Chapter 10
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: Countess and Postpartum Care (1)
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"Anton!"
"Grandpa said he wasn't interested in this deal, so no take-backs now!"
"How on earth do you plan to sell this ominous stuff? Sorry about this, Village Chief. My grandson's still a bit green..."
"You allocated me funds for this trip to buy whatever I wanted. I've decided to purchase this seaweed, so don't try to stop me."
"This kid...!"
"I'm willing to sell to anyone with the money. So, how much would you like?"
"Village Chief!"
"Grandpa!"
Dominic stood awkwardly between the grandfather and grandson.
'Whoever buys it, I just need the money...'
Dominic's mouth went dry.
As Uncle Kallon had said, this merchant group was the only one visiting their village for a while.
He had to sell somehow.
'If this falls through, I might have to hawk the seaweed myself...'
He shuddered.
Sales just weren't his thing.
As Dominic grew anxious, Anton's voice reached his ears.
"I've heard there's even a restaurant in the capital specializing in poison-free monster meat. It's popular among young nobles and wealthy commoners—packed every day."
"What? Eating monster meat? Even nobles?"
"Yes. Younger folks have less aversion to exotic ingredients. Plus, for a small price, they get an experience no one else can have. It's more about the act of eating than the taste."
"Well, I'll be..."
"And this seaweed—Devil's Hand—you've tried it yourself, Grandpa. It's delicious, right? Sure, the name turns some people off, but that many more are curious."
The Merchant Group Leader gazed at his grandson Anton with pride.
Like they say, even a hedgehog thinks its young are cute. Seeing his grown grandson convincing him stirred his heart.
"Fine. If you're that confident, I have no reason to refuse. Even if it fails, it'll be a good lesson. You'll learn a lot."
"Thank you, Grandpa."
"So, how much should we prepare? We have plenty."
Dominic jumped in, unable to hold back any longer.
**
"Since you bought it yourself, go ahead and sell it however you want."
"Thank you, Grandpa."
Upon arriving in the Lord's direct territory, Anton got his grandfather's permission and set up a stall in the street market with two workers.
"First, soak it in water, and while that's going, prep the other ingredients."
He'd practiced many times already, but the thought of real customers made his heart race.
His hands trembled slightly.
But Anton was certain this moment was a pivotal turning point in his merchant career.
'Merchants who first distribute unique goods often face rejection.'
His grandfather's group was well-known locally, but Anton wasn't satisfied. Top 30 in the Empire—that was his goal.
His ambitions allowed bold decisions, like this massive pot.
"Mm, what's that smell? Something tasty..."
As the seaweed soup began to boil, the aroma drew people to linger near Anton's stall.
"What's that black stuff? Not a vegetable... Mushroom maybe?"
"Heard of Devil's Hand?"
"Huh? What's that?"
"You know, that seaweed farmed by sharks! You wouldn't know if you've never lived by the sea. Heh."
"Eek! Devil's Hand? Why make food from something so creepy? Almost got fooled by the smell!"
"Not sharks—turtles. Farmer Turtles. And it's just a normal seaweed despite the name."
Anton shrugged nonchalantly at the chatter.
As curiosity piqued, eyes turned to him, and soon the area was crowded.
"Seaweed? What's that?"
"Vegetables from the sea."
"Oh, right. Sea has herbivores too. That's what they eat!"
"Exactly. Especially this Devil's Hand—or in some places, just called seaweed. Turtles go crazy for it."
"Turtles love it? Sounds fun. That good, huh?"
"More than good. Secret: it's great for women, especially pregnant or new mothers."
"For mothers? Thought you were a merchant, but you're a con artist!"
"No—the turtles devour it after laying eggs."
"Huh? Really?"
"Yes! So people tried it on new moms, and milk flowed better, recovery faster. Amazing, right?"
"...Still, food's gotta taste good, and this is new..."
The onlookers, hooked by Anton's smooth pitch, eyed the bubbling soup and licked their lips.
Seizing the moment, the workers ladled soup into small bowls and handed them out.
"Try a sample. Like it? Buy some. We sell it with sesame oil. Recipes too, great price!"
"Alright, one taste? Oh! I get why turtles love it! Gimme a set—no, two!"
The man slurped it down and boldly bought two sets before strolling off.
"I want a sample too!"
"Taste? My daughter's just given birth—two sets, no, three!"
"Really helps with milk? One for me!"
Business is momentum. Once it caught fire, sales flowed smoothly.
'Sold out's in reach.'
Anton grinned uncontrollably amid the rush of customers.
'How does that young Village Chief know all this? Amazing guy.'
On the other hand, everything was going just as the young Village Chief Dominic had casually advised when agreeing to sell.
Display a sampling pot. Hire shills to spread word. Bundle with sesame oil and recipes. All his ideas.
'Forgot to mention skin care and fatigue recovery. Might need extra shills tomorrow.'
He'd skipped some benefits due to unfamiliar terms, but minor slips.
The key: Devil's Hand was now seen not as a monstrous turtle disaster, but delicious turtle favorite and nutritious for new moms.
'Might need to secure more stock soon.'
The young merchant's instincts flared.
**
Lately, Dominic practically lived in the kitchen.
"Heh heh heh, tteokbokki... tteokbokki...! Finally...! Ngh."
With manic glee in his eyes, muttering to himself, he prepared tteokbokki. The sauce was ready.
But he'd held off until now due to money!
'Rice is three times flour price—no way I could make rice cakes.'
In this poor fishing village, steaming rice cakes for tteokbokki was luxury beyond feeding fishermen for pay.
True rice cake fan Dominic hadn't even considered wheat ones.
But tight days were over!
"Good thing the seaweed's selling well. Heh."
Anton demanded steady shipments as processed seaweed flew off shelves.
Cheap, abundant seafood thrilled inlanders far from the sea.
'Lots never seen ocean—less resistance.'
Dominic hadn't anticipated that, but it worked out.
"Pot's overflowing."
"Eek!"
"Spicy aroma everywhere."
"That's how it's eaten. You'll have some, right?"
"...Thanks."
He and Ian had warmed up. Good food softened the prickly knight, who now anticipated meals like Uncle Kallon. Looks opposite, though.
"This is tteokbokki?"
"Insanely addictive."
"You put banned drugs in it!"
"How many times? Metaphor! Knight training skip knowledge?"
"...Tch."
"Pfft. Dig in!"
"Enjoy."
Dominic paused, admiring the alluring red tteokbokki, about to devour a chewy piece—
"Evergreen's Village Chief, Dominic! By order of the Lord!"
Bam!
Stern soldiers burst in.
Uninvited guests.
The tteokbokki dropped limply to the floor.