Elf Tensei Kara no Cheat Kenkoku-ki - Book 4: Chapter 10-3: Compromise

「That’s surprising.」

「You didn’t think I would agree, did you?」

「No, I thought you might come with a show of force.」

「No way. You are free to decide who you want to sell. We aren’t barbarians who would attack Erin simply because you don’t want to sell to us.」

If Azul threatened us with military force, I might have responded in kind. But she is only saying she won’t sell to us, in these circumstances if Erucy attacks Erin, Erucy would be the aggressor.

The war against the Empire is based on Erucy standing against the tyrannical Empire, thanks to that pretense, refugees flock to Bell Erucy. If we were to attack Erin, we would become the same as the Empire, losing our just cause would only worsen our standing with the other villages.

Furthermore, if we were to attack, it would be extremely difficult. Erin is a city of ten thousand. It’s enormous. The end of the battle would be nowhere in sight. We can massacre the city’s inhabitants, and even kill Erin’s top officials. But that doesn’t guarantee they will surrender.

If the Empire attacks while we’re stuck dealing with Erin’s resistance, Erucy will fall. Dealing with both the Empire and Erin is a nightmare in itself.

「Won’t you reconsider? You seem to be collecting gold coins from the Empire, but apart from buying in Erin, there’s hardly any use for currency, right? All the wealth you’ve gained so far will be in vain.」

What she was saying was correct. Barter was the main form of trade in the villages around Erucy, and currency hadn’t spread at all.

Right now, Erucy has a large amount of gold coins, but if we can’t use them, they’re about as valuable as ordinary stones. If we can get closer to the Empire, the currency might be accepted there, but that’s also difficult.

「If I may borrow your words, ‘for now,’ Erucy’s gold coins will lose their value. But, do you know that I’m gathering refugees on Bell Erucy, the site of the Empire’s supply base? I intend to make Bell Erucy like Erin. Collecting specialty products from various villages and making it a center of commerce. By that time, the money we have will regain its value.」

Originally, numerous villages were forced by the Empire’s policies to grow a single crop intensively and produce things like alcohol and vinegar in great numbers. Negotiating with each of these villages one by one is not impossible.

「It’s quite a long-term plan, isn’t it?」

「I’ll make it happen in five years.」

「It’s a pity. With your talents, you could have achieved much more if you joined me and gained power and money.」

「I don’t need money or power. Those things can be obtained anytime if you set your mind to it. I can’t afford to lose something more important.」

Erucy is my dream. Like I would entrust it to someone else, don’t joke with me. And Erucy is Lucy’s and Kuu’s home.

「There’s still time. Let me know if you change your mind.」

「I’ll keep that in mind. And one more thing. I don’t intend to be under your umbrella, and I don’t intend to become your subordinate myself. But I don’t mind sharing the iron-making technology.」

To my words, Azul opened his eyes wide.

「I can’t provide on-site guidance, but I can at least create drawings of iron-making methods and workshops. Looking at the Empire’s armor, I can get a rough idea of their iron-making process. I promise to provide something more efficient than that.」

Teaching our iron-making technology to a country that may be hostile is quite dangerous. But if there’s a point of compromise, this is the only place.

「I see a considerable value in you personally, which is why I made that offer, but if it’s just the iron-making technology, the conditions change. What do you want in return?」

「If Erucy is going to do business in Erin, I’d like the permanent abolition of tariffs and a consulate that can also serve as a shop.」

My words made Azul wear a stern expression.

「Ojou-sama, that’s quite a deal! Having iron-making technology greater than the Empire’s for the cost of just one house. The tax the elves would pay is pocket change, we should agree. You’re just wasting time being stubborn with the elves! How many days did you work overnight to settle your work just to spend a week away from Erin?」

「Jii, this is a very dangerous discussion. Especially because I can’t predict what Erucy would do next. You’re not very smart, so I’d be happy if you’d just be quiet.」

「You are meaner than usual!」

And then, after thinking for a while, Azul slowly spoke.

「Give me some time. This time, I’ll think it over. Can I ask you one thing? If I were to receive your iron-making technology and then break the contract, you would have no choice but to give up, don’t you think?」

「A merchant who lies in a contract is third-rate. And you said it. To be the leader of Erin, you need to be the best merchant in Erin… I believe that the best merchant in Erin is not third-rate.」

「Hmph, really, this is the most enjoyable meal I’ve had in a while. My stomach is full now, may I be shown to my room?」

「Yes, I’ll have towels and hot water delivered later.」

「That’s appreciated. Let’s go, Jii.」

「Eh, already!? Yes, Ojou-sama.」

With the young lady, and the woman in men’s clothes who had a headache from gulping down all the ice creams in the room, I left the room.