Chapter 189 Diplomatic Delegation
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Umu. Well then, I have arranged for you to meet with someone after this. You are prepared, I trust?” the Queen asked.
”Yes. I understand it concerns trade relations, but is there anything in particular I should be mindful of?” Kent replied.
”Let me see… It goes without saying, but you must not mention the ultra-compact magic weapon known as PHZ¹. Beyond that, well, today is more of an initial greeting. I shall interject if the need arises, but for the most part, you are free to proceed with the negotiations as you see fit.”
* * *
After receiving my reward from Queen Cecile Canaria, I found myself immediately tasked with another duty within the royal palace.
I had been briefed beforehand that we would be discussing sales within the Coalmine Kingdom² and the maritime state of Silvaul³. However, I was told that the identity of the negotiation partner “could not be disclosed yet, just in case of unforeseen complications.”
Still, when a business partner is shrouded in that much secrecy, it isn’t hard to imagine who they might be. I followed Her Majesty toward the meeting venue, feeling a significant amount of nervous tension.
In all likelihood, this meeting was the primary objective for Her Majesty. The reason she bestowed the reward upon me first was probably to solidify my formal status before the encounter. As evidence, Her Majesty’s opening words to her guest were as follows:
”You have done well to come, Ierse-dono. This is the man who invented those items, Viscount Kent Harvest.”
”Oh my, so it’s you! It is truly an honor to meet you, Lord Harvest,” the woman said.
”The honor is mine to make your acquaintance, Crown Princess Ierse Her Highness,” I replied.
Waiting there was the Crown Princess of the Coalmine Kingdom and former princess of the maritime nation Silvaul, Her Highness Ierse. I had heard a fair bit about her from Lady Tina of the Duke Badcage House, so I found myself nodding in internal recognition. So, this is the one.
”Following the recent ceasefire negotiations, Ierse-dono has formally arrived here leading a diplomatic envoy. She has agreed to cooperate not only with sales in Coalmine, but also regarding trade with Silvaul…”
”Yes, it is a tremendous responsibility, but I intend to fulfill my role to the absolute best of my ability!”
My first impression was that of a vivacious, naturally charismatic, and bright woman. The way she smiled so cheerfully upon being introduced made her feel less like a Crown Princess and more like the popular poster girl of a local tavern.
Yet, beneath that exterior lay a highly capable princess who had been married off across two borders—a woman whose every movement carried an air of nobility. And her eyes were, without question, those of a merchant.
She was a type of woman I had never encountered before. On the surface, she seemed like a sheltered, innocent daughter, but in reality, she possessed a remarkably strong core… or so it felt. Rumors claimed the Crown Prince was utterly infatuated with her, and I could certainly see why.
”By the way, as I recall, the inventor of ‘Ddo-Buddy’⁴ was said to be the proprietor of a magic tool shop, but it seems you have since attained a title,” Ierse said.
She spoke as if addressing me, but she cast occasional meaningful glances toward Her Majesty. As I thought, she’s tactful, I mused. A silent dialogue was likely unfolding between the two: ‘This man is a noble of our nation, so do not overstep,’ countered by ‘Yes, I understand. I simply wish to foster a personal acquaintance.’
”Yes, I was granted a title in recognition of this matter. To be perfectly honest, I am no different from a commoner at heart, so I may inadvertently commit some discourtesy. I ask for your kind indulgence,” I said.
”Fufu, then we are both novices, aren’t we? I too may stumble, but please be gentle with me, Lord Harvest,” she replied.
Her Highness Ierse offered another infectious smile, placing a specific emphasis on “Lord Harvest” at the end. Despite being a married royal and a former citizen of an enemy state, she was an exceptionally beautiful woman of prime age. As a man perpetually weak to the charms of any woman, I couldn’t help but feel a flicker of delight.
Actually, this was likely just a bit of flattery. If I hadn’t been put through the wringer by Her Majesty earlier, I might not have caught on. I wasn’t sure how much of it was intentional, but this sheer likeability was clearly her weapon.
Regardless, that was fine. What concerned me more were the two—no, three individuals standing behind her. One was a man with “pink” hair who was glaring at me with piercing eyes. Another was a woman with dark green hair, her eyes positively sparkling with excitement. And standing further back in reserve was a woman with “pink” hair…
Who on earth were they? The two in front especially were a living testament to the phrase ‘the eyes are as eloquent as the mouth.’ Both were leaning forward with an obvious impatience to speak. Furthermore, regarding these people with “pink” hair… Fortunately, before I even had to ask, Her Majesty took notice and made an inquiry.
”And Ierse-dono. Those behind you?”
”Yes! They are members of my envoy and my personal guard. May I introduce them?”
”Umu, you may proceed.”
Of the two, the woman with dark green hair stepped forward first. She was looking at me with unmistakable intensity, her eyes gleaming. Ierse then introduced her with a suspicious amount of ceremony.
”Cecile-sama, Lord Harvest. This is our kingdom’s Chief Court Mage, Kushe.”
”Hello, hello! You’re the one who developed ‘Ddo-Buddy,’ aren’t you?! I’ve wanted to meet you so badly! You have no idea how much I’ve looked forward to this day! Your ‘Ddo-Buddy’ is absolutely magnificent! Truly, we must discuss the finer details immediately!!!”
The woman named Kushe lunged toward me the moment the introduction finished. In fact, she seized my hands in both of hers and began shaking them with frantic energy.
I understood that I was being praised, but shouting that my “Ddo-Buddy is magnificent!” in a place like this was surely going to cause trouble…?! I hurriedly looked toward Her Majesty and Her Highness Ierse, silently pleading for assistance. Highness Ierse then gave an order to the pink-haired woman in the back.
”Flearis, I’m sorry, but would you mind stopping Kushe?”
”Understood!”
”Ah! What are you doing, Flearis! I am just about to engage in a passionate exchange between fellow magic toolmakers…!”
Kushe was promptly peeled away from me by the pink-haired woman named Flearis and, in short order, found herself bound tightly with rope.
Good grief, I never expected to be the victim of reverse sexual harassment here… If she’d said that at my shop, I’d have happily harassed her right back!
While I was busy feeling like my very identity was being challenged, Highness Ierse spoke up with an incredibly apologetic expression.
”I am deeply sorry, Lord Harvest… Kushe is undeniably talented, but she has something of a… difficult personality…”
”I… I see…” Kent stammered.
I suspected it was more than just “a bit” difficult, but when a member of royalty apologizes, I can hardly voice my complaints. Wait, was the “blunder” she mentioned earlier referring to this? I didn’t think she would actually mess up this quickly…
While I was debating how to respond, Her Majesty, who had been watching Kushe’s outburst in silence, finally spoke with a look of surprise.
”I never imagined the developer of that new magic weapon would be such a young woman… Ierse-dono, why did you choose to bring her specifically?”
”Yes, well, there was actually a fierce debate within our country regarding whether or not she should accompany us… In the end, it was decided that we simply could not exclude her from matters pertaining to magic tools.”
”I see. Is your nation truly placing that much importance on the ‘Hot-Shot-kun’⁵?”
”Yes, but it goes beyond that. As a sign of our sincerity, I will say this: our country possesses a profound interest in magic tool development, including the ultra-compact magic weapons produced by your nation.”
”Fufu, well, I suppose that is only natural…” the Queen said.
So that was the angle. By stating it so openly, she likely meant she wouldn’t try anything through force, but that she intended to seek out any opportunities through our interactions.
”Very well. We are friendly nations for the time being. I hope that remains the case. Now then, what of the man with the ‘pink’ hair?”
”My apologies for the delay. This is Count Martin Popol. As you both may be aware… he serves as the head of the ‘Pink Clan’⁶.”
The pink-haired man was introduced exactly as I had expected. I was just wondering where the conversation would lead, when—
”You… you and my sister! MY SISTER!!!!”
He rushed at me just as Kushe had done. WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE!!!
—
Summary:
Kent is introduced to a high-level diplomatic envoy led by Princess Ierse to negotiate trade between nations. He meets the eccentric Chief Court Mage Kushe, who nearly causes an international incident with her frantic obsession over his inventions. The chapter ends on a cliffhanger as Kent is suddenly charged by Count Martin Popol, who appears to have a personal vendetta regarding his sister.
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Character Insight:
Kent is learning that his new status as a Viscount and master inventor makes him a target for both intellectual obsession (Kushe) and political/personal scrutiny. Princess Ierse is revealed to be a master of ‘soft power,’ using her disarming, poster-girl charm to mask a shrewd and focused diplomatic agenda. The mention of the ‘Pink Clan’ suggests that Kent’s past business dealings are coming back to haunt him in high society.
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Behind the Scene:
The ‘Pink Clan’ hair color is a visual shorthand common in light novels to denote a specific lineage or ‘mob’ character group that shares a unique trait.
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T/L:
Notes:
• Cecile – A high-ranking, powerful woman 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.
• 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.
• Kushe – The Chief Mage of the Coalmine Kingdom. She has dark green hair grown out haphazardly and wears a mage robe loosely over her shoulders. She has a blunt, informal, and somewhat insensitive personality, focused on her ‘thinking experiments.’
• Flearis – A member of the diplomatic envoy and guard. Has pink hair.
• Martin – Lily’s non-blood-related younger brother. Considered the strongest candidate to succeed the Popol family due to his lineage and manifested ‘power. He has pink hair.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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