Chapter 230 The Ddo-Buddy Trade Zone ①
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
The meeting with the group from the Coalmine Kingdom¹, which had been late enough to worry me, was finally set up a short time later. I didn’t know exactly what was happening in the West, but I knew I had to do my own job.
”Hey there, Kento-kun. You aren’t feeling too nervous, are you?” Duke Roost asked.
”Thank you, Father-in-law. To me, this is just another business deal. There’s no need to worry,” I replied.
”I see, I see. You’re very reliable. Tina seems quite tense, so I’ll leave her in your hands,” Duke Roost said.
”F-Father! I have also done my job well this past year, noja! You don’t need to worry, noja!” Tina cried.
We were in a meeting room that had been used for peace talks before. Beside me sat Duke Roost Badcage and his daughter, Tina. Personally, I thought Tina was nervous because her father was sitting there with his eyes narrowed like it was a school visit day, but I didn’t say anything because it would be rude.
”You two get along very well. Looking at you, the future of the Badcage House² is safe,” Princess Ierse said.
”Yes, thanks to them. Now I am just waiting to see a grandchild’s face; I’m quite relaxed myself,” Duke Roost replied.
Talking to my father-in-law from across the table was Her Highness Princess Ierse, the Crown Princess of Coalmine. They must have met on the way here; the two of them talked with a fairly relaxed feel.
But even if I didn’t know the details, I could tell there was a ‘hidden’ conversation happening, the kind that nobles do. If I translated the hidden meaning, it would be: “Is it okay to think this deal is approved by both the current and next leaders?”
”Of course. I hope this deal lasts until my grandchild’s time.”
If I look at it negatively, Coalmine was probably trying to check on the Badcage family, who are the wall at the border—basically their old enemies. And Badcage wanted to show off how strong their family is, or maybe show off their link to me.
In my old world, these comments would be like harassment, and I feel like I’m getting caught in a mess. But it’s too late for that since I’ve already started trying for a baby with Tina. Besides, if this makes the trade go well, I won’t complain.
”Oh my! Then we must send a gift for the celebration,” Princess Ierse said.
”Yes, I would be happy to take it when the time comes. I hope it helps the next generations become better friends,” Duke Roost said.
Duke Roost spoke carefully. He kept a sharp eye on Kushe, the Chief Court Mage standing by Her Highness, and Count Martin Popol. Flearis was standing behind them as a guard.
To me, they were people I had become friends with, but to my father-in-law, they were enemies he had fought just a few months ago. He couldn’t trust them easily. However, the two of them were unexpectedly friendly back to him.
”Yeah, I’ll send something too when the time comes. I’ve never given a birth gift before, so I should start thinking about it now. What about you, Martin-kun?” Kushe asked.
”It is Count Popol, Lady Kushe. Let’s see… my family has a habit of giving charms made from monster parts. I’m actually having one made right now. I’ll order an extra one,” Count Martin replied.
Of course, the charm he was making now was for my daughter, Momo. Since Count Martin loves her so much, I could easily guess how much work he was putting into it. If he was making the same thing, it meant he really wanted to bless the child between Tina and me.
But my father-in-law didn’t know that. He answered in a slightly biting tone.
”Monster parts, huh? That’s a scary tradition,” Duke Roost said.
”I don’t mean anything bad. It’s a protective charm that uses ‘monster’ to drive away ‘monsters.’ You could call it a warding charm. But if you’re worried, I’ll think of something else… I just thought matching charms for siblings was a good idea,” Count Martin muttered.
Count Martin looked quite sad. His reaction seemed to surprise my father-in-law, who blinked in confusion.
”Siblings, you say…” Duke Roost muttered.
”Ah, yes, that’s how it works out, right?” Count Martin asked.
Suddenly, both of them looked at me. I see—by some weird luck, these two are becoming relatives… No, it’s not someone else’s problem; it’s happening because of me. I thought about saying something, but my father-in-law gave a small laugh first.
”I see… Then I’ll leave that choice to my daughters. Anyway, thanks for the kind thought, Count Popol,” Duke Roost said.
”No, thank you as well, Duke Badcage,” Count Martin replied.
Finally, my father-in-law and Count Martin thanked each other honestly. Was this a happy ending? Kushe, who knew everything, looked a bit bored, but if they become friends because of the kids, that’s good.
I looked at Tina, whose face was turning red, and thought I had to work even harder at making a baby—when the other people rushed into the room. It was Queen Cecile Canaria and the Prime Minister, Marquis Dan Samoro.
”Sorry we are late, Ierse-dono,” Queen Cecile said.
”No, there is still a little time. I heard some good stories from Duke Roost, so don’t worry about it,” Princess Ierse replied.
The Queen apologized with her usual sharp, tired eyes. They were already late for a meeting that had been delayed before. Even if it was expected, showing weakness before a deal made her look bitter, but she had no choice.
The situation in the West seems very bad. Everyone there understood this, and the room—which had been a bit friendly because of Duke Roost and Count Martin—became heavy with tension again.
Queen Cecile sat across from Her Highness Princess Ierse. She looked at everyone, nodded, and spoke seriously.
”Now, let’s start the talk about the ‘Ddo-Buddy Trade Zone³,’ which has been an open issue between us and the Coalmine Kingdom,” the Queen said.
”Pfft!?” I spat out.
When the Queen said “Ddo-Buddy Trade Zone” with a perfectly serious face, I couldn’t help but laugh. I thought it was a joke, but everyone looked at me with doubt. Wait… am I the weird one here?
”Is something wrong, Lord Harvest? Is there a problem?” Queen Cecile asked.
”N-no, are you… are you really going to use that name officially…?” I asked.
”It’s easy to understand. Besides, I remember you were the one who first said that word,” the Queen replied.
I might have accidentally said it to someone, but I never thought they’d use it in an official meeting! Beside Her Majesty, only Marquis Samoro looked like he was thinking, “Say more! The Queen is so tired her head has gone crazy!”
”Since this isn’t just about ‘Ddo-Buddy,’ maybe the ‘Harvest Trade Zone’ would be better…?” I suggested.
”If we do that, your name stands out too much. People might think you’re the one in charge of everything; are you okay with that?” the Queen asked.
”Guh… W-well, I can’t take responsibility for something that big…” I muttered.
Queen Cecile said that scary thing with her sharp eyes. Marquis Samoro, who probably doesn’t like me much, looked like he was cheering me on, but I couldn’t think of a better idea.
”Isn’t it fine, the ‘Ddo-Buddy Trade Zone’! I like the name,” Princess Ierse said.
”Then it’s decided. From now on, this plan will be called the ‘Ddo-Buddy Trade Zone Initiative.’ Also, for now, the trade between us and Coalmine will be the ‘Lesser Ddo-Buddy Trade Zone,’ and the one with Sylvaol will be the ‘Greater Ddo-Buddy Trade Zone.’ No objections, right?” the Queen said.
When Her Highness Princess Ierse smiled and agreed, Queen Cecile made it official. No one in the room could say no once those two agreed.
It really became the official name… the “Ddo-Buddy Trade Zone”…
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Summary:
Kento attends a high-level meeting where the tension between old enemies is softened by talk of his children. Queen Cecile arrives to start formal trade talks. Kento is shocked to learn that his embarrassing shop name, ‘Ddo-Buddy,’ is now the official name for an international trade zone.
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Character Insight:
The chapter shows the duality of noble life: the surface is friendly, but the ‘sub-audio’ layers are full of political probing. Count Martin’s genuine affection for Momo serves as a rare bridge across a bloody history. Kento, despite being the mastermind, finds himself powerless against the combined whim of the two highest-ranking women in the room.
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Behind the Scene:
The ‘Ddo-Buddy’ name is a running joke in the series. Seeing it used by world leaders with straight faces highlights the surreal nature of Kento’s success as an Isekai merchant.
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T/L:
Notes:
• Kento – The owner of the magic tool shop ‘Harvest,’ which discretely sells adult goods. He’s a former overworked, ordinary salaryman from modern Japan who was suddenly transported (isekai’d) to this fantasy world. He has dark hair and an unremarkable appearance, typically wearing a plain, slightly suspicious-looking shop owner’s clothes looks like Kazuma Satou from certain series. He has a minimal amount of magic power, enough to craft his specialty items.
• Roost – Duke of Badcage and father of Tina Badcage. He has long silver hair mixed with some white, a cool-headed expression, and red eyes. Despite a relatively slender build, he possesses a strong fighting spirit.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.’
• Momo – The newborn daughter of Kento and Lily. She has pink hair and her father’s ear and eyebrow shapes.
• 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.
• Samoro – A middle-aged Marquis and Prime Minister with a lot of white hair, a magnificent mustache, and luxurious attire. He is a key figure in the court who has supported the Queen since her enthronement.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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