Chapter 244.1. Power And Intrigue

-Miu’s Dad POV-
In the Tatami-floored hall of Takano County residence, the high-ranking nobles had gathered to welcome their visitors.
“Money Attack!”
“Mony Achac~.!”
“Mony~”
Takano Miu, the future beauty with shining ashen-gray hair and bright ice-blue eyes, tapped away at the terminal on the table with her slender index finger. 
Her younger brother, Sora, and her younger sister, Mai, reached out to the table, taking unsteady steps and gleefully tapping the terminal, their faces filled with joy.
A chirping sound accompanied a message of the successful transaction on the terminal.
“Yay! Mii-chan did it. Thanks to Sora and Mai too.”
“Thanks to mye~.”
“Hehe~ It’s thanks to mye!.”
The three of them embraced each other, rubbing cheeks together in happiness. It was an innocent and heartwarming scene.
“Papa, I’ve acquired 9% of Dog Puppy Company’s shares!”
Though the words were far from innocent, Takano Yoshiyuki, the father of Takano Miu, smiled wryly and gently patted Miu’s head.
“Good job, Mii-chan. But, shall we keep that ultimate move name sealed to protect your education?”
“Yes. Let’s call it Sky Attack with the power of money!”
“Are you making a play on TOB?”
“It’s a clever one, right!”
Smiling, Takano Yoshiyuki continued to gently stroke his daughter’s soft hair. 
She was truly a good child, but I have recently realized how sharp her mind was. 
It was probably thanks to the education from the Druids Arch Mage. While I should caution her against misusing her abilities, her intelligence was necessary in a world where cunning was essential for survival.
The operation to buy out Dog Puppy Company’s shares had succeeded. Everyone had rallied and acquired 7-8% of the shares each. 
If we all united, we would surpass the shares held by Menou Marquisate. That would render Menou Marquisate powerless, and since allied families needed to cooperate, the chances of betrayal were low.
It was a win-win strategy. We had just acquired shares that exceeded those held by Menou Marquisate and Kanna Dukedom.
Among the high-ranking nobles present, Kohaku Marquisate held 11%, Teijou Marquisate held 10%, Aburage Viscounty held 8%, Aguni Dukedom held 7%, and Takano County held 9%, totaling 45%.
In contrast, Menou Marquisate held 33%, and Kanna Dukedom held 11%. Even if they were the majority shareholders, Menou Marquisate was now powerless.
Unfortunately, we couldn’t secure the remaining 11%, but it was not a problem.
“Gahaha! Well done! As expected of Yoshiyuki’s daughter.”
Seated next to him, Aguni Enraku laughed heartily and slapped Takano Yoshiyuki’s shoulder. The Substitute Sign that Matsu-san had given me, which was tucked into my pocket, grew slightly warm. This strength might be more than a regular person could handle.
“Well done indeed. With this, we’ve driven a wedge into Menou Marquisate-nyan.”
Facing me, Kohaku Sasami-san, the head of Kohaku Marquisate, took a sip of sake from her cup with a smirk.
With Persiaon cat-like ears and a tail, she was a petite and youthful beauty who appeared to be in her teens. Playfully showing her fangs, she leaned forward, causing her daughter beside her to blush in embarrassment.
“Mom, could you stop with that tone, please? Looks at your age.”
“Sorry-nya. My elbow accidentally hit you-nya. But, this tone is quite popular-nya.”
Beside her careful daughter, Kohaku Sasami-san inserted a sharp elbow jab into her daughter’s side, waving her hand playfully like a beckoning cat. 
Seeing her daughter doubled over and unable to move, I sighed sympathetically.
“With this, we’ve restrained Menou Marquisate, which stood out even among the allies of Kanna Dukedom. You can rest easy, Your Highness.”
Teijou Ouga-san, addressed the young man sitting at the head of the table, his eyes narrowing slightly.
The young man at the head of the table sat with a straight back, performing an elegant seiza. With rainbow-colored hair that caught the eye, Genshin Nobunaga smiled warmly.
“Thank you for your assistance. With this, we can prevent Kanna Dukedom’s tyranny. I’m grateful to all of you.” 
Genshin Nobunaga-sama began to bow, but someone quickly stopped him.
“No need. It’s only natural as a vassal. Your Highness, please raise your head.”
“No, this is all I can do for the contributors of this achievement. At least let me do this much.”
“It’s not a big deal.”
“Thank you, Your Highness. Your words are worth more than a hundred gold coins.”
Father Kazamichi whispered to me, giving me a sharp look as if covering my words.
I must have been careless in my words. Though I sighed internally, he was right, so I kept quiet. 
If I were to say that I hadn’t done much here, the conversation would likely end. I had to receive a reward from His Highness here.
Present were His Highness Nobunaga-sama, Yamiyo-chan, and her father, Teijou Ouga-san, Suzu-chan and her mother, Kohaku Sasami-san, Aguni Enraku-san, Tamamo-chan and her father, Aburage Seimei.
Then myself, Father Kazamichi, Miu, and inexplicably, Sora and Mai.
In front of the table, amidst the array of alcohol and dishes, a calm celebration was taking place, resembling a victory party.
Of course, the alcohol was a rare dungeon product, and the dishes were extravagantly prepared with skill.
In front of this group, if I carelessly reduced my reward with my words, Takano County would end up owing favors to those who cooperated this time.
Despite Takano County being the driving force behind this operation, it would become disproportionately unrewarding for the participants.
While sighing inwardly at such thoughts, I turned my face towards Nobunaga-sama.
“Of course, my words aren’t worth more than a hundred gold coins. I’ve prepared rewards for all of you who helped put a wedge in Kanna Dukedom. His Majesty has also approved this arrangement, so please rest assured.
“Thank you for that. Can we look forward to it-nya?”
“Yes. As a member of the Royal Family, I can’t openly purchase shares from the nobility. Instead, for those who took action, limited to directly-managed enterprises, we will exempt this year’s corporate taxes. Outwardly, it will be known as a house that has contributed to Tokyo’s liberation.”
“Exempting corporate taxes… Thank you very much for that.”
Representatively, Ouga-san bowed deeply.