11 – Harvest
＜Chapter 11 – Harvest＞
A, B, C fields have been cultivated.
They are returning to normal as planned.
Now, if D field is cultivated, the Norfolk-style four-season crop rotation will be complete.
“First… let’s start with the sale.”
The sale itself is not difficult.
Monster Island has always been a land with scarce food.
“The problem is the price.”
There are two ways to set the price.
First, sell at market price.
This has a significant advantage.
The price of food on Monster Island is very high.
Thus, one could reap immense profits by selling at market prices.
On the other hand, those who had anticipated success from Ireland’s agriculture were bound to be disappointed.
Secondly, selling at a slightly higher price than the cost.
This, too, has its advantages.
It results in selling provisions much cheaper than the market.
In other words, people will praise me.
However, it’s unlikely to yield massive financial gains.
Alternatively, one can choose a middle path.
A method to gain a reasonable profit while also achieving moderate fame.
“We must set off.”
“Yes, Grandfather.”
After organizing my thoughts, I stepped outside.
The path leading to the farmland.
Grandfather spoke up.
“Have you decided on the price?”
Not just mine, but the concern of everyone.
What would be the price of the grains produced on Monster Island?
“I will sell them at the original price.”
“The original price? But, didn’t you spend less on transportation compared to importing grains from the continent? And didn’t you avoid tolls at Kallas Autonomous Territory? Despite that, do you intend to sell at that price?”
“Yes, I will sell them at the market price. No deviations.”
He emphasized the three characters of ‘그대로’ and spoke.
Grandfather, after a moment of contemplation, broke into a toothy smile.
“Well, if that’s what you think, then it must be so.”
Except for the provisions for me and the slaves,
and the provisions donated to the River Village,
everything else was loaded onto the wagons.
The reason for donating some grain to River was for maintaining good relations.
Moreover, didn’t the goblins help defend the farms when they were invaded?
Thanks to them forming a militia and guarding the bridge, we could farm comfortably.
“Now that everything’s loaded, let’s depart!”
“Yes, Lady Soyoung.”
Starting with the first wagon,
many others followed behind.
I traveled through the villages belonging to the Frontier Territory, selling grain.
When I mentioned the prices, everyone had disappointed expressions.
I understood their feelings.
They might have hoped to buy it cheaply.
The proceeds from selling the grain were received in monster by-products.
After selling everything, the plan was to leave for the continent.
With the money earned this time, I plan to purchase slaves.
Expanding the farmland even further.
.
.
“Have they all been sold already?”
They hadn’t even reached the southern village of the frontier territory yet.
Nevertheless, all the grain had been sold.
Partly because the production was still low,
And partly because the Irish, when the opportunity arose,
would stockpile a large amount of grain.
“Alright. Turn towards the east! We’re heading to the continent.”
“Understood!”
The wagon, filled with monster byproducts instead of barley, moved forward.
Towards the eastern Vampire Duchy.
Towards the Vampiric Bridge stretching towards the continent.
Beyond that, towards the continent.
***
They arrived at the Vampiric Bridge.
It was their first time crossing here,
but they had seen it a few times before.
Thinking back to when they first laid eyes on this bridge.
“It was amazing.”
I used to have a tendency to ignore this world.
Although it is a world of magic, I thought it was inferior to science.
Wasn’t the level of civilization development at a medieval level?
But that changed when I saw the Vampire’s Bridge.
Starting from Monster Island, a bridge that stretches to the horizon.
I had never seen such a bridge in any video of Earth.
“Lord Soyeong, isn’t it amazing?”
“It is amazing.”
“Indeed, it’s the esteemed Vampire Duke. The 9th Circle Archmage!”
“The 9th Circle Archmage!”
One person sang, and others followed suit.
“The hero who saved humanity!”
“The hero who saved humanity!”
As I listened to the praise for the esteemed Vampire Duke, I closed my eyes.
The esteemed Vampire Duke.
A figure from 300 years ago.
The ancestor of the current Vampire Duke.
Fire, water, wind, earth.
One who mastered all four difficult elements up to the 9th Circle.
The Grand Magicians would all bow their heads when they heard this story.
It sounds unbelievable, right?
“But, his legacy is scattered all over the place.”
Three hundred years is not a short time.
The autobiography left by the Vampire Duke exists,
and his footsteps are engraved on the land of Ireland.
“Wow!”
“Lady Soyoung!! Look at the sea!!”
A marine monster leaped above the surface and then disappeared back into the water.
People cheered as if they had witnessed an interesting spectacle.
And so, we crossed the Vampyres Bridge and arrived on the continent.
.
.
The end of the Vampyres Bridge.
There, the Kalas Customs House was located.
Up to the Vampyres Bridge, it was the territory of the Vampire Duke, so they set it up here.
Most of those waiting were merchants.
Their carts were also filled with monster products.
As we moved to the back of the line,
a customs officer came running.
“Excuse me, are you Lady Elwin Soyoung?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“Lady Soyoung has been waiting for you. Let me guide you.”
Kalas Jajak?
For me?
Of course, the Monster Island nobles and Kalas Jajak don’t get along.
Due to his excessive tolls, the island lords suffer from financial difficulties.
But why would he be calling for me?
“Is it because of that?”
Following the knight, we arrived at a luxurious mansion near the checkpoint.
Kalas Jajak came here personally?
To meet me?
“He must have been in a hurry.”
The door opened, revealing a dining room.
Dazzling magical lighting.
A spacious room.
A massive dining table in the center.
Filled with an abundance of food.
“hahahahaha! The little owner of the Frontier. I’ve been waiting for you. Please have a seat in front.”
“Thank you, Lord Jajak.”
In this world, were there so many diverse foods?
It was a fact even I, who had lived here for six years, did not know.
“hahahahaha! Relax. These are foods that are hard to come by in Ireland.”
“I see.”
I pondered slowly while eating the food.
The reason for Kalas Jazak’s call was apparent.
The issue lies in the response.
“There’s nothing good about increasing enemies.”
No matter what anyone says, the enemy is Brilda Frontier.
There is no evidence, but twice, they tried to kill me.
They will continue to do so.
To make his son a Frontier Jazak.
“First, let’s maintain an amicable relationship. To do that…”
In the midst of contemplating, I finished all the food.
“hahahahaha. But, I heard some news…”
As we moved to the later part, the tone became heavier.
“What news is it?”
“They say they succeeded in farming in Ireland.”
Finally, we got to the point.
I could guess the part he was worried about.
If Ireland were to produce its own food, the tolls would decrease.
“Yes. We have succeeded in the southern village of Ireland, and we plan to expand our farmland in the future.”
“Expand even more? How much are we talking about?”
Kallas Jajak’s voice was filled with anxiety.
“We plan to expand to the extent that even if all the people in Ireland eat, there will still be leftovers.”
“Is that so? Is it possible?”
“That’s not all. We also plan to raise livestock on the farmland.”
“…”
He didn’t answer and was lost in thought.
As his thoughts grew longer, his expression became more serious.
Now it’s time to give him the carrot.
From Noble mtl dot com
Because Kallas Jajak doesn’t want to be hostile to me.
“So I have a favor to ask you, Jajak.”
“To me?”
“Please expand the inspection station.”
Expanding the inspection station.
If Monster Island were to produce its own food,
the volume of trade would inevitably decrease.
And yet, I brought up the expansion story.
“Are you making fun of me?”
“I sincerely offer you these words. Because…”
I explained why we need to expand the inspection post.
1) Producing our own food does not reduce the amount of imports.
It’s because we import weapons and equipment with the money saved.
2) We hunt down many monsters with improved combat abilities.
As a result, the production of monster byproducts increases.
3) We sell a large quantity of monster byproducts.
With the money earned, we import even more weapons and equipment.
As the explanation continued, Kalas Jajak’s face brightened.
Later, he bit his lip and suppressed a laugh.
“…I would like to call this a cycle.”
Increase in weapon and equipment imports -＞ Increase in monster hunting -＞ Increase in monster byproduct production -＞ Increase in income
-＞ Increase in weapon and equipment imports again -＞ …
If this continues, the trade volume between Monster Island and the mainland will continue to increase.
This directly leads to an increase in revenue for the Kalas Jajak tribe.
“hahahahaha!! Indeed!! You are truly the master of the frontier. I too want to contribute to this cycle!”
For this occasion, Kalas Jajak granted a special reduction in transit fees.
30% upon entry.
Considering the 30% upon exit, it was a significant amount.
Additionally, they provided support for weapons and equipment.
Certainly, there might be a calculation that it benefits oneself.
“Thank you. Master Kalas.”
After the meal,
Master Kalas escorted me outside the mansion.
“You may enter now.”
“hahahahaha! It’s hard to part with you, but I won’t let my steps lag behind. Go on. I’ll see you off and then head inside.”
I deeply bowed my head and returned to the carriage.
***
After Elwin’s figure disappeared,
Master Kalas returned to his room.
“My Lord, you shouldn’t believe Elwin’s words as they are.”
“Do I believe them as they are? No. No way.”
A grand picture unfolded as I conversed with Elwin.
It was about the development of Monster Island.
‘The current situation is the most ambiguous. It’s better to develop rather than maintain.’
Produce only grain in the current state?
Then the income from tolls would decrease.
On the other hand, if Monster Island grows through this?
The population increases.
The hunting of monsters increases.
What if the monster trade in Monster Island expands?
As the market of Monster Island grows, the volume of trade with the mainland inevitably increases.
“Prepare weapons and equipment for Elwin. And expand the inspection station as well.”
“…Understood, Your Highness.”
