Let the Whales Fight, This Shrimp is Leaving! - Chapter 34

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 34
“So, you’ve completely won over the Temple.”
I hazarded a guess with absolute certainty.
Though I didn’t know the exact methods he used or the specific connections he pulled, Joaquin had clearly grasped a new lifeline in the form of the Temple.
‘Right. That makes sense.’
If the source of the Holy Artifact that dealt Deyan a fatal blow was also the Temple, then quite a few pieces of the puzzle clicked into place.
A person who could guess a contract with a demon based on Deyan’s near-immortal regenerative powers.
A group that would willingly hand over a Holy Artifact to destroy him.
And even acting as a carrier pigeon to leak information from within the Agavni United States.
The Temple was virtually the only institution guaranteed complete independence, while simultaneously exerting an incredibly powerful influence within the United States.
The unity of the Agavni United States existed entirely because it was centered around the Temple.
The sentiment of the general public aligned closely with the Temple’s doctrines, and most of the United States’ rulers were deeply devout themselves.
Since the Temple outwardly claimed to be an institution of absolute integrity and clean hands, they didn’t openly involve themselves in the filthy political arena, but no fool was ignorant of the fact that they nudged the ribs of powerful figures from behind the scenes whenever it suited them.
‘What does the Temple stand to gain from this?’
My insides burned and felt stifled, as if I had swallowed a ball of fire.
For now, I guided Joaquin to the Reception Room as scheduled, then sent Giselle out under the pretext of having her brew some tea.
“Assess the situation. As quickly as possible.”
“Understood.”
Setting aside the question of how Joaquin had managed to move so secretly in the first place, I needed to uncover the Temple’s hidden motives immediately.
I also needed to verify whether this was the Temple’s independent rogue action.
If the United States had tacitly turned a blind eye to this, there was a high probability that Plene would be sacrificed.
The Plene Grand Duchy was situated right at the dead center of the continent.
The moment war broke out anywhere on the continent, we would inevitably suffer the greatest damage.
‘I can’t let Plene become the stage for a war.’
If I could just make Joaquin hesitate for now, the trigger of war could be delayed.
The Adorif Empire lacked the capacity due to drought and trade issues, and Deyan was firmly in my hands.
‘Let’s not get swept away. This bastard is dumber than me anyway.’
Ultimately, everything would turn around in my favor.
Because it was my turn to attack.
After pumping myself up with confidence, I regained my composure.
Perhaps displeased by my calm demeanor, Joaquin smirked, trying to grate on my nerves once more.
“You seem rather unfazed, Lady Hubert.”
“Is there a reason I should be surprised? Your Highness must have naturally been keeping your ears to the ground regarding continental affairs, so I am hardly young enough to make a fuss over leaked information that was barely worth hiding in the first place.”
Do you think you’ve actually become someone important just because you knew that little bit?
When I shot back with that underlying meaning, Joaquin’s mouth finally shut.
Taking advantage of the silence, I quickly steeped two varieties of tea and poured them into the cups.
“Why are there two cups?”
“These are newly imported tea leaves, and since the aroma is quite lovely, I brought them along to share.”
“Aha. I shall try the tea you recommended first.”
He sipped the tea ostentatiously, acting as if he were attending a formal tasting.
“It doesn’t particularly suit my palate. The fragrance seems a bit faint.”
“Is that so? Actually, it’s a tea we began trading through this recent commerce.”
“It seems you lack the sense for selecting tea leaves. What suits an elegant hour of relaxation is a tea with a slightly deeper aroma and color. Something like this has no commercial value.”
It was a thoroughly cold critique, but I wasn’t particularly upset.
In the first place, this tea wasn’t even imported through trade; it was just something made by drying and casually processing petals picked from the Garden.
It was only natural that the scent was faint. No artificial flavoring had been added, after all.
Even so, there was only one reason I served such a pathetic tea.
To hint to Joaquin that I had established an amicable relationship with Adorif.
“I thought it was fine since the merchants mentioned they had already found a good client. It suited my palate quite well, too.”
“Such a bland tea? My word, Lady Hubert. You still possess a taste for the trivial and simple.”
Joaquin let out a forced laugh.
I predicted what he would say next in an instant.
He was bound to shrug his narrow shoulders in his self-absorbed pride and try to lecture me.
“Have you not tried the tea I sent you? I gifted you various types of highly expensive and luxurious tea from other continents multiple times, did I not?”
“Of course, those were wonderful as well.”
“Indeed. That is what good tea is like. Something intense and fragrant, so that one can catch the aroma from far away.”
“But occasionally, subtle things like this are preferred as well.”
“No, they aren’t. And regarding that client you just mentioned, are you sure you looked into them properly? I only ask because I worry about your people, given how much you cherish them. If your poor citizens end up getting swindled by some random scoundrel, it would be difficult for you to resolve it, would it not?”
‘I wondered when you were going to bring that up.’
Yes, this was the exact reaction I wanted.
Having drawn the desired words from Joaquin, I began to counter him with a bright smile.
“There is no need for Your Highness to fret, so do not worry. From what I have verified, the client’s identity is absolutely guaranteed.”
“Since you go so far as to say that, I am quite curious to know just how guaranteed this client is.”
“The Imperial Palace.”
Sip.
I leisurely sipped my tea right as I delivered the answer.
On the other hand, the relaxed composure on Joaquin’s face began to visibly crack.
“What? Where?”
“I said the Imperial Palace, Your Highness. Would you mind not pressing for details? It is a somewhat delicate matter to discuss openly, after all.”
When I added that while elegantly setting down my teacup, Joaquin’s posture shifted completely.
“Are you saying you intend to open trade with the Adorif Imperial Palace? Leaving me aside?”
“Oh my. If anyone heard you, they would think you and I shared a tremendously special and intimate relationship.”
“Lady Hubert. I thought that you, at least, would consider my feelings regarding matters like this.”
“Please refrain from making misleading statements.”
Why on earth should I consider your feelings?
You don’t care about mine either.
‘You piece of shit.’
I mentally spat out a curse word Beval had babbled in the past.
It was a vulgar word, but it felt quite refreshing.
“Even if there was some degree of national support, the driving force of the business lies with the merchants, not myself. I have no intention of excessively interfering with their choices and the excellent discernment they have forged in the field.”
It meant, ‘I won’t meddle, so don’t you meddle either.’
Of course, whether it was trade or anything else, it was all a lie cooked up to test Joaquin.
“Haha, is that so?”
And it seemed my lie had worked even better than expected.
Perhaps finding the atmosphere stifling, Joaquin feigned nonchalance, sliding his fingers between his tightly knotted cravat.
“It is a bit warm in here.”
“Shall I have the windows opened?”
“No. I suppose I am just feeling a bit fatigued.”
“Well, you did travel a long way to get here.”
“Yes. That must be why I feel tired.”
“I see.”
He clearly meant he wanted to stop and rest, but I lightly ignored it.
‘I’m not a dog that comes when you call and leaves when you dismiss me.’
This was my country, my castle, and my Reception Room; what reason was there for me to leave?
Pretending not to notice his underlying intent, I simply sipped the cooling, clear tea.
“Speaking of which, there was one thing I wished to ask Your Highness.”
“To think the day would come when you would show interest in me and hurl a question.”
“Disquieting rumors have been circulating recently that pirate ships have been appearing in the Valleon Strait. Do you happen to know anything about this?”
“What? Pirate ships?”
Joaquin’s brow twitched.
“Where did you hear such a rumor?”
“It wasn’t something I merely heard; an official report was submitted to me.”
“What kind of report?”
Looking at Joaquin, who was questioning me as if he had every right to, I smoothly spun my second lie without breaking a sweat.
“A report that a trading vessel that set sail from our Grand Duchy was detained by a pirate ship.”
Deliberately feigning a pitiful air, I rested one hand against my cheek and let out a deep sigh.
“They say it was a vessel passing through the strait after trading with Adorif. Naturally, it was laden with trade goods from the Empire, so the financial damage is quite severe.”
Just as I thought.
Joaquin’s eyelids trembled faintly.
“I was unaware, but you seem to have been conducting a great deal of business with the Empire in the meantime, Lady Hubert.”
“Should one not naturally do their utmost to expand the nation’s standing?”
“Yes. That is true.”
Joaquin replied half-heartedly.
“I haven’t heard anything about that matter either. I shall look into it thoroughly the moment I return.”
“Thank you for willingly lending your assistance.”
I offered a superficial greeting with a bright smile.
‘Like hell you will.’
Of course, I cursed him in my heart.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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