Chapter 84. The Price is Set

"First of all, the fact that it started with a drug party could be said to have been a favorable situation for Gael. Even if a slave is just an object, they are still people with thoughts and emotions, aren't they? Since it was something Gael sent, there's no telling what kind of person the slave would be."

"If we refused, it would be like directly rejecting the palace's apology, and above all, the reduction in manpower would certainly burden the family."

Is that all?

Not only did it effectively convey their stance against drugs, but it also reduced the shame of being outmaneuvered by the prince. It was truly a sharp move, no need to weigh the pros and cons.

"The prince's gift is creepy, so we could just sell it at the slave market and buy a new one."

"There's no slave market in the capital. Besides, as I said, it's a 'gift' directly sent by the prince. How could we sell it? It would surely give them a reason to criticize us behind our backs."

Romandro's explanation made Beric nod in understanding.

"The prince has effectively shown his presence while also keeping the nobles in check. Was it Wesley? The Minister of Magic."

"Yes, that's right. He has immense authority in magic. No one knows how old he is. There's not much known about him other than his name."

When Ian goes to the capital, he will surely meet her. Since Ian is a mana user and is expected to become a valuable talent in the Ministry of Magic in the future, it's natural that his superior would be Wesley, and they would continue to clash.

"Still, the more I think about it, the more impressive the move is."

"In fact, if we consider that His Excellency Gael has a sharp personality and doesn't get along with His Excellency Marib, he is truly a very aggressive person. I don't understand why the two of them are so eager to tear each other apart."

"Isn't it inevitable?"

The heir and the challenger who threatens his position.

It's a natural relationship. Even if they are brothers from the same womb, it's only fitting that they draw swords against each other, let alone when they have different mothers.

"The two of them must know this. They each have something the other lacks. Perhaps that's why they are even more aggressive towards each other."

"What kind of person is His Excellency Marib?"

"His Excellency Marib... Well..."

Romandro carefully chose his words, but there was no proper way to describe him. He was that much more complicated and unpredictable compared to His Excellency Gael.

As Romandro's answer dragged on, Beric leaned back and said, "Forget it. What's the point of knowing? It's better to prepare for the arrival of the Marquess Merelop."

"Right. Beric, since you mentioned it, let's get moving."

"Ah, really! The doctor said I'm severely fatigued!"

"He also said he was amazed that your wounds healed so well."

Ian smiled and sent Beric out. Then, he suddenly asked, reflecting on Gael's incident.

In fact, there is no specific slave market in the capital. The period when slave traders stay in the capital is like market day. Of course, transactions are made secretly, but they mainly involve exchanging existing slaves.

"By the way, about the slave traders heading to the capital. Do they pass through Merelop?"

"Hmm? Well, they travel without much discrimination. They will likely pass through Merelop. If they enter through the Kingdom of Havon, there's nowhere else they can go."

'Indeed, since both Lady Rien Merelop and a man named Clark are former slaves, it makes sense that slave traders would pass through Merelop.'

Ian tapped his fingertips on the desk, lost in thought. Romandro, as usual, glanced at him and began organizing the gifts he planned to send to his family.

* * *

Another day passed.

"When do you plan to go to the capital?"

Thump.

Hana poured warm tea and asked. It takes about two weeks by carriage from the border to the capital. Considering it's winter, it would be wise to set a departure date soon.

In other words, it means they are about a month and a bit away from the end of the year.

"I'm not sure yet. I need to start preparing soon, though."

"Will you stay at Lord Romandro's house when you go?"

"If the palace provides accommodation, I'll stay there, but otherwise, I'll probably stay with Romandro. I'll let you know when I go."

Ian said this while feeling a bit uneasy. He had resolved to rush to the Ministry of Magic's annex as soon as he entered the palace.

He would investigate the traces of magic left by Naum and find answers to this reincarnation. If he found a way to return to his original time, Ian would not hesitate to do so.

If that were the case, leaving the Brats territory would mean parting with these people for the last time. Ian bowed his head to his book, trying to hide his complicated thoughts.

"The palace. Just thinking about it makes my heart race. They say it's the most beautiful palace in the world. The outdoor garden is covered by a glass dome, so when it snows, it feels like being inside a giant igloo."

"Ah, yes. There is such a garden."

"Really? You know about it?"

"…No. I've just heard about it."

Ian inadvertently agreed and then blurted out. Hana, amused by his light response, continued to chatter.

"And there's a room where it rains when you want it to, and another where flowers bloom all year round."

"Lord Romandro must have told you that?"

"Yes! That's right."

What Hana described was likely the place where the Ministry of Magic was located. Unlike ordinary rooms, many spaces there were filled with supernatural phenomena. Even the emperor and magician himself, Ian, could not claim to know every corner of it in detail.

"When will you return?"

"Hmm. I'm not sure."

Ian smiled faintly. If Emperor Ian disappeared, would the illegitimate Ian, the original body owner, return? He dared not guess, nor could he be certain.

Knock knock.

"Come in."

"Ian! A guest has arrived."

At that moment, the door opened hurriedly. Ian nodded calmly. There was only one place they could be coming from.

"Is it the Marquess Merelop?"

"Yes, that's right. Both he and his wife have come."

"Alright. Show them to the reception room and call Lord Romandro."

At Ian's nod, Beric spat out the leaf he was chewing into the fireplace and straightened his collar, checking the sword at his waist. Hana did the same, quickly verifying Ian's collar, buttons, and knots.

"Let's go."

"Yes, sir. Let's go."

"Ian, is there anything special to prepare?"

"The tea should already be served. Just bring some simple snacks from the kitchen."

"Yes, sir."

Tap tap.

Crunch!

Ian pulled the curtain and looked down. Servants were waiting behind the carriage that the Marquess and Marchioness Merelop had arrived in. It's a large group for an unexpected visit. They must be here to finalize the 'deal' today.

"Not bad."

"What's not bad?"

"It means they're halfway here."

"So what does that mean?"

Beric tilted his head in confusion, but Ian didn't seem inclined to answer. As they descended to the reception room, the servants were already lined up in the corridor, looking flustered.

"Sir Ian!"

"Lord Romandro."

Responding to Hana's call, Romandro ran over, clearly having just woken up. He blinked and pressed his disheveled hair down.

"The Marquess and Marchioness Merelop have arrived?"

"Today is the day of reckoning."

"Good. I'll play the role of the intermediary properly."

The two exchanged glances and resolved themselves. When the servant opened the door, they approached the Marquess and Marchioness with a casual air of hospitality.

"Marquess and Marchioness Merelop! How are you? What brings you here without prior notice?"

"Hmm. I hope we're not disturbing you during a busy time."

"Not at all. What could be more important than the Marquess visiting?"

Ian shook hands with the Marquess politely. The Marchioness extended her hand with an even more radiant smile, and Ian kissed it without hesitation.

"I apologize for the sudden visit. The matter is rather urgent, and I thought it would be better to discuss it face-to-face. After all, it's been a long time since the Marquess visited Brats."

"Indeed. Please, have a seat."

Following Ian's invitation, the Marquess Merelop sat down awkwardly, puffing out his chest. He was a thin man, but he seemed to have gained a bit of weight recently. Was it because of gula?

"Did Gula eat it all by himself?"

"Shh! Sir Beric!"

Beric whispered to Hana, who elbowed him for his crude comment. The Marchioness, sensing the awkwardness, took the lead in smoothing the atmosphere.

"Gula really is a delicacy."

"It seems you enjoyed it."

"I heard that the commoners here go crazy for it. Now I understand why. The taste varies so much depending on how you eat it."

The Marchioness was very smooth. There was no trace of the secret deal between them.

"Did the Marquess also find it to his liking?"

"Yes, it wasn't bad."

Even if there hadn't been a theft, he would have come. The fact that he ate a little every day, a few times a week, eventually led to him digging up the seeds he had buried.

"Good to hear."

With a rough understanding of each other's intentions, the rest was clear.

Ian clasped his hands and leaned back. This was to create a relaxed atmosphere in contrast to the stiff posture of the Marquess and Marchioness.

"I assume your visit today is about the Gula transaction. Am I right?"

"Yes, Sir Ian."

As the Marchioness Merelop nodded, the Marquess began in a low voice.

"Did you do your calculations well?"

"What do you mean?"

"The amount of Gula needed. When I did the math, it's clear that about 100 bundles are necessary to both cultivate and live. So, I assume this will be a large transaction. I'm curious why the price is so high."

"Yes, Sir Ian. Since this is the second transaction and a bulk purchase, I believe it's appropriate to lower the price. After all, good neighbors are important."

Romandro tried to interject with a cough, but it wasn't easy. Ian signaled to Romandro with his eyes, indicating it was fine.

"The reason I can't lower the price, even for a bulk purchase, is that Gula is a food that can be stored for a long time. It's not a crop that needs to be sold quickly before it spoils."

"So you must have plenty in stock."

"Exactly. There's no reason for me to rush to sell it. I can just store it and take it out when needed."

His calm and measured rebuttal was firm. It was a subtle way of saying there would be no price negotiation.

The Marquess's face hardened, and the Marchioness nodded subtly, indicating she understood.

"Moreover, by trading Gula with Merelop, we are giving up part of our own consumption, which is both a gain and a loss."

"A loss? You're saying it's a loss when something you picked for free from the mountains and fields turns into fifty gold coins?"

"Please understand, the things we picked from the mountains and fields have already disappeared into the bellies of the villagers. What we are giving you now are crops they have cultivated with their sweat."

He didn't back down on a single point. The Marquess tried to add something, but Ian ignored him and continued.

"Also, did you know that Gula can grow in dry sand or water, but it dies when it comes into contact with snow?"

It seemed they didn't know. Ian gauged the timing with his fingers.

"The weather is such that it could snow at any time. The limitation on Gula's harvest is as clear as day. We need to build greenhouses after a large sale to maintain our harvest, so we must charge a reasonable price. I believe the Marquess will understand this decision for the sake of the villagers."

When Ian went to gather crops for relief, didn't he raise the price for similar reasons? Ian was the same. It was about setting a 'reasonable limit' based on the situation, and he smiled faintly.

"Therefore, I cannot trade for less than fifty gold coins. This is in line with the will of His Majesty the Emperor, who aimed to rebuild this place and support the villagers."