I Became a Food Developer in Another World-Chapter 115 - : Side: Neutrality Conference (2)

Because of the Second Princess's remarks, I had quite a tough time.

The claim that I was the apostle of the goddess who had given me a revelation drew people to me, each vying for my attention.

If it had been just mild curiosity, it might have been fine, but some took it too far.

"Can you bestow your blessing upon me?"

"Excuse me?"

"Apostle! Ah, could I at least shake your hand!?"

Some begged for blessings, others simply wanted a handshake, and some even prayed to me—each reaction was different.

Even when I denied being an apostle of the goddess, no one would believe me.

"Haha, no need to be so modest. I've heard plenty of stories about you, Apostle."

"What kind of stories?"

"Why, the tale of you bestowing blessings upon Svalbard, of course. By the way, may I have your autograph?"

"...."

I felt dizzy.

Even if the Church were to label me a heretic, I wouldn't be able to argue against it.

I was no different from an outright cult leader.

"Apostle, I'll see you after the meeting, then."

The overwhelming attention only subsided as the time for the meeting approached.

'I'm already exhausted.'

Wiping the sweat from my brow, I trudged toward the castle gates, where the Second Princess awaited me with a knowing smile.

"Hehe, it seems you've enjoyed yourself."

"Far from enjoying it—I was completely hounded."

"An apostle should be prepared to endure at least that much popularity."

"It seems you rather enjoy seeing me struggle, Your Highness."

"How could that be?"

Despite her words, the corners of the Second Princess's lips curled up in amusement.

Of course, this wasn't the first time I've seen her like this.

Whenever the Cultural Invasion Department was given a task and I completed it, she would attribute all the credit to me.

She would subtly mention my achievements to the Emperor or the ministers, ensuring that I gained recognition.

And whenever I found myself overwhelmed by the attention, she would secretly relish my discomfort.

From being a mere food developer to a vassal catching the Emperor's eye, from an air fryer inventor to an apostle of the Goddess of the Hearth—it was all orchestrated by the Second Princess.

Truly, she never left me alone.

But then—

"If you become famous now, it'll prevent unnecessary trouble later."

"What? What do you mean—"

Before I could question her cryptic words, she turned away.

"We're going to be late for the meeting. Let's go."

"...."

I missed my chance to ask. With my curiosity set aside, I followed her to the meeting hall.

*

The grand hall where the neutrality conference was being held.

At the unnecessarily large round table sat high-ranking nobles representing the Three Northern Kingdoms.

"What did you think?"

"It was certainly impressive, but I doubt it will have much relevance to the meeting."

"Hmm, I hope you're right."

Arendelle Kingdom, Lyonia Kingdom, and the Drum Kingdom.

The seasoned nobles representing these three nations quietly discussed the Second Princess.

The outcome of this conference would shift dramatically depending on her approach.

"Whatever happens, we must lower the Empire's tariffs."

"Don't worry too much. If the Empire doesn't want hostility with the North, they will compromise to some extent."

The emergence of the 'air fryer' was both a blessing and a headache for the Three Northern Kingdoms.

For years, they had imposed high tariffs on imperial goods, making them prohibitively expensive for the average citizen.

But now, with the air fryer in high demand, they were forced to reconsider.

If the public, eager for the device, saw its exorbitant price due to tariffs, an uproar was inevitable.

To ensure widespread availability, tariffs had to be lowered.

However, reducing tariffs on imperial goods meant financial losses for the Three Northern Kingdoms.

While the Empire's tariffs on their exports remained unchanged, they alone would be making concessions.

This would effectively tip the scales in favor of the Empire.

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Thus, the Three Northern Kingdoms had already agreed—they would pressure the Empire into lowering its own tariffs during the conference.

"Her Highness, the Second Princess of the Terrazé Empire, has arrived."

At the soft announcement, the nobles fell silent and rose from their seats.

The Second Princess entered, flanked by her attendants.

Despite arriving last, her stride was unwavering, exuding an air of absolute confidence.

As if nothing could begin until she had arrived.

She seated herself gracefully in the chair pulled out for her by a knight.

And then—

"Now that representatives from both the Empire and the Three Northern Kingdoms are present, let the Neutrality Conference begin."

With her seated, the meeting commenced.

*

The 'Neutrality Conference' was a peace meeting between the Empire and the Three Northern Kingdoms.

It was a place for negotiating solutions to ongoing disputes between the four nations.

Of course, the negotiation process itself was far from peaceful.

Each party fought fiercely with words, determined to secure their interests.

Though swords were absent, invisible daggers flew back and forth in every exchange.

"...So, to promote diplomatic relations, we propose reducing tariffs."

"In the long term, it would be ideal for merchants to trade freely, without tariffs at all."

"For now, our priority should be working together to lower tariffs."

The nobles of the Three Northern Kingdoms argued that the Empire and the north should collaborate to reduce tariffs.

At a glance, their argument sounded reasonable—noble, even.

If only the world were as 'equal' as this round table seemed to suggest.

Even here, where everything appeared balanced, there was still an invisible seat of power.

"...."

Resting her chin on her gloved hand, the Second Princess wore a bored expression as she listened to their demands.

Once they had finished speaking, she calmly uttered a single remark—

"Not worth considering."

"Your Highness, that is too harsh!"

"Surely you don't mean—"

"It seems the princess has spent too much time on the battlefield and has forgotten her manners."

Despite the nobles' displeased reactions, the Second Princess's expression remained unchanged.

"I am already being perfectly courteous."

A crooked smile graced her lips.

"If I weren't, I wouldn't even be seated at the same table as you."

It was an attitude of overwhelming arrogance.

Yet, instead of refuting her, the nobles could only grimace.

They had no choice.

"What benefit does the Empire gain from lowering tariffs?"

"Well, northern goods will flow into the Empire, of course."

"Explain the value of those goods to the Empire."

"Um, that is..."

The chancellor of Arendelle, who had spoken up, fell silent.

When asked to justify their importance, nothing came to mind.

Northern products were easily replaceable within the Empire.

Seeing his hesitation, the Second Princess scoffed.

"Northern goods hold little value to the Empire. Whether they exist or not makes no difference."

Her calm, matter-of-fact tone alone was enough to silence the northern nobles.

"Apologies, Your Highness. Then how about a 20% reduction in imperial tariffs?"

A duke from Lyonia proposed a compromise.

"In return, we will reduce our tariffs by 40% and consider additional concessions."

It was a significant offer.

The other nobles from Arendelle and Drum Kingdom wore strained expressions.

Even so, they remained silent—this was the most they could concede.

At this point, any imperial diplomat would have agreed.

Marquis Owen Summernut or any skilled negotiator from the Empire would have accepted.

However—

"You are still mistaken."

The Second Princess was different.

"Mistaken?"

"The Empire and the Three Northern Kingdoms are not equals."

Her cold, crimson eyes swept across the table.

"The only ones lowering tariffs—are you."

"!"

The nobles' faces stiffened.

They had expected an easy negotiation, thinking a military leader would be an inexperienced diplomat.

But they had been entirely mistaken.

"The Empire's previous leniency was not due to concern for you, but the Emperor's mercy."

"...And you do not share that sentiment?"

Without answering, the Second Princess reached for the control panel displaying tariff rates.

The moment the new figures appeared; the nobles' eyes widened in shock.

"T-Ten to one?"

"...You want us to reduce tariffs by 90%?"

[10:1]

The Empire would maintain its tariffs while the northern kingdoms would slash theirs by 90%.

But even that was a misconception.

"The first kingdom to agree will keep their tariffs as they are."

"A-And those who agree later...?"

"For every delay, I will increase tariffs by 10%."

The Second Princess smirked.

Her smile was merciless—one that belonged to the devil itself.

***

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