Chapter 94: Trade Negotiations
Ryu successfully persuaded Itagaki Taisuke and, in doing so, brought Tosa firmly onto his side.
With the battlefield expected to be near Edo, the retainers of Tosa were thrown into a frenzy of preparation for an expedition. Armor was inspected, blades sharpened, supply routes quietly calculated.
That said, if they were to mobilize too openly, word would spread that Tosa had sided with Tokugawa. And so, all preparations were conducted beneath the surface—silent, deliberate, hidden like currents beneath calm water.
The very next day, Ryu strode into Tosa Castle as though it were his own estate.
A bead of troubled sweat slid down Itagaki’s forehead.
“…Why have you come again?”
“I had business here. Quite ordinary business.”
“Business…?”
“Yes. Simply put, I would like to establish trade relations between Tosa and Arden.”
“…What do you intend to import?”
“There are several items, but mandarins are non-negotiable.”
“Hoh. You have a keen eye.” Itagaki folded his arms. “And in return—what will Arden export?”
“Grace-grown wheat will absolutely be on the list. Beyond that, we intend to actively provide goods that are difficult or impossible to obtain in Hinomaru. If there’s anything specific you desire, we’ll add it as needed. Incidentally, we will provide all trade ships ourselves. Tosa need only prepare a port. In other words, your burden is virtually zero. There will be some tariffs, of course, but this is what one might call a perfect win-win arrangement.” He rattled on smoothly, without pause.
“F-Fumu…”
Even Itagaki found himself slightly overwhelmed by Ryu’s relentless eloquence.
“However, trade with foreign nations requires Tokugawa’s approval.”
“No need for concern. Once we win this war, permission for trade with the Empire across all of Hinomaru will be granted.”
“And if, for some reason, Tokugawa refuses?”
“Then I shall hint at escalating the Goroemon incident into an international affair. In the worst case, we’ll force authorization for Tosa alone.” Ryu smiled pleasantly.
“N-Narohodo…”
Itagaki cleared his throat.
“Very well. I shall consider it positively.”
“…Hm? Consider it positively? Goroemon was a former Tosa retainer, was he not?”
“Ugh…”
“A former Tosa retainer attacked an ambassador dispatched from the Astoria Empire. Moreover, he attacked the head of House Arden, recently elevated in rank directly by Her Majesty the Empress. If this reaches Her Majesty’s ears… who can say what will happen? And if I recall correctly, this port town initiative is a joint project with Marquis Grace and backed by imperial funds. Despite being offered overwhelmingly favorable terms, you will merely ‘consider’ it…? Is that truly plausible?”
“…………”
Ryu tilted his head innocently.
“Surely I misheard?”
“…Once the war concludes, we shall begin preparations immediately.”
“Oh. That’s reassuring to hear. I look forward to working with you.”
“…As do I.”
（What a black-hearted man…）
“Please review these materials. I’ll collect the signed contract tomorrow.”
“V-Very well.”
Ryu pressed the documents into Itagaki’s hands and departed as briskly as he had arrived.
One of the accompanying retainers murmured, “He truly is like a storm… Are all imperial ambassadors like that?”
“No,” Itagaki replied quietly. “Even in the Empire, which prizes merit above all, one so young would never ordinarily be appointed ambassador. He is… exceptional.”
“I see…”
Itagaki nodded once.
“We are fortunate he stands with us.”
“Indeed. Were he our enemy, ‘troublesome’ would not begin to describe it.”
“Ryoma has brought us a most extraordinary figure.”
“Heh. Birds of a feather flock together.”
“Quite so.”
In the garden of the rented house—
“Oh, Ryu. You’re back.”
“I’m home. …What are you doing?”
Esther was carefully snipping away at Axel’s mane with small, precise motions.
“It is said that a Senrima’s mane has no pharmaceutical properties. However, Axel is now a new species. There may be some hidden efficacy. I am harvesting it as a precious sample.”
“Bururu…”
“I see. And you don’t harvest from Homura?”
“I collect her shed scales and fallen fangs regularly. I simply never mentioned it.”
“Huh. Rough life, Homura.”
“Gyau.”
（I don’t do much anyway. If it makes Lady Esther happy, then I’m happy too.）
“What a saint.”
Materials from elemental dragons fetched staggering sums on the market.
To obtain them for free—and regularly—would leave any alchemist grinning ear to ear.
“Gyau.”
（By the way, Lord Ryu can freely become a dragon now, correct? Don’t your scales ever fall off?）
“…Hm?”
Esther’s eyes gleamed.
Materials from a dragon surpassing even the Dragon King.
Their applications were limitless—medicine, weapons, armor, accessories. If such items ever reached the market, what astronomical price might they command?
In truth, no one in history had ever possessed true dragon materials. Pricing them would be impossible.
“Ryu. Just a little. Only a little.”
“That sounds like something a creepy old man would say… Well, if my scales or fangs ever shed like Homura’s, I’ll preserve them properly.”
“Excellent! As expected of you! If necessary, I can just rip them off for you.”
“There is no need to go that far!”
“Kakaka! I can hardly wait to see what medicines I can create!”
Laughing wickedly, Esther disappeared inside.
Watching her go, Ryu thought quietly—
（If Rena ever wants a magic staff… I’ll take some of my materials to a blacksmith and have one forged for her.）
Among mages, some used staves; others did not.
Ryu belonged to the latter camp.
He had yet to learn which Rena preferred.
That decision would determine everything.
The following day, after receiving the signed documents from Itagaki, Ryu’s party prepared to return to Edo.
“So this is farewell for now?” Ryoma asked.
“I’m counting on you here.”
“Leave it to me.”
“I shall miss you…” Esther sighed.
“Gyau…”
“Bururu…”
“I will come visit soon,” Ryoma promised.
After parting ways and walking a short distance, they took to the skies in a secluded area.
As before, Esther rode atop Homura’s back, while Ryu and Axel remained within the Azure Dragon’s mouth.
However, this time Ryoma was not present to shield them from the wind. They bore the full force of it head-on, slowing their speed considerably.
“Esther could ride inside the mouth too.”
“I wish to ride on Homura’s back!”
“Gurururu.”
（How embarrassing…）
They would likely reach Edo in five days.
And from there—
Their true work would begin.