Chapter 67

"Ultimately, you accepted it, didn't you?"

"That bastard, he made it impossible for me to refuse..."

"As a job for an adventurer, it's a bit off the beaten path, but it benefits others and generates profit. He's quite skilled at setting conditions."

"If it weren't for that ominous background of his, it would be fine."

"Maybe it's impossible? He seems like the type."

---

During the negotiation for the distribution of the results from the purification of the Demon Forest, we ended up having a decisive conflict with Kurt. It wasn't that I was looking for a fight.

He just didn't hide his intense dislike for me. He was quite rude, but according to Blantark, it wasn't a punishable offense.

"You're here as an adventurer, after all."

However, as a noble, he lacks common sense. His inability to read the room will likely earn him a poor evaluation. For Kurt, who rarely leaves his territory, such an evaluation probably doesn't matter.

What will he do when he inherits the title? At the very least, I have no intention of taking care of him.

He can use the money he has saved up to stay somewhere. He must have worked hard to save it for that purpose.

In the end, the negotiations went smoothly because my father and Klaus were present. When we were about to leave the main house, Klaus asked us to stay overnight.

He said it would be a problem if we left the territory immediately after the negotiations went smoothly. However, in this remote area without an inn, our options were limited.

The main house was the top choice, but I, along with everyone else, would likely dislike it. After all, Kurt, the main culprit of the conflict, is there.

Even the gentle Elise dislikes Kurt, so it's natural.

However, Klaus isn't the type to back down easily.

He suggested staying at the house of his brother-in-law, Herman, who is part of a branch family. Without Herman's consent, I, who am causing a stir in the Baumayster family, would be staying with the branch family, which is already against the main house due to the Demon Forest expedition.

This would unsettle Kurt's heart, and my father wouldn't be able to refuse. Indeed, Klaus is a troublesome person.

More so than someone like Rukner.

With this background, we headed to the branch family's house. However, my sister-in-law, Marlene, who is Herman's wife and the de facto leader of the branch family, was on a different wavelength.

She openly criticized Kurt and the main house. Especially her statement that Kurt's inheritance was unnecessary further intensified the criticism.

To her, Kurt, who said that the inheritance of her grandfather, father, and uncles was unnecessary, was not even worth discussing as a human, let alone a noble.

The inheritance has little monetary value. For Kurt, who is obsessed with money, the effort to recover it is not worth it. He probably thought we would charge an exorbitant fee for the labor.

If such statements leaked to the branch family, criticism would be inevitable.

Honestly, I'm starting to doubt if Kurt is fit to be the next head of the family.

But I have no right to say anything.

I spent time giving gifts to the children of the branch family, which were originally intended for my sister-in-law, Amalie, and her children, and telling them stories about dragon slaying. It was better for my mental health to do this rather than think about Kurt.

However, another troublesome man appeared.

It was Klaus, who, during the previous negotiation, not only didn't expose any flaws but also provided appropriate support. However, he appeared before us, as if nothing had happened, and requested a meeting with me, despite the branch family's stance against the main house.

Indeed, this guy is quite cunning.

"So, what's the matter?"

"That is, well..."

Klaus immediately started talking about work, even refusing the offer of tea.

"I want you to hold a bazaar."

Klaus asked us to sell goods in the territory.

"The goods can be anything. Clothes, accessories, seasonings. The people in the territory are starving for entertainment."

The main food, wheat, can be self-sufficient from the expanded farmland. Vegetables can also be self-sufficient from the fields, and meat from hunting, and fish from rivers, irrigation canals, and ponds. They are muddy and not very tasty, but they are edible.

There are also wild vegetables, wild fruits, and honey from the branch family, so the people in the territory generally don't starve.

However, salt is critically lacking, and it is necessary to purchase it.

Unfortunately, my old survey did not find any rock salt. This area was never the sea.

"Consider this. A caravan of that size, with nearly 800 people's worth of supplies."

The caravan only comes three times a year. Considering the round trip on mountain roads, four times a year is impossible. Moreover, the variety of goods they can transport is limited. Salt is prioritized, and other items are in very small quantities.

But it would be harsh to complain to the caravan people.

The prices are slightly higher than in the capital or Breichburg, but they are likely operating at a complete loss. Their profit undoubtedly comes solely from the subsidies provided by the Margrave of Breichrada.

"To be honest, I'm surprised the Margrave of Breichrada hasn't cut them off."

"It's because of the expedition."

Since the other party is Klaus, and this matter is an open secret in the territory, I spoke openly about the hidden reason for the caravan's arrival.

"But, considering the costs... The burden on the Margrave of Breichrada is significant..."

Considering the financial scale of the Baumayster family, it's not a significant burden, but the question of "how many more years will this continue?" remains. When the population of the Baumayster territory fully recovers and the estimated damage is compensated, the Margrave of Breichrada might end the support. Even if the generation changes, it could be stopped. Alternatively, they might change the system to at least make a profit.

If that happens, the price of salt will undoubtedly rise significantly. They are not doing this as a charity, after all.

"In this case, the Margrave of Breichrada is in a superior position, or we owe them something. The fact that they are a major noble is irrelevant."

Klaus's words undoubtedly point to Kurt's existence. The Margrave of Breichrada initially had a bad impression of Ehrich due to the expedition, and their relationship worsened due to issues like gifts.

They have never met, so it's a matter of whether they get along or not.

This situation, led by Klaus, makes the people in the territory uneasy.

If Kurt becomes the next head of the family and the prices of the goods the caravan brings rise, or in the worst case, the caravan dispatch is canceled, what will happen?

"Without salt, this territory is doomed."

"What did they do in the past?"

In the past, a leader from the Baumayster family or the village head's family would lead a few people to Breichburg to buy supplies. They would sell furs and herbs collected in the territory and use the money to buy salt and return. It was a very hard method.

"With this method, the current population is only half of what is needed."

As the population increases, the amount of cargo needs to increase, which would reduce the manpower available for farming. In a difficult situation, the previous Margrave of Breichrada started sending a caravan twice a year to help.

After the expedition, it increased to three times a year, partly as an act of atonement.

"Given this uncertainty, the people in the territory want to stock up on salt..."

However, even if the number of caravans increases to three times a year, the amount of salt the people can stock up on hasn't increased. Since it is used daily, for example, the amount of salt a household uses in four months is considered.

The caravans come three times a year, so they naturally can only supply a limited amount. Before the expedition, the population was gradually increasing. Currently, it is gradually returning to the pre-expedition level.

Therefore, the amount of salt sold is proportional to the number of people in a household. Even if they ask for more, it would infringe on other households' quotas, and there is no inventory, so it is impossible.

Moreover, the fact that the caravans only bring salt is a source of dissatisfaction for the people. It is necessary to mix in some products that give a sense of the outside world, even if it is a small amount. Naturally, this would reduce the amount of salt they can carry.

"If the amount of cargo increases, the manpower must also increase, which would increase the burden on the Margrave of Breichrada. So, the amount is capped."

The caravans move for three months, pulling cargo on mountain roads. Although they rarely see dragons on the mountain roads they usually use, other bears and wolves do appear, so vigilance is always necessary.

Even if they recruit, there is no guarantee that they will gather enough manpower. Considering the wages to be paid, it is impossible to expand the caravan's scale.

"If Vendelin were to set up a base in Breichburg, even once a month would be fine. I want you to sell goods to the people in the territory."

"That's asking too much..."

It's not physically impossible. With magic bags, instant teleportation is possible, making it one of the easier requests. However, it's a bit different from the work of an adventurer. If I do this, Kurt will become even more stubborn.

"Regarding Kurt, I will handle him. If the people in the territory can freely shop and their worries are alleviated, it will benefit Kurt as well. I have already obtained permission from Artur."

"Already? (By the way, Kurt, weren't you with my father...?)"

This old man is so cunning that I worry even more about the future of this territory. And this old man is undoubtedly cutting Kurt off.

"I'm not saying to give it away for free or sell it cheaply. Rather, don't do that. The price can be the market price in Breichburg plus Vendelin's profit."

To be honest, even at the same price as Breichburg, there is enough profit. Other merchants would have to pay for three months of travel, but I can teleport instantly.

The cargo platform is also unnecessary due to the magic bag.

By registering with the commercial guild and paying