Volume 5, Chapter 2: Teyra
Teyra, like Patrida, is a nation focused on trade and tourism.
The capital city, Guarda, is more developed than Patrida.
We arrived in Guarda on a high-speed boat pulled by the Sea Serpent we operate.
From here, we plan to switch to a high-speed sailing ship from Guarda and head to Yamato.
Guarda is a quite beautiful city, and it seems like everyone is fairly well-off.
Amidst all that, carrying Kasanzakis-san's letter of introduction, I stopped by an outpost of Patrida's Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Guarda.
After that, we plan to obtain an entry permit from Teyra's royal palace to Yamato.
"Without Piratis, who used to divide and conquer, I wonder if it developed well," Aoi looked around.
"Well, actually, this country was founded by a pirate who operated in secret," Apolito answered.
"That's news to me."
"It's not widely known."
Apolito, the top lieutenant of Asanato, the strongest under Piratis, seemed to know various things.
"But, my brother, I've done some research, and it might be a bit troublesome, you see."
"Huh? What is it?"
"Kasanzakis-san denied it, and King Sanshu I also had no involvement, but it seems there is something fishy going on between Uraha, the first queen consort of this country's high nobility, and Marina, the second queen consort and Kasanzakis-san's sister."
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"It seems Uraha's eldest son, Pedro, and Marina's second son, Afonso, are in a succession dispute. Well, to be precise, it's the people around them who are."
"But still, there's a big difference in status between the first queen consort and the second queen consort, and above all, the second queen consort, my great aunt, is a foreigner."
Aoi looked puzzled.
Indeed, it's hard to imagine that someone would prioritize the second queen consort, who is of lower status and a foreigner, over the first queen consort. Especially when Patrida is a powerful nation, but Teyra is just about to enter the league of first-rate countries from a second-rate one.
It wouldn't be wise to stir up trouble with neighboring countries when we are trying to develop our own nation through investments.
"No, Pedro seems to be quite disappointing. And now that Patrida is rapidly growing economically, there are groups in Teyra who hope to ride on that wave, given the closed environment they are in," Apolito said.
"Brother, I have a bad feeling about this," I looked at Apolito.
There are misunderstandings everywhere, it seems.
"I asked Kazanzakis-san to prepare all the immigration documents for Yamato at the Patria Ministry of Foreign Affairs, so that he can leave this country immediately."
"Ah, impressive. Brothers indeed," I thought and replied, but I was naive.
In front of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, there were Teira's guards, and suddenly Apolito was arrested.
Of course, the people from the Patria Ministry of Foreign Affairs protested, and Aoi was angry.
However, despite the fact that Apolito recently transitioned to a businessman, he was still the head of the Asanato, the former leader of the pirates.
"Wait a minute. That person is a noble from Patria," Aoi intervened.
"But he used to be a pirate," the guard coldly responded.
And then, it was my turn.
"Recently, he's been doing various things in Patria under the name Kogorou," the guard said, rubbing my cheek with his baton.
Mitsuki, Aoi, and Murasaki promptly handed over the Yamato entry permits, so it seems they couldn't touch them.
The entry permit also contains our status in Yamato.
The guard looked at it and had a frustrated expression.
Yamato's diplomatic relations are truly amazing, with kings and prime ministers and all.
Now, the problem lies with me.
I have a Yamato entry permit hidden, but I can't submit it because the name on it is Sumeragi Yuuki.
Moreover, the entry permit Kogorou is showing me right now was made in Patria, so it was a mistake to present it.
"K-Kogorou? The name is Yamato, but the entry permit is from Patria?" I exclaimed.
The Roaring Heavens actually brought about a hundred sea serpents, fully waterproofed, and one of them is with me.
Of course, it's to ensure that my true identity as Yuuki remains hidden.
Well, either way, I can't present it.
"This will become a diplomatic issue," said a person from the Patria Ministry of Foreign Affairs, giving me a sharp look.
"I don't mind. This is a direct order from Her Majesty, the First Queen of Uraka," the Teira guard replied coldly.
And so, I ended up being taken to the guard's interrogation room.
I never imagined that as a merchant, things would turn out like this.
Dark clouds loomed over my job change.