Chapter 266
Chapter 266: Ready to Prepare for War Again? (1)
The one who brought in the food was Lowell. He also brought along a hundred knights and a thousand soldiers.
The amount of food was enormous, so he had to bring a considerable force to protect it.
Lowell’s face showed extreme fatigue as he spoke to Ghislaine.
“How have you been? This is enough food for the fortress for several months. I will make sure to bring it on time next time.”
“What’s this? Why are you here? What if the spy comes all the way here? Are you not working?”
At Ghislaine’s question, Lowell’s expression darkened.
“There’s so much food that the Chief Officer told me to come. He said it would be unsafe if someone else went. Along the way here, he said to check the situation in the territories too. Now, I have to be in charge of diplomacy as well.”
At first glance, the jobs of a spy and a diplomat may seem quite different, but upon closer inspection, they share numerous connections.
Taking on diplomatic duties allows one to meet various key figures directly and makes it easier to visit other territories under the pretext of official business.
However, along with that comes the risk of exposure, but the advantages are worth the potential danger.
“Oh, that’s cool. No matter how much information you gather, nothing beats seeing the scene in person.”
Nodding, Ghislaine glanced at Lowell, who gritted his teeth.
Now, he had to take on the responsibility of roaming around collecting information himself. Once he returned to the territory, he would have to analyze and classify the information gathered by other spies.
‘Ah, I seriously just want to run away.’
Since he was a war captive, running away would mean death. He had no choice but to keep moving around and work.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Penris soldiers unloaded massive bags of wheat from the wagon and started pulling out a substantial amount of meat from the frozen carts. People gasped in astonishment.
“Wahhhh!”
Even seeing it with their own eyes, they couldn’t believe it was real. They had never seen so much food and meat in their lives.
‘Wow, they said there was a severe famine, and the whole continent was facing a food crisis, but how did they bring in that much?’
‘Look at all that meat, it looks delicious.’
‘Even if there’s a lot, it’s too much. Are they planning to sell it? How much would it cost?’
‘I heard they’re nobles, but are they also running a merchant group?’
People swallowed hard as they hesitated to approach.
They were in a place where monsters like Ghislaine, who wiped out hordes of monsters, and Kaor, who could single-handedly defeat the Twin Head Ogre, were.
Kaor was bedridden, but Ghislaine and the other knights were fine. Anyone here would clearly lose if they charged forward.
Watching the crowd in shock at the unreasonable amount of food, Ghislaine said,
“Aren’t you sick of eating monster meat every day?”
Nodding vigorously.
“Isn’t it frustrating that bread and meat are so expensive?”
More nodding.
“I’ll sell meat and wheat at the prices before the famine, how about it? Want to buy?”
“Oooh!”
People’s eyes widened in disbelief.
They were well aware that food prices had soared outside the fortress. Selling food at pre-famine prices was utterly ludicrous.
Ghislaine continued speaking, observing their astonishment.
“However, I will only accept payment in monster hide and tendons. Those prices will also be adjusted to match pre-famine rates, so keep that in mind.”
People nodded obediently.
Hide prices had risen recently, but they couldn’t compare to food prices.
The most commonly traded goods here were monster byproducts. Naturally, there was an abundance of hides and tendons, making them cheaper compared to other places.
‘Exchanging now wouldn’t be a loss at all.’
‘Besides, there are plenty of other byproducts worth selling besides hides and tendons.’
‘Let’s stop eating monster meat already!’
Soon, hunters ran to the workshop’s storage, bringing back their hides.
They clamored loudly, desperately trying to exchange first.
“I’ll exchange right now! Give me meat, meat!”
“I have wheat! I have several high-quality hides!”
“I also have hides! They’re not high-quality, but there’s plenty!”
As people flocked in, the area in front of the inn turned chaotic again. While knights and soldiers stepped up to restore order, Ghislaine said to Lowell,
“Come on, let’s start the trade quickly.”
“…Me?”
“You’re the only one who properly knows the quantities, right? And you’re super fast at calculations.”
“…I suppose I am.”
When it comes to calculations, everyone in the territory acknowledged Lowell’s speed. Though he might have been a little off, after all, hasn’t he lived by that skill to survive?
Lowell immediately began handling transactions without even shaking off the fatigue he had built up on the way. Thanks to that, the hides and tendons piled up at a crazy rate.
As Ghislaine watched, she nodded.
‘If we keep hunting and exchange for food, we won’t have any issues with securing hides and tendons.’
News spread quickly within the fortress that a merchant group had brought huge quantities of food and meat.
Not only hunters but also merchants who had been trading in the fortress rushed in. They, too, could make a profit by obtaining food here to sell elsewhere.
Naturally, Grant, the commander of the fortress, also slipped into the conversation.
“We have many byproducts to send to the royal family as well. We’d like to exchange for food.”
Good food is strongly linked to boosting the morale of soldiers. He didn’t want to miss such an opportunity.
Ghislaine nodded and proposed a new business.
“I want to trade with all the fortresses near the Shadow Mountain Range, can you help?”
“Every fortress, you say?”
“Yeah, it would take too long for me to visit them all personally.”
“There are over fifty fortresses guarding the Shadow Mountain Range. Are you saying you want to trade with all of them?”
“I’m a person known as the Food King of northern Ruthania. Haven’t you heard?”
“No, I haven’t.”
“…Well, anyway, I can do it, so just connect me quickly. I want a permit in the name of the kingdom so that others don’t bother us. I don’t want to waste time.”
“Understood. I’ll relay the news as quickly as possible. If I report this along with your achievements, the royal family will accept it.”
Grant immediately mobilized messengers. He highlighted and praised Ghislaine’s skills and resources when communicating with the commanders of each fortress and the royal family.
Adding a bit of seasoning to the conversation that it was a golden opportunity to be supported by the nobility of the great Ruthania.
The Kingdom of Turian offers full support regarding fortresses. Particularly, the commanders of each fortress are carefully selected, showing considerable trust in what they report.
Within just a few days, a royal decree was issued permitting trade.
[The Turian royal family grants official trade with Count Penris of Ruthania.
– The credit of the Penris merchant group is guaranteed by the Turian royal family.
– Personnel belonging to the Penris merchant group can move freely throughout all areas within the kingdom without special procedures.
– For the sale of food, the Penris merchant group is exempt from taxes.
– All commanders and lords of the kingdom will protect the Penris merchant group.]
It was an incredible privilege. Very few merchant groups had received such benefits until now.
They were focused on maintaining the fortresses as their top priority, so they decided to actively support the Penris merchant group, which would be helpful in that regard.
Of course, Grant’s strong recommendation, along with Ghislaine being a nobility of the great Ruthania, played a significant role as well.
Ghislaine smiled with satisfaction.
‘I knew Grant could get something like this.’
Though she didn’t have a close relationship with him in her past life, they had become acquainted from frequently visiting the fortress.
Grant was quite capable and had been stationed at the fortress for a long time. He was also the firstborn of a powerful marquis family in the Kingdom of Turian.
His skills, coupled with his lineage, prevented others from disregarding him.
‘Alright, I’ll be able to make even more money moving forward.’
Ghislaine’s plan included acquiring money and resources through trade with other kingdoms.
Currently, the traded goods were only food, but if she could establish herself through this opportunity, she could make significant profits selling cosmetics and iron ore too.
‘Kaor and the knights will be able to live a bit more comfortably too.’
Because even if she returned, Grant and the Kingdom of Turian would protect them.
The law of the fortress does not recognize the authority of nobility, but as a merchant group that officially trades with the kingdom, they wouldn’t just leave them to their own devices.
It was a bit worrisome to leave those troublemakers behind, but she couldn’t lay down a better flower path than this.
“Hey, feeling any better now?”
Kaor, wrapped in bandages from head to toe, pouted his lips at Ghislaine’s words and replied,
“Tell me who the jerk was that hit me.”
“I didn’t see.”
“Damn… I should just beat everyone up.”
Kaor was sulking, feeling angry. He wanted to make a grand exit, but ended up getting surrounded and beaten. It was infuriating.
Ghislaine stayed a few more days, hunting monsters and training the knights. Of course, Kaor, in his injured state, was dragged along and made to suffer.
The hunters who had decided to accompany Ghislaine fell into serious dilemmas as they were led out to hunt.
‘Damn it… I signed a thirty-year contract…’
‘Why did I take the advance payment… How will I pay it back?’
‘The kingdom will protect us…’
They too were dragged into hunting and ended up working alongside the knights. They became porters and disassembly workers as well. They wanted to run away, but it was too late for that now.
‘Damn! This is why I was given the advance payment! I can’t pay it back immediately!’
They had spent the hefty advance payment on drinking and partying.
Even if they wanted to overpower the knights, they had no confidence in defeating them. Especially since Kaor had become the strongest person in the fortress.
Even if they could manage to corner him, there would still be a problem. Grant and his troops would protect them, making it impossible to kill them or run away.
They were completely trapped.
“Everyone, hunt diligently to gather hides and tendons. Send them over whenever the merchant group comes. Got it? I’m heading back now. Kaor, make sure to train hard.”
“Yeah…”
The knights and hunters nodded glumly at Ghislaine’s words.
In truth, the knights were also trying to find a way to escape from here. They clung to the other knights who had come with Lowell.
“Please, let’s switch places!”
“This place is really fun! Once the lord returns, we can be free, free!”
“We can level up our skills quickly too!”
But the knights, who sensed the atmosphere, roughly shook off their hands.
“Who are you? Do I know you?”
“Are you crazy? I don’t want to be in this damn place!”
“I’m doing well. See you alive.”
The knights, who had diligently been training, were relieved deep down. If they had been lax in training, they would have been dragged here and faced serious hardships.
Leaving the tearful knights behind, Ghislaine returned to the territory with Lowell.
Only one person, Kaor, shouted with a pleasant smile.
“Damn! You know I’m the strongest here now, right? If you don’t listen to me, I’ll beat everyone up! Got it?”
He had hundreds of hunters following him. Plus, the Kingdom of Turian was openly protecting him.
Kaor was undoubtedly a powerful figure, wielding the greatest influence in the fortress.
“Hahahaha! I am now the king of Ironcliff! A king!”
He genuinely liked this place.
*
Even without Ghislaine, the territory was bustling with activity. Even those who were not very responsible worked hard. Fear of consequences drove them.
Thanks to that, the territory was rapidly developing while Ghislaine was away.
Upon returning, Ghislaine received reports on the progress that had taken place during her absence. Having been away for a while, it was necessary to sort through everything.
The first report she received was concerning the road construction project that was being carried out alongside the House of Marquis Branford.
“The road construction is proceeding smoothly. It has already been connected to the surrounding territories.”
“Thanks to that, the number of users for arrow delivery has increased. However, we are still in the red…”
“On the other hand, small fees for road usage have started coming in from nearby territories. The North doesn’t have much floating trade or population, so growth isn’t significant, but we expect higher usage fees near the capital managed by Lady Branford.”
The road and delivery business was proceeding without major issues. Indeed, things ran smoothly when the House of Branford was involved.
Now, as long as things carried on this way, they would gradually make more money.
Subsequent reports focused on territory development-related matters.
“Galbarium is being produced in greater quantities than expected. The blacksmiths are staying late, unusually refusing to go home.”
“The Penris region is mostly filled with farmland now. Currently, we are continuously purchasing the resources and necessities needed for the territory with the money made from selling food.”
“Other areas have filled up with large hatcheries and various workshops. The production capacity of the territory is increasing rapidly.”
“The construction of residences is nearly complete. It’s now hard to find anyone in the territory without a house. However, the migration process to the villages is somewhat delayed.”
In smaller villages, which were far from major hubs, efforts were being made to integrate residents with nearby fortresses and cities.
However, other tasks were too busy, and the process of removing villages was more challenging than initially thought.
People were hesitant to leave the places they had lived all their lives, moving at a slower pace, and the preparations for migration itself required considerable manpower.
While the integration of villages was slow, once the migrants settled in, there was almost no dissatisfaction.
As facilities necessary for the territory increased, people’s living standards improved significantly. The loyalty and satisfaction of the territory residents were on a level that couldn’t be compared to before.
It was a miracle that a poor northern territory developed to such an extent. All of this was thanks to Ghislaine’s knowledge and insane drive for action.
“There’s no exaggeration in saying there are no places better off than here in the north. Surplus production is gradually increasing.”
“With more active economic activities, taxes are also rising. Though expenditures still exceed income…”
“All the territory residents are praising the Lord.”
Desmond and Raybold could be called the richest territories in the north.
However, even those territories ultimately had strong lords; not all residents did well. Just like other territories, there were severe wealth disparities.
It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say there was no other place where all the residents were comfortably fed and lived without great worries like in the Penris territory.
Having received abundant praise, Ghislaine nodded in satisfaction and said,
“Okay, the substance has improved a lot compared to before. So, I’m sure everyone knows what I’m going to do next?”
“…”
The retainers didn’t respond. They had a feeling they knew what it would be, but they didn’t want to say it. So, Ghislaine spoke first.
“Well then, we need to prepare for war again, right?”
At the expected remark, the retainers wore gloomy expressions.
