The Villainess of Rozanica (1)
Yanes had, of course, visited Rozanica before. Not just once or twice, but quite frequently, and as a tourist, she'd enjoyed pretty much everything there was to enjoy. But even she hadn't experienced all of Rozanica. Especially not the city's famous landmark, the Seria School.
"Vali! I'm seriously going to lose my mind! If you're gonna do something that dangerous, at least take the other kids with you!"
"No, Mother. I'm a war hero. I can handle that much."
"Vali, that's how you get snatched if you're not careful! What if you get bitten by some rabid dog?!"
"No, ha!"
A man known as the Southern War Hero and Butcher was shrinking back like a scolded child. A walking siege engine who could smash buildings with his fists was being warned about dog bites by a woman in her prime. From a third-party observer's perspective, it was pretty damn entertaining.
"Still, you brought back so many injured kids. You did well there. Our glorious Sun God looks down upon us. It's truly a blessing that they can bask in the sunlight, even if it's late."
"We'll head in and rest first."
"Yes, do that. I'm just glad you're safe."
After taking a small compliment and an avalanche of nagging, Valerius was finally released, looking utterly drained.
"You're surprisingly soft on her, aren't you, Mother?"
"Pretty much."
Valerius shrugged at Yanes's words. Seria was one of his infamous weak spots anyway, so there was no point hiding it. Everyone already knew.
"Wait here a sec. Gonna show Pipiyak's family to their room."
"I'll come along. I'm bored."
"Sure. Spy around all you want and sell the intel for a high price."
"......As if."
Yanes flinched and shot Valerius a glare. That sharp gaze of hers always sent a chill down the spine, no matter how many times he saw it. It was like she was half-guessing the truth, and her hit rate was higher than expected.
"Uncle!"
"Yeah, yeah."
Pipiyak, who was unloading luggage from the carriage, spotted Valerius and came toddling over. He effortlessly scooped the kid up with one arm, made space on his broad back, and took over the baggage.
"I-I can do it myself."
"Kiddo, what're you gonna do with those stick-thin arms thinner than my hair?"
Pipiyak's dad, the head chef, hurriedly tried to stop him, but Valerius ignored it. With one hand, he hauled an absurd amount of luggage and headed into the school.
"Use the room right next to the stairs on the second floor. Pipiyak, you'll get a new one when you're older, so hang in there."
"It's fine. Dad can't wake up in the mornings without me."
"Yeah, yeah. Good kid. You two just head to the dining hall in the morning for work. The tall, dark, handsome uncle will explain the rest."
"Like Uncle?"
"Haha. You'd survive being tossed in the ocean."
Valerius had somehow convinced Pipiyak's family to come along. Even if they'd hidden their identities properly, how many people matched that build and showed that kind of prowess? If word got out, Fillerbinker's lord would surely come after them. So he'd hired them at a fair price. Their food was pretty damn good anyway. While he was at it, he'd gotten Pipiyak enrolled at Seria School and given them a place to stay.
"Lemme see. What was the name again?"
"Simur Phenicia!"
"Ah, right. Simurk. Let's get along."
"......What's with that pronunciation. It pisses me off for some reason."
After guiding the Phenicia family to their room and helping with the luggage, Valerius led Yanes and her group back outside. He asked the merchant the first thing on his mind.
"Just in case—can you get me some cheap food supplies?"
"Impossible due to the treaty."
"Tch."
Valerius could only click his tongue at Yanes's answer. The North produced countless iron ores and high-quality monster byproducts. In any other place, it'd make them filthy rich, but the problem was food. The harsh environment only allowed turnips, spring wheat, and sweet potatoes. Self-production covered barely 30% of consumption. The emperor used that to lock down food flow with a treaty. Smart bastard.
"Secondary processed goods are a bit more flexible, though."
"That's why I'm asking."
The imperial stance wasn't incomprehensible. Quality iron and byproducts meant combat power. And the North folk were born big, strong, and always brawling. No wonder they worried about rebellions or independence. Whatever, that was for later.
"Business with wine?"
"Lowest taxes."
"Too bad the water here's shit."
Fillerbinker, where graywood grew, had good water. Great for liquor production, but not Rozanica.
"Any recommendations?"
"Hm. How about leveraging Seria School's infrastructure?"
Seria was an exceptional educator. A bit overly pious, which was tricky, but she had talent. She'd laid the groundwork, and in just five years, Rozanica's illiteracy rate had halved. Among kids under 19, the illiterate could be counted on one hand. Plus, Valerius had his modern sensibilities and spread them freely—basic math, physics, etc., taught at the school. In other words, Rozanica was crawling with "elite" types even in this barbaric medieval world.
"......Not bad. But tricky."
"Why."
"Seria's too devout. Bet you in three years, Seria School becomes an officially recognized papal facility."
"Oh shit."
Valerius nodded at Yanes's words. Considering Seria's influence, it wasn't impossible. That'd tank any merchant investment, so better to steer clear.
"Do your thing then. I gotta meet the lord."
"......Got it."
"Here. House key. Take it."
Valerius pulled a small wooden dagger from his pocket.
"Trouble? Show this at the Topsol Kill Gang. They'll handle it."
"Thanks."
"Yeah. Catch ya later."
"Eek! What the—?!"
His rough pat on the back nearly toppled Yanes. She yelped in surprise, and Sophia steadied her.
"Jeez."
Yanes thumped her chest in frustration as Valerius vanished like it was nothing.
Daring to touch a lady's back. It warranted a stern scolding, but...
"I'll make him learn etiquette someday."
"Heh. Doubt it."
Valerius lacked manners and was too free-spirited. Unfamiliar to these two, accustomed to noble decorum, but all the more intriguing.
"Let's go anyway."
"Gladly."
The building Valerius gave them was solid. She'd considered an inn but bought a separate one to avoid the noise. Servants were arranged, Sophia was unpacking.
"Something to drink?"
"Nah. Wrap up and let's go have fun."
Leaving unpacking to Sophia, Yanes pulled out her document bag and scanned the papers.
Unlike Fillerbinker, Rozanica's lord is slippery, so keep bribes moderate.
No noble refused bribes. It was like breathing.
Promise to ramp up later as business expands—they'll bite.
Using Valerius's name would smooth over the peskiest lord issues. Now, business. She could repurpose the brewery setup, but Rozanica's water sucked—no quality booze. Beer maybe, but wine was doomed.
"Potions?"
"Potions?"
"Yes. It's the North, after all. Constant battles."
"Hmm."
Potions could work—repurpose the brewery. The Valbasor family brimmed with alchemy knowledge; even mana-less Yanes was an expert. Plus, Seria School meant literate workers, no cheats in Rozanica.
"Sell to the gang."
"Exactly. Break even at least."
Convince Valerius somehow, secure initial profits. Starting strong made settling in easy.
Her mind spun a web of plans.
"Alright. Potions it is."
Yanes began drafting documents.
"Bro."
"Oh! You're here, brother."
Rozanica's lord, Unius Baron, welcomed Valerius warmly. With his droopy eyes matching his laid-back personality, he was unusually mild-mannered for a noble. Back during a snowstorm, Valerius had saved him from monsters, sparking their bro-mance.
"Trouble brewing in the North soon."
"Tell me more."
Valerius recounted Fillerbinker events in full. Unius sighed deeply.
"Binradi finally crossed the line."
"What'll you do?"
"Notify the ducal house immediately. Gotta keep it unrelated to our territory."
They'd maintained ties selling luxury graywood to the neighboring city. But Unius cut ties cold and fast.
Valerius nodded approvingly. You don't stick with failed lanes except top.
"Perfect timing. Ducal New Year's gala in three months. Go as Rozanica's rep and shine. Drop this off early too."
Not sudden—he'd done it before after enlisting, with good results.
Dungeon's on the way anyway.
Needed to chat with the North Duke about barbarians too. Solid plan.
"I'll handle it."
"My man. Don't worry about costs."
"What costs? I'll go solo."
"Ahem. Still, representing Rozanica..."
"Bro, you nearly died last procession. Kids got hurt. I'll go alone. War hero cred covers it."
"Huh. Fair point."
Even the ducal house wouldn't fuss over a war hero. Saved money too.
After more talk and getting Yanes's approval, Valerius left the castle with light steps.