Chapter 165: Journey To The Lesian Empire
Ray pointed to a corner of the desk in response to her question.
There, the letters had been sorted and placed in a box.
Had he really finished them all?
When she opened a letter with the seal stamped on it, she discovered it was written in an unexpectedly neat style.
Iriel read through them, one by one.
Since these were responses to major figures across the continent, even a single mistake was unacceptable.
However, the responses were excellent, instantly dispelling her worries.
Impossible.
How could he have written responses of this caliber in just a few hours?
And not just one, but all of them?
How fast must ones hands move to achieve such a feat!
Ray grinned confidently.
Satisfied?
Despite feeling a bit irritated by his grin, she couldnt deny the truth.
Indeed, each letter she read was of perfect quality.
They were even categorized for easy reading, and the etiquette and dignity were apparent just from reading them.
Then she found something and stopped mid-read to speak.
This part seems like a bit of a misjudgment. Diplomacy with distant kingdoms costs a lot just in transportation. Its a loss in the long run.
Ray shook his head.
Look closely. It states its limited to specialty products. Well import only those items that reflect the kingdoms character, excluding other goods.
But the transportation costs wont be reduced.
We need more people thinking like you for our profits to increase.
Huh?
Think about it. Everyone assumes that trade with distant kingdoms is costly, right? So what if we dont trade with them, and we get exclusive rights to sell those specialty products in our trade guilds?
As Ray spoke, Iriels perspective began to shift.
She calculated the profit and loss for a moment, her expression growing complex.
The profit will be there, but it doesnt seem to be huge?
Sensing her uncertainty, Ray clicked his tongue.
Tsk, tsk. How can a saint be so blinded by greed? Small profits accumulate to make big business. Plus, our trade guilds will gain some fame in neighboring countries. Well have exclusive rights to those products.
This indeed gave them an advantage in the power and territorial competition among the guilds.
The benefit would grow significantly from just that.
Her mouth opened slightly in surprise.
Just from this small letter, had he foreseen all that and finished everything in less than half a day?
The more she learned about him, the more mystical he seemed.
Her previous notion that long-distance trade was unprofitable began to change.
Iriel smiled gratefully, feeling freed from her tasks.
Thank you for your help. Im fully satisfied.
Even she had to admit his work efficiency was impressive.
In the Holy Kingdom, diplomatic, trade, and guild affairs were quite cumbersome.
A single approval could change the benefits and losses for the kingdom, so decisions could not be made rashly.
To organize and decide everything in such a short time to gain profit was extraordinary.
Simple in words, but not everyone could accomplish it.
Iriel moved closer to Ray.
Then, as if she had figured everything out, she spoke.
But why suddenly help? Do you like me after all?
Rays expression instantly soured, having half-expected such a comment.
Ray wondered how her mind worked to always arrive at such conclusions.
It was as if she would get angry whenever someone helped her, suspecting they liked her.
He felt like he should set aside some time to give Iriel a piece of his mind.
Their non-conversation awoke Griaia.
Waking up in a daze, she quickly became alert upon seeing Ray.
Your Holiness.
She hurriedly straightened her clothes, perhaps thinking she looked disheveled.
Just rest. I only stopped by to say hello before leaving for the empire.
Iriel replied to his remark.
Ah, is that why you came?
The request from the Lecian Empire.
The request was in name only, but in reality, it was a situation where if the emperor died and Ray didnt go, the Holy Kingdom would be seen as the villain.
It was more accurate to say they had cunningly created a situation he couldnt refuse.
Ray slung the backpack he had left in the office over his shoulder and replied,
Thats the only reason. Well, Ive seen your faces, so Ill go now. It would be trouble if the emperor dies while Im still here in the Holy Kingdom.
He dismissed the potential death of the emperor in a few words and left the office as casually as he had entered.
His escort must have been waiting outside.
They wouldnt send the saint to the empire alone on an official request.
Iriel bowed her head slightly.
Ill wait for good news.
As long as he doesnt die before I get there, Ray joked.
Despite joking about an event that could shake the entire continent, Iriel perceived his seriousness.
She responded to Rays jest with one of her own.
Just dont cut open the emperors chest or belly like you did with Zik. Remember, hes an emperor.
Though Iriels comment was in jest, Ray felt a twinge of discomfort.
As Ray had expected, the escort was lined up at the main gate of Selonia Castle.
A lavishly decorated carriage awaited him, so opulent it was difficult to discern whether it was a house or a carriage.
Heor, who had fought alongside Ray against necromancers at the border, was there to greet him.
Im Heor, commander of the Third Holy Knight Division, assigned to escort you to the empire. Its an honor for the entire division to see you again, Your Holiness.
Heor had seen Ray fight the undead first-hand.
His admiration for Ray was evident.
The look in his eyes was almost like that of someone gazing at a deity, which Ray found slightly overwhelming.
Thank you. Lets make haste and depart, though I hate to rush before weve even started.
Understood. Please board the carriage.
As soon as Ray stepped into the carriage, Heor loudly announced to those around,
Were departing! Its an honor to escort His Holiness! Dont let even a single kobold near us!
Yes!
Yes!
With an entire Holy Knight Division offering an escort, the group heading to the empire was substantial.
Ray might even need to rent a whole annex in the empire.
He admired the luxurious carriage.
How much would all this cost?
The interior sparkled with jewels and magic tools that illuminated like fluorescent lamps at night.
It must be worth the price of a small mansion.
In modern terms, this carriage would be a supercar.
Though not comparable in performance, the presence of such magic tools in this world rendered it an extremely expensive means of transport.
The carriages interior remained stable even on rough roads, and its wheels were incredibly sturdy, surpassing any other carriage Ray had previously encountered.
Moreover, the carriage was so roomy that it included a separate area for praying to the gods.
Of course, Ray had no intention of praying, not even as much as an ants droppings.
To him, the gods were akin to Iriel when she rambled on with her trivial self-praises.
Faith in Goddess Gaia? He thought, let those who need it partake in it.
The saint, with less faith than his own followers, stepped over the prayer space.
It was exceedingly comfortable.
If a god were to witness this, they might think they had chosen their saint well and blessed his unwavering faith.
The Lesian Empire.
It was the strongest nation on the continent and boasted the most advanced civilization of any kingdom.
Even in everyday life, the people extensively utilized magic tools.
Within such a powerful nation, the iron-blooded emperor lay on his deathbed, and those coveting the throne were having hectic days.
Brothers plotted against each other, children against their parents; the empire was in turmoil.
The third prince, known for his intelligence among the emperors sons, sat beside his fathers sickbed.
As he looked at his father, who had lost consciousness and become rigid, the third princes eyes were deeply somber.
Huh everyone seems more interested in the throne than in fathers recovery They only want the position he held.
Speaking to no one in particular, since the only others in the room were the emperor and himself, he continued his monologue.
You must recover soon, father, and set the empire straight. Thats why I requested the saint from the Holy Kingdom. So please, dont worry and wait a little longer.
The third prince firmly held the emperors hand.
He was not uninterested in the throne, but he knew that now was not the time.
Only the iron-blooded emperor could stabilize the crumbling empire.
No single person becoming emperor could reestablish the core of power.
Soon, another prince, viewing the third princes visit unfavorably, entered the room.
Leave now. Father needs rest.
Without showing any displeasure, the third prince stood up.
I was just thinking of leaving. I didnt want to impose on you alone, brother. Dont overthink it.
Understood. Youve worked hard. But whats the need for formalities among brothers? Leave fathers matters to me from now on.
His words, though seemingly kind, meant dont visit father again.
Brother sees me as a rival.
Perhaps feeling threatened in the power structure, he was cutting off access to the emperors bedside.
This left the third prince with no chance to intervene.
He bowed his head.
Thank you for your consideration. Just about the saint I requested from the Holy Kingdom
I know. If father recovers, nothing could be happier. Ill handle the saints matter, so you can leave now.
Understood.
With that reply, the third prince left the bedroom.
Watching him go, the other prince sighed.
I wont let you die. So please, my brother, dont get involved in this filthy war.
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