Prickly, Occasionally Soft

“What did you come here for?”

“That is quite the greeting right away, Huey.”

As soon as I sat on the sofa, I shrugged at the man who made no attempt to hide his displeasure… the former king of the Est Kingdom, Huey-Eltrand-Est… no, was I no longer supposed to attach Est? Well, lately I had been calling him Huey, so I shrugged at King Est.

Today, I was visiting a town in the north of the former Est Kingdom, a town governed by Regza-Saga, a former general of the Est Kingdom. My goal was not General Saga, but this old man here…

Incidentally, the regions that had increased after we recently annexed each country had come to be called by the original names of the countries that had existed there.

In this case, it would be something like the Est Region.

“Even so, the furnishings in this room have become rather tasteful. Did you stop with the empty ostentation?”

I said that sarcastically while looking around the room, where there were no chairs with jewels embedded in the backrests like before, nor any furnishings that were simply glittering all over.

“Hmph. Some king from somewhere does not give me enough money to live, you see. I can no longer maintain my standard of living.”

He was as sharp-tongued as ever.

But the fact that he subtly checked Lynferia’s complexion after that line gave him a small-fry air, and I did not dislike it.

“I think I am letting you live quite well for someone who does no work and spends his days lazing around. Ah, come to think of it, Graham asked me to pass on a message.”

“Graham…? Ah, that muscle-headed brute from Fregis. Hmph, did you form a friendship with that one? Well, I suppose barbarians suit each other.”

Ever since being confined, Huey seemed to have become even more sarcastic than before, but strangely, he did not give off a gloomy impression.

He just felt like an old man with a bad mouth.

“He said, ‘Work a little.’”

“You, who are keeping me confined, are saying that?”

“I merely conveyed Graham’s message.”

When I told him that while grinning, Huey made an exaggeratedly loud click of his tongue.

“But although it was fine to place Huey under confinement… it might not have been very necessary. More than we expected, the former Est Kingdom’s retainers are cooperating with us.”

“Hmph! Naturally. I saw the list of those planned for appointment before, and you selected only those who were capable and trustworthy even in our country, did you not? Conversely, you thoroughly excluded those who were noble in name only, and those who had ability but were suspected of divided loyalties… the large-scale personnel reshuffle that was impossible under my reign honestly made me feel envious.”

“It was a bold method that could only be used because we destroyed the country. But it is a loss for the nation when capable people have to content themselves with being low-ranking officials because of their origins, you know?”

There were no few people who had held low positions during the Est Kingdom era, but were valued for their abilities and became deputy governors or achieved considerable promotions.

When I pointed that out, Huey showed a rare expression that looked somewhat troubled.

“When a country matures and comes to possess a long history, you too will understand… is what I would like to say, but that understanding lies at the end of time unreachable by human flesh. If a country continues for a long time, those with power and those without power will inevitably be born, and even a king cannot easily step into that area.”

“I suppose so. Our country is still young, so there are not many such constraints, but… as long as people gather, disparities will absolutely form. I would like to create a country with as much openness as possible.”

When I said that, Huey clicked his tongue for some reason, looking displeased.

What did this old man dislike…?

“I do not care about your country. More importantly, what did you come here for? We do not have the kind of relationship where we make small talk over tea, do we? Speak already, and then leave already.”

The next instant after Huey said that, I heard a small sound like armor rubbing from Lynferia’s direction… and Huey flinched, hunching his shoulders and freezing.

If he was that scared of Lynferia, he should not say it… or so I thought, but it was amusing, so I did not say anything so tactless.

“True. Then let us get to the main subject. I want to ask about the dwarf country.”

“Dwarves? Gigil-Po. Are you attacking them?”

What a dangerous thing to say right away, old man…

The dwarf country of Gigil-Po.

It was a country located northeast of the Est Region, which itself was located in the northeastern part of Einheria. To go there from Einheria, one had to pass through either the Kingdom of Sorakil to the north of the Est Region, or the Kingdom of Kugarlan to the east.

“I have no intention of doing that for now. I want to propose a development-related partnership to the dwarves.”

“A partnership? With those mountain goblins? How eccentric.”

“Eccentric? I have heard that the dwarves’ technology is considerable.”

“Their technology is indeed impressive, but those mountain goblins have absolute confidence in that technology. They would never partner with another race. They would say that others are, after all, people inferior in technology to themselves, and that they would gain nothing from joining hands.”

Seeing Huey say that as if spitting it out, something clicked for me.

“From the look of things, have you ever proposed a technical exchange to them?”

“…”

Huey distorted his expression while grinding his teeth.

Yes, it seemed I had hit the mark.

Still, it seemed the dwarves had a strong pride in craftsmanship.

My image of them was stubborn artisans, so it matched that image, but…

“Hmm. If Huey’s words were exactly what the dwarves said, then that is rather foolish. It may be true that humanfolk technology is inferior to dwarf technology, but the ideas of people with values different from their own are extremely important elements in craftsmanship.”

“Hmph… did you think I did not say something of that level?”

He had said it…? That was unexpected.

“At the time, I had Est Kingdom technicians present as well. I had them present tools that had not yet been realized, no matter how absurd they were. The result was miserable, however… the mountain goblins laughed through their noses and mocked us, saying that things of that level had already been developed.”

“I see… so it feels like they look down on humanfolk?”

“No, that was not looking down on humanfolk, but rather humanfolk technology… no, perhaps I should say the Est Kingdom’s technology. In fact, they praised tools and technology made in the Great Magical Nation…”

Huey spoke with an expression that looked truly hateful.

This was difficult.

Because it was the sarcastic Huey’s subjective view, the dwarves sounded like terribly unpleasant people, but I also got the feeling that they were simply pure artisan types.

Although Huey himself was indignant that they had mocked him, the fact that he said what had been mocked was his own country made it seem like he was speaking calmly… but I would have liked to hear the opinions of others as well.

Unfortunately, however, it seemed that the people of the Lufelon Holy Kingdom, located south of the Kingdom of Kugarlan, had no exchange with Gigil-Po… if I could have heard from Efaria or Guriel, I think I could have learned about the dwarves from a slightly more multifaceted perspective.

“I see… then do you think they would be interested in our teleportation technology?”

“…”

At my words, Huey stared blankly as though dumbfounded.

Had I said something that would make him space out like that?

“…Wait. Are you going to let that technology leak to another country?”

“Kukuku… naturally, I will not. But is it not a fine thing to show off?”

It was true that I wanted to use the dwarves to advance the installation of mana collection devices, but naturally, I had no intention of teaching them the installation technology for mana collection devices with teleportation functions and communication functions.

That was something connected to the very foundation of Einheria, and it would be extremely bad for that technology to flow to another country.

If we annexed the dwarf country or made it a vassal state and placed it under our control like the Lufelon Holy Kingdom, that would be one thing. But if we were only in an alliance relationship at the level of a technical partnership, carelessly teaching such grand technology would endanger the nation.

If we formed an alliance, I intended to have them dispatch dwarf technicians and ask them to install simplified mana collection devices.

They would not have teleportation functions or communication functions, but they could fulfill the original purpose of mana collection devices.

For the time being, I would have the dwarves install the simplified mana collection devices originally meant to be placed in dungeons, and once our mana stone income increased, I could use those mana stones to use new employment contracts, have people learn abilities, and increase the number of personnel in the development department.

By increasing personnel that way, we would eventually be able to remove the simplified versions and replace them with full-function mana collection devices.

“I see. I am relieved you are not that foolish…”

Huey sank into the sofa with an expression that seemed truly relieved.

Apparently, he was surprisingly worried about us.

Well, if our important teleportation technology leaked to another country, other countries’ power would increase, and there was a possibility Einheria would be threatened.

If the country fell into turmoil, Huey probably could not overlook it either.

“But it is certainly the finest bait for luring those eccentric mountain goblins.”

“There are various other things too, you know?”

Potions, hair-growth medicine… and lower-tier magical weapons and armor.

Medicine for curing status ailments, or even panacea, might also work.

“…Hey, King of Einheria. When you go to Gigil-Po, let me accompany you. I want to see those mountain goblins’ eyes pop out.”

“…Part of me would like to take you, but you understand the reason why I am keeping you confined, do you not?”

At my words, Huey snorted and showed a mocking expression.

“It is to smoke out the suspicious people who might lift me up and make strange moves, is it not? But those who seemed likely to make suspicious moves should already have been dealt with. Besides, I do not want to go there to work. I merely want to watch the mountain goblins foam at the mouth and laugh. If I go with my face hidden, it should be fine, should it not?”

This old man really had fine tastes. His small-fry feeling was off the charts.

“I will consider it if you promise not to get in the way. But even if we dispatch an envoy to Gigil-Po, there is the issue of the route.”

“We have to pass through either the Kingdom of Sorakil or the Kingdom of Kugarlan. In that case, why not use your favorite method, war, and annex the Kingdom of Kugarlan? Setting aside the Kingdom of Sorakil, the Kingdom of Kugarlan should be no trouble for you, should it?”

“You… after calling us barbarians so much, you suddenly say that?”

“I merely presented the method you are good at, did I not? The Kingdom of Kugarlan is not exactly a powerful country. If it is you lot, who easily crushed us, you could probably crush them in a month.”

Huey said that as though it were nothing, but attacking the Kingdom of Kugarlan now would be a little bad.

We had not yet finished installing mana collection devices within the country… and that was precisely why I wanted to quickly establish a connection with the dwarves, so increasing our territory even further in the process would be rather putting the cart before the horse.

While keeping those thoughts in my chest, I distorted my lips and answered Huey.

“Unlike certain fools from somewhere, the Kingdom of Kugarlan has not attacked Einheria. We have no reason to attack them.”

“Tch… then will you fight the Kingdom of Sorakil? That country will reach its hands toward this country sooner or later.”

“The Kingdom of Sorakil will be left for later. Right now, that country is in turmoil over a succession issue. It would be better to act after waiting for it to become even more turbulent.”

“Oh? So the Kingdom of Sorakil had ended up like that. No wonder no one has come to me.”

Huey, who was ignorant of other countries’ information because he was confined, said that as though convinced.

The fact that he properly understood why we had confined him in this northern town meant that even if he was a small-fry, he was still a former king.

“That is why I would like to pass through the Kingdom of Kugarlan’s territory as peacefully as possible.”

“That country is the type that goes along with the powerful. In particular, it wags its tail at the Kingdom of Sorakil, the strongest nearby, but Einheria is also a powerful country equal or superior to it. If you apply a little pressure… in the current situation, I think they will quickly nod.”

He meant that would work now, while the Kingdom of Sorakil had no leeway to turn its eyes outward.

Even so, pressure, huh… that kind of thing was Kiriku’s specialty, so I would leave it to him.

“If you intend to eventually clash with the Kingdom of Sorakil, the Kingdom of Kugarlan will probably participate as well. It is a country that follows the Kingdom of Sorakil’s lead, after all. After that, the fools from Yuran will move too.”

“We have the Yuran Region firmly under surveillance, so there is no problem.”

“Those fools are short-sighted… there is no telling what kind of stupid action they might take, but do not be careless, all right? Fools sometimes do outrageous things.”

Huey said that while giving off an oddly heartfelt atmosphere.

This old man… he was worrying about us quite a bit. Was he a prickly-soft old man…?

“The former Duchy of Yuran, now Einheria’s Yuran Region. The situation there is quite bad. It is about even with the Kingdom of Largray, which collapsed in a coup.”

“That sounds tragic just from hearing it. To think it is the same as a country that had a coup… since those fools had been throwing their weight around, I suppose it is only natural.”

Huey smiled sarcastically, but… somehow, I felt like he did not actually find it that amusing.

Originally, the land of the Duchy of Yuran had been Est Kingdom territory, so perhaps he had some feelings for the people who lived there as well.