The discussion continued for a long time.
It was understandable.
Kenerusen, which had developed as the continent’s sole major production area, was essentially never attacked.
The reason was simple: there were no other places on the continent that could secure land as vast as Kenerusen.
However, the Amamiya Tower had recently emerged as a new factor.
One of the Six Marquises, who had inspected the floors of the Amamiya Tower, said something during the meeting that spoke volumes:
“If they fully develop that place, it will undoubtedly surpass this.”
Of course, they weren’t just referring to the Fifth Floor, where the town was located.
One of the Six Marquises, who publicly stated that it was important for him to act first, had personally confirmed the Fifth Floor and even surveyed the Fourth Floor.
While perhaps not lucrative for adventurers with a certain level of skill, the Fourth Floor was different for the producers.
This was because there were no monsters, their natural enemies in many respects, appearing there.
All of these factors contributed to the statement made earlier.
The direction of the discussion was largely divided into two.
The first was to silently allow individual producers and individual trading companies to defect from Kenerusen, with Kenerusen continuing on its own path.
The second was for Kenerusen, along with the Six Marquises, to fall under the subjugation of the Amamiya Tower.
No opinions were voiced advocating for forcefully stopping the defections and becoming direct enemies.
Kenerusen’s weapon was not armed force, but its products.
The very existence of those products depended on the weapon of vast land.
However, the Amamiya Tower possessed the same weapon.
Furthermore, unlike Kenerusen, it had enough space to develop vast new territories.
There was talk of Kenerusen expanding its land, but it wasn’t that simple.
For generations, the various Six Marquises had tried to develop new land, only to be thwarted by monsters.
In fact, Kenerusen’s territory had not expanded in over fifty years.
The last time they secured land, it wasn’t as vast as they had hoped.
Even so, it became valuable land to them at the time.
It was unlikely that the Six Marquises would easily be granted permission to use land if they approached the Amamiya Tower with such a request.
More than that, they didn’t give even a sliver of thought to their request being accepted.
This was why the second opinion had emerged.
Naturally, all six of them held pride and a sense of self-importance from supporting Kenerusen’s production as Six Marquises for so long.
However, the harsh reality was that Kenerusen’s further development was difficult in the current situation.
Amidst this, the Amamiya Tower’s floors had suddenly appeared.
To the Six Marquises, the floors of the Amamiya Tower were places they desperately desired.
If it were a matter of wealth alone, it would have been simple, but unfortunately, that was not the case.
The Tower’s side understood this, and naturally, they would not agree.
“…Have all opinions been pretty much exhausted?”
Foorik said, as if to conclude the discussion.
Everyone exchanged glances and nodded.
Indeed, opinions had been sufficiently voiced.
All that remained was to reach a conclusion.
But before that, Foorik closed his eyes and spoke:
“…May I say just one last thing?”
Foorik opened his eyes and continued after confirming that everyone else was watching him.
“I thought perhaps we should recall the original philosophy of us Six Marquises who gathered here.”
Foorik gave a wry, self-deprecating smile, admitting he wasn’t sure if he was right.
At his words, everyone looked momentarily taken aback and gave similar wry smiles.
Afterward, everyone’s faces became filled with determination.
“…Hmm. Well, I feel like you all already know without me having to ask, but… it’s a rule, so I’ll take a vote.”
Foorik, as the chairman, began the vote, but it was decided with just one vote.
It was unanimously decided that Kenerusen, along with the Six Marquises, would enter into subjugation under the Crown.
***
Schmidt, the Division Head of the Crown’s Commercial Division, was stunned for a while after receiving a document from Deputy Alec.
Seeing his reaction, Alec gave a wry smile.
It was understandable. Alec had been in the same state just moments before.
The document was from Kenerusen, bearing the signatures of all six Marquises.
The content was simple: a request for all six Marquises to join the Crown.
After a moment, Schmidt recovered.
“…What is the possibility of it being a trap?”
Schmidt’s remark was made with Lord Felcia, who had bothered Kousuke during the Divine Power Summon, in mind.
Lord Felcia originally belonged to Kenerusen.
However, Alec was not particularly worried about that.
This was because the Six Marquises were clearly in a higher position than Lord Felcia.
He had a calculation that if necessary, he could use the Six Marquises’ position to have Lord Felcia expelled.
“I can’t say there isn’t a possibility, but it’s likely low. If anything, it would be that we might be consumed if we show any weakness.”
That was a situation that could occur at any time when running an organization.
Schmidt was, of course, aware that Kousuke favored him, but he did not mistakenly believe that it made his current position unshakeable.
“…May I ask the reason?”
“That’s written in the document. Wouldn’t you, rather than an outsider like myself, be more able to understand it?”
Hearing this, Schmidt reread the document.
He had overlooked it because it was written so naturally, or rather, like a standard formality, in all six Marquises’ documents.
The documents each stated their reasons for joining, but all of them included the phrase “based on our principles.”
Normally, this would be mere decoration, but when it came to Kenerusen’s Six Marquises, it was a different story.
Any merchant from the Central Continent would have heard of the principles of Kenerusen’s Six Marquises at least once.
In a sense, it could even be considered the principle of all merchants on the Central Continent, and it bolstered the reason why all six Marquises desired to join.
That principle was simply: “To supply all the food for the entire continent solely from within the continent.”
Unfortunately, that principle was not currently being met, but the Six Marquises, with their long history, had not abandoned it.
Rather, Schmidt shuddered, realizing they had made this decision precisely for that reason.
“…This is astonishing.”
“Ah. We made some preparations, but I never expected it to go this smoothly. Or rather, it went too smoothly. We underestimated their principles.”
“I agree. I thought it was just a mere principle or goal. …Perhaps it’s a long-held obsession?”
“Indeed, if we can utilize the floors of this Tower properly, it could become a reality.”
“…Yes.”
“However… the four continents on the periphery might not be able to rest easy with this development either?”
The four continents surrounding the Central Continent had held a strong influence precisely because they controlled essentials related to life, such as food.
However, if this situation improved, they might not stand by idly.
“Isn’t that dependent on the development capabilities of the Six Marquises?”
It was unlikely they could increase production to a degree that would immediately disrupt the current import balance.
However, it might become a possibility in the future.
“…This is bad. We shouldn’t get too far ahead of ourselves.”
“Indeed.”
Alec and Schmidt exchanged wry smiles.
“More importantly, this matter is too significant for me alone. We should confirm with Wahid-sama immediately. Depending on the circumstances, Kousuke-sama’s approval may also be necessary…”
“Ah, I suppose so.”
The entry of the Six Marquises under the Crown was a matter that could have significant repercussions.
It was clearly not a case that Schmidt could approve on his own authority.
Furthermore, since land was also involved, Alec’s administrative jurisdiction would also be touched upon.
Given the gravity of the situation, it was clear that a decision from higher up was necessary.
Ultimately, the matter did not stop with just Wahid; it reached Kousuke.
After hearing everyone’s opinions, Kousuke gave his permission, and within a few days, the official announcement of the Six Marquises’ subjugation to the Tower was made.
The subjugation of the Six Marquises to the Crown meant, in effect, Kenerusen’s de facto subjugation to the Tower, and its impact spread throughout the continent.
As I was writing this tale, I wondered… would it have been better to integrate it into the main story? lol
The documents from the Six Marquises arrived at Alec’s desk before the Crown announced its plans to establish branches in the east, west, north, and south.
The timing may have been exquisite. For both parties.
