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Volume 2 Chapter 3
The new dynasty of the Eastern Continent abruptly imposed a complete ban on trade with other continents, and the empire was thrown into chaos almost overnight. Merchants who had relied solely on Eastern trade suffered devastating losses, and the capable captains and navigators who had been employed by trading companies and shipowners suddenly found themselves unemployed. In no time, they were forced onto the streets, and they gathered in protest in front of the Harrington Ducal House, which had long overseen Eastern trade.
But Harrington had no real solution either. In fact, the duke’s situation was the worst of all.
“Viscount Wyniate, can’t you do something? Just this once, please extend the maturity date. I’m begging you, yes?”
The Harrington Duke, worn down and desperate, kept visiting the viscount’s estate. I had only just recovered from prolonged illness. Not wanting any stress, I sipped my tea and half-listened to the duke’s complaints, letting them go in one ear and out the other.
No, to be honest, I was actually enjoying it quite a bit. I slowly opened my mouth.
“Your Grace, if you keep this up, I will be put in a difficult position as well. You’ve already had multiple extensions, and the loan amount keeps increasing.”
“That, that is true… but you understand the situation, don’t you? How could we possibly repay it in times like this…”
Harrington had continuously expanded Eastern trade operations. The massive investments poured into the new port, the large shipyards, and dozens of large vessels had all become useless debris. It went without saying that wages for maritime workers had not been paid.
If left like this, they would soon turn into a full-scale riot.
Of course, there was no need to let things reach that point.
“Well… I suppose there are a few things I can accommodate.”
“Oh? Really? Can you extend a few promissory notes?”
“That would be difficult.”
“…Then?”
The Harrington Duke’s face, which had briefly brightened, darkened again in an instant. I smiled faintly, eyes narrowing.
“I heard the captains and navigators are currently protesting in front of your estate.”
“Ahem… yes, well, that’s how it turned out.”
The duke coughed awkwardly, clearly embarrassed. Because he had failed to pay wages, the ducal household’s reputation had taken a serious hit.
“I will employ them all. I cannot take every ship, but I will acquire a reasonable number—several dozen vessels at least. I will also take over the shipyard workers.”
“You will?”
The duke narrowed his eyes skeptically, clearly unable to believe it. I continued calmly.
“Yes. You need not worry about the unpaid wages. I will treat them well enough that they will have no desire to come back here to Harrington.”
“…Does Wyniate truly have that kind of capacity?”
“You do not need to worry about Wyniate.”
I drew a firm line. The duke nodded hesitantly.
“Very well… if you will do that, then I am grateful.”
The era of Eastern trade was coming to an end, and Northern Sea trade was rising brilliantly. A new age had begun.
Many established families would collapse, and new powers would rise. This was still confidential information known only to Lawrence and me, but a “young admiral” who had recently appeared in the Northern Sea was currently sweeping away pirates, which made the timing even more favorable.
This admiral did not exist in the original story. As a result, the risks in Northern trade were far lower than in the original timeline, meaning profits would be incomparably greater.
Thus, I intended to greatly expand the Northern trade operations I had been developing over the past two years. The skilled navigators, modern ships, and talented shipyard workers belonging to Harrington would give me wings. Paying a few months of back wages was nothing.
Unaware of my intentions, the duke repeatedly thanked me, then cautiously added:
“However, about the promissory notes…”
“That will not be possible. The other notes still have time left, so I trust you will find a way. However, the one due at the end of this month must be settled.”
I cut him off decisively. There was no longer any need to accommodate Harrington.
Money was power. No matter how rigid the class system of this world was, that fact did not change. Moreover, Kalisto, whom I had once needed to protect from Harrington, was no longer here. I had even less reason to be cautious.
At the thought of Kalisto, I clenched my fist behind my back. The one responsible for making that child suffer unnecessary hardship still made my teeth grind.
I looked at the Harrington Duke with sharp eyes. He flushed red. Suddenly he stood up and shouted:
“Are you saying you want to take Terria? You intend to seize the entire territory?”
“Your Grace, your words are inappropriate. Terria has long been held as collateral. Since you failed to repay your loan, it is simply being transferred to Wyniate according to proper contractual procedures. It is hardly as if I am committing robbery.”
I replied calmly, still seated.
When Terria had been pledged as collateral, Harrington had believed it could afford to lose the region. At that time, Northern trade did not even exist.
But now that Eastern trade had collapsed, dependence on Northern trade was inevitable. And Terria was the only part of Harrington’s territory that faced the Northern Sea.
In other words, if Terria were taken away, Harrington would be unable to conduct Northern trade independently. They would be entirely dependent on Wyniate.
The Harrington Duke closed his eyes tightly.
At that moment, a knock came at the door, and Cliff entered.
“Young master… His Highness the First Prince requests an audience.”
“Oh, is Loren here?”
The duke’s expression brightened again. I frowned slightly, but I could not refuse a prince’s visit. I reluctantly allowed him in, though I had a bad feeling.
Since Kalisto had joined the navy, I had no desire to meet either the Empress or Loren—even in my dreams. Yet Loren had continued to seek me out. Sometimes for business discussions alongside the Harrington Duke, sometimes attending my birthday banquets, and even inviting me to his own gatherings.
As a result, rumors had begun to spread that Loren was interested in me. People even said he remained unmarried because of me. They seemed to think he harbored some tragic unrequited love, unable to forget me due to my “condition.”
I inwardly scoffed as I prepared to meet him.
“I greet Your Highness. What brings you all the way to Wyniate?”
“You act as though I’ve come somewhere I shouldn’t. That’s hurtful, Etienne.”
You absolutely had.
I suppressed my irritation and looked up at him expressionlessly.
His cold blue eyes, unchanged since childhood, met mine. Brushing back his dazzling golden hair with a large hand, Loren smiled faintly.
“I came to ask you, for Harrington’s sake, to show some leniency. If Harrington falls, both I and my mother will be in trouble.”
“….”
“Don’t be so rigid, Etienne. Let’s properly discuss this. You know it would be difficult for us if you take Terria, right? Isn’t there another way?”
“Your Highness, Terria was secured through proper legal procedures. We cannot continue accommodating Harrington indefinitely.”
“I know, I know. But doesn’t it seem strange?”
“What seems strange?”
“It’s not just Terria. The Blast Port, once part of Harrington, has now become the center of Northern trade. The Bjorne region, which we thought had depleted its veins, suddenly became rich in copper ore after passing to Wyniate.”
“That has nothing to do with me. Things simply turned out that way.”
“But isn’t it strange? Lands that had no value when we owned them suddenly become extremely valuable the moment they fall into Wyniate’s hands? It’s almost as if…”
Loren smiled as he looked at me, his blue eyes turning cold.
“As if someone is deliberately trying to bring Harrington down.”
A chill ran down my spine. I clenched my fist tightly and forced my lips into a smile.
“That would be impossible, Your Highness.”
“Is that so? But I keep having that thought.”
“What thought would that be?”
Loren stepped slowly toward me. To meet his gaze, my head instinctively tilted back. His sharp eyes looked down at me.
He tilted his head slightly and spoke.
“That all of this feels like someone’s plan.”
“….”
“Etienne, could it be that you… hold some grudge against us?”
I clenched my molars tightly.
