Kamisama Shop de Cheat no Kaori

Chapter 91. Roundtable Conference In The Wilderness

The royal castle still teemed with people.

Most cheered for the success of the revolution, but occasionally, one could see even close associates crying and wailing before corpses, perhaps of their own kin.

“Unbearable.”

No one responded to my mutterings. Though I suspected they heard.

Not that it mattered much if they did respond.

Amidst the jubilant clamor, I made my way to a place designated with the same solemnity as a funeral procession. It was a spacious hall that seemed fitting for audiences or ceremonies, with its high ceiling reminiscent of a church.

As I walked through the wide hall, I spotted a small pile of debris.

“What’s that?”

“That used to be where the throne was, if I recall correctly.”

Indeed, upon closer inspection, the area seemed slightly elevated, and placing chairs there would surely have added an air of grandeur.

One of the workers clearing the rubble glanced back at us.

“How are your wounds?”

It was Mile Bachal, the head of the Fishermen’s Guild, still as handsome and tanned as ever.

“I’m fine, hardly any pain. The doctor said I might have a fever, but I slept soundly and didn’t experience any.”

I heard Cherina’s response. It’s normal to run a fever with serious injuries. I should have prepared painkillers and antipyretics. It’s strange how one only feels the pain when they consciously think about their own injuries.

I’ll make sure to get some ibuprofen and cephalosporin antibiotics for later.

“That’s a relief. We’re getting chairs ready now. We planned to set them up earlier, but it’s been quite a task to retrieve them.”

Bachal chuckled. Who would be foolish enough to carry out chairs?

“At least they weren’t set on fire. There’s little fuel for the flames, but if the castle had burned, rebuilding would be near impossible.”

It seems Bachal and his group understand the challenges of rebuilding well. Leaders are those who emerge when needed.

As I helped with the rubble, I sensed someone approaching from behind. Yaralai tensed up. Hug kept watch at the entrance to the square.

“Sorry to keep you waiting. They may be in pieces, but I hope it suffices.”

Leading a group of followers from the Wave Dojo, surprisingly, was Minister Blow Soar.

The very person who threw me into the dungeon and sentenced me to death on false charges. I won’t forget.

“You’re still alive?”

It was meant as a jab, but truth be told, I never expected a high-ranking official of the kingdom to survive amidst this chaos.

“Yes. And you, I see you’ve managed to survive… no, you were the central figure in this commotion, weren’t you?”

Blow sighed with a half-smile. It’s annoying.

“I’m just a supporting character. The lead roles are that tomboy over there and the tanned guy.”

“I’m not that old to be called ‘tanned’.”

I know. He’s doing it on purpose!

“Hahaha… Well, I always recognized you as a dangerous individual, but you’ve exceeded my expectations.”

Laughing self-deprecatingly at what’s amusing him.

“What makes you say that?”

“I’m just an ordinary, harmless citizen, without a doubt.”

“That’s not true.”

For some reason, Hug and Yaralai chimed in together. I thought they were like water and oil! Damn!

“Hey, tanned guy, why is he still alive?”

I changed the target of my irritation.

“We couldn’t afford to let him die. He’s an indispensable asset for the new nation, no matter what.”

Bachal folded his arms, looking bored.

“I thought we’d hang him alongside the king.”

“If only we could run the country by ourselves. Unfortunately, no matter how hard I or Cherina tried, governing a country isn’t as easy as amateurs might think.”

Huh, so he actually sees reality beyond this guy.

“Wasn’t he also just a merchant, among other things?”

The tanned guy chuckled bitterly.

“Don’t tease him. He’s different. He’s the third son of a farmer who became a merchant, established a trading company, was ennobled, and even became a minister. He’s a remarkable man who possesses the wealth of this nation, which no amount of money can buy.”

I directed a bored gaze at Blow Soar.

“He tried to have me killed, though.”

“I’ll have him work for me to the point where death would have been mercy.”

“Hmph…”

I replied to Bachal’s bitter words with a snort.

“You seem to be disliked.”

Blow murmured with a bitter expression.

“Don’t mind it, it’s just personal venting.”

“Well, I suppose so.”

He shook his head and shrugged.

“Anyway, does the discussion not start soon?”

I think we already have enough chairs. Maybe even too many.

“The important ones haven’t arrived yet.”

“Ah, the Excellencies, I presume.”

Indeed, they are crucial. Apparently, it was the Excellencies who arranged for the ballistae to breach the walls.

Right on cue, a group of several people approached from the entrance. The hall was long, so it was hard to discern, but it seemed Baron Lettel led the group. Hug reacted, but Bachal reassured him with a “No problem,” and Hug lowered his guard.

As they drew closer, I could see that behind Baron Lettel were well-dressed middle-aged men and women wearing the traditional attire of this country.

The rest appeared to be guards. Cherina, upon recognizing them, raised her voice.

“Father! Mother!”

Cherina stood up and moved towards them.

“It’s been a while, Cherina… But shouldn’t you greet Baron Lettel first?”

Cherina’s father, with a stern yet kindly visage, admonished her in a gentle tone.

“My apologies… I apologize to Baron Lettel.”

As Cherina bowed her head, the Baron shook his head hurriedly.

“No need for that, it’s been a long time since we’ve seen family. Take your time.”

He may look and talk oddly, but he’s a good guy.

“Baron Lettel, this way please.”

Bachal guided the Excellency to a seat.

“But why is Father here?”

“Just had to come to help my daughter, that’s all.”

“Yes, you never change, always so spirited.”

Following her father was a voluptuous beauty. What a weapon. She had her face veiled from a distance, so I thought she was older, but she might not be much older than me… How old was Cherina when she had kids…?

Wait, Cherina must be at least in her late teens, right? Then this lady must be much older than me…?

No, no… but… huh?

I decided not to think about age any further.

But she’s definitely a stunning beauty. Cherina’s father is lucky…

Suddenly, our eyes met with Cherina’s. There was an intense hostility in her gaze. Scary.

“We’ve been trying to contact you multiple times, but we never received a response, so we thought you might have deviated from the planned route again.”

“It’s true that I deviated from the planned route. I was at the shipyard south of Ribeli Bay.”

“What?!”

Cherina exclaimed in surprise at her father’s words.

“Then you were there from the beginning?”

The man nodded.

“We’ve been constructing it secretly for a while. With the support of Baron Lettel.”

“Constructing…?”

“Yes. It’ll become the new symbol of this country, three warships.”

That’s when I realized.

“Could it be that iron arrow…?”

I accidentally blurted out the question that had been on my mind.

“Ah, you must be Akira, Cherina’s advisor. I apologize for the late introduction. I’m Kargo Veriero, Cherina’s father. Pleased to meet you.”

“Uh, yeah. I’m Akira Endo, nice to meet you too… please.”

Thanks to the unexpected attack, I couldn’t gather my thoughts. What a blunder.

When I introduced myself, Kargo’s gaze sharpened, but I didn’t notice.

I shook the offered hand and returned a forced smile.

“As Akira says. It’s probably the most powerful ballista for use on ships. We’ve been developing it with all of Veriero’s resources.”

“This is news to me.”

Cherina didn’t hide her displeasure.

“We were designing the ships and ballistas in secret, me and Paros.”

“Well! To think my brother would give me such secret tasks… it’s humiliating…”

Come on.

“But what about the work of the guild?”

“Of course, I left that to Friena.”

“…Mother…”

“Hehehe…”

The dynamite beauty called Friena smiled mysteriously. Is she some kind of demon?

Wait, does this Friena also have the same business acumen as Cherina? What’s with this family?

“Speaking of which, isn’t Paros coming?”

“Paros is on the ship. Who does he take after, honestly?”

Friena threw a disapproving glance at Kargo. Kargo glanced away slightly.

It reveals the dynamic between them.

“And besides, he wouldn’t be of any use in this discussion.”

You’re harsh, Dad! Give your eldest son more credit!

“That’s true, isn’t it?”

Cherina!

“Yes. Absolutely.”

Come on, Mom!

I feel sorry for Paros…

“Cough… Shall we start?”

Blow cleared his throat deliberately.

“My apologies. Cherina, please take your seat.”

“…Understood.”

Though hesitating for a moment at her father’s words, she then took her seat with a dignified expression.

Blow glanced at Bachal, the Baron, Cherina, and Kargo, then nodded.

“Then let’s discuss the future of this country.”

Somehow, Blow took charge.