Heavenly Castle

Chapter 116: Killing not just two, but three birds with one stone

Translator: “Pink Tea” Editor: ”Ryunakama”

After Taiki’s warm welcome Grey and Catherine spent a night on deliberation and replied 「We will cooperate」. Receiving those words, Taiki, with a smile guided the two to the room on the third floor, where the robots stood awaiting orders.

「Since you two are to become our allies, let us lend you the strength.」

Taiki said beaming with a smile, but the two couldn’t react.

That was because the sight of countless robots lined-up there left them in a daze.

「Don’t tell me, all those golems can act at once......?」

Finally, Grey asked, to which Taiki nodded.

「If the situation calls for it, total mobilization is possible. But well, such a situation would never happen. 」

Then, with a tensed expression, Catherine muttered.

「......So the outcome was determined from the beginning... That’s why Karluk’s Royalty wasn’t even part of the consideration.」

☆

Looking at the two, carried by robots, descending to earth through the cloudless sky, Taiki waved his hand.

To protect Grey and the others he dispatched ten robots with them. Seeing the two surrounded by robots off, Taiki stretches, and breaths out a sigh.

「Phew, that was nerve-racking.」

When he muttered so, Ayla turned to him with a surprised look on her face.

「Taiki-sama? Nervous? Even though you never showed any nervousness no matter what kind of royalty you met......?」

「Yeah, I feel like I became used to dealing with royals. But, asking former slaves to help with selling slaves is a bit too much. Until now Leticia-san and Richt’s group helped us without any complaints, but if stress gets to them or something angers them I think I should hear them out.」

As Taiki replied with a laugh that aftercare is important, Ayla smiled back at him. Then, Yuri, who stood beside Ayla, spoke up.

「What will you do from now on?」

Receiving such a direct question, Taiki frowned and hummed.

「Uhmm...... Well, for starters, since things are about to get chaotic in Karluk Kingdom, I think of reinforcing the first store by putting protective walls and lodgings around it. Then, I guess I’ll make the second store in the empire and the third one in the imperial country of Fleida? As for Azur Kingdom, even without my involvement, they might just do everything by themselves if asked.」

「Isn’t Blau Empire the same as Azur Kingdom, since they have a big debt to you?」

「No, it seems that some neighbors began attacking the empire, so they are currently busy with solidifying state power and strengthening borders. I’ll just do it by myself after getting permission from the emperor.」

Declaring the future policy in such a casual fashion, Taiki touched a display with a finger.

After a few manipulations, the image on the front screen changed to something like a shot from a satellite.

Seeing that Ayla, Yuri, and also Mea, who came to set up a table for tea, all froze gaping at the screen.

「A while ago, I made a simple map by connecting images taken all over the place......」

As Taiki muttered this while pressing on display with his index finger, creating arrow symbols on the screen, everyone, still staring in amazement, uttered.

「...It’s been a while since I last saw the absurd extent of Taiki-sama’s power.」

「I feel like this is not just a simple map......?」

「Even untrodden mountains and forests are there......」

Taiki didn’t know, but due to powerful monsters inhabiting those lands and harsh environments, all countries still struggled to create a detailed map of those areas.

What most possessed were maps of their own domains plus some of the neighboring lands. In that aspect, Blau Empire, which boasted the biggest territory, enjoyed the advantage of having the most detailed map of them all, which in a way was one of the weapons that made that country the major power that it is.

Meanwhile, the foul play-like move used by Taiki, creating a map from photos taken from the sky, something no other country could imitate, caused Ayla and others to go past shock into a laugh, from how silly it is.

Unaware of the lukewarm gazes directed at him, Taiki continued talking while looking at the screen.

「With its geographical position, I understand how Karluk Kingdom became an economic center. Currently, there are no means to cross the seas inhabited by giant monsters, so Karluk Kingdom’s position will remain unchanged for a while. But were they to be attacked, this position of being surrounded by other countries can be quite a disadvantage.」

「Y-yes.」

As Taiki began talking about the current situation of Karluk Kingdom, Ayla and others, though puzzled, responded anyway. Sensing their confusion, Taiki pointed to the screen and said with a laugh.

「It can be put this way, it’s a country that gives the best opportunity to make money. But, there is also no telling when the war will happen...... So inevitably, as alluring as it is, some merchants would hesitate to deal with it. The neighboring countries also would like to trade, but presently can’t do so. Considering that, it means that if a guarantee of stability was provided, this country could’ve become much more developed economically. 」

After saying that, Taiki turned around and smiled.

「If it was defended by the forces of the heavenly castle, no country would try to take Karluk Kingdom through force. Demerits would outweigh the merits after all. And both merchants and neighboring countries would surely make full use of this location, so suited for commerce.」

Hearing those words Ayla made a big nod as if saying「I understand」.

「So that’s why you want to seize Karluk Kingdom without destroying it through force of arms.」

And then uttering such a thing.

「Eh? No, no. I have no intentions of seizing it......」

「As expected of Taiki-sama. When Taiki-sama first said that after establishing the position of the slave store in this country Taiki-sama will open branches in other countries, I was convinced that it is all for information gathering, but to think there was another, far greater goal......Just as planned, the treatment of slaves will change, while merchants of Karluk Kingdom that still stuck to old ways, will disappear, and the Kingdom itself will soon be under the control of Heavenly Country.」

With a troubled smile Taiki tried to deny Ayla’s misunderstanding, but then Yuri, beaming with a smile, opened her mouth, and took the conversation into an even weirder direction.

Listening to all that, Mea made a difficult face, and then tilted her head.

「......So in other words, Karluk Kingdom will become Taiki-sama’s, the treatment of the slaves will change, shops will appear in other countries and then...... Taiki-sama will become super-rich?」

「Yes, super-rich. Probably, the richest in the whole world.」

Hearing Ayla’s answer, Mea’s eyes shone.

「Oooh, amazing!」

Watching them have such an exchange, Taiki let out a dry laugh.

「......No, I don’t think one can seize a country that easily.」

The three didn’t hear what Taiki muttered under his breath, while A1, that stood near the elevator, turned his head to Taiki, slightly inclined it, and stopped at that.