When I presented the 'Special Frontier Free Trade Agreement', King Elias, my mountain father, made it clear that he would consider it on the assumption that we would sign the agreement.
And he is now smiling broadly with a happy expression on his face.
Zack coughed in dismay at this situation.
'Your Majesty. You laugh somewhat ...... excessively.'
'Mm, I see.'
King Elias returns to his stern expression at Zak's words.
However, the mood emanating from him is cheerful.
In the midst of this, Oltros glanced at me with a stern face and then spoke to King Elias.
'Your Majesty Elias. With all due respect, I think we should move a little more cautiously with regard to the 'Special Frontier Freedom Trade Agreement'. Indeed, the charcoal trucks developed by Lord Rid. The future possibilities may be great. But reducing tariffs and tolls will not only reduce the country's revenues, it will also cause bad quality merchants and adventurers to enter."
Ortlos is not far off the mark.
Eliminating tariffs and tolls means that it will be that much easier to attract people.
Of course, it is true that this would stimulate the economy, but of course it could also be a disadvantage.
King Elias, however, shook his head at Ortlos' words.
'Ortros, I understand your concern. But as long as the central nobles of the Imperial City ...... have received information that Fara is going to move as soon as he goes to Bardia territory, this is a matter of 'choice', as my son-in-law said earlier. Do we choose a friendly 'son-in-law'? Or do we choose the 'central nobility' who will come to us with unreasonable demands?"
"But: ......"
King Elias's words were still met with a dubious look from Oltros, who was about to bite down.
At that moment, Zack interrupted the conversation.
'Ortlos, ...... you helped ...... 'Norris' when he started his civilian career from a military officer. You are aware of his blunder. As a result, our tax revenues on tolls and customs duties in the Renalute and Bardia territories are now as low as they can be. Therefore, a 'Special Frontier Freedom Trade Agreement' would have little impact."
'Guh...... that may be true, but...'
Zack's words were a 'bitter blow', and Oltros looked as if he was biting a bitter bug.
Their exchange convinced me why Ortlos had such hatred for me.
Norris Tamuska, aka Norris, was unhappy with the secret agreement between Renalute and the Magnolia Empire, in effect a vassal state, and tried to prevent me and Farrah from marrying.
However, Norris's actions failed and he was disqualified, partly due to my success.
I heard that he was eventually condemned.
After recalling a series of events, I smiled in a probing manner and asked Oltros.
'I see. I see, Mister Ortolos is from the 'Norris Faction', right?'
As expected, his bitter expression is polished by my question.
'I am not from the ...... faction. I was only assisted somewhat by Lord Norris when I began my work as a 'civilian'. I don't know what Lord Norris's intentions were now, but I never intended to belong to his faction myself."
As soon as Ortlos finished, Zack smiled and opened his mouth as if to complement.
"Ortlos-sama used to be a military officer and now he is a civilian officer and is still young for a Dark Elf. That is why he is learning his trade under me."
I, the words of Zack and Ortlos.
And from their interaction up to now, I felt I understood where Ortlos stood.
Perhaps, although Ortlos was in a military position, he also began to take on civilian work with some intention.
It was probably Norris who helped him at that time.
It is unclear whether or not Ortlos was a member of Norris's faction, but I can imagine that the fact that he was under Zak in no small part means that he was close to 'White'.
However, with the fact that he was involved with Norris, Ortolos may have been undermined by Zak.
Having heard about Zak's character and position from Capella, I looked at him, which might be rude, and muttered a little sympathetically.
'That must be hard on ...... Lord Ortlos, too."
'...... it's not hard at all. 'I find it a very rewarding duty.'
Ortolos looks a little surprised at my words for a moment, but quickly returns to his bitter face.
At that moment, King Elias bursts out laughing and bold.
'You have underestimated your son-in-law, Orthros. It seems he has already seen through your position. Well, more importantly, Zak is right, the 'Special Frontier Free Trade Agreement' will have little impact. At the moment, there's no reason to refuse. Besides, an increase in logistics means that the country will be enriched. Is that your understanding, my son-in-law?"
King Elias throws a few words at Oltros, then shifts his gaze to me and continues his words.
I smiled and nodded cockily at King Elias' question.
'You are right. If we eliminate tolls and tariffs, smart merchants will surely congregate in Bardia and Renalute. If the volume of charcoal trucks is added to that, there will be a massive movement of 'goods, people and money'. Tax revenues should be collected from the profits made by the merchants from that movement."
'Yes. Our country would also increase its revenue in this way under the current circumstances. However, we must discuss the possibility of worsening security, as Ortlos said.
King Elias, who replied to my words, glanced at Ortlos and looked thoughtful and difficult.
In the midst of all this, I made a proposal that I had thought of beforehand.
'About security, I have an idea. How about creating a 'commercial visa', a more reliable identity document, to simplify travel between Bardia and Renalute?
...... Sorry, but can you explain again what you mean by 'commercial visas', a name I haven't heard much about?
Yes, your majesty. Father.
After that, I begin to explain in more detail about the part that has to do with the Special Frontier Free Trade Agreement.
The 'commercial visa' is like the 'work visa' I remember from my previous life.
In this world, each country has its own commercial guilds and adventurers' guilds.
Therefore, only those guilds and people who are recognised as trustworthy above a certain level are issued with a 'visa' ......, in other words, a 'passport', an identity card that can be used in Bardia and Renalute.
If the visa allows for a certain degree of simplification of travel between Renalute and Bardia territory, the movement will be smoother.
Of course, the examination and management of the 'visas' should be strictly enforced, and if any wrongdoing is committed, a very heavy penalty should be imposed.
When my explanation was roughly finished, King Elias and the others looked at me with grim expressions on their faces.
Was it something that was difficult to understand ......? I became anxious and involuntarily asked King Elias and them.
'Um, ...... did you find anything difficult to understand ......?'
However, they did not immediately answer my question, and after a short pause, King Elias's face fell and he opened his mouth in disgust.
'No, I was just astonished at what my ...... son-in-law thinks, I have no other intention. But, Lord Reiner. Indeed, my son-in-law is truly a frightening one.'
As he spins his words, he turns his gaze to his father.
'I am afraid, Your Majesty Elias. I myself am constantly amazed by what my son thinks. Though sometimes, when he loosens the reins, he tries to shake off us. ......"
The father looked at me with a look of 'Oh dear' as he answered King Elias.
At the same time, the eyes of everyone present at the meeting are on me.
For a moment, I was stunned, but then I quickly realised that I had a dubious expression on my face and muttered, "Father, I'm sorry.
'Father ......, isn't it a bit rude to speak that way?'
Everyone present, including King Elias, smiled and chuckled at the exchange between me and my father.
When I presented the 'Special Frontier Free Trade Agreement', King Elias, my mountain father, made it clear that he would consider it on the assumption that we would sign the agreement.
And he is now smiling broadly with a happy expression on his face.
Zack coughed in dismay at this situation.
'Your Majesty. You laugh somewhat ...... excessively.'
'Mm, I see.'
King Elias returns to his stern expression at Zak's words.
However, the mood emanating from him is cheerful.
In the midst of this, Oltros glanced at me with a stern face and then spoke to King Elias.
'Your Majesty Elias. With all due respect, I think we should move a little more cautiously with regard to the 'Special Frontier Freedom Trade Agreement'. Indeed, the charcoal trucks developed by Lord Rid. The future possibilities may be great. But reducing tariffs and tolls will not only reduce the country's revenues, it will also cause bad quality merchants and adventurers to enter."
Ortlos is not far off the mark.
Eliminating tariffs and tolls means that it will be that much easier to attract people.
Of course, it is true that this would stimulate the economy, but of course it could also be a disadvantage.
King Elias, however, shook his head at Ortlos' words.
'Ortros, I understand your concern. But as long as the central nobles of the Imperial City ...... have received information that Fara is going to move as soon as he goes to Bardia territory, this is a matter of 'choice', as my son-in-law said earlier. Do we choose a friendly 'son-in-law'? Or do we choose the 'central nobility' who will come to us with unreasonable demands?"
"But: ......"
King Elias's words were still met with a dubious look from Oltros, who was about to bite down.
At that moment, Zack interrupted the conversation.
'Ortlos, ...... you helped ...... 'Norris' when he started his civilian career from a military officer. You are aware of his blunder. As a result, our tax revenues on tolls and customs duties in the Renalute and Bardia territories are now as low as they can be. Therefore, a 'Special Frontier Freedom Trade Agreement' would have little impact."
'Guh...... that may be true, but...'
Zack's words were a 'bitter blow', and Oltros looked as if he was biting a bitter bug.
Their exchange convinced me why Ortlos had such hatred for me.
Norris Tamuska, aka Norris, was unhappy with the secret agreement between Renalute and the Magnolia Empire, in effect a vassal state, and tried to prevent me and Farrah from marrying.
However, Norris's actions failed and he was disqualified, partly due to my success.
I heard that he was eventually condemned.
After recalling a series of events, I smiled in a probing manner and asked Oltros.
'I see. I see, Mister Ortolos is from the 'Norris Faction', right?'
As expected, his bitter expression is polished by my question.
'I am not from the ...... faction. I was only assisted somewhat by Lord Norris when I began my work as a 'civilian'. I don't know what Lord Norris's intentions were now, but I never intended to belong to his faction myself."
As soon as Ortlos finished, Zack smiled and opened his mouth as if to complement.
"Ortlos-sama used to be a military officer and now he is a civilian officer and is still young for a Dark Elf. That is why he is learning his trade under me."
I, the words of Zack and Ortlos.
And from their interaction up to now, I felt I understood where Ortlos stood.
Perhaps, although Ortlos was in a military position, he also began to take on civilian work with some intention.
It was probably Norris who helped him at that time.
It is unclear whether or not Ortlos was a member of Norris's faction, but I can imagine that the fact that he was under Zak in no small part means that he was close to 'White'.
However, with the fact that he was involved with Norris, Ortolos may have been undermined by Zak.
Having heard about Zak's character and position from Capella, I looked at him, which might be rude, and muttered a little sympathetically.
'That must be hard on ...... Lord Ortlos, too."
'...... it's not hard at all. 'I find it a very rewarding duty.'
Ortolos looks a little surprised at my words for a moment, but quickly returns to his bitter face.
At that moment, King Elias bursts out laughing and bold.
'You have underestimated your son-in-law, Orthros. It seems he has already seen through your position. Well, more importantly, Zak is right, the 'Special Frontier Free Trade Agreement' will have little impact. At the moment, there's no reason to refuse. Besides, an increase in logistics means that the country will be enriched. Is that your understanding, my son-in-law?"
King Elias throws a few words at Oltros, then shifts his gaze to me and continues his words.
I smiled and nodded cockily at King Elias' question.
'You are right. If we eliminate tolls and tariffs, smart merchants will surely congregate in Bardia and Renalute. If the volume of charcoal trucks is added to that, there will be a massive movement of 'goods, people and money'. Tax revenues should be collected from the profits made by the merchants from that movement."
'Yes. Our country would also increase its revenue in this way under the current circumstances. However, we must discuss the possibility of worsening security, as Ortlos said.
King Elias, who replied to my words, glanced at Ortlos and looked thoughtful and difficult.
In the midst of all this, I made a proposal that I had thought of beforehand.
'About security, I have an idea. How about creating a 'commercial visa', a more reliable identity document, to simplify travel between Bardia and Renalute?
...... Sorry, but can you explain again what you mean by 'commercial visas', a name I haven't heard much about?
Yes, your majesty. Father.
After that, I begin to explain in more detail about the part that has to do with the Special Frontier Free Trade Agreement.
The 'commercial visa' is like the 'work visa' I remember from my previous life.
In this world, each country has its own commercial guilds and adventurers' guilds.
Therefore, only those guilds and people who are recognised as trustworthy above a certain level are issued with a 'visa' ......, in other words, a 'passport', an identity card that can be used in Bardia and Renalute.
If the visa allows for a certain degree of simplification of travel between Renalute and Bardia territory, the movement will be smoother.
Of course, the examination and management of the 'visas' should be strictly enforced, and if any wrongdoing is committed, a very heavy penalty should be imposed.
When my explanation was roughly finished, King Elias and the others looked at me with grim expressions on their faces.
Was it something that was difficult to understand ......? I became anxious and involuntarily asked King Elias and them.
'Um, ...... did you find anything difficult to understand ......?'
However, they did not immediately answer my question, and after a short pause, King Elias's face fell and he opened his mouth in disgust.
'No, I was just astonished at what my ...... son-in-law thinks, I have no other intention. But, Lord Reiner. Indeed, my son-in-law is truly a frightening one.'
As he spins his words, he turns his gaze to his father.
'I am afraid, Your Majesty Elias. I myself am constantly amazed by what my son thinks. Though sometimes, when he loosens the reins, he tries to shake off us. ......"
The father looked at me with a look of 'Oh dear' as he answered King Elias.
At the same time, the eyes of everyone present at the meeting are on me.
For a moment, I was stunned, but then I quickly realised that I had a dubious expression on my face and muttered, "Father, I'm sorry.
'Father ......, isn't it a bit rude to speak that way?'
Everyone present, including King Elias, smiled and chuckled at the exchange between me and my father.
