Chapter 26:Queen’s Gambit (2)

To recognize Millenia as a nation.

…This was something Leopoldus would never do under normal circumstances.

Recognizing a monster group as a nation would cause an enormous ripple effect.

That was why, even while continuing trade, he had used the term “group” instead of “nation.”

‘You have to give what you have to give.’

But he deliberately played a risky hand.

To use his favorite game, chess, as an analogy, it was a “Queen’s Gambit.”

By giving up a pawn to an opponent who already had the upper hand, he aimed to open a path in the center.

No, what he was offering was a piece he had to give up anyway.

The national power of Millenia, which he had seen with his own eyes,

was too overwhelming to dismiss as merely a monster group.

Recognizing Millenia as a nation was inevitable.

He had recognized them from the start to gauge the opponent’s reaction, but…

“Chemical fertilizer and mining explosives. Don’t you want them? We could even support you with them.”

“…!!!!!?”

Teo responded in an unexpected way.

Leopoldus inhaled sharply.

‘Chemical fertilizer… is he talking about fertilizer made with that nitrogen fixation method?’

First, chemical fertilizer.

This was what supported Millenia’s food production.

For them, who exported food to Archenia, it was something they would naturally want to monopolize.

But, what? He was offering to support them with it?

It made no sense.

In chess terms, it was like giving up a knight for free.

It was nothing more than a blunder, devoid of strategy.

“Explosives? Are you talking about ‘Dynamite,’ which is comparable to a 6th Circle Explosion spell?”

“If you’re talking about the explosives we use for blasting, then yes.”

“….?”

‘He’s even going to hand over weapons?’

What was even more absurd was the matter of explosives.

Wasn’t that Millenia’s deterrent to war?

He absolutely couldn’t hand them over.

Even an illiterate fool would say the same.

And he was offering it as an apology for rudeness?

Because his subordinates had released some killing intent?

‘In the past, I would have ignored him as a fool… but that fool has been dead for a long time. Teonar.’

“That’s an excessively sweet offer. There must be an ulterior motive. Tell me frankly.”

Instead of accepting, he was wary for now.

This was where Leopoldus’s growth stood out.

Teo chuckled with satisfaction.

‘He’s become a little less foolish.’

“Ahem… Ahem. Of course, there are conditions.”

“Tell me. I promise to consider it very positively.”

“First. The fertilizer and explosives must be used under the supervision of supervisors dispatched by us.”

“Oh ho. For example?”

“Dryads will be in charge of storing and dispensing the fertilizer. Dwarves must supervise the use of explosives.”

The condition he offered in exchange for the sweet bait.

The exported items would be used under Millenia’s supervision.

“You’re saying you’ll interfere in our internal affairs. Did you think I would accept that?”

“There’s a bit of a misunderstanding. You can use them however you want. We won’t interfere with what you use them for.” “Really?”

“Yes. ‘If you use them for their intended purpose,’ that is.”

“Oh ho.”

The purpose of the supervision was to prevent misuse.

The fertilizer should only be used to fertilize the land, and the explosives should only be used for blasting – that was Teo’s explanation.

“It’ll be a disaster if you misuse them. If you use too much fertilizer, the land will rot, and if you use too many explosives, the mine will collapse.”

“So, you mean….”

“Our experts will help you use them appropriately. I’ll even bet my horns on it when we write the contract later.”

“That’s very trustworthy!”

‘There’s no oath more reliable than a dragon betting their horns. I can trust him.’

Leopoldus’s suspicion faded.

The horns, symbolizing the dragon’s dignity.

Betting them was no different from an elf betting their ears.

There were even dragons who had died for breaking an oath made on their horns, so there was no reason not to believe him.

“Alright. I believe you.”

‘They’re transparent so you can’t see them anyway, so he doesn’t need horns, but whatever.’

The horns didn’t mean much to Teo, but anyway.

With this, the first condition was accepted.

“And second. It’s not really a condition, just a simple suggestion. I’d like you to cultivate certain crops.”

“Indeed. There must be limits to the crops that grow in the forest.”

“Correct. We can somehow grow them using greenhouses, but it’s expensive.”

The second condition was to cultivate specific crops.

This wasn’t exactly a necessary proposal, but…

“That wouldn’t be difficult, but… wait. How much fertilizer are you planning to provide?”

“Well, our production is barely enough for ourselves. I don’t think we can give you much.”

“Hmm. I see.”

‘If I refuse, he’ll reduce the amount of fertilizer.’

Ignore his proposal and focus on growing wheat?

He would immediately cut off the fertilizer supply.

Millenia would want to maintain its position as a food exporting country, so it was natural.

Leopoldus nodded slightly.

“I can’t grow only what you want, but I’ll use at least half of the fertilizer for that.”

“75 percent. In return, we’ll give you as much fertilizer as we can spare. And don’t worry, we’ll import any surplus crops at a good price.”

“Unlike Millenia, our lords are in charge of food production. The amount we collect as taxes won’t be enough….”

“Let’s put that aside for now. If we buy it at a high price, the lords will have no choice but to sell it.”

“Alright, I understand for now. We’ll discuss it further as we see how it goes.”

And so, the second condition, to try it out for now, was dramatically agreed upon.

And finally…

‘Alright, now for the main point.’

“The third and final condition. Allow our merchants to enter Archenia.”

In reality, the biggest request.

To allow the entry of merchants.

The smile completely disappeared from Leopoldus’s face.

This was not something to be taken lightly.

“Denied.”

‘Things produced in factories flooding Archenia? We can’t handle it.’

How could he not know, after visiting the factory?

The manufactured goods pouring out of there would be like a dagger to the heart of a market dependent on handicrafts.

Lower prices thanks to less labor per unit of production.

Lower prices lead to increased competitiveness.

If those things were released by merchants…

‘Our foundation will crumble.’

‘Well, if he’s sane, he won’t accept it. Why would he want to end up like India?’

Even Teo had to admit that was the likely reaction.

That was because he knew.

One of the hidden shadows of the Industrial Revolution.

The history of India’s textile industry collapsing due to British exports.

The situation was even similar.

India as a British colony, Archenia as a weak nation unable to ‘dare’ refuse imports.

If he forced exports like this…

Teo could destroy several of Archenia’s industries.

Sweat poured down Leopoldus’s forehead like a flood.

“Denied. Absolutely impossible….”

“Don’t worry. We won’t touch Archenia’s main products.”

But Teo deliberately gave up that opportunity.

His small, soft tail wagged gently.

“……What? Are you serious?”

“Yeah. We have no intention of turning you into a colony.”

‘Unlike that gangster nation, we’re not an island nation. If we did something like that, it would be World War III.’

Millenia was the great forest located in the center of the continent.

A nation bordering no less than 4 of the 6 nations located on the continent.

In this situation, destroy Archenia?

The other nations wouldn’t like it.

Those evil monster bastards are finally up to something-! They would unite.

It goes without saying that the result would be a world war.

In other words, something Teo wanted to avoid.

War was not what he wanted.

“It’ll actually be helpful to you. For example, cotton fabrics. You’re importing them from Valentia, right?”

“That’s… true.”

“We’ll give them to you cheaper. Then the people will be happy to wear good quality clothes, and you’ll be happy not to import them at inflated prices.”

Teo’s voice became subtle.

He whispered temptations as if hypnotizing him.

It was still a youthful voice, so it didn’t mean much, but anyway.

“…That sounds too good to be true. What’s in it for you?”

“We can export our surplus production.”

“Is that all?”

“Is that all? You know how much of a headache surplus resources that can’t be exported are, right?”

“Indeed. I understand.”

Thanks to that, Leopoldus’s heart began to lean.

At first, he had rejected it outright, saying it was absurd.

But as he listened, he began to think it might not be so bad.

And finally, Teo…

“More than anything, there’s something really good for you if we export.”

“What is it?”

“——Tariffs. Don’t you want to collect them?”

He brought up a very interesting point.

The king’s expression immediately became serious.

“You’re saying you’ll allow us to impose tariffs? Millenia, a powerful nation, on Archenia, a weak nation?”

“Yeah. Of course, we won’t allow outrageous markups, but we’ll allow it to some extent.”

“Why didn’t you say that sooner!!”

If they imposed tariffs, taxes, on the goods they sold?

The story would change 180 degrees.

They would impose devastating tariffs on industrial products they needed to protect, preventing them from daring to encroach on the market.

Conversely, they would distribute necessary goods, such as food, cheaply on the market.

Archenia’s economic independence could be protected.

“Then one last question. Teonar, do you really have no intention of being hostile to humans? Don’t you want to avenge your kin?”

“My ancestors died because of their own actions. Why should I care?”

“Your people….”

“I can’t guarantee that much, but Lucia is steadily socializing them. A few lightning strikes and they all become docile.”

“…It’s a bit much for me to say, but I express my gratitude on behalf of the humans.”

“Alright. So, what do you say? Will you accept?”

“Of course.”

On the chessboard that floated like an illusion before his eyes, the black and white pieces mixed and became gray.

He reached out to Teo in the transparent air for a handshake.

‘This is Teonar. Just like Frida said, he really was a good dragon.’

“I look forward to working with you. The last dragon, and the monarch who will bring peace to the continent.”

And, in front of that hand.

Teo…

-He grinned.

‘——He fell for it.’

“Yeah. I look forward to working with you, in many ways.”

Instead of a hand, he offered his tail.

With a smile that was sly in his own way, and cute in Lucia’s eyes.

“Then I’d like to agree on the related details, can I send a working-level representative to Archenia?”

“Who is it?”

“Millenia’s Minister of Economy and Industry. Ultimate Slime, Mel.”

“A slime, huh. Are you talking about that person over there?”

“Yeah. Mel? Come here.”

And, as everything went according to Teo’s plan.

A woman approached and prostrated herself.

The slime, Mel, who had been waiting for her turn since earlier.

“Did you call me?”

“You heard what we were talking about, right? Let’s go on a business trip. I’ll give you full authority, so negotiate with them and handle it.”

“Hehe…♡”

“Everything will go as you wish♡”

‘They won’t even notice what they’ve been hit with♡’

A transparent invasion that no nation on the continent, not even the victim Archenia, would notice.

The slime stood at the forefront.