Published: January 15, 2026
“Now, let’s move on to the other main topic.”
Saying that, Apollo smiled and took something out. It wasn’t very large. It was a small box that an adult man could hold in both hands. However, the box looked quite sturdy. Everyone around was looking at the box with interest.
“What is this?”
Asked on behalf of the group, Apollo placed it on the table where everyone could see, and slowly opened it. The box, which appeared to be made of steel, opened to reveal a round object wrapped in red cloth inside. When the cloth was unfolded, a familiar item appeared.
“Black Orbs!”
I couldn’t help but shout out loud. Apollo nodded with satisfaction at the reaction.
“That’s right. These are Black Orbs that our commerce guild procured through a contract with the Solstice Empire.”
“You’re selling them!?”
I asked excitedly. Apollo nodded but then tightened his expression.
“Of course… but I have to tell you some rather troubling details.”
“The Empire’s reaction?”
“Exactly… did you perhaps anticipate that?”
Apollo asked, and I nodded with a wry smile.
“During the war with the Yelinetta Kingdom, Prince Freitliner was captured. I’ve heard various things. Though it’s a one-sided perspective, it seems the Solstice Empire was indirectly trying to expand its territory using the Yelinetta Kingdom... If that’s true, then the Kingdom of Scuderia has thwarted the Solstice Empire’s scheme.”
Upon hearing that, Apollo smiled.
“I’m glad you understand quickly. I haven’t even told His Majesty about this yet, but Lord Van should know. It’s likely that the Solstice Empire will limit the export of Black Orbs exclusively to the Kingdom of Scuderia. After demonstrating the power of the Black Orbs and their superiority over nations without them, they will probably propose that Scuderia become a vassal state of the Empire.”
Apollo casually mentioned such a major geopolitical issue, which even made the Espada open their eyes slightly in surprise. But this was something I had been thinking about since learning about the existence of the Black Orbs.
In Japan’s history, once firearms were introduced, those who could skillfully operate guns and cannons began to win battles. In Europe, after the invention of cannon barrels capable of firing iron balls, the age of artillery began.
In other words, the Solstice Empire was the country that took the lead in the world by creating gunpowder and applying it to weapons like cannons. They likely expanded their territory on the Central Continent using that power. The period from creating gunpowder to developing cannons feels short, but perhaps the problems I mentioned earlier arose as they expanded their land.
Realizing the dangers of reckless territorial expansion, the Solstice Empire may have devised a plan to keep the manufacturing methods of gunpowder secret and increase the number of vassal states… this makes the situation easier to understand.
If this assumption is correct, the next moves of the Solstice Empire would be to investigate the cause of Yelinetta Kingdom’s defeat and select the next candidate for vassalage. Instead of scattering Black Orbs half-heartedly to other continents and leaving them there, they might try to turn those countries into vassals before they can research and develop gunpowder themselves.
The obstacle to this plan is the Kingdom of Scuderia, which defeated the Yelinetta Kingdom that lent not only Black Orbs but also cannons. I want to know how that country won, but it’s an event on a neighboring continent. How to gather that information?
Thinking this, I looked at Apollo.
“…Apollo, how much information have you shared with the Solstice Empire?”
When I asked, everyone turned to look at Apollo with surprised expressions. Apollo lowered his chin and furrowed his brows.
“Please listen calmly, but our commerce guild is not a monolith. Particularly, the investigators and guild members who operate direct trading companies mainly on the Central Continent tend to view situations from the Solstice Empire’s perspective because of their usual dealings. I personally think we should prioritize transactions with the Kingdom of Scuderia where Lord Van is. However…”