Chapter 50

Helison, the master of the Red Tower and a 7th Circle Great Mage, was a major figure who wouldn't easily show his face even if the emperor of the empire summoned him. Being one of the continent's top mages, even other magic towers that didn't get along with him had to acknowledge and show respect to him. For such a person to take an interest...

Even a prince of a nation would find this extraordinary.

"Perhaps maintaining a friendly relationship might be beneficial in the future."

"I'll go!"

Yulisse stood up hurriedly, his face flushed with excitement. He bowed to Helison and then rushed out.

Helison chuckled at the sight.

Despite his high status, which usually made people arrogant, Yulisse was the only one among Helison's disciples who was cautious and had a gentle heart.

Then, Helison's smile faded, and he narrowed his eyes.

'Sage. Is it possible for a boy under 20, who can't even sense a bit of mana, to slay a high-ranking vampire with a single strike, using Calduras, a sword he hasn't even made a contract with?'

He suddenly recalled a question from a girl who had visited him not long ago. She was also a whimsical young lady who considered him her mentor.

At the time, he dismissed it as mere ignorance of the world, but...

Honestly, he didn't think it was possible.

A high-ranking vampire.

He knew better than anyone that they were not ordinary beings. Moreover, for someone who wasn't the contract holder to awaken the true form of Calduras, which even the original contract holder couldn't awaken, was...

"Actually, it's impossible unless one is the successor or the wielder of the sword's true form."

The girl wasn't the type to fabricate such a story about vampires, so he believed her.

Indeed, if he asked those who practiced swordsmanship, most would shake their heads, deeming it impossible.

"There must be a reason why extraordinary people are gradually emerging in the world..."

It's an illusion.

* * *

"The sale of some residential areas where the lord does not live has been completed."

The territory is vast, but there are few residents, so most of the land is unoccupied.

Since abandoned lands mostly revert to the lord, the remaining land has become his.

"How much did we get?"

"Once the contracts are finalized, we'll have the exact amount, but due to the competition for good land, the prices were as high as those in the capital's bustling areas."

I nodded in satisfaction at the report from the steward Bernil.

"Great, great."

I chuckled, and Bernil's expression turned sour.

"Your Highness, even if we're outside the palace..."

"I know. A person can laugh sometimes, right?"

"You take the advice of this old man too lightly."

Bernil, the steward, sighed.

As the chief steward of the palace, he was as meticulous as Sir Vesperus, the marshal.

Of course, that's why I trust him.

Since I left most of the servants assigned by Queen Liness behind, most of the retainers here are people who are favorable to me.

"How is Amy's education coming along?"

"She's a very clever child. Even in noble families, it's rare for a viscount's daughter to have such wit and awareness."

The world isn't as bad as the Joseon era when it comes to women's rights, but with a patriarchal system still in place, women's education is less frequent than men's.

Most of the studies women prefer are related to domestic management, not philosophy, sociology, or political science.

In such a context, Amy possesses wit and judgment that even well-educated noble heirs rarely show.

"To be honest, teaching her is quite enjoyable."

Bernil, who told me not to laugh, smiled for the first time.

To me, it feels more like he's enjoying his granddaughter's talents.

"She's working herself to death, though."

"That's because Your Highness is pushing her too hard."

"You've become quite the joker."

"Ahem!"

He took a step back, clearing his throat uncomfortably.

"Just kidding."

"In front of Your Highness, I feel I don't have the right to be serious."

"Why?"

"It's a feeling."

I didn't ask what he felt.

His gaze wasn't that of someone looking at a child who needs much guidance.

It's a side effect, I suppose.

"Should we proceed with the auction of the Moon Grass leaves as you instructed?"

"Go ahead, Bernil. You can maximize the profit. By the way, the royal family sent a letter."

Bernil nodded.

"You seem to have already guessed the content."

"I can't not know. You've been fighting with Viscount Faltris, so you probably need a break."

What they want and what they'll do are clear, but there's no good reason to refuse.

"Guess I have no choice. I'll visit. While I'm away, please handle most of the auctions and sales. Amy isn't ready to take full responsibility yet."

"Leave it to me."

It's a task I wouldn't entrust to just anyone, but I have no qualms about giving it to him.

I silently cut open the envelope with a letter opener, and the neat writing on the ancient parchment became visible.

The content was simple.

Praising the unprecedented achievements in the Round Kingdom and the Eastern Continent, and inviting me to the palace to commend my efforts and accomplishments.

The immediate purpose is clear, but there are likely other intentions.

The content itself is as expected and not particularly new.

"Chasing me away one moment, calling me back the next. They're on borrowed time."

I threw the letter into the fireplace, and Bernil looked at me with surprise but soon sighed calmly.

"Your Highness."

"I know."

Perhaps he sensed the anger in my calm voice.

He didn't say anything more.

"Isn't it funny? The king isn't even the one who sent it, but they're using the royal seal."

"Indeed."

"Let's go."

I tapped the wooden desk with my index finger and smiled.

"By the way, Surt mentioned a dungeon on the way to the capital from here. I remember his hometown was nearby."

-You mean Surt?

Perseus, who read my thoughts, looked at me in surprise.

Surt, the thousand-year-old general, was a close friend and ally of the sword deity Hares.

He also had some connection with Perseus, who was Hares' adopted daughter.

After all, he was the craftsman who made the sword that killed her.

'If the old man's legacy is still sleeping nearby, I might as well get a new weapon while I'm at it.'

-Heavens... A legacy of the sword deity's friend, that sounds promising.

Her expression turned bittersweet, perhaps recalling a bad memory.

"I have a place to visit. Tell the stable master to prepare a horse that can run for a long time."

Bernil looked worried, as if he sensed I was up to something.

Indeed, since I arrived here, my actions have been far from conventional.

The plan I have in mind would certainly cause a stir if it became known.

* * *

A bloody...

Well, let's put it mildly: the intense auction competition went as expected.

"The 10,000 sheets of Moon Grass leaves offered have all been sold. The highest bidder was the Alawi Trading Company, which offered 150 gold per case."

150 gold.

The price of low-grade Moon Grass leaves imported from the Western Continent is 100 gold for 4 sheets.

The leaves offered by the Haines territory are 150 gold for 4 sheets.

"So how much was sold?"

"The Alawi Trading Company bought 5,000 sheets at 150 gold with priority."

That's a significant amount.

Even for a large trading company that travels the continent, this would be a considerable expense.

So be it.

"What about the rest?"

"The rest, as you instructed, were sold in lots of 500 to 1,000 sheets at 130 gold each to all the groups."

5,000 sheets at 150 gold.

The remaining 5,000 sheets at 130 gold.

At first glance, it seems the Alawi Trading Company suffered a major loss by buying at 150 gold, but securing the quantity was that important, so all groups participated in the auction with all their might.

The sale was a success, a great success.

How much?

A total of 350,000 gold.

7,000 platinum coins.

Compared to the market price of low-grade leaves imported from the Western Continent, we made an additional 100,000 gold.

The annual flexible budget allocated by the palace is around 100,000 gold.

Including other funds, about 150,000 to 200,000 gold is collected and spent.

So, 350,000 gold in four months?

The cultivation period for Moon Grass leaves is about 3 to 4 months, and on this land, which can be cultivated continuously, it can be grown without rest.

If we take the longer 4 months, the annual income for the Haines territory would be 1,050,000 gold.

"Hmm... Gulp..."

"What are you so surprised about?"

Amy, who confirmed the total profit, looked as if she was about to faint.

Even if the amount gradually decreases and falls below 1,000,000 gold, it's still a huge success.

Honestly, this is an amount that most territories in this kingdom can't even dream of earning.

"Some groups issued promissory notes due to immediate financial difficulties."

"Only allow those I've checked. Credit is the most important, and it's problematic if it's abused."

Most people are willing to pay double the price to secure the leaves.

It's that important, and the supply is limited.

While it might decrease in the future, the price will never be lower than the import price from the Western Continent.

There's a quality difference, so it won't be sold at a discount.

At least, I'm not a charity worker.

'Supporting a foundation ultimately requires money.'

-Do you have the intention to create a foundation?

'It's a promise. Though it's an old promise, I haven't completely forgotten it. It wouldn't be bad to do it when I have the means.'

The condition for learning divine and healing magic from Saint Daphne.

Of course, there was no specific timeline, so I just kept it in mind.