22 – Episode 22: Credit
＜Episode 22: Credit＞
I called for Isaac, the person in charge of farming.
“Have you found me? Master.”
“How are the slaves? What’s the atmosphere like inside? Have there been any strange movements?”
I bombarded him with questions.
At first, Isaac was taken aback, but soon he answered one by one.
“The conclusion is that there are no problems. Perhaps they are not hiding anything?”
“Of course. I am absolutely loyal to you, Master.”
“I understand. You may leave now.”
Isaac bowed his head and exited.
Next, he summoned Hans.
He posed the same question to him.
Hans’s answer was strangely unique.
He mentioned how the slaves followed orders surprisingly well, almost to the point of astonishment.
Despite being slaves, they harbored a loyalty, specifically towards me, that was unusual for a community, let alone slaves.
Afterwards, he called a few more people, and the results were the same.
Engaging in conversations with people,
and staying alone in the room lost in thought.
‘There is no issue with the loyalty of the slaves.’
Where does Hans’s surprising loyalty come from?
‘Is it a skill?’
Respected Landowner (Lv 1)
Increases the loyalty of affiliated peasants.
‘Or is it hope?’
The slaves here have the hope that by saving money, they can eventually be liberated from slavery.
‘Or perhaps hostages?’
Having purchased slaves on a family basis, women and children were separated by the Dongli River.
Of course, we managed to meet once a week.
‘Or all three can be possible.’
Skill, hope, hostage.
Through the effects of these, the slaves pledge loyalty to me.
The concern about rebellion, which troubled me while acquiring many slaves, has been resolved.
‘In this state, it’s okay to increase the number of slaves. However…’
Thought after thought intertwined and continued.
Then, there was someone who came to mind.
I left the room and went to find him.
.
.
Dongliber.
Slave residence.
Knock. Knock.
“Russell, it’s me.”
The door opened, and Russell came out.
Behind him, his wife and daughter were visible.
They were purchased for more money than ordinary slaves.
Fortunately, Russell is playing a role worthy of that.
Consistently traveling between Ireland and the continent, he has been conducting trade.
Except for major deals, Russell took care of most things on his own.
“Russell, do you have time?”
“Of course, Master.”
“Then let’s walk together.”
They left the slave residence and walked near the farmland.
“Do you remember what you told me before?”
“If it was a long time ago… Did I say something about taking on more than 100 roles…?”
“No, it’s about trust. The expansion speed is too slow now.”
Russell’s walking speed slowed down for a moment.
It seemed like he was lost in deep thought.
“Master’s expansion is fast enough. To be precise, it’s fast enough to be burdensome. But the reason you say that… must be because of the competition from the Soyoungju.”
He certainly knew a lot as a merchant.
Thanks to that, he saved time explaining everything.
“That’s right. I have been given two years. Within those two years, I must achieve overwhelming results. Overcome my weaknesses.”
As a frontier Soyoungju, not having any talent in magic is a significant flaw.
That’s why I have to prove myself with results.
I have to show my abilities within two years.
“You also know that I only have two opportunities to grow each year.”
Twice a year.
The time for harvesting wheat and barley.
At this time, I can earn a lot of money.
And with that money, I can grow step by step.
“So, you’re trying to accelerate your growth by using credit.”
Assuming a return on investment of 20%,
It increases from 1 to 1.2 to 1.44 to 1.73 to 2.07.
But what if the initial investment is not 1 but 2?
It becomes 2, 2.4, 2.88, 3.46, 4.15.
“So, is there a solution?”
“The solution is borrowing from the family. There are various good ways to do this…”
I raised my hand to stop Russell’s words.
It may be a theoretical solution, but it’s not suitable for me.
Will Breda lend me money?
Definitely not.
What if I talk directly to my father?
Still, it won’t work.
“Tell me a method that is suitable for my situation.”
“The solution is borrowing money from above… but they will thoroughly calculate the profits that the owner brings. They will try to take as much as possible. If that happens, there won’t be much left later.”
After the solution, I brought up the problem.
“If there is a solution and a problem, there must be a middle way, right?”
“The middle way is…”
Thump. Thump.
Thump. Thump.
Russell talked about the main task,
and we engaged in a conversation on that topic.
From Noble mtl dot com
The plan was set,
and I departed for the Vampire’s Duchy.
“First, Lady Venia.”
Russell strongly insisted on meeting Venia first.
“Even though we have to meet both, it must be Lady Venia first.”
Upon arriving at the Duchy,
I went to see Venia.
“Lady, she has been waiting for you.”
The door opened,
and there was Venia, standing by the chair, waiting.
“It’s been a while.”
It wasn’t like this when I met Alencia.
She always sat in her chair, indifferent to whether I came or spoke.
“I received word that you were visiting. Please have a seat over here.”
Venia pointed to the chair where I should sit.
Seated,
She poured the tea herself.
“Your Grace, there’s no need for such formality…”
“It’s alright. You’re my guest.”
Certainly, Allensia and Benia had opposite personalities.
Similar in appearance, yet a 180-degree difference in character…
After taking a sip of tea, she got to the point.
It was awkward sitting across from a woman who used to be an enemy.
“The reason I came here is…”
“Getting straight to the point, aren’t you?”
Benia asked with a slightly hurt expression.
“No, it’s just…”
“Just kidding. Please, speak freely.”
“Ahem.”
Clearing her throat, she brought up the conversation she had with Russell.
“Lord Elwin wishes to cultivate land for the Aquano and Aier territories.”
Benia took a sip of her tea and followed up with another question.
“But why come to me? Why not go to the two lords?”
“So that your political influence can grow stronger, Benia. In return, I’ll receive more rewards.”
A soft clink.
When Benia set down her teacup, it made a sound.
“You’ve changed.”
“Excuse me?”
“Before, you weren’t accustomed to these kinds of things. But now… you’ve definitely become a noble.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment. So, will you give me an answer?”
Benia smiled brightly.
She had been smiling all along, but this time it was even brighter.
“Then let’s make a deal. I’ll create farmland for the two viscounts at my request. Is there something you want in return?”
She drew a circle with her thumb and index finger.
“Money.”
Benia couldn’t help but laugh.
“I guess I’ll have to take back what I said about becoming a noble. So, shall we decide on the amount?”
.
.
Benia concluded the negotiation.
The content of the negotiation was the development of farmland for Aquano and Aier, the two viscounts.
To be precise, it was the removal of magic.
The rest of the work would be done by each individual viscount.
In return, they would receive 30% of the profits for the next ten years.
The payment would be received after the removal of the magic.
“Fortunately, it ended easily.”
In the course of a person’s life, clothing, food, and shelter are all important.
Ordinary commoners, that is, the poor, live satisfied with what they are given.
On the contrary, the nobles are different.
They desire the best in clothing, food, and shelter.
In the case of Irish nobles, their attire and residences are quite splendid.
However, the same cannot be said for their food.
Except for exceptional banquets when inviting others, it is difficult for them to have meat dishes in their daily meals.
That’s how challenging it is to obtain meat in Ireland.
However, if cultivated land is developed and Norfolk-style four-field rotation is implemented, there will be an abundant production of livestock for the nobles to consume.
And they will express their gratitude to Venia.
That’s how Venia’s political influence will strengthen.
“I earn money in the meantime.”
As Alencia contemplated, I arrived at the door of Alencia’s room.
Knock. Knock.
The moment I tapped on the door, a response came from inside.
“Come in.”
As the door opened,
Alencia, sitting with her legs crossed, came into view.
I approached Alencia cautiously, making sure not to make any footsteps.
As they grew closer, her expression became more distinct.
‘She seems upset.’
That’s why I wanted to go to Alencia first.
However, Russell strongly opposed.
Alencia is possessive.
As possessive as she is, her jealousy is strong too.
If I go to Benia first, Alencia will be jealous.
Then negotiations will be easier.
That’s what Russell said.
“Russell, if you had come here, you wouldn’t say that.”
The chill in the room pricked at the skin.
“Alencia, are you well…”
“Elwin.”
“Yes, Alencia.”
“Why did you go to Benia? Without even greeting me?”
She asked bluntly, but anger was evident in her tone.
Especially, looking at her posture and expression, it was undoubtedly anger.
It was difficult to be sure if jealousy was the source of that emotion, as Russell claimed.
‘At least until now, it seems Russell was right.’
“I had something to ask of Lady Benia.”
“Ask Venia? You? Why?”
I explained the conversation I had with Venia.
The agreement to create farmland for the two viscounts.
And the things I agreed to receive from Venia in return.
“So, you joined hands with Venia?”
“I joined hands with both Venia and Alencia. After all, I am… not a member of anyone’s faction. I’ve already severed ties with Alencia.”
As I spoke, I felt anger welling up within me.
I was the one unilaterally divorced.
Naturally, I was the one entitled to be angry.
I stared into Alencia’s wavering pupils.
The eyes that started to flicker as soon as the word ‘divorce’ came up.
When our eyes met, my heart calmed again.
The anger that flared up momentarily also subsided.
‘Just as Russell said.’
There was something Russell mentioned about trusting the instincts of a merchant.
“There’s a reason why I asked Venia, not you.”
“Why Venia, not me?”
“If Alencia comes to ask, she’ll have to create farmland for Viscount Kent, won’t she? I don’t want to do that.”
“Viscount Kent is my supporter. They were once comrades who sailed with you.”
Alencia’s irises stopped their tremor.
Instead, anger engulfed me, replacing my confusion.
I composed myself and continued with the plan Russell and I had devised.
“So, you didn’t like it.”
“What do you mean?”
“Aren’t you going to be engaged to Clan Kent, Princess Alencia?”
