Chapter 43

"Welcome, Sir Alquvist. It is an honor to have you here today."

"Thank you for personally welcoming me, Mr. Benedict."

"Our guild has received a significant contract from Sir Alquvist, so it is only natural that we provide the best hospitality possible."

The "best hospitality" that Benedict mentioned was evident in the tea served before Noein. Noein, after taking a sip, thought it was probably the highest quality tea leaves available in the kingdom.

Noein noticed the change in the quality of the tea served after the contract for the wholesale of lapis lazuli was signed.

The tea served before was already of high quality, but since the signing of that contract, it had become even more refined. This was a clear indication that the Miles Guild considered Noein a guest worthy of the highest hospitality.

Naturally, such treatment did not leave a bad taste in Noein's mouth. As he thought this, he began to explain the reason for his visit today.

"I came to collect the item I had requested, as I received a notification that it had arrived. I was so eager that I couldn't wait and came without sending a prior notice... I apologize for the sudden visit for such a childish reason."

For his new endeavor, Noein had immediately after the winter, requested a specific item from the Miles Guild.

Since it was a rare item almost unknown in the Rodenberg Kingdom, it took both time and money. However, after about two months, he finally received the notification that it had arrived.

As a noble and a valued customer, Noein's visit required the Miles Guild to prepare for his arrival. Therefore, he should have sent a prior notice, but he couldn't wait after receiving the long-awaited notification and came without an appointment.

"No, no. We are the ones who should apologize for taking so much time to fulfill your request."

Benedict, with a smile of a well-mannered young man, apologized, and Noein humbly responded.

"Moreover, it is a great honor for us that you have come in person, rather than sending one of your usual attendants."

"I thought it would be appropriate to express my gratitude directly to you, Benedict, as I believe this request has caused you considerable trouble."

"No, not at all... Well, it was indeed a challenging task, but as a merchant, it was a very rewarding job."

Benedict smiled slightly, indirectly acknowledging the difficulty of the request. Noein, aware that he had caused him trouble, added, "I am truly grateful."

"Shall we see the item now?"

"Yes, please follow me."

Benedict led Noein from the reception room to the guild's warehouse.

There, in a large tub, big enough to be a small bathtub, was a large amount of soil. Plants were growing in the soil, and what looked like beans were sprouting.

"Is this it?"

"Yes, these are the 'soybeans' we sourced from the eastern continent."

"Transporting them alive, along with the soil, must have been quite a challenge... I really appreciate the effort."

"No, no, it was all to repay the kindness we have received from you."

This year, one of the new experiments Noein decided to undertake was to cultivate soybeans as a new cash crop in the Alquvist estate.

Soybeans, as the name suggests, are a leguminous crop, but they are almost unknown in the southern part of the continent, including the Rodenberg Kingdom. They are originally from the eastern part of the continent.

In the books Noein read during his childhood, there were records and adventure stories about the eastern continent. Based on this information, he decided to use soybeans for his new endeavor.

"Now that we have successfully sourced the soybeans, I promised to tell you what I plan to use them for."

"Yes, if it is not too much trouble, I would be grateful if you could share your plans with me, a simple merchant."

"Of course, I will keep my promise... In fact, I plan to extract oil from these soybeans."

"Oil... Can it really be made?"

"Yes. According to the books I have read in the past, oil can be extracted by crushing and pressing soybeans."

In the southern part of the Rodenberg Kingdom, oil is made from olives, but in the northern part, the climate makes it difficult to grow olives. As a result, animal and monster fats are used, but these oils tend to spoil easily, and candles made from animal fat have a strong odor.

If soybeans, which are resistant to cold and dry conditions, can be cultivated to produce plant-based oil, it could become a specialty product of the Alquvist estate.

"If the commercialization of soybean oil is successful, I plan to supply a significant portion to the Miles Guild. I believe it will be a good business opportunity for you as well."

If the estate can produce and export oil, the wide-scale distribution and sales will inevitably rely on the Miles Guild. Therefore, Noein revealed the reason for sourcing the soybeans to Benedict, implicitly conveying that he would let the Miles Guild profit from the distribution of soybean oil.

"That is indeed... a very welcome news for us. We are even more indebted to you, Sir Alquvist."

"Hehe, I would be delighted if you could consider our request again in the future."

"If it is for Sir Alquvist, we will do our best to assist you."

...

After confirming the item, they returned to the reception room to complete the payment procedures.

"The total cost for the soybeans is, as per the prior agreement, 10,000 rebo for the soybeans and soil combined. The transportation costs, including all other expenses, amount to 76,000 rebo, making the total 86,000 rebo."

Noein, without showing any surprise at the amount Benedict presented, said, "Understood. Please verify this," and took out the coins he had prepared in advance.

A considerable amount of effort went into sourcing these soybeans.

The Miles Guild, which could only reach the easternmost part of the northern kingdom, had to go through other large guilds with international transportation networks to bring the soybeans from the eastern neighboring country, across the conflict-ridden eastern Palas Empire.

Moreover, it was not just the soybeans but the soil in which they were rooted that had to be transported to ensure their survival. Thus, the soybeans were transported in a living state.

It was essentially like transporting a small field. The high cost was understandable.

"... I have confirmed it."

After verifying the total cost of the item and transportation, which amounted to 8 gold coins and 6 large silver coins, the transaction was successfully completed.

"Mr. Benedict, if I may, I have another request."

"Y-Yes... We would be happy to hear your request, Sir Alquvist."

Benedict, while saying this, had a slightly strained smile.

The Miles Guild had profited significantly from the lapis lazuli contract. Noein had done them a great favor, and this favor was continuously growing every month.

Therefore, it was not easy for them to refuse Noein's requests. However, difficult tasks were still difficult. In fact, Benedict had to use all his connections to source the soybeans, which was a considerable challenge.

He couldn't help but brace himself, wondering what kind of troublesome request Noein would make next.

"Actually, I was wondering if you could introduce me to a reliable slave guild... Our estate is experiencing a shortage of labor, so we are considering purchasing a significant number of slaves."

Hearing the content of the "request," which was much lighter than he had anticipated, Benedict inwardly sighed in relief.

"Understood. I will introduce you to the largest and most reputable slave guild in the Koenitz estate."

"Thank you. I appreciate it."

With the increase in public baths, water mills, and other facilities to manage, and the growing population leading to a larger economy, the Alquvist estate was once again facing a shortage of manpower.

Additionally, the attendants, who were busy and couldn't manage the farmlands, and the carpenter Dmitry, who was continuously building houses for the increasing number of immigrants, were in need of additional labor.

Therefore, Noein decided to purchase a significant number of slaves. He was relieved that the Miles Guild would handle the intermediary role.