Chapter 27

Chapter 27 (27/324)

27

The silence was brief.

Soon, the viscount looked at me and said, "Do you think it's expensive?"

"Yes, I do."

"Isn't this the usual price for wheat?"

"I want to get it a bit cheaper than usual. In the past ten years, hasn't farming been quite successful? Not just here in Enphelium, but in fact, almost all agricultural cities on the continent. I imagine you're having trouble disposing of the surplus grain, aren't you?"

"......"

My words seemed to leave the viscount momentarily speechless. After a brief moment of eye contact, he burst into laughter and began to speak.

"Hehe. I can't argue with that. You're right. It is a bit difficult to dispose of. There's a lot of supply, but demand is limited. So what?"

"I'll buy a lot. So, could you give me a discount?"

"I didn't realize you knew the situation so well. Alright, how much do you want to pay?"

"The price I want is 7 silver coins."

"......That's a bit difficult. You're not buying in bulk, are you?"

The viscount, who managed one of the main granary cities in the east, had a different scale.

He had firmly stated that 500 million was not a bulk purchase.

Indeed, as the lord of Enphelium, he had the right to say such things.

Ultimately, to get a discount, I needed to buy in bulk.

'Should I use Abel?'

For a bulk purchase, his guarantee was necessary.

My contemplation didn't last long.

"Alright. Let's do this. I'll buy at least thirty platinum coins' worth of wheat in the future. How about that?"

Thirty billion.

This amount was substantial enough to make even a wealthy viscount quite interested.

The viscount's eyes widened when he heard the amount.

"Do you have that much money?"

"With the wealth of the Celterion viscount family, it's possible, isn't it?"

"I know that. But can you use that wealth? I've heard you've changed, but I doubt you have that kind of authority yet."

"What if I have my eldest brother's guarantee?"

"......Are you talking about Sir Abel?"

"Of course. Who else could I call that?"

Abel Celterion.

I had created a direct communication crystal ball to contact this man precisely for such situations.

Thirty platinum coins was a significant amount for me, but Abel, who was a strong contender for the next viscount, could easily handle it.

The number of businesses he was currently managing was considerable. Given his attitude when we last met, he would readily invest thirty platinum coins if I asked.

The viscount's expression gradually hardened as I spoke.

"Is the person who wants to buy the wheat actually Sir Abel, not you?"

While this was a bit off the mark, it was a reasonable assumption from his perspective.

I was just the youngest son of a noble family, and my probation had only recently ended.

For me to casually propose thirty billion was quite a stretch.

'That's a possibility.'

He might think that the real person behind the wheat purchase is Abel.

This was a fortunate turn of events for me.

If a great famine were to come, I would have a solid shield to protect me from criticism.

"......To be honest, you're right, Viscount."

"......I thought so. ......Are you planning a war or something in the viscount family?"

"I don't know. I'm not sure. But I really do want to buy wheat for my magic research. Although, my eldest brother might also need a large amount of wheat."

The viscount's expression was firmly set, as if he was imagining something.

Well.

Anyone might think I was buying a large amount of grain to prepare for a war.

A great famine was unimaginable, so this was the most plausible theory.

While sipping tea, the viscount, who had been silent, spoke heavily.

"If he guarantees it......I can trust it."

"Then let's have a more constructive discussion. If I buy thirty platinum coins' worth of wheat, how much of a discount can you give me?"

"Hmm. 8 silver coins, how about that?"

I didn't like it.

In such situations, it's best to start low.

"7 silver coins would be perfect."

"7.5 silver coins."

"Who else would buy this much wheat in the current situation? This is a unique offer only the Celterion viscount family can make."

"Umm......"

"Let's clear out your inventory. It wouldn't be a bad choice for you, would it?"

The viscount glared at me after hearing my words.

"Wow. I never imagined you had such a talent......"

"A mutually beneficial deal is the best deal, isn't it? 7 silver coins per bag seems like a deal that would satisfy both of us."

"......I can't argue with that. Let's do it."

"Thank you."

"If you buy thirty platinum coins' worth of wheat at 7 silver coins per bag......that's over 40,000 bags. Do you have a way to transport them?"

Since I had negotiated down to 7 silver coins, I felt a bit guilty about asking for delivery.

But Abel would take care of everything.

Transportation and storage, all of it.

It's best to offload the hassle.

"Let's do this, Viscount."

"How so?"

"I have a crystal ball. A direct communication crystal ball with my eldest brother. I'll have a brief conversation and then return here. The broad outline is set, so it would be good to discuss the details then."

The viscount's eyes widened at my words.

"......Direct?"

"Yes. It's an item my eldest brother lent me for a while."

"Sir Abel must really value you. A direct line......"

The direct communication crystal ball he was thinking of was probably a 30 billion gold phone.

I didn't bother to clear up the misunderstanding.

"How long will it take?"

"Not long. Five minutes should be enough."

"I'll wait and have a cup of tea. I'll show you a quiet place, so come back when you're done."

Thanks to the viscount's kind consideration, I had a brief break.

I moved to a secluded spot the viscount had shown me and thoroughly checked the surroundings.

In a world where magical tools like CCTV exist, it would be problematic if there were any.

The mana I spread in the room detected nothing. If there were such magical tools, they should have shown some reaction.

'There's nothing.'

Indeed.

If someone were spying in a place described as quiet, it would be quite off-putting.

So, they probably didn't do that.

I infused mana into the crystal ball and waited for a moment, and a response came.

Inside the round crystal ball, Abel's face appeared.

"It's been a while."

"Yes. I have something to tell you, so I'm contacting you."

"Is there something wrong?"

I briefly explained my situation to Abel.

I was negotiating with the viscount to buy wheat in Enphelium. To buy the amount I wanted, I needed thirty platinum coins and his guarantee.

Abel nodded after hearing everything.

"That's quite an unusual request. The guarantee isn't a problem. If that can get you to support me, then it's fine."

"If you help me close this deal, I'll support you. While I can't openly step forward immediately, I think my heart will definitely lean towards you."

"Alright. I accept your proposal. You'll need help with transportation and storage, right? I'll take care of everything."

Wow.

He's willing to support me without me even asking.

I was quite pleased.

"Thank you."

"By the way."

"Yes?"

"Do you mind if I also invest in the wheat?"

Well.

There's no reason not to.

Even if I buy 3.5 billion worth, Enphelium, known for its agriculture, will still have a mountain of wheat left.

If Abel buys all the remaining wheat?

It would be a significant asset when he inherits the viscount family.

Money is a source of distress when you don't have it, not when you have too much.

"I don't mind......but what makes you want to invest, eldest brother?"

Abel's lips curled up in the crystal ball.

"It's my intuition. After hearing your story, I got a good feeling. I don't think I'll lose money. Even if I do, I won't blame you, so don't worry."

"You can do as you please. I've negotiated the price down to 7 silver coins per bag. You can decide the quantity and buy it. I have a limit to what I can buy with my money."

"Thank you."

Thank you?

The more money the person in my line has, the better for me.

"By the way, if you succeed......I'd like some compensation."

I casually mentioned this, and Abel smiled slyly.

"You seem quite confident of success. Alright. Since you're the one who suggested the investment, I'll give you compensation if it's successful."

Naturally, we didn't discuss the possibility of failure.

I knew the future.

And Abel, I think, felt something due to his intuition.

"I'll go back to the viscount. Oh, eldest brother."

"What is it?"

"Since you're also buying wheat, could you keep it a secret that I bought wheat? Could you say that all the wheat was bought by you?"

"Is it because of Adolph?"

"Yes. After I visit the viscount family, if the news spreads that you bought wheat here, it would naturally raise suspicion. If it also spreads that I bought wheat......I might get quite tired. Let's just say it was a coincidence."

"I understand. Is there anyone else who knows you're buying wheat besides me?"

"Only you and the viscount."

"I'll tell the viscount. He's a shrewd businessman, so he'll keep the secret."

"Thank you."

With that, I entered the office with the crystal ball, and the viscount was delighted.

"It's been a while."

"Nice to see you, Viscount. I've heard everything from Kyle. I'll guarantee Kyle. And about the wheat......"

The two of them started discussing.

From what I could overhear, I understood the gist of their conversation.

'Wow.'

Six hundred platinum coins.

In addition to what I was buying, this was the amount Abel was investing.

The audacity to pay 60 billion for wheat, based solely on a feeling.

Abel Celterion.

If he were a gambler, he would have been a great success.

'He's really putting in some effort.'

Even for Abel, 600 platinum coins was a significant amount. If the harvest this year is also good, it could be a significant loss.

60 billion worth of wheat.

It's such a large quantity that it would be hard to resell.

In other words, it would mean a sudden halt in cash flow.

But if it succeeds?

When the great famine hits, wheat will be in such short supply that it will be a massive windfall.

A profit of at least ten times the investment.

'600 billion.'

While it might not shake the entire empire, it's enough to have a significant impact on a certain region.

'This will be quite profitable.'

I won't be left out, so I'll benefit from it too.

Despite the massive deal, Viscount Frantel maintained a serious expression.

Perhaps he was imagining the viscount family drawing their swords for war.

War can drive food prices sky-high.

Any merchant would want to store the goods and sell them at a higher price.

'He had no choice but to give the goods.'

If he tried to back out for a quick profit, he might face the viscount family's wrath.

From Sword Master Lord Remton to the top and upper-level Expert knights.

The family's military power was immense.

When giving the goods, he must have considered this.

So, he gave 60 billion worth of wheat.

The high-level magic contract was written in front of Abel's crystal ball.

The viscount and I signed it.

There's no going back now.

High-level magic contracts imposed severe penalties for breaking the terms.

Once signed, the terms had to be strictly followed.

'Good.'

Since one of the contract terms was to keep my wheat purchase a secret, I felt reassured.

Seeing the viscount sign, I couldn't help but smile.