Chapter 388 Trade Nation Sylvaol
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Following the grand unveiling of the Ddo-Buddy Palace¹, the Queen and I retreated to the basement. We needed privacy to deliberate on the upcoming trade negotiations with Sylvaol.
”Hmm. Even the basement has a certain charm to it,” she remarked, her eyes scanning the masonry.
”Yes, thank you… though, to be honest, having an escape tunnel down here doesn’t exactly help me sleep at night,” I replied.
”Kuku. Come now, allow me this much. This falls under the Crown’s jurisdiction; the security here will be airtight, I assure you,” the Queen said with a smirk.
I suppose she had a point. We already had an absurd amount of firepower gathered here, and my beloved elf, Tania, had been busy weaving defensive sorcery throughout the foundations. You can never be too safe, but this felt like overkill.
”So, we were discussing the North-South Trade Route², were we not?” Her Majesty asked.
She spoke while sprawling across the bed as if she owned the place-which, to be fair, she did. I didn’t mind her making herself at home, but her acting that defenseless was starting to get me a little hot under the collar.
Just as the thought crossed my mind, the Queen let the corner of her mouth curl into a satisfied smirk. She was doing this on purpose. I gritted my teeth, pushed the provocation aside, and forced a professional tone.
”Yes. I’m torn on whether I can actually trust those two. More than that, I’m concerned about the movements of the ‘Great Merchant Guild’ and the Sylvaol Royal Family.”
”Hmm. Quite right,” she muttered, her expression flickering with a hint of boredom. But she was the Queen who commanded the Canaria Kingdom for a reason. She shifted gears instantly, her mind beginning to whirl. “To be blunt, even I find it difficult to gauge our relationship with Sylvaol. Unlike Coalmine, with whom we share a certain proximity of spirit, that nation is a difficult book to read.”
”How so?” I asked.
”Our perspectives are fundamentally different. Consider our nation, hemmed in on all sides by land, compared to theirs, which looks out upon the vast sea. Our lifeblood is the people rooted in the soil, yet they care nothing for enriching the earth. Conversely, our vision is narrow; they seek to achieve greatness through maneuvers both in the shadows and in the spotlight.”
”Is that… just how they are?”
I could vaguely grasp her meaning. It made sense geographically, yet it didn’t quite click. It felt to me that our country, standing at the heart of the continent, was the one better positioned to move the world on a grand scale.
Then again, I only knew a handful of people from Sylvaol. If a woman who weighed the fates of nations and carried the collective wisdom of her ancestors said it was so, then I had to listen.
”Hmm. In that case, you would do well to remember Ierse,” the Queen said. “Her conduct is the quintessential behavior of a Sylvaol native-and the very essence of their royalty.”
At her words, the image of Princess Ierse flashed through my mind. Born of the Sylvaol Royal Family and wed into the distant Coalmine line, she was one of the few Sylvaolians I had ever met. She always wore a radiant, blooming smile, but behind it was a brilliant mind that had spearheaded Coalmine’s sudden rise while secretly keeping her home country’s interests at heart.
If that was a trait cultivated by the nation of Sylvaol itself, we were in trouble.
”Think back. It was she who first saw the potential in the ‘Hot-Hot Ddo-Buddy’ back in Coalmine. It was also she who realized our kingdom was seeking a trade partner,” the Queen reminded me.
During the ceasefire negotiations, Ierse had accompanied Prince Gilliam to our country. Even then, she was the only one on the Coalmine side who was already looking toward the next move. While Gilliam was stuck in the old paradigm of invading Canaria, she was already drawing a new map.
”The trade link between us and Coalmine-the ‘Small Ddo-Buddy Economic Sphere’³-was her proposal. It was she who suggested we pull Sylvaol into the fold,” the Queen added.
”Does that mean… the ‘Great Ddo-Buddy Economic Sphere’ is essentially her doing?” I asked, feeling a chill.
The Queen nodded firmly. Ierse had secured Sylvaol’s blessing and began turning the concept into a reality before we even knew what was happening. We were all dancing to her tune.
”That nation likely knows more about us than we suspect,” the Queen said, her eyes taking on a razor-sharp edge. “It’s the reason Ferguson has never been able to break into the southern trade. Some even whisper they were involved in the rise of the Wyrope Empire to the east. What I can say is this: so long as the Great Merchant Guild remains still, the two merchants who approached you are likely operating in a way that doesn’t harm Coalmine or Sylvaol.”
I sat in silence. If this didn’t harm Ierse or Sylvaol, then we were safe for now. But there was no guarantee of how much weight Canaria would actually carry in the long run. Once other goods started flowing, we might find ourselves sidelined.
”Regardless, shall we get things moving?” I asked.
”Hmm. That is one option. I have no reason to oppose it. Though if things grow too large, I may have to step in eventually…”
In the end, the Queen didn’t seem to care much either way. I’d have to watch my step so the rug doesn’t get pulled out from under me. I was just starting to feel impressed with my own long-term vision when I realized she was staring at me. Her eyes were no longer sharp; they were burning with a heavy heat.
”…Um, is something wrong?”
”Nothing. I was just thinking what a fine man you’ve become.”
”I… I’m honored?”
”Don’t tease me. I simply take pride in my own taste in men.”
Before I could process her bluntness, she reached out and yanked my arm. I tumbled forward, landing right on top of her. And so, I spent my very first night in the Palace in the company of the Queen herself.
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Summary:
The protagonist and the Queen discuss the geopolitical implications of trading with Sylvaol. They realize that Princess Ierse has likely orchestrated a massive economic shift that places Canaria at the center of a new trade route. The chapter ends with an intimate moment between the protagonist and the Queen in their new palace.
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Trivia:
- The mention of an underground escape passage in the new palace.
- Tania the Elf’s active role in the palace’s defense.
- The historical long-term goal of Coalmine to invade Canaria.
- The possible connection between Sylvaol and the rise of the Wyrope Empire.
- The protagonist’s specific title: Special Advisor for Trade Policy and Magic Technology
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Character Insight:
The protagonist is beginning to feel the weight of high-level politics, shifting from a simple merchant mindset to analyzing international power plays. The Queen displays a mix of sharp political acumen and personal vulnerability/affection toward the MC.
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Behind the Scenes:
The author uses the transition from concrete palace descriptions to abstract geopolitical talk to heighten the tension before the romantic payoff.
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TL Notes:
Notes:
• Tania – An Elf adventurer who, despite her race’s reputation for low sex drive, is secretly quite passionate. She initially seemed ‘wasted’ (emotionally dry) to her friend Raika, but was easily introduced to the pleasure-items sold at ‘Harvest.’ She is easily embarrassed and attempts to maintain a dignified facade, despite her recent, frequent purchases. She wears practical but light armor over a simple cloth tunic and short pants, highlighting her grace and agility. Her primary relationship is one of friendly senior-junior with Raika.
• Ierse – The Crown Princess and wife of Gilliam, originally from a foreign land. She is described as lively and healthy with a unique charm. She wants to cheer up her husband. Has long haired hair.
• Gilliam – The Crown Prince of the Coalmine Kingdom. He is described as simple and naive, often overwhelmed by his lively wife’s energy. He is stressed by the ongoing war.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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