I Was Reincarnated as a Poor Farmer in a Different World, so I Decided to Make Bricks to Build a Cas

Chapter 82 - Secret Negotiations

 

"Ars, it looks like you and the Fontana family are going to have a deal."

"What? It's been less than a few days since our last meeting."

"These things are meaningless if they are not done quickly. Now, go to the place as planned."

"All right."

　A few days have passed since I decided to ask Bishop Paul to solve this problem.

　I've made the request, and I trust Bishop Paul, but I still don't know when the Fontana family is going to attack.

　That's why I went back to the castle in the north of the river to reinforce the facilities and organize the troops.

　However, there was no movement from the Fontana family in the meantime, and after a few days, Bishop Paul arrived.

　Bishop Paul was going to use the money he received from me and his position in the church to negotiate with the Fontana family.

　However, I was told that there was a possibility that I would be the one to finalize the deal.

　He couldn't let this matter, which had developed into an armed conflict, end without both parties involved.

　After a certain amount of discussion, Bishop Paul decided that there was a possibility of making peace with the nobles, and asked me to go to the meeting.

　However, he didn't want to discuss it in front of everyone, but rather to decide on a settlement between the two sides beforehand.

　There was a place for me and the negotiator from the other side to meet.

　It was one of the towers I had built next to the road.

　It was a tower that I built to mark the road from the castle north of the river to Barca.

　Some of the towers were left, as they could be used as watchtowers and resting places.

　One of the towers was cleared of people, and it was there that I and the negotiators from the Fontana family gathered to decide on the final terms of the peace.

* * *

　"Oh."

"So you are Ars Barca, huh? You really are just a child, aren't you?"

"I'm Ars, yes ....... And you are?"

"You don't know me from my face? I'm Carlos. My last name is Fontana and you know what that is. I'm the head of the Fontana family now."

　That's the new head?

　The man who calls himself Carlos, well, I guess you could say that he's actually still a boy.

　He's probably about 15 years old by the looks of it.

　It's not a problem, as children are of adult age at 15 around here, but I never thought the head of the Fontana family would be such a child.

　I was surprised to find out who the head of the nobility was that ruled my town.

"I've already heard from the Bishop-sama that you have no ties to other nobles and that you are willing to make peace. Let's not bother playing games. Let's both put our swords to the ground here."

"...... I can't say yes so easily. It depends on what the terms are."

"Yes, yes, yes*. You don't even kneel down to a nobleman and just bring up conditions. It's just as if you are the central figure in this riot. Interesting."

 

TLN*: This can also be translated as "Yuck" or, "Oh my" but in a funny tone.

 

　No, there's nothing interesting about it.

　Rather, why is this head of the family even here?

　I thought someone would just come here to represent the nobles and bring a few gifts.

　I never imagined that the head of the nobility in our area would come all the way to negotiate with me.

　Bishop Paul should have told me before he came.

"You're right. How about these terms? If we are willing to lay down our swords for each other, then you may be entrusted with the land of Barca."

"This Barca? ...... Sorry, I'll take a look."

　Carlos handed me a piece of parchment.

　I took it and read what was written on it.

　The main things written on it were as follows.

　One, stop the fighting.

　One, the dissolution of my battle group.

　One, return of the captured knights.

　One, the return of the Ice Spirit Sword.

　One, the treatment of the land of Barca.

　One, about my identity.

　To put it bluntly, if we disbanded and promised not to fight, they would let us off without charging us with a crime.

　Moreover, it seems that my position will be raised.

　He said that he would recognize the village of Barca as mine.

　But there was no way he was going to do that for free.

　Instead, it seems that there will be a condition that I become Carlos' subordinate, in other words, a member of the Fontana family.

"There are a number of things that are bothering me, but I'll still go ahead and ask. It seems to be a very good deal for us, but are you sure these conditions will be adhered to?"

"Yeah, we'll work out the details later, but that's pretty much how we're going to settle it. Once it's officially decided, I won't overrule it, because then the rest of my men will give up on me and my promises to them if I do."

"You're not going to overturn the agreements, got it. However, isn't this unusual? You do realize that I killed the previous head of the Fontana family, right? If I may say so, I think it is very unusual that I will be a subordinate to Carlos-sama."

"Hahahahaha. That's exactly what I want to thank you for this time, Ars. You did a great job taking down Raymond. I'm very grateful."

　What?

　Isn't the position of family head the most important position in a noble family?

　Why would you be happy to have that person killed?

　Carlos's crazy words made me confused.

 

 

TLN: So, I personally can't figure out who Carlos will be acting as a supporting character or an antagonist. But. well, Ars is going to become a member of the Fontana family... I wonder if he will get the surname Fontana, and if he does, if he will get to keep his Barca last name... so many possibilities!