Exports and a Queen's Worth
It turns out that while Naruko was out, the villagers did something different.
There's 26 people in camp. 23 from Coda, Tuka the elf, Rory and Naruko. All of whom live in camps that semble Post-Disaster Temporary Shelters styled like apartments.
Since Itami went 'Humanitarian', they were his responsibility though now with a Queen's arrival, everyone had to take the refugees seriously considering its a potential alliance and gaining the freedom to move in her lands.
But even Naruko knows that they must not get TOO dependent on the Japanese, that she taught Survival and Foraging Skills and she was much skilled in that regard that they can provide their own breakfast and lunch using the goods of the forest, and Dinner was provided by the JSDF just for the sake of helping everyone sleep better.
Day one alone before she went to Japan, was very productive.
Then the Sages discovered Wyvern Corpses on the hills...apparently just used for Target Practice and asked if they could harvest the scales. They were allowed to BEFORE or AFTER Target Practice time.
And now...
'Heee...just 1 of these things is worth 70 Denari and we have 200 good scales since others are so chipped.' Naruko looked at the scales. That'd be 14000 Denari or 14 Sinku.
'And three claws.' said Lelei.
'Mm. Expensive wares...the claws are expensive medicine only the rich can buy that'd mean this camp is rich.' Naruko giggled. 'Each claw is 500 Sinku. I can just imagine what we can buy with those. That'd be enough food supply to last several months to a year if spent wisely.'
'The thing is, how much are products priced in Italica? Prices and money values have changed again since so much money was lost thanks to the Allied Nations Expedition.' said Sage Cato.
Naruko's eyes glinted.
'About that...before I came here, my ninjas located where the Japanese buried the idiots.' said Naruko. 'Reidi! Malfa!' two women appeared behind her, kneeling down and coming down one at a time the refugees knew who's who. Reidi was a fox-woman and Malfa was a Minotauress. Both have sleek, form-fitting armor that did not get in the way of movement no matter their physique while covering all vitals safely while waist-down has a lot of freedom and exposure, but wearing comfortable, padded leather boots with thick soles. The only things visible were their hair, ears for Reidi and horns in Malfa's case in a ponytail through holes in the helmet, and their face. 'How goes the harvest?'
'Its a bit difficult, these people buried every corpse 20 feet under, but we managed somehow.'
'I see...give the money to these Refugees.' said Naruko to her ninjas. 'They need it more than we do now. How much is the harvest?'
'That'd be about six notches away from 50 million Suwanis worth of money if we add everything up, your majesty. We also wait for the Japanese to release the Horses. Apparently, they took the horses in along with the Horse Feed of the camp out of fear of these 'Animal Rights' people, but it won't long before the Horse Feed runs out.' the refugees looked like they were about to have an aneurysm on those words.
'Those soldiers carried THAT much?!' Tuka yelped in disbelief. 'That's impractical AND stupid!'
'Its a rule of war.' said Lelei. 'You bring as much money as you can carry to purchase war necessities and supplies. But if you die in war, to the victor goes the spoils.' she explained. 'Everything you own, is theirs. Elf culture about War must be different so its a surprise to you.'
'Ohohoho! I would know that best~' Naruko did a noblewoman's laugh as her ninjas also wore impish but satisfied smiles. 'The idiot neighboring countries tried invading us oh-so-many times only to fail miserably so our people are suuuuper rich and prosperous~!'
'And it doesn't help that they haven't learned a thing from the past, either.' Sage Cato sighed.
Uzumaki is a very powerful nation, monopolizing Sea Commerce and every attempt to invade them makes the country richer instead as their military, is TOO STRONG and everyone damn well knew it. All demihumans who were kicked out of their lands by the Empire, gladly joined Uzumaki to have permanent homes and no fear of being ousted out ever again that all the Empire had left, were the Orcs, Ogres and Trolls and other brainless species they were so fond of using as cannon fodder. Even three years ago, the vicious Warrior Bunny tribe sought refuge in Uzumaki as well and those who became slaves, had to be rescued from Akusho's Slave Market so now there's a village of Warrior Bunnies in Uzumaki, training hard to get stronger for revenge and regaining their lands.
If demihuman races had trouble increasing their numbers due to financial reasons, they're now great in numbers in Uzumaki they each have their own cities just for themselves though the Warrior Bunnies will take time to recover.
The reason for Uzumaki's strength, was the fact they have demihumans in their military, their strengths banked on through incredible training. That much, Cato knew on a year's stay in Uzumaki before they decided to settle down permanently in Coda.
'Well, I have a friend of mine who works in a Trade Shop in Italica. We can sell those there while getting the money from her majesty...we can rebuild Coda Village with this money too, hopefully everyone will move back in someday.' he said.
'Well, we should make arrangements to leave.' said Cato. 'We'd need an escort to get there.'
'Er, going now would be a bad time, Sage Cato.' Malfa pointed out.
'Eh?'
'I just got back from Italica, talking to our pairs of eyes there.' said Reidi. 'For about two days now, they endured siege attacks by a massive bandit group of over 800. For Italica whose able-bodied men are recruited, all that's left are citizens who had to become Militia or die trying. Leading these band of misfits was the 10th Imperial Princess Pina Co Lada who happened to stop by there with three Knight Escorts. Aina and Eisha await next orders.'
'I see...well, since there'll be a Japanese Escort...I'll have to ask them to join the bodyguard retinue and leave their post in case things go too shirty but if everything turns out well in the end, they remain on their post.' said Naruko. 'I'm going to task Lelei, Tuka Reidi and Malfa to go to Italica with Rory with a Japanese Escort of their choice though the payment for services will come from me. You ladies will be temporarily under command of the most superior officer you're saddled with during Italica's crisis. Have fun with the bandits but dying is not an option ladies~besides, the Japanese will surely use this opportunity to make business with Italica. Welp, time to arrange things...this is a 2nd-Class Mission by standards but with Japanese Military, it will become a 3rd-Class.'
xxx
Hazama's Office...
'So the Refugees found selling Dragon Scales and Claws to be a starting Financial Venture but the problem is a 800 Bandit Strike Force?'
'Yes.' said Naruko. 'If my ninja forces went, it'll be a B-Class Mission Rank but with help from Japan, difficulty rate will lower to C-Class Mission due to weaponry and warfare. And as Italica is part of the Empire, swooping in as good-willed heroes will be incentive for the young Countess to let the JSDF roam Italican Domain unquestioned, no? Italica is also a Trading Domain exporting crops if we Uzumaki export Seafood. The refugees will be using their small fortune to periodically buy their own food supplies.'
'Very well.' said Hazama, accepting 1000 Suwanis from her. 'We will arrange an Escort and Strike Force for the girls. Er, you're not coming?'
'Ahaha, politics and all~! I had to tell my messengers to dress smart just to be able to come along, my face and our people's clothing is too famous.'
'Yare yare...'
xxx
It took until the next day for the team to be back with captives they later set loose as Japan is not into slavery and indeed, Japan scored a deal with Countess Myui Formal, witnessed by Princess Pina Co Lada, Rory and three JSDF high-ranking personnel.
However, they have to deal with another thing...the Princess and her Knights came to try to make things easier on the Empire somehow...and all are surprised she was there!
'Queen Naruko! Why are you in Alnus?' Pina gasped out upon seeing the perpetually-child immortal queen.
'Oh, business of course.' said Naruko as she and her ninjas taught the kids how to fight. 'I already have a wonderful arrangement with their country and some in the works...business relationships is wonderfully splendid!'
Pina and the Knights paled. Uzumaki already has relationships with the men-in-green! They work fast!
"Oh no, Queen Naruko allied with them first...her country is already powerful enough as it is but now she allied with a country who could make the Flame Dragon flee from them in fear?!" she thought in fear. 'B-business?'
'Of course. If you are the ruler of your kingdom, one must do all means for prosperity and high-class living standards for even commoners.' said Naruko. 'My standards are such that a commoner family of six can enjoy 10000 sinks total of annual income.' that got the Knights choking. A commoner family enjoys that much money in her Kingdom?! 'You'd know you did a good job if there's no impoverished citizen in your nation and no homeless or prostitutes walking out at night and these Japanese will help me in return for business.'
"Oh my god...if she's offering these people so much, how can we/I compete with that?!" the knights all thought incredulously in horror.
'Erm...what did you do?'
'Oh, I hired them to do jobs for me, in return for about 1021100 Suwani.' Naruko was having fun with their reactions. 'Its easy to pay that much for my requests, its just chump change!' she said airily.
The Rose Knight Order could feel faint from shock.
Over a million Suwani, just chump change for the Queen?
xxx
'You enjoyed making them uncomfortable, your majesty.' Cato noted as the Knights walked around while Pina, Hamilton and Grey went with Yanagida for talks with Lelei as Interpreter.
'Ufufu, of course...' Naruko smiled darkly. 'Its a ruler's duty to flaunt one's wealth to a rival nation to show how powerful and wealthy you are so they won't dare try anything funny. That child is smarter than her father and brothers at least. She knew not to be a fool but alas, its a shame a narcisstic idiot will inherit the Empire's throne but all the more fun for me~!' and cue a malevolent smile that made the old man gulp. 'I will take pleasure in showing him his place. Under my foot into the mud.'
And she popped a piece of Maltezers in her mouth. 'Ummm, these chocolate things are wonderful! I wonder how Furuta-dono has progressed?'
'Maa maa its only about a day and half for the boy.'
'Yes...but healthy delicious food means my people will eat a lot and healthy citizens means stronger citizens, no? I gave him plenty of 'toys' to play with.'
xxx
JSDF Kitchens...
So many exotic fare around! The only land meat was Ma Nuga. Fowls were large flight birds clearly shot down by archery if the holes in heads or necks were any hint. Then there's these strange grains, vegetables, herbs, spices definitely of an alien world...and let's not get started with Seafood...while fish is normal, the rest look like they could belong in an alien movie he was somewhat nervous. The shellfish and mollusks are kooky enough to look at, yet they're food?!
But the Spirit of a Chef is stronger than his fears, so with millions on the line, he'll create the best dishes ever. Besides, her majesty just gave him a huge starting fund to open his restaurant one day!
xxx
In a room provided for them...
'This, is bad.' Pina swore to her three knights after the talks are done. 'Queen Naruko already made a lasting impression on Japan.'
'Chump Change.' Hamilton whimpered. 'She called over a million Suwani chump change! How can we compete with that?! The Emperor won't allow us to overspend to outspend her!' she despaired.
'I know that, but what can we do to make an equally good bargain and ensure we stay alive by the end of this? I do not want to anger a powerful nation clearly powerful enough for Queen Naruko to make deals with them. This country owns Iron Arks and Flying Pegasi that can kill hundreds in minutes, hundreds of men we struggled just to kill a couple off!' Pina swore.
The Uzumaki Kingdom.
It has a history of 600 years, the youngest country. The oldest was her native land the Empire.
Yet in history books, it took 400 years to build Uzumaki to be the powerhouse it was today, and then conquered unclaimed territories, and took a monopoly of the Sea. When Uzumaki was discovered to be wealthy, many attempts were made to invade them to no avail. They were too strong even back then.
When Uzumaki has been established, about a million volume sets about their nation was sent to Rondel. It was a three volume set that everyone knows about Uzumaki and how their culture is like but nothing about the Military or Royal Family. Their country was paradise that countries, even her own ancestors wanted Uzumaki for themselves but no soldier came back alive, not even a Dragonrider.
The more expeditions, the more wealth lost. That is why kingdoms stopped trying, but great-grandchildren of previous Kings would try again until eventually, 200 years before today, everyone gave up as a lost cause as they are out of able-bodied men and money. Slaves in the mines are no longer just men. Women too, became Miners in order to be able to mint out coins lest the whole populace, even the nobility starve. Women are also under pressure to produce as many sons as possible under a law passed on, regardless of financial situation. The more sons you have, the more market discounts the family would get.
The thing was, even with the incentives, its impossible to keep everybody alive if you're poor. That was reality. The only ones who weren't poor, were the dwarves who are hired and paid to craft and mint.
Even her father, the King, only had over ten million suwani in his Royal Treasury as gathering taxes is now impossible, tax collectors get beaten to death as people would rather feed families than give money away. Even he could no longer afford extravagance as an Emperor should.
When Queen Naruko was invited to an annual party when she was a child, she came in her child form people thought she was the heiress to the throne...until she suddenly grew up to womanhood, being one beautiful queen and her retinue are all women, coming with five bodyguards. 'Really, youngsters. I keep my child form to suppress my power lest I end up destroying something by accident.' she said, changing back to kid-hood.
Every King and Prince tried to negotiate and deal with her. She merely looked amused as she knew she holds the power.
'Dear oh dear, business would be good if you have something worth purchasing.' said Naruko, knowing full well they're all after money. 'As the Queen of my nation, I seek prosperity and elevation of living standards so I welcome innovation and attractive products. Perhaps if I invite you to my Capital, you will not see a single beggar or prostitute in my streets.'
That, was a jab towards other Kings as rulers.
She invited them to her Kingdom a week after, each Royal Family allowed ten bodyguards, and borders strictly guarded over by Border Guards who are at least, a member of every race...and all women! Very strict, no-nonsense women that when some princes tried the Sexist Route, they got beaten black and blue for it by the angry border guards.
(these women were the reason Pina wanted to start her own band)
And upon arriving in Paralia by a Dragoness Guide...
Paralia was...well...no words can describe how beautiful the city is. Buildings, streets with trees and plants here and there, the people are all beautiful and people of various races live in it wearing unique fashions and shoes. Indeed, no poor in sight at all! Everyone wore a plated headband save for really young kids. And it happens to be an Emroy Feast Day that everyone was in war paint, costumes and Emroy Paraphernalia for sale as well as Street Stalls selling many things. Their Hotel Suite is beautiful, food and wine befitting their status and the castle? A piece of artwork! The Interior, decor and furnishings were just as gorgeous.
They were taken to a hotel, given a suite and an Itinerary of their schedule and Rory was present since she was the Apostle of Emroy.
Problem? Due to lack of funds, inventors have trouble purchasing needed materials to create things that would attract the Queen's money to them.
All but a type of Domain...farming domains.
Due to Uzumaki being rich in seafood such as fish, shellfish and delicious other sea-edibles, they want grains and vegetables...thus what a wonderful opportunity!
Problem yet again?
Food-related riots.
Until things cooled down, sending goods for money had to be regulated.
The last hope, was the world beyond the Gate to acquire more wealth...only to end up against a Country who are more frightening than the Uzumaki's mysterious military forces! They lost more wealth again, only this time, to the Japanese. This caused an uproar when all Allied Nations' Kings gathered in a War Council as Kings were furious that not only was it for naught but also their sons/grandsons/nephews died and King Duran was missing, until Pina stumbled upon him in a Nunnery that worships the God Hodor, being cared for by nuns as he lost an arm and leg, and had nothing but contempt and hatred for the Empire because the Empire's troops, were a no-show yet other flags of Kingdoms are present!
He had a lot to say about the matter.
Now it's up to Pina and she has to do this carefully.
She would also have to talk with Queen Naruko too.
She prepared herself. Right now, time to speak to the Queen herself.
xxx
Around Dinner Time...
During eating Food Rations for dinner...
'...food sealed in metal containers?' the princess and her retinue looked baffled as the women set up a wok over campfire to boil water with.
'Well, its their military food ration that can last a week if stored properly in a cool place. But if to be consumed, reheat it in boiling water for five minutes before eating.' Sage Cato explained as they used can openers given to them. 'What an innovative way to store food during travel but sadly we're in a warm area of the world...its impossible for us to have this, food will go bad in just a day after production.' the old man shook his head.
'Oh...'
'Delicious though!'
