The Second Takeoff
Pareia was already an extremely strong nation.
Book 6-5.1
“It was even greater than we expected it to be.”
Runa started to speak in an excited voice, which was not normal for him.
He was currently in the middle of reporting about the harvest from Fedore and the Henkel Plains. Because they did not allow any harm to come to the citizens when they were taking control of the regions, there were no losses when it came to the amount of grains harvested.
“Our biggest issue of food is pretty much resolved. Now we just have to think about increasing our population.”
“Congratulations.”
Edwin looked back and forth between Yulian and Runa as he congratulated both of them on this achievement. Yulian did not hide his grin as he started to speak.
“Edwin, it is thanks to you. Everything you have done until now for our Pareia has allowed us to achieve the things we have achieved today.”
“Hahaha. Please do not praise me too much as I have received just as much gains as well.”
Edwin could not hide his joy either. He felt like he could use a word he did not use very often. Jackpot. He felt like he really hit the jackpot this time. He was finally starting to see the results of reinvesting all of the guild’s profits back into Pareia.
Furthermore, unlike the nobles of the continent, Pareia was not two-faced. Edwin liked that he did not have to worry about Pareia going back on its promises to him.
“I guess it is time for us to slowly pay Edwin-nim back for everything we have borrowed. The northern area of the Western Desert is also under our control now, so we can open a complete desert path for you. Your trip should be much faster as you no longer have to go around in circles.”
Maybe Runa was finally giving Edwin a reward for all the times he had bugged him, but Runa was only saying things that Edwin found good to hear.
“I am actually kind of scared because things are going so well.”
As Edwin acted a bit modest, Yulian and Runa both started to laugh and respond.
“We have now arrived at a point to renegotiate our contract.”
‘As I expected!’
As Edwin started to scratch his head, Runa seemed to understand what Edwin was thinking and added on.
“The Glow still wishes for Edwin-nim to be in charge of our desert trade route.”
It made Edwin’s ears open wide. Didn’t this mean that he would continue to monopolize this trade route? Although there was a limit on the amount of materials he could personally trade, he could collect a usage fee for any other merchant guild that wishes to use this trade route. If he could continue to monopolize this route, he could use that to gain some extra profits.
Edwin started to smile widely as he answered.
“Of course we need to renegotiate the contract. It is time we get down to the tiny details. Hahahaha.”
“Aside from that, we have another condition, no a request for Edwin-nim.”
“You are making me scared once more. Every time the two of you have come to me like this, you have always made my heart drop.”
Runa shrugged both of his shoulders as if he accepted what Edwin had said to be true.
“It is kind of a different type of request this time.”
“Please speak. I am after all a foreign diplomat of Pareia. Hahaha. Plus, with the Glow and Runa-nim both relying on me like this, if this small merchant can do something to help, I should help.”
“There are a couple things that make me hesitate, but I do not think it will be difficult.”
“Please stop beating around the bush and explain the situation to me.”
Edwin urged Runa on after seeing Runa beating around the bush.
“I will say it. Runa is just worried about a couple things that might get in the way.”
Yulian started to speak in Runa’s stead.
“Now that the Silence Empire has sent an envoy to the Rojini Kingdom to call for a truce, the war should end in the near future. What do you think is the aftereffect of a war?”
“Aftereffect?”
“Indeed.”
“Of course it would be drafting new personnel to make up for the lost knights and soldiers, then the storage will become completely empty as they have to feed them……”
Yulian cut Edwin off and explained further.
“I mean in regards to the citizens of the continent.”
“As for them, they will lack workers because the man of their family may have died in battle, and in serious situations, they would become homeless and not be able to farm even if they wanted to do so. That would then lead to starvation ...ah!”
Edwin realized what Yulian and Runa were aiming for as he thought things out loud.
“I will not explain in detail as you seem to have figured it out. Do you think there is a way to do it?”
Edwin started to think. What Pareia wanted was not more land or even materials. People. They wanted more people.
“There are a lot of refugees after the war so it should not be impossible. The problem lies in safely getting them out of the continent to Pareia ……”
“Based on what I have heard, the majority of the refugees from the Silence Empire tend to jump over to the Rojini Kingdom, and although the Rojini Kingdom has prepared for it for a long time, they are not able to take in more than a set number of refugees. Edwin-nim knows very well about that as well, right?”
Edwin responded to Runa’s question.
“Yes. That is indeed the case. A mass migration is currently happening. It is because the Rojini Kingdom is the best kingdom to live in for the citizens of the continent.”
“I wish to move that mass migration to our Pareia, to be more specific, to the Henkel Plains and Fedore region. We are receiving lessons on internal affairs from politicians of the Rojini Kingdom, and are actually better than the Rojini Empire in some aspects. Because of that, it should be better for them to live in Fedore or Henkel than the Rojini.”
“You mean?”
Runa nodded his head and responded.
“Yes. We hope for Edwin-nim’s merchant guild and other large merchant guilds to spread this news far and wide. We want them to know that Pareia is prepared to take in any and all refugees, and that we will provide food to be paid back without interest for those who are unable to feed themselves. Please also let them know that the safety of the region is even better now than before the war as well.”
Edwin’s expression turned grim but Runa continued to speak.
“Furthermore, we wish to use branches of Edwin-nim’s merchant guild to guide any refugees here. Of course our Pareia will pay for any and all fees resulting from this endeavor. That is probably good for you to share with your guild.”
“That……”
Edwin seemed worried. It was not difficult to spread the news. However, the problem was that no nation liked to see their people leave to go to another nation. If peace is returned and things become settled, Edwin’s guild would probably be banished for their help.
Edwin finally started to speak.
“Since you have decided to leave the trade route to me, it would not be a problem if we are banished from a couple large nations. I also have no desire for the Eastern Continent as there is already a large merchant guild that my guild cannot even touch that has a firm grasp on commerce in the continent.”
Edwin had a slightly cautious expression as he rubbed his two hands together before continuing to speak.
“However, do you think the nations would just sit back and watch their citizens migrate? They cannot do anything about mass migration from multiple locations, but my guild which is in a set location will end up being pushed out. They may also take our goods away and blame it on the fact that we are taking away their citizens.”
Runa seemed to understand Edwin’s concern as he started to think as well. He then put his hands on the desk before leaning his body toward Edwin and asking.
“I debated quite a bit about that issue already. What if we did something like this? If Edwin-nim wishes, our warriors can escort you to different locations in the continent. How many branches of our guild are there?”
“If you are talking only about the Eastern continent, there are two each in the Rojini Kingdom and Silence Empire, and one in five different nations with decently active trading posts.”
Ha!
Once Edwin responded, Runa clapped his hands and replied.
“It will not be a problem if there are only nine of them. We will deploy our warriors.”
Edwin’s jaws dropped at Runa’s extremely simple response. Who would open up their borders if they are surrounded by warriors? Especially when the warriors with them will be Pareia’s warriors who are as famous as the Red Eagle Knights of the Rojini Kingdom.
“That might be …….”
“It is not a problem if the number of warriors is not very high.”
“And what if they still choose to attack when we are being protected by the warriors?”
Yulian’s eyes opened wide at Edwin’s question.