Re: Tales of the Rune-Tech Sage

Chapter 799: Like Mafia, Like Nobility II

CH799 Like Mafia, Like Nobility II

***

“You have a good heart, I see.” Alex smiled. “However, you are not listening,” he added, much to Fabien’s surprise and confusion.

“If I intended to refuse all trade with the Stronghold simply because of the assassination attempt, we wouldn’t be sitting here, sharing a feast and speaking so pleasantly.

“It is just as you said—this is merely a game of nobility.”

Alex shook his head inwardly.

‘Game of nobility, huh…’ he thought.

It was no different from the rules of the mafia in his previous life. Carrying out certain extreme measures, such as assassination, in the name of business, was understood and accepted. Yet when someone did something comparatively minor, such as making verbal threats for personal reasons, it was heavily frowned upon and punished severely.

Just like in the mafia, where rival Dons constantly fought one another in the name of business yet could still sit down, share a feast, and work together when it benefited both sides, the nobility could likewise set aside their differences for the prosperity of their respective domains.

“I didn’t bring this up to tell you that I don’t want to trade with the Stronghold. I brought it up to show you why I don’t expect the Stronghold to trade with me,” Alex explained.

Unfortunately, that did little to dispel Fabien’s confusion.

Seeing this, Alex continued, “You said you would replace the old agreement and instead purchase the ore produced by my domain for currency at thirty percent of the market price, correct?

“Do you have the authority to make such a deal?”

“I am the procurement officer. I can recommend the deal, and the Commander will most likely heed my recommendation,” Fabien replied.

Alex shook his head.

“You are not naïve,” he said. “You know how Viscount Dunhill and Marquis Bramford view this domain. Do you honestly believe your Commander will agree to such a proposal?”

Fabien fell silent.

He also understood how difficult it would be to persuade Viscount Dunhill to accept such an agreement, given the long-standing relationship between the Frontier Stronghold and the Frontier March.

And that was before considering everything Alex had just revealed.

Even so, he looked directly at Alex.

“I will make him agree to it,” he said firmly.

This time, it was Alex who was mildly surprised.

“Very well. I’ll leave it to you, then,” Alex said.

“Thank you, Sir Count.” Fabien stood and bowed.

“I shall take my leave now,” he added as he immediately prepared to depart.

“Fabien Ingram,” Alex called after him.

“You are now embroiled in a game of nobility between two nobles. Take everything you hear with a grain of salt. Discover the truth for yourself, then act accordingly.

“Beyond morals and loyalty, the most important thing you need to concern yourself with right now is your own safety.”

Fabien didn’t understand why Alex had said those words to him—not yet.

Even so, he nodded gratefully.

Several minutes later, Alex stood by a window, watching as Fabien and his guards galloped out of Fonterra.

Milton stepped up beside him, also watching Fabien’s entourage depart.

“If you would indulge this old man’s confusion, my lord,” Milton said.

“What is it?” Alex asked.

“Based on the territory’s development plan, it is unlikely that we’ll have any surplus ore to trade with the Stronghold for the foreseeable future. Why, then, did you still receive the Stronghold’s representative when you already knew no deal would be reached?” Milton asked.

“Nothing is set in stone, Milton,” Alex replied.

“As the territory continues to develop, so too will our rate of resource production. There is a possibility that ore production will increase to the point where we’ll have some surplus left over. Moreover, I saw an opportunity to break the Stronghold’s barter agreement.”

“An opportunity?” Milton asked.

“Yes, an opportunity.” Alex nodded. “Nothing shatters a monopolistic mindset quite like the appearance of competition. By presenting the representative with such a feast, I showed him that our domain no longer necessarily has to rely on the Stronghold for its food.

“Although that alone isn’t enough to break the leverage the Stronghold currently holds over our domain, it is enough to shake its monopoly mindset. And, unsurprisingly, with that monopoly now under threat, the representative immediately offered a new agreement to replace the fixed barter arrangement we currently have with the Stronghold in an attempt to preserve the relationship.”

“But this is only a tentative proposal made by the representative. It is still unclear whether the Viscount will agree to it,” Milton pointed out.

“I know.” Alex nodded.

Then he smiled.

“However, the representative seemed to be a talented individual—so much so that I would have attempted to poach him for our domain were it not for noble etiquette frowning upon such a move.

“I’m curious to see whether he’ll be able to convince Viscount Dunhill to agree to such an arrangement—one that would undoubtedly reduce the Viscount’s own profits.”

Alex looked out of the window towards the sky with a smile, as though gazing upon a promising future.

A moment later, he shook his head and turned back to Milton.

“Pass on my instructions to the Ministry of Information,” Alex said suddenly.

Milton immediately took out a parchment scroll and prepared to jot down Alex’s orders.

“Have the ministry inform the citizens of the domain that we have broken the long-standing cycle of bartering the ores gathered through the backbreaking efforts of our miners for mere rations from the Stronghold.

“For the first time in decades, we have traded those ores for currency with other domains using their true market value. This currency was then used by the domain administration to purchase much-needed goods and supplies for the domain.

“This marks the end of an era in which the people of this domain laboured for the benefit of others far beyond our borders. Henceforth, the fruits of their labour will be enjoyed by the people of this domain.”

“However, freedom and prosperity do not come without a price… nor do they come cheaply. The people of this domain can no longer look to the Stronghold to save them. Their future is now in their own hands. But they should not despair.

“With the goods now being produced by the factories and industries established across the domain’s major settlements, we will be able to manufacture the materials needed to defend ourselves against all threats, both from the Great Berserk Beast Forest and from within the Empire itself.

“As we move towards this goal, I ask everyone to continue supporting the domain administration, especially as we prepare for the expected minor Beast Tide from the Great Berserk Beast Forest.”

“Noted,” Milton replied after recording the instructions.

Having said all he needed to, Alex dismissed the old man.

Once Milton had left, Alex turned his gaze northwards, in the direction of the Great Berserk Beast Forest.

As interesting as the aftermath of his conversation with Fabien might prove to be, there was something else that demanded his attention.

The minor Beast Tide from the Great Berserk Beast Forest that struck the Frontier March almost every five years.

***

Good day, everyone!

Thank you for your continued support. Every read, comment, vote, review, and chapter unlock has helped Re: Tales of the Rune-Tech Sage reach where it is today.

If you’re enjoying the novel and would like to support it further, I would greatly appreciate it if you could consider subscribing to Privilege. You don’t have to get the highest tiers, the beginner tier is already a huge help.

Thank you once again for your support, and I hope you continue to enjoy the journey ahead!