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Chapter

181: How About It? I Found It Quickly, Didn’t I? (1)

The entire Ruthania Kingdom was suffering from drought, but the situation in the North was far worse than in other regions.

This was due to Raybold and Desmond, who controlled the North’s largest agricultural zone, imposing a complete ban on food exports.

From the beginning, it was a barren and impoverished area, so the damage was even greater. The central nobles were too busy taking care of their own issues to even think about providing support this time.

As starvation began to spread, the lords frantically sought a solution when a rumor quickly circulated.

“I heard there’s a lot of food in the Territory of Penris.”

“I heard the immigrants have swept up enough food to raise the prices.”

“If that’s the case, there must be some surplus left. We need to get our hands on that.”

All eyes in the North turned toward Penris.

The lord of Penris was a young brat with weak military power, which made them drool at the prospect.

If they could just seize that territory, they could navigate through this difficult time.

However, even if they wanted to feast on Penris, the lords couldn’t declare war.

“Damn it! That brat has Marquis Branford backing him!”

“What a lucky kid! To be favored by such a big shot because of cosmetics!”

“Why on earth did the Crown Prince Faction accept someone like him?”

It was because Marquis Branford and the Crown Prince Faction stood behind Ghislaine. Attacking Penris would mean turning them into enemies as well.

There were no lords in the North willing to take on that kind of risk.

It was evident that starting a war would lead to self-destruction, so the lords decided to propose negotiations instead.

Considering how might makes right, their way of handling the situation was surprisingly peaceful.

Thus, envoys from various lords and numerous factions were dispatched to Penris.

Of course, they thought they would easily obtain food.

“They’ll have no choice but to treat us well out of consideration for my father. Once the drought ends, they’ll need our support again.”

“Exactly, the North has always been bonded by a strong sense of loyalty! To be honest, Perdium has been living off us for so long.”

“If they have any conscience, they should be bowing to us! Ahem!”

Despite it being a natural obligation to protect Perdium from the barbarians, the lords were acting as if they were magnanimously offering help.

And they were offering barely enough to keep them alive.

During the last war, they even ignored Perdium’s request for help, but that was already wiped from their minds.

However, their arrogant assumptions began to shatter as soon as they arrived in Penris.

Claude greeted the envoys while first asking for their understanding.

“I’m sorry, but we have too many guests, and there’s no place for them to stay.”

“Are you saying… there’s no accommodation?”

“Indeed. However, we do have a very large and splendid tent prepared. Would you like to stay there instead?”

At Claude’s words, the envoys couldn’t hide their anger.

“How can you treat envoys like this! I am a person granted all authority by the Lord!”

“This is against the laws and etiquette!”

“What kind of rudeness is this! Are you disregarding our authority?”

Despite the vehement protests, Claude merely looked annoyed and inspected his ears. What did they expect him to do, when there really was no place to stay?

A small castle was overflowing with envoys, so there was no way accommodation would survive.

Claude had initially considered giving them even the shabby servants’ quarters, but Ghislaine objected.

— We can’t let our people suffer because of these dark-hearted outsiders. If there’s no space for them, just pitch a tent outside.

With the lord saying that, what could he do? But as the complaints continued, he was growing thoroughly irritated.

“Ah, it’s not that I want to do this, but there really is no space! There are just too many guests arriving at once. What is this, some famous restaurant? Why are there so many of you? Ugh, this is driving me crazy.”

As the Chief Officer treated them with such carefree disdain, the envoys were left with no alternative.

“Uh… Let’s just go with that for now.”

The envoys who arrived a bit later had to truly set up tents and stay outside.

Staying in a large tent filled with absolutely nothing, they felt less like admiring the site and more like swearing every day.

Due to the uncomfortable sleeping arrangements, their bodies grew stiff, and Ghislaine didn’t attend to them right away, leaving them waiting. They were outraged by the treatment they had never expected.

“That kid thinks just because he has a bit of food stacked up he can act all high and mighty!”

“What a brat who doesn’t know the etiquette of nobility! Let’s see how arrogant he can get!”

Despite the complaints pouring out, not a single one of them left.

There was nowhere else to obtain food except the Territory of Penris.

The one in need had to hold their tongue and endure.

As time passed and it seemed enough people had gathered, Ghislaine summoned them all to one place.

Due to the narrow great hall, only a few of the heads of the envoy could barely enter, leaving their attendants outside. Even so, the hall bustled like a market.

The envoys were extremely displeased but tried their best to hide their emotions.

Ghislaine looked them over with a relaxed smile and spoke.

“How much did you manage to find out?”

“……???”

Ghislaine’s merchant-like tone left the envoys speechless.

According to their original plan, they were to mix persuasion with threats to extort as much food as possible from the brat.

‘No, how can we negotiate in this atmosphere?’

‘Damn it! How much should I ask for? Surely others are eyeing the food too?’

‘I’m going crazy. We’ll have to engage in price competition.’

Transactions between territories usually happen discreetly. That way, when negotiating with other territories, no one can say, “They offered this to us.”

But with so many representatives gathered at once, negotiation was out the window.

The one who calls the highest price wins.

After a brief moment of panic, several envoys exchanged glances and stepped forward.

It was the response one would expect from those who had been surviving on their wits in the harsh North.

“Ahem, we come from the Zimbari Territory. We formally request food assistance from the Territory of Penris.”

“A request?”

“That’s correct. We have provided substantial support to Perdium for a long time. You can’t deny that thanks to us, the Baron has been able to grow this much. Now, our situation has become difficult, so considering the goodwill we’ve shown….”

The envoy continued, listing all they had done for Perdium, and although the speech was lengthy, the summary was simple: ‘We’ve kept you alive all this time, so now give us something in return.’

Other envoys likewise began to pressure Ghislaine.

“The North has always shared its suffering together. Perdium too has stood by us, allowing us to endure our hardships.”

“It is now the Baron’s turn to be generous.”

The envoys were all competing to assert ‘You must take responsibility.’

Their attitude was so arrogant that it seemed unbelievable for individuals who had come to procure food.

They were still carrying the habit of taking the lead whenever dealing with Perdium.

Even though the situation had slightly reversed, it wouldn’t be long before they regained the upper hand.

The impoverished Perdium would have no choice but to rely on their support to survive.

Thus, considering future relations, they believed Ghislaine would not act harshly.

However, that assumption was shattered by Ghislaine’s coolly spoken words.

“Go tell that to my father; why are you asking me for payment? I’m not even receiving any support.”

Ghislaine’s words left the envoys momentarily stunned before they came back strong again.

“But you are the heir there, aren’t you? Eventually, you will have to receive support from us.”

“That’s right. The drought may be brief, but what do you plan to do afterward? Don’t ignore the bonds of alliance we’ve formed. We’ve always been ancient allies, haven’t we?”

“You’re saying you don’t need any support? If support were to stop, it wouldn’t just be inconvenient for you, but also for Count Perdium.”

The envoys found their confidence again as they were persuaded by their own words.

Yes, even if this brat had the upper hand with food now, it was only temporary.

Once the drought was resolved, what then? Did they really think they could hold off the North on their own without their support? With that meager production capacity and military force?

That was utter nonsense. If that were possible, Perdium wouldn’t be struggling to survive.

Ghislaine glared at the self-assured envoys, continuing coldly.

“Those who emphasize alliance and loyalty so much ignored us during the war?”

“……”

Upon hearing that, the envoys fell silent.

To be honest, it didn’t matter who occupied Perdium. No wise noble would risk exhausting their military and resources in such a war.

That’s just how politics work. This brat was too young to understand that and was still hung up on the past.

As the envoys prepared to refute, Ghislaine casually threw out a number.

“20,000 gold.”

“Ex-excuse me? 20,000 gold? Is that the price of food?”

“No, regardless of food, the support territories of Perdium will now pay me 20,000 gold each year for defense. Any territory that fails to pay or delays payment will be prompted open roads for barbarians to enter.”

Count Perdium would never allow such a thing, but the other envoys didn’t know exactly what kind of person the Count was.

So, everyone was left in shock by Ghislaine’s declaration.

“Wh-what the hell!”

Not only was 20,000 gold for defense outrageous, but the threat of opening roads was outright madness.

‘Wait, isn’t defense something they should be paying for? Why is he asking for it himself? Who do you think you are?’

The envoys immediately protested with a mix of astonishment and humiliation on their faces.

“Absolutely not! We’re already providing enough support!”

“Count Perdium is a Count of the border; that’s his duty!”

“That’s stipulated by kingdom law! That’s why you’re enjoying so many benefits!”

Even against the envoys’ fierce objections, Ghislaine didn’t blink an eye.

“Benefits? You all turned a blind eye to us when we were in danger.”

“So at that time, there were circumstances….”

“Even a mere mercenary receives payment for their work. I plan to ensure I receive a just price for sacrifices going forward, so don’t even bother arguing. I’m already so tired of your pathetic support dictating things around here.”

“What kind of disrespect is that?”

“Enough, if you keep talking, I’ll throw you out without a food deal. I’m too lazy to keep talking. Ah, I really have become kinder. I’m still willing to deal with you even after all this talk.”

“Y-you’re serious!”

At the threat of being sent away, the envoys fell silent. After all, getting food was now the priority.

However, they couldn’t suppress the heat rising within them. Some exchanged glances, gritting their teeth.

‘Just you wait; as soon as this drought is over, I won’t let you off easily.’

‘That brat is getting too cocky, thinking the Crown Prince Faction will back him up. Defense costs? Do they really think we’ll pay that?’

‘If we join forces, it wouldn’t be hard to slowly squeeze that kid to death.’

They were thinking that way, having no idea how quickly Penris was developing.

In a territory with weak military power and nothing impressive, they believed it was sheer luck that food had stacked up because of the immigrants.

Seeing the envoys from other territories suffering this fate, they chose to remain silent.

Those who could at least use Perdium as an excuse were getting treated like that; those who had no connection would only encounter worse if they joined the fray.

Surveying the now quiet hall, Ghislaine chuckled to herself.

“Well then, shall we begin negotiations?”

As the envoys exchanged glances, the first to open their mouths shot their hands up in a flash.

“I will pay 10 silver per sack of wheat!”

Before the famine, the average price for a sack of wheat was 3 silver. During harvest, it could drop to as low as 1 silver.

10 silver was multiple times higher than that.

Then others chimed in, shouting.

“I offer 11 silver!”

“I’ll give 12 silver!”

“13 silver here!”

Everyone grew anxious and started raising their offers.

While there were rampant rumors about Penris having food stockpiled, no one knew for sure just how much surplus was actually left.

They raised their voices, fearing someone might snatch away the food before them.

In the middle of the bustling great hall, someone quietly spoke.

“1 gold.”

“……!”

Everyone was taken aback by the staggering price and turned to look.

There stood a middle-aged man in a robe, striking a haughty pose.

Ghislaine directed a chilling smile at him.

 

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