Aurelia pressed her face against Seraphina's bountiful chest while everyone else smiled wryly. She might have been the queen of the kingdom, but she was still the same innocent girl who wore her heart on her sleeve.
Toby stood as well and approached Cyrus, his male best friend from their time at the Royal Academy. These four, along with Emberlyn, had spent the most time together during their early years, before Seraphina joined Bastion's company after their engagement was announced.
They spent some time catching up before the official proceedings began. Aurelia and Toby took their seats on the throne to hear the dukes' reports, while Seraphina, Emberlyn, and Celia stood at the sides. The guards were invited back in, along with the kingdom's accountants, who were responsible for verifying the information and submitting both the accounting records and the yearly tribute to the Central Empire.
"The Phoenixhart dukedom has remained stable, and annual production has been increased at 6 magic crystals per year, with containment efforts along the northwestern volcanic mountain range continuing without incident," Cyrus began.
"Monster activity within our borders has remained within expected parameters, with no notable breaches into populated areas. Patrols and suppression efforts have kept trade routes and rural roads secure.
"The peasantry remains in good condition, with no shortages reported and labor productivity holding steady. Agricultural output has improved modestly this year due to favorable conditions and continued investment in irrigation and soil reinforcement, ensuring sufficient reserves for both local consumption and the imperial tithe."
Cyrus stepped forward and handed over the official documents, including the latest census and administrative records, to an accountant, who began inspecting them before nodding to the queen.
Seraphina had personally drawn up an agricultural plan for her younger brother before she left the Royal Academy. Given his reverence and respect for her, he didn't hesitate to enact her policies, which resulted in a 20% increase in their yearly average income.
"You have done well," Aurelia said before turning her attention to Damian, who stepped forward as Cyrus retreated.
"The Steelhart dukedom has remained steady, and annual production has held at 5 magic crystals per year, with containment efforts along the southern mountain range continuing without incident," Damian began, his tone blunt but respectful.
"Monster activity is prominent but remains well under control, posing no serious threat. Trade routes and rural roads are secure thanks to constant patrols. Bandit activity in the mountains has increased recently, but we've managed to keep them from crossing into the kingdom itself. The peasants are healthy and productive, with no shortages reported."
Damian stepped forward and handed his official documents to an accountant, who began reviewing them before giving a nod to the queen.
"You have done well," Aurelia said before finally turning her attention to Bastion, who stepped forward as Damian stepped back.
"The Diamondhart dukedom has performed strongly over the past decade, averaging 20 magic crystals per year. This follows the stampede in the Great Forest that occurred at the start of my tenure as duke, which we managed to contain, along with the subsequent policy changes that were put into place," Bastion began.
"Notably, mana-dependent mages were reassigned from farming duties to allow for greater mana saturation in the soil, improving the yield of higher-ranked crops. The recent introduction of vertical farming has also contributed to a significant rise in Rank 2 herb production across the dukedom. Yields have increased, and reserves are now well stocked for both local consumption and tribute obligations."
"Monster activity has increased since the stampede, as some creatures breached the walls before being contained. This has put extra workload on adventurers tasked with quelling panicked monsters. Unfortunately, it has led to some casualties, though losses remained within the expected range for an event of this magnitude. The source of the stampede was identified as a goblin tribe, which has been neutralized and no longer poses a threat."
Bastion then delivered his set of records, comprising the most recent census and administrative data, to an accountant, who began reviewing them.
"It is as reported, Your Majesty," the accountant said, a note of pleasant surprise in their voice.
"You've managed to quadruple the income since your appointment?" Aurelia asked in surprise.
"Technically, I've only doubled it," Bastion replied, "with the increased yield of higher-ranked crops included, the actual average income of the dukedom is 10 magic crystals per year, far less than the hundred I submitted in the first year, which was boosted by the resulting corpses from the stampede."
"Still, it is a notable increase from what has been expected and maintained for millenia. I suppose a reward would be in order for your excellent performance. How about 10 magic crystals?"
With a 20% profit retention, the Diamondhart dukedom, effectively Bastion himself, received 40 magic crystals in goods over the past decade, which Seraphina enjoyed personally. The crown received 32, while the remaining 128 magic crystals were sent to the Central Empire as tribute.
Receiving 10 magic crystals as actual currency was far more valuable for Bastion personally than the same amount in goods for the dukedom. He could use the crystals to pay for goods and services outside the kingdom or as a power source for magical devices he planned to create.
"Thank you, Your Majesty. I humbly accept," Bastion said, offering a light bow.
"Wonderful. I see no need for any further responses at this time, so I hereby declare this Royal Council adjourned."
With Aurelia's declaration, the accountants filed out of the room, formally ending the council session. Everyone seemed to relax as the official business concluded.
"Would you all like to join us for some tea?" Aurelia asked.
No one objected, so everyone followed Aurelia to the side of the throne room, where a quieter, more secluded area allowed for private discussions. The space was adorned with tall, arched windows that let in soft afternoon light, rich tapestries lining the walls, and a set of comfortable chairs gathered around a low table, creating an elegant atmosphere.
Aurelia took her seat before patting the seat next to hers while looking intently at Seraphina, who smiled and played along. Aurelia shared her troubles and responsibilities as queen, while Seraphina regaled her with their recent adventure into the Great Forest, as well as their discovery.
Toby took a seat as well and invited Cyrus to sit with him as they began discussing the good old days. Emberlyn and Celia gathered by the window and began discussing combat, leaving Bastion and Damian to have some conversations of their own.
"How are the mines going?" Bastion asked after giving Damian a full account of the stampede.
"Same as always," Damian replied with a shrug. "Plenty of kobolds, elementals, undead, and mole rats to go around. Why do you ask?"
"I'm in the market for Rank 1 and 2 metals."
"Oh?" Damian raised an eyebrow. "What are you offering? And don't say Rank 1 and 2 corpses. We get enough of those as it is."
"What do you want?"
"Those magic crystals you just got were pretty nice. I seem to remember you getting more during that whole Demon Lord business."
"Nice try," Bastion said dryly. "We both know those are more precious than any bulk material you could throw at me."
"Fine." Damian clicked his tongue. "What did you have in mind to trade, then?"
"Weapons, armor. Anything you want built."
"I've got dwarves on my payroll so you can forget about anything mass produced." Damian paused, considering. "How about that gun you used to plow through a stampede?"
"Sure, but only the Rank 2 version," Bastion replied without hesitation. "And don't expect me to make any bullets for you."
"That's fine. I'll have my smiths figure something out."
"How does 10 magic crystals' worth sound?"
Damian stared at him. "You want a century's supply of precious metals?"
"What are you going to use it for?" Bastion asked calmly. "We both know it'll just sit in storage for centuries."
"That may be, but it still seems excessive."
"And what are your alternatives?" Bastion asked with a smug look.
Damian thought about it and realized Bastion was the only one who could make that weapon. He could try to describe it to his personal smiths, but he doubted anything less than the actual weapon would suffice.
"Tch… fine. You have a deal," Damian said at last as they shook on it.
Bastion smiled, knowing he had just gotten an excellent bargain. He would be giving up some very precious schematics, but he was confident they weren't that valuable outside the kingdom, since too many heroes in the world would have already created something equivalent.
The amount he had just acquired was enough to produce a hundred thousand suits of Rank 1 heavy armor and sufficient Rank 2 metal to build a thousand cannons. He wanted as much raw metal as possible to improve his smithing and to create products that could be sold to other kingdoms where metal was far more valuable.
Bastion then approached Cyrus and brokered a similar deal, this time targeting Fire Crystals, Fire Resin, Inferno Cores, and other fire-related materials Seraphina needed to make explosives. In exchange, he offered to craft and enchant fire-resistant heavy armor and weapons in bulk.
It was a service that both he and Lilia would have to provide for decades to acquire enough explosives to manufacture a billion bullets. The deal was extremely convenient, as Bastion had planned to produce those armors and weapons for practice anyway. He might as well do so while securing enough ammunition to fire for over a hundred days straight.
'Bastion,' Seraphina called out telepathically through her enchanted earrings, catching his attention.
'Yes?'
'Aurelia said she would contact the imperial ambassador and inquire about selling the information on the corpse. As expected, it isn't considered privately owned, so we would only be able to claim 20% of its value if the Central Empire purchases the information. It shouldn't take too long to resolve, so we might as well spend a few weeks here in the meantime.'
'That's fine. Let's just hope it's worth a significant sum, even though it's only a shell and some bone fragments.'
-----
Support me on Patreon
patreon/babywrath