Merchant Noble is out (3/4 chapters for today)
Compromise Proposal
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“I think the same as you, Tyr-niisan. We should send troops.” (Arc)
The expressions on the faces of the three changed.
Tyr, who was desperately discussing revenge, and Yanna and Minerva, who were rationally arguing against it. In this situation, no one expected Arc to side with Tyr.
“Arc, do—” (Yanna)
Yanna tried to refute immediately, but Arc restrained her with his hand.
If he answered the question, Yanna would take control of the pace by continuing to ask questions.
Sorry, but I will speak at my own pace.
“Yanna-neesan.” (Arc)
Arc decided to ask a question in return.
“We have developed Mikanda and brought it to its current level. Why were we able to do this?” (Arc)
“…Because we had the abundant financial resources of the Warden Trading Company.” (Yanna)
Arc nodded in agreement with Yanna’s answer.
“That’s correct. It was the abundant funds brought in by the merchants active in various regions. We can say that the Warden Trading Company has become such a massive organization that it has swallowed almost all the kingdom’s merchants.” (Arc)
“Now, it has become more difficult to find merchants belonging to trading companies other than the Warden Trading Company.” (Minerva)
Minerva muttered softly.
Indeed, after Queen Casablanca took the throne, having supported the company during its difficult times, merchants flooded in with requests to join, and now most of the merchants from the Laplace Kingdom belong to the Warden Trading Company.
“Minerva.” (Arc)
Now he turned to Minerva to ask a question.
“Then, why did the merchants compete to join the Warden Trading Company? I want you to think about that.” (Arc)
“…Because they could make a lot of profit?” (Minerva)
“Wrong.” (Arc)
Although Minerva had received some education as a merchant, she had never actually worked as one.
For her, who had only studied theoretically, it might have been a somewhat difficult question. Yanna, who had experience as a merchant, would understand it. When Arc met Yanna’s gaze, she answered correctly.
“Because it protects them.” (Yanna)
“As expected of you, Yann-neesan. That’s correct.” (Arc)
Arc nodded vigorously.
“I see.” (Tyr)
“What do you mean?” (Minerva)
Unlike the impressed Tyr, Minerva, who still did not quite get it, asked for clarification.
“Being a merchant comes with risks. You might be attacked by bandits while transporting goods, you might encounter robbers targeting cash, or the buyer might refuse to pay. Various dangers can be anticipated.” (Arc)
Now that Arc was a big merchant, he hired many bodyguards and sold in groups, so he did not encounter dangerous situations. However, when he was an apprentice, he frequently faced dangerous situations as a fledgling merchant.
“However, if you are a merchant belonging to the Warden Trading Company, such dangers are reduced. Behind those merchants are us, the Warden Household, and furthermore, Casablanca.” (Arc)
Minerva finally understood and said with a look of realization.
“Indeed. A major merchant closely associated with the queen. Attacking merchants under their command would invite severe retaliation.” (Minerva)
“Last year, a certain merchant was attacked by bandits during transport. However, when the bandits realized that the merchant was flying the Warden Trading Company’s flag, they fled without taking anything.” (Arc)
Arc shared a real story.
“So, what are you trying to say?” (Yanna)
Irritated by Arc’s roundabout explanation using questions and analogies, Yanna demanded a conclusion.
“The foundation of Mikanda is the funds from the trading company. The basis of the trading company’s funds is the trust of the merchants that ‘the Warden Household will protect us.'” (Arc)
The fundamental foundation of Mikanda and the Warden Household was the trust from the merchants. This was Arc’s opinion.
“Returning to the point. Many merchants who were doing business in the Kali Kingdom, including Hangue, have become victims this time. However, what would happen if the Warden Household did nothing?” (Arc)
No one could voice any opposition to Arc’s solid logic.
The discussion was completely in Arc’s hands.
“The merchants would be unsettled. ‘Wasn’t the Warden Household supposed to protect us!?’ they would say. Moreover, if we do nothing, the merchants operating in the Lureid Kingdom will be put in danger.” (Arc)
“That’s exactly what Arc is saying!” (Tyr)
As he tried to summarize his opinion coolly, Tyr’s loud voice interrupted from the side.
“Sending troops is not just an emotional matter of revenge or retribution. It is a question that concerns the trust that underpins the Warden Household!” (Tyr)
Next to Tyr, who proudly made a claim as if it were his own opinion, Arc gave a wry smile.
Despite having built up his argument so thoroughly, Tyr had stolen the closing line.
“Anyway, for that reason, I support sending troops.” (Arc)
Since Arc said this, silence flowed between the four of them.
Yanna and Minerva, who had been thinking for a long time, showed considerable discomfort in expressing their concerns about Arc’s opinion.
“But still, I can’t agree to continue fighting for years in a far-off land.” (Yanna)
“We would need an enormous amount of resources and personnel.” (Minerva)
Both of them were correct in what they said.
For Arc, there was significance in sending troops. He did not support the idea of seeking thorough revenge on the Kali Kingdom as Tyr envisions. In short, it is enough to just show the pose of “What are you doing to our merchants! It’s revenge!”. Yanna and Minerva’s opinions against sending troops. Tyr’s opinion that they should send troops and seek revenge.
Arc proposed a mixed opinion that combined these two views.
“Let’s deal a blow and invite a peace negotiation. After all, the other side just became king after a coup. They probably do not wish for a prolonged conflict.” (Arc)
After saying this, Arc felt impressed with his own opinion.
Strike a blow and negotiate peace under favorable conditions. This proposal also aligns with Yanna and Minerva’s concerns about the exhaustion from a prolonged conflict, while also accommodating Tyr’s idea of sending troops.
Isn’t this a wonderful compromise proposal on my part? It may be a difficult condition for the soldiers who will actually fight, but with Tyr, I am sure he will manage it well.
“If we can settle things quickly.” (Yanna)
“Yes. I support that proposal.” (Minerva)
“I understand. It’s unfortunate that we can’t thoroughly crush them, but I will concede on this point.” (Tyr)
All three agreed with Arc’s opinion.
Thus, the direction for the Warden Household solidified as “sending troops to the Kali Kingdom”.
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