Chapter 168

Chapter 168: Master of the Trade Route (5)

The performance had ended.

The reaction to the special encore song Bennett sang was explosive.

It had a completely different atmosphere from the songs he usually performed on stage.

Singing a song from his hometown for the first time in his life, he stirred the audience’s emotions at will.

Friends and family left behind in each of their own hometowns—

The countless people who had gathered in Nord found themselves thinking of them, wiping away tears more than once.

Among them was Empress Margaret.

The countless grueling lessons in the imperial palace she had endured—

She couldn’t eat what she wanted, nor see the friends she missed.

Amidst the anxiety of facing a dreadful tomorrow that repeated like a hamster wheel, she felt as though she was slowly dying.

Even so, Margaret had endured with all her might.

Her parents and dear friends back home who would be proud of her—

She didn’t want to disappoint them.

And because she feared the misfortune that might befall her family should the marriage fall through—

That one thought alone had helped her persevere until now.

Thanks to it, she had earned the title of the finest lady in the Empire.

“Roger, thank you.”

The Empire’s Second Empress stepped out of the VIP box and turned into the corridor.

She looked back at me gently and gave a compassionate smile with her eyes.

“It felt like I’d returned to the memories of my childhood.”

“I’m glad Your Majesty liked my gift.”

Istina stood beside me, looking proud as she glanced down at me bowing my head.

But when she met the Empress’s gaze—soft and warm like that of a mother watching her daughter—she quickly turned her head away.

“Will you be returning straight to your quarters?”

I asked her casually.

Normally, the Empress would always return straight to her assigned quarters after an event, for the sake of her dignity and decorum.

Still, I had a reason for asking.

“Hmm… I was going to, but today feels a bit different.”

Perhaps the thrill of the performance still lingered, as the Empress looked back toward the concert hall.

Then, letting out a short breath to calm herself, she made a suggestion first.

“Is there a place we could sit for a bit, Roger?”

“There happens to be a lounge on the 9th floor that was scheduled to open soon. Everything is ready, so I’ll escort you there.”

I led her to a quiet, pristine sky lounge.

It was located at the end of the corridor and was surrounded on all sides by floor-to-ceiling glass, offering a panoramic view of the North.

Even to me, a secretary with ten years of experience, the view was quite impressive.

“I didn’t know the hotel had a place like this.”

“Though it’s rather small compared to the top floors of the palace, I do hope Your Majesty enjoys it.”

I had arranged for the hotel’s best bartender to be on standby in advance.

He had slicked his mustache with oil the moment he heard he’d be serving the Empress for the first time in his life, preparing thoroughly.

“Director, please have a seat as well. If there’s a drink you like, do let me know.”

“I’m fine.”

The Empress's escort firmly declined.

The Swordmaster before us clearly felt uncomfortable with the current situation.

He was used to escorting her back to her quarters after each event, where things were predictable and under control.

Now the schedule had been extended, and they were headed for a lounge lined with alcohol…

There were simply too many variables for his liking, and he seemed on edge.

“We won’t be serving any alcoholic beverages tonight. Only a light, warm tea. After that, I’ll escort Her Majesty back to her quarters, so please be at ease.”

To reassure him, I offered him a warm cup of mulled wine.

Only then did the Sword Saint seem to relax slightly, giving a quiet nod.

“The view is stunning. Seeing the grand Nord mountain range stretching out in all directions… it’s like a painting.”

The Saint, wrapped in a fluffy fox-fur stole, cupped the warm tea in both hands as she spoke.

The Empress, seeming to agree, admired the same view.

“It’s dark since it’s night, but the lights scattered here and there are striking.”

Indeed, soft lights from villages scattered across the vast mountain range shimmered gently.

“People live even in such rugged places, don’t they?”

Istina was the first to ask.

Having visited the mining village with me, she clearly knew there were people living in the mountains.

And yet, she still asked such an obvious question for a simple reason.

She knew my plan.

Right now, the Saint was exchanging glances with me, syncing our signals.

“Yes. There are areas within the Nord mountains with plains as well. Because of that, there’s actually a decent population.”

“That’s right. I once visited during a provincial inspection with the Crown Prince.”

The Empress naturally joined in our conversation.

Bishop Valdes remained silent, his expression serious and focused.

He too must have known about the Grand Duke of the North’s upcoming test.

He had likely been briefed beforehand by Eric or Edward.

“Even through such rough terrain?”

“Though the roads were treacherous, the city was beautiful. I was especially impressed by the enormous lake nestled in the mountains.”

An enormous lake.

At those words, I immediately widened my eyes and added,

“That must be Lake Nordic. It’s not as large as Lake Chaldea, but it’s still quite sizable.”

“Yes, exactly. It reminded me so much of my hometown, I still remember it clearly.”

The Empress, seemingly quite fond of the place, continued the conversation uncharacteristically freely, unlike her usual lofty image.

“I thought it would flourish if proper roads were built and more merchants could enter.”

“Indeed. And with the trade route being established this time, I believe things will improve.”

I deliberately brought up the trade route.

Margaret, seemingly interested in the trade route development project, set down the teacup she had been holding.

“Oh, I’ve heard about it. It’s the project led by Duke Luton, isn’t it? We at the Imperial Court are very hopeful for it.”

She appeared to hold the Grand Duke of the North in high regard, expressing great trust in him.

“He’s always been the type to see through every task he takes on, thoroughly. I hear this is the last project he’ll personally lead.”

“So he mentioned that himself in the capital? His last project… That’s a bit of a shame.”

Feigning surprise, I widened my thinly drawn eyes as round as a full moon and asked,

“Well, I suppose it’s about time he starts handing opportunities down to his children. Either way, I’ve heard this project is quite large in scale.”

“Ho… is that so.”

This time, it was Istina’s turn.

Adopting the image of a truly innocent saint, she expressed her concern for the people’s safety.

“But with so many business districts entering the region, a lot of money will be in circulation. I’m a little concerned about public safety.”

“Public safety?”

The Empress turned her head toward the Saint.

In response, Istina brought her hands together, her eyes full of compassion.

“Yes. There are bandits who target border trade routes, and in the mountains, wild beasts like tigers and bears are rampant, aren’t they?”

“Indeed… I haven’t seen them myself, but I believe there have been several reports about that.”

Margaret nodded slowly, showing that she was aware of the issue.

Though it didn’t seem like she had regarded it as a particularly pressing matter.

“I was under the impression that the Grand Duke of the North was handling that well.”

“You’re right. But at the time, the population was small and the commercial scale was limited, so it was manageable. With this new project, the scale will increase and so will the need for more manpower.”

I naturally pulled out the documents I had prepared in advance.

At the very front was a population growth analysis chart projecting the increase from the upcoming trade.

“These are development plans from the Grand Duke’s side. With this scale, the regional population is expected to explode, and up to three satellite cities are planned to be established.”

Three cities in such a rugged mountain range—

The Empress seemed intrigued and immediately reached out for the documents.

“Let’s take a look, shall we?”

Margaret briefly asked her escort for her monocle.

The Sword Saint handed it over, but shot me a sharp glare at the same time.

“Forgive me, but Her Majesty did not come here today on official state business.”

“It's all right. For items like these, wouldn't it be more accurate to review them directly in the field?”

Before I could respond, the Empress raised her hand gracefully and spoke first.

Then, wearing a perfectly calm expression, she gently corrected her escort.

“And today, I happen to be in an especially good mood.”

“…Understood.”

At Margaret’s words, the Swordmaster had no choice but to yield.

He seemed satisfied simply knowing that his liege was feeling good, and returned to his seat to sip his tea.

And perhaps the tea was good, as he kept nodding to himself in approval.

For some reason, the sight of him felt oddly endearing.

‘If Lenny ever gets a job at the Imperial Court, he’d probably grow up just like that.’

“Indeed, if the population increases to this level, public safety will become quite a serious concern.”

The Empress reviewed my documents and raised the golden glasses perched on her nose.

In response, I clasped my hands together like a merchant preparing to make a deal, rubbing them gently as I added,

“That’s right. As I understand it, according to military law, each city should typically have a division-level knight order assigned.”

I subtly leaned closer to her and pointed to the plot of land where Eric and Edward planned to build.

“And when three cities are clustered together, they require a brigade-level knight order, correct?”

“Yes. That’s how most cities in the Empire are structured.”

Her gaze naturally shifted toward the And Plain, where Echina was expected to settle.

And at that moment, my thick finger came down on the map with a firm tap.

“Placing a knight order around here seems like just the right fit—”

“It does look like enough space to accommodate several thousand. But whether we can finalize it now… I’m not sure. It’s something we’d need to assess back in the capital.”

Bishop Valdes, who had been silently listening until now, quickly caught on to my intentions.

Realizing I was on Echina’s side, he became wary at the idea of stationing a brigade-level knight order on her land.

“Indeed, Your Majesty. A matter like this must be handled with great caution.”

He hadn’t even touched the special tea our bartender had prepared.

Lifting his chin slightly to get a look at the documents I’d handed over, he continued,

“If we’re not careful, we might end up strengthening Duke Luton’s influence. This will soon be part of his territory, after all.”

Though he himself was clearly backing Eric, one of the strong contenders for the next Grand Duke, he seemed determined to block anything that might benefit Echina.

And so he advised caution against the Grand Duke’s household as a whole.

“But the knight order belongs to His Majesty the Emperor. How could Duke Luton take control of a unit that isn’t even a private army?”

This time, Istina came to my aid.

But Valdes, in the stubborn manner befitting a bishop, firmly countered,

“Even if they answer to the Emperor in name, the soldiers assigned here would almost certainly be from the North. Their loyalties could change at any time.”

“Hm…”

The Empress, too, fell silent, seeming to acknowledge that Valdes had a point.

She was well aware of the Grand Duke of the North’s influence.

Especially the Black Knights—they were, for all intents and purposes, his hunting hounds. And the residents of the North all viewed the Luton family with admiration.

When faced with a choice, people fear the superior standing right in front of them more than the unseen commander at the top.

“That is something to consider. Most northern knights have either received support from Duke Luton or share personal ties with him.”

The Empress placed the documents down on the table with a soft thud, clearly deep in thought.

This could become a tricky situation.

If she wavered and decided to bring the matter before an Imperial Council or some other tedious committee…

Eric and Edward would latch on like parasites and use that chance to maneuver the knight order into their own territory.

“Your Majesty.”

But.

There was no way I would ever let it come to that.

“How about this instead?”

After all, I had never proposed a plan that would cause my liege concern.

It was the duty of a former chief secretary to always have a perfect countermeasure prepared.

“As it happens, our Erian Foundation recently formed a partnership with the Imperial Academy, did we not?”

“Oh, you mean the employment program for graduates?”

The Empress took a sip of her tea, recalling it.

“Precisely. What if we placed those new knights in the mountain knight order that’s about to be established?”

I rose from my seat at the table.

Then approached the window of the hotel and lightly tapped the glass, as if knocking.

“Fortunately, our foundation is located rather close to the mountain range. While there may be few volunteers willing to relocate from the capital to the mountains, we’d likely find quite a few here.”

Bishop Valdes stared at me with an expression of pure exasperation.

“And besides, I don’t belong to the Grand Duke’s household, which makes things fair, doesn’t it?”

He knew very well who I was close to.

“I serve no one but His Majesty the Emperor—as a humble citizen of the Empire.”

In other words, if the order were staffed with people from the Erian Foundation, they would have no reason to serve the Grand Duke of the North.

Upon hearing that, a faint smile appeared on the Empress’s lips.

Even though I would be residing in the North, I had made it clear that my only master was the Emperor.

“If a problem arises, I’ll draw my sword for His Majesty alone. That is the chivalry of the Empire.”