3 bar menu

Chapter 50: The Royal Capital of the Kingdom of Algeas

We, the people of Barbar, set out for the royal capital of the Kingdom of Algeas.

With two additional longships constructed, we sailed as a fleet of three.

From the trade city of Livonia, we proceeded upstream on the Dalba River.

The Dalba River flows southward, meaning that from the northern sea, we were sailing inland by heading south.

It was a massive river, at least ten kilometers wide.

Its scale was unlike anything near Barbar, and countless vessels traveled back and forth.

A region thriving with river transport.

We caught the sea breeze in our sails and leisurely rode the Dalba River south.

Unlike the open sea, the river was calm and the journey was pleasant.

The Great Lizard Tribe’s Rosso, bored from the uneventful trip, struck up a conversation.

「Hey, Gaia! Are we going to war with the Kingdom of Algeas?」

「Nope.」

「But we’ve brought soldiers, haven’t we?」

For this journey, we’d brought a large number of land fighters.

Out of each ship’s 25-person capacity, 20 were ground troops and 5 were sailors.

We were heading to the royal capital of Algeas to meet with Crown Prince Alex.

But I wasn’t going as a goodwill ambassador or diplomatic envoy.

I was going as the leader of a potential allied nation, one that would soon form a united front against the Vaffancrow Empire.

Before any negotiations, I wanted to demonstrate Barbar’s military strength.

That’s why we’d brought 60 warriors aboard the three ships.

The longships had been designed to be operable with minimal crew, this worked perfectly now.

I explained it simply for even Rosso to understand.

「We’re here to form friendly ties with Crown Prince Alex of Algeas! But unless we show our strength, they won’t treat us as equals, right?」

「Damn right!」

Uncle Athos grinned and joined the conversation.

「Oi, Gaia! Be sure to strike a good business deal while you’re at it!」

「Of course!」

My immediate goal was to establish trade routes.

If we could reach the capital of Algeas, we’d be able to transport goods from the inland eastern continent northward, through sea routes, back to Barbar.

It was a golden opportunity for us newcomers in northern maritime trade!

—Two weeks after departure, we arrived at the Kingdom of Algeas’ royal capital, Quinpera.

The capital spread out across the flatlands bordering the Dalba River.

Towns for commoners stretched across the river plains, while the royal palace sat atop gentle hills away from the water.

The people of Algeas had deep-set features, and the men grew thick beards.

Their hair came in black, brown, and blonde.

Their builds were not particularly large, about the same as Vaffancrow Empire citizens, and smaller than us of Barbar.

We were accommodated in a guest residence within the royal palace.

And Crown Prince Alex requested to meet me immediately.

I accepted the same-day meeting request, it’s best to strike while the iron’s hot.

I was invited into Crown Prince Alex’s private chambers within the palace.

This was likely a pre-negotiation, a preparatory meeting before seeing the King.

The first time we’d met was on the battlefield.

Prince Alex was just as dashing as ever.

He greeted me warmly in the Algeas language.

「At last, we meet again! Gaia-dono!」

He looked genuinely pleased.

I smiled back and replied in Algeas tongue.

「Yeah. Last time on the battlefield, you handed us our asses, Prince Alex.」

「What are you saying? You and your people broke through the encirclement I’d laid and escaped with Crown Prince Munoh of the Empire!」

Apparently, Prince Alex held our fighting prowess in high regard.

I shrugged in a mock gesture.

「If we’d been just a bit slower, we’d have been dead. Anyway, you guys won that battle fair and square. Congrats.」

「Hahaha!」

Prince Alex broke into laughter and gestured to the table set on the balcony.

「Come, have a seat!」

I sat down without hesitation on the clearly expensive chair.

「Nice view, huh?」

From the balcony, we had a full view of the capital, Quinpera.

The city stretched out from the hills down to the plains, with the Dalba River visible beyond.

Its sheer size was a clear display of Algeas’ national power.

I turned my gaze to Prince Alex.

He wore a luxurious outfit made of fine fabric.

Wool, maybe?

I decided to start with trade talks.

「Now that Barbar has made it to Quinpera, the capital of Algeas, I’d like to use this opportunity to establish trade relations. What do you think?」

「Yes! I welcome it!」

「The clothes you’re wearing, are they made of wool?」

「Indeed. The eastern plains of our country are home to many shepherds.」

Wool would be incredibly useful.

Barbar territory gets cold in winter.

Up till now, we wore monster pelts to stay warm.

But with wool sweaters and pants underneath, winters would be much more bearable.

Especially if we planned to continue maritime activity during winter, warm clothes would be essential.

I requested to purchase wool from Prince Alex.

「Oh! Wool is one of our main products! I’d be grateful if you bought some. In return, we’d like rock salt and brandy.」

「Perfect! It’s a deal!」

I was glad to hear rock salt would sell.

This trade had the makings of a win-win.

We’d let the practical negotiations be handled by our respective staff.

Silver goblets filled with wine were placed before us.

Prince Alex raised his goblet.

「To our mutual prosperity!」

I raised mine as well and responded.

「To the friendship and prosperity of both our nations!」

「Cheers!」

「Cheers!」

I’d deliberately said 「both our nations.」

A not-so-subtle push: Recognize Barbar as a nation.

Once our cups were empty, Prince Alex dismissed the others.

Only the two of us remained on the balcony.

「Now then, Gaia-dono. We’ve finished the formalities.」

「Indeed.」

Prince Alex lowered his voice.

「Let’s talk conspiracy, shall we?」