Chapter 448: Quest Negotiation

Editor: Tseirp

“I see. I understand the situation now.”

Abel said with a nod.

They were in the office of the chairman of the trading company.

Ryo and Abel sat side by side, receiving an explanation from Bandelsh, the chairman of the trading company.

Basically, Abel was the one handling questions and clarifications.

Ryo sat quietly beside him, sipping the special blend coffee from the Blue Jade Inn.

Pretending to be a harmless, gentle magician…

“So, can you tell us the employment conditions you have in mind?”

Abel asked in a businesslike manner.

Without any particular emotion.

He was used to this kind of negotiation from his days as an active adventurer.

“One hundred gold coins per person. Fifty in advance, fifty upon arrival in the capital. And an additional fifty as a reward for complete success. Furthermore, if you wish, we can assist with your passage from the capital to the continent. Our trading company also deals with continental trade.”

“Hmm.”

Honestly, Abel had no idea how reasonable this amount was, given that he didn’t understand the cost of living in this Principality, including the city of Manyamya.

However, there was one phrase in the current discussion that needed to be confirmed.

“You mentioned a ‘reward for complete success’, but what exactly constitutes complete success?”

“Yes. Firstly, no fatalities among our crew and escort. Secondly, the princess arrives in the capital. If these two conditions are met, we consider it a complete success.”

“I see…”

Abel nodded at Bandelsh’s explanation.

From the previous explanations, it was clear that this trading company, or at least its chairman, valued the people who worked for them very much.

That’s why they included the safety of the crew and escort as conditions for complete success.

Abel glanced at Ryo sitting beside him.

(Ryo must have a high opinion of this trading company. Like the Gecko Trading Company, Ryo values organizations that care for their workers.)

Of course, Abel also preferred those who treated their subordinates with care rather than those who used them up and discarded them.

“People are treasures, huh.”

Hearing Abel’s murmur.

Ryo nodded happily.

Bandelsh, the chairman of the trading company, also smiled.

At that moment, there was a knock on the door.

“Come in.”

Bandelsh said, and a young man entered.

It was Bandelsh’s eldest son, Banro.

“Sorry to interrupt. But there’s an urgent report related to this matter from the administrative office, so I thought it best to inform you immediately.”

Saying this, Banro handed a piece of paper to Bandelsh and left.

After reading the urgent report, Bandelsh began explaining to the two of them.

“The new government of the Kingdom of Suje officially sent a demand to the Principality and the Manyamya administrative office for the extradition of Princess Iliaja. The Manyamya administration refused to respond, and the Principality government accepted her as a refugee, stating that a hearing in the capital was necessary, so immediate extradition was impossible. The representative of the new government is Lord Protector Kabui Somar.”

“Lord Protector…”

Both Abel and Ryo echoed the term ‘Lord Protector’.

Abel found the unfamiliar term suspicious.

While Ryo found it nostalgic.

Having heard it long ago on Earth.

During history lessons about Oliver Cromwell… the Lord Protector of England. Lord Protector.

Cromwell became the head of the English Republic after the execution of Charles I during the Puritan Revolution.

That is probably the most well-known example of a Lord Protector in history.

However, even before that, the title was often used in England for the guardians of kings during their minority.

That was not typically covered in school history classes…

In this case, however, a slight question arose.

“Excuse me, I need to confirm something…”

Ryo raised a hand and asked to speak.

“Yes, Ryo-sama, what is it?”

“Regarding the demand for extradition, it came from the Lord Protector of the new government of the ‘Kingdom’ of Suje, correct?”

“That’s correct. It is said that most members of the royal family were executed, but they still claim to be a kingdom.”

Bandelsh replied with a nod.

Bandelsh also seemed to have found it puzzling.

Who do they intend to enthrone?

Oliver Cromwell, as Lord Protector, led the country after it became a ‘Republic’ and abolished the kingdom.

The Republic of England.

The Lord Protectors during the kingdom era did not become kings themselves… they were merely guardians of the king.

What does this ‘Lord Protector Kabui Somar’ intend to do?

“That’s something we won’t be able to answer here.”

Abel’s words brought Ryo and Bandelsh’s thoughts back to the present.

Ryo did not argue against Abel’s logical stance.

Though he still felt a bit frustrated…

“Ryo, why do you look so resentful?”

“It’s nothing. Abel, you’re always the realist.”

“There are still a few things we need to decide on.”

Abel said, turning to face Bandelsh again.

“Given that urgent report, the likelihood of the Kingdom of Suje’s navy attacking has significantly increased.”

“You’re right.”

Bandelsh nodded in agreement.

“Moreover, the Kingdom of Suje now knows the princess will be transported to the capital.”

“! ”

Abel continued, causing Ryo to gasp in surprise.

Yes, the Principality government had responded that a hearing was necessary in the capital.

Which meant the Kingdom of Suje knew the princess would be moved there.

“What a blunder.”

Ryo muttered regretfully. Even though it wasn’t his fault.

“They might have suspected the transport… but now they’ve gotten confirmation.”

“We’ll double the reward.”

Bandelsh proposed before Abel could make any demands.

Causing Ryo to widen his eyes in surprise.

Abel, however, remained expressionless.

Then he continued.

“That’s very generous. And we do appreciate it… indeed, we want to return to the Central Countries, but we lack several pieces of information needed to do so. We’d like to fill in those gaps.”

“I see. So far, you’ve only confirmed the maps of the city and the area around Manyamya, correct?”

Bandelsh likely received a report from Banhu. Bandelsh, the trading company chairman, nodded and responded.

“What we understand is that we’re in the Eastern Countries, and to return to the Central Countries, we need to cross the continent. Essentially, that’s all we know.”

“Yes… your understanding is generally correct. This archipelago region can also be considered part of the Eastern Countries. However, in most cases, the continent north of this archipelago is recognized as the so-called Eastern Countries.”

Bandelsh clarified, taking a sip of coffee before continuing.

“The continent is vast. We honestly don’t know how large it is… Our Blue Jade Trading Company deals with the Ghegish-Lu Federation at the southern tip of the continent. Since crossing the sea west of this archipelago is impossible, you would likely cross to the continent from this federation, travel north… and eventually reach the Central Countries by crossing the desert cities from the ‘Western Exit’…”

“That sounds quite far.”

Abel murmured, shaking his head slightly.

“We don’t get much news about the continent here in the archipelago. Therefore, we can’t say what the situation there is like… Furthermore, what I mentioned is based on old hearsay. You’ll need to gather new information once you reach the continent.”

“Thank you. Having even a rough outline in our heads makes a huge difference. We appreciate it.”

Abel said, bowing his head. Ryo hurriedly bowed next to him.

“No problem. As promised, if you take on this task, we’ll guide you to the continent, specifically to the Ghegish-Lu Federation. I stake the name of the Blue Jade Trading Company on this promise…”

“We accept the conditions.”

Abel replied, looking at Ryo.

Seeing if he had any further questions.

Ryo understood that Abel wanted to take on this task.

Despite the danger, it would be difficult to cross to the continent without any connections.

By accepting this quest, they would have the backing of one of the leading trading companies in the Principality.

There was no reason to refuse.

However, Ryo was a tough negotiator.

And a difficult opponent for negotiations.

He presented a strict condition.

“There is one condition that is absolutely non-negotiable.”

“What is it?”

Ryo spoke in a serious tone. And Bandelsh asked, serious and attentive.

“We need you to load a large quantity of this special blend coffee from Blue Jade Inn onto the ship.”

“Understood.”

Bandelsh nodded and accepted Ryo’s demand.

“…What? That’s your condition?”

Abel murmured in disbelief.

In any case, the two of them accepted the request to transport the princess.

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