The legend of the Crimson Demon clan started from Suqing

#248 - Hello, marriage

Ku'erxiu's sharp gaze swept across Cai Yue Subaru, who had mustered his courage and forced himself not to back down.

“First, I want to confirm one thing. The purpose of this gathering, please state it yourself.”

“Of course, it's—”

He met her sharp gaze without flinching, as if forgetting his previous failures, a resolute smile rising at the corner of his lips.

“The Emilia camp and the Ku'erxiu camp, on equal terms, will form an alliance and cooperate—this is the negotiation for that!”

“You say alliance…?”

Ku'erxiu was slightly stunned and looked at Rem, who gently shook her head, indicating that she hadn't revealed it.

She was once again amazed by Cai Yue Subaru.

Luo Z ווא尔 had given Rem instructions behind his back, strictly ordering that the content should not be revealed by Rem unless he himself noticed it. However, how could he, so narcissistic and only caring about himself, on the verge of death because of unrequited love, see anything else?

Only after experiencing several reincarnations did Cai Yue Subaru finally realize it.

“The content of the nightly talks is related to the conclusion of an alliance. Therefore, I have roughly heard from Rem the conditions proposed by our side.”

“The magic ore of the Elior Great Forest, and part of the mining rights, are the main negotiating chips.”

Ku'erxiu, not feeling there was anything to hide, readily stated what Cai Yue Subaru only intended to imply.

Zunzun didn't react at all.

On the contrary, the only merchant present had his eyes shining.

“Oh my, these are words that one can't afford to miss.”

Larsell, who had been quiet until just now, had his eyes gleaming, and from his tone, it was clear that he was delighted to finally hear something of substantial value to him.

According to Larsell, magic ore could be used to make magic stone crafts, or skilled craftsmen could even make magical tools. Although magical tools were in line with his profession, he didn't understand them deeply and didn't have much opportunity. In the end, it was just that he didn't have time to study them.

Subsequently, Cai Yue Subaru stated that his side could allow part of the Elior Great Forest's mining rights without excessively interfering with each other's camps, with the term tentatively set at three years. If that wasn't enough, the time could be increased.

He spoke very cautiously and carefully, otherwise, he might accidentally grant permanent mining rights.

This was undoubtedly a tempting proposal.

However, Ku'erxiu still shook her head and said, “In this situation, the impact after the negotiation will be a problem. To trade with a rival candidate for the throne who is also a half-elf… Emilia, who is slandered as a half-demon, we must be cautious in considering the future.”

You could say she cherished her reputation, or you could say she valued her fame.

However, this was necessary.

If you want to move towards the goal of the throne, you must consider all aspects.

Although the mining rights of the Elior Great Forest could bring Ku'erxiu great profits, there was no need to feel such urgency. Pushing the situation too eagerly could leave hidden dangers for the camp.

Therefore, they needed a reason.

A reason to push the situation, to make the surrounding people quietly obey something. This was also what Cai Yue Subaru had to provide, and it was also the thick barrier he needed to overcome.

Cai Yue Subaru's lips trembled slightly. He clenched his teeth, not allowing himself to jump up excitedly. After taking a deep look at Zunzun, who was beside him with his eyes and mouth tightly shut as if he didn't exist, he suppressed the trembling throughout his body and took a deep breath.

“In order to conclude the alliance, what our side is handing over is mining rights and… information.”

“Information?”

“Yes, what I can hand over is certain information—the location and time of the White Whale's appearance. This is my trump card.”

Opening with a royal flush!

Zunzun's heart skipped a beat.

It wasn't that he was afraid after hearing the name, but that the change in the room's atmosphere made him involuntarily vigilant. The heavy, thick sword energy swept through the room, and Zunzun slowly opened his eyes and looked at the old butler standing behind Ku'erxiu.

“…I am very sorry, I was too immature.”

Wilhelm, with one eye closed, apologized to everyone with an unchanging expression, indicating that he would abide by the request to leave, but Ku'erxiu stopped him, knowing that her former master needed to hear the subordinate's request.

“So, the word White Whale has appeared somewhat abruptly. The White Whale you are talking about, can it be regarded as the Mist Whale, one of the three great demon beasts?”

“Yes, it is the monster that spreads mist while swimming in the air.”

Cai Yue Subaru, who had gone through multiple reincarnations, had completely grasped the location and time of the White Whale's appearance, so he decisively chose to use this information as a trading material for the alliance.

Ku'erxiu fell into deep thought.

Reason told her not to agree, but emotion told her that her subordinate's silence was deafening.

Larsell, however, was shouting loudly about the terror of the White Whale. As a merchant, he naturally knew how powerful the White Whale was, wandering the continent and causing trouble to caravans and various kingdoms.

Although Zunzun had never seen the White Whale, he didn't know its strength, but he thought it should be similar to the Mobile Fortress Destroyer.

Both wandered and destroyed throughout the continent, leaving no grass growing wherever they went, and they were both so troublesome.

…At least Zunzun probably couldn't beat the White Whale.

“If you can predict the time and location of its appearance, then the meaning and value of the information can exceed ten thousand gold, but…”

Larsell's cold gaze looked down at Cai Yue Subaru.

“Its value is based on the credibility of the information. How exactly will Lord Cai Yue Subaru prove it?”

“What I want to say is roughly the same as Larsell. Now is the time for us to hear the basis of your statement.”

Ku'erxiu also questioned the source of the information.

Cai Yue Subaru was already sweating profusely, but his expression didn't reveal anxiety. He desperately held back his weakness and revealed his next trump card.

“The reason I can know in advance that the White Whale will appear is because of this!”

After saying that, an item was forcefully placed on the table.

It was an old-fashioned flip phone.

Kruse and the others were curious about the magical item called Meteor, which could emit light, had strange patterns, and could take pictures, and Russell praised it after playing with it.

Zun Zun sneered at this, but didn't expose his clumsy lies, but quietly watched him perform.

Although the flip phone couldn't warn of the appearance of magical beasts, nor could it accurately predict the time of appearance of other monsters, it still changed Kruse's perception under Natsuki Subaru's skillful rhetoric.

Suddenly discovered that Kruse's blessing is similar to the lie detector of the "Konosuba" magic item, and there is a little cognitive deviation about the truth.

It seems that the information about the appearance of the White Whale, which was obtained because of the old flip phone, seems to have gained the minimum trust, and everything is developing in a good direction.

——But what does it have to do with me?

Since Natsuki Subaru said he was going to have a meeting, Zun Zun has been acting as a vase, quietly watching him pretend, and completely doesn't know the reason why he is here.

Feeling a little bored.

"Can I join the Meteor topic?"

The sudden intrusion of the voice startled the people in the reception room.

The owner of the voice stepped into the room, smiling sweetly in the surprised gazes, the girl combed her wavy hair with her fingers.

"The person who asked me to come is the most surprised, it's so strange, Natsuki."

The urgent light purple hair is as soft as fluff, and the gentle and elegant face naturally gives others a sense of comfort.

The smiling girl cautiously saw through the group, conveying an atmosphere that must not be taken lightly to those who understood her, but what everyone never expected was that when her gaze fell on Zun Zun, it suddenly lit up, just like a shark smelling blood.

The girl came to Zun Zun impatiently with light steps, gently put her hands on Zun Zun's hands, a sweet smile appeared on her face, and her small mouth opened slightly.

"Please marry me."

Huh???

Zun Zun looked at her blankly.

"Wait, wait." Natsuki Subaru stopped Anastasia's on-the-spot marriage proposal, and sighed: "I know you're in a hurry, but don't worry, there's something else I want you to come here for this time."

"That's strange, Natsuki, isn't that exactly what you asked me to come here for?"

"Hey, I remember just asking Rem to convey the news that Zun Zun was in Kruse's mansion to you, and it seems that I also explicitly said another thing."

"Hmm. I see, I'm in a hurry. Sorry, did I accidentally scare you?"

Anastasia smiled sweetly at Zun Zun again.

She really looks like a soft marshmallow girl, whether it's her dress, her smile, or her behavior, she's light and unpredictable.

"Anastasia Hoshin."

Kruse, who closed one eye, called out the girl's name, her tone was a little annoyed and low.

"Although you were invited by Subaru, it's a bit too much for you to suddenly break in and make rude gestures to my distinguished guest."

"Sorry."

Anastasia apologized perfunctorily, her attitude of 'I've already apologized, what else do you want' made everyone's impression of her drop slightly.

But as Kruse said, it was Natsuki Subaru who invited her, so even if she had some grudges, she couldn't get angry.

"I didn't want to come here in the first place, who told the girl standing over there to lure me with such words... Although she said that matters related to the White Whale cannot be taken lightly."

Anastasia chuckled.

The three royal candidates gathered together, and Natsuki Subaru clenched his fists greatly for this, the good show is about to begin!

"——Excuse me."

Russell raised his hand to signal, and after obtaining permission, he opened his mouth and said: "I would like to ask Natsuki Subaru, what is your intention in inviting Lady Anastasia to the scene? I think it can't be..."

"Bidding, right?"

After Natsuki Subaru said this, the atmosphere in the reception room suddenly became tense.

Not to mention the despised Russell, Kruse's expression also became embarrassing, she said coldly: "You mean, Anastasia Hoshin and I, who will buy the White Whale's information at a high price, and you will choose an alliance partner based on this? If that's the case, then it's too superficial, Natsuki Subaru!"

"...No, that's not the case."

"Oh dear, Miss Kruse, I'm scared when you look at me with that kind of eyes."

Natsuki Subaru, who was oppressed by Kruse's domineering eyes, shook his head, but Anastasia tilted her head happily, meeting the duchess's sharp gaze.

"The person standing on top is afraid of being caught up and surpassed from below, that's the expression."

"Terrible interest. It's a matter of course for you, who originally took your own desires as the right path, but my way of life absolutely does not allow for any wavering. Also——"

Kruse, who seriously accepted the provocation, looked at Natsuki Subaru again.

"As you heard, Natsuki Subaru. If you expect a battle for information to occur between the Karsten family and the Hoshin Trading Company, I can only say that I misjudged you, I don't intend to..."

"Wait, wait! Kruse, calm down, you're speaking too soon."

Natsuki Subaru quickly stopped Kruse, who was directly preparing to interrupt the conversation.

The duchess frowned tightly.

"Speaking too soon... then, you don't mean to bid?"

"Of course, right? Besides, the meaning of bidding is to dangle the same thing in front of different people. But, this merchant lady's demands from beginning to end are different from yours, Kruse."

"That's right, so don't be so nervous. Besides, you should have guessed the reason why I came here."

Anastasia looked at Zun Zun, whose expression gradually became strange.

Damn, she's coming for me!