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Chapter 86: Departure: From the Kingdom of Algeas to the Commercial City of Livonia

Don! Don! Don! Don!

The sound of drums from a marching band echoes through the port of Quinpera, the royal capital of the Kingdom of Algeas.

Today is the day we, the Barbar, along with Princess Sophia and the Algeas Kingdom’s goodwill delegation, set off on our journey.

The Kingdom of Algeas has officially appointed Princess Sophia as the leader of the goodwill mission and decided to send her abroad with us.

We, the Barbar, don’t know the details of how this came about.

I was surprised by this unexpected decision.

I never thought the King and Crown Prince Alex would allow the now thoroughly mischievous Princess Sophia to travel abroad.

I had made plans assuming Sophia wouldn’t be joining us, but the Kingdom of Algeas adjusted their schedule to match ours.

And now, just ten days after our river excursion, everything is ready and we’re setting off.

Since the royal capital Quinpera is situated by a great river, it boasts a grand port.

Ships depart one after another from the docks.

A crowd has gathered at the port, waving to the departing Princess Sophia.

「Sophia-sama~!」

「Your Highness~!」

「It’s so wonderful to see you healthy again~!」

The once bedridden and frail princess has recovered and is setting off to another land.

It’s honestly a touching story.

The Kingdom of Algeas turned Sophia’s sudden departure into a city-wide event.

The townspeople gathered to see her off cheer with great enthusiasm.

Princess Sophia stands proudly on the deck, waving back at the crowd.

From the kingdom’s perspective, they’ve presented this as: 「The Kingdom of Algeas will act alongside Barbar, but our diplomacy will be led by Princess Sophia.」

It’s likely about preserving their image as a great power, but I felt a genuine sense of affection from the King and Prince Alex.

After all, they prepared a fleet of thirty ships and a full retinue in such a short time.

They even held a grand ceremony at the palace to emphasize Sophia’s presence.

『Let’s use this chance to debut Princess Sophia in diplomacy.』
『Give her a role as royalty.』
『Make her known both inside and outside the kingdom.』

That’s what it feels like the King and Alex are trying to do.

Meanwhile, we Barbar are waiting our turn to depart.

While we wait, we’re chatting aboard our Viking ship.

「I’m so glad Sophia-chan gets to come along!」

Jessica is clearly thrilled.

「Yeah, I bet you’re happy to spend more time with her,「 Rosso says, pleased by Jessica’s joy.

I’m happy too that Sophia-sama is coming with us.

It feels like taking a trip with a younger sister.

But at the same time…

Rosso’s recent warning echoes in my mind, never let your guard down.

And this journey, at its core, is about trade and diplomacy for the Barbar.

I brace myself.

We spent fifteen days in the Kingdom of Algeas.

Business went smoothly, our jam and maple syrup sold well.

We struck deals with the royal palace, influential figures, and major merchants.

As luxury goods, we sold them in small quantities at high prices.

Unfortunately, the rock salt and Murder Buffalo horns and furs didn’t sell.

Salt and pelts are easy to get around the Algeas region, so they didn’t attract much interest.

I decided to just treat it as a test run for reactions in other countries.

Our interpreter candidates spent their days interacting with locals.

They exchanged language lessons with Algeas bureaucrats and shared information actively.

At night, they hit the local pubs, chatting freely with the common folk.

Their fluency in the Algeas language improved dramatically.

Some even got smitten with Algeas women.

Naturally, the women were pros who had them wrapped around their fingers.

『Well, it’s all part of life’s education…』

I thought, turning a blind eye.

I can imagine how it ends, but… be strong, buddy!

The Barbar crew rested well, ate and drank heartily, and slept deeply.

We’re ready for the voyage.

Jessica spoke to me in Elvish.

Speaking Elvish meant she wanted to keep the conversation private.

「Hey, Gaia. Did you find sulfur? Any luck?」

「Hmm…」

Sulfur is a key component in gunpowder.

It’s not found in our Barbar territory, and even using my skill 【Sma-ho!】 to check the map, there’s none nearby either.

We’d have to get it through the Empire.

It’s costly.

And if the Empire realizes how valuable it is, they could cut us off at any time.

So I tried asking around to see if the Kingdom of Algeas could supply any…

「Jessica. Apparently, even the Kingdom of Algeas buys their sulfur from Imperial merchants.」

「Oh really!」

「Yeah, it’s mined from volcanic islands within the Empire.」

「Volcanic islands, huh? Think we could seize one?」

「That’s pretty extreme.」

I grin.

「Well, as a last resort, maybe. If we ever match their military power.」

「Gaia! That’s unusually bold of you!」

As Jessica and I chatted in Elvish, Rosso teased us in Barbar tongue.

「Oi, oi! Whispering sweet nothings? Missing baby-making already?」

The Barbar crew erupts in laughter at Rosso’s crude joke.

「Hey hey! Get a room, you two!」

「Let’s all pretend to sleep tonight!」

「Yeah. No way those two can hold back on a long voyage!」

Jessica and I were mercilessly teased by the crew.

Even I got embarrassed, and Jessica’s face turned bright red.

「Rosso, you dummy!」

「Whoa!」

Jessica smacked Rosso a few times, and just then, it was our turn to set sail.

I gave the order.

「Alright! Time to go!」

「「「「「Oooh!」」」」」

We slowly rowed out into the great river.

Our next destination: the commercial city of Livonia.