Episode 141: Impact of decisions
After marrying Parvera, I rejected Funseroia's proposal, which resulted in a delicate relationship with the empire.
Now that it has happened, I have no choice but to accept it, and in the first place I don't think it's something to make a big fuss about, but apparently the people around me didn't think so.
"Senpai. Were you really glad that you turned down the Empire's offer?"
The day after Funseroia left, Honneth asked me this question.
Through Parvera's mediation, a new ``lover'' was added to her relationship with Honneth, but perhaps because they were both immersed in their work while they were working on paperwork, they were able to maintain their usual atmosphere.
Regardless, I was puzzled by the question, which seemed to suggest that I should accept the Empire's proposal.
“Does that mean that you, Honness, wanted me to marry an imperial aristocrat?”
"That's not true!"
I couldn't help but flinch at the loud retort.
Honneth turned away, embarrassed for having raised his voice, but told me the reason for his question.
"The people who work in the office are scared of going against the Empire. That's why I have to let my seniors know that they have an idea."
When I thought about what I was so afraid of, I remembered the fact that many of the people involved in the management of the Roccia region continue to hire the same officials from when Roccia was a country.
Then, the former Roccia country, suffering from debts owed to the empire, invaded the Nonette country in search of the ``equal status certificate.''
In other words, since the Empire had a background in which they were constantly forced to endure hardships, it was natural that the officials were not good at dealing with the Empire.
Ashamed that I had forgotten the backgrounds of the officials, I decided to tell Honneth about the future actions the Empire could take.
“As Funseroia said, the Empire will occupy the countries of Baiboon and Ravanra. By surrounding the Nonette country with imperial territory, they will suppress exports from the Roccia region and make it economically exhausted. I guess I will.”
If it weren't for that kind of policy, there would be no need to go to the trouble of surrounding the Nonette country.
Honest raised his eyebrows in displeasure at my prediction.
“Isn’t that difficult?”
"No. Actually, it's not that hard."
"Huh?"
It seems like my answer was unexpected, and Honest was left dumbfounded.
I found her goofy side cute and funny, so I decided to continue explaining while hiding a small smile.
“Due to the expansion of territory due to the war, domestic demand is expanding.The arms and tools of the Roccia region are excellent, so there is a possibility that they will be sold to the Ferokony and Purnya countries, which were not our export partners. It's expensive. Besides, our biggest export destination is the Empire. As long as the Empire doesn't boycott our products, we don't have to worry about being held back economically."
After Honneth seemed satisfied with my explanation, he asked me a question.
"Are you saying that the Empire won't take the initiative to tell its own people not to buy things from the Rocha region?"
"I think it's very unlikely. The main items exported from the Roccia region to the Empire are iron ore for iron making, white sand for iron furnaces, glass and its crafts, and iron tools. Iron ore And white sand is something the empire desperately wants, so it's hard to regulate it.That means handicrafts and tools, but compared to the previous two, the amount of trade is small. It's also something that people want, so I think if we regulate it, we might end up with a backlash from the people.''
When I talked about what I had learned from reading the reports that were coming in every day, I was quickly convinced that Honneth, who was also doing the same work, had some knowledge as well.
“There are some wood products made by purchasing wood from Hartaut, but the export volume of that is much smaller.”
"In short, the Empire is trying their best to keep us in. There's nothing they can do beyond that."
"...Are you sure?"
Honestly, I'm thinking more deeply about the Empire's actions.
"That's right. Another possible option would be to raise the tariffs and make the prices of imported goods from the Roccia region go up."
If the price can be raised a little, sales to the people of the empire shouldn't decline.
If we were forced to suddenly raise prices, we might not be able to sell our exported goods, but the people of the empire would also be in a situation where they couldn't buy them.
However, since we can expect sales channels for the expanded territory of the Feronya region, I don't think it will be a problem that can be called a pain.
"--Besides, iron ore and white sand are what the Empire buys as a country. Even if they try to negotiate to sell it cheaper than now, I don't think there's any point in raising the price."
Even if a tariff were imposed, the same amount would go into the empire's pockets.
When I told him about my prediction, Honneth seemed relieved.
"I'll tell the officials what Senpai thinks."
After saying that, Honneth was about to go back to his paperwork when he suddenly remembered something.
"That's right. Senpai, you should show up to the research department and explain your future relationship with the Empire."
“Why did the research department suddenly appear?”
They also manufacture weapons and tools, but their main focus is on researching magic technology, so I don't think they are deeply involved in the economy.
Honest smiled bitterly at my doubts.
“A government official told me that due to the strained relationship with the Empire, a war with the Empire may be imminent, and that he seems to be passionate about his research.”
"Wow. I appreciate your dedication to your research, but I wish you would stop saying things that make the Empire your enemy."
Considering that Funseroia was aware of the latest situation here, it is certain that there is someone close to us who is a spy for the Empire.
If that spy were to hear that the research department in the Rocha region -- my direct subordinate -- was an enemy of the Empire, things could become troublesome.
"Thank you for the advice, Honneth. I'm going to go right away."
"Yes, Senpai. But I still have a lot of paperwork to do, so I'll be waiting for your early return."
After receiving Honnesu's words that discouraged me from returning, I decided to head to the research department.
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