Read Novel Full Vol 23 Chapter 17
Vol 23 Chapter 17
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Chapter 17 – Even If I Skipped My Bath…
After an enjoyable camping trip on the southeastern island, I returned to Southern City. I was leisurely considering whether to go camping again, depending on Camille-san’s work, or to go to Lucca to pick up Alessia-san and the others. However, the situation changed completely when Camille-san returned with the huge task of entertaining the king on the Castle ship.
“Um… then I’ll leave it to you, Camille-san. No, wait a minute.”
I was tempted to nod in agreement, charmed by her enthusiasm for the challenging task. However, the king’s request was important.
It wouldn’t be easy to simply hand it over and expect everything to be resolved. Regardless of the magician Wataru, the merchant Wataru will definitely get involved.
No matter how wonderful Camille-san is, I have to find a way to avoid this problem.
“…Ahem. I understand how Camille-san feels. However, I would like to decline this offer. As Camille-san said, the Castle can attract enough customers without entertaining the king. There are few benefits, and we don’t want to take any unnecessary risks that could disrupt the peace.”
I don’t share Camille-san’s sense of fulfillment or passion for her job, but I can sort of understand how people in manga and novels feel that way.
Well, it’s probably just a superficial understanding.
I’m weak to the temptation of wanting to grant a beautiful woman’s wishes, but my safety is my top priority.
Since there are few benefits, it’s only natural to refuse. Camille-san’s merchant-like thinking won’t lower her opinion of me.
That was a pretty good excuse, even if it was off the cuff.
“So you’re saying it’s fine if there are benefits?”
Huh? Camille-san’s confident expression makes me uneasy. I thought it was a good idea, but did she read my mind and know that I was going to refuse?
“Y-Yes, dealing with the king is quite a hassle, so I need commensurate benefits.”
I put up a defensive line, pushed by my anxiety.
Normally, just the possibility of connecting with the king would be a huge benefit, but in my case, the benefits become disadvantages. Therefore, it’s impossible to offer benefits commensurate with the king’s arrival. It’s impossible, right?
“It won’t directly benefit you, but it will greatly contribute to the safety of the beastmen’s town.”
Camille-san’s expression is full of confidence. It’s a little scary.
“A benefit for the beastmen’s town? They seem to be doing fine as it is, and I don’t think any benefit can compare to entertaining the king.”
From my perspective, I’m pretty satisfied with the current situation. It would take benefits several times greater than the hassle to break even.
This is a win. I’ll go take a bath. I won’t set that flag. The opponent is Camille-san. Someone like me, who’s being manipulated by Saporabi, can’t afford to let my guard down.
“First, when the king of the Latina Kingdom boards the ship, other countries will also send their kings or people of similar status to greet him, right?”
Camille-san began to explain as if teaching a child. I could see how she felt about me.
Well, at least I understand what she’s saying.
“It’s a matter of rank, right? How does that connect to the beastmen’s town?”
If the kings of other countries start talking about protecting the town, the Aquamarine Kingdom will suspect interference in their internal affairs. I feel like that will put the town in an even more dangerous position.
“If we accept the king, there’s no doubt that high-ranking officials from the Kingdom of Brescia will come, as well as people from the Beast Kingdom. They have a close relationship with the Beast Kingdom due to the war with the Empire.”
“Huh? Why would the Beast Kingdom come?”
I understand their relationship deepened because they cooperated during the war, but that doesn’t mean they should participate in diplomatic meetings unrelated to their relationship.
A wise man once said that there are no true friends between nations and that friction and suspicion are inevitable between countries, so their participation shouldn’t be possible.
“The Beast Kingdom gained a port during its conflict with the Empire. It’s still under construction, but they signed an agreement with the Kingdom of Brescia to use the port in the future. Since this meeting is about shipping routes, the Beast Kingdom will likely make contact, even if they don’t participate in the formal meeting.”
The Empire, huh? Come to think of it, I transported the Beast Kingdom’s soldiers to the Empire. I didn’t want to get involved, so I didn’t gather any information, but it seems things are progressing.
Once the development is complete, the port may become part of the regular passenger ship route.
“…Well, I understand why the Beast Kingdom is involved. But if they were involved from the beginning, why invite the king?”
Don’t try to complicate things. I’m not fooled.
“I’m not sure if you can call it ‘general,’ but people of a certain rank have little influence on other countries.”
It’s the same in any world: people with power have a big say.
“Fortunately, Wataru-san’s business is attracting attention in the Beast Kingdom. If the king or someone close to him mentions the beastmen’s town where people of a similar rank gather, it will greatly protect the town. Especially since the Beast Kingdom gained access to the sea, its influence has increased considerably compared to before.”
Hmm… I think I understand what Camille-san is trying to say.
In other words, even though they belong to different factions, the leaders of the other factions are on good terms with each other, and they have power. They would say something like, ‘Your guy is a good kid. I’m looking out for him too,” in a big way.
If that happens, the Aquamarine Kingdom will find it difficult to act unreasonably.
However, with the luxury liners as a source of profit, the existence of the unknown mage, and me—a merchant thought to be unreasonable—my companions and I are managing to protect ourselves reasonably well.
“I understand what you’re saying, but is it necessary?”
If we act now and the luxury liner doesn’t come, the Aquamarine Kingdom will lose out.
“On the surface, not much will change, but the Aquamarine Kingdom is a country, so national interests are important. In other words, countries and court nobles who want profits will undoubtedly act behind the scenes to avoid causing problems while trying to gain as much power as possible. The fact that leaders of other countries are paying attention to this is significant.”
Hmm… She’s right. During the last negotiations in the Aquamarine Kingdom, Camille-san seemed to be having a hard time until I gave her permission to take a strong stance.
As long as I’m watching, I think we can manage, but I can’t stay involved with the beastmen’s town forever.
In that case… No, not yet!
“If they’re already paying attention, why don’t we just have the Beast Kingdom officially announce their interest in the beastmen’s town?”
If they say it directly, everything will be resolved.
“That would require serious negotiations between the two countries. It would also be necessary to offer benefits to the Beast Kingdom. That would certainly be more effective, but it would undoubtedly increase the burden on Wataru-san.”
That’s not acceptable.
“So, the important thing is that it’s just talk among those in power at a drinking party?”
They’ll convey that they’re paying attention, but it won’t be official. That sounds like a childish excuse, but maybe it’s important in adult relationships.
“That’s right.”
It may be paranoia, but Camille-san seems relieved that I finally understand.
Taking on new troubles to protect the beastmen’s town feels wrong. I guess Camille-san is pushing this idea on me because it’ll end up being less of a burden in the long run.
After all, it’s easier to entertain foreign dignitaries whom we’ll probably never see again than to deal with the muddy waters of court nobility.
“…I understand. I’ll leave everything to you, Camille-san.”
Please don’t burden me too much. I can’t handle important people.
“Leave it to me.”
Camille-san nods confidently. Her enthusiasm for this big job isn’t an act. Even if I had rejected the offered benefits without thinking, I feel like I would have been persuaded somehow and ended up agreeing anyway.
I couldn’t have won, even if I hadn’t taken a bath. Whether I let my guard down or not, it’s difficult to win without the necessary skills. [T/N: It’s a Japanese idiom that implies, “Nothing I do works.” “I’m just no good.”
Ultimately, I’m just a man who gets pushed around by Saporabi. I’m really grateful for the cheat. Creator God-sama, I have a lot to say, but I’m truly grateful for the Ship Summoning skill.
“Ah, but what about the southern continent? Is the schedule okay?”
Honestly, even if the regular route is the king’s business, the southern continent is God’s, so God’s business is the priority. They’re way more terrifying if you make them angry.
However, I can’t ignore the king’s business. It’s really troublesome.
“The king’s business is still in the early stages, and coordinating with each country will take time. We can handle it until the final stages, so Wataru-san, just do your best with the southern continent.”
…Well, I suppose the king’s trip can’t be decided on a whim like a trip to Kyoto.
I’m glad I have some time, but once I’m done with the southern continent, I’ll have to deal with the king’s business.
It’s a luxury liner, so it won’t be that difficult. However, I’m not sure what to expect from the southern continent after the war. I’m also not looking forward to entertaining the king.
It’s like waiting for the results of a test you know you did poorly on or having a shot in a few days.
…There’s no point in getting depressed, so I’ll leave the luggage arrangements to Camille-san and focus on selecting recipes for a hearty meal.
I’ll leave future troubles to my future self and enjoy the present.
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