Jobless Reincarnation: Live Seriously Even Without Transfer Events

"Let me finish what I have to say first."

"What are you going to do to my daughter? Rudy's already been given to you, what more do you want!"

"It's not what I want to do!"

Philip opened his eyes, which had been half-closed, and spoke as if he were completely unafraid of the sword that Paul, a superior of all three schools of swordsmanship, had placed against his neck.

“After all, Rudeus is your son, a descendant of the Nottus family. To protect Rudeus, my brother and I claimed that he was our late father’s illegitimate son when we received the rumors about him. However, someone informed Prince Gravel of Rudeus’s true parentage.”

Who tipped them off?

Upon hearing these words, Paul's cold expression shifted slightly. Philip gently pushed aside Paul's sword and said slowly and deliberately:

“It is your good brother, Pirimon.”

“Pilimon…”

"You didn't expect this, did you? You've been away from the Nottos family for over a decade, yet you're still being betrayed by them."

"How did he know...?"

Paul slowly sat back in his chair, muttering to himself.

"That's a question for you. You're the father of a great hero, as the soldiers guarding the city call you."

It was clearly Paul himself who, upon hearing the rumors about Rudius, immediately boasted about them to the soldiers who were guarding Roa with him.

"I really..."

"Now here's the problem: His Highness Gravel has started to suspect my brother and me because of this. He shouldn't have anything to suspect about my brother and me. What do you think he's worried about, Paul?"

Paul slowly raised his head. Although he had been away from home for more than ten years, he still had some understanding of the family's internal affairs. The Notos family was affiliated with the Second Princess Ariel.

“What Prince Gravel is worried about… is Rudy’s Notos bloodline…”

"You got it right. No wonder you're Rudeus's father. Indeed, a son's intelligence comes from his father."

Philip smiled at Paul. After this exchange, Paul was completely under his control and had no room to resist.

But Paul still wanted to try one more time.

"So what if Rudy has the blood of the Nottos family? He won't do anything to threaten Prince Gravel..."

"He will be killed."

"Impossible, Rudy is so strong, he could have done it all by himself..."

"You may not know this, but Rudeus was only facing a little over a hundred people at the time, and he even lost an arm because of it. That's quite different from the rumor that a Saint-level magician can be worth a thousand soldiers."

"Impossible! Rudy is a Saint-level magician who can perform without incantations!"

“Before Rudeus arrived at Lanoa Magic University, the people I arranged were always by Rudeus’s side. The information is not false. On the other hand, Prince Gravel has many experts from the Sword God School, Water God School, and Northern God School around him. If His Highness wanted to make someone disappear, wouldn’t that be a very simple matter?”

"Damn it! Rudy also lost an arm..."

"Don't worry, I've already obtained a King-level healing scroll from Prince Gravel and sent it to Rudeus. I estimate that Rudeus will be able to get his arm back soon."

At this point in Philip's words, Paul completely gave up resisting.

"Now, let's get down to business. Rudius's matter has caused my brother and me a lot of trouble. To put His Highness Gravel's mind at ease about Rudius, we need to send your eldest daughter, that little girl named Norren, to the capital. His Highness Gravel has already arranged for her to study at the Asura Royal Academy. Once spring arrives, she will go to the capital with me. Paul, what do you think?"

"..."

Paul was speechless. Although he had no room to resist, this was, after all, about his daughter.

Paul's face fell. He stared at the glass in his hand, unsure of what to do.

Philip picked up the kettle and filled his cup with tea, the reddish light reflecting off Paul's face.

“Paul, your two wives are both very beautiful, and your two daughters are well-behaved and adorable. However, if you don't satisfy Prince Gravel, perhaps…”

"Enough! Stop talking!"

Paul grabbed Philip's collar again, his eyes instantly filled with murderous intent.

"Do you think you can protect them, Paul? Be optimistic. It's rare to find a family that can both send their eldest daughter to Asura Royal College and keep the whole family safe."

"……I see."

……

Watching Paul leave the mansion dejectedly, Philip stood upstairs, looking out the window at Paul, and couldn't help but sigh.

"Report! My lord, the cargo destined for Lanoa Magic University has been hijacked."

"What?! Have you found out who kidnapped them?"

"It is...it is the guard knights of Prince Halfas, the second prince."

Chapter 114: Whispers (Part Two)

No Job Reincarnation: Even Without a Transfer Event, I Will Still Live Seriously [Chapter 114] Insider Chat (Part Two)

Chapter 114: Whispers (Part Two)

……

The streets of the royal capital, Ars, are bustling with activity. On Theater Street, lined with theaters, many carriages of princes and ministers stop. There are also many high-end clubs where dining and drinking have become ancillary services for people who come to watch the theater.

But compared to listening to opera, which is a way to cultivate one's mind, the theater street is a place where some of the upper class engage in high-society discussions. Famous merchants or high-ranking officials often book a private room to listen to opera while discussing important matters, including family affairs and national affairs. This is much more refined than the restaurants and taverns in the red-light district that say "Don't talk about national affairs."

……

"Lord Sal, you've arrived! This way, please."

As soon as the carriage came to a stop, the students in formal attire in front of the theater opened the carriage door to greet the important figure inside, without waiting for the servants to get off and open the door.

This important figure is Sal Jerosnek, the head of the Jerosnek family, which is known as the kingdom's treasury.

An elderly man, over sixty years old, was hard of hearing and sight, in poor health, and had a strange temper that made him unpredictable.

He once had a very close relationship with Sauros, and after Sauros's death, he also maintained some contact with the Boreas family.

Sal followed the theater apprentices into the theater, where today's performance was the legend of Percyus, the Ankylosaurus.

"A complete rabble! The demon god's million-strong army has not a single man among them!"

On stage, Percius had long silver hair and heavy makeup. The dragon scale stickers around his eyes were very realistic, but the fake beard that was stuck on his face was a bit distracting.

Percius, wielding the holy sword, charged in and out of the demon soldiers seven times, drawing cheers from the audience.

"Who is this Percius in disguise today? Give him ten coins."

Seeing that "Perquius" was performing so energetically, Sal was very happy. The old man's face was full of smiles, and his beard trembled.

The servants following behind wrapped up the ten Asura gold coins that had been prepared and handed them to one of the disciples who was standing nearby.

After passing through the lobby and entering a private room, another prominent figure was waiting there.

"Greetings, Your Highness."

Upon entering the private room, Sal forced his aging, stiff body to perform a simple bow.

"Lord Sarr, please have a seat."

Upon seeing Sal bow, the important man immediately went over to help him up, and the servants beside him also went to assist. Only after Sal was seated did the servants leave to wait outside the private room.

The important figure in the private room was Halfas Brandon Asra, the second prince of the Kingdom of Asra.

He was in his early twenties, with short, light brown hair and a capable appearance, but he had light dark circles under his eyes, as if he hadn't had enough sleep.

“Lord Sal, as you know, my father is currently having a headache because of what’s going on with Milis. I really want to share his burden.”

As he spoke, Halfas stood by the window of the private room, his gaze fixed on the performance on the stage.

"Even demon gods and demon emperors are nothing more than this!"

Before the actors on stage could even speak, Sal sang his lines first.

"His Majesty will not worry about Milis's trivial matter. His Majesty wants to test whether the princes and princesses have the spirit to become kings."

As he spoke, Sal also stood by the window.

“I guessed that was the case, and I am also at a loss about it. Please help me, Lord Sal.”

"Since this old minister has decided to assist Your Highness, then I will certainly help you."

"Thank you, Salgong, for your unwavering support."

Halfas gripped Sal's hand tightly, two streams of tears flowing from the corners of his eyes.

"This is what this old minister should do."

Thrall took a handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to Halphas.

Halphas took the handkerchief, wiped away the tears on his face, and said:

"Then please enlighten me, Lord Sal."

Sal gently stroked his beard and said slowly:

"Your Highness, what do you think is the reason why Milis raised tariffs on our goods sold abroad?"

Halphas frowned slightly and tentatively said:

"Because... Milis' national strength is increasing day by day, it has forgotten the humiliation of the naval battle seventy years ago and has begun to provoke our country."

After hearing this, Sal gently shook his head and said:

"wrong."

"Could it be that Milis wants to raise tariffs and reduce imports because he believes that Asura can become self-sufficient in its goods?"

"That's not right either."

"Please explain clearly. I have been thinking about this for two months and I still can't figure it out."

"Last year, Milis imported seven million gold from Asura, while Asura imported ten million gold from Milis. Your Highness, why do you think Milis is raising tariffs?"

[Note: Gold: Here it refers to Asura gold coins]

“Oh! I see. It’s because I, Asura, sell more goods to Milis and make too much profit, so Milis plans to restrict the entry of our goods by raising tariffs.”

"Yes, Your Highness is indeed exceptionally intelligent; you grasp things immediately."

"Then what do you think I should do to advise my father at the court meeting in ten days?"

At this moment, the performance of the Percius legend in the theater was nearing its end. Percius pointed his sword at the audience in front of him, took a deep breath, and roared:

"Look ahead, it's all pitch black! It's full of defeated and annihilated soldiers. I'll go straight for the Demon King's lair!"

"it is good!"

"it is good!"

The audience applauded and cheered.

Meanwhile, in the private room, Sal also unveiled his own plan:

"Although I, Asra, received 10.23 million gold from the purchase of goods from Milis, only 3.4 million gold was actually collected and put into the national treasury."

"So what do you mean?"

"The trade route along the entire Asra coast will be changed to trade only in the ports of Hera in the Donadi territory, Dominic in the Milbots territory, Lindo in the Usl territory, and Lilin and Aisha in the Royal Territory. At the same time, the tariffs will be increased by 50%. In this way, any goods from all over the world that come to Asra by sea must pass through the upper jaw and lower jaw of the Crimson Dragon and these five ports. By stockpiling more goods, we can obtain them at low prices and high prices, thereby making huge profits."

"You are indeed capable, but what if other territories disagree?"

Sal stroked his beard and smiled:

"Of these five ports, two are located in the royal territory. No other territory would dare to object to the proportion of ports. If they did, it would be disloyal to the royal family, and the royal guards could directly extinguish any flames of resistance from their superior position in the royal territory. As for the Asura Kingdom, its land is fertile, so even without foreign trade, the lower classes would not go hungry."

"Furthermore, with only one port per territory, the lord can set tariffs to increase revenue while also preventing smuggling. His Majesty will surely agree."

"A brilliant plan! I truly admire your wisdom!"

Upon hearing Thrall's words, Halphas felt as if he had been enlightened, and excitedly took Thrall's hand, holding it tightly in his palm.

Seeing that the play had ended, Sal returned to his chair and sat down quietly.

“Your Highness Halfas, there is one more thing. James contacted me a few months ago, wanting me to join the First Prince’s ranks.”

Halphas looked at Thrall with a puzzled expression, then sat down opposite Thrall and asked:

"So what did you say?"

“This old minister says that this old minister swears to serve Princess Ariel to the death.”

Upon hearing this, Halfas couldn't help but laugh.