Chapter 71. Under-the-Table Work

Ian stretched out his hand toward the window. The humid wind was gradually becoming dry, carrying a cold chill. Summer, which had been hot and intense, was passing, and autumn was about to arrive.

Knock knock.

"Master, have you woken up?"

"Yes."

"I will bring your meal."

After the royal decree of ennoblement was issued from the palace, Ian's position became firmly established. His daily life hadn't changed much, but he could feel the power in small details.

For example, the title 'Master' used to call him now.

'Interesting.'

Previously, he was someone who was born into a ducal family and ascended to the throne of the emperor. Now, just having the title of baron feels like a significant achievement.

Ian sat opposite Romandor and prepared for the meal.

"Good morning, Lord Romandor."

"Ah, Sir Ian. Did you sleep well?"

"Thanks to you. Could you give me some lukewarm water?"

"Yes, Master."

While the servants bustled about, Romandor began to speak, peeling a Gula seed from a small plate.

"Also, Ian, there's something I need to sort out."

"What is it?"

"I'm talking about the support funds from the palace."

"Oh."

About 3,000 gold coins. However, due to the restoration of the estate and the purchase of Gula, there had been considerable expenses. There would be more to come, of course.

"Isn't it customary to return the remaining support funds?"

"Yes, but isn't that just a custom?"

Romandor's implication was that he could handle it freely according to his discretion. He would process the accounts and put the remaining funds directly into Ian's pocket.

Ian raised his eyebrows in surprise.

"If you do that, I would be grateful."

"No, I've thought about it, and it seems right. You've done a lot. If we hadn't found Gula, those 3,000 coins would have been a one-time loss. I believe you will use them more meaningfully."

"Thank you. I will take good care of them."

"Also, thank you for allowing me to return in the middle of winter. Hmm."

"Did you say it's your honeymoon?"

"A message came a few days ago, saying that she is pregnant."

Surprised by the unexpected news, Ian clapped his hands. The servants, who were moving the dishes, also heard and offered their congratulations.

"Congratulations, Lord Romandor."

"You're going to be a father. Congratulations."

"When is the birth expected?"

"Next summer."

"Wow. Congratulations."

Romandor stroked his beard, blushing slightly. The smile on his face made Ian think that true happiness might look like this.

"Are the support funds and the ledger in the office?"

"Yes, they are. I'll hand them over as soon as you finish your meal."

"Yes, I understand."

Ian nodded, calculating the finances in his head. If his estimate was correct, the remaining support funds would be about 1,200 gold coins. Since the investigation team had confiscated everything valuable from the Bratz mansion, this would be all there was.

"By the way, what about Kakkan and Nersarn?"

"They went to the border observation tower yesterday and haven't returned yet. They said they were observing the stars... I don't know the details."

Ian immediately understood their intention. The tutor who studied the Great Desert also wanted to visit that place. Although he didn't know much, it seemed they had their own academic methods to understand the Great Desert through celestial observations.

"Alright. When they return, tell them I want to see them for a moment."

"Yes, I understand."

"Sir Ian, a letter has been sent from Merelop. Should I wait until you finish your meal?"

There were many messages this morning. Ian hesitated, about to cut the Gula in half. Romandor also stopped, his mouth wide open, ready to eat.

"No, let him in."

The door opened again. A neatly dressed servant bowed respectfully.

"Good morning. I have brought a congratulatory letter from Lord and Lady Merelop."

"Is that so? Did they say anything else? The order seems a bit strange."

The servant, who was trying to find a way to answer, looked awkward. Ian stretched out his hand, indicating it was fine. The elegant letter was placed on it.

"Once again, I sincerely congratulate you."

"Thank you."

"And there is a gift from Lady Merelop."

Ian looked at the box behind the servant with a suspicious expression. Given her unusual first impression, he couldn't guess what kind of gift she might have sent.

But the moment the servant opened the lid, Ian involuntarily stood up.

"It's a recording device from a foreign land."

"A recording device?"

Romandor asked, while Ian slowly approached and examined the machine closely.

Inside the small wooden box were intricately arranged gears. Below them was a space to insert paper, and a handle for operation was attached to the side.

"What is this? What is it used for?"

"Actually, its usage is not well known, and its name is..."

Ian muttered to himself.

"Dripper."

"That's right, it's called a Dripper."

"Oh, Sir Ian. Do you know about this?"

Indeed, he did.

A Dripper was a kind of automatic recording device. It was a machine that automatically marked dots at intervals when the handle was pulled. Although it might seem useless, it was a foundational invention for future automatic machinery.

It was one of the major national projects that Ian had been involved with until just before his death, and it was a technology that was being researched as a potential future revolutionary technology that could bring significant social changes.

"Wow, Sir Ian! You are truly well-versed! There's nothing you don't know!"

Ian lightly ignored the awkward flattery.

"Did Lady Merelop send this?"

"Yes, that's right."

"What did she say when she sent it?"

"She said it would definitely be helpful to you, and although it's valuable, you don't need to feel burdened."

The servant swallowed hard as he said this.

In fact, when it was first taken out of the warehouse, it was so dusty that it took five or six people to clean it. It was something that no one in the Merelop mansion paid attention to, just a piece of junk.

'Did she send this to mock me?'

What could be the point of a device that just marks dots at regular intervals and can't be used for anything else?

However, given Ian's unusual reaction, it seemed something strange was happening.

"Hah!"

Ian burst out with a hollow laugh.

...Or not? Is it really a mockery?

He didn't know, and couldn't guess. The servant, fearing a backlash, bowed deeply and lowered his gaze.

Ian, who had been staring at the machine with dry eyes, now wandered around it, sighing subtly.

"Sir Ian, why don't you sit down? Let's think about it while sitting."

Unable to bear it, Romandor got up and tried to calm Ian down, thinking he had taken it as an insulting gift.

In fact, anyone would have seen it that way. In this era, about 100 years before Ian's time, the Dripper's design was unremarkable, its function simple, and it had no recognition at all.

Even the current emperor wouldn't know the value of a Dripper.

"Do you know that this Dripper is from the Razar Mountains?"

"What do you mean?"

"Never mind. Wait a moment. I need to write a reply to my wife."

Ian muttered something and folded his napkin, signaling that he was done with his meal. Romandor looked back and forth between the machine and Ian, confused. They were about to start the Gula operation in Merelop, and this kind of provocation and response was not part of the plan.

"What will you write?"

"I will say that I received the gift very well and that I will use it as you suggested. I also want to meet her once."

Romandor rubbed his chin, groaning. To him, it seemed like they were exchanging sharp, aggressive remarks, but in reality, it was nothing of the sort.

'What in the world is going on?'

Ian ran his fingertips over the cracked wooden seams, as if pondering the value and future that the Dripper could bring.

'I need to check this out.'

Whether Lady Merelop had sent a worthless gift or if she also knew the significance of the Dripper.

Ian signaled to Hana.

"I'm done with my meal. Take good care of this. No one should touch it."

"Ah, yes, I understand."

"Lord Romandor, please finish your meal. I will write a reply and go on a brief inspection."

"Ah, yes. Go ahead."

Ian left the dining room, and shortly after, the Merelop servant also left Bratz. Ian went on his inspection a few hours later.

"Lord, the weather is very nice today."

"Yes, it's getting cooler."

He was checking the Gula, which was growing rapidly day by day. Unlike the falling leaves, the estate was full of fresh green leaves.

"We plan to harvest the Gula today."

"Already?"

"Megan from the next house said she started sorting the seeds yesterday. The soil here suits the Gula, and it grows very quickly. It grows a few inches every night."

"That's fortunate."

As the estate's granaries became full, hunger in the estate was disappearing. Smoke rose from chimneys every hour, and children ran around with steamed Gula in their pockets.

"Uncle! Uncle! The pig is pregnant!"

"Is that so? I heard it was restless this morning."

Oink!

The livestock were also thriving. They quickly gained weight and became pregnant. If things continued like this, no one would die or suffer from the cold during the winter, and they would welcome the new year safely.

"Ah, Lord Kakkanter."

In the distance, the group of Chelyre who had been out returned. Kusile slowed down and stopped beside Ian.

"You're here again today."

"Good timing. I have something to convey."

"Me too. Then let's walk a bit."

The subordinates followed behind the two, slowly guiding Kusile. Beric did the same, joking with a close warrior and pulling the reins.

"I will return to Chelyre tomorrow."

"Tomorrow? That's sudden."

"I will leave Nersarn here, so there's no need to worry."

"Is there something happening in Chelyre?"

"No, but after observing the stars, it seems tomorrow is the right time. So I decided to leave then."

When Lord Kakkanter leaves, more than half of the warriors will depart. However, the estate had developed some self-sufficiency, and there was no significant need for labor outside of Gula cultivation, so it shouldn't be a problem.

"In that case, I need to prepare to see you off."

Since the leader of the alliance was leaving, it was proper to show respect. Besides, there was a gift to be given to Chelyre under the guise of a gratuity.

"What did you want to say?"

"Oh, a servant from Merelop came to the mansion earlier. I think we should start preparing for the under-the-table work."

"Ah, I see."

The under-the-table work Ian mentioned was to create a situation where Merelop had no choice but to buy Gula. Kakkanter stopped walking.

"The only leverage Merelop has is the large caravan that comes in the cold season. If we handle that, things will be easier."

"Hmm. They are from the Kingdom of Havwan. The mountainous area is unfamiliar, so we are at a geographical disadvantage. However, it's not impossible."

The scale of the large caravan was unknown, but there would certainly be many mercenaries for protection. Using force was not an efficient method.

"No, we can't fight. We also can't be caught interfering. Otherwise, we might give Merelop an excuse."

From Merelop's perspective, responsible for the caravan's safety, they would naturally counterattack if the Chelyre posed a threat. This would be a burden for Ian, who had an alliance with the Chelyre.

"Do you have a plan?"

At Kakkanter's question, Ian nodded with a confident smile, his eyes sparkling as usual.