Seras, the Commander of the Arkenia Kingdom’s Knights.
It has been a year since she visited the Millenia Federation.
Honestly, it was quite a happy year.
[The food provided by His Majesty, please accept it gratefully, everyone.]
[Long live the great Leopoldus, His Majesty!!]
[We are grateful for His Majesty’s grace!!!]
First, the food.
The food from Millenia has helped alleviate their suffering.
The number of deaths from starvation, which used to happen frequently, had decreased, and it felt like there was hope.
[Baron Dunkel, there’s a rumor going around that you’ve been embezzling the food provided by His Majesty. Is that true?]
[…Haha, Sir Seras, you’re quite the joker. The grains are large and tempting, I was just conducting some research for a moment.]
[Right. I am watching you, so make sure you continue to follow His Majesty’s will.]
[…………Tch. Understood.]
‘Even so, there are still plenty of pigs trying to line their own pockets.’
The nobles, who thought the food was blindly distributed, were deterred because she, the Emperor’s right hand, was directly overseeing things.
Thanks to this, the previously volatile public sentiment was quickly normalized.
The morale of the military, which had been barely holding on with loyalty alone, increased significantly.
At this rate, there would be no issue if Valentia invaded.
That thought even crossed her mind.
[But that’s not all. The once-dying mining industry is starting to thrive.]
[…Is that really true?]
[Yes. The economy, which had been stagnant, is coming back to life.]
Another point.
The once-rigid consumption has increased dramatically.
When miners brought coal, the kingdom would buy it at a fair price.
That coal would then be exchanged for food, stimulating the domestic market.
Thanks to this, the kingdom’s economy regained some of its vitality.
The king, Leopoldus, even said, “It feels like the heart that had stopped is now beating again.”
“—Thus, Arkenia is at peace, Your Highness.”
“Thanks to the food given by the Dragon, right!!?”
“…Ahem.”
‘The princess really does love dragons too much.’
The reflection on the past returned to the present reality.
Her gaze turned toward the one with shining eyes before her.
The former king’s child, now twenty years old, yet still treated like a child by everyone due to her small stature.
She was the cute, pampered princess Frida, whose personality was as innocent as her appearance.
A wry smile appeared on Seras’ lips.
“Calling it ‘given’ is a bit of a misrepresentation, Your Highness.
We, after all…”
“Trade is just an excuse, right?
You knew that our people were starving, and you provided us with aid, didn’t you?”
“Aid?
How could we… from some monster like that…”
“Then there’s no reason why we would trade the most coal for the most scarce food, is there?!”
“That dragon, Teonar, must be a good dragon!
Yes!”
But the princess, Frida, seemed to act oblivious, acting cute.
Her noble blue eyes sparkled.
‘Brother and Seras are both fools, aren’t they? Can’t they see that, despite the country’s strength, the friendliness is so obvious?’
Her inner thoughts were quite clever, but anyway.
Thanks to this, Seras’ chest felt heavier.
Even though unfair trade was possible, the reason Arkenia was maintaining an overwhelmingly favorable exchange was a matter she herself was uncomfortable with.
“…At least His Majesty doesn’t seem to see it that way.”
‘He’s been looking worried lately.
He even muttered the name Teonar while drunk.’
The two women’s gazes soon turned to one place.
The office of the King of Arkenia, Leopoldus.
He was alone, troubled in his office.
“Ugh…
This is maddening.”
‘Millenia, what are they scheming?’
The reason for his sigh was the recent appearance of a group of monsters in the Great Forest—Millenia.
They had been maintaining regular trade every three months.
To be exact, it was because of their diplomatic stance.
‘Only Arkenia has diplomatic channels with them. This is a serious blow.’
Millenia had only opened diplomatic channels with Arkenia.
Other countries, when sending ambassadors, would pretend not to know them.
‘Unapproved entry across our borders will not be tolerated.’
Thus, the attention of rulers turned to Arkenia, the only country that had helped them survive the famine.
Naturally, no one had nice things to say.
[Recent reports indicate that your country is engaging in trade activities with non-state actors and inhumane practices. These actions must cease immediately…]
‘Damn Valentia.Do they not understand our situation and still make these claims?’
All the diplomatic letters that had been poured on Arkenia.
Though wrapped in diplomatic rhetoric. ‘Are you out of your mind?’
‘If they had said it right away, I would have handled it, but they waited ten months to bring it up.’
But now, ten months after starting trade with Millenia…
This translation reflects the events and inner thoughts of the characters, focusing on the
tensions between kingdoms, trade, and diplomacy, with a strong emphasis on Seras’ and the
princess’s perspectives.
This was the reason why Leopoldus was unable to respond and was in such a state of panic.
‘We’re in the same boat. While Valentia already caught on, how could we have not known anything until now…’
[Lucia. Mel. Have we cut off all diplomatic channels with them?]
[Yes, Teo-sama! As far as Arkenia is concerned, until we give the go-ahead, they’re like blind men!]
[They’re also working behind the scenes with other nations, so you don’t have to worry!~]
[…Grrr.]
‘I’m sorry, you’ll have to bear with it for now.’
In truth, the reason for the ten-month delay was due to Teo’s behind-the-scenes operations.
Because of this, other countries were mistakenly thinking that Arkenia deliberately hid the trade, but…
Leopoldus still had no idea.
With frustration, he crumpled up the piles of letters.
“I can’t just back out now…”
‘Arkenia needs food. The poor harvest is still ongoing.’
They couldn’t stop diplomacy with Millenia.
Though things were slightly better than last year, it was still a poor harvest for the entire kingdom.
They were only able to plant beans due to the depleted soil.
In short, Arkenia had no choice but to import food, whether they liked it or not.
The sharp gazes of the international community were nothing compared to the fear of starving.
Unable to help it, a sigh escaped his lips.
Crunch.
“…Seras, can you hear me?”
[Yes, Your Majesty.]
“Order the soldiers.
Have them transport coal to the Great Forest.”
[We’ll set off immediately.]
“You know the drill—do it as secretly as possible.”
[Understood, Your Majesty.]
‘Leopoldus… In the end, he’s trading again. Food.’
Seras, too, moved with a heavy heart.
The trade with Millenia was still confidential.
It was a secret that the food they were using to feed the people was grown by monsters.
She had no choice but to personally lead the soldiers.
The coal-filled wagons slowly headed toward the border.
“Commander, can’t we just have that dragon move the coal like last time?
I don’t want to go all the way to the Great Forest.”
“Don’t talk nonsense.
There’s no way we can bring such a monster into Arkenia…
Hm?”
“Wait, what is that?”
And then they saw it…
A brown-skinned woman.
“A… monster…”
“That’s one of the operatives from Milyas!
Draw your swords!”
Wait!
‘Why is that monster alone out here?’
Seras widened her eyes in surprise.
The creature was Wiz, the same monster Seras had seen in the royal meeting room a year ago.
She had been standing side by side with Aurelia.
“Moreover… what’s all that?”
‘Is that… a track? A device used to lift and pull carts in the mines?’
Additionally, behind her stretched an endless rail.
It looked similar to the one in the coal mines.
‘And… is that all iron?!’
Of course, the tracks Seras had seen were wooden.
This iron track was the first of its kind that she’d ever seen.
There were so many that it made her shiver.
‘Could it be that Milyas brought all of this here, installing it along the way? I’ve never heard any reports of such large-scale construction…’
Creak.
“Well, well. Seras de Valois.”
“… !!!”
In that moment, Wiz moved towards the knights with calm, leisurely steps.
Her relaxed demeanor showed only the confidence of someone who was strong.
‘Damn it. I barely managed to forget about her over the past year! What is she up to now…?’
Seras instinctively sensed danger, but…
By the time she realized it, it was already too late.
“What’s the surprise?
I already told you everything.
Didn’t your master tell you?”
“…Did you get permission from His Majesty?”
“I received a reply last time.
They said it would be fine to install rails between the two countries for smoother trade and logistics.”
..!?
‘Your Majesty. No, Leopoldus. Are you insane!!?’
Leopoldus had already made a grave mistake,
“Anyway, it’s fine.
You’re right on time.
Let’s exchange goods quickly and get on our way.”
“What is…?”
Screech!
“…………!!!!!?
What’s that!!?”
‘How is iron of that size moving at such speed!?’
Taking advantage of the situation, Wiz unveiled her masterpiece: a steam locomotive.
This incomprehensible contraption had entered the heart of Arkenia’s land.
It was a sight unlike anything they had ever seen.
It was Wiz.
What on earth…?
“Even if I explain it, you wouldn’t understand.
Aurelia only understood after seeing it. It would be too much for you.”
“No, what do you mean…?”
“Alright, orcs!
Unload the cargo and load the coal!”
But Wiz didn’t even bat an eye.
She acted as if it was nothing, completely unconcerned.
‘What is…
No, I need to report this to Leopoldus immediately!’
While observing from a distance, Seras hurriedly dug into her pouch and took out a magical item.
This was not a matter she could handle herself.
Zzzt.
“…Your Majesty, do you see this?
It’s an emergency.
They’ve brought something strange again.”
[Wha—what is that!!!]
“It’s an operative named Wiz.
His Majesty authorized it.”
[…OOOFF.]
‘Teonar, you bastard, you’ve been lying to me!!!’
And upon hearing the report, King Leopoldus…
[You said her name was Wiz? Bring her straight to the palace. No, escort her.]
“…What?
Even our knights can’t guarantee a victory against her.”
[This is a matter of the kingdom’s survival!]
A being from a different race, whose mere gesture could melt steel with her flames. Wiz.
She was invited to the heart of the kingdom