Chapter 48

Munmider's expression subtly twisted as a slight pain hit his stomach.

"So, what brings you here?"

"Ah, actually, I need to see the lord urgently."

He gave a short cough.

"The lord's residence is currently tightly closed... Is there no way to meet him?"

Davy's words were true.

He would try to meet him somehow.

Of course, the answer was already set.

"That... might be difficult. The lord is unwell due to overwork. Even though you've come from afar..."

"Indeed... What a pity..."

"I apologize. While the lord's business is important, his health is our top priority."

"I understand. A leader's health is always crucial."

He chuckled and stroked his beard.

"But the Green Tower isn't in a comfortable position either... Is there really no way?"

He took a small pouch from his coat and placed it in Munmider's hand. It was clear that the contents were gold.

As expected, a group with money to burn.

The class of the Magic Tower.

"Ah! What is this! I don't accept bribes!"

For a moment, he felt tempted to take it and wash his mouth, but he quickly shook his head. After all, it was his master, Davy, who had instructed him to take bribes.

There was no need to risk trouble when the money would come in anyway.

"Hehe, a small token of appreciation. It's not much, so please accept it as a gift. I want to build a friendship with Munmider, the captain of the guard."

"Hehe!"

Despite Munmider's feigned reluctance, he pushed the pouch into his coat.

"A small token. A small token. Ahem! I have no expectations."

"Ah... I don't usually accept such things..."

"Ah, how could I ignore the excellent knight Munmider, who has suffered for us?"

He laughed, feigning innocence, as if he had no ulterior motives.

'Really, just as the lord said...'

Unlike Halas, Munmider felt a hollow laugh escape him as he recalled his master, Davy's words.

'All the groups. They must be desperate to meet me. The target will likely be you, who is easy to meet and close to me, working outside.'

Those were his words.

'They might even offer bribes and make demands. Choose wisely. Report the names of those who make demands and take the bribes. After all, that's how life works.'

Everything was part of a bigger picture.

Munmider began to doubt whether the 16-year-old, now 17, was really just a boy.

* * *

"Ah... This is troublesome."

Even as he shook his head, Munmider coughed and looked around before hiding the pouch.

"Ahem! Well, if you insist on giving it to me..."

"That's enough. I have no other requests from the captain of the guard."

Despite his words, his eyes were filled with desire.

Normally, a captain of the guard is a low-ranking position, not one that a mid-level mage like Halas would easily meet. But things were different now.

"Hehe... But how can I just let it go? By the way, you mentioned wanting to see the lord about the Moon Grass leaves."

"You don't need to worry."

"Ah... Due to the lord's illness, I can't arrange a meeting..."

"Indeed, it is troublesome. Even if I could get some information about the item, it would be helpful."

"Hehe."

As Munmider sighed, Halas, the 4th-level mage, smiled.

"Actually, our tower has high hopes for the business in Hainz's territory. After all, it's the only attempt to cultivate Moon Grass in the Eastern Continent. Perhaps the tower will offer a corresponding gift..."

At this, Munmider, who had been feigning thought, opened his eyes wide.

"I am the lord's vassal. I don't seek personal gain."

"I believe you. I have a good eye for people. From the start, you seemed upright and honest, Captain Munmider. I wouldn't say otherwise."

"Hehe, you flatter me. Hmm, right, take a look at this."

He pulled out a small case as if he had prepared it and chuckled.

"Actually... The harvest and packaging are complete. This is the item. Since the lord will sell it anyway, he won't mind if I show it to you."

"Hehe... This is..."

Halas, the 4th-level mage, rolled his eyes, his eyes shining.

'This is Grade 1! The best quality in the Eastern Continent! It will be at least twice as efficient as the Western Continent's!'

It's not something that's widely cultivated even in the Western Continent.

It's already known that the quality of the same item can vary greatly in usage.

Given the importance of Moon Grass leaves in both continents, there's no reason to send high-quality leaves from the Western Continent to the Eastern Continent.

'The quality is excellent. I need to secure the priority, even if it means taking a bribe!'

"Cough!"

Of course, he couldn't show his eagerness.

"To see such a subtle glow... It's truly of excellent quality. Impressive!"

Munmider, feeling genuinely impressed, began to chatter.

"That's right. The lord personally cultivated them. Most are of this quality. The ones that are worse..."

Halas frowned at his trailing off.

"Unfortunately, they were all discarded and turned into fertilizer."

"Such a waste... Such valuable items..."

"Besides, we have prepared about 10,000 leaves for sale."

Halas, the 4th-level mage, looked disappointed. It was still a significant amount.

But to discard half of them was a bold decision.

The young prince, Davy, who is only 17, showed remarkable decisiveness.

Even if the quality was lower, Moon Grass leaves are not cheap.

Many people don't know that Moon Grass leaves are the best fertilizer for growing the same plant.

"Since I am close to the lord, I've heard some things. The lord plans to auction these."

An on-site auction, he had heard.

It means selling to the highest bidder, like fish in a market.

"Heh... An on-site auction."

Given the high value of the items, it was surprising to hear they would be sold like fish in a market.

"Well, I don't know the details. The lord intends to minimize the markup in the distribution process and plans to continue selling them in the future."

"That... That's right. Then... there must be a priority."

"I can't say much about that."

"No, you've given me such valuable information, how can I ask for more! The Green Tower will greatly reward you for this."

"If you do."

What was he thinking?

Munmider awkwardly shook hands with Halas, the 4th-level mage from the Green Tower, who was satisfied.

As soon as he sent him off, Munmider sighed and wiped the foolish, greedy expression from his face.

"Wow... This really works."

* * *

The Magic Towers come in various types.

The Red Tower, which mainly studies fire magic. The Blue Tower, which handles water magic.

The 4th-level mage who first came to offer a bribe. Halas, who belongs to the Green Tower, which specializes in wind magic.

There are quite a few known Magic Towers.

Starting with Halas from the Green Tower, Munmider met many people.

Of course, even if the Moon Grass leaves were excellent, not every group would come to this remote place without confirmation.

Currently, there are 3 known Magic Towers.

4 alchemy schools. And 7 large-scale merchant guilds. Many smaller groups have also gathered.

Given their vast wealth, the amount of bribes Munmider received was truly significant.

"People are all the same."

Munmider, looking exhausted, awkwardly smiled.

"Lord, how did you know?"

"Know what?"

"That they would come like this."

"It's obvious. People are all the same. This place isn't immune to the worship of gold."

The worship of gold is universal, regardless of time or dimension.

What I did wasn't some great diplomatic skill.

I just presented them with something they couldn't resist, leading them naturally.

They say to row when the tide is in.

A boatman can't fail to know how to row.

"You're really impressive."

"What are you thinking? What about the bribes you received?"

He looked puzzled.

"Th... That..."

"You weren't planning to keep it all to yourself, were you?"

"Th... That's impossible!"

As I glared, he nervously handed over the box.

"Here it is."

"Share it as a bonus."

"Huh?"

"The guards and the captain have worked hard. Share it fairly."

"Aren't you taking any?"

It's a lot of money. Even a small bribe, considering the financial status of those who offered it, the value of each small pouch is significant.

His face showed clear confusion at my willingness to give it away.

"If you can buy favor with this money, that's good."

"Y... Your Highness!"

Munmider's gaze was filled with admiration.

Considering the fanatical looks the citizens give me, this isn't really necessary, but I don't need the money.

After all, most of the profits from auctioning the Moon Grass leaves will be mine.

"Don't be so moved. You're getting what you deserve for your efforts."

"Ah, I understand!"

"Don't keep it all to yourself. Share it fairly to avoid any complaints."

"I understand!"

He bowed deeply and left, and I stretched, smiling.

Taking the bribes is a good strategy, but there's no need to be overly attached to the money.

When else would you use money to win the people's favor?