Chapter 47

'They would probably swarm like a pack of hyenas.'

- Are you such a great person that you would flinch at that?

'Unlikely.'

"Since the rumor has spread as much as it could, they will be busy trying to buy the item right away."

"Huh?"

Since I spread the rumor, can't you even predict this much?

"Just, can we just face it? Say I'm bedridden from overwork."

-Hmm, you... are possessed by a money ghost.

Amy tilted her head as if she didn't understand my meaning, but Perserk, who was dozing on the old desk in the office, smiled faintly as if he understood even in his sleep.

* * *

I've seen many cases where the price balance, formed by a product with a drastically insufficient supply, is overturned as the supply increases.

Naturally, if this were to be circulated without any restrictions, the price would certainly plummet.

For whose benefit?

At least, I have no intention of burning myself out to contribute to this world.

My top priority is my comfort and my future.

The rest comes after.

This is a natural outcome.

Everything changed within a few days of the news spreading.

The once quiet estate was now bustling with merchants and people trying to verify the moon grass leaves.

The Hines Estate, except for the space where about 200 people live, is a place where no one can use.

With hundreds of people suddenly descending on such a place, the estate was on the verge of bursting.

"Your Highness!... There are people outside who want to see Your Highness!..."

Even as Amy rushed to report to me, I didn't take my eyes off the book.

"What a bunch of quick people."

"Um... What should we do?"

"What can we do? I'm bedridden. I can't meet them since I haven't recovered yet. Tell them I can't see them."

"Th-That... Even though I've already told them, they're asking if they can somehow verify the item..."

The demand for moon grass is higher than expected.

As soon as the news spread, people from the surrounding countries' merchant guilds, the Magic Tower branches, and the alchemists' branches flocked in droves.

Not to mention, even people from the small temples are showing up, giving a rough idea of how popular this moon grass is.

'Keep them waiting.'

If it's proven that the moon grass, which was previously imported from the Western Continent, is now cultivated in the Eastern Continent, there will be a big commotion.

Given that it's already an expensive item, there are people shouting that they would buy it even if the price doubled, so what more can I say.

Of course, I haven't put out nothing.

It wouldn't be good for me if suspicions of it being a lie were raised.

"Amy, call Monmither and the butler Bernil."

She quickly carried out my order.

Due to the sudden increase in people, Monmither, who was the head of the town watch and is now the head of the royal guard, looked quite haggard, and the butler Bernil was in a similar situation.

"You've all worked hard. Just bear with it a little longer."

"No, it's our duty."

"That's right. I haven't seen this many people gather in the estate in a long time, it's quite a new experience."

I smiled at their words.

"Let's handle things one by one. The town watch... no, the royal guards now. How is the law and order?"

"We are busy, but to be honest, it's woefully insufficient. The number of people who have come is too large to manage easily."

"The same goes for the paperwork. We don't have a clear manual yet, so we're floundering a lot."

"If anyone seems suspicious, chase them away."

"Is that okay?"

"It's safer than having a bunch of troublemakers causing a big accident."

Unless moon grass is a mere luxury item, the upper hand will always be mine.

There's no real reason for me to pay attention to their individual situations.

Of course, it's better to mix a bit of goodwill with a bit of arrogance to avoid their resentment.

"What about the accommodation?"

"We are using and cleaning the buildings that the estate residents left behind, but it's woefully insufficient."

"What about the tents I told you to buy with the money I gave you? Just set up some makeshift accommodations and sell them. Even if you lower the price, it's fine."

"Ah... I'll take care of it right away."

As Bernil left, I called Monmither.

"Monmither."

"Yes, my lord."

"Many people will probably try to contact you."

"Huh?"

"Take all the bribes. They're from the Magic Tower or the Alchemists, so they should have a lot of money. If you collect it all, you'll make a good amount."

"Huh?"

Don't stop when you have the chance to handle a large sum of money!

"Instead, pretend to give in and show them this. Can you do it?"

What I handed him was a glass case that looked luxurious.

Inside was a moon grass leaf that I had carefully selected.

All the grown moon grass leaves were emitting a faint light.

It was a very weak light, but if left alone in a dark place, it would reveal its presence.

"Oh..."

The packaging of the finished items was done in secret, so seeing the neatly packaged leaves for the first time must have been a new experience for them.

"It's been enchanted. Four leaves per case."

At my words, Monmither swallowed hard.

"100 gold per leaf."

Knowing the value of that money, it was a tempting item for him.

But he soon removed the greed from his eyes.

He is cautious.

And that makes him a smart man.

"I'm not giving it to you to sell. Just show it. Let the rumor spread on its own. Our goal is to maximize the value of the item while making them stay here as long as possible."

Increase the estate population and make money.

Kill two birds with one stone.

Perhaps a branch might even be established here.

Temples, Magic Tower, Alchemists.

And various merchant guilds.

Whatever it is, it's a good reaction.

"Hehe."

As a natural smile bloomed, only the sound of Perserk quietly sighing could be heard.

* * *

Monmither, who had doubted whether the words of his new lord, David, would really come true, frowned slightly due to the sudden increase in headaches.

The estate had been quiet until now.

With only about 200 people, everyone knew each other, and there were few accidents.

Of course, goblins did invade, but the town watch managed to repel them.

However.

It's too busy!

The number of town watch, now royal guards, is only about 40.

It's not easy to manage the law and order with that number among the many people who have come to the estate.

That's not all.

Sir Bermand, who had trained the royal guards as the head of the royal guard in the past, did not stop his harsh training even in this situation.

If that was all, it wouldn't have been a problem.

But Lord David, the new lord, didn't stop there and sent him to the butler Bernil with a girl named Amy, who was his personal maid.

And he even gave him lessons on professional administrative work.

That's right.

The new lord was not only a capable person but also someone who assigned a lot of work.

'I won't teach you much. Figure it out and understand it on your own, I'll give you some advice.'

It was a much better approach than those who kept everything to themselves, but in this situation, he also felt like just letting go and resting.

A spoiled complaint.

"Captain, oh, now you're the head of the royal guard, right? A guest has come to see you."

"A guest?"

"Yes, from the Green Tower..."

"Hmm... I'll see them."

Although he was a commoner, thanks to David's authority, he could receive the title of a knight.

A common knight can be granted a title from a minor baron to a viscount.

In Monmither's case, he is a minor baron, the lowest rank of nobility, but considering his life as a commoner, it was a significant promotion.

'Work hard, and if you get a good opportunity, I'll promote you right away.'

The words of his lord echoed in his mind.

Of course, his skills were a bit short of a common knight, but with his experience and presence, he was already at the level of a common knight.

He took a short breath to relax his tense body.

Although it was an old and worn building, it was a precious home for the town watch who had long protected the estate.

With stiff steps, he headed to the reception room, where a man in a rustic robe was waiting for him.

He was in his mid-40s.

A man of considerable age.

"Thank you for waiting. I am Monmither, the head of the royal guard, newly appointed as a common knight."

"Pleased to meet you. I am a 4th-grade Expert from the Green Tower, Hallas."

4th-grade Expert

A term used for a 4th-circle Expert Mage, the Magic Tower divides its ranks from 1st to 9th grade.

Of course, it's only on the surface; the ranks are further divided into Beginner, Expert, and Master.

A 4th-grade Expert is not a particularly high or low rank in the Magic Tower.

However, for a mage to personally visit a place that can only be called a backwater, it is a relatively high position.

Mages are valuable talents on the continent.

"Perhaps it might be inconvenient for you to have so many people, who have no connection, suddenly visit..."

"No, there are no other guests besides Hallas, the 4th-grade Expert..."

"Is that so!"

Was he satisfied with that answer?

He smiled contentedly.

"Your small estate must be in chaos with the sudden influx of people, but the law and order are perfect. I heard that you have been protecting the estate alone even before the lord took office."

In reality, they were just keeping a close eye on each other, but there was no reason to bring that up.

"Thanks to the lord."

Monmither was a smart man.

He quickly understood what the other was trying to say and forced a hollow laugh.

"Hehe, with such a brave person as the head of the royal guard, Lord David must feel secure."

"Haha, I'm just a common knight. Your praise is too much."

A common knight can be treated well anywhere, but would he even be considered worthy in the eyes of a 4th-grade Expert?

The Magic Tower is an independent organization from the state.

In fact, the relationship between knights and mages is not particularly good.

"Perhaps it might be difficult for you to entertain me amidst your busy schedule."

"No, although I have handed over most of my duties, I am still managing the internal affairs of the estate according to the lord's orders. If it's related to the estate, I should take care of it."

"Haha. Managing the internal affairs while also handling the law and order of the estate, you are truly remarkable!"

Flattery flowed without a single drop of saliva.