TEB Ch 30

Anyway, it looks like they have no intention of letting me go. There was only one answer, as everything was blocked and there was no room to escape. Liev, pressing his temples with his hand, opened his mouth. 

“So, before that, you’re saying to choose something that would be beneficial to me personally.”

In response to the straightforward statement, Reinhart answered while sweating. 

“Uh… I’m very sorry if it sounds that way, it’s quite regrettable.” 

Sorry my foot. If he couldn’t run away anyway, it was better to at least get what he wanted. Liev calmly took a deep breath and continued the negotiations. 

“Alright. However, I also have something I’d like to request.” 

“Oh Oh!” 

As the barely positive statement escaped Liev’s lips, Reinhart was so astonished that he asked. 

“Speak! I’ll plead with His Majesty for you, even to the extent of using my personal funds!” 

“Please replace the director of the Lobelia Horse Research Institute and increase the number of working-level personnel affiliated with the laboratory by five. And expand the new kennel, which is more than three times the size of the kennel currently in use, as well as provide separate release facilities.” 

To those sitting in positions of power, it would be a mere amount, probably less than the monthly operating costs of a small knight order. It wasn’t like he was demanding dozens of servants. The requested terms were thoughts that came to Liev, wanting to do something good for the research facility’s horses, even if he was being dragged away. it was for the  warhorses in the research facility, it was a demand that might bring some good to the animals he would leave behind without himself. Liev didn’t forget to add an important condition. 

“Temporary support won’t do. It should be maintained until the day all the creatures under protection die of natural causes and the facility is closed.” 

“Well, of course! How could I say two with just one mouth?” 

Reinhart, too, could now realize this. Liev Carter might have an indifferent attitude when dealing with people, but when it came to animals, he had a weaker heart than anyone else. 

“If you want, I can regularly visit the research facility to inspect the facilities. Of course, if there’s any creature you want to bring here to live with us, we can prepare any necessary facilities. 

From the moment he made the request, he exposed all his weaknesses. 

“……” 

It was unclear if this was a wise move, but in the face of Liev’s dilemma, he crumbled. If he could significantly improve the poor conditions of the facility with just one sacrifice, even if it was himself… 

The majority of those spending their lives at the Lobelia Research Institute had some discomfort in at least one aspect. Some had permanent injuries from war, while others had mobility issues due to simple aging. With facility expansion, the space provided to each individual would widen, and with more caretakers, meticulous checks could be made to ensure there were no uncomfortable areas. With a bit of rehabilitation training, even those left neglected due to a lack of personnel could run around to their heart’s content. Considering all the suffering they would endure, it wouldn’t lead to death. 

I guess it’s not a bad deal at all. 

Anyway, since the main characters are holding on so well, it would be difficult to torment him beyond a certain level. Until now, Liev had responded with logic like, “Why should I do that?” or “Isn’t that your situation?” or “Using my personal sacrifice as a temporary solution, wouldn’t that be a negative solution from a long-term perspective?” However, as Liev proposed the direction he wanted and received positive responses, the atmosphere around him began to buzz. 

“I will strongly support it, not as short-term financial support but as a major military project.” 

“We’re not the type to speak two conflicting things with one mouth, really!” 

No, I know that too. In a situation where he can’t get out, it’s better to have gained something. Liev was thinking about the warhorse, Perus, who had his trough filled for the last time. 

“Then, I understand that you will fulfill as promised.” 

“Wow!” 

“Gasp!” 

He didn’t forget to sprinkle cold water on the atmosphere, which was instantly tense. 

“Oh, and please include supplying fresh vegetable crates every day. It doesn’t matter what kind it is. It would be even better if we could cultivate edible vegetables directly in nearby farmland fields for our own vegetables.” 

Since the warhorses were not picky eaters, there was no need to expand the variety extravagantly. Looking at the empty, government-owned fields near the research institute, he felt a bit regretful that they hadn’t thought of using the land for cultivating vegetables that grew well in each season. He wished that they would utilize the empty land instead of enjoying country life on their own. 

“Huh? Y-Yes, I understand! I’ll tell His Majesty right away!” 

While everyone was surprised anew by the fact that what was being demanded was not financial compensation but an expansion of support facilities, there was only one person, or rather, one dragon, looking dissatisfied. 

Ignoring the discussions about where Liev’s residence should be moved and such, Liev looked up at Renard, who looked like something was wrong. 

“Why that face? Isn’t everything as you wanted it to be?” 

Looking at Renard’s face with a chilly expression to say if he was relieved by this, he suddenly said something incomprehensible and quickly left the conference room. 

“I don’t know. I just… don’t know.” 

Yesterday, he was making a fuss, complaining about why he wasn’t taken with them in the conference room. However, once the decision was made, he couldn’t understand why he was reacting like that. Dragons are naturally temperamental, but this was truly strange. Until a moment ago, he was quite smug. What on changed this? While Liev was genuinely puzzled, the rest of the members had paperwork to attend to, and they didn’t let go of Liev. 

“Sorry, we didn’t want to persuade you this way, but Your Majesty is too stubborn, so there’s no other way.” 

Indeed, it would be better if the king descended from his throne now and the protagonist inherited the throne, but Liev suddenly realized that despite all the protagonist’s group being present in the meeting room, he couldn’t see the protagonist himself. Well, maybe he is the type who couldn’t stand greetings, administrative procedures, and such. Maybe he’s training alone on some training ground or something. As the sounds of a celebration and ceremony discussions flowed back and forth from his colleagues’ mouths, Liev caught a glimpse of his own reflection in the window. 

He was tall as a tree, with messy hair hanging down past his shoulders and large round glasses covering most of his face. He deliberately maintained the appearance of a servant who had not received proper education to avoid the annoying attention of those around him. Especially since becoming an adult, people who had chosen Liev as their son-in-law for their daughters, claiming that his height was quite attractive, had started to appear here and there, and he deliberately created an appearance that others would avoid. 

There are some things that are annoying to deal with.

Since the ceremony could not be held like this, he expected that troublesome things would follow for a while. 

But if the facilities are properly expanded…

The biggest problem was that the dragon who had requested him was behaving very capriciously. What else are you dissatisfied with now? Since he walked into the tiger’s den, now it’s time to somehow survive.