“Certainly not. First, I desire ores. My country’s stockpiles are limited.”
“—I see,” the Merchant’s Guildmaster smiled. “So that’s why you suggested undead labor. If we could excavate minerals in large quantities, then there would be an ample surplus. In other words, you want to keep the price of ores low. Is that it?”
Ainz had not thought that far ahead, but Ainz nodded and pretended that it was the case.
“Indeed it is so. You have seen through me.”
No wonder, the Dwarves thought as understanding dawned on them.
“Also, I would like the weapons and armor crafted by the forges of your nation. I hear that Dwarven battle equipment is of exemplary quality.”
All the people Ainz had asked about this topic agreed that this was an unassailable fact.
However, processed weapons and armor were more expensive. If they bought from the Dwarves, then there would be fewer armorsmiths and weaponsmiths in the Sorcerous Kingdom. If there was a clear technological difference between the two countries, it would be better to improve the technology of one’s own nation rather than take the foolish action of buying large quantities of superior arms and armor.
However, if there was no competition, the smiths within the Sorcerous Kingdom would not hone their skills. The weapons and armor purchased from the Dwarves might serve as a positive stimulus for that.
Of course, there were many ways to handle this, such as by collecting tariffs and the like. One had to ensure that he could make a profit off the Dwarves and not constantly import from them, among other headaches.
The simple answer would be to hand all this to Albedo and Demiurge. However, Ainz had his own considerations as well.
His plan was to limit sales to the newly-founded Adventurer’s Guild, or rent them to adventurers.
Low prices were very attractive to adventurers, and keeping them alive would also benefit the Sorcerous Kingdom. If they could sell old goods at low prices, they might be able to increase the survival rates of adventurers at the same time.
“While we have not thanked Your Majesty for sharing all this with us, these are questions which cannot be answered immediately, in particular on the matter of wargear. Could you give us some time to discuss this?”
“Of course. Discuss until you reach a conclusion. I will not be upset even if we cannot begin trade immediately. My own subordinates are already equipped with high-end gear. I merely wish to acquire arms and armor for my people.”
All right, Ainz thought.
This was the crucial moment. It was time to complete his objective for coming to this city.
“Shall we discuss the matter of the Quagoa?”
Tension immediately filled the air.
“The response to the Quagoa invasion was merely a personal decision. Is that correct, commander-in-chief?”
“Indeed.”
“However, what would have happened if I was not around?”
“If Your Majesty had not been around, we would have had to rely on a single gate to block the enemy advance. Once the gate was breached, we would have needed to mobilize the citizens to engage in a decisive battle within the city in order to buy time for the children to flee. I imagine that would have been the case.”
The Dwarves all had bitter expressions on their faces.
Perhaps it was due to the commander-in-chief’s earlier report, but the utter absence of objections or counter-arguments spoke of the excellence of everyone here.
There was nobody present who was driven by idealism, emotion or personal gain. If there was anyone like that here, particularly if they possessed authority or influence, they would waste time pointlessly before even the basics were completed, chattering away until the meeting was concluded. The fact that there was nobody like that here was worthy of praise.
“Then, please explain to me in more detail. What would this decisive battle entail?”
“It is difficult to answer because we do not know the enemy’s full battle strength. However — assuming there were 1,000 Quagoa — we would be in dire straits. Repelling them would be very difficult, and all we would accomplish would be to weaken our nation due to the loss of resources and manpower.”
Why did it end up this way, the commander-in-chief muttered.
It was probably because the fortress at the Great Rift was too strong. The Dwarves had grown arrogant, believing “it’ll be okay as long as we have it”.
Ainz felt this way as well.
He had tasted the bitter fruit of carelessness in the form of Shalltear.
“If we have only one ace in the hole, when it is defeated, then we are undone. Thus, I feel we need another trump card, in the form of Your Majesty’s power.”
Ainz raised his hand to silence the Dwarves, who seemed about to speak. The commander-in-chief might have seized the reins of the conversation, but Ainz was not done speaking yet.
“The Quagoa have been repulsed for the time being, but Feoh Gēr is not yet at peace. That is my opinion.”
The expressions on the Dwarves’ faces were universally sour.
After making sure that everyone was fully aware of his prior point, Ainz decided to seize the moment and speak.
“Without me, it will be very difficult to repulse the next Quagoa invasion. Even for someone like me, the destruction of a nation which I am about to begin trade with would be quite troublesome. What do you think? Will you not make use of my strength? Given the power of my nation, I can guarantee that your nation will not be attacked for a time…Yes. For instance I could help in taking back that Quagoa nest, the former Dwarven capital, I believe.”
The air seemed to shudder.
This was an entirely new reaction.
The Master of Caves and Mines licked his lips.
“Your Majesty, do you mean that such a thing would be possible?”
“If I prepare for it, of course.”
The Forgemaster folded his arms before him and glared at Ainz.
“…That seems far too idealistic. Why are you giving us so much help? What do you want from us?”
“Oi, you’ve said too much.”
The Forgemaster snorted at his colleague’s words.
“It’s like waving a bottle of fine wine in front of a stranger. Do you really think there are no strings attached?”
“Ngg!”
“A reasonable question. Then let me be frank with you. One of the reasons is because I believe it is better to establish diplomatic relations with your country than the Quagoa. I believe that you gentlemen of this fine country understand the concepts of common sense and indebtedness, and that you owe me a certain debt of gratitude. Now — consider a side which is about to win, and a side which is about to lose. Who will be more grateful if I lend them my strength?”
“Mm. That is the case.”
“In addition, I would like this debt to be paid not in words, but in a material fashion. This leads to another reason.”
“I see, so it’s about payment. Then, do you want gold, or rare metals, or exotic ores? Or do you want mining rights as well?”
Of course. Ainz wanted to say that, but he swallowed those words and resisted the urge to speak them.
“No, I want something different. I want to recruit the runesmiths of this country to my nation.”
The Dwarves blinked as one.
“What? Is that so hard to understand?”
The Forgemaster frowned more deeply than the others.
“…It is because runic arms and armor are very rare in the nations surrounding the Sorcerous Kingdom. I find them to be very valuable articles. In other words, they are very valuable. Therefore, I thought of recruiting runesmiths and having them produce runecrafted wargear in my nation.”