Western Continent, August 19, 2812, bargaining, Part 2:

"You ... what do you want?

　The count, who had been staring at him silently, slowly opens his mouth.
　Already, he doesn't intend to observe any decorum towards the nobility. The Count's words have clearly changed to a tone of voice towards a person of lower rank.
　Scepticism and caution made the Count discard his made-up mask of good-naturedness.

　The Count could think of the person who had brought the information about the mine to Mikoshiba Ryoma. However, he could not understand why she would not act on her own.
　I have enough information to unseat the Count, but I don't want to use it myself, I want to share it with others.
　And the person who was given that information came to the count, not to the royal family, but to the count.
　A possibility comes to mind in the Count's mind.
(Are you trying to extort me?)
　This is a common behavior of lowly commoners when they happen to get information that will make them money.
　This man sitting in front of you is a nobleman, but he is only a commoner. It's no wonder that he came to extort them for money.
(Fool ... do you honestly think I'm going to pay you?　(No, even if you did pay, what would you do with it?)
　If you really intend to blackmail the Count, you should not meet him in person. There was nothing for the blackmailer to reveal his identity to gain any advantage.
　However, the Count's expectations were betrayed by Ryojin's words.



　Even under the Count's sharp gaze, there was no agitation in Ryoma's voice.
　He met his gaze squarely.

''Buy?　What do you want me to buy?　I would have thought you were here to extort me, though.

　Both the count and the countess turned their gazes quizzical.
　The word "buy" also contains an element of coercion in the way it is said and in the atmosphere, but to the ear of the count, Ryojin's words only sounded like they were meant to be.
　It was probably the same for the Countess sitting next to him.
The questioning gazes that the two of them gave off were proof that they understood exactly what Ryouma had said.



　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most of it.
　It's just as it should be.

　The person who is threatened will never leave the person he or she has threatened. This is because the threats do not end with a single threat.
　They will be picked off twice or three times without end.
　They will continue to do so until the Count is utterly ruined. That's why the Count never lets his blackmailer live.
　Even if he paid them, it was just a way to buy time to kill the blackmailer.

''I see.......You understand the consequences, that's a pretty good yomi for a commoner native.

　It's been five years since he began embezzling the salt deposits.
　Even though it was closely guarded, there were a very few people who were able to get a clue to this secret by some impetus. However, the reason why this story has not been leaked to the royal family even now is because the Count has precisely and mercilessly eliminated such interlopers.
　The Earl himself is well aware that he is crossing a dangerous bridge. That's why he is so careful and merciless.




'Well Baron Mikoshiba. What is the item you wish to sell?

　The Earl nodded at Mrs. Mum's words and waited for Ryoma's answer.
　This time, his tone was still supercilious, but the high-handedness that made him look like a commoner and a fool disappeared.
　Curiosity took over him now. The Count wanted to see what kind of things Liangma, who knew so much about his own personality, was selling.

''Well, then, here's something for you to look at.''

　Ryoma pushed the documents he had prepared towards the Count and Countess.

''This is........''

Contract?　Right.

"An agreement regarding the transfer of salt deposits.

　Following Ryoma's words, the couple quickly checked the contents.

''Sure ... but ...''

What do you mean?　It doesn't say how much this one costs.

　The couple's doubts were justified.
　They were supposed to be here to sell, but the selling price was not written down.

'We're here to sell, but we don't intend to pay you for it.

　Both the count and the lady looked at Liangzhen's words with a strange look on their faces.

''Then what are you willing to sell in exchange for?''

'I would like the Count to have my back, sir.

What do you mean?　I told you the other day that I would be happy to help you, didn't I?

　At the Count's words, Ryoma shook his head silently. Just like that, the Count and his wife could tell that Ryouma was asking for it.

　It is true that at the dinner the other night and when they met today, the Count has been friendly to Ryoma and has promised to help him.
　But whether those are the Count's sincere words is not the case.
　It's only the surveillance ordered by Queen Lupis and the guilt of embezzling a vein of rock salt that made him say it.
　He really doesn't have any intention of lending a hand. At least until now........

(I see....not for show, but you really want my help...)

　The Earl understood exactly what Ryoma's request was.
(Especially the part where they don't ask for money........)

　Seeing the Count's expression relax, Ryoma also smiled calmly.
(After all, was it right to use help instead of money.......well, he's the kind of person who cares about money, even to the point of embezzling the royal family's resources......there's no way he'd pay me money. After all, the person who actually holds the vein is the Earl. (I was right in thinking that you wouldn't want to pay, even if it was to the original owner.
　The Count needed money and had embezzled a salt mine.
　Even if it was a legitimate demand, there is no way that Count Salzberg would have any desire to give money.
　I'm sure you'll be happy to know that the Count is a man who is obsessed with money.
　The correctness of that decision was now evident in the Count's expression.


''Baron Mikoshiba-sama?　I do not understand the value of this document. I'm sorry, but would you mind explaining it to me?

　The countess, who comes from a merchant family, is also a very good politician.
　She had married into the family of the Countess of Salzberg to rebuild the house, and she served her purpose admirably.
　In her eyes, these documents are worth a fortune. But she dared to ask Ryoma with a look of incomprehension on her face.
　There are two reasons.
　I'm not sure if this is the man who came up with the idea.
　He wondered if there was a mastermind behind it.

'You don't need me to explain that to you again, do you?　It's well known that Mrs. Dixon is an expert in such laws.

　Ryoma replied to his wife with a smile and turned his unwavering gaze to her.
　A silent exchange took place between the two parties.
This guy must mean it.)

Okay I agree that what you're proposing is worthwhile. But I would appreciate some time. I'd like to discuss it with my husband.

Okay. Well, I think that's done for today but please call me back and I'll come back to you.

　Nodding at the words of his wife, Ryoma sat up.
　He probably didn't think from the beginning that the business meeting would be concluded here. There was no sign of disappointment in his expression.

　The flirtatious bait interested Count Salzberg. All that was left to do was wait for him to bite.
　Be quiet and take your time.
(Give him plenty of time to fret... yes, plenty of time...)

Well I am sorry to have bothered you. But we'll meet another day.

　After bowing to the words of the Mrs., Ryoma led the way out of the mansion, led by the maid who was waiting outside the door.



He's gone but it's good?

　Count Salzberg, who was staring out the window at the carriage that Ryoma had gotten into, called out to the lady sitting on the sofa.

''Yes, that man must have understood that from the beginning... well, it's possible that it was an act, but if so, he's a genius liar.''

　Mrs. Smith shrugged at that.

　She has absolute confidence in her own eye for people.
　When she was running her family's trade association, of course, and even after marrying into the Count's family, she was surrounded by a thousand crooked people from the sea and mountains.
　It's a skill that she naturally acquired while crossing over with such people.

''Well I'm willing to take Mikoshiba's side of the conversation, but Yulia, what do you think?''

　The Count sat down in front of the lady and spoke his mind as he sat down in front of her. But the Count, who was supposed to be in control of the real power, seemed somewhat reserved in his tone towards the Lady.
　Perhaps that was just as well. The Count is more of a warrior-type person.
　He is aggressive and ruthless. But he knew he wasn't perfect himself.
　Especially in the area of diplomacy and political strategy, he understands that his power is only mediocre.
　That's why the Count values his wife's opinion.
　The lady who has been dealing with the moneymen for many years could be considered the most reliable partner for the count.

''There are a few things that concern me, but I think it's okay for me to talk to you.

'What's on your mind? ...You mean Kristoff's little girl?

　That's what the Count is most concerned about.
　I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one. By nature, the company should have gone out of business long ago. However, Christophe's Chamber of Commerce is still in existence, albeit on a smaller scale.
　But the lady shook her head at the Count's words.

''Not quite ... what I'm concerned about is that man's true intentions.

'Is this about Mishiba?　It's true, that guy is a commoner, but he knows what he's doing. I honestly believe that I underestimated that man, but not you?

'No, I'm just like you. I don't think there's a story behind this one either it's just....

　The Count looked curiously at the lady who slurred her words.

'Just what?　What do you care about?

What's the matter is that at some point that man could crush us...

Kuh!　Hahahaha. Julia, your wisdom has helped me a lot in the past. So, I trust your word. But how much of that is impossible?　How much difference do you think there is between me and Mikoshiba?　If we're talking about a hundred years from now, but it's not a difference that's going to be filled in ten or twenty years?

　The Earl laughed off his wife's words with a flourish. He said that such a thing was never going to happen.

　A clear power difference exists between Mikoshiba Ryoma and Count Salzberg.
　Economic power, political power, diplomatic power, and military power.
　In terms of all of the power required to administer the fiefdom, the Count was superior to Ryojin.
　And the biggest difference is the difference in territory.
　Although it is a disputed area facing the border, the Count family, which trades reasonably well and holds the salt deposits, and Mikoshiba Ryoma of the Woltenia Peninsula, which has zero inhabitants and is full of sub-humans and "monsters" wandering around.
　Normally, the difference is so great that it's not even worth comparing.

''Well........that's true.''

That's right, Uriah. You worry too much, don't you? You're a woman of your caliber Kukku Kukku but that's all right. If you're that worried about it, why don't you send that maid over there to get the information? That's what I've set up for you. How about that?　Are you still worried about that?

　The lady nodded at the Count's words.
　She herself was not certain of anything.
　It was just a vague feeling of unease. So she didn't care any more about it at this moment.
　There was no way for an ungodly person to predict how much of a price that would cost in the future.　

Okay. Well then, I'll take the story with a few additional conditions. As long as we can officially secure a vein of salt, we can rest easy.

Hmm. I'll leave it to you to figure that out.

　Those words decided the fate of the Count family.　　
　The Count, who obtained the mine without paying for it, or Mikoshiba Ryoma, who paid for the mine with a mere verbal agreement. Who really benefited from this, no one could tell. Until the day when they crossed paths....