“A trade of food…?”
“We can only offer seafood. However, it’s processed, so it keeps well, and we believe it will be beneficial to you.”
The goddess of ＜Paraiso＞ suddenly declared that they would bring food from now on. The sample she handed over seemed to be dried fish of some kind. And then, dried seaweed. It can be eaten as is, grilled, or rehydrated with water. I know that fishermen eat seaweed, but normally, people don’t eat it much.
However, that’s not the problem.
It’s the sudden announcement that they’re going to sell food. Why the sudden change?
“We have a certain understanding of your circumstances. The trade so far has been very beneficial. We have determined that losing this town would be disadvantageous.”
“Losing… you say… well now.”
If only I could laugh it off as an ill omen.
I haven’t told the residents of this town in detail, but the surrounding situation is quite dire.
We can’t be self-sufficient in food, so we have to rely on imports. Right now, merchant caravans come here for the thread and cloth that the ＜Paraiso＞ people bring, so there’s no problem. But that’s a thin thread that could break at any time. In this third trade, ＜Paraiso＞ brought out an incredible ship. The huge trading ship is surprising, but the escort ships are also incredible. Since they’re bringing out ships like these, we can expect trade to continue in the future.
However, the transport隊 from the Royal Capital could stop at any time.
In this country, where it feels like there’s a civil war everywhere, how long will they continue to provide valuable food for luxury goods like thread and cloth? Moreover, we have to attach an exaggerated escort to guard against bandit gangs. It wouldn’t be surprising if they stopped coming next time.
That’s the situation, but still.
Why do I have to be told that by the ＜Paraiso＞ people?
Where did they get that information?
“This is a report that we will add food to the trade items. What we are about to do now is a proposal from us.”
“…”
Last time, these guys looked like goddesses. Now, they look like incomprehensible demons… Well, that’s probably overthinking it. But combined with her usual expressionlessness, she certainly looked even more inhuman.
“Our request is to continue trading iron. For that, we need this town to survive. But as it is, we can see what’s coming.”
“…”
“What we can provide immediately is defensive power.”
“…Defensive power?”
“If it’s our ship, everything from the port to outside the town is within range. In the event of an external attack, we can Zistroi it with naval bombardment.”
That proposal is certainly a godsend, given our current situation. If they can Zistroi the enemy with that precision shooting, the town’s defense will be solid.
But.
“…Does that mean this entire town is within range?”
“Affirmative.”
That fact was synonymous with the town itself being taken hostage. No, I had expected it in the first place. I had experts predict the capabilities of that Cannon. Probably a considerable long range, and also with high accuracy. However, hearing that fact directly from her was still terrifying.
“We have no intention of threatening you. Also, there is no benefit in doing so.”
There, she paused and picked up her teacup. Watching her white throat move as she drank, I remembered that she was human. I slowly exhaled the breath I had unknowingly been holding.
“…I expect you to judge based on reason.”
Based on reason. This town is within range of that ship. A sword pointed right in front of me… no. ＜Paraiso＞ hasn’t even drawn its sword. It’s just there. If so, it would certainly be unreasonable to fear it. Emotionally, I feel fear, but rationally, ＜Paraiso＞ is not the enemy. They have never behaved oppressively, nor have they forced an unequal contract on us. We haven’t been scammed, and we haven’t been told lies.
Well, we haven’t had that long of a relationship, but as far as trade is concerned, there’s no doubt that we’ve been treated honestly both times in the past.
“…I understand. I’ll trust you on that.”
“I am grateful.”
＜Paraiso＞ will not harm this town. On the contrary, they will protect us from external enemies. That proposal is very welcome, but what is the price?
“What we seek is iron. Iron ore is also acceptable. Securing iron is our top priority, above all else.”
As expected, what they seek is iron. This is the first time I’ve heard it as a word. Perhaps they had been hiding what they really wanted until now. Whether they had been able to hide it completely is another matter, but there’s a difference between clearly asking for something and hinting at it.
“Iron… But iron is not produced in this town. We can’t secure a large amount unless it’s in an inland iron town…”
“We are also aware of that. Due to the inland mines, we cannot prepare forces for defense. We cannot handle the escort along the way either.”
“…Even if we send forces from our town… It’s also necessary for the defense of the town, so we can’t possibly protect that town.”
Saying that much, I realized that the premise had changed.
“We will defend this town. We can also provide a certain number of personnel. To put it extremely, we want you to use all of your forces to secure iron.”
“…That is.”
Hand over the town’s defensive power to the ＜Paraiso＞ people and take everyone with you to protect the iron town. If you ask me if it’s possible or not… it’s not impossible. But that means entrusting the fate of Telek Port City to ＜Paraiso＞.
Is she saying that I, as the leader of this town, should make that decision?
“We have determined that there is no time to spare. We are analyzing the information we have gathered, but there is a high possibility that a major battle will occur within a few months. If a war starts, refugees will flood in. Mobs will appear. Bandit gangs will increase, and at worst, this town could be seized by the regular army.”
The future she spoke of was the worst. What’s worst is that it’s almost the same as what was discussed in the council. In other words, the ＜Paraiso＞ people really have a correct understanding of the internal affairs of this country.
“We can also provide weapons and armor to some extent. It will be biased, but we can also prepare food. There are many things that this town lacks, but ＜Paraiso＞ will provide as much as possible.”
And.
After much deliberation, Kullavia Telek, the chairman of the Telek Port City Merchant Association, decided to fully accept the support of ＜Paraiso＞.
The groundwork will be laid from now on, but without a doubt, he has agreed to be under the protection of ＜Paraiso＞.
The country is unreliable. A big decision was needed to protect the town and the residents, including himself. Entering under the protection of a foreign power would be a big problem if it were known to the central council. But in the first place, this country is in turmoil because that central council is not functioning. The king has lost his charisma, and the nobles continue to fight among themselves to protect their own interests and expand their influence.
There is no future in this country.
That was the judgment of the great merchant, Kullavia Telek.