Reiner’s Aftermath
After confirming that his son had woken up and was in good condition, Reiner returned to his own room prepared on the second floor of the guest house. Sitting in the chair at the desk, he had a thoughtful look on his face with his hands clasped. He was furrowing his brow, thinking about what to discuss and how with his upcoming visitor, while simultaneously recalling the conversation he had with Zack upon arriving in Renalute.
“Now then, let’s get to the main point.”
“Hmm.”
Reiner nodded at Zack’s words. Reiner had explained to the Imperial Capital that strengthening the relationship between the Baldia family and Renalute was also one of the purposes of this visit. Of course, he had contacted Renalute in advance, but there he received an unexpected proposal.
It was a request for help in eliminating the anti-marriage faction in Renalute. About six years have passed since Renalute officially became an allied nation and a vassal state of the Empire. However, various delays have occurred compared to the initial plan, and frustration was building among the nobles in the Imperial Capital.
In fact, the Emperor had also asked to explore a solution to this matter if possible when he contacted about the visit permission. It was truly a stroke of luck, a truth born from a lie.
Zack was the one who brought the proposal for the purge. And he said that King Elias had already approved it. Apparently, they had been investigating the nobles who were dissatisfied with the alliance with the Empire since becoming a vassal state. The content of the consultation was that they had gathered the necessary information, and now they wanted a justification for the purge.
So, the proposal was to use Reiner’s son, a marriage candidate, as bait. Naturally, Reiner initially frowned. However, this was a request from King Elias, even if they were a vassal state. He couldn’t dismiss it outright. Reiner asked Zack, who was there on behalf of the king, with a stern face.
“I understand the gist of it, but how do you intend to use my son as bait? I can’t put my child’s life in danger, you know.”
“Yes, we’ve taken that into full consideration. Surely, even they wouldn’t do something as foolish as assassination, considering the relationship with the Empire.”
He politely answered Reiner’s question and then explained the movements of the opposition to Reiner.
The royal tournament, magic demonstration, and their ultimate goal. Hearing this, Reiner furrowed his brow and sighed.
“…What are these opposition members thinking? Even if Reed said he didn’t want to, this is a matter between nations, isn’t it? Nothing would change. Besides, it’s impossible for me to request withdrawal from the Emperor. They seem to be possessed by blind faith.”
“…Yes. We’ve set it up that way.”
At Zack’s words, Reiner was a bit taken aback. What Zack meant was that probably numerous spies had infiltrated the opposition and were guiding their thoughts. It’s a tactic often used to incite internal strife in other countries, but using it on one’s own people shows no mercy. However, they must be at their wit’s end. Reiner stared at Zack, who maintained a calm demeanor but had cold eyes.
“…Very well. I’ll agree to this proposal. I approve of using my son Reed as bait.”
“We appreciate your understanding, Lord Reiner…”
“However… there are conditions.”
“…What kind of conditions?”
Reiner deliberately interrupted him. Zack looked puzzled at this.
“First and foremost, guarantee Reed’s safety. Promise to use your shadows or whatever means necessary.”
“…That goes without saying.”
“If anything happens to Reed, I won’t show mercy, even to you…”
As he said this, Reiner directed all the killing intent he could muster towards Zack. This killing intent was enough to make even Zack, who stood at the top of the underworld, shudder. Zack felt cold sweat, something he rarely experienced, breaking out. Noticing this, Reiner seemed satisfied and withdrew his killing intent.
“As expected of you, Lord Zack. You didn’t flinch even at that.”
“…No, it’s been a while since I’ve faced such intense killing intent…”
Zack answered, wiping the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief from his breast pocket. Reiner continued speaking with a stern expression.
“One condition is the relaxation of trade restrictions. Considering future prospects, you’ll have to accept this. The other condition will depend on Reed’s performance. Otherwise, it seems we might end up at a disadvantage.”
“Huh…? What do you mean by that?”
Zack showed a rare expression of not understanding, his thoughts seemingly halted. At this point, Zack had no idea that Reiner’s son possessed extraordinary and unconventional abilities.
“You’ll understand the meaning tomorrow. Just tell His Majesty Elias that the conditions for using my son as bait are the relaxation of trade restrictions, and additional demands based on performance.”
“Lord Reiner, forgive me, but I don’t understand this performance-based system for your son. No matter how excellent Reed may be, he’s still a child, isn’t he?”
“Yes, that’s true. But anyway, please convey this to His Majesty Elias. Tell him that we’ll add demands for compensation for using my son as bait based on Reed’s performance.”
Even Zack had never heard such a thing before. However, without any specific proposals and the condition being based on performance, Zack thought there might be a way out and nodded in agreement. Yes, he had nodded.
“I understand. I’ll convey this to His Majesty Elias.”
Reiner looked extremely satisfied, but Zack wore a puzzled expression, not understanding his intention. After finishing the necessary discussions, including other minor details, with Reiner, Zack muttered casually.
“That should about do it.”
“I understand. I’ll turn a blind eye to what happens tomorrow.”
“Thank you very much. Then, I’ll take my leave.”
After concluding the discussion with Reiner, Zack stood up and left the room.
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Reiner, with a thoughtful expression, recalled the events of the other day and smirked. Although he had been alarmed when his son fainted at the end, today he seemed to be in good health. If he’s in that condition, there should be no worries for now.
However, Reiner was personally furious with Elias and Zack for coming to consult about using his son as bait. He had done what needed to be done for the connection between nations. He understood the content of the consultation. But what they were about to do now was a negotiation between Renalute and the Baldia family.
Reiner was rubbing his hands together, contemplating how to squeeze them to the bone. At that moment, there was a knock on the door, and after he responded, Elias and Zack entered the room, enveloped in a dark and heavy atmosphere. To Reiner, they now looked like sitting ducks.
Reiner stood up from his desk and, with a broad smile, ushered them to a nearby sofa, then sat down across from them at the desk. The contemplative look he had worn just moments ago when alone was now gone without a trace. Then, Elias, with a grim expression, began to speak heavily.
“…We are grateful for your cooperation in this matter, Lord Reiner.”
“I’m glad to be of help. …By the way, what happened to that fellow Norris?”
“He is scheduled to die after you return to your country.”
“I see…”
Reiner, realizing from these words that Norris was already no longer in this world, moved on to the main topic.
“Well then, shall we proceed with adding demands for compensation for using my son Reed as bait? I believe Reed’s performance was sufficient… no, more than sufficient. It exceeded your expectations, didn’t it, Your Majesty Elias?”
“…I’d like to settle this as amicably as possible.”
Zack and Elias wore grave expressions. This was because they had agreed to Reiner’s additional demands for compensation based on Reed’s performance. Incidentally, both Zack, who had promised this at the time, and Elias, who had approved it, had forgotten about it.
They turned pale when they remembered it after Reiner pointed it out while his son was unconscious. What his son had done had, in effect, created a thread to solve almost all the problems that Renalute was currently facing. His achievements were significant. Too significant, in fact.
When Zack recalled this fact, he felt that he would probably never forget misjudging the boy’s abilities just because he was a child. Looking at the two of them, Reiner smiled gently. However, it was an obvious business smile.
“First, I’d like you to cover the construction costs for the mansion we’re building to welcome Princess Farah in Baldia territory. We’ve applied for a budget from the imperial capital, but that alone is insufficient. I’d like to request the full amount for what the budget doesn’t cover… if that’s alright?”
After considering Reiner’s words, Elias responded politely.
“…I understand. It’s the house where my daughter will live. We’ll cover what the imperial budget doesn’t from our country.”
“I appreciate your consideration.”
Reiner bowed slightly while inwardly grinning. Why? Because they didn’t know. They didn’t know that his son was involved in the mansion’s design. As a father, he intuitively knew it would cost an outrageous amount. However, it might be good to let him do as he pleases this time as a reward for being bait. This was Reiner’s way of giving a wedding gift as a father. And he had just gotten Elias’s word on this matter. Raising his head, Reiner continued with a broad smile, uttering words that made them tense up even more.
“He refuted Norris before Your Majesty, greatly contributed to strengthening relations between both countries in the royal tournament, and even brought about the prince’s reformation. And Reed has given Your Majesty Elias a justification for purging Norris, who could be called the core of the opposition.”
“Y-Yes, indeed.”
“Now, to the main point, what kind of reward do you two think is appropriate for my son’s achievements this time? I think that at the very least, preferential tax treatment, such as transit tax exemptions, on all trade routes connected to the Baldia family would be reasonable… what do you think?”
After the meeting with Reiner, Elias and Zack looked very tired. However, there was still more to come in this matter.
Just when Elias had almost forgotten about this incident, a document with his handwritten signature agreeing to bear the construction costs of the Baldia family mansion, along with an invoice, arrived. And Elias was shocked by the amount, but that’s another story
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