Chapter 126
I Became the Finance Director of a Kingdom on the Verge of Civil War – Part 2
『 Translator – Divinity 』
Alright, let’s think calmly. If I think calmly about anything, I can find the connection.
1. A civil war has finally broken out in the Delphia Kingdom.
2. So Beatrice wants to return to her home country.
3. I stopped her because of the deal I made with Crown Prince Zeke.
4. Then she asks for an engagement???
…I don’t understand.
“P-Princess? Did you perhaps misspeak, or make a mistake, or…”
“It’s an engagement.”
“Uh… I see.”
Had she gone crazy from stress? Or was she just playing with me?
It was a problem either way. If it was the former, it would be difficult to receive any more bribes, and if it was the latter, she was upset, so it would be difficult to receive bribes.
Why would a member of the royal family suddenly ask for an engagement with me…
“…Don’t tell me.”
“Go ahead.”
“Is it… because of the civil war?”
“………”
It was a very likely reason.
If Beatrice was planning to faithfully follow Crown Prince Zeke’s request? In other words, to stay safe at the academy?
The civil war in the Delphia Kingdom was a war between Crown Prince Zeke and the current king’s faction, and the Duke of Wei’s faction. And that meant…
‘If the Duke of Wei’s faction wins…’
…the royal family would be annihilated. And that wouldn’t be much different for Beatrice, who was a hostage in a foreign country. Even if they left her alone for now because the country was in turmoil, once Beatrice graduated or when King Akendelminos declared her hostage situation over, she would have to return to the Delphia Kingdom.
It wouldn’t be a problem if Crown Prince Zeke’s side won, but objectively, the only Rank 8 of the Delphia Kingdom was their enemy. The chances of winning were slim, and even if they did win, they would have to be prepared for tremendous casualties.
In other words, Beatrice was talking about the possibility of Crown Prince Zeke losing.
If the civil war ended in defeat, and if her time as a hostage ended or she graduated…
To avoid returning to the Delphia Kingdom even then…
‘Marriage is the most certain method.’
It was a crazy idea, but if she got married and even abandoned the name ‘Delphia,’ it would be difficult for the Duke of Wei to interfere with Beatrice. If she were an ordinary noble or a commoner, the Duke of Wei would just intervene, but it was different with me.
Of course, I was a Rank 1 and a fake noble, but the problem was that I was the Headmistress’s closest confidant.
With the Headmistress’s protection, even if he won the civil war, the Duke of Wei, a mere Rank 8 from another country, couldn’t do anything to the academy, and even if he protested to the royal family of Akendelminos, they would refuse him out of fear of the Headmistress.
The Duke of Wei’s goal was to kill or capture all the members of the Delphia royal family to gain complete control. It would be a headache for him that Beatrice had abandoned her surname and married someone outside his influence.
Of course, he wouldn’t give up because of that. Beatrice could rally the remaining forces of the Delphia Kingdom and oppose the Duke of Wei with her legitimacy at any time.
Anyway, it was the best choice for Beatrice in many ways if she was only seeking her own safety… but…
“Why me, of all people?”
“The Headmistress’s closest confidant, someone even the royal family can’t touch easily. Do you need any more reasons?”
“Then it would be best to get engaged to a child of a great noble family in the kingdom.”
“………”
“I’m also a good choice, but the ones who would want you the most are the royal family of Akendelminos. If you, a princess who can be used as an excuse to intervene in the Delphia Kingdom at any time, were to marry a great noble of their country, they would gladly accept it. And you would also gain the protection of the royal family.”
“………”
“If you’re seeking safety, that would be a more reliable option.”
Of course, the academy with the Headmistress was also safe, but it would still be better to have the protection of the royal family. The academy couldn’t provide Beatrice with a personal Rank 7 or higher escort or a Rank 8 guard at all times.
But the royal family could. If Sir Julius took charge and provided ironclad protection, Beatrice would be completely safe unless the Duke of Wei came himself. Our Headmistress couldn’t do that.
Marriage was a good option, but there was a much better candidate.
“What are you aiming for?”
“…A chance to return to the Delphia Kingdom even later. The royal family of Akendelminos would never allow that.”
“You’re saying I would allow it?”
“Yes. If I have no more bribes to give you, our marriage would be broken off.”
No, but…
Did she think I was crazy about money and bribes? And she was planning to give me bribes even for marriage? What was this, a marriage fee, not a dowry?
I wasn’t that much of a scumbag. If it were Circe, Milia, or Professor Alon, it might be different, but Beatrice had shown enough sincerity so far. What kind of merchant would easily abandon a long-term customer like that?
No, more importantly…
“All of this is assuming you lose the civil war. It would actually be troublesome if you win.”
“…That won’t happen.”
“Excuse me?”
“Even if it’s a civil war, the difference in power is clear. Most of the army has sided with the Duke of Wei. They’re hastily conscripting peasant soldiers, but there’s no way they can stop the regular army and a Rank 8 with that.”
“………”
“But still.”
“Then why did you try to go back? That’s practically…”
“Suicide. I know. But there was something I had to see.”
Could it be… that story?
When he brought Beatrice to his dormitory after witnessing the duel between Beatrice and Chloe…
Didn’t she say that the nanny who raised her like her own child in the Delphia Kingdom was sick in bed?
‘Although she didn’t seem to care much, considering what she said…’
Anyway, Beatrice had a reason to return to the Delphia Kingdom, even if it meant risking her life. She even wanted to get engaged to him to save her life and return to her home country later.
Instead of being captured and killed by the Duke of Wei or being detained by the Akendelminos Kingdom,
She wanted to marry him and give him all her remaining assets as a bribe to return.
“If I may ask why you want to go back…”
“I am Amatriuss Delphia Beatrice. Is there any other reason?”
It was a lie.
It was knowledge from the game that he barely remembered now, but after reaching the second year in <Dark Kingdom> and facing Beatrice as a mid-boss,
He could have Beatrice as a companion and hear some of her lines.
And among them were…
“The Delphia Kingdom.”
“………”
“You don’t like it very much, do you?”
…words that seemed to express hatred and disgust towards the kingdom where she was born and raised.
She was born with a talent acknowledged by the Archmage, but she was gradually abandoned because of her chronic illness.
She didn’t like the Delphia Kingdom, where no one expected anything from her anymore and only saw her as a hostage or a tool for marriage.
But Beatrice had an indifferent expression at his words.
“You’re slightly mistaken, Finance Director.”
“I’m listening.”
“What I hate isn’t the Delphia Kingdom, but…”
It wasn’t indifference, but rather…
…an expression that was desperately trying to feign indifference.
“…The Delphia royal family.”
On this continent, where the royal family represented the kingdom, he…
…couldn’t understand what she meant.
Clap!
“That was a long digression. Finance Director, please give me your answer now.”
“…About the engagement?”
Beatrice, who had changed the subject with a clap, put on a bright smile.
It was a different smile from the one I usually saw, a somewhat fabricated one.
“Since I have to change my surname, we’ll have to actually get married. There’s no need for a wedding ceremony. It’s enough if the rumor reaches the Delphia Kingdom, the Duke of Wei.”
“………”
“And I’ll give you three times the amount of bribes I’ve given you so far every month. I’ll run out of money in less than half a year, but I think that’s enough time.”
Beatrice, smiling as she said that, was, how should I put it…
A bit…
“Of course, I’ll give you time if you need it. But it’s more effective to announce our marriage before the civil war progresses, so it’s best to do it as soon as possible.”
“………”
“Finance Director?”
“…Now that I think about it, didn’t you say that Crown Prince Zeke’s faction would lose?”
“Th-that’s right.”
“Then that’s very troublesome. I have a lot to receive from Crown Prince Zeke.”
There were the bribes I was receiving in exchange for keeping Beatrice at the academy.
And I had to squeeze every penny out of Crown Prince Zeke for the future bribes that Beatrice, who would be broke, wouldn’t be able to pay.
She couldn’t die after losing the civil war. No way.
“This is… unavoidable.”
“Finance Director…?”
“It seems like I’ll have to go and talk to His Highness the Crown Prince myself.”
So…
“But this is my first time in the Delphia Kingdom, and I’m a foreigner who doesn’t know the way… It seems like I’ll need someone’s help.”
“…Finance Director.”
“It seems like I’ll have to go with you, Princess. This is quite troublesome.”
It was a crazy thought. I wasn’t in my right mind.
This wasn’t something to be decided out of mere sympathy or pity. Unlike Beatrice, who was at least Rank 6, I, a Rank 1, could die without a trace.
──Beat…rice.
──Adam.
──If I knew… it would turn out like this…
──Adam. It’s not your fault.
──They shouldn’t send you on a mission for a mere branch school. And the Headmistress, who would have kept that promise, isn’t here anymore.
──…I’m here, Adam.
──Thank you… Chloe.
Ah, for some reason…
It felt like I couldn’t just leave it like this. I felt like I would regret it immensely.
Was this my second business trip since becoming the Finance Director?
The first one was also a mess.
‘I really must be crazy.’
More importantly, how was I going to persuade the Headmistress? Even if the Headmistress was going to a foreign country in the midst of a civil war, I had to stop her, and yet, a Rank 1 like me was going?
But if I brought the Headmistress along, there would be no one to handle the important financial tasks, and more importantly, if the Headmistress went to the Delphia Kingdom, international relations would immediately be thrown into chaos.
I couldn’t even have her disguise herself, as the royal family of Akendelminos, who would soon raise an army to intervene in the civil war, would summon the Headmistress, so I couldn’t replace her with an illusion.
There was no way I could bring another student either. This time, it had to be just Beatrice and me.
“B-but Finance Director, I don’t know how long it will take to meet my brother. It’s a long time to be away from the academy.”
“It’s fine. What’s my job?”
“What? Well, you’re the Finance Director…”
“In the end, I’m the one who handles the money, aren’t I?”
Of course, it wasn’t that I was purely trying to help Beatrice like a sucker.
Going to a country in the midst of a civil war was extremely dangerous, but on the other hand, there were things I could do because of that. Since I was going anyway, I had to make the most of it.
Let’s play with money properly.
“Will that maid, Suzanne, be accompanying us?”
“O-of course.”
“Perfect.”
“Huh…?”
I saw her effortlessly lift a heavy box of bribes before, she was perfect!
…First, let’s think about how to persuade the Headmistress.
***
“Did you hear? Marquis Zern has fallen in battle.”
“Marquis Zern…? Don’t tell me?”
“He was on his way to join the Crown Prince’s side when he ran into the Duke of Wei, who was alone. They say he and his soldiers were all annihilated.”
“M-Marquis Zern was Rank 7. And it was just the other day that he was excited about bringing over 3,000 soldiers…”
“We should also consider deserting. Staying here is just pointless death. And the most frustrating thing is that the civil war hasn’t even properly started yet.”
“…Where would we run to? We saw those deserters being captured and executed yesterday. And even if we try to go to the kingdom, they say the border is swarming with soldiers.”
“Damn it, we’re only alive because this is the rear! Just listening to the officers talk, we’re screwed, so we have to try to escape. We’re not even getting decent food!”
“That’s true…”
“Damn the royal family, damn the Duke of Wei!”
Southern Delphia Kingdom, near the territory bordering the neighboring kingdom.
Two soldiers, standing guard at night in front of a wooden barricade facing the forest that served as the border, expressed their frustration and despair. Unlike the other ignorant conscripted peasants, they were somewhat educated, so they could clearly see the hopelessness of the situation.
The Duke of Wei, who occupied the north with the capital as his base, and Crown Prince Zeke, who occupied the south. At first glance, it seemed like they were evenly matched, but they knew that the Duke of Wei had the upper hand.
Especially since the Duke of Wei, who had attacked the royal palace and taken the king hostage, declared that he would execute the king in a week, the countdown to the civil war was also set to one week.
Many generals and nobles volunteered to rescue the king, but they were all killed by the Duke of Wei or his faction before they could even get close.
The civil war itself hadn’t started yet, but the two soldiers, conscripted to Crown Prince Zeke’s side simply because they lived in the south, had gloomy expressions.
“Are they going to serve that disgusting food again tomorrow? It’s so bland and tasteless that I can’t even swallow it.”
“But we have to eat it to survive.”
“That’s what’s so frustrating. Even if we somehow survive, this country has no future! The fertile lands and pastures will all be devastated!”
“Shh! Lower your voice! The officers will hear you!”
“…We have to do something anyway— Huh?”
The soldier who was cursing suddenly stopped breathing.
From the dark forest ahead, which served as the border with the neighboring kingdom,
Someone was slowly approaching.
“C-crazy…!! Don’t tell me the neighboring kingdom is also sending troops!?”
“Quickly ring the bell!”
[There’s no need for that.]
“!?”
The two soldiers tried to ring the bell, but they couldn’t move their bodies. If they were ordinary conscripted peasants, they wouldn’t have noticed, but as somewhat educated soldiers, they could tell.
Magic. And very high-level magic at that.
Purple chains had sprouted from beneath their feet, binding their bodies tightly.
Fear clouded the eyes of the two soldiers who sensed their impending doom, and…
“Who’s the commander here?”
“………”
“There’s no need to be so nervous. You see…”
Those who finally arrived in front of the two soldiers were people in suspicious robes. But the soldier was bewildered that there were only three of them.
If they were an army, there was no reason for only three to come. Just as the soldier felt a glimmer of hope amidst the fear of death,
The person at the front removed the hood covering their face.
“I’m also a citizen of this country.”
“N-no way? Her Highness Beatrice…?”
“I’m glad you recognize me. This will be quick. So, who’s the commander here?”
“It’s General Cartea! It’s an honor to meet you, Princess!”
“Thank you. Suzanne, Marx? I’ll go ahead on my own. I don’t need an escort.”
“As you command.”
“Understood.”
Leaving the two people called Suzanne and Marx behind, Beatrice entered the barricade.
The two soldiers, freed from the purple chains that had disappeared, looked at the remaining two with bewildered eyes.
“Then you two are…”
“We’re the princess’s escorts. And this one here…”
“I’ll handle it, Lady Suzanne.”
“…Please do. Mr. Marx.”
A woman who was clearly high-ranking at a glance, and a white-haired man approaching with a gentle smile. The woman, especially, was carrying a large sack.
But the soldier naturally focused on the man called Marx who was approaching him.
He seemed to be Rank 1, like the soldier, but the fact that he was accompanying Princess Beatrice made him a world apart.
The soldier, wondering why such a high-ranking person was approaching him,
“Actually, unlike Lady Suzanne, I’m not the princess’s attendant. We just happened to be going the same way.”
“Oh, is that so?”
“Now that the princess has gone ahead, shouldn’t I do my job?”
Rustle.
The man called Marx opened his hand, and something inside it shimmered.
The soldier’s eyes widened as he realized what it was.
“Th-this is…!!”
“My name is Karl Marx.”
It was something desperately needed in this country on the verge of civil war, something extremely scarce, and yet something they couldn’t give up.
And it was something that the Duke of Wei had almost monopolized, making it truly precious.
A war material that Crown Prince Zeke’s side was buying up as much as they could.
“I’m a salt merchant.”
Salt.
Karl Marx, who introduced himself as a salt merchant, smiled brightly.
It was a friendly, yet…
…greedy smile.