Chapter 558 The Pros and Cons of Trade ②
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Lady Nada… has truly given Sylvaol an escape route, hasn’t she?”1
What had begun as a discussion about trade with the Southern Continent had gradually become something far more delicate. We were no longer talking about tariffs, shipping routes, or imports from the harbor city governed by Meryamisha, the master of our guest from the south. Instead, the question before us was why Ms. Nada had chosen to reveal the truth to our kingdom while keeping Sylvaol at arm’s length.
The Queen fixed her gaze on Prince Roland.
”Tell me,” she said. “Why do you think that is?”
”From Sylvaol’s perspective,” Roland began after a moment’s thought, “the most important thing is preserving trade. No matter which successor eventually takes control in the south, they need to maintain that relationship. They cannot afford to earn the hostility of any potential ruler.”
”Precisely,” the Queen replied. “Sylvaol is, above all else, a maritime nation. Trade is the foundation that keeps the country standing. When the future Governor is still unknown, committing to any one faction is dangerous. Unless they find someone worth wagering the nation’s future on.”
The logic was simple enough. The succession dispute within Aurumcame had become so tangled that even a nation as established as Sylvaol hesitated to choose a side.
”To them, Lady Nada is an unknown,” Roland continued. “She could become the trusted aide of the next Governor, or she could belong to someone who ultimately loses everything. Reaching out to her carries as much danger as opportunity.”
He had arrived at the heart of the issue.
Ms. Nada represented countless possibilities. Depending on how events unfolded, she could become either a valuable connection or a dangerous liability.
And so Sylvaol had chosen not to look too closely.
By treating her with careful courtesy while avoiding deeper involvement, they preserved every option available to them. If she turned out to serve an influential figure, they could point to the goodwill they had already shown. If she fell alongside a losing faction, they could claim ignorance.
It was, as Roland put it, a ready-made escape route.
”So…” Roland murmured as understanding dawned on him. “For Sylvaol, it’s more convenient not to know who Lady Nada really serves. And for Lady Nada, keeping that hidden is equally convenient.”
”Correct,” I said with a nod. “At least, that is the conclusion I reached.”
”To be a ruler…” Roland muttered quietly. “You have to think this far ahead?”
”Indeed. Though there is no need to be intimidated by it, Highness. Lord Harvest is here, the Marquis of Samoro remains active, and I shall continue assisting you for the foreseeable future. Lady Unia is also by your side. There are plenty of people ready to correct you whenever your thinking falls short.”
”A-ah… ha-ha…”
Roland let out a strained laugh.
The Queen smirked and ruffled his hair.
Do your best, kid.
Though honestly, I was tangled up in this mess too, so I was hardly in a position to laugh.
Still, I was the one who had brought this matter before the crown. For the future of my shop—and because my beloved Queen had ordered it—I needed to push the lesson one step further.
”Highness, there is no time to relax yet. That was only the foundation. The real question is how our kingdom should respond.”
”R-right.”
Roland straightened immediately.
”Sylvaol wants to preserve trade, so they avoid learning Lady Nada’s identity. Lady Nada hides it because that makes cooperation easier. But for the sake of her master, she revealed the truth to us because she needs more direct support. Is that correct?”
”Exactly. In return, we gain trade opportunities such as Komipom imports, and those transactions themselves become a form of support. Depending on our actions, we may be able to offer far more than that.”
A shadow crossed Roland’s face.
Now he understood where the true difficulty lay.
”The issue is the cost,” he said. “Lord Harvest and the Court Mages have already confirmed the profits. The question is whether those profits justify the risk.”
”Precisely. And what conclusion have you reached?”
Roland lowered his eyes in thought.
”I see. The concern isn’t simply whether we’ll be caught up in turmoil on the Southern Continent. It’s how our actions affect our relationship with Sylvaol.”
He had found the critical point.
Our greatest concern was not the distant succession struggle itself, but how Sylvaol would react if we openly backed Meryamisha.
”In other words,” Roland continued, “what happens if supporting Lady Nada ultimately disrupts Sylvaol’s trade? Suppose the worst-case scenario occurs. Suppose Lady Meryamisha loses, and the eventual Governor comes to resent those who supported her.”
”Directly?” I said. “Probably very little. They might send protests, but crossing the sea to attack us is unrealistic. The nation left standing on the front line would be Sylvaol.”
Roland nodded.
”They could pressure Sylvaol instead. Continue trading with us, and they risk losing access to the Southern Continent.”
”Exactly. And Sylvaol would likely choose the south. No matter how much trade with our kingdom grows, it still rests on the foundation of their southern connections.”
There was no objectively correct answer.
This was ultimately a question of values.
What kind of ruler did Roland wish to become?
The Queen had deliberately left that burden in his hands.
”Lord Harvest.”
”Yes, Highness?”
”Why did we pursue trade with the Southern Continent in the first place?”
”At first, it was to find an alternative to the East-West Trade Route. Now, it is because of the Southern Continent’s potential.”
Roland nodded slowly.
”So in pursuit of trade with the Southern Continent, we risk damaging that very trade.”
”Strictly speaking, there are alternatives. We could reroute goods through Ferguson in the west.”
”But the cost and travel time would increase.”
”That is correct.”
”What if we wait?” Roland asked. “Avoid deeper involvement until a new Governor is chosen.”
”That would be the safest option,” I admitted. “But we have no idea when stability will return. More importantly, it would leave a poor impression on Lady Meryamisha.”
Roland fell silent.
One hand rested against his chin as he stared into space, looking far beyond the present moment. Ten years. Twenty years. Perhaps even further.
For someone who had yet to inherit the crown, it was a remarkably heavy expression.
”Lord Harvest.”
”Yes?”
”If this succeeds, can you guarantee the profits?”
”Without hesitation. It would become one of the pillars supporting our nation’s prosperity.”
”The risks are manageable. And you are willing to stake your name on the benefits.”
”The information is all before you, Highness.”
Roland considered everything in silence.
Then he looked up.
”One more question.”
”Go ahead.”
”If we choose not to act… what happens to Lady Nada and Lady Meryamisha?”
For a moment, I hesitated.
”I cannot say with certainty. Our information on the south is incomplete. However, considering they crossed an ocean and entrusted this mission to someone as capable as Ms. Nada…”
”Their situation is desperate?”
”I believe they are running out of options. It looks as though they are trying every path still open to them.”
Roland’s gaze shifted briefly toward the Queen before returning to me.
”I see.”
Years later, I would still remember the look in his eyes at that moment.
He had weighed the risks. He had weighed the rewards. And he had remembered the people standing behind the numbers.
Finally, he reached his conclusion.
”We will support Lady Meryamisha.”
His voice was calm, but it carried through the room with unmistakable certainty.
”This kingdom will not become the sort of nation that strikes away a hand reaching out for help.”
”As you command.”
I bowed deeply.
And when I raised my head again, I saw the Queen watching her younger brother with a quiet, proud smile.
—
Summary:
The discussion shifts toward the Kingdom’s strategic decision regarding trade with the Southern Continent and the potential political fallout with the Maritime Nation of Sylvaol. Prince Roland struggles to balance the cold pragmatism of statecraft with his growing sense of empathy for the individuals caught in the struggle. After deep deliberation on the risks and potential gains, he finally asserts his authority as a monarch by choosing to provide support to Meryamisha.
—
Trivia:
The trade relationship with Sylvaol is predicated on their reliance on Southern Continent trade.
Prince Roland is not fully aware of the “Super Ddo-Buddy Trade Zone” concept but is being groomed for leadership.
The Queen is actively testing and guiding the Prince’s development during these negotiations.
—
Translation Notes:
Notes:
• Nada – A tall, slender Southern Continent merchant and envoy with dark skin, sharp almond eyes, and vulgar slang, this graceful woman is Meryamisha’s right-hand infiltrating the Canaria Kingdom. Embroiled in a succession dispute, she holds a mysterious identity and acts as a key figure in regional trade. She has business with the protagonist’s shop and is in an intimate relationship with Kento.
• Meryamisha – A beautiful, white-haired, dark-skinned young woman, she is the governor of a Southern Continent harbor town and master of Nada. Known as “That Person,” she is a key figure in the Aurumcame Governor State succession struggle. While navigating intense political power plays to fiercely guard her position, she secretly acts as a compassionate protector for local orphaned children.
• Roland – Earnest but inexperienced heir to the Canaria throne, this golden-blonde, innocent-faced prince is the younger brother of Queen Cecile and the King of Ferguson. Close to Unia and assisted by Harvest, he is currently training in practical statecraft under his sister’s guidance, balancing his studious, youthful demeanor with the complex burdens of his future role as monarch.
• Harvest – Viscount Kento Harvest is a gaunt, pragmatic former adventurer and merchant who manages a magic-circuit shop and acts as a diplomat to the Southern Continent. Clad in a tattered academic coat, this royal mentor leverages deep knowledge of Earth-based technology and noble authority to navigate politics. Known for being soft on women, he is sexually proactive with numerous lovers and dependents.
• Samoro – Marquis Dan of the Samoro family is a prime, middle-aged veteran courtier and powerful Prime Minister. Distinguishable by his abundant white hair, grand mustache, and opulent robes, he leverages his immense noble prestige and court experience to staunchly back the Queen. Having served previous rulers, he remains a deeply loyal and influential political ally dedicated to supporting her reign.
• Unia – The third daughter of the Duke of Greter and future Queen betrothed to Roland, this noblewoman heads the Ferguson delegation and helps educate the younger generation. She possesses intricate blonde hair, a doll-like beauty, an expressionless face, and a sharp, perceptive demeanor, occupying a position of significant influence.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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