Chapter 50, It Wasn’t Intentional (3)

Translator: Hedge

Editor: Lizzz

 

After confirming the signs that a war was about to break out, Kalian immediately sent Kyrie to the Lord’s castle.

 

Pretending to volunteer as a mercenary, Kyrie went to the Lord’s castle and passed a few silver coins to the most ‘vulnerable-looking’ soldier. From him, he learned that five young Elves were gathered together in a temporary quarters, and he had heard about the cause of this war.

 

“The Beurisen Trader’s Guild is the cause.”

 

[Beurisen Trader’s Guild, you again?]

 

“Must be Lannen Beurisen again.” Kalian let out a hollow laugh. He felt that Lannen had gone from bad to worse, now causing conflicts between territories.

 

“The only Trader’s Guild that comes to this area is Beurisen, but due to the incident in Latran Territory, the Beurisen Trader’s Guild said they would cut all ties with this region.”

 

Kyrie’s subsequent explanation went like this:

 

“Both territories were unable to grow wheat, so they had been purchasing wheat and rye from the Beurisen Trader’s Guild. Yet, the Beurisen Trader’s Guild suddenly arbitrarily cut off trade. Since Nerica had wheat reserves, Sting requested to buy some of their wheat, but Nerica demanded an absurd price. The dispute that arose from this escalated into war preparations.”

 

After hearing the situation, Kalian’s face showed that there was no need to worry as soon as ‘wheat and rye’ were mentioned.

 

“A fight occurring during a food shortage won’t last for long.”

 

It was obvious. How could they maintain a prolonged fight without wheat and rye when they had hired not only soldiers but mercenaries as well?

 

Having roughly understood the situation, Kalian did not take any further action and returned to the Elf Village.

 

“Did you have a good trip?”

 

When he arrived at his room and opened the door, Ian, who had been sitting in a chair, stood up happily. Kalian nodded in response to the greeting and took out his seal, the Prince’s Seal, saying, “Bring me some paper. I’m going to write letters.”

 

“Yes, Your Highness.” After answering, Ian went outside and quickly returned with several sheets of paper, a pen, and sealing wax. Kalian wrote two letters with identical content in front of Ian.

 

The content was, ‘I will be visiting soon, so please prepare for my stay without any inconvenience.’

 

Seeing this, Ian was puzzled.

 

His Prince was not the kind of person who would explicitly write such a letter asking for hospitality, especially using his own seal. However, as Kalian’s expression seemed a little dark, Ian just quietly stood by and waited.

 

Kalian folded the completed letters, placed them in envelopes, and sealed them before saying.

 

“Sting and Nerica are likely to wage war in a day or two. The Elder seems to have asked me to prevent it, while pretending to ask me to find five Elves.”

 

“So, he deceived you, Your Highness?”

 

“Indeed. I’ve been tricked.”

 

Having understood the situation, Ian briefly acted like the son of a Duke.

 

Startled, Kalian covered Ian’s mouth before he could curse. He quickly changed the topic.

 

“The two Lords probably think I’ve already passed through this area, and are preparing for war. If I say I’m coming to visit, they’ll pause for now. Since everyone knows that the Caera Knight Order has come to Latran, they’ll understand there’s nothing to gain by provoking me.”

 

Upon understanding why Kalian had written such strange letters, Ian asked.

 

“Then what about afterward? Even if they postpone the war after receiving your letters, they’ll resume fighting once they realise you’re not actually coming to visit.”

 

“The five Elves will return, no?”

 

Kalian smiled at Ian.

 

“The terms of our deal were to find the Elves, not to prevent the war. The war is their problem, not mine.”

 

Having said this, Kalian walked to Zher’s house, dangling the two letters.

 

* * *

 

When Kalian handed the two letters to Zher, Zher looked at them and asked.

 

“What are these?”

 

“Letters, obviously.” Kalian answered as he sat down comfortably across from Zher.

 

“I’m sending one each to Sting and Nerica. That will delay the war for about a month. The runaway Elves will naturally return. Afterward, it’s your responsibility to manage them well so they don’t leave again.”

 

After saying this, Kalian tapped Zher’s desk and continued.

 

“If this place still exists by then.”

 

“Then what about the war…!”

 

Zher closed his mouth, and upon seeing this, Kalian smiled.

 

“I expected better from an Elf. I had my doubts, but you deceived me, knowing the two Lords were going to wage war.”

 

Kalian tilted his head awkwardly. His voice matched his awkward posture as he continued, “So…”

 

He had personally learned that Elves being unable to lie did not mean they could not hide the truth. After a long pause, Zher, who had thoroughly taught him this lesson, finally opened his mouth.

 

“Are you saying you’re going to leave, just like that?”

 

“You’ve asked me to find five Elves, didn’t you? And I did.”

 

Zher’s long ears turned red, whether from anger or embarrassment. He moved his lips several times but could not speak.

 

Kalian rose from his seat without further delay.

 

He pointed at his letters on the desk as he said.

 

“Consider that payment for our food and lodging. We’ll leave tomorrow morning. We don’t need the Forest Path or whatever it is.”

 

As Kalian turned and walked away, Zher’s ears turned even redder. When Kalian reached the door, Zher’s voice burst out, “Are you saying you’re fine with a war breaking out in your country!?”

 

“They must have reasons to fight. But they’ll stop eventually.” After saying this, Kalian raised his finger to point at the floor.

 

“If this place is that important to you, protect it yourself. Don’t manipulate others to do it in your stead.”

 

Kalian opened the door and left.

 

Zher stared at the door Kalian had exited through for a while, his face showing he was at a loss for words. What had happened was very different from what he had expected.

 

* * *

 

Meanwhile, returning to his room, Kalian quietly sat down. His expression did not look pleasant. So Ian, who was standing nearby, wore a worried expression.

 

“Is there something bothering you?”

 

“Lannen Beurisen. Not only do I dislike how the Beurisen have monopolised the food trade, but now he’s acting selfishly.”

 

“Because he has cut off the wheat trade?”

 

“Yes. When something like that happens, it’s not the Lords who starve.”

 

This area had many mines but was not fertile enough for large-scale farming. Clearly, they were dependent on trade for food.

 

“As a person with power, they should never be reckless with food.” As Kalian was muttering this, there was a knock at the door. Since it was obvious who had come, Kalian gestured for Ian to open the door.

 

As expected, it was Zher who entered Kalian’s room. More precisely, it was Zher with a remarkably transformed expression.

 

[He probably didn’t expect a Prince would just leave, ignoring a war about to break out right in front of him.]

 

Zher hesitated for a moment, looking at Kalian.

 

When no words came from Zher after a long wait, Kalian frowned.

 

“Did you come to stare at my face?”

 

Zher bowed his head.

 

“I apologize. Let me explain. Please listen for a moment.”

 

“Keep it brief.”

 

Zher’s mouth opened. His voice was noticeably more cautious than when they first met or when they were in his room earlier.

 

Zher spoke about the Beurisen Trader’s Guild issue, which Kalian already knew. Then, bowing his head once more, he said.

 

“I knew that you became involved in Latran’s affairs because of Luca. Since this war originated from events in Latran, I couldn’t bring myself to mention it first. I hid it because I feared you would not help since Luca was involved. I am truly sorry.”

 

Kalian did not respond.

 

“Despite my shamelessness, we need your help. We cannot solve this problem ourselves.”

 

Kalian did not answer immediately. He remained silent for a while, deep in thought.

 

Zher anxiously watched Kalian’s lips, waiting for him to speak.

 

Inwardly, Kalian kept repeating one name. [Lannen Beurisen.]

 

After switching sides to Randel and causing problems, Lannen was now arbitrarily cutting off trade and instigating war. Even before that, it was Lannen who tried to eliminate Melpir Pollun over diamond trading rights, and it was Lannen who gave the Tacrimosa (T/N: poison) to Sillike, which Kalian had drunk.

 

[It’s you, again and again! Why do you keep getting in the way!]

 

After a considerable time passed.

 

Kalian spoke in a low, rapid voice.

 

“I haven’t been to Nerica yet. It’s probably similar to Sting. Go and check if they’re preparing for war too. If they are, give them the letter. Also, find out what else they need besides wheat. Then I’ll meet with the Lords.”

 

“Are you saying you’ll help?”

 

“Don’t misunderstand. I’m not helping the Elves.”

 

He said this thinking that it was time to deal with Lannen Beurisen.

 

In any case, Zher’s face showed relief. Regardless, Kalian continued. “I absolutely loathe being played like a puppet. And I don’t deal with those who have hidden agendas. So, do a proper transaction this time.”

 

“Understood.” Having received an answer for his pleas, Zher thanked him several times before leaving.

 

* * *

 

Sunlight streamed through the window.

 

Kalian had spent the night awake. He contacted Allan. Since it was early, Allan was probably still at home as he answered immediately.

 

– Did you stay up all night?

 

Kalian was quite fond of sleeping in. Therefore, whenever he was awake this early in the morning, it was always after staying up all night.

 

– Yes. I’ve been thinking.

 

– Please tell me what happened.

 

Kalian nodded and conveyed the information. Allan’s surprise was palpable. Thinking this was understandable, Kalian nodded repeatedly.

 

– Are you really going to do this?

 

This was the first time Allan had questioned him like this. Kalian smiled. Without seeing him, he knew exactly what Allan was doing now. He was surely sitting back on a bed or sofa, massaging his temples.

 

– Yes. Please tell His Majesty. Ask him to inform Marquis Beurisen that Lannen has betrayed him.

 

After a long pause, Allan asked.

 

– Do you understand what it means to inform Marquis Beurisen that Lannen Beurisen has been trading with Tansyll?

 

– I know there’s a risk of a civil war and a conflict between the Princes. And I know that Marquis Beurisen loves money.

 

This was something he had learned from observing Hale Latran. Hadn’t Hale said he was to receive a territory as a gift after giving the money he earned to Marquis Beurisen?

 

– Then are you saying you’ll bribe Marquis Beurisen as well, Your Highness?

 

– No. Absolutely not.

 

After relaying this, Kalian recalled what he had been thinking all night and continued his explanation.

 

– Tell Marquis Beurisen this information, and tell him that if he quietly removes Lannen without causing any other problems, I will purchase the Beurisen Trader’s Guild.

 

Allan was silent again.

 

He was considering what Kalian meant by saying he would ‘purchase’ something. Kalian’s explanation continued.

 

– When rumours spread that Sillike had poisoned me, the Beurisen Trader’s Guild suffered the most damage. If Hale, who traded with Lannen, was affected to such an extent, the damage to the Beurisen Trader’s Guild must be beyond imagination. Marquis Beurisen personally should not want to keep holding onto such a troublesome Trader’s Guild.

 

Originally, Beurisen was a Knight Family.

 

The Beurisen Trader’s Guild was started by Lannen, who had no talent for swordsmanship.

 

Lannen’s father, Marquis Evan Beurisen, had allowed Lannen to run a Trader’s Guild because it made money. But now, with the Guild neither profitable nor fitting for a Knight Family, he naturally would no longer welcome its existence.

 

– Even so, it’s the foremost Trader’s Guild in Cyries. No matter how severe the losses, how do you propose to purchase it?

 

– There’s already someone suitable to run it. Baron Pollun, the Guild Master of the Pollun Trader’s Guild. He can manage it. If the Guild’s name changes to Pollun, the Nobles will resume trading with it.

 

– The issue isn’t finding someone to run it. Currently, the Valkan Mage Order is purchasing land and preparing to build facilities. Additionally, the cost to maintain Valkan is exorbitant. Even if its value has decreased due to difficult circumstances, it won’t be easy for the Royal Family to provide enough funds to purchase a whole Trader’s Guild.

 

Realising what Allan had misunderstood, Kalian asked.

 

– Master. You haven’t opened my vault yet, have you?

 

Rmain deeply loved Freya Hwiteurin.

 

After Queen Aisha, Randel’s mother, died, Rmain welcomed Freya as a Royal Consort and granted her an excellent territory. It was afterwards that Sillike entered as the Queen.

 

Freya’s territory, after her death, was inherited by Kalian.

 

The old Kalian never spent the revenue from the territory. All that money has been accumulating in his vault. It was so substantial that Beurisen had not even bothered to inquire about it, as the old Kalian had not spent a single penny. This has allowed the sum to only accumulate.

 

– Lannen Beurisen. Please remove him from now on, Master.

 

Kalian, the Lord of Hwiteurin Territory, located in Cyries’ largest wheat-producing region, had solemnly requested.