d hate to hole up in a plain army facility for two days or more. Outen immediately got everything ready for us, so we headed to a certain spa in a magic car driven by him.

“Demon technology is really incredible, don’t you think, Wendelin-sama?”

“This one here is much better than the ones we excavated some time ago.”

Cars were common in Zontark. They were the same as the ones we found in the Demon Forest in regards to moving by mana, but it was obvious that the technology had advanced beyond that.

If there’s such a disparity in technology, the trade negotiations should prove to be quite difficult.

Minister Überschaar and his team were exposed to pressure from all sides and there was also the issue of the negotiations stalling.

“I think the resistance by the magic tool guild will be quite fierce.”

“Right…”

Lisa, an outstanding magician, identified the Helmut Kingdom’s magic tool guild as one party exerting pressure on the diplomatic team. They also were our regular customers. They’ve been buying the relics of the Ancient Magic Civilization’s era for a lot of money from us.

Because they have a monopoly on the production of general-purpose magic tools, their coffers were full, and they put some good effort into the gathering and analysis of those relics for the sake of developing their own technologies.

But, for the last few hundred years, it hasn’t yielded any significant results. Still, because of their monopoly, they can put any price they want on magic tools. That’s one of the reasons why the price for magic tools hasn’t fallen at all.

If the Kingdom concludes a trade agreement with Zontark, it’ll lead to the newest magic tools being imported from Zontark to the Kingdom.

Let me make a prediction: It’d spell the magic tool guild’s doom.

“Outen-dono, how much does a car cost in Zontark?”

“There are various types of cars, but if it’s a cheap, used car, you can get it for less than 500,000 En. In addition, you have to pay for the car inspection, taxes, and mana supply, though.”

By the way, car production hasn’t been achieved on the Lingaia continent thus far. The Empire and Mizuho were at the stage of researching it. Many of them had been excavated, so they were a fairly popular research subject, but no one succeeded in building their own car yet.

Because of that, you couldn’t see almost any cars even in the Baumeister Earldom. On top of that, Roderich was strongly against cars since it’d be impossible to prevent theft.

『They can be easily stolen with a magic bag. If you used and left them standing all over the place, our fief would quickly become swarmed by thieves gangs…』

For this reason, we could only deploy a small number in places where we could guarantee a strict guard protocol. And in addition to that, the big tunnel.

As one might expect, there are limits to transport with just carriages and wagons. We had trucks make round-trips inside the tunnel. Thomas had increased his subordinates even further to manage all these vehicles.

Still, for cars to not be usable because it’d worsen the public order…

However, if we reach a point where you can import a large number of cheap, used cars from Zontark, the situation on the Lingaia continent might change altogether. It’d lead to a revolutionary advance in travel and transport methods. Well, right now it’s not possible, so it can’t be helped either way…

“(Even if the trade of magic tools gets approved, they’d place high tariffs on them…since there are no cars on the Lingaia Continent, I wonder how much they’d tax the import?)”

“(The magic tool guild has moved to prevent the importation)”

“(Oh? Do you have connections into that guild, Lisa?)”

“(Yes, one of my few friends works there…)”

Certainly, in the past Lisa looked like she’d have trouble making friends.

“(The guild is wary of the demons who possess an overwhelming technological strength)”

They might lose all their interests and positions thus far. It’s only natural for them to be wary.

“(It’s not our job to think about that, so let’s enjoy your break)”

“(Yes, I’m looking forward to it)”

“Earl Baumeister-dono, Lady Baumeister-dono, we have arrived.”

The car driven by Outen wove its way through some mountains, before it eventually arrived at a hotel. You could tell from its exterior that it’s quite luxurious. The spa over there seemed to be good for relieving exhaustion. Outen also said that they offer various entertainments.

“It sounds like a high-class resort.”

“Yes, it’s nothing I can afford with my salary. On the plus side, they will keep you hidden in exchange for the big price.”

The hotel was apparently often used for entertainers to bring their partners along while keeping it a secret from the public, and for politicians and CEOs to come here with their mistresses.

“They have to pay their employees well to keep the secrets. In return, staying one night starts with 200,000 En.”

“Hmm, I see.”

Going by my values from my previous life, I’d never stay in such an expensive place. But, nowadays I’m Earl Baumeister. It was unthinkable for me to act surprised in front of Outen, and thus I pretended to be very calm about it.

 

＊

 

“Welcome.”

After getting out of the car and heading over to the hotel’s reception, a middle-aged male demon, who appeared to be an employee, greeted us. There was no way he couldn’t tell who Lisa and I were after seeing our short ears, but he continued to politely deal with us, not mentioning anything unnecessary.

It’s proof of the excellent training level of the hotel’s employees. They won’t make a fuss, no matter what guests show up, and they won’t announce anything about you to anyone either. And that’s likely the very reason why they’re accepted as hotel catering towards VIPs.

“We have been contacted by the defense forces and Vice Minister Gateau-sama of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. You are Earl Baumeister-sama and his wife, correct? We have booked the suite on the tenth floor for you. Someone will lead you there right away.”

“(This asshole…)”

Apparently I was being tested by Vice-Minister Gateau and his bureaucrats. I wonder how they’re going to entertain me after deliberately guiding me to an expensive suit. They probably consider it their win, if I run out of money and whine to the vice-minister about lending me some more.

“A suite, huh? How much per night?”

“It’s three million En.”

That’s absurdly expensive, but the hotel’s employee answered my question without the trace of a change on his face. He probably doesn’t think anything about it because he’s already used to it.

“Is it too expensive, Earl Baumeister-dono?”

Outen basically asked whether it should be changed to a slightly cheaper room. Since he’s moving on Gateau’s orders, he’ll likely report it right away, if I lower the room’s rank here. Not being able to fork out such a huge amount of money at times like this isn’t anything unusual. Not only for VIPs, but also nobles.

If it was just me, I wouldn’t care much to let them think whatever they want, but I’d be troubled if they looked down on the Baumeister House. I guess I have no choice but to accept it as a necessary expense and move on.

No one knows how things are going to develop between humans and demons from now on. So, it’d be stupid to allow myself to be underestimated.

“No, is that the most expensive room you have?”

“We do have a royal suite with two rooms on the highest floor. This one would cost you ten million En per night.”

“Okay, then let’s go with that one.”

“Very well. Allow me to change your booking to the royal suite then.”

The hotel readily accepted my re-booking. Still, this employee’s education and experience is amazing. He’s doing the necessary procedures calmly without showing any agitation at all.

“The royal suite comes with a room for guards and attendants to stay.”

“That’s great to hear, right Outen-dono?”

“Indeed…”

Since he should be tasked with monitoring me anyway, we might as well enjoy the stay in this expensive hotel together. And he can report back that Earl Baumeister is squandering his money.

“Please, the royal suite is this way.”

We were led to the room by a female bellhop and there she started to prepare tea and sweets for us right away. As we could freely choose our beverage, I picked coffee since it’s been a long time, and Lisa went with black tea. They served stuff like elaborately decorated mini-cakes, made by the hotel’s own patissier. In addition, you could also request sweets to be made for you, if you had specific wishes.

“(Wendelin-sama, is it necessary to tip the employees in such cases?)”

“(Now that you mention it, such a system might exist)”

“(It’s not a system, but a custom…)”

The female bellhop was apparently in charge of this room. Bells were installed at several places in the room, and if you rang one of those, she’d come running from the waiting room outside the suite and take care of your requests.

Given that I never experienced staying in a hotel for ultra-VIPs, I didn’t know how much you’d usually tip her.

“You’re in charge of this room, aren’t you?”

“Yes. I am pleased to look after your needs for the coming two days.”

“The pleasure is on my side.”

Which reminds me, I don’t have much of this country’s money on hand, so I must ask Outen to exchange some for me. Accordingly, I passed a suitably big chunk of gold to her.

“Sorry that it’s no En. You can exchange it, so it also includes the fees for that.”

“Thank you kindly.”

The voice of the woman sounded somewhat shrill.

“That said, Outen-dono, I don’t have any En, so would you be so kind as to exchange this?”

I passed a bag full of jewels, which I had stored in my magic bag, to Outen who was drinking black tea.

“This many? That will result in an incredible amount of money…”

“I think I will need around this much? I mean, we’re staying here for two days after all.”

“…I understand…I shall go and exchange it right away.”

Outen quickly drained down the remaining black tea and left the room with the bag in his hand. His expression was the incarnation of desperation. He’s probably worried that it might be regarded as his mistake, if the rate for the jewels ends up being bad.

Bureaucrats hate mistakes.

If Vice-Minister Gateau should ever reach the conclusion that he’s no good, it’ll spell the end of Outen’s career. He cannot afford to fail on his job as our mediator.

“These mini-cakes are great.”

“Indeed. The black tea tastes nice as well.”

“The coffee has a nice aroma, too.”

“The coffee beans and tea leaves are grown and processed on plantations that have exclusive contracts with our hotel,” the bellhop woman explained.

“That’s amazing.”

“So that’s the reason why it tastes so good.”

I’m not sure you can say this in all cases, but expensive stuff tastes good after all. There’s no official price attached to the mini-cakes Lisa and I are eating, but you cannot order these if you don’t stay in a suite. It’s included in the room’s cost, but that also makes them very expensive sweets.

“Dear, you’re unusually generous this time, aren’t you?”

“It cannot be helped since I’m Earl Baumeister-sama over here.”

If I spent my time here in some cheap hotel, I’d be treated with contempt by the bureaucrats of Zontark. The politicians of the CRP and the media might praise me for being close to the common people, and the normal citizens would likely take it well, too.

But, realistically speaking, no special foreign envoy would be taken seriously if they stayed in a cheap hotel. And it’d also become a problem if the Kingdom found out.

Well, being unexpectedly frugal under normal circumstances applies to the other higher-ranking nobles as well. But, it was necessary to splurge on this occasion, even if it was a secret stay.

After I explained this to Lisa, she answered, “I see. Now I understand.”

Lisa has spent a long time as an adventurer and knows many nobles thanks to that. I’ve been thinking so for a while now, but excellent magicians always have requests to work on.

Either way, because of her past, she can understand my current situation.

“I’m lucky that I’ve been able to come with you. Luise-san and the others would surely be jealous if they knew about this.”

It sounds like she’s telling me to bring them here next time. And sure, I can do that, if opportunity presents itself.

“It seems like this hotel has everything we could wish for, so let’s have lots of fun until the preparations for the Lingaia’s departure have finished.”

“Okay.”

At the same time as Lisa and I finished eating our mini-cakes, Outen came back after having liquidated the jewels. Since he brought a big amount of En with him, we started our exploration of the hotel’s facilities.

“Sir, we recommend you to get a massage and, madam, how about a beauty treatment to make your skin even prettier than it already is?”

The hotel fee seems to only cover the stay for the night. Everything you want to do in addition costs extra money.

At first, we were invited to a beauty treatment that uses expensive aroma oils, mud, and medical baths. It sounds like they also have a course for men, but I held back on it and instead went with a massage.

I might be outdated in my way of thinking, but I don’t feel like beauty treatment is supposed to be for men.

“Lisa, how about you take that treatment?”

“The Royal Course costs 150,000 En.”

“Okay, then I will go with that.”

150,000 for a beauty treatment…no wonder they’re a super-high-class hotel for celebs. If you can’t pay around this much without batting an eye, you don’t even need to come here.

“Lisa, make sure to not forget the tipping.”

“It is not a rule, but almost everyone appears to pay for it. The amount is pretty much set, too.”

Outen had investigated the inner workings of this hotel for us. The people permanently performing various services here seemed to have a far lower base pay than I expected, despite their outstanding skill. They earn a pay appropriate to their skill by getting tips from their customers for carrying out their services.

People with good reputations are able to earn quite a bit through tips while the bad apples get weeded out rather quickly.

“It’s around 20,000 Yen on average. But, there are no limits set if you like a service. One guest even tipped a million En just like that.”

“Wow. What kind of work is that person doing?”

“They own a lot of real estate in the best districts.”

So an incredibly upgraded version of Rinnenheim, huh?

“So, it’ll be 500,000 for a normal service, a million for a good service, and two million if it’s a truly good service.”

There’s no way I’m going to lose to that real estate tycoon. I suppose I’ll conduct myself as a rich tourist to the limit.

“Outen-dono, won’t you get a massage too?”

“It is an issue of expenses. The Vice-Minister would reluctantly approve of any expenses other than the hotel fee. If we waste money during our public duty, we would get harshly criticized by the media and politicians.”

Somehow he really reminds me of a bureaucrat I’ve seen before.

“Having said that, I will be broke, if I pay out of my own pocket here. I have been told by my university friends that they envy me as a winner for having landed regular employment, but I think those who got hired by big, private enterprises, are the real winners. Bureaucrats don’t get a salary as high as society usually thinks they do.”

Because Erich-nii-san previously told me that his salary as a low-ranking government official is startlingly low, that part seems to be the same between our countries. Even though their income is reasonably high due to their annuity, nobles have many expenses. Erich-nii-san also mentioned that it’s not as easy as society makes it out to be.

“My older brother is a bureaucrat as well, and he suffers the same hardships.”

“Earl Baumeister-dono, your elder brother is a bureaucrat? It sounds like he must be quite excellent.”

“That he is.”

Erich-nii-san became the head of a noble family on his intelligence alone, without being able to use magic. He’s far more superior than I am.

“I have other work to do, so I have no problem killing some time by myself.”

Outen went back to our room, saying that he’d sort documents while we enjoyed our beauty treatment/massage.

 

 

“Dear customer, you have been moving your body a lot, haven’t you?”

“My body is my work’s capital, after all.”

I’ve been training my magic every day. I also go on campaigns. I’m an adventurer. And I’m moving all over the place when developing the territory, too. I consider myself a guy who puts his body to use.

“You are stiff for someone so young. I will use a bit more strength.”

The middle-aged demon masseur in charge of me released the stiffness all over my body while using the perfect pressure.

As expected of a masseur who’s working in this hotel permanently. He’s got good skills.

Since it was way too comfortable, I became somewhat sleepy. Even so, for me to feel so great from getting a massage at this age must mean that I’m exhausted in various ways.

“I am done.”

“My body feels much lighter now. Okay, this is your tip.”

“Thank you…Eh!? This much!?”

“Take it without worrying about it. Anyway, see you.”

Because I liked his massage, I gave him a tip of two million En. The masseur was surprised when I pushed a bundle of banknotes into his hand.

“How was it on your side?”

“Very effective, I’d say…”

Lisa, who had received all sorts of beauty treatments unknown to men, experienced a beautification of her skin so obvious that you could tell at a glance, and her face became small too. I also feel like her body became slightly slimmer.

“Magic potions have been used during the beauty treatment. They seemed to be fairly high quality.”

I see. I guess the effect has been a lot more remarkable than the beauty treatments in Japan because they use magic potions over here.

“If Katharina hears of this, she might request coming here as well…”

“She’s an incarnation of diets, yep.”

“Okay then. Where are we going next?”

Outen, who had been sorting his documents to kill some time, showed up as well and we moved to the next entertainment location.

It was a theater. All sorts of singers and actors were putting up a show and received tips from the audience.

“Wendelin-sama, they have a genuine magic trickster.”

“Oh, you’re right.”

Confirming that they used cards to do a magic trick without relying on magic astonished Lisa and I.

“Amazing. The level of performance is much higher here than in the Kingdom.”

Because of the existence of half-baked magic, the level of magical tricks was low on the Lingaia Continent. Magic tricks based on the magic of elementary magicians was the main thing over there.

When I commented on that, an employee, who was standing near us, explained, “The demons did the same in the past as well, but over time, people have started to argue that it wouldn’t be a magic trick if you used magic.”

Because the demons would make full use of the techniques that were like the magic tricks on Earth, Lisa and I enjoyed the show very much. In addition, they also hosted singers singing dreamy songs and skits of actors, allowing us to burst into laughter.

All of them were people with top-notch abilities and skills.

“Everyone is quite popular. Over here, people often pay tips as a fee to the performing artists, so they earn their income by coming here regularly.”

The demon population amounts to approx. one million. Since the market is small, singers and actors rely on the rich to pay them tips, securing their income in that way. I also found their performance interesting, so I splurged a bit.

“Wendelin-sama, it was fun, wasn’t it?”

“The magic tricks in the Kingdom are magic spells most of the time.”

As we enjoyed the show, it became night outside, spelling the time for dinner to have arrived Apparently the hotel also had the option of bringing your meals to your room, but tonight we headed to the hotel’s restaurant after dressing up.

It was a fancy restaurant that offered a fixed menu like the French cuisine did. The menu cost 200,000 En per person.

“I think this is the first and last time in my life.”

Outen enjoyed the two-million-En wine I treated him to, and the food.

“This wine is great.”

“Because it’s expensive…”

I don’t know much about wine, but I think it’s tastier and easier to drink than the high-class wine produced in the Kingdom and Empire. Ultimately that’s just my impression though.

“Our country’s research on wine has advanced quite a bit.”

Going by my past life’s experience, it’s definitely not said that all high-class wines are delicious and easy to palate, but the wine of the demon country seemed to be quite tasty.

“I guess I’ll get some for Doushi and Burkhart-san as well when we’re about to leave.”

“I think they will be overjoyed.”

Both of them love wine.

Afterwards I splurged with the tips for the waiter, sommelier, and chef. When it came to the cooks, the head chef, who was in charge of cooking, would distribute the tip to all the cooks under him, whenever he got some.

Once dinner was over, it was time for a bath. Today we would be using the bath provided with the room.

The bathroom was spacious and flowers and magic potions were added to the bath as extra. Their effects seemed mostly focused on relieving people from their exhaustion and relaxation.

“If you experience such a luxury once, it becomes hard to return to normal, quickly leading to bankruptcy.”

“Usually you’ll sleep outdoors as a normal adventurer.”

“True, and you take baths while faking that you’d be doing the laundry.”

Lisa and I talked about adventurer life while bathing together. Given her bountiful experience as an adventurer, it was very interesting to listen to her stories.

“It’s certainly nice to spend time together like this as a married couple.”

“You’re right.”

It’s been only recently that Lisa became able to talk normally with a guy while not wearing her flashy make-up.

I think tonight is a wonderful opportunity to get closer to her. The number of my wives had slowly grown over time, but given that I married them all, it was crucial to keep the communication with each of them going well.

“I think it’ll be fun if we occasionally come to a place like this.”

“I’m just not used to being taken care of by others because of my commoner descent.”

“I also hailed from a family that was completely disconnected from normal nobility…”

After deepening our bond, we peacefully slept together in the same bed on that night.

 

＊

 

“Good morning, Earl Baumeister-dono, Lady Baumeister-dono.”

On the next day we also worked hard at wasting time as a married couple under the watchful eyes of Outen. I had a huge amount of En bills, but as I wouldn’t be able to use them in the Kingdom, I planned to use them all up over here.

After breakfast, I gave a tip to the cook and we headed to the pool. Over there we enjoyed a relaxed period of time while drinking tropical juice, swimming, and sleeping. I didn’t forget to tip the caretaker boys either.

“A tipping culture, huh…?”

“It only happens for services and in facilities catering towards rich people like this place here. By the way, this place had been abandoned right after the establishment of the Zontark Republic, but it got revived around a hundred years ago. In a sense, it’s an exclusive place for politicians and the rich.”

While sitting in a chair next to us, Outen told us various things about the demon country, thinking that now was a good time.

“That’s the same for the Kingdom, too.”

No strict tipping systems existed in the Kingdom, but a certain number of nobles would give tips if they liked a service. The funny part was how merchants would hardly ever fork over any such money because they were basically too stingy.

Of course, you couldn’t necessarily say this when it came to big merchants.

“Rich and poor people exist among humans and demons alike, huh?”

From Outen’s point of view as a smart bureaucrat, there wasn’t much difference between a monarchy and a democracy in this regard.

“The preparations for the departure of the Lingaia might be finished soon.”

“Okay, before that…”

Since it was probably a mentally-taxing period of time for the Lingaia’s sailors, I think I’ll hand them some souvenirs to improve their feelings.

Thinking so, I stopped my pool visit and headed to the gift shop inside the hotel. This place was selling all sorts of high-quality items, but I should be able to buy it for everyone, if I stuck to chocolate.

“That’s a huge amount!!”

Having said that, I bought a huge bunch of sweets as a present. At that point, I got a message, so we checked out of the hotel and headed to the port.

 

＊

 

“Long time no see, Earl Baumeister-sama.”

“You took very good care of us back then. Thank you kindly.”

Once we arrived at the port with the Lingaia being about to depart, I was greeted by Captain Komuz Full and the vice-captain, Leopold Begim. It was my first meeting with both ever since the meeting in the beginning.

“I’m sure you have various sorts of feelings on this, but it was decided that you would be allowed to depart and return to the capital.”

“That is no problem. However, we are missing two crew members…”

“One of them simply accomplished his responsibility as noble. The other one…is in our care.”

“I understand.”

Komuz-san didn’t probe any further. He probably understood that I had traded off the release of the Lingaia in exchange for Earl Platte’s idiot son.

Since that guy is the main offender in this case either way, the public in Zontark wouldn’t accept it if he isn’t held accountable. From their point of view as people who believe in democracy, it’s probably more convincing to have the noble idiot imprisoned for his crime. The perpetrator Anakin has already been judged in a summary trial. The fine has been paid and the judge’s verdict was to exile him from the country.

Because it seems like Earl Platte and those around him might try to pull something after he comes back to the capital in the Lingaia, we’ll take Anakin straight to the Baumeister Earldom. Over there he’ll work for our house until he has paid off his debt. And as long as he stays on our land, I doubt he’ll need to worry about Earl Platte doing anything to him.

“Umm…”

“It’s a fact that the stupid son was at fault here. He has chosen the path of being imprisoned for the sake of his crewmates and the Lingaia, which is a precious asset of the Kingdom, as a noble.”

Earl Platte will likely get all teary over his cherished heir getting imprisoned over here, but even if he tries to complain about it, he won’t be able to say anything officially since the public opinion about this whole case is already set. Though I cannot deny the possibility of him scheming something nasty behind the scenes.

“Captain, let us hurry and depart?”

Leopold guessed the circumstances and suggested the captain to leave port as soon as possible. He likely understood that it was smarter in this situation to accept things as they are and just head back.

“You’re right…let’s.”

“It seems like you had to go through hardships for a long period of time. It’s nothing big or like that, I brought you some souvenirs. Please share it with everyone else.”

“Thank you kindly.”

“All of them will be happy about it, I’m sure.”

The two adults made the Lingaia depart swiftly. After resuming its flight again, the Lingaia would arrive in the Helmut Kingdom safely in around the same time it needed to reach the demon country, but that was a story of the future.

Despite my inexperience, I somehow managed to get my diplomatic mission done without a hitch.

 

 

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Translation Notes:

1. By the way, the author calls the currency Aine (in English). Going by the pure pronunciation in Japanese, it’s like deleting the Y in Yen. But English pronounces e like ie while most other western languages actually pronounce e like ae (in English).