This was something that could quite easily see the representative flying out of his seat in a rage. It was quite a rude suggestion. It meant constraining their diplomatic policies to what was convenient for Capua. It also cut off the majority of their options for international diplomacy.
“Hm, what for?” Rök’s reaction, however, was another slight incline of his head, with no real sign of displeasure.
With that in mind, Zenjirou couldn’t help but feel accomplished at what had taken all of his courage mustered into a single suggestion. The reaction had strongly supported his assumptions.
At present, Utgard had almost no diplomatic ties with other countries. Even within the region, it had been over a hundred years since someone had been summoned from Uppasala. The other three of the five countries were likely in similar positions, and other nations might not even be sure of Utgard’s existence. That meant restrictions on negotiations with other countries would merely be maintaining the status quo.
That was why Zenjirou thought his suggestion would be realistic, despite such a thing normally being rude at best, and excessive interference at worst by the standards of another nation.
“Having a link to you is to our benefit. I imagine you are aware, but your kingdom is distinct from not only us on the Southern Continent, but the other nations of the north. Having exclusive leadership over a connection with such a different country will, of course, be hugely beneficial to us.”
The representative nodded in understanding at the plain and materialistic reasons Zenjirou gave, but continued his questioning. “I don’t dispute the benefit to the royal family. However, if your aim is magic writing, I will tell you that it will not be done before we proceed. Negotiating with an individual would be possible, but we cannot do so with a country.”
His words were a roundabout way of saying that they would not be exporting magic writing. There was no contradiction to anything he had said earlier in that. The whole reason Utgard was trying to gain passage to Utgarða was that their reserves of magicite to engrave seemed to be reaching their end. Paying with the very thing they were running out of wouldn’t be an option, and Zenjirou had expected as much.
“That is fine, though if it is possible, I would like you to consider magic writing without magicite as its base.”
Even the complete translation ability that the writing itself possessed would be valuable, regardless of the special abilities it might be missing. While verbal conversation was possible thanks to the soul of language, there were multiple languages even on the Southern Continent, so a script that anyone could read would be well worth it.
Rök considered it for a few moments but eventually shook his head. “No. There are no exceptions.”
That meant there was either some shortage of the materials for the translation ability itself or that they were concerned about the techniques spreading. Whatever the case, it was a complete refusal, so Zenjirou didn’t push his luck any further.
“Understood. But the other points are acceptable?” Zenjirou asked, keeping his tone as light as possible.
Representative Rök nodded slightly while pushing for confirmation. “They are. Can I take it that you are accepting our request?”
“You can. However, we have a limited number of people capable of casting the spells, so I have no idea how to establish a travel route. You mentioned earlier that the deadline for your request would potentially be several centuries or even longer away. Are you willing to accept that?”
Zenjirou was just about capable of three spells: drawing something nearby, creating a barrier, and teleportation. Aura was a much better mage, but she was not a researcher.
There were materials that had been left behind by the previous king, Carlos, and other members of the family, so research on trade routes was possible but unlikely to begin until the next generation when there were more people capable of casting the spells.
All Zenjirou could personally do was digitize the writings left behind on the various pieces of parchment and strips of wood. He was much busier than when he and Aura had first gotten married, but he was still the one with far more free time.
I’ll take the lead and gather the information, then get Aura to look over it and let me know what she thinks. It’d be great to get some insight from Espiridion, but that’ll be up to her to decide.
While Zenjirou was considering all of that, Representative Rök had kept his silence, but eventually nodded firmly. “Fine. I understand it will take time. However, I would rather avoid your family making a show of the attempt to maintain the contract. Once we have agreed on the details, I want to seal the contract officially with magic. Agreed?”
“Seal it with magic? Can magic writing do such a thing?” Zenjirou asked, his surprise clear.
“It is not impossible, but that isn’t what I mean. To make things certain, we will use a contract magic tool.”
Zenjirou wasn’t foolish enough to miss the implication there. “An inheritance from the White Empire.”
“Exactly.”
Although Representative Rök spoke placidly, Zenjirou couldn’t contain his shock, partially at the White Empire’s existence, and partially at the idea that they would go out of their way to use it.
He realized that he had misjudged things. They had gone out of their way to invite him here, so he had known their desire to contact Utgarða was no mere whim or vagary. However, the representative had said that it could theoretically wait “two or three centuries.” Because of that, he’d taken it as a casual agreement, to put it plainly. But with them now going out of their way to use one of the relics of the White Empire, it most definitely was no such thing.
Still, the decision did not affect the terms themselves.
“Understood. However, I do not have the authority to agree to that on my own. I suggest we negotiate in writing as per usual until the particulars are settled and form the contract once we have both reached an agreement.”
“Very well.”
Yngvi was silent, watching the exchange with the gleam of ambition flaring in his eyes. It was still only a verbal agreement, but a contract between Capua and Utgard was a matter of great historical—and political—significance.