Chapter 404 Good News and Bad News
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”I have three pieces of good news and one piece of bad news.”
I was in the middle of a marathon-securing materials and building a new production line for our latest product, the ‘Wriggle-Buddy¹.’ That was when Queen Cecile summoned me to deliver the classic ultimatum.
It’s not a line that makes the heart flutter. In the ‘Top Five Things You Never Want to Hear from Your Boss,’ that one’s a permanent fixture. You know you’re being set up for a fall.
”Don’t look at me like that,” Cecile said. “I would have preferred to give you only the good news.”
”Sorry,” I replied. “Force of habit.”
We were close-close enough that I knew our physical compatibility was a perfect ten-but today, this was a formal meeting between a Queen and her subordinate. I braced myself.
”First: Count Popol’s younger sister, Flearis, is headed this way,” the Queen explained. “She’s our liaison with Coalmine, so handle her with care.”
”Understood,” I said.
That was actually… normal good news. Flearis was coming back. To the Queen, she was a noble; to me, she was the sister-in-law to my love-slave, Lily. She’d been handling our shop’s ‘experiments’ until a few months ago when she left to accompany Princess Ierse back to Coalmine. She was back sooner than I thought.
”I also have a message from Lady Ierse,” Cecile added. “‘Henceforth, you are free to use Flearis however you wish; just don’t forget her contribution. I’d be delighted if my thank-you gift was a certain New Product.’”
”Understood,” I repeated.
I knew what Ierse meant. She wasn’t talking about the Wriggle-Buddy; she wanted the next big thing. It was a polite way of telling me not to get too cozy with the Kingdom of Ferguson and forget about Coalmine. Importing materials from the House of Popol was already on my list, so I’d have to find a way to keep everyone happy.
”Second: King William of Ferguson is so thrilled with our progress that he’s doubling down on restoring the East-West Trade Route,” Cecile continued. “Materials for the new line will be delivered with top priority.”
”That’s a massive win,” I said.
So far, so good. If Ferguson moved this fast, we could launch the Wriggle-Buddy ahead of schedule. We’d sunk a fortune into their monster materials, and I was itching to recoup the costs.
”Third: Satsuki and the others are coming home.”
”Wait-for real?” I asked, leaning forward.
”I have no reason to lie. The Kudoah Territory has hit its reconstruction milestones. The national army and local adventurers can handle the rest.”
This was the big one. The Court Mage Satsuki and Sister Amelia… it had been six months since they left to deal with that ‘Stampede².’ They’d worried me sick. Finally, the shop could go back to its old rhythm. With my best people back, the ‘Harvest’ was ready to go into overdrive. Our ties with Coalmine and Ferguson were solid. I felt a weight lift off my shoulders. Ideas were already racing through my head.
Then the other shoe dropped.
”Now… about the bad news,” the Queen said, her voice dropping an octave.
I hadn’t forgotten. Cecile’s order of operations was correct-give the man a reason to live before you tell him why he might die. I felt like I could handle anything right now.
”The Saint, Loire-Rose, intends to visit Canarias,” Cecile stated.
”…”
I let the name sink in. Loire-Rose. She was the one who had handed down the ‘not guilty’ verdict during the heresy trial for our ‘Tremble-Buddy.’ Back then, she’d just been a name; now, she was the Saint. The spiritual backbone of the Church of Demon-Subjugation³.
In the old days, Saints were warriors on the front lines. Now, they were symbols, guardians of the Holy City who stayed out of the mud of international politics. At least, that was the theory. The current Saint was known as an opportunist-a woman forced to clean up the mess of a predecessor who had lost a power struggle with the Wielope Empire.
”Is she finally picking a side?” I asked.
”Precisely,” Cecile replied. “She has chosen us. She can no longer afford to sit on the fence.”
Until now, the Saint had been “friendly” in that annoying, indirect way-sending condolences but never soldiers. But the Church had been the one to stir up anti-war protests in Coalmine during our war with them. They were the ones who helped us move product there, too. Behind the scenes, the Saint had been pulling strings for a long time.
”This is going to be a bloodbath,” I muttered.
”Yes. Her life will be targeted. If she dies on our soil, it gives the Wielope Empire the perfect excuse to invade.”
”I get it,” I said. “So, what do you need from me?”
”You aren’t just a consultant here,” the Queen said, looking me in the eye. “You are a primary party. The reason for her visit is simple: she wants to personally welcome the return of ‘Saint’ Amelia.”
”What…?”
”Sister Amelia is a hero now,” Cecile said coldly. “She has the adoration of the people. If she were to lose her life right in front of the Saint who came to greet her… who do you think is the biggest loser? And who stands to gain the most?”
A sudden heat flared in my gut. The back of my neck went numb. My mind went stark white.
I see. This wasn’t just bad news. This was a death sentence.
—
Summary:
Queen Cecile delivers three pieces of good news regarding trade, staffing, and the return of the MC’s companions. However, the ‘bad news’ reveals a political trap involving the arrival of the Saint. The chapter ends with the horrifying realization that Amelia is being set up as an assassination target to spark a war.
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Trivia:
- Flearis was the primary tester for the shop’s ‘adult goods’ experiments.
- The Saint Loire-Rose previously saved the protagonist’s shop from a heresy trial.
- The Wielope Empire grew by suppressing the Church of Demon-Subjugation.
- Amelia has been away for six months, which has built her significant public popularity (Hero status).
- The Saint’s visit is technically ‘official’ but serves as a catalyst for conflict
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Character Insight:
The protagonist shifts from a greedy, business-oriented mindset to intense protective dread for Amelia. Queen Cecile shows her cold, strategic side by delivering the news in a specific order to manage the MC’s emotional state.
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Behind the Scenes:
The author uses the transition from ‘Sister’ to ‘Saint’ for Amelia to highlight her rising political value and the danger that comes with it.
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TL Notes:
Notes:
• Cecile – A queen in the capital who possesses the authority to regulate business and commerce, particularly concerning moral or public order issues. She is currently investigating Kento’s shop, ‘Harvest.’ Have long golden hair, elegant, and wearing expensive white dress with gold accesories.
• Flearis – A member of the diplomatic envoy and guard. Has pink hair.
• 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.
• Lily – the sl*ve and primary experiment subject for the magic shop, ‘Harvest.’ She has striking pink hair, Blue eyes, medium breasts, which the Protagonist associates with being ‘wanton’. She has a working knowledge of magic, which she kept hidden from the slave trader.
• Satsuki – A talented Court Mage who was forced to analyze the shop’s adult magic tools. Miranda’s granddaughter. Now she’s the new worker at Harvest, a development she finds both humiliating and surprisingly fulfilling due to the rapid progress in her research under Kento’s guidance. Has long black hair, palace mage robe, and staff.
• Amelia – The Sister of the Church of Demon-Subjugating, who usually buys from Kento, has light blue hair.
• Loire-Rose – The current Saintess, possessing a divine appearance yet a modern, playful, and irreverent attitude that clashes with Church tradition. She has white hair, pale skin, blue eyes, and wears clergy robes.
• Slop – Leader of the hound-kin pack; Laika’s father. Has orange hair and fluffy tail.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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