Volume 2 - CH 77

In the end, the skirmish with Sacrament at the national border, ended as just a skirmish.

It seems neither country intends to treat it as a major incident, this chapter closed without reaching a state of war.

Most likely the person who caused all this, the old man’s activities are a concern but, there’s no need to poke a bush and cause a snake to jump out.

For the adult’s affairs below the water surface, ignore, ignore, I’m as happy as can be with my daily life returned to me.

「Ano, are you angry……?」

――Thus I, returned to the principality’s capital, visited Maria-san’s office to report to her and withered in front of her.

「Ara ara, Alice-dono, might you done something that would anger me?」

Some～how, her smile is?

A scary person, is here right?

It couldn’t be helped even if I lied so I reported what happened at the national border.

That we captured Leoneil and Leymia.

And that――we just let them go.

Also, about Eclair……

As Maria-san was entrusted with Wilmington, it can’t be helped if she became angry.

「Looking just at the objective truth, while my troops were in an inferior position you took the vanguard and defeated the enemy commander. Then you faced another commander class enemy and defeated him. Minimizing the damage to my troops, you cornered the enemy force into a retreat.」

Pon, Maria-san put her hands together in front of her breast.

「Perhaps, a medal is in order?」

「N, no, I must respectfully decline……」

For now it seems like she isn’t really angry.

But if I dig any deeper that’d be, uncouth……

「That is a shame. Ufufu, but having you do work for us for free, would sully the principality’s name. Using some form like a commission from me, we will deliver remuneration.」

U～～n?

If it’s to that extent, might it be welcome?

Money, is important isn’t it.

「Then, don’t hold back.」

「In that case, how about, somewhere around five million rooks?」

「Five mil!?」

Five million rooks!!?

Such a thing is……five platinum coins!?

What sort of sum is that!?

「That is, well, I feel like it’s too much……!」

「Alice-dono, it seems that you do not understand what a great achievement you’ve accomplished then? Preventing a war, saving the lives of the troops, and bringing victory to my country. Considering those gains, don’t you believe this is cheap?」

Watching it be said like that, it does feel that way……

No, Maria-san is skilled with her mouth so, I can’t let myself be fooled can I!

「Etto, at least leave it at one platinum coin!」

「No, that would be too little. Four coins.」

「If it’s two then, somehow!」

「I won’t compromise further than, three coins.」

By the way, what is this!?

Rather than bargaining down a good, I’m in some strange state where I’m bargaining to lower my own remuneration!

「U～n.」

「Even if you moan cutely like that, I can’t go any lower than this you know?」

And, Maria-san smiled and looked at me without saying yes or no.

No, no good is it……

「I understand……I’ll receive it thankfully, really……」

「Ufufu, hai.」

I ended up taking in a great haul……

「Ah, as we’ve prepared a mansion within the principality’s capital, please make use of it when you stay over.」

「Ha?」

「Since Alice-dono often travels in a large group, without one or two mansions, would it not be inconvenient?」

Isn’t this strange, even though I just haggled down my remuneration, can I have something even bigger paid out to me like an installment plan?