Chapter 109 - Capitalists Smile at War

 I was still listening in, my penis still buried inside Romphaia’s canal as I maintained the connection.

"Tell me, Frim. Is there a way to play both sides? How do we take this profitable deal from Reniosegra while simultaneously keeping Niosebuk in our debt?"

The widow was saying some truly outrageous things. The maid’s cool voice responded:

"Mistress, if you try to please everyone, you'll end up hated by both." 

"I know that. But to completely turn the beasts of Niosebuk into enemies requires a level of resolve I’m not sure I have yet. Accepting Reniosegra’s offer means making that choice, doesn't it?" 

"By the same token, rejecting the deal means breaking with Reniosegra and siding with Niosebuk." 

"I thought as much."

Listening in like this, I realized the maid was incredibly sharp. She wasn't just there to serve tea.

"It seems the Flame Queen of Reniosegra intends to use this opportunity to finish off that beast-nation once and for all," Frim continued. "The moves her 'hands' are making reflect her will. If we misread her intent, we could sink right along with the losers." 

"True... but wouldn't it be lovely if everyone could just get along? By which I mean, I wish they'd keep fighting forever and never stop buying our weapons and supplies."

Hey, watch it, lady.

"War is the ultimate act of consumption," the maid agreed. "Having Niosebuk nearby—a country that treats war like a daily chore—has been a blessing for our bottom line." 

"They've certainly lined our pockets. But maybe the tide is finally turning." 

"Indeed. Our think-tank puts the probability of the Third Prince, Gangastra, taking the throne at 76%." 

"That hot-headed brat who started a blood-purge the very day his father died? The previous King was manageable, but the new boy is too feral to be a business partner. He’s bad for business." 

"He seems to view us as servants. I wouldn't be surprised if he starts demanding supplies for free soon." 

"I have no patience for idiots. So, is our only choice to side with Reniosegra?"

Oh? Things were starting to look up for us.

"...No, wait," Corzette mused. "What if we did this?" 

"What are you thinking?" 

"There are other candidates for the Niosebuk throne, aren't there?" 

"Yes. The Fourth Princess Shinsenoiza and the Sixth Prince Terracoas. Despite being siblings, they’ve formed a matrimonial alliance to stand against the Third Prince." 

"What about them?" 

"Pardon?" 

"I'm asking if the Princess and the Prince can be used as pawns... I mean, as 'business partners'!"

Nice save, but I heard you.

"They're certainly better than the Third Prince. If we can reach an understanding with them, why don't we back them for the throne? We eliminate the unmanageable Gangastra and install leaders who are easier to control." 

"I see. We continue to profit from Niosebuk while fulfilling our 'duty' to help Reniosegra by removing the biggest threat." 

"Exactly. Reniosegra gets their dangerous neighbor neutralized, and we get to take the deal without a guilty conscience. It’s a brilliant plan!"

◆

I cut the connection to the eavesdropping skill.

"We’re being seriously underestimated, haha...!" 

"Your skill is remarkably convenient, Sir Sao," Romphaia whispered. She remained motionless, still connected to me. "It saves the trouble of having to explain everything you heard."

"What do you think of their little fantasy?" I asked. 

"It’s out of the question," Romphaia hissed, her eyes burning with a cold fury even as she remained physically exposed. "We are trying to eliminate a national threat, and they want to warp the plan just to keep their golden goose alive. It’s unconscionable."

I agreed. Our ultimate goal was the total dismantling of the current Niosebuk regime. I couldn't have them changing the "landing zone" of the mission just for their own profit.

"We agree that the Third Prince is the biggest danger, but the Fourth Princess and the Sixth Prince aren't exactly harmless," Romphaia noted. "If they still harbor intentions of invading our home, we can't let them survive either."

"But to the Coalition, they’re just 'repeat customers,'" I added. To them, war is a business opportunity. They still want Niosebuk to exist in some form.

"Our goal for the next negotiation is set, then," Romphaia said. "We have to override their scheme and convince them to go along with the total destruction of Niosebuk." "But we need their cooperation," I reminded her. "If the negotiation fails, we’re back to square one." If we pushed too hard and they sided with Niosebuk, it would be a disaster. Merchants are a nightmare to deal with.

"Let's listen a bit more. We might find a hook to persuade them." 

"Understood. Back in the pussy you go... ngh! ❤️❤️"

I thrust back into Romphaia, reconnecting to her skill. It felt like plugging in an earphone jack.

◆

The voices returned.

"Now, we just need to figure out how to persuade them to go along with us," Corzette said.

They were thinking the exact same thing we were.

"Reniosegra wants to finish the beasts once and for all. How do we bend them to our will and still get their maximum cooperation?"

Talk about selfish, I thought. You've already made a fortune off Niosebuk. Greed will be the death of you.

"I have a plan, Mistress," Frim said. 

"Oh?" 

"Did you notice the young man at the table earlier? The one who didn't say a word, sitting next to the knight?" 

"Oh, the one with the cute face?"

Wait. Are they talking about me?

"What? Is he your type, Frim? Your tastes might be changing, but this isn't the time for that." 

"Of course not, Mistress. My point is that the young man is the center of this entire situation." 

"What?"

"According to our intelligence network, a high-value individual has been rising in Reniosegra. He’s the favorite of the Flame Queen, Laevateinn. He solved the succession and class issues in their capital single-handedly. He's the one who gathered all the dungeon materials we're about to buy."

Hey, I didn't do it alone. It was a group effort!

"Do not underestimate him, Mistress. He is here because he believes he can use his 'charms' to make you cooperate. He’s a peerless womanizer. Not a single woman he targets has managed to keep her chastity. Virgin or wife, they all open their legs for him. You've heard the rumor that Queen Laevateinn is suddenly pregnant, haven't you?" 

"Yes, it was a massive scandal. It solidified the nation’s future." 

"The rumor is that he's the father." 

"What?!"

WHAT?! I mean, it's true, but I didn't know the word had spread that far. Talk about a shock.

"If that's true, he’s the father of the next King. His power will be absolute. But why is a man like that here?" 

"Because you’re a woman, Mistress. He likely plans to seduce you and make you his puppet." 

"Hah?!"

My reactions were syncing up with the widow's perfectly.

"His name is Sao. Even the Great Queen Laevateinn was knocked up by him. He likely thinks he can charm a mere widow like you with ease." 

"How... adorable. Such optimism."

There was a hint of predatory playfulness in the widow’s voice now. She sounded like she was actually looking forward to it.

"If that's his game, then I’ll be the one to break him. I’ll turn him into my personal sex-slave. Once he’s under my thumb, he'll agree to whatever policies we set." 

"A wonderful idea, Mistress." 

"I want to see the skills that brought down a Queen. A widow’s body is a trap—once you're in, it’s hard to get out. It'll be fun to see if I feel better than the world's greatest heroine." 

"I have no doubt your charms are a match for any Queen."

There was a chilling, supernatural confidence in their voices now.

"Well... I should probably practice my 'bedside manners.' Frim, would you mind helping me?" 

"Of course, Mistress..." 

"Lift your skirt and show me your petals. Ah, yes... as beautiful as always." 

"I am just a flesh-pot for your nightly amusement, Mistress... ah! To be licked so suddenly... ❤️❤️" 

"Slurp... mwah... oh, you're so sweet, Frim."

...

◆

I cut the eavesdropping skill there. They were already getting into it, and I didn't want to tread too far into their private business.

"They certainly are energetic," I muttered. "A widow with a taste for her own maid. What a twisted love life."

Romphaia was still connected to me, even after I stopped the skill. "They know more about us than I thought. We might need to rethink our strategy."

"Wait, were you actually planning to have me seduce her?" I asked. The idea that they’d send me in to 'bone' her into submission sounded like something a virgin would dream up.

"Just a little," she admitted.

"Seriously? I don't like using sex like that, you know. Sex should just be for fun."

"Well, she’s coming into the next meeting with the exact same intention. Poor Sir Sao... you’re about to be devoured by that widow."

"Hmm...!" I hammered my hips against Romphaia’s once more, lost in thought.

"Ah! ❤️❤️ Ahhh! ❤️❤️"

My main goal was to erase that beast-nation from the map. To do that, I needed the Coalition. And since she was coming at me with "sexual warfare" in mind... maybe I should just go with the flow?

◆

The next day. I stepped back into the reception room.

"Welcome. Thank you for coming back so soon."

It was Frim, the maid. She bowed deeply. Comparing the groups today, both sides were missing a person.

"Where is the knight who was with you?" Frim asked. "She had urgent business and couldn't make it."

Lies. Romphaia had decided that "things would move faster if I wasn't there to watch," essentially playing into the enemy's trap on purpose. In reality, I’d spent all night having sex with her at the inn, and she was currently passed out in bed.

"Don't worry," I said. "I have the authority to make decisions, so we won't have to 'take things back for consideration' every time." 

"That’s wonderful to hear. ...Actually, our representative, Corzette, also had an urgent matter to attend to, but she said she’ll be here shortly. If you could wait a moment...?"

The maid’s service was flawless, but...

"Of course, I can't let a guest be bored while waiting for my Mistress. If you'll have me, I’d be happy to keep you company. How about it?"

The sexual trap is already set.

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