Different World Business Symbol
Chapter 16: state of affairs

MTL: uniquegasuki

Editor/ Proofreader: (not proofread)

During the time Haruto and Lora were worrying about sales, there was a parliamentary assembly taking place at the central plaza .

「Let us commence the meeting . I, Adonis Wulfstan, will be taking lead . 」 (Adonis)

Of the Diet, any seated member of the parliament has the authority to call for a meeting . It is customary for the person who proposed the meeting to take lead .

「I am sure everyone has already heard and know why we are here . 2 weeks ago, Emperor Anders (エンダース) the 6th…… has died . 」 (Adonis)

Adonis hastens past the uninteresting topic . The other parliament members aren’t too surprised as in Clarice, the City-State Union, the place is governed by powerful merchants . As such, they are able to obtain information from various routes (sources) .

「His majesty, Westoria (ウェストリア) the 8th prince, for the imperial throne…… no, Westoria the 1st will succeed the throne . 」 (Adonis)

The Empire has 8 princes . Among them, the most influential are Pentax (ペンティクス) the 2nd prince and Westoria the 8th prince . Pentax has the backing of the army and the aristocrats . Westoria has the support of the middle class & powerful families from the provinces with the pleasants & farmers at the center . Pentax’s political policy is to purge the Kingdom, the City-States and the savage tribes that are located around the Empire . Westoria’s policy is to create public financial stability, boost the economy and bridge the gap between those who are poor and needy .

From the shadow, Clarice has been supporting Prince Westoria . The time has come for their support to bear fruit .

「What do you all think about the rebellion that took place in the Empire . Could it be that Westoria-dono…… could his majesty be a talented military commander?」 (Adonis)

Wujek had said something about that before . When the rebellion occurred, Prince Westoria and Prince Pentax joined hands to quell the rebellion . If one were to consider Prince Pentax’s opinion, Prince Westori was rather quick to act in order to suppress the rebellion .

To further the matter, the ringleaders behind the insurgency were the provincial nobles . Of those nobles that were found guilty of being involved, 100 of them were punished . As a result, Prince Pentax’s central support received major damage . During this campaign, Prince Westoria became well known and within the army support for Prince Westoria rose . And thus, Prince Westoria obtained the imperial throne .

「Business will improve it seems . This is good news for us . 」 (Brunch)

Brunch showed a pleased smile . Although the Empire is in decline, it is still a superpower . If business in the Empire improves so will business in the City-States .

「What about you Malthus-san? Will the number of wars with the Empire decrease?」 (Adonis)

Showing a broad grin on his face, Adonis asked Wujek . Without any changes in his facial expression, Wujek replies .

「Huh? The Empire will attack the Kingdom at their own discretion . I see no problem, yes? As my main business is lending money, this current state of affairs is pleasing to hear . Besides, his majesty Westoria is a valued customer of mine . 」 (Wujek)

Wujek has sold 3 desert people to Westoria . The desert people are a warrior nation . It is said that their strength is equal to 100 soldiers . Because these people live in the great desert, out of Clarice’s headquarter, Wejuk is the only one who has dealt with the desert people .

「The desert people I sold did participate in the rebellion . By the way, Ainsworth, what about you? Were the provincial nobles that were punished not clients of yours?」 (Wujek)

Wujek said with a broad grin . Brunch responded with a smile .

「I’m not particularly troubled as the land itself was not lost . I am more concerned about the wine or rather not having people to sell wine to . But anyhow, there are many other people (customers) to take their place . 」 (Brunch)

The 3 merchants continue to antagonize one another, desperately trying to assert dominance .

「What about Alto (アルト)?」

Alto is the City-State Union’s oldest state . It is the center of the Union’s politics with Clarice being the economic center . The Alto mentioned here is referring to the City-States’ central parliament .

「They believe that we are not able to secure information sooner than them . At the very less, a Union assembly would be held no earlier than in one month’s time . In any case, the meeting would end with nothing being decided on . 」 (Adonis)

After all, the City-State Union is a disorderly bunch . Unless there is a large scale invasion from the Empire or the Kingdom, or some other great crisis such as a plague that has decreased the population by 20 percent then they will not unite .

「Well, we of Clarice have are our national power to manage . There shouldn’t be a problem right . 」 (Brunch)

「Well, we of Clarice have are our national power to manage . There shouldn’t be a problem right . 」 (Brunch)

Brunch says with a soft smile .

「Then, shall we bring the meeting to a close?」 (Adonis)

The conversation has settled down and Adonis brings the assembly to a close .

◆◆◆

One month later, the news of the newly appointed Emperor, Westoria, ascending the throne spreads throughout the City-State Union .

「Lora, what sort of person is Westoria?」 (Haruto)

Haruto and Lora are having lunch at Undine . Having just recently kissed one another, they were both embarrassed and they silently ate their meal . Haruto couldn’t bear the mood any longer and addressed Lora .

「Eh!? His majesty Westoria! Umm, I don’t know the details but…… he is quite popular among his people . His mother is a concubine from the province . Therefore, he is highly supported by the peasants from the provinces . 」 (Lora)

From what Haruto has heard, he didn’t think the person had a bad image (reputation) . Without seeing the results, it is unknown as to whether the person would be a wise or foolish ruler .

「Anyhow, it sounds like business will improve . 」 (Haruto)

「Yes, with his majesty Westoria having ascended the throne, commerce in the Empire and the City-State Union will improve . The price of goods will rise it seems . 」 (Lora)

Haruto lowers his voice .

「Is your money making blessing reacting?」 (Haruto)

「Yes . 」 (Lora)

After answering, Lora’s showed a slightly anxious expression .

「What is it?」 (Haruto)

「What is it?」 (Haruto)

While hesitating to speak, Lora opens her mouth .

「I think that the price of commodities will gradually rise for a while . In 2 to 3 year, the cost of goods will have greatly risen . Things such as iron & other metals and wheat, ……I think we should stock up on pots now in order to save on gold coins later . However, this is merely a prediction . The longer the duration of time involved, the less accurate my money-making bless is . There is a chance that I am mistaken . 」 (Lora)

While poking at the meuniere, Haruto voiced his uneasiness . The person himself doesn’t know either .

「I see…… I guess we won’t know until it happens . Please tell me if there are any changes in your prediction . 」 (Haruto)

Haruto finished eating his meal and stood up .

「Let us go to townhall and have the contract officially canceled . 」 (Haruto)

「Yes!」 (Lora)

They join hands and then made their way to townhall .

◆◆◆

At that time in the Empire’s capital of Rosice (ロサイス) .

Rosice is called the center of the world . Its beautiful white giant walls are known for its 3 white wall layers . Behind these walls are those with a high social position .

A large palace it erected inside the middle of the 3rd layer and inside that palace there is a man .

With beautiful lavender hair, long slender legs, and long eyelashes; a handsome young man is laying on a bed while holding a fruit . He is wearing a skirt and with his long hair, he could be mistaken for a woman . Closely behind the man, there are 3 people, a gathering of men and women with dark brown skin .

「Westoria, here is this month’s financial report . 」 (guy with glasses)

The diligent looking man, who is wearing glasses, to the man with long hair…… no, the man handed the report over to Westoria .

「Good work . Your paperwork looks easy to read as usual, I see . Here this is a reward . 」 (Westoria)

Westoria handed the man a banana and the man graciously accepted .

「Good work . Your paperwork looks easy to read as usual, I see . Here this is a reward . 」 (Westoria)

Westoria handed the man a banana and the man graciously accepted .

「Thank you very much . I will treasure it . 」 (guy with glasses)

「Uh, you should eat it before it rots . It would be a waste not to . 」 (Westoria)

After giving a hearty laugh, Westoria raises the report and reads it .

「Hmm, leaving out the effects of the tax reduction, for the time being, the public financial affairs will be tight but…… we will have to preserve through it . If I take charge of the economy, there shouldn’t be any complaints from those geezers . 」 (Westoria)

After Westoria finished reading the report, he directed his attention to the man with glasses .

「By the way, how are things proceeding with the weapons I asked to have looked into?」 (Westoria)

「Ah! We will somehow manage; however, it will take maybe 2 to 3 years time . 」 (guy with glasses)

Westoria appears to be satisfied with the reply .

「I see . Well, take you time with the development . At any rate, the fire potion weapon was something that the first Emperor had used . It is our Empire’s trump card . 」 (Westoria)

Once more, Westoria stretches and lays back down on the bed .

「Are those not the savage barbarians that the Empire has lectured us about……」 (guy with glasses)

Westoria made a sadistic smile and then closed his eyes .

====

End of Arc-2 .