Subscriber of the Gods Episode 167
Episode 167. Alliance
“Are we… the owners?”
“okay.”
Marakhan spoke cautiously in response to Ethan’s answer.
“But we… … .”
“Marakan, aren’t you the best when it comes to attribute granting?”
“… … I have that kind of confidence.”
“Scarlett, aren’t you the best when it comes to dyeing magic?”
Scarlett hesitated for a moment, then nodded vigorously.
“Yes, I believe there is no wizard on the continent more proficient in color and dye magic than I am.”
Ethan asked the other wizards the same question.
Everyone answered with confidence.
“Then the answer is given. You will become the masters of Ethan’s workshop. As the masters of the workshop, the authority will be entirely yours.”
“Are we… … going to be the owners? The owners who run a workshop… … ?”
Everyone had a bewildered look on their faces.
But soon he nodded with a determined look in his eyes.
“I see. So that’s what you were expecting from us.”
The wizards also understood Ethan’s intentions.
He is not satisfied with the current scale.
By the standards of individual wizards, this was a tremendous result, but by Ethan’s standards, this was only the first step.
And the next step is to walk with them.
“I will never waste the opportunity you have given me.”
“Just leave it to the workshop!”
The wizards made up their minds.
* * *
“Okay, let’s do that.”
“You have made a good choice, Count Hunta.”
Count Wickers and Count Junta joined hands.
The negotiations were quite long, but the result was successful.
Currently, the Wickus Territory was absorbing all of the floating population that should have spread to the surrounding territories.
Because of this, the surrounding territories were each experiencing difficulties.
Smaller fiefdoms could be incorporated into the Wickus domain thanks to the skills of Count Wickus and the governor, but it was difficult to do so for larger fiefdoms.
This was especially true of the Junta estates.
Until recently, the Junta Territory was a territory of a higher rank than the Wickus Territory. Therefore, it was impossible to absorb it like other smaller territories.
So Count Wickers laid out his terms of the deal.
What they were worried about now was the ever-decreasing income from their estates.
So, we decided to share a certain amount of profits in exchange for opening a branch of the lightweight workshop within the territory.
‘Because attribute granting and dyeing magic can only be done in the Wickus territory.’
“I guess it’s urgent. Giving up all the land you had.”
“That’s only natural. The Count of Junta wasn’t outright trying to swallow us up, but he was prepared to absorb our territory at any moment if we fell.”
Because of this, Count Junta had already purchased several tracts of land near the Wickers estate.
Earl Wickes acquired all of those lands through this transaction.
Thanks to this, the size of the territory could be further expanded.
In addition, it was advantageous for us to proceed with what Count Junta had been preparing.
“Ultimately, the plan was to dig a road through that land and connect it to the Junta County.”
That was Count Junta’s ultimate goal.
But things have completely changed.
With the positions of the two territories completely reversed, Count Junta’s long-held plans became the foundation for the development of the County of Wickers.
“Our territory is connected to the Junta County. If so, it won’t be long before the Junta County comes under our Wickus.”
“But if that happens, there will definitely be checks and balances from those around you.”
There were two great lords around the Wickus estate.
The Yurahan Counts boast enormous wealth.
And the Marquis of Dren, one of the twelve constellations.
“Even if we leave aside Dren, who is the sky above the sky anyway, if we absorb the Junta territory, it will be on a scale no less than the Yurahan territory. There will definitely be a check.”
“Yes, so we should prepare in advance. Let’s talk as soon as we return to the territory. How should we roast Count Yurahan?”
The two people who returned to the territory were greeted by happy faces.
“Ethan!”
“It’s been a long time, Father, General.”
“When did you come? Hahaha! You came just in time for some good news.”
The director spoke about this achievement with a bright smile.
“Then the size of the territory will become as large as Yurahan’s territory. Count Yurahan won’t just sit back and watch that happen.”
Count Wickus nodded with a serious expression at Ethan’s words.
Up until now, it had grown very smoothly without any particular restraints, but now it was different.
Because the great lords who had vested rights would not give up their positions easily.
Meanwhile, the governor was impressed by Ethan’s ability to see through the situation.
“Yes, that’s right. From then on, things will get quite difficult. They are not easy opponents. They are a family that has inherited the traditions and power of the past, so they will not sit idly by and watch a rival like us emerge.”
“Yeah, if that happens, it’ll be hard to maintain the same growth rate as now, Ethan.”
“That’s why I stayed, Father.”
“Huh? What is that? Did you come up with a plan?”
“yes.”
Ethan said with a grin.
“It’s simple. Make an offer they can’t refuse.”
* * *
Yurahan Estate.
It was the place ruled by Count Yurahan, who had shown his claws when Ethan had just started his lightweight workshop business.
“It’s been a long time, Count Yurahan.”
“It’s been a while. Wow, you’ve changed completely, Prince Ethan!”
Count Yurahan welcomed Ethan warmly.
“Thank you for the compliment, Count.”
“In that short period of time, you’ve raised the Wickus Estate so much! The Count’s contribution must have been great, but your business acumen was incredible! From the lightweight workshop to attribute granting and even dyeing magic! It couldn’t have been easy, but how did you manage your business so well! Hahaha-!”
Count Yurahan had perfect facial expression control.
But I felt bitter inside.
Ethan knew the inner thoughts of Count Yurahan very well.
‘That’s how it is. Just like the Junta territory, the Yurahan County is also absorbing the floating population into our territory.’
It is highly likely that the taxes that were originally supposed to be collected were reduced by half, or even more.
If that happens, the vicious cycle will continue.
‘Count Yurahan wants to have a good relationship with the Marquis of Dren. But if things are as they are, the Marquis of Dren won’t even pay attention to him.’
Establish good relations with the Marquis of Dren and become a member of the Twelve Stars or a similar family.
That was Count Yurahan’s ambition.
‘Then just touch that ambition.’
All you have to do is turn his ambition into hope.
Because Ethan is holding onto that string of hope.
“Count Yurahan, are you having a headache because of our territory?”
When Ethan spoke directly, Count Yurahan’s expression hardened slightly.
It was quite ambiguous to answer.
It would be humiliating to say that taxes were reduced because of the Wickers Estate, but it would be too obvious to say no.
“That’s why I came here.”
Ethan said with a big smile.
Count Yurahan couldn’t help but frown at that smile.
The Wickus Estate has been growing at an unprecedented rate in recent years. The main character of this is Ethan Wickus, who is right in front of us.
It wasn’t just a flash in the pan. Ethan’s business continued to grow to the point where it was completely changing the landscape of the area.
In just a little while, its size will become similar to that of the Yurahan Territory.
If that happens, the two territories will naturally be in a competitive situation.
Count Yurahan wanted to solidify his position as the leader of this region and move up in the ranks.
From Count Yurahan’s perspective, a fight with the Countess of Wickus, who was pursuing him closely, was inevitable.
But you came to me in person like this and spoke directly to me with a smile?
Count Yurahan suddenly broke out in a cold sweat behind his back.
‘What on earth are you thinking?’
Even from our first meeting, I could tell that Ethan was a truly unpredictable person.
Ethan looked at the situation simply while facing Count Yurahan, who was thinking complicatedly.
Ethan’s business is going smoothly like a sailboat with the wind in its sails.
However, in the process, it is indirectly affecting the profits of surrounding territories.
Although Count Wickers has been able to resolve issues with other territories, the issue with Count Yurahan is not something that can be easily resolved.
But Ethan had no intention of creating that situation in the first place.
‘It would be foolish to confront Count Yurahan head-on. No, no matter who the opponent is, fighting pointlessly is not beneficial.’
I know because I tried it.
That it is much more profitable to swallow everything without fighting than to fight and seize it.
Of course, even if they fight the Yurahan Counts, the Wickus Estate will never lose.
‘Of course I’ll win. But there’s too little to gain from fighting and winning.’
Count Yurahan is not someone who will give everything up easily. If there is little to gain from victory, there is no need to fight.
‘I know that ability well.’
The Count Yurahan family is a family that remains intact even at the end of Mephant.
‘It’s a characteristic of families that continue a long tradition.’
That’s why Ethan was thinking of bringing Count Yurahan over to this side.
It is wisest to play without making enemies, but if a neutral force shows signs of turning into an enemy, it is better to bring them to your side.
That’s why Ethan hid everything with a smile.
“So you came to find me? What does that mean, Ethan?”
“The Yurahan County is a territory with a long tradition. It has long been the center of this region. Even when monsters invaded and when war broke out. Although there is less interaction between the territories now, didn’t the Yurahan County family take the lead at the forefront? I still believe that the leader of this region is the lord who rules over the Yurahan County.”
Even when several families in this region, including the Counts of Junta and Wickers, united, the Yurahan family was always the leader.
“Isn’t the House of the Marquis of Dren not our legitimate heir? They are just stones that rolled in.”
Count Yurahan’s eyebrows twitched at Ethan’s words.
I felt like the words ‘our orthodoxy’ were binding the Yurahan Count family and other families together.
“Since when did they come to represent this region? Weren’t they originally Yurahan?”
“… … Didn’t you come here to talk business?”
“Yes, it is an extension of that, Count Yurahan.”
Count Wickers and the General who were present could not help but admire Ethan’s bold speech.
This is a very sensitive topic.
However, since the conversation was turning to the topic that the Count himself was most concerned about, Count Yurahan was unable to become angry easily.
Of course, Ethan’s reputation for having made many successful businesses had an impact, but more than that, the plan Ethan had laid out was quite excellent.
“Yes, it is as you say. But that is all in the past. Marquis Drenne is one of the Twelve.”
“But you don’t want to bend over, do you?”
Count Yurahan frowned at Ethan’s words. He was thinking of bending. He was thinking of enduring the humiliation for now and building up his strength.
That was why Ethan’s words were even more piercing. There was nothing more shameful than having someone bring up your humiliation.
“I will make it so that you don’t have to bend.”
“what?”
“I have come to propose an alliance, Count Yurahan.”
Ethan held out his hand. In an instant, Count Yurahan’s heart raced.
“Our Wickers’ goal isn’t simply to grow big. Of course, we’re not close friends, but at least when our region was attacked, we fought together as one. So let’s go together.”
“together……?”
“Yes, together.”
Count Yurahan’s eyes continued to waver as the words flowed out smoothly.
“Let’s grow together, Count Yurahan. Let’s form an alliance among ourselves to fight against the Marquis Dren.”
“… … I’ll think about it.”
It wasn’t a question that could be answered right away.
* * *
Count Yurahan was internally sighing.
When I first met Ethan Wickes, he told me he was going to work with David Top.
That’s when I got the feeling.
“I was really working with David Top.”
My bad feeling turned out to be true, so I thought it was a good thing I didn’t touch it rashly.
“A way to grow without bowing down to the Marquis of Dren… … .”
Ethan proposed a coalition alliance. Of course, I know that this coalition alliance is not just a favor.
“We’re just trying to buy time. If we form an alliance, we have to watch them grow. Eventually, Wickus will grow bigger than us, and then we’ll talk about an alliance again. Maybe… … .”
The head of the Yurahan Count family was impressed.
“Both Marquis Drenne and Count Wickers could pressure us at the same time.”
But for some reason, Count Yurahan’s intuition whispered to him that he must accept this alliance.
Count Yurahan closed his eyes for a moment and thought about it, then opened them and made a decision.
“I trust my instincts. Just like when I first met him.”
* * *
“I don’t know if I can accept it.”
Count Wickers and his general, who had returned to their estate, sat down to talk.
“Count Yurahan is a wise man. He must have figured out what we meant by proposing an alliance. It is highly likely that he will not accept it.”
“I think so too. But… … it’s definitely an attractive offer.”
“That was an excellent suggestion. Prince Ethan continues to grow. It’s scary.”
The count looked pleased.
“It looks like me.”
The governor narrowed his eyes and looked at the count.
“Put your hand on your conscience and speak.”
“They do look similar.”
smart-.
“I am reporting.”
“come in.”
The subordinate who came in immediately handed the parchment to the count.
“This is a letter from Count Yurahan.”
The count opened it right away and smiled broadly.
“It’s an alliance contract.”
fantasy,
