The Kingmaker System-Chapter 134 - 133. Proposal (2)

Roger spoke up after the moment of long silence, "What kind of trade are you thinking of?"

Yes!

"The trade of intellect."

"What?"

"I am happy that Your Majesty is willing to consider the trade but before that there is one matter that was primarily on my mind." Dad said, I could feel the excitement in his voice.

"And what was it?"

"A Magic Gate that connects Mordino with Sestia."

Another moment of silence followed by and I heard a sigh.

"Arthur, I guess you are drunk."

"Pardon, what?"

"To establish a Magic Gate we will need the Mage’s Tower to be on board with this plan and as far as I know, they will demand a high price to even consider that thing."

"That’s understandable, Your Majesty but you don’t have to worry about them. Your Imperial order is enough, I shall handle the rest."

I could feel the confidence in my father’s voice and I was tempted to give him an applause.

"You will?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. As you know, Silas Fairisles is my brother-in-law and after a long time the relations between us have been improving so, I shall get him to agree to this at any cost."

"That still doesn’t answer the budget."

"I know a person who can provide for that, Your Majesty." Dad said eagerly.

"Who?"

"You must have heard of him too, Your Majesty." Dad said and a smirk started forming at the corner of my lips as Dad continued.

"Baron Ocean Ryujin."

"Baron Ocean Ryujin... You mean the merchant who owns the Magic stone mine and that strange town at the outskirts of your territory?" Roger asked.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"I haven’t even seen that man here before and you’re saying he will provide the capital required to build a Magic Gate in another Kingdom?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"You really are drunk, Arthur."

I heard my father chuckle, "I’m not, Your Majesty. Baron Ryujin will help us with this if we give him a proper compensation ."

"And what does he want?"

"He wants to raise a foundation and a few establishments across the kingdom with his own money."

"What kind of establishments?"

"Hospitals, educational institutions and some other developmental establishments which will be fruitful for the kingdom."

"He wants to open all those institutions and for what?"

"To uplift the commoners."

I heard the boisterous laughter pierce the air and it continued for a few seconds before it quietened.

"Your Baron seems like a benevolent fool to me."

"He may be a benevolent fool, Your Majesty but his establishments will eventually come in handy for His Majesty. The commoners who will be benefited will trust Your Majesty and you will be more loved and praised by the masses of not only your kingdom but also of other kingdoms as well."

"I’ll beg for your forgiveness but, currently, the one who has more fame and trust of the people is Her Majesty. If she comes in contact with Baron Ryujin then she might use him and his ideas to make Prince Carlos the King. And that will leave you with nothing."

Divide and rule was something that I had from the history of my past life. The best way to make sure that you had your pawns in your hands was to make sure the didn’t have any support or an ally. Break them apart from their trusted ones and then they would be forced to do your bidding.

The bait was placed now all the shark had to do was take it. I waited patiently as the silence prologoned and then a voice broke through.

"Think of it, Your Majesty. The masses are already divided between Her Majesty and the Grand Duke. And after the news about Your Majesty hiding the truth about the Tyrant’s kidnapping of the Grand Duke the masses are already spiteful of you. If you don’t use this card then it might just grow with time and it might even affect the war."

"One single mistake could cost you the throne, Your Majesty."

Now, come to the damn conclusion Roger, your brain has no possibilities left to scour. The only path that you can take is what I have laid before you.

"Are you sure Archmage Silas and Baron Ocean Ryujin will do their tasks?"

I smirked as I felt my muscles tensing with the growing excitement as Roger caught the bait.

"Yes, of course, Your Majesty. I shall make sure of it."

"... Arrange a meeting with both of them and myself, Arthur. I’d like to see them."

"I’m afraid that will be a bit difficult, Your Majesty." Dad said.

"Why?"

"Archmage, as you know rarely leaves the Tower so, I will have to take the Imperial Order to him personally and talk to him regarding this. And as for Baron Ocean then, he’s..."

I could feel the hesitation in Dad’s voice.

"He cannot show his face in public."

"And why is that?" Roger asked.

"Baron Ocean... his body has been damaged by fire. His face is badly scarred and he feels severely conscious of it, that’s why he never shows up for any social event. He is a Samaritan but he wishes to live in solitude."

The sense of sympathy and condolences in Dad’s voice made me smile.

"Is that so?" Roger mumbled.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

I almost chuckled as I waited for his next doubt, I knew this wouldn’t be ending without this one doubt.

"But you are deciding everything from our side, Arthur. What about Mordino? The monarch is a child but she might not accept help from us."

"And why wouldn’t she accept help from the kingdom of her benefactors, Your Majesty?" Dad asked.

"Do you mean..."

"Yes, Your Majesty. We can use Grand Duke’s influence for our profit and enter Mordino."

There was a surprised chuckle from Roger before loud laughter spilled and I leaned back in my seat placing my one foot over other.

Done, it was done. His greed was triggered now, all I had to do was put reins on it and make sure it stayed on the path that I made.

"Since when did you become so diabolical, Arthur? You were the meek little, kind-hearted fellow who even almost lost his Dukedom yet, now you are suggesting such a plan to me. What changed you?" Roger asked.

I could sense the amused tone in his voice and it seemed as if he had let his guard down around Dad.

"I realised just how greedy this world is, Your Majesty and if I kept staying a meek little, kind-hearted fellow then I might just lose what’s precious to me. That’s why, I’ve decided to do all I can to protect my loved ones even if it means turning diabolical."

Another bout of laughter filled the room and I shook my head.

I’m not letting you turn into a diabolical person, Dad. I’d gracefully be in that position.

"I’ll leave this matter in your hands and also once this Gate is made, I shall consider giving your Baron the position that is currently vacant."

"Pardon?"

"Marquis Douglas was a trash, but Ocean Ryujin can be a proper fit for that position. I shall give him the Marquisate title so, that he could do his work without any problem."

"Pardon?!"

My eyebrows jumped as well as I wasn’t expecting this offer to suddenly come on the table.

[Goddess of Wisdom is excited to see your plan work out.]

"Same here."

"You will grant him the title of Marquisate?"

"Yes, he wants to establish institutions, right? Let him do what he wants."

"But he will require the permission to do so, Your Majesty and he had asked only for your support in that."

Roger laughed again, "I’m impressed by this person and you Arthur, I shall grant you some land and him the title and permission once this Gate is formed. So, see to it that it happens."

"Consider it done, Your Majesty."

I heard their glasses clinking and I smiled in satisfaction as the first step of this plan worked.

Roger wouldn’t even have dreamt what my institutions would do. It would be fun to see his delusion break once he would come face to face with reality in future.

But till that time, I guess I could oversee everything and make sure everything goes according to my plan.

The conversation between Dad and the King ended and I stepped out of the waiting room and went up to the balcony.

"Reina? Reina?" I heard Dad’s voice through the communication device.

"Yes, Father?" I replied.

"I did it!" I heard him almost squeal and I chuckled.

"Please contain your excitement for now, Father. We shall discuss it in detail when we reach home, for now, please return to brother’s side."

"And, where are you?"

"I’m having some fresh air, I’ll join you in a few minutes." I said.

"Don’t take long. We’ll be waiting for you."

"Yes, Father."

"All right."

I turned the communication brooch off and placed my hands over the railing of the balcony watching the clear starry sky which made me smile.

If I were an adult right now, I might have drank some champagne to celebrate.

[Defender of Divine Glory says it’s too soon to celebrate.]

"My father managed to do something that he thought was never his cup of tea, I want to celebrate for that, Mi- My dear patron." I spoke up.

[Goddess of Wisdom says it’s always the slight nudge in the right direction that is needed for a person to realise their potential.]

"I agree."

[Giver of Gifts is eager to see what happens next.]

"Just sit tight and watch the show that I will stage."

Suddenly the door behind me opened and I turned around sensing a familiar presence before I set my eyes on the intruder.