Chapter 1086: Chapter 1086

The Alberta Kingdom was located in the central continent. A nation of massive scale, it was also the continent's leading country in agriculture, reaching the highest peaks of production. It supplied countless agricultural products across the continent through its merchant guilds.

Davey faced their trade retaliation, and the cause behind it was nothing short of absurd.

“Is this for real? Do they not understand what it means to propose to a married man?”

Despite him having already been married, situations like that weren’t entirely unheard of. For example, there were cases where someone became a concubine. In other words, that sly young chancellor had just proposed becoming his concubine. Of course, from Illyna's perspective, there was no reason to entertain such an outrageous joke.

“Perserque, was it my fault?”

“No, Sister. This is definitely not what you’d call normal diplomacy.”

Davey’s eyes narrowed as he watched the three of them talk.

The administrators of the territory, with Amy at the forefront, all unanimously agreed. They believed that they must formally protest the Alberta Kingdom’s betrayal of trust, demanding the promised supplies be exchanged as agreed.

Eventually, Illyna asked Davey for his opinion. “So what are you going to do?”

“I'll follow whatever course you want to take. However, and maybe this isn't my place to say... but isn't this just ridiculous?”

It was baffling enough that they contacted a grand duke of a sovereign nation, who was happily married, to propose marriage, but then they even used that as a pretext to start a trade war.

Given that relations with Alberta had never been bad, this was all the more shocking.

“The late Chancellor of Alberta was truly a trustworthy and well-respected man. How did it come to this?” Illyna muttered, only to sigh afterward.

Aeria also showed a complicated expression. “I’ve seen the Duke’s daughter of Alberta before.”

“Yes. It was only for a moment, but I saw her once when she accompanied the former Duke from the learning institute located in the capital of the Holy Empire.” When Davey then asked what kind of person she was, Aeria was unsure how to respond. “How should I put it? She was really impossible to read.”

In the end, it wasn’t much of a clue.

“So? Are you planning to start a war?”

“If we bring military force into a trade dispute, that's tyranny. If we just do that without a clear justification, everything we've built up until now would be ruined in an instant.”

That was absolutely not something they wanted.

“And yet, you still called down a Meteor spell over the Pallan Imperial Palace.”

“That's a different matter.”

Leaving behind Illyna, who shrugged as if to say she didn’t see the difference, Davey rose from his seat.

“You're suspicious about something.”

It didn’t take a large group for their trip to the Alberta Kingdom. In fact, it was only Davey and Rinne, the two of them having set off alone.

As usual, Rinne followed behind Davey with bare feet wrapped in pure white bandages, making soft footsteps while constantly munching on snacks. She was a bio-golem, and not just any golem—one that held the essence of the extreme. It made Davey wonder if all that snacking would eventually make her gain weight.

“Master Davey, Rinne has detected a highly disturbing presence through detection circuits.”

“Master Davey, Rinne states emotion circuits are heating up at a fast rate. Rinne labels this as unexplainable fury.” Rinne looked at Davey with half-lidded eyes.

‘She really is quick to notice...’

“Stop with the nonsense and just follow me.”

Traveling by land took several days to reach Alberta Kingdom, but using spatial warping took a lot of annoying work. What Davey instead ended up doing was simple.

[Dammit! Am I really supposed to be treated like your mount!?]

Davey squinted his eyes at Megalodria’s furious outburst. “If you just keep lying around in the forest, you’re gonna get fat. You need some exercise.”

Megalodria grumbled but slowly lowered its body.

[Contractor, do you even realize that casually riding me around isn’t exactly a good thing?]

Megalodria was already a well-known figure across the continent. Its appearance alone could trigger a continent-wide state of emergency.

Of course, if it was within the Heins Territory, it was fine, but it was important to be cautious in foreign territories. That is, only if Megalodria was visible.

“Can’t you tell from how there have yet to be any problems with you flying in the past? Just trust me.”

Megalodria lifted off into the air with an annoyed flap. At the same time, Davey bent the light around them, instantly making them invisible as he rode it swiftly into the skies.

The Alberta Kingdom was known as one of the most peaceful nations.

After landing in a forest a short distance from the capital, Davey reverse-summoned Megalodria. He then took in the view, admiring the massive city walls far off in the distance; the grand white royal palace towering above them; and the huge stone statue decorating the palace’s front.

The statue was of Alberta’s first king, and Davey knew it to be a fairly famous tourist attraction across the continent.

“Master Davey, Rinne detects new taste data.”

“I'll let you eat to your heart's content later, so just wait patiently.”

Hearing his promise, Rinne smacked her lips eagerly.

Davey disguised himself as a mercenary before entering the capital. He had also neglected to officially announce his visit through any formal document, having his own plans in mind.

While silently riding one of the transport carriages within the capital, he looked around at the scenery of the city.

When the carriage rolled to a stop, a huge mansion had come into view. Once Davey stepped down from the carriage, Rinne hopped down behind him and scanned the area.

“The little one with you, is she a slave? Even for a slave, she’s dressed way too skimpy,” the coachman said as he drove off.

Davey turned to look at Rinne. “Dressing like that might be fine in Heins Territory, but around here it'll get you arrested for public indecency.”

Rinne tilted her head in response. “This phenomenon does not line up with Rinne’s data.”

“Culture’s like that sometimes. You don't always understand it. Here, put this on,” Davey said as he draped a vintage-looking robe over Rinne.

The two then approached the massive mansion.

“Stop right there! Halt!”

After the guards blocked his path, Davey said, “Is this the ducal house of Murgent?”

“That is correct, sir. May I ask who is visiting?”

Judging from their respectful demeanor, Davey could guess the character of the master they served. Davey smiled softly and showed them a mithril badge he pulled out from his cloak. He matched their polite attitude regardless of rank, treating them with equal respect owed to equals.

“I’m Davey O’Rowane, First Prince of the Rowane Kingdom. I apologize for arriving without an official document, but due to urgent circumstances I need to meet with the Chancellor right away.”

Upon seeing the mithril badge and the emblem engraved on it, the guards gasped and began whispering among themselves. Regardless of its authenticity, the badge he held was truly the kind typically used by royalty.

“O-Of course! Please wait a moment!” One of the guards, after exchanging glances with his comrades, quickly ran into the mansion.

After a short wait, a neatly dressed man emerged from the mansion and locked eyes with Davey. “Welcome, Prince Davey O’Rowane. Her Excellency is awaiting you.”

Davey nodded silently and followed him inside. He noticed stacks of cargo in various places, and workers busily moving the goods.

The talks with the late Murgent Chancellor had been with the Pallan Empire, making this his first time visiting this mansion.

“And the person accompanying you is...?”

The nearby knights and the butler showed surprised expressions, but that was the extent of their reaction.

“I see. Understood. Then, we’ll have the escort wait over here,” the butler replied.

Rinne suddenly interjected in a flat tone, “Question.”

“Rinne requests the speciality of the Alberta Kingdom, the red bean bun.”

Although her tone was mechanical, businesslike, and even shameless, the butler handled it smoothly. “I’ll have the maids prepare some refreshments. Please escort this guest to the reception hall.”

With that, Rinne happily abandoned Davey and trotted after the maids like a child who was promised snacks.

Watching Rinne disappear, Davey spoke to the butler with a wry look. “Anyone seeing her would think I starved her for days.”

“Haha, she seems to be at the age where eating and growing are important. I hope I haven't offended you with anything I’ve said.”

“You haven’t offended me.”

After that, Davey followed the butler deep inside the mansion and was eventually guided to a large room.

“My Lady, Prince Davey O’Rowane has arrived.”

There was a brief moment of silence, but a clear voice soon echoed from beyond the door, “Not ‘my lady.’ It's ‘Your Excellency.’ Tell him everything is ready and he can come in.”

Davey was standing a bit far from the door, and a normal person wouldn’t have heard it, but good hearing always came in handy.

Accompanied by a creaking sound, the door gradually opened. The butler bowed respectfully before Davey stepped inside, finally meeting the current Chancellor of the Alberta Kingdom.

The first thing he saw was the back of a teenage girl who was gazing out the window. She wore a light-colored dress, and her neatly arranged pink hair flowed down to her lower back, catching his attention.

“Welcome. I didn’t expect you to come all the way here,” she said as she turned around and greeted Davey with a bright smile. “Nice to meet you. I am Tsuna de Murgent, Chancellor of Alberta Kingdom.”

She had rarely appeared in social circles until recently, when she began making a name for herself. She had since served as the Chancellor of Alberta Kingdom.

When she had attended the Alliance of Nations banquet, people had said she possessed beauty that could rival the most famous beauties on the continent. That was about all the information Davey had heard from the Shadows before coming there.

Well, in actuality, there was more. He had heard that she was extremely unpredictable and unique. There were also rumors that, unlike the late Murgent Chancellor, she had little talent as a merchant. It addition, he’d also heard that, oddly for a lady of noble birth, she loved hunting.

As soon as Davey laid eyes on her, he nodded, confirming her identity for himself.

“I’m worried I might have caused trouble by showing up without an official document or letter.”

She gently covered her mouth with the fan she held in one hand and laughed lightly.

“No, not at all. How could petty formalities matter when the Saint of Tionis himself is visiting? Please, have a seat,” she said as she pointed to a luxurious sofa.

Once Davey sat down, she sat across from him and spoke to the maid who had followed her in, “Could you all step out for a moment?”

“B-But, My Lady— no, Your Excellency.”

“It’s fine. He’s not just anyone; he’s someone we can trust.”

The maid, though visibly anxious, nodded and went out. Once they were gone, Tsuna quietly poured tea from a nearby set and handed Davey a cup.

“Please try it. It’s Alberta’s pride, our peach black tea.”

“Thank you, I’ll enjoy it.”

Not refusing her offer, Davey brought the tea to his lips. A sweet, mellow peach aroma gently spread throughout his mouth.

“By the way, did you come here to give me an answer to the marriage proposal I sent?”

“It was a rather surprising proposal. I’m sorry, but I’m already a married man.”

“And you're the Chancellor of Alberta Kingdom. Both sides have backgrounds that cannot be compromised, so it was an impossible proposal from the start.”

“You're right, but the marriage proposal wasn’t made on a whim,” she said with a warm smile. “Are you familiar with the concept of a contractual marriage?”

‘The hell is she talking about?’

Davey stayed silent, and she pulled out a contract.

“It might seem pointless now, but back in the old days, it was the best option we had.”

“You’re really pulling out something interesting here.”

While his primary goal was the food trade negotiations, he couldn’t help but find her behavior amusing. From her very first impression to each little action, everything about her felt carefully calculated.

If his instincts were correct, she hadn’t risen to the position of Chancellor merely because of inheritance, despite the rumors of her being incompetent.

“Honestly, that’s not the reason I came here.”

“Yes, I’m aware. It’s about the goods that were supposed to be exported to Heins Territory, right?” she said, sipping her tea while meeting his gaze.

“If the contract made with the former Chancellor is going to be broken unilaterally , we can’t just let it slide without a valid reason,” he said firmly.

She nodded in response, keeping her eyes locked on him. “You’re right. After all, a merchant who ignores trust doesn’t last long. I know that very well.”

He saw traces of fear, hesitation, and guilt in her expression, but also firm determination.

“But I am the Chancellor of Alberta. I have to protect both the people of this country and the trust we have as merchants.”

“You’re beating around the bush. I suspect there’s a problem with the goods meant for Heins Territory, eh?”

“Your... Your intuition is frighteningly sharp. I doubt much information could have leaked out yet.”

Davey chuckled at her words. “When you live long enough, sometimes you just start seeing things.”

“You talk like someone who’s lived for hundreds of years.”

“On the way here, I took a look around the capital. For a country renowned for agriculture, the volume of agricultural trade seemed suspiciously low. It felt like hoarding was taking place.”

Davey recalled what he had observed while circulating the capital with Rinne by carriage.

Processing his words, Tsuna frowned. “You figured that out just by passing through?”

‘Since you’re acting like someone who's lived a second life, then I’ll act like someone who's lived ten.’

“Well. Judging from the situation, it looks like something big happened that ruined the crops. That must leave you with only two realistic options to offer me.”

“Extend the delivery deadline, or replace the goods with something else. Judging by the current situation, I’d say it’s clearly the former.”

“Sorry, but neither of those options will work,” she said, only to discreetly bite her lip with anxiety.

“There are reserves held by government agencies, right? If you take those out, you should be able to send the necessary supplies to Heins Territory.”

“No!” she shouted. “The recent disaster wiped out even our surplus stocks! If we send those too, the people of this country will starve to death!”

“A few people starving for a short while is manageable. Solutions will come up in a few months anyway—”

She abruptly rushed at Davey and grabbed him by the collar.

“People aren’t objects!!”

Despite her cry, Davey looked at her silently.

“Do you even know what it feels like to be hungry?!”

Her voice didn’t sound like someone pretending—it felt like something only someone who had truly experienced it could say. If it was acting, then she was a terrifyingly talented merchant; if it wasn’t, then she was truly someone who cared about her people.

The daughter of a duke, born into blessings and surely raised with love, speaking as if she had known hunger for a long time—Davey found it almost laughable. He wondered if actually was some kind of regressor like from the novels.

It was clear she carried burdens far heavier than what most her age could even imagine.

Realizing her mistake after her outburst, she flinched and quickly backed away. Then she bowed deeply to Davey.

“My apologies, Prince. It’s incredibly shameless of me to say such things.”

“Let me ask you the opposite, Chancellor Tsuna. If you fail to deliver the promised food, those who starve will be from our side. Are the lives of Alberta’s citizens important, but not the lives of Heins Territory?”

She clenched her teeth.

“Hunger is horrible, just as you said. I know that very well. That's why I don’t want even a single person to starve.”

In the end, they both needed to protect their people.

“The necessary food will be delivered, no matter what. Yet, no matter how we handle it, trust will undoubtedly be damaged.”

“How? Where from? Just so you know, Heins Territory trusted in the relationship we built with your kingdom. We even used up our emergency reserves to help refugees across the Rowane Kingdom. If you turn your back now, it puts us in a serious bind.”

Davey pressed her like a seasoned interviewer, applying pressure, “And what now? A disaster happens and you immediately pull back all shipments? If I hadn't come here, how exactly were you planning to explain this?”

Facing his question, she fell silent. Despite her composure, she was still young and inexperienced. After a brief pause, she spoke, “Did you not receive the letter I sent?”

Davey simply shrugged. “I heard through the merchant group that all shipments were being halted, that’s all.”

She grit her teeth hard enough for it to be heard.

“That damned Marquis Barogo...” she said, gritting her teeth. “I sent a letter to Heins Territory immediately after this happened... you really didn’t receive it?”

Frankly, the answer seemed obvious. Newest update provided by novel_fіre.net

“Due to unforeseen circumstances, there would be delays in food supply, and I requested that you stockpile as much as you possibly could.”

That was all she could really do.

“I was aware it would still damage the trust we have, but at least it would lessen the number of people starving.”

Davey fell silent for a moment before asking, “You’ve made a lot of enemies, haven’t you?”

Hit by that question, she covered her mouth with one hand and began trembling slightly.