173: Diplomacy's all about sincerity, they say.

"Gwahahaha! You made it! Just in time!"

A burly man with a thick beard laughed heartily, clad in flashy armor.

It was samurai-style armor, in the Mizoho fashion—but clearly high quality, just by looking at it.

The man had one eye, and wore a stylish eye patch.

Anyway, we’d been formally invited to the castle of the Mizoho Shrine Nation, guided by Nobuna.

We were led to an audience chamber—completely different in feel from any kingdom we’d known before. The furnishings here were mostly wooden. Simple, yet every piece was clearly crafted with care, even a layman could tell.

Wood grain was the base, but not monotonous—accented with deep reds and blacks to tie everything together.

Whatever paint they used, it was all dark and rich. Subtle gold detailing added elegance everywhere—so refined, it was almost effortless.

It wasn’t much of a reception hall—no raised dais like in a kingdom, just chairs facing each other. The chairs themselves were rare: wooden frames covered in thick, beautifully embroidered fabric.

That alone was enough to show how their own culture had taken root.

I took the seat assigned to Nobuna. Three chairs faced me across the way. Probably three guests. What struck me was the absence of any guards—no single warrior in sight yet.

Two warriors entered the room right away and stood before the chairs directly across from me. Nobuna shifted to the remaining seat.

The one seated in the center was a giant with one eye.

The last one was a man with a sharp presence, but his expression carried a hint of exhaustion.

And the one-eyed warrior with the beard spoke first—just as the opening line.

The warrior laughed, a low, grating chuckle. I jumped to my feet, scrambling to bow.

Usually, someone in charge would say “stand up” or “look up,” right!?

And yet, look at him—he’s clearly some big shot, but not a single guard in sight!

Or is there a whole army of samurai hiding behind that paper-and-wood wall over there?

“It’s an honor to meet you. I am Kyle Goldendown von Elquisil, the Baron of the Frontier Colonies, appointed by the Kingdom of Maugaria. I’m truly grateful for the welcome you’ve given me, despite my sudden arrival.”

As Kyle spoke, the one-eyed man widened his remaining eye.

“Gwahahaha! I’d heard from Nobuna that you were a young lord, proper and polite—but you’re even better than I thought!”

The bearded man straightened up.

"I am Shingen Wilhelm, entrusted by the living god Muten-sama with the authority to govern the nation in His stead! Young representative, welcome to the Mizoho Shrine Nation—heartily honored you are!"

Damn, your voice is loud, old man!

Looks like him, sounds like him—big in every way. But weirdly, no irritation.

Still, a bunch of words just popped up that I can't shake.

"Yes. Please, I'd appreciate your guidance. I’m unfamiliar with Mizoho Shrine Nation’s customs and rituals, so I’ll likely make mistakes..."

"Nonsense! I’m no good with etiquette myself!"

Shingen chuckles, loud and deep. The sharp-eyed man beside him sighs and cuts in.

"Father. The guest is an ambassador from a sovereign nation. You should at least show proper manners."

"Ugh..."

Pardon the intrusion, Kyle-sama. I am the head of the foremost of the Three Great Families, Hanbee Vilhelm. Please do me the honor of remembering my name.

Yes. Pleasure to meet you.

I’ve been hearing about the Three Great Families every now and then since I got here. Sounds like a title for the core nobility of the nation?

Hanbee picks up on it without me needing to ask.

“The Mizoho Shrine Nation is a country that worships the god Mizoho. In ancient times, the living god was born as a divine child, and his bloodline has continued unbroken. The current living god is Lord Muten Ingrum. We Three Great Families support Lord Muten, managing politics and military affairs on his behalf.”

So, basically, Lord Muten is the top dog—close to a king—but someone else is running the show? Like a regent?

Ah. That explains why I was told first thing to pay my respects to Lord Muten. Good call.

"Ah, I see. We’d like to extend our greetings to Lord Muten as representatives of the Kingdom of Maugaria."

"Hmm. …I can’t answer right away."

"Yes, of course."

"Small matters are all discussed among our Three Great Houses. Normally, the other two families should be present, but they have unavoidable duties. So instead, our commander, my father… Lord Shingen, has joined us."

"Your consideration is deeply appreciated."

Kyle bowed again, and Shingen and Hanbee gave barely perceptible startles.

"Really, good manners. Even among today’s warriors, such poise at such a young age is rare. No surprise you’re leading a province and representing a nation."

"Gwahaha, I’d love to boil down Kanetsugu’s fingernail clippings and pour them straight into my stomach!"

"Grandfather, you already said that."

Kanetsugu? That twitchy white-robed guy who summoned monsters while fighting a kraken? Nobuna’s brother, right?

You think I’m a disappointment even to you, Grandfather? How pitiful…

Ignoring Shingen’s loud laugh, Hanbee turned his weary face toward Kyle. Well, he was weary from the start.

“So, what does your country want from our Mizoho Shrine Nation?”

“Of course. First, we seek to establish friendly relations.”

“Hm… You’re not here to demand we submit to your rule, are you?”

Now it was our turn to widen our eyes.

“Not at all! His Majesty, Vaindeck Midrights von Maujari, believes all of humanity should join hands to purge the lands overrun by monsters.”

“Ah. That’s interesting. Though it sounds like a fairy tale.”

“True, it would be, under normal circumstances.”

Hanbee raised one eyebrow.

"So, something unusual is going on, then?"

"Right now, the kingdom’s expanding human living areas and has finally achieved large-scale food production—something that’s been a universal challenge for all of humanity. We’re also steadily increasing our combat strength against monsters and pouring effort into road development. They’ve even said, if granted permission, they’d gladly fund road construction from the kingdom’s budget."

"Hmm... And you’re saying they’ll send their troops using those roads?"

Hanbee twisted his mouth into a smirk, somewhere between amusement and curiosity.

Kyle, in turn, smiled faintly.

"Considering you’re saying that already... you don’t actually believe it, do you?"

"Ah—!"

This time, Hanbee’s eyes widened, snapping his gaze toward Shingen.

"Father. Should we take this as genuine goodwill?"

"Indeed! If you judge it so, then let’s proceed under the assumption of goodwill!"

"Thank you."

Kyle bowed immediately.

Looks like things are going smoothly. Don’t know what’s really going on in their heads, though!

“Then, where should we start?”

“As the kingdom sees it, we’d like to begin with trade.”

“Hmph. But the kingdom’s far south, cut off by a massive river, isn’t it?”

“That’s exactly why I’m asking.”

“What now?”

Hanbee leaned on one elbow, thoughtful.

“We’d like permission to build a trade city in the northern region across the river.”

“Hmm. That area isn’t under Mizuho’s influence. If it’s not under another small nation’s control, we can let you build freely.”

“Thank you.”

Just as expected from the intel. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have started construction.

Hanbee fell silent for a moment, frowning slightly.

"But the south... from the perspective of that kingdom, it’s north. Still, the area’s full of monsters, and the terrain’s treacherous. Building a city there seems impossible, doesn’t it? Even if it were possible, who knows how many decades it’d take?"

"No, sir. Even just basic trade facilities could be done in a month. We’ve got large ships for that. And we’re already pushing forward on the great bridge as well."

"A ship and a bridge? Ships are one thing, but a bridge? That’s impossible. The river’s too wide, and the water’s too deep."

"All of that’s been resolved. It’s nearly finished."

"Really? The kingdom’s construction tech has come far, hasn’t it?"

"All thanks to our excellent alchemists."

Wait—!

Don’t just switch topics like that!

"Hmm. Alchemists? We only have a few back home. What’s an alchemist got to do with building a town? Aren’t they supposed to be making potions?"

That’s the general idea, really. Not wrong, not exactly right either.

Only someone like Professor Javir is an exception.

“With this alchemist’s potion, you can mass-produce sturdy walls that can be shaped however you like.”

“…That’s intriguing.”

“Exporting alchemical potions? No objections, if the king lets us trade.”

That part’s already cleared with King Van—permission granted as a bargaining chip.

“Would like to see it in person.”

“Small-scale setups can be ready immediately.”

“Good to hear.”

Kyle gives him a look of genuine respect.

“But even better—there’s a product that could truly serve this nation.”

“What’s that?”

“A legendary-grade stamina potion.”

“…What?”

Hanbee frowns at the same time Nobuna mutters under her breath.

“A stamina potion? Just something that cuts a little fatigue, right?”

That’s usually how it goes.

“The effects are quite different. It’s included in the tribute we received from Her Majesty. But should we hand it over to Lord Muten, or deliver it here? Which would be better?”

“Hand it over here.”

“Yes, sir. I’ll leave it with the attendant after we exit.”

“Hmph.”

Hanbee nodded. At that moment, Shingen, who’d been glancing around boredly, suddenly snapped his mouth open.

“Enough of this already! It’s time for the feast! Let’s feast!”

“Huh? Father. We haven’t even finalized the details…”

“Details can wait! Now!”

“Father…”

“Quiet! I’ve had it! My stomach’s about to burst!”

“Honestly… Kyle. I’d be honored if you’d join us for lunch.”

“I accept with utmost gratitude.”

“Hmph. Then go enjoy Mizuho’s blessings.”

And so, the feast began.

Still, the general seems like the kind of man who’d get along with our king, Van.

Said something about bitter, and I just realized I’d forgotten all about that…

So, in the story, it’s concentrated during saltfield processing.

So, forgive me for that.

In reality, if it’s solar-evaporated salt, the bitterness should naturally balance out—could be possible, depending on the sun.

We’ll use evaporating agents on exported salt after raising the concentration in the saltfields. For saving costs.

I think I wrote that somewhere before… Anyway, that’s how it is.