Dream Life

It was more than twenty years ago that Non assumed the position of Chancellor. Because of the sudden death of the previous prime minister, Noh, who had just passed the age of forty, was nominated.

There were many who disagreed, but it was decided by a single voice of His Majesty the Emperor at the time.

It was financially painful at the time, in addition to the war with Luke, because both Lax had fought for nearly twenty years. So much so that His Majesty later told me with a laugh that there was no one who could manage the financial situation at the time and that he had no intention of nominating anyone other than Non.

Your Majesty is the one who made the most of it, so I don't think you'll ever laugh.

He then managed to regain it financially by rowing into a truce with Lax and changing it to a policy that only sporadically invaded Luke as well.

The Empire is a rich country, but it has been in financial difficulty too many times for the military.

We are now able to do something about it because we are keeping Grand Duke Langton and the others down who speak of a full-scale invasion of Lukes, but if His Highness Leopold takes the supreme seat, the Empire's finances are likely to collapse.

Originally not a rival of His Royal Highness Gigismund, the Crown Prince at the birth of His Highness Leopold, there are too many problems with His Highness Gigismund.

For this reason, neither His Highness Leopold nor Grand Duke Langton will be able to give up.

Non himself, I do not wonder if His Highness Gigismund will be all right as Emperor.

However, His Highness Leopold has the potential to destroy the Empire, but His Highness Gigismund has no fear of it.

Well, it annoys some a lot, but there is no hegemony enough to carry out bad governance to destroy the country, to the extent that it leaves its name as an emperor with a bad reputation.

It is not as rare in the long history of empires as it has been in the history of empires, such as emperors painted with bad reviews.

First, if Duke Alexis Ezarrington, the successor to Non, holds the reins, there can be no problem.

As for the non, I just want another prince who is neither His Royal Highness Gigismund nor His Highness Leopold to be the Crown Prince.

But none of you are young as a mid-teenager, and you cannot be a candidate unless Your Majesty is healthy for another decade or so now.

His Majesty, he is in his mid-forties, and so far he is not suffering from the disease, but he cannot be worried about his health because of excessive drinking and lack of exercise.

The concern is not just the successor and finances of the emperor.

One is the leap of a commercial guild.

It is not recent that they have begun to pinch their mouths in the politics of the Empire, but the last few years have involved themselves in succession issues in an attempt to strengthen their influence.

I'm not arching my hands, but I'm devastating the Aurelia worshippers with a substantial blockade of Aurelia Street and a complete ban on stopovers to Lukes. It should be time to turn up the sound, but I still use Lord Ingol Slope and others to interfere.

Lately, Luke and I have been working together to disrupt the northern governor's office. There is no failing to be alert.

Regarding commercial guilds, Non himself acknowledges a certain value. Because there is no doubt that their presence has developed commerce as an industry.

But if it seems to interfere any more, I don't think it's time to crush it once and for all.

When you get older, you may be getting shorter and harder to get over.

And the other thing that bothers me is the presence of demons who have recently begun active activity.

Twice in the last decade or so, we have launched massive attacks.

The first time was an attack on Fort Toa twelve years ago. They dropped Toa then, and the Demons are attacking us as far as Ars Street.

And the second time it was about three months ago, it was a massive attack by the undead.

The involvement of the Demons is unclear, but I have to say that it is likely that the Demons have been involved that they have attacked across the Aquila Mountains.

All have miraculously stopped the invasion, but it could have affected our empire if we made a mistake, especially about this undead.

If the Lockhart family hadn't stopped, Ars Street would have overflowed with undead and, worst of all, the Tria continent would have become a continent of death.

Its Lockhart family, but is becoming a source of headaches for Nong.

Most people insult themselves as knights of creation, but they have a very strong power.

That's a deep relationship with the Dwarf blacksmiths who got through distilled liquor.

In fact, five years ago, phototheism, which tried to take distillation technology away from Lockhart, has been devastated by the Dwarves. That is the distant cause of Luke's current predicament, which originally held him powerful enough to shape the fate of a single nation.

And this time again, the Dwarves of Ars throw everything for the Lockhart family and stay on their way to rescue. I checked with the Chancellery's military advisor that it would take two regiments of cavalry and as many as four thousand cavalry to defeat the angry thousand Dwarf blacksmiths.

"I hear the Imperial Cavalry is the strongest in the world. Aren't you exaggerating?

"As for the Cavalry of the Empire, there is no doubt in your knowledge. The Imperial Army cavalry is believed to be three times more powerful in the field than the Royal Lax Army and more than five times more powerful if it is a Luke peasant militia. However…"

So I tell him to look for words.

"You call Dwarves tougher than that?"

"You're right......" he said, shivering.

"... there is no more dangerous than a Dwarf who is angry because of alcohol. They originally had strong flesh and strong arms, and they said they could afford to fight all day and night. If those men let their anger wield a large hammer, they will be rendered incapable of combat by a single blow, even the proud cavalry of the Empire."

Non is incredible and asks again.

"The opponent will be an amateur in battle. Sure, the mob is troublesome, but it's not the enemy of the regular army. I hear the Dwarves are impatient. I can't imagine running around like a mad warrior."

Military advisers deny the word.

"The usual Dwarves have nothing to upside down about a little of what's bad with their mouths. But when alcohol is involved, things are completely different. I am also close to Dwarf blacksmiths, but it is common sense among samurai that they should not be offended by alcohol."

Non is a civilian and has no personal relationship with a Dwarf blacksmith.

Though respectful and courteous, they give me full respect for this one. It's far from what he says, and I can't imagine at all.

And today, February 5th, I will meet with thirty Dwarf blacksmiths below the branch head of the Blacksmith Guild.

The offer was made yesterday afternoon and suddenly, but because of coincidences of free time and the Lockhart family entanglement I wanted to talk to them about, so I set up a quick interview.

I don't understand why they come in as many as thirty people, but hundreds of blacksmiths, the general public, will come, but none will shrink. So I allowed it to be no problem.

The meeting place had to be a large conference room due to the number of people.

He was also to be present because Lord Alexis, who had returned from the territory, came by chance to the Chancellery.

Chatting, heading to the conference room.

"I'm not sure the letter made it to Lockhart."

Lord Alexis laughed bitterly,

"As a negotiator, I was a strong opponent. We managed to make concessions, but we could only enter into a minimal cooperative relationship."

"Is that it? I hear the owner of Lockhart is a martial artist?

"No, the negotiator is Zacharias, my second son. I tried to take that guy in somehow, but he didn't devour any bait. hahahaha"

I was concerned that I was in a strange mood for failure.

"Was it something to get? It sounds strangely fun."

"Yeah, we didn't get Zacharias, but we got measures for territorial development."

To learn more, Zacharias installed cooperation on improving the quality of Ezarrington wines and the production of distilled liquors.

"It is called the son of the god of alcohol, but is it enough for Lord Alexis to rejoice"

"Yeah, that's exactly the son of a liquor god. There will be no one in this world who is better than him. Even that Radford was beyond my reach."

Viscount Radford is no stranger in the capital as a gastronomer. As a minister to the Marquis of Seawell, he is also said to be Imperial One when it comes to wine.

I couldn't help but think that the young man, only sixteen years old, had the ability to outdo Radford, but it is unlikely that Lord Alexis would say such a thing in a play.

"I see. So why don't you also consult with Noh about the development of Phyllobisher? Maybe we can hear something interesting."

I said so to play.

"That would be good. Probably, but he's got to be thinking something. And what we can't even think about."

It changed from hitting until then, and the look on its face was somehow serious. But that's where the story ended because we arrived in the conference room.

As we entered the conference room, thirty Dwarves were waiting. Non and the others rise as they enter the room and bow their heads simultaneously.

There are about twenty civilian and escort knights in the chamber of the Chancellery, but the Dwarves' presence was too strong for them to fall into the illusion of being surrounded by them.

Gunter Fink, Branch Manager, stands up on his behalf.

"First of all, I would like to thank you for making time for Non. It will be an important story for Nong et al. and for the Empire, so thank you."

Words are sincere greetings that do not follow the manners, but are respectful.

Return your greetings from here, and tell them that Lord Alexis will be present, but strangely, the blacksmiths were never suspicious.

Lord Alexis may have come after this, not by chance.

"Let me talk to you from Non. I'm sorry, but the salutation speaks well, so can I talk to you as usual?"

When Nong nodded, Fink lowered his head and then started talking.

"I'm sure His Excellency the Chancellor also knows about the relationship between the Nong et al. and the Lockhart family, but let me speak again. Lockhart is not a friend of Non's. You can also say it is the grace of Non's life, the benefactor who makes Scotch. I heard that someone is trying to hang an unwanted tease on such a lockhart..."

Fink looks like he's speaking the words he's remembered carefully.

"... it's just a rumor, but I heard His Royal Highness was trying to keep Zach's daughters at bay. This is a story that you can miss even if it's a rumor. In the unlikely event of such a thing, Nong et al., every Dwarf blacksmith in the Empire shall raise up to Ars. And after that, we will not cooperate with the Empire."

Surprisingly, Fink has threatened Nong, the Imperial Chancellor. Few have ever made a clearer threat, and surprise is greater than anger.

But you can't miss it as the Chancellor of the Empire.

"Is it threatening the Imperial Chancellor? The Empire is not like Luke's fool. As long as you succumb to such threats, you may as well kill all Dwarves."

A long-time prime minister, Noon, threatened the opposite. Most people rub their foreheads on the floor here and beg forgiveness.

But the Dwarves were completely different. You don't change your expression at all, you stare back at Noon.

It's not that I don't understand Non's words. Understand, feel fear, and remain flat. I couldn't help but respect that guts.

Fink started talking quietly.

"Nor do we want to have a fight with the Empire. If His Royal Highness puts his hand on Zach's daughter-in-law, nothing will ever change. I just wanted to tell you that Nong and his friends are prepared to give up their lives."

It's certainly more of a warning than a threat, and I reckon this one doesn't need to overreact.

"Mm-hmm. I understood the thought. But where did you hear such a story? Did Lord Alexis know?

"No, I'm a first ear, too. Just..."

That's what I say and say.

"If you have something to say, why don't you say it?"

"Yes... he said it was a sufficiently likely story. I've been seeing them the other day. With all that beauty, Your Highness too..."

You thought it would be disrespectful more than that, clouded the words.

Sure, if you ask a beautiful woman, she'll be a wife, but she's got her hands on it regardless. Fifty people just wiped their asses.

"What worries me more than that is that they are all one thousand warriors. I thought it would be more dangerous for Your Highness if you resisted being insulted..."

Some of the information obtained by Noh exceeded level 60, and the magician also exceeded level 40 or more and the court magician.

If you get your hands on it as cheaply as before, it is not clear that it will be Your Highness who will be injured.

I wonder why the blacksmiths knew that Lord Alexis didn't either.

"But how do you know about that?

"This is a rumor among the merchants. I know Noon and the others will be interested in rumors about Lockhart, so I think he put it in my ear."

That's possible, but I'm concerned that I'm not hooked up with Nong's information network.

"When is that supposed to be?

"It wasn't only yesterday that Nong et al asked. That's why I contacted you so quickly."

So I fell to my heart.

Perhaps in a day or two it will also come into the ears of Noun. By chance, they who were nearer would have just heard it earlier.

"In the meantime, I get the story. Let's even worry about Non. But I'll just say one thing."

That's what I say and look around everyone.

"The fact that you threatened the Imperial Chancellor will not go away. This is not a caum. If you defy the Empire, I will crush you relentlessly. Don't think you can't."

Dwarves bowed their heads in unison to the words.

"Nor are we going to defy the Empire. Just the thought that you can't watch your friends grieve."

That's all I said, the Dwarves left the conference room.

Non is about to exhale. The silent pressure of the Dwarf blacksmiths was as strong as they thought.

"Where do you know Lord Alexis from? I can't believe I just stumbled over this period."

To Non's words he bows his head honestly.

"I apologize for that. All I know is that I've been contacted by the Blacksmith Guild to make an offer to meet with His Excellency and that it's a lockhart entanglement. I've been talking to Dwarves lately about distillery construction too, but their thoughts on Lockhart are unusual. If I misresponded, I thought it would affect the survival of the Empire, and I let you hit a bad play."

"You did threaten the Chancellor, and I went home flat. I can't move one eyebrow to be threatened with killing me. There must have been hundreds of dwarves in the capital. If they run wild, the majesty of His Majesty the Emperor will be scratched. That's why the whole world laughs at me for being like Luke's fool."

"So, what are you going to do?

Answers to Lord Alexis's questions are limited.

"Will you just hang out with me for a little while? That there is a day long in Lord Alexis regarding Lockhart and Dwarf. I want you to give me your opinion."

"Happy if I may," he said. Lord Alexis also finally smiled.

For the first time, he also realized he was nervous and couldn't stop a grin from appearing on his face.