Chapter 83: Rediscovery

A few days later.

"Lord Ian! Lord Ian!"

Ian was reading a book in front of the fireplace. At Hana's call, Ian turned his head and immediately noticed the letter in her hand.

A familiar design and seal. It was from Merelop.

"Another message from Merelop?"

"Yes. This time, they want an immediate reply and a servant is waiting downstairs."

"It's only been a week."

Berick, who had been lounging with a sore back, suddenly sat up. On that day, he had caused such a commotion, but now he seemed to have returned to his normal daily life. Fortunately, there were no aftereffects or unusual symptoms.

'What is his body made of, really?'

Ian glanced at Berick while taking the letter. Berick, unaware of the look, jumped down and came close to Ian.

"What does it say? Read it quickly."

"Alright, don't rush."

The seal was familiar, but the handwriting was not that of the butler, but of someone new. It meant that the Count of Merelop had written it himself. Berick scowled and leaned in, but he could only make out the yellow paper and black letters.

"What does it say?"

"...They want to purchase more gula."

"I knew it. One bundle isn't enough to impress anyone. And it was the smallest one, right?"

"The messenger didn't say much else."

"Seems like there was a thief at the manor."

"A thief?"

Of course, there had been an intrusion targeting gula in Brats as well. It was a reasonable assumption, but after the conversation with the Countess of Merelop, Ian wondered if it wasn't her trick.

"What about the messengers?"

"They went to the kitchen to ask about the recipes."

Hana added softly, and Berick snorted. He had been ignoring the servants as if they were weeds, but now it seemed he was in a position where he couldn't get enough. Ian folded the letter in half and placed it on the table.

"Well, if he wants it, we'll have to provide it again."

"Should I prepare the bundles?"

"Yes, but this time, tell them it's not enough to pay with just one servant's ransom. I won't sell for less than fifty gold coins per bundle. In return, I'll ensure that the quality is better than before. Also, mention that with winter approaching, we have no choice."

"Yes, Lord Ian."

"Write the details in a letter. Where is Lord Romandro?"

"He went out this morning. He should be back soon."

Ian rummaged through the drawer with his left hand. Inside was the information he had recorded with Romandro about Merelop.

'How much did he say to request when reordering?'

Romandro had calculated it. Based on the size and overall situation of the Merelop estate, he had determined how much gula was needed.

'One hundred bundles. If half are planted and half are cultivated over a month, they can comfortably eat at the manor. The half that is planted will also multiply and can be evenly distributed to the estate residents after a month.'

'Does anyone in Merelop know that gula dies when it touches snow?'

'Perhaps not. After all, it requires interest.'

Ian remembered Romandro's words and unfolded a new sheet of paper. He wrote a request for one hundred bundles at fifty gold coins each, totaling 5,000 gold coins.

"One hundred bundles, that's a lot. When will we move them all?"

"If this large transaction goes through, it will be the last. Merelop will gain the ability to cultivate and consume gula on their own. Of course, after this winter, gula will be abundant throughout Barial."

"Hmm."

Ian nodded in understanding. If the contract with the Count of Merelop is concluded smoothly, it might be time to open up the trade. After all, the ban on personal transactions was only for this purpose.

If the timing is right, we could give the Count of Merelop a bigger surprise...

"Or, should we only sell roasted gula?"

"Roasted gula?"

"Yes. If we roast the gula seeds, they can't be cultivated and can only be used for consumption."

At Hana's words, Ian's eyes widened. He had just found a significant hint. He smiled and gently patted Hana's shoulder.

"Alright. When Lord Romandro returns, we'll discuss it."

"Yes, I'll deliver the letter right away!"

As Hana left, Berick tilted his head and asked with a serious expression.

"But Ian."

"What is it?"

"What if Merelop complains that fifty gold coins is too much and brings soldiers? There's no business when it comes to food. If they get desperate, will it turn into another battle?"

Berick's eyes sparkled. It seemed he was eager to have another hole in his stomach.

"You look excited."

"No way! I'm just scared! So scared that my heart is pounding. Or maybe fluttering?"

Berick chuckled and deeply inhaled the smoke from the burned gula leaves. He looked like a well-fed predator.

"Whether it's beasts or humans, there are many differences, but there are also commonalities. Do you know what the biggest one is?"

"I don't know."

"Even when they attack, they instinctively know their limits. They won't go beyond a certain point. Life is precious to both humans and beasts."

"Haha! Indeed! With me standing firm, no one will dare. Not even Groch. How could they rush here? We still have some of the thousand warriors left. Hahaha!"

Berick laughed heartily, kicking the cushions with his feet. He looked so pleased with himself. Ian didn't correct him, but...

'I mean the capital. The capital, Berick.'

What Ian really meant was the palace.

A noble waiting for the emperor and his advisors to grant him a surname. Attacking Brats at such a time would be a perfect setup for misunderstanding. The misunderstanding that Merelop was trying to increase its influence by weakening the central power and absorbing Brats.

'If they touch us, they'll be in trouble. The central army will come down and see how the Derga and Brats families were destroyed. They'll try to avoid that consciously or not.'

Thud!

Ian slammed the drawer shut and picked up his book again. A reply would likely come today, or at the latest, tomorrow. He suspected the Count of Merelop would act personally this time.

Knock knock.

"Ah! Sir Ian, I'm back."

"You're back. I heard you went out."

"I bought some gifts for my wife and baby."

Romandro entered with a cheerful laugh, carrying a load of gifts. He seemed a bit nervous every time he met Berick, perhaps because of the prank that day.

"Lord Romandro, I'm fine, really?"

"Who said what? You always look like a fish out of water."

"Eh? Really? Ian, do I look like that?"

"Sometimes you do."

"Maybe the Count of Merelop's temper is also due to the drug?"

"Unlikely. The Countess was waiting for winter. She will probably start soon."

A hallucinogenic anesthetic that slowly poisons over a month, causing death by hyperventilation. Romandro shook his head in disgust.

"Is it because of the border? What a bold woman."

"It also means she's in a desperate situation."

Berick asked while looking at Romandro's gifts.

"Does the capital not do such things?"

"The capital? They do more!"

"But why do you say 'border'?"

The capital, where more than half of the nobles gather. It's the center of the social scene, where all sorts of scandals break out daily. Romandro twirled his mustache and grumbled.

"Still, nowadays, they mostly do it in villas or secret places like masked balls. Prince Gael... when was it? Last year? Caused a bloodbath at a party hosted by the Duke Holin's nephew."

"Bloodbath?"

For a prince who isn't the heir, maintaining power means building connections with the nobles. Each one of them could be a source of strength. Yet, he caused a disturbance at a Duke's nephew's party?

A man who would later lead a rebellion?

"He killed all the slaves who were under the influence of drugs and couldn't distinguish reality."

"Is that possible?"

"It was. He did it. Didn't you hear about it? Even in the border, the story must have spread."

No matter how the world turns, there are always those who live outside of it. Ian had been one of them. What difference would a change in emperor make? He was too busy surviving.

"Of course, the families were in an uproar. After all, they were their property. Drugs were a crime, but they were openly used, and most importantly, such actions by the royal family were akin to a military threat."

"How did they resolve it?"

"Money."

"Pardon?"

"He bought and sent new slaves to replace the ones he killed."

"What a lunatic."

Unlike Berick, who muttered in disgust, Ian was very surprised and couldn't find words. Realizing this, Romandro sighed deeply and smiled faintly.

"In fact, I served Prince Marib for a time, but Prince Gael is no ordinary person."

Slaves are commodities that can be bought and sold. If proper compensation was given, there would be no problem, but the key was that the slaves were provided by 'Gael'.

"Truly remarkable in many ways."

"Actually, from that point on, Prince Gael's followers increased significantly. The rumor that Wesley, the head of the Magic Department, funded the purchase further solidified his position."

"What? Why did that increase his followers? If I were in his shoes, I would have called him a lunatic and fought him."

"Berick, be grateful we're in the border. The palace is a place where even portraits have ears."

"Then explain it to me."

As Berick scratched his ear, Ian sighed and explained. Frankly, even Ian, who had been an emperor, would describe it as 'a politically perfect move.'

"Of course, the families were in an uproar. After all, they were their property. Drugs were a crime, but they were openly used, and most importantly, such actions by the royal family were akin to a military threat."

"How did they resolve it?"

"Money."

"Pardon?"

"He bought and sent new slaves to replace the ones he killed."

"What a lunatic."

Berick muttered in disgust, but Ian was very surprised and couldn't find words. Realizing this, Romandro sighed deeply and smiled faintly.

"In fact, I served Prince Marib for a time, but Prince Gael is no ordinary person."

Slaves are commodities that can be bought and sold. If proper compensation was given, there would be no problem, but the key was that the slaves were provided by 'Gael'.

"Truly remarkable in many ways."

"Actually, from that point on, Prince Gael's followers increased significantly. The rumor that Wesley, the head of the Magic Department, funded the purchase further solidified his position."

"What? Why did that increase his followers? If I were in his shoes, I would have called him a lunatic and fought him."

"Berick, be grateful we're in the border. The palace is a place where even portraits have ears."

"Then explain it to me."

Berick scratched his ear, and Ian sighed, explaining the situation. Frankly, even Ian, who had been an emperor, would describe it as 'a politically perfect move.'