20 – Brillda Chapter 20
＜Brillda Chapter 20＞
“It seems like my mother misunderstood.”
Rumble. Rumble.
Rumble. Rumble.
“Elwin! Do you intend to sell at such a high price! Are you any different from Kalas if you do that! Do you see Ireland only as a means to make money!”
Brillda poured out her censure.
“Madam’s words are correct!”
“Do you intend to plunder the Irish people like Calas’s workshop!”
“Do you know how difficult it is for the Irish due to the expensive grain prices!”
The gathered spirits supported Brilda’s opinion.
I took a step towards where the spirits were gathered.
“So, that’s why. That’s why we are selling it at a high price.”
“W-What are you talking about…”
“Such illogical…”
As I spoke forcefully, the spirits cringed.
Whether they liked me or not, I was connected by the bloodline of the frontier.
“Elwin.”
“Speak. Mother.”
“Are you selling grain for a high price for Ireland right now? Do you think that makes sense!”
“Mother, broaden your perspective.”
“W-What…”
“Why only think about 1 or 2 years ahead and not think about 5, 10 years ahead?”
Brilda’s expression twisted.
Of course, it was only for a moment.
She immediately recognized that there were many people.
“So, are you thinking about ten years ahead?”
“Of course. I mostly use the profits from grain sales to expand the farmland.”
I walked slowly through the banquet hall.
As I did, I made eye contact with the people around me.
I didn’t forget to exchange glances with Allensia from time to time.
It was still uncomfortable to meet her eyes, and each time, Allensia’s gaze was a respite for me.
“The goddess of the land has blessed me with the ability to cultivate land in Ireland.”
As I mentioned the goddess, people looked startled.
“The goddess’s will is not the narrow land we have now. She desires for all the people of Ireland to cultivate vast lands where everyone can eat abundantly.”
“Elwin, can you really cultivate such vast lands!? Is it true?”
“Of course. That is the mission the goddess has given me.”
About half of the people gathered in the banquet hall nodded their heads.
Then,
“Elwin! What’s the point if you don’t lower the prices! What the people of Ireland want is not Irish grain. They want cheaper, more affordable grain than now!”
Brylda hit the nail on the head.
“Mother, do you know why wood is cheap in Ireland?”
The price of lumber in Monster Island was cheaper than on the continent.
“Of course, because there’s plenty of wood.”
“Then do you know why grain prices are high?”
“That’s because grain is scarce.”
“Exactly. Then let me ask you one last question. If large farms are established in Ireland and grain production increases, what will happen to grain prices?”
Brilda was at a loss for words.
Expressions of admiration erupted throughout the banquet hall.
It’s a simple market logic.
From Noble mtl dot com
When supply is lower than demand, prices rise.
Conversely, when supply exceeds demand, prices fall.
“If we lower the prices now, only a few people will be able to afford the cheap grain. But if we continue like this, every person in the island will be able to buy cheap grain.”
“Oh…”
“Indeed…”
Public opinion turned towards me.
A perfect counterattack.
I thwarted Brilda’s plan head-on.
“Asking to lower the grain prices now is like trying to teach a goose that lays golden eggs how to share its belly. Don’t just consider the narrow perspective and the short-term. Think broader. And if that’s difficult, just leave it to me. Mother.”
“Elwin… You… Right now…”
I leisurely enjoyed Brilda’s distorted expression.
I may be falling behind in the noble’s political battles.
That much I can admit.
But.
“To challenge me in economics? Even though I might not look like it, I am a graduate in economics.”
“Well then, I believe you must have understood as well, Mother…”
“Sorry for going off-topic, but may I raise a point, Elwin?”
Rumble. Rumble.
Rumble. Rumble.
In an instant, the hall became noisy.
It was because a new character had appeared, Anna, Brilda’s personal maid.
“What’s going on?”
“There is one flaw in Elwin’s words.”
“My words?”
“The price is not simply determined by the amount of supply.”
I uncrossed my arms.
Anna’s words were unusual.
“If there is only one seller, even if there is a large production, the price will not go down.”
Anna was right.
If it’s a monopoly, the supplier can determine the price.
Rumble. Rumble.
Rumble. Rumble.
“What are you saying?”
“I don’t know. Just listen for now.”
Many of them couldn’t keep up with the conversation right now.
To think that a maid knew about such matters.
“There are many grain producers. Even now, numerous farmers are cultivating crops on the continent.”
“Due to the high toll of Kalas’ tollgate, there is an economic disparity between the continent and Monster Island.”
How much does she know?
It’s surprising that a maid is aware of the economic situation between Monster Island and the continent.
“That happens when Kalas’ tollgate is maintained. If the grain production in the island increases, leading to a decrease in grain trade, Kalas will reduce the grain toll. In that case, I will have no choice but to compete with the continent’s farmers.”
Maid Anna bowed her head.
“You are absolutely right. However, what if, when that day comes, Kalas doesn’t lower the tollgate? Will you continue to sell at a high price?”
Was this the point?
Did she intervene forcefully after thinking this far?
When I control the grain market in the island, what if Kalas doesn’t lower the grain toll?
I would gain substantial profits.
It was a plan to prevent such a situation in advance.
“I will sell at a lower price. I hope the goddess of the land will also wish for that.”
“Thank you for giving a clear answer in front of the esteemed guests. Lord Elwin.”
Anna bowed her head and cleared the empty plate placed beside her.
After Anna left the hall, Brilda stepped forward.
“I granted Anna the right to speak, so I hope other nobles won’t be displeased.”
Brilda covered Anna’s actions, and the nobles passed over it without much comment.
**
**
After the celebration party ended,
Allenxia rode in the carriage.
Thump, thump.
Feeling the vibration of the carriage, she lost herself in her thoughts.
Elwin, who used to speak confidently in front of many nobles, came to mind.
“He’s changed a lot.”
She had always lacked confidence.
She had a passive nature rather than a proactive one.
But now…
“Lady.”
“…Huh? Mari, why?”
“Why are you lost in such deep thoughts?”
“I wasn’t thinking about anything. But why did you call me?”
“It’s Hanna, the maid. She was really amazing.”
“I see.”
Even Allenxia found it difficult to follow Elwin and Hanna’s conversation.
It only made sense after she pondered over it.
“Elwin made it sound so easy.”
Why didn’t she know when they spent four years together?
She had simply thought of him as a person with a good personality…
“Lady? Lady!”
“Hmm?”
“Lord Elwin was quite impressive too, wasn’t he?”
…”
“Wasn’t Lord Elwin cool?”
…”
Normally, she would have firmly denied it, but he was indeed a little cool.
She responded with silence.
“Why aren’t you saying anything? Could it be that you’re admitting it!? Did the Lady also think Lord Elwin was cool!?”
“No. I didn’t. I said no. Let’s just go quietly!”
Mari covered her mouth with her hand.
“I can see it in your eyes, you know, the way you smile.”
“Oh! Did I do that? I’m sorry, my lady.”
She covered her eyes with the opposite hand.
Ignoring Mari, Alencia turned her head towards the window.
“Oh, by the way! My lady, when we were leaving, I saw Lord Elwin getting on the carriage.”
“Elwin?”
**
**
Thud. Thud.
Thud. Thud.
“Elwin, there is no place for you in this mansion.”
The original plan was to spend a night at the Frontier Mansion after the party.
We hadn’t had a proper rest since we hurriedly set off.
But…
“I never expected such hostility.”
I leaned against the carriage and closed my eyes.
“Anna…”
Anna, Brilda’s personal maid.
She flawlessly pointed out the flaws in my words.
She exposed the problems with the monopoly market.
And when Kalas didn’t reduce the grain toll, she preemptively blocked the huge profits I would have gained.
“Anyway, the grain prices should decrease in the future. Even for the next step. But Anna…”
“She is quite exceptional.”
Is this what ambition looks like?
Instead of getting angry at Anna’s actions, I found myself wanting her even more.
“That would be difficult. After all, Anna is Brilda’s personal maid.”
Even after erasing Anna from my mind, various thoughts came to me.
Especially, I recalled the persistent mention of the weakness of monsters in the southern coastal area and the fact that slave soldiers are not strong despite their large numbers.
They were all words emphasized by Brilda during her speech.
“Well, it is true.”
The weakness of slave soldiers is clear.
There is a limit to how strong they can become, even with training.
What if they encounter a Black Troll or an Ogre?
They would crumble in an instant.
‘Indeed, we need knights.’
However, how can we acquire knights?
The knights of Monster Island already belong to their respective territories.
Bringing them from the continent is also difficult.
They won’t come to Monster Island willingly.
‘If we can’t find them, should we create them ourselves?’
The thought was cut off by Mabu’s words.
“Lady So, there’s a carriage up ahead.”
“Slowly pass by it.”
The carriage slowed down and soon came to a stop.
“Lady So, the Second Princess of Vampires wishes to see you.”
It seems like they were intentionally waiting.
She got off the carriage and walked towards Alencia’s carriage.
“Do you have something to say?”
“Get in.”
“Our relationship involves riding in the carriage together…”
“Ta, let’s talk privately among colleagues.”
It’s different when it’s between business partners, not estranged individuals.
The carriage door opened, and I stepped inside.
Inside were Alencia and the maid, Mari.
“Have a seat.”
“Thank you, then.”
Alencia asked various questions about farming.
She even inquired about the Norfolk-style four-field rotation.
“It’s all common knowledge.”
I had already explained this.
Yet, she asked again, waiting for answers.
I responded to each question.
As business partners, we had an obligation to help each other.
After the explanations, Alencia gestured with her hand.
“You can go now.”
She called me here, and now she’s telling me to leave?
I couldn’t comprehend Alencia’s thoughts at all.
It couldn’t be just because she wanted to see me.
“Why on earth is she acting like this?”
“Go on.”
“I also have something to say.”
“To me?”
“Business partners should help each other.”
“… What is it?”
“Please send me a swordsmanship and magic teacher.”
I cannot find knights and wizards at my level.
Who would come to someone like me, whose noble status is precarious?
If I can’t find them, I have to train them myself.
“You… Are you suggesting slaves?”
“Exactly, they’re not slaves. The children have had their slave marks removed.”
Allenia crossed her arms and crossed her legs.
Then she fell into thought for about a minute.
“Well, I guess there’s no other way for you right now. But will that work? You don’t have much time left, do you?”
“I’ll do what I can.”
“Send them to the river.”
“Thank you.”
He bowed deeply to Allenia and stepped out of the carriage.
Just as the door was about to close, Allenia’s voice was heard.
“If you’re driven out of the noble’s mansion… If you have nowhere else to go… Come to me.”
“Will I be by Allenia’s side?”
“…”
“That won’t work. Well then, I’ll try to find my own way to live.”
The Alencia carriage departed,
And shortly after, the carriage I was riding in moved along the road.
“There isn’t much time left…”
That time was the workplace until Gibson’s coming-of-age ceremony.
By then, the position of the Frontier’s Soyoungju would change.
“But I have to do something before that.”
