Book 6: Chapter 1


    Spring.


    Three summers had passed since the crown prince had been appointed regent of the Kingdom of Natra.


    The days had been rocky. Ever since the death of the Emperor of Earthworld, the ruler of Eastern Varno, trouble had crashed into Natra like waves.


    Future historians would certainly be rendered ck-jawed by the never-ending trials and tribtions targeting the kingdom.


    In the next breath, they would praise Natra for knocking back each one.


    Natra overcame. Once the subject of ridicule, the poor runt of a kingdom had managed to blow back every challenge toe its way.


    The one who led the people during the era termed the Great War of Kings was Wein Salema Arbalest, fated to be remembered by historians.


    Sensible internal policies. The proactive eagerness to step into the battlefield as needed. The devilish cunning to toy with neighboring nations. The benevolence to put his people first.


    He was the perfect prince.


    The prince was the key to Natras future. Bathed in the warm spring sun, the citizens were certain of this fact.


    Howeverthe sky was bound to cloud over, even in the most blessed ofnds.


    In fact, a spring storm was brewing in Willeron Pce in the Kingdom of Natra.


    Nghhhhhh.


    Currently sulking; approach at your own risk, warned the look on a girls face as she sat on the bed with a big pout.


    Fnya Elk Arbalest. Weins younger sister and the crown princess of Natra.


    Though shed been young when Wein ascended to the post of regent, shed recently started acting like a real adult, maturing in mind and body


    Except now. She was in the middle of a childish tantrum.


    How much longer are you going to sulk, Fnya?


    A boy with red eyes and a head of white haira hmsighed loudly.


    His name was Nanaki Ralei, and he was Fnyas appointed servant. His attitude toward the crown princess might be considered rude to some, but as they were childhood friends, it didnt bother either of them.


    Im not sulking. Fnya turned the other way with a huff.


    You are.


    Am not.


    Are too.


    AM! NOT! Fnya snapped back, but that didnt seem to faze Nanaki.


    Throw a fitsee if I carebut you need to pull yourself together when youre in public. Youre worrying the officials.


    Gulp. Hed gotten her weak spot. She knew what he was talking about.


    From some topographic, cultural, or national influence, the royal family was generally imperturbable. The current crop of rulers was no exception: King Owen, Prince Wein, Princess Fnya, even the dearly departed queen.


    It was extremely rare for any of them tosh out at the officials in sadness or anger.


    This was exactly why the officials were thrown for a loop when one of them did have a bad day. Without much experience with mood swings, they didnt have the skills to weather the storm.


    Wein can usually smooth things over.


    Whenever Fnyas mood went south, it became Weins responsibility to calm her. As the little sister, Fnya had no choice but toy down her arms when her beloved brother admonished her.


    This, unfortunately, wasnt an option for them right now.


    Wein was absent from the pcewhich was, coincidentally, the exact reason for her mood.


    Its not umon for Wein to leave for long stretches of time. Are you still having trouble adjusting?


    No! Thats not why Im upset!


    So she was upset. Nanaki knew pointing that out wouldnt do him any favors.


    Then whats getting under your skin?


    Isnt it obvious?! Fnya snapped back, raising her voice. Because he went off to a tropical ind with Princess Tolcheof all people!


    It had all started in early autumn of the previous year. Two neighboring kingdomsNatra and Soljesthad waged war on each other. Wein had formted a strategy to topple the enemy army and capture King Gruyere. Natra had been granted partial rights to the port in Soljest, along with a hefty ransom and reparations.


    Maritime trade has been lucrative for as long as its been around.


    Speaking in a low voice was Prince Wein, sitting in his office.


    But our climate means our ess to the sea is frozen over for most of the year. Which makes it hard for us to benefit from maritime products, he continued.


    His aide Ninym stood at attention by his side. She had the characteristic white hair and red eyes of the hm. Maintaining her silence, she listened to her sovereign.


    Meanwhile, the port of Soljest is usable all year round. We might be able to use this opportunity to open trade channels with other countries. Thatll help explode our economy.


    Weins statement made total sense. The basic strategy of business was buying local products cheaply and selling them for high prices in farawaynds. Overseas trade meant raking in some serious profits.


    So Wein turned to Ninym. What did other countries say about trading with us?


    A resounding no.


    Nooooooo! Weinnded a disappointed backflip. Thats just in weird! No one?! Not a single one?! Weve got Imperial goods! Isnt there a demand for those?! Come on! They know they want them! Please want them! Please!


    Even with the new trade route, the kingdom had no real industries, and none of their offerings had caught the attention of other countries. That was why Wein had been nning on buying up goods from the Empire to trade with nations in the West.


    As Ninym pointed out, that was looking like a no-go.


    Why?! Wein writhed in agony.


    Ninym seemed defeated. It has nothing to do with the merchandise. Theyre wary of you.


    Excuse you? Theyre wary of me? Why? All I did was lie that Imperial products were made in Natra, incite internal conflict in an already unstable nation, topple the leader of Levetia, and earn some huge winnings! Whats wrong with that?!


    If I were a politician, I would want nothing to do with you


    He was an actual danger to society.


    Gaaaaah! Wein clutched at his head, mming it down. This is bad news! Weve already squandered our winnings to pay for our war efforts. As if that isnt bad enough, Levetia is keeping us at arms length ever since we waged war on one of their Holy Elites!


    If we dont do anything, were going to keep bleeding money


    And listen to this! Gruyere was all like


    Hmm? You have no boats to use in our port? Ha-ha-ha. You know Im on your side. Ill dly let you use somefor a fee.


    Hmm? You have no sailors to employ on our boats in our port? Ha-ha-ha. You know Im on your side. Ill dly let you use somefor a fee.


    Hmm? You have no one to trade with, even though you have our sailors and boats? You want to borrow them after youve secured a trading partner?


    Ha-ha-ha. Hold fast, my prince. My sailors are busy men, and my ships tightly scheduled. You might miss a business opportunity if you dawdle too long. Im certain youll find a business partner in no time By the way, we should form a long-term contract that cant be terminated early. Might be cheaper that way.


    And I actually agreed to it! That pig knew I wouldnt find anyone to trade with!


    He certainly got you good


    At this rate, well have nothinging in, while our maintenance costs keep rising! This isnt good!


    It was critical that Wein find a trading partner as soon as possible.


    This would have been the perfect time to talk to government leaderswhen theyre staying put in their home countries!


    If we let this opportunity pass us by, it might be difficult to have a discussion even in a conference setting. After all, once the Gathering of the Chosen is rescheduled, theyll have their hands full.


    The Gathering of the Chosen. Hosted once a year by the biggest religion of the Western continent, it was attended by Levetias leaders, known as Holy Elites, and normally held in spring during the Festival of the Spirit. Many of the Holy Elites were political figures such as kings and dukes, and it wasnt umon for the event to be postponed if their schedules didnt line up.


    That said, the Holy Elites couldnt exactly go into the new year without hosting the conference. There had never been er than fall. Not that Wein could kick back just because it was still spring. If he didnt take this seriously, Levetia might settle on a date for the Gathering of the Chosen, which would postpone any discussions about trade.


    So theyre scared of you and refuse to negotiate. What about trading with the East, where the Empire is? Ninym asked.


    Yeah, except our best products are from the Empire.


    Natra still didnt have any industries to speak of. If he sold its bad products to the Empire, he would make the kingdom pennies, and Natra would be the butt of its own joke. Likewise if he sold the Empire back its own products.


    Maybe we could sell stuff from Soljest to the Empire No I can totally see Gruyere using that chance to charge me up the wazoo!


    That settled it. Their best option was to sell Imperial goods to Western nations. For better or for worse, Wein had be a household namewhich meant it wouldnt be easy to form rtions with other Western nations.


    In short, it would take time to trade with other countries under current circumstances. And time was money. A negative feedback loop was ready to suck in Weinone where hed cry bloody murder whenever he bled more cash. He had to break the cycle somehow.


    Pardon me! Coming through!


    The door mmed open.


    Princess Tolche! What brings you here? Wein asked, quickly correcting his posture.


    Younger than Wein, Tolche was the crown princess of Soljest, which made her King Gruyeres daughter.


    I received word from my father that you may be in trouble, Prince Wein.


    Ever since the war ended between Natra and Soljest, Tolche had been studying abroad in the kingdom. Basically, she was being held hostage.


    That said, there was nothing hostage-like in her behavior. In fact, her brazen attitude was reminiscent of her father, King Gruyere.


    I heard tell youre anxious because youre left with no one to trade with, even though youve finally acquired the port. I havee to you with a proposal.


    A proposal?


    It went without saying that Tolche was an ally to neither Wein nor Natra. She and her homnd came first.


    Both parties were aware of her priorities. Tolche must know Wein would spurn any proposal that served Soljest. If she wasing to him with an idea, it must have some benefit to them both.


    All right, Ill hear you out. What do you have in mind?


    Are you familiar with a kingdom called Patura, Prince?


    Wein nodded, screwing up his face a little. An ind nation at the farthest southern tip of the continent, right?


    Indeed.


    Patura. Also known as the Patura Archipgo. It was nestled in the sea, not too far from the southern tip of Varnoa cluster of small inds known for sustaining itself through internationalmerce.


    I imagine you know Soljest found great riches through trade. Though were on opposite ends of Varno, we have connections in Patura since were in the same industry.


    I see So, in other words


    Tolche nodded. Patura is governed by the Zarif. The current head of the family, the sea guideLaduis Alois Zarif. If I step in, he may grant you an audience. What say you? Will you try your luck in the Southernnds?


    Wein and Ninym exchanged looks.


    They had considered trading with Patura. Its ind values didnt align with those of the East or the West, and they had heard Levetia had almost no foothold there. As proof of this, the hm could apparently live normal lives there.


    Wein had reason to believe they wouldnt care if he had bad blood with Levetiabut it didnt seem realistic to trade with them. After all, Patura was so far away. Though it wasmon practice to send local products to distantnds, their locations on opposite ends of the continent felt needlessly far.


    The other reason it seemed impossible was the products themselves.


    Patura is on the opposite side of the continent from Natraand the same distance away from the Empire. Is there even a need for us to ship them these goods?


    Well, Tolche answered, you ought to remember that the Empire has tried to conquer Patura as part of their imperialist agenda. The inds have managed to fend them off, but this has soured any chance of reconciliation. Meaning Imperial goods are not in wide cirction.


    Emotionally distant from the Empire and culturally divorced from Levetia. If he didnt factor in distance, Wein could certainly see Patura as a viable option.


    If youre still unsure, I will allow Natra to sell our goods wholesale. I am your ally, Prince, so I can offer a more-than-fair price.


    Tolche shed him a mischievous grin. Weins mind raced.


    It certainly wasnt a bad deal. Tolche would act as his liaison until Wein could meet with a representative from Patura. After that, it would be up to the two kingdoms to seal the deal. It was better than wasting time running around with no solid n.


    King Gruyere must have calcted that Wein woulde to this conclusion.


    Hes one sneaky pig.


    The king must have known Wein wouldnt find a ce to trade with so easily. And Wein wasnt the type to let an opportunity slide, especially with this new port. The princess would gauge the perfect moment to offer him a helping hand. In the end, hed owe her for mediating the discussion, plus Soljest would now have a ce to sell its wares.


    As for making him sign a contract for the boats and seamenwell, that was just in bullying.


    The most infuriating part about this whole thing was that this was an offer too good to refuse.


    Next time I see him, Im turning Gruyere into a roast pig.


    Hed reached his decision.


    Thank you for your offer, Princess Tolche I would appreciate your facilitation.


    I figured. Let us send off a letter immediately.


    In the note, Tolche introduced Wein to the representative of Patura, and Wein penned his own message. It wasnt long before they received a reply that essentially granted them an audience.


    That was whatnded Wein in the ind nation of Patura.


    Back to the present.


    Ugh! Ugh! Ugh! Ive had enough of this brother of mine! Hes so! So!


    Left behind in Natra, Fnya was throwing a fit with Nanaki as her audience.


    I wanted to go, too! But Im stuck here, keeping house! Howe Princess Tolche gets to go?! Ugh! No fair!


    Fnya iled on the bed. This tantrum was a long one. She had a policy of not embarrassing herself in front of Nanaki, but that had totally gone out the window.


    If she were a tyrant, Fnya would take out her rage on the officials. Since she was a good girl at heart, however, that would never happen. The only victim was the punched-in pillow in her bedroom.


    Nanaki felt on edge whenever his master was in a mood. The officials were begging him to do something about it. He wasnt exactly the best atforting people, but it was worth a try.


    Fnya.


    What?!


    Tolches body is just as childlike as yours, so I dont think itll do anything for Wein.


    His vision filled with pillow. Nanaki caught the projectile.


    Fnya side-eyed him, moaning. Hmph, I bet Wein is having a ball, under puffy white clouds and sailing over the deep blue sea! Im going to give him a hard time as soon as he gets home!


    The window opened up to the sky.


    Thinking of her brother under the same sun, she knew what she was going to do.


    Meanwhile


    Well, then.


    Blue ocean.


    White clouds.


    Sunbeams poured down.


    Wein stared beyond the iron bars of a jail cell.


    Well, what am I gonna do?


    It was the third spring Wein had served as regent. The Kingdom of Natra could hardly be called powerless anymore.


    This wee change for its subjects was a source of tension for other countries.


    This era, which was to be coined the Great War of Kings by future historians, was entering a new stage, one in which new trials and tribtions awaited the Kingdom of Natra.