The soil pushed up by the frost pillar makes a sharp and light sound every time it is stepped on.The cold wind, which stroked his cheeks, raised the dead leaves in the corner of the road.
The brief autumn that visited the Raptor kingdom is already overshadowed by winter signs.Within a month, there will be snow around here as well.
Pull up the collar of the jacket to avoid incoming cold air.
The exhaled breath was faintly white and frozen.
Fukus, a border city in the western Raptor kingdom.
I stayed a little over a year ago.I was working as an assassin without a Raptor's name, not as Nabel's spy Latte.
At that time, the city was bustling with caravans and pedestrians traveling to and from the King's City of Nabel and Raptor, but now it's quiet.
Instead of the serenity that is characteristic of the countryside, it is surrounded by a lonely, dim atmosphere.Even the most discerning streets of the market were sparse, and the faces of the people they interacted with were lacking.
Is it because there are few young men in the city who are going elsewhere to earn money?Did you emigrate to another country before the real winter came?
In any case, the road ahead is dark.
But we're still better off here.I hear there was a riot in the northern city.Fortunately, it was suppressed by the guards before the big fight, but it was only a temporary measure.If the food shortage persists any longer, the riots will become even more massive and sparks will fly everywhere.
"Ten silver coins in a bag of wheat!?Are you kidding me?
As I walked down the street, I heard a loud voice.
You can see middle-aged women and young women arguing like clerks at the store of the market.
"Are you kidding me?We're close, so if you don't like it, buy it elsewhere. "
"You're in trouble because you don't have anywhere else to sell!Hey, could you hold on a little longer?Ten silver coins is a week's worth of my boss's money.I can't eat anymore. "
Young women shrink to middle-aged women who look disgusted and try to chase them away with their hands.
"If you make it cheap, I'll advertise it in the neighborhood.Please! "
"Even if you say so, you can't do anything impossible.It's been bought everywhere, and I don't know when I can buy it next time.We have a life ahead of us. "
The argument continued, but I lost interest and started walking again.
It scattered as if it was no longer a familiar sight, or as if nothing had happened to the people who had stopped for a moment.
The economic sanctions imposed on the Kingdom of Nabel have come into effect as soon as possible.
Although there are restrictions on imports and exports, domestic stocks do not run out immediately.
Things are disappearing faster than consumption begins to stagnate.
The cause is the buy-in by some merchants.
The market was less accessible and the people's anxiety was fomented.
Even at a slightly higher price, one person would buy the product and another would imitate it.The chain makes things disappear even more.Even though it was known to be a vicious circle, there was no way to stop it, and it was now natural for it to be traded at many times the price of the market.
If you just sit still, you're going to self-destruct.
As for me, you're very welcome.
If you could just watch it rot and perish from the edges so that it would be eroded by the twitching and disease, you'd feel better now.
Imagine that the corners of your mouth hang naturally.
But as soon as he sighed, his pleasant feelings disappeared.
Unfortunately, my husband doesn't like wasteful killing.
Enemies... and a country ruled by the mastermind who tried to kill herself, I'm sure that young lady would be heartbroken if she knew the status quo in the Raptor Kingdom.
As for me, I would like to make you suffer as long as possible, but I have to give up thinking about your daughter's mood.
"Really, sorry."
Speak to yourself, not to anyone.
I like the good qualities of my husband, but it is a bit unfortunate that his background as an ex-assassin does not bring him to life at all.
If your daughter wanted, she could cut the king to pieces and feed the animals.
It is not painful to go around and stir up anxiety and sink the whole country into the sea of fire.It would be fun to lead the rebels and have them attack the castle.
Your daughter would shake her neck with a pale blue face if she presented those suggestions.When I think of myself desperately trying to stop me while trembling, I feel a little uplifted.Much more fun than imagining repeated killings.
After all, I guess I like my husband's sweetness.
Even if I get a knife that cuts well, I don't have to show it or swing it around, but I can hold on to my rope because I'm the one who takes care of it with a sheath.
Your daughter understands and underestimates her value.It seems like you think that you are an ordinary person with nothing to note other than your status, but it is absolutely impossible.
With power and money ahead, the mental strength that keeps you sane for a little while is sufficient and special.Your daughter is worth more than who she is and what she looks like.
Like a lotus blooming in the mud, the appearance of Rin blooming in any environment is more beautiful than anything else.
Because I understand that, I weigh myself rather than myself.
If you let your emotions destroy everything, it will definitely feel good.Once you remove everything that could be an obstacle, you'll be very relieved.But at the same time, what's more important... hurts your daughter's heart.
Ah.
That's why I exhale the frustration that builds up at the bottom of my stomach.
Because there are no other options at a time when you think that even such inconvenience is not bad.
Reach the inn, a short distance from the city centre.A gentleman sitting on a chair raised his hand lightly as he entered the room at the door upstairs.
Hey.
A man with a neat face who doesn't look good in a lonely inn in the city smiles with his soft, colorful eyes.
White shirts, grey trousers, black coats, and no decorative outfits hide their nobility.
His name is Amir von Merkle. He is the real brother of the present King of the Raptor Kingdom.
Now that the situation has not stabilized, I am not a good person to walk around.
Even so, it's not safe to be locked up in the Mansion of King's Landing.
Knowing the imminent status quo and taking no measures, there was an increase in the number of high-ranking nobles who wanted to take charge of the king's brother.
Even though he is less interested in the people and politics, the King, who is more obsessed with his position than anyone else, is looking to ignore his excellent brother and eliminate him if there is a gap.If they knew what the aristocrats were up to, they could be executed for good reason.
Once we get here, we won't be able to retreat anymore.
Depose the present king, and be a new king?To be executed as a traitor?There are two ways to choose.
While feeling irresponsible that it was a pity, I took the piece of paper out of my pocket.
"It's what you want."
The king's brother smiles and accepts the offer.
He opened a four-fold piece of paper and his expression slightly stretched as he followed the text with his eyes.But the agitation is instantaneous and hidden in a seductive smile.
"You may be slightly weak as a trump card, but please overcome it with your own hands."
"Weak? Is this it?
Speaking indifferently, the king's brother raised his voice with a mix of astonishment and admiration.
Wang's brother is going to visit the border master from now on.Of course, it is not official business, but an informal visit as an acquaintance.We must ensure that we have the cooperation of Border Guards, which is the key to the military, but it is also difficult to carry our feet frequently.
In that case, I dedicate a weak trump card to the information.
A new deposit was discovered from a mountain in border territory.
Known as a copper mine for decades, it has been mined less recently and is expected to be abandoned in a few years.
But they came here and found a new deposit of gold and silver.The amount is not much, but it is a considerable amount in terms of the amount.
Economic sanctions will make it possible for the people suffering from food shortages to survive the winter.
I am not sure if I thought so, but no formal report has yet been made to the country.
If you report it to the country, you will have a lot of profit as a tax.
And areas with mines are close to royalty.If you succeed, you may be led to accusations and even take possession of the deposit.
As long as the negotiator doesn't want to be doomed, he or she will be able to draw on his or her side.
"If this breaks the deal, you can laugh at me for being incompetent."
Breaking out a dry laugh, Wang's brother plugs the folded piece of paper into his pocket.
Then, for some reason, she stared at me.The gaze that sticks over the jacket is annoying and says, "What?There is danger in the voice asking.
"No... I think I'm simply jealous.We are under-resourced all year round. "
"Solicitation?"
"I'll pour as much as I can."
While saying so, Wang's brother has already given up his voice and expression.Are you going to play with words after you understand that I won't nod?
"Unfortunately, it's already been sold."
That's right.
Exhaling tirelessly, Wang's brother muttered again to himself, "Isn't that right?"