Merchant Noble is out (4/4 chapters for today)

 

 

Antitrust Order

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After Randal was forgiven, Arc had all of his vassals leave. Arc, Minerva, and Yanna moved to Arc’s private room with only the three of them, and held a highly secretive strategy meeting. Although it was very important to decide what to do with Mikanda after Tyr’s death, right now, there was an even greater crisis attacking the Warden Household.

“An antitrust order has been issued.” (Yanna)

Yanna showed Arc a piece of paper. The paper was made of parchment, the highest grade of paper, and only the royal family of the Lapras Kingdom was allowed to use it. In other words, this paper was addressed to the Warden Household from Casablanca.

“‘To dissolve the merchant association that monopolizes goods in the kingdom and unfairly inflates prices to monopolize wealth,…” What is this order?! It’s clearly targeting the Warden Merchant Association!” (Arc)

Arc, who had been reading the letter, was furious. Just reading part of it made it clear. Despite being called an “antitrust order,” the content was entirely a “Warden Household elimination order”.

“They are completely trying to crush us.” (Yanna)

“They are coming at us so blatantly. They’ve underestimated us.” (Arc)

Yanna and Arc both held their heads in frustration.

Since Tyr had died, Casablanca should have been a bit more cautious. But she was relentless. It seemed she had now set her sights on the funds flowing into the Warden Merchant Association. To be honest, it was incredibly effective.

“We can’t help it. Since we lost Tyr-sama.” (Minerva)

After Minerva spoke last, the three of them fell silent for a while. Having lost Tyr and their military strength, the Warden Household couldn’t do anything.

“So, what should we do?” (Yanna)

Unable to bear the silence any longer, Yanna asked the question.

“…” (Arc)

However, since no one spoke, Yanna began speaking herself.

“I think we have no choice but to dissolve the Warden Merchant Association. Even if the merchants who are loyal to us resist this order, we, having lost Tyr-sama, won’t be able to protect them. We can’t respond to their loyalty.” (Yanna)

“…” (Arc)

“Don’t just be silent, both of you, say something.” (Yanna)

Yanna urged them a little more strongly, and Arc finally opened his mouth.

“I agree with Yanna-neesan’s opinion. Merchants who have already yielded to Casablanca’s order are quickly withdrawing from the Warden Merchant Association. If the merchants across the kingdom leave the association, it will not only damage the association’s authority, but also the Warden Household’s entire prestige. If all the merchants flee, it might be better for us to voluntarily close our business name.” (Arc)

“I… I also agree with both of your opinions.” (Minerva)

“We’ve quickly come to an agreement.” (Yanna)

Yanna spoke somewhat sadly.

The three of them had very similar personalities. They thought rationally and practically, just like a traditional merchant family educated in those ways. In other words, they were conservative, calmly calculating risks and returns.

“We can’t help it. What other method is there?” (Arc)

The three of them calmly calculated the risks and returns and came to a conclusion.

Of course, no matter how rationally they calculated, it was likely that these three were the only ones who could so easily abandon the business name of “Warden Merchant Association”, which had been inherited for generations.

However, in the end, these three followed their calculations. They didn’t come up with a bold idea to turn things around with military force. If Tyr had been here, things might have been different. He would have scolded the three of them for so easily discarding their pride and would have courageously declared that they would fight on.

Without any significant disagreements, the decision to dissolve the merchant association was quickly agreed upon. This fact made the absence of Tyr even more evident.

“But… if we dissolve the association…” (Minerva)

“Yes. Mikanda will dry up.” (Yanna)

Minerva and Yanna both had serious expressions on their faces.

Mikanda continued its development to produce the products that the merchants handle, and a large number of technicians have come. However, from now on, even if they produced weapons and other products, there would be no merchants to sell them.

“If things continue like this, more than half of Mikanda’s people will become unemployed.” (Minerva)

Not only that, but the funds required to operate Mikanda will no longer come in.

In other words, they would literally be able to do nothing. They would not be able to carry out development, manufacturing, university management, or even hire adventurers and mercenaries. The impoverished Warden Household would be able to do nothing.

“What about our savings?” (Minerva)

Minerva quickly calculated.

“We have enough savings for about three months. Once that money runs out, we won’t be able to do anything. We won’t even be able to pay the salaries of the maids in the mansion, let alone govern.” (Minerva)

“In other words, Mikanda’s lifespan is no more than three months.” (Yanna)

Although it was not a hot day, Yanna’s face was drenched in sweat.

“What should we do?” (Yanna)

“…” (Arc)

As the three of them fell silent again, the door was knocked.

“…Excuse me. Here is the information that arrived today.” (Yuna)

Yuna, who entered, was holding several pieces of paper.

“Thank you.” (Arc)

Yuna bowed and left the room.

“That Sheeb Order… what nerve they have sending us information now.” (Arc)

Arc cursed, as if to say that everything wrong with their current situation was the fault of the Church, and flipped through the documents that had been handed over.

“Because you remained silent, Tyr-sama couldn’t notice the pincer attack from Casablanca.” (Arc)

“I want to do something about both Casablanca and the Sheeb Order. But right now, with no power, there’s nothing we can do.” (Yanna)

The Sheeb Order, which had been given sweet honey by Casablanca, had resumed its information-gathering mission after a brief period of silence.

Although the Order had remained silent about Casablanca’s movements, they now sent information as if nothing had happened. Although Arc and the others wanted to voice their resentment, with so few forces left that would support the Warden Household, they had no choice but to accept the information as if nothing had happened.

“Arc. This…” (Yanna)

Yanna, who had been looking at the documents together with Arc, found a piece of information.

“Hmm? ‘Rudolf King of Laplace is coming’. Looks like Rudolf and Casablanca have become quite close.” (Arc)

“If the two of them get married, the Kali Kingdom and Laplace Kingdom will merge, becoming a giant kingdom.” (Minerva)

The information was about King Rudolf of Kali coming to Laplace. He had probably been invited to a ceremony celebrating their victory.

“Both of you are wrong. What I want to say is…” (Yanna)

Unlike Arc and Minerva, who were casually commenting, Yanna’s face was completely serious.

“Rudolf is currently in Laplace. He is not in Kali.” (Yanna)

Rudolf is not in Kali.

“!!” (Arc)

Yanna’s words struck Arc’s mind like a bolt of lightning.

“Eh… are you serious…” (Arc)

In contrast to Minerva, who was confused, Arc’s mind began to spin at an incredible speed.

“The dissatisfied nobles of the charismatic nation, the discontent from the local regions…” (Arc)

He muttered a few words.

Light. Light appeared. A ray of light. But, that light was far too thin. It was pure gambling. If it were the old Arc, he would never have given a second thought to such a glimmer. But, for the desperate Arc and his companions, it was their last hope.

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