Chapter 49

"The start button is good."

-It's too good to be a problem. But the trading partner is a huge organization, can we ignore the pressure?

"It's fine, we'll keep each other in check."

-The palace is the biggest concern, right?

"Ah."

Her words made a troubled expression appear on my face.

It seems that in the past few months, the information I left behind has been verified by Duke Phaltrice, and he has been gradually eliminating the noble factions.

As a result, an unprecedented bloodbath is currently raging in the palace.

"The palace probably doesn't have the capacity to care about this. They're busy dividing sides as if their feet are on fire. Looking at it this way, that guy is really quite capable."

He's almost single-handedly sweeping away numerous noble factions.

While I'm watching from the other side of the river, Duke Phaltrice is one of the few allies I have left, so I don't want him to be in trouble.

But it's probably just unnecessary worry.

Frankly, if he were cornered and fled to another kingdom, how many people would welcome him with open arms?

"Now that the rumors have spread, soon there will be a lot of people who want to stay here long-term and set up branches. It will get very busy again."

In this small territory, numerous magic towers, alchemy schools, and merchant guilds will set up branches.

It's a sight you wouldn't see even in the capital of a minor country.

All of this is possible thanks to the Moon Grass.

The ancient curse that was meant to dry the land and kill it has turned things around to make them so easy, I'm almost grateful.

-What about selling it afterward?

"When the atmosphere heats up, the scale will grow, so can the messengers who come here end it with the funds they can allocate?"

I grinned, and she shook her head as if she were fed up.

-You're really a despicable merchant.

"I'm not a merchant."

* * *

With the rumors spread through Monmither, the territory seemed full of people who had stayed for the long-term.

Naturally, as I had said, requests for permission to stay long-term came in, and I accepted them without hesitation.

Naturally, many merchants wanted to buy the land that is currently mine.

Now that it's raining and the land is in good condition, this vast territory is nothing short of a development market.

There are no mines, and the only thing to boast about is agriculture, but it's not ordinary agriculture.

The area I've permitted is strictly residential.

Those who need to develop commerce can't be allowed to focus on farmland.

Otherwise, the main and secondary roles would be reversed.

Naturally, they didn't seem to have missed this prediction, and they started moving to buy the residential areas with great effort.

The competition and conflicts that arose in the process?

As expected.

"What should we do?"

"Put it up for auction. Sell it to the highest bidder."

"Then how do we set the upper and lower limits?"

"No limits."

"I'll take care of it."

Just look at the skyrocketing land prices.

Our ancestors said that land tycoons are truly rich.

Stocks? Commodities? They're good, but nothing beats the stability of land.

Given its good location, even if the situation arises where Moon Grass can no longer be cultivated, by then it will have already grown into a huge city.

I'm not the type to let a chance to exploit pass by.

While my choices might cause some dissatisfaction, since the targets are not ordinary rich groups, no major problems arose.

After announcing that I had recovered from my illness, I started moving again.

Believing that they could participate in the Moon Grass auction, I immediately set one condition.

Sell in bulk to those who buy at the highest auction price, but distribute a certain amount evenly.

In the current situation, monopoly would be a foolish choice.

There's no reason to be tied to one place.

The way they're dancing excitedly on the palm of my hand made my lips curl up to my ears.

-You should manage your expression a bit.

"When it's good, you smile. Hehehe."

At my appearance, Perserk sighed and pulled down my endlessly rising lips.

-That lecherous smile is something I can't get used to.

"Don't look at it then."

-Grr! You're deliberately trying to turn me into a villain!

At my words, she puffed her cheeks in a sullen expression.

Ignoring her grumbling small arms, I gave a smirk, and she made an even more miserable face.

21. Recovering the Sword

The magic towers and alchemy schools spread across the continent, while affiliated with their respective countries, show a level of autonomy that makes them almost independent organizations.

The Red Tower of Latria, which studies fire magic.

The Blue Tower of Coloned, which studies water magic.

The Green Tower of Variod, which studies wind magic.

The Gray Tower of Luminia, which studies earth magic.

There are other aspects, but the colors symbolized by the towers are somewhat related to their respective attributes.

Among them, the head of the Red Tower, Helison, looked at the young mage in front of him with a calm face.

Julius, 5th level.

At the age of 28, he has reached the incredible 5th circle, the Red Tower's greatest genius and his disciple.

"Did you hear, Master?"

"What do you mean?"

Julius asked Helison, who was drinking tea with a kind face.

"It's about the prince of the small kingdom of Rawn. I heard he went down to a remote territory and cultivated the Moon Grass."

"Yes, I heard that too."

"Shouldn't we join in? I heard the quality is better than what we import from the Western Continent."

"There's no reason to import good products from the Western Continent to the Eastern Continent."

While stroking his long white beard, Helison nodded, and Julius frowned slightly, looking somewhat frustrated.

"That's what I'm saying. I heard they're selling it at a live auction on-site. Other magic towers are already in meetings about how much to invest."

"Is that so?"

"Even if it's just setting up a branch of the Red Tower in that territory..."

Helison laughed at Julius's worried voice.

"Hehe, it's understandable. The Moon Grass is a rare item, after all."

"Then..."

"Try it yourself."

"Me... me?"

"Is there a problem?"

What did he sense from his eyes, which were filled with doubt?

Julius looked at him with a slightly perplexed expression.

"It's just that..."

"What can't you do? You're one of the respected elders of the Red Tower now. You're too cautious, and that's a flaw."

"Ah... I understand! I'll do my best not to disappoint you."

Julius, who seemed to be harboring complex thoughts, bowed his head hurriedly.

"Even if you fail, it's fine. After all, that bold prince of Rawn Kingdom has ignited a competition with the continent."

"Actually, the news that he successfully cultivated the Moon Grass is surprising. Master."

"Hmm?"

"Why is he insisting on a live auction? It's as if..."

"He's lowering his own value?"

"Yes, even though the distribution process would cost a lot, he could have made more money by selling directly. Moreover, selling it like this..."

Julius tilted his head.

"Selling it like this?"

"It seems like he's lowering the value of the item himself. Even if he prices it higher than what we import from the Western Continent, it will still sell because the quality is that good."

"That's true."

"But selling it on-site like this has its limits, doesn't it? It might sell for a high price at first, but..."

That's right.

It might sell for a high price at first, but as time goes on?

Once a certain amount of stock is secured, the auction price will naturally drop.

That's also why they don't hold live auctions in the Western Continent but package and distribute the goods.

"Hehe. From what I see, that young prince of Rawn Kingdom seems to be very smart."

"Really?"

At his puzzled expression, Helison laughed.

"Haines Territory, you said?"

"Yes."

"How many people live in that territory?"

"200... Ah!"

Julius's eyes widened.

"Selling it on-site means the purchase can only be made in that territory. It's a golden opportunity to maximize savings and rapidly expand the territory. But that's not all, is it? Numerous magic towers, alchemy schools, and merchant guilds will set up branches to get that item. Then, ask this: Is there a city in the small kingdom of Rawn with such large organizations gathered?"

Helison's words made Julius's eyes widen and his mouth gape open.

"No, not just in Rawn, but it's a combination you wouldn't see easily anywhere. When so many organizations gather, a commercial district naturally forms. Since it's the only territory with good transportation, it's a perfect addition."

"Amazing... But if the merchant guilds buy and resell the items..."

"That's why he's not increasing the supply."

"Ah..."

"I didn't think he would think that far at just seventeen. But that's not all. With the rain, more money was needed to develop the territory, which was already facing serious financial issues."

"Good heavens..."

"He's not only making a big profit now but also planning for the future. And there's one more thing."

At Helison's words, Julius couldn't close his gaping mouth.

"One more thing?"

"That prince is acting as if he has nothing to regret even if things go wrong. It's as if he's announcing that cultivating the Moon Grass is just the beginning."

"Then... he's going to show something else?"

"Yes. If I feel this way, most people with a keen eye for money have probably noticed. Even if it's a lie, he has nothing to lose."

"Amazing... Really..."

All the initial doubts seemed to have flown away as Julius nodded.

This is really a meticulous plan beyond imagination. Is this really the conception of a boy not even in his twenties?

Even with the high education of the royal family, this is a risky and bold approach that even professional estate managers wouldn't easily attempt.

"Then, do you understand what kind of relationship you should maintain with that boy?"

"Yes. I want to meet him and have a conversation, regardless of anything else."

"Set a date. I also want to see that bold and wise boy."

At Helison's words, Julius's eyes widened.