Ch.15Invoice

# Chapter 15: The Bill

What kind of man was the former emperor?

Lately, I’ve been thinking that the bastard might have been trying to prove just how far his incompetence could go.

“It-it’s impossible to allocate a budget of this scale immediately!”

“That’s right, Your Majesty!”

“We’re already stretched thin with the creation of the Fifth Fleet and the construction of the orbital station!”

“And additional budget has already been allocated for the supply and transportation of Talianium from Zutrak…”

And clearly, I wasn’t the only one who felt this way—everyone gathered here seemed to share the sentiment.

They were just holding back because the Emperor, the daughter of that former emperor and the dignity of the Empire herself, was right in front of them.

So for now, everyone had set aside the topic of the former emperor.

They were busy discussing how to deal with the pressing issue at hand, but…

“Let’s continue this discussion at next week’s state council meeting.”

In the end, with no immediate solution available, the hastily convened meeting concluded without resolution.

———————

“Ah, that damned trash!”

Of course, just because the meeting was over didn’t mean I could leave right away.

“Yes, yes, it’s all that garbage’s fault, absolutely.”

“Nnnnngh…!!!”

I had to comfort our Emperor, who now faced the prospect of repaying her father’s debt, interest included.

But there was another reason beyond that.

[Event: The Former Emperor’s Debt]

[Though it’s unclear when it began, the former emperor of the Holy Sebelli Empire once gambled heavily at the Trade Union’s casino.]

[After losing, he borrowed extensively from the Union’s merchants.]

[But predictably, his attempts to win back what he lost only resulted in him depleting both his funds and credit—truly the epitome of misfortune.]

[However, the former emperor refused to repay his debts, choosing to ignore them completely.]

[The Trade Union representatives likewise chose to let his attitude slide at the time.]

[But now, after many years have passed…]

[With the former emperor dead and the young Empress Artraia showing both competence and stability, the Trade Union has finally decided to collect on those long-dormant debts.]

[And while they’re at it, they want all the accumulated interest paid as well.]

“What a mess because of that bastard.”

“Damn, damn that trash!”

I desperately needed someone to join me in cursing that wretched former emperor.

“Anyone watching would think you two make a lovely anti-imperialist couple.”

At Riel’s comment crossing the line, I reached for the etiquette injection rod (pain) hidden in my coat, but…

“Well done, Riel. Tell me what reward you’d like.”

“Wow, then please stop what the Minister is about to do.”

“You heard her. Put that away now.”

“…Tch.”

At Artraia’s words, I had no choice but to quietly put it back.

After I did so, Artraia’s lips protruded cutely as she continued to grumble.

“Those people, they deliberately waited until after the former emperor’s time to bring this up!”

“Hmm, I suppose so.”

How many times had the Trade Union been discussed in the Galactic Federation Council?

The temperamental Kerzin Federation and the Syr Citizens’ Alliance were constantly proposing regulatory resolutions against them, which says a lot.

Of course, the Trade Union wasn’t sitting idle either.

It was routine for them to block such resolutions through corporate nation-states they’d bought with their capital, like Mekt-Fuchs and Zeltech.

But this situation far exceeded my reasonable expectations.

“I didn’t expect them to wait ten years just to collect interest.”

“You think so too, right?! Right?!”

At my words, Artraia eagerly leaned in closer.

“Think about it! Our empire isn’t exactly small, so how can they demand an amount equivalent to our entire annual budget?!”

“Mmm, mm.”

As she pressed her violent physique against me without consideration, I barely managed to turn my flushing face away and continue speaking.

“Ahem… so, have you thought about how to handle this?”

“Sigh… honestly, I feel like sending a fleet at this point.”

As Artraia’s militaristic thoughts fermented, my head nodded involuntarily—something I would normally shake disapprovingly.

‘If only we hadn’t lost the northern territories to Prosnak, we might have had some leeway.’

The northern region of the empire—not exactly flowing with milk and honey, but truly a treasure trove of resources.

Remembering how we had to watch helplessly as Prosnak seized that prime land, my fists trembled unconsciously.

However, Artraia seemed to interpret my trembling fists differently.

“Hehe, so you’re also quite angry about the Trade Union’s actions?”

“Mmm, well, yes.”

Since there was no point in denying it, I decided to smoothly go along with Artraia’s reaction.

“Then this works out perfectly!”

“?”

“Arto, go give the Trade Union a piece of your mind!”

“???”

“I believe in you!”

…Huh?

————————–

Inside the ship heading to the Trade Union’s direct system.

[Quest: Settle the Empire’s Debt!]

[A bill has arrived from the Trade Union regarding the debt incurred by the former emperor.]

[You are now heading to the Trade Union’s headquarters to negotiate the astronomical amount written on that bill.]

[Upon successfully settling the debt, you will receive a reward.]

While I was still in shock and unable to gather my thoughts, all the procedures were completed in an instant.

Somehow, I found myself on a journey with Riel for a heart-pounding debt settlement negotiation.

“I didn’t expect the Minister to be so cooperative,” Riel said.

No.

I’m just an ordinary person who was stunned, and these super-intelligent beings running the galactic empire hastily shipped me off like an exile.

“…”

“Thanks to the Minister deliberately maintaining complete silence or giving minimal responses, the Diplomatic and Economic Departments were able to exercise considerable discretion, and they send their gratitude.”

No.

I simply couldn’t speak because I was too shocked to even hit pause on the situation.

“You’re amazing.”

“…Could you please be quiet for a moment?”

“Yes, sir.”

After silencing Riel, I gazed at the vast sea of stars beyond the window and sank into thought.

‘Shit.’

Of course, that thought was naturally about my irritation with the current situation that had sent me here.

Not that I was thinking of doing anything to those people or harboring any such futile thoughts.

“Haaa…”

‘That Artraia, she had chosen me from the very beginning.’

Otherwise, how could the procedure to send a minister-level official of an entire province to a distant foreign country be completed in less than an hour?

And while from my perspective I was just too stunned to say anything, from their perspective…

“Has Minister Arto already concluded the discussion?”

“Of course, he’s responding with complete silence.”

“If someone who instantly solves even the most complex problems is acting this way, that must be the right answer.”

…would be their natural conclusion.

“Haaaaaaah…”

As I kept sighing deeply, Riel, who had been keeping quiet, spoke again.

“Minister, don’t tell me you didn’t want to do this?”

“…Artraia is more cunning than I thought.”

And to that, I could only respond in a gloomy tone, but…

“Minister, you sound like a middle-aged man filled with regret over a failed marriage.”

“What’s with that oddly specific scenario?”

When I turned my head to respond to Riel’s refreshing nonsense…

“How are you feeling now? Better?”

“…Mmm.”

Seeing Riel’s beaming smile, I realized that the joke was meant to cheer me up.

“Yes, thank you.”

“Oh, it’s nothing.”

As Riel spoke shyly, I found myself involuntarily putting on what could only be described as a proud father’s smile.

“Anyway, you’re the one who’s going to suffer from now on, so this is the least I could do.”

“…”

Right after that comment from Riel, I reached for the etiquette injection rod in my coat again.

“Wait, shouldn’t we intelligent species avoid such barbaric behavior?”

Of course, Riel hurriedly protested against my action, but…

“You should have run the calculations before speaking.”

“No, I already did the calculations before—”

*THWACK*

“Yeowch!”

“Be quiet!”

In response to what was supposed to be an excuse, I swung the etiquette injection rod without further discussion.