Chapter 39
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 39
Chapter Title: Auction and Festival (2)
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“But Dominic, is there really any need to hold the auction right here in our village?”
Kallon uncle, who had scarfed down a bowl of jjambbong faster than you could say "crab," asked.
“The merchants passing through the village were saying it'd be better to sell the centipede shells at the capital's auction house.”
“That's true enough. The capital's crawling with folks who can't get enough of rare treasures—you trip over them.”
The Old Lord nodded in agreement.
Dominic had shocked everyone back in Evergreen when he brought home those giant centipede exoskeletons.
They wouldn't even scratch under normal sword strikes, yet they were lighter than iron shields—prime material that even he was tempted by.
Though shattered haphazardly by the wyverns, the larger pieces were perfect for shields, the smaller ones for forearm guards or shin protectors. The uses were endless.
“If we put them up at a famous capital auction house, we could rake in enough gold to spark a full-blown development boom in a village Evergreen's size.”
“Pfft, why bother with the capital? Fees and taxes would eat it all up anyway.”
Dominic clearly wasn't budging on holding the auction in the village.
He'd sent invitations far and wide—to resort guests he'd hosted on business trips and nearby nobles alike. He was dead set on it.
“I get that you're promoting it hard, but we'll be lucky to get fair value here.”
“Don't worry. We'll make more than double what it'd fetch in the capital.”
“Double? Confidence is great, but don't get lost in your dreams. If the village chief loses touch with reality, it's the people who suffer.”
The Old Lord offered the advice with a kindly smile, but Dominic remained unfazed.
“Who more grounded in reality than me, Old Lord?”
“You serious? That you'd get double?”
“I said we'd make double the profit—not that the auction price itself would double.”
“Heh, I'm getting old. Can't keep up with you young folks' wordplay anymore. Don't beat around the bush with this geezer.”
The muscle-bound man, who looked like he could wrestle an ox, chuckled heartily and stroked his chin beard side to side.
“Our village is pretty far from any big city, right?”
“Sure is. Everything's great, but getting here is a hassle.”
That's why I'm on this extended stay, the Old Lord added with a booming laugh.
“It's rare giant centipede exoskeleton—even battle-hardened knights who've hunted monsters their whole lives would drool over it. Now, what if we sold it in a remote village like ours? If you were coming, Old Lord, when do you think you'd arrive?”
“Hmm... Aha!”
He'd finally caught on to Dominic's scheme.
“You never know what might happen on the road, so I'd plan the journey with plenty of buffer time. Naturally, the resort, village buildings, the locals' tidy homes—even inns in nearby villages and towns—would fill up in a flash.”
Dominic had pegged tourism as one of Evergreen's flagship industries from the start.
No way was he letting deep-pocketed visitors leave without squeezing every coin.
Gonna fleece 'em dry!
Just thinking about it made his mouth water.
“And it's not just lodging. Think of all the food and spending money. How many will stick around a few extra days to relax while they're at it?”
“Heh heh. Now I see why Patrick wants you as his administrator. What a waste of talent!”
“Aw, you're not wasting a thing.”
“Sharp as ever. For a backroom fossil like me, a guy who makes fun retirement spots is a hundred times better than some workhorse admin.”
The former count, who'd handed the lordship to his son and washed his hands of territory affairs, summed it up neatly.
“Uncle, the new shops in the village are finally settling in, right?”
Dominic turned to Kallon.
“Yeah. The resort guests turned out less picky than expected. Everyone's making a killing these days.”
“That skewer joint down the way? It's my new regular. The owner's secret sauce is killer. I'll treat next time.”
The Old Lord smacked his lips knowingly. He'd just polished off a bowl of jjambbong—impressive.
Word was he'd become a Swordmaster; apparently his digestion was master-class too.
Not long ago, there wasn't a single restaurant or bakery. Then street stalls popped up overnight, and now plank-built shops dotted the village square.
“Speaking of, Dominic—folks from outside keep asking to open shops here. Should I keep turning them down? Maybe it's time to let a few in?”
“Not yet. If it's longtime trading partners, maybe. But while the village is still growing, outsiders could swallow up the locals' businesses.”
Dominic had been urging villagers to try their hand at commerce since the resort's construction.
Out-of-towners would flood in and spend big, he said—the early birds get the worm.
Quick-on-the-uptake locals rolled up their sleeves.
[My wife's a whiz in the kitchen. A simple snack stall seems doable. Not much prep needed.]
[Guess I'll brew some booze? Grain liquor doesn't take long.]
[I want to sell leather goods... Mind if I set up in the square, Chief? Can't do big pieces yet, but small accessories are fine.]
Anton's company and his grandfather had gotten Dominic's go-ahead too.
General stores, specialty markets—proper shops sprang up one by one, filling the village with buzz.
It's starting to feel like a tourist shopping district.
Thanks to entrusting the Fishing Cooperative uncles, mage Perot, and Raki—the natural-born all-weather assistant—with strict instructions, the village ran smoothly even without him.
[Oh my, should I grab one as a souvenir?]
[Hey, kid—you do portraits? Draw me one with the seaside as backdrop?]
[Innkeep! Bottle of liquor here! Heh heh, can't remember the last time I drank on the street like this.]
Resort guests blew cash at stalls and shops day and night.
Travel excitement loosened their purse strings.
As money circulated, villagers dove deeper into business—a virtuous cycle.
“Good thing. A festival with empty shops would've fallen flat. What do the priests say?”
“Heh, they went nuts over the 'Birth Festival' name—I had to rein 'em in. Leave it to me.”
“Thanks for the hard work.”
He wasn't stopping at just the auction.
Hence, the Birth Festival—with the temple's help!
How perfect? Festivals thrive on folk faith. Praying for kids' health and futures means buying amulets, right? Or 'amulets' here—same diff.
The festival was geared to milk tourists too.
Can't let big spenders leave early!
Dominic methodically prepared to wring every last coin from their pockets.
“This is Evergreen? Heard it was a tiny fishing village.”
“No kidding. What a hidden gem!”
The five-man mercenary band couldn't stop gawking from the village edge.
The stunning beach with Perot the mage planted there, the neat buildings—it was like a painting come to life.
“Adventurers? Must be hungry after the trip—noodles? Five bowls gets you a free shot of clear liquor.”
Inside, tantalizing aromas from eateries and stalls welcomed them.
Meats grilling over charcoal, mystery soups bubbling in huge pots, exotic eats galore.
Grrrowl.
“Meat and beer for me.”
“I want noodles.”
“That charcoal-grilled sandwich looks tasty!”
“Alright! Grab what you crave, scout the village, meet back here in an hour.”
An hour later, the five returned, arms full of souvenirs and snacks.
“You too, huh?”
“Yup, me too.”
Dominic watched contentedly from the prime table in the newly completed three-story teahouse.
“Try this new tea?”
“Not busy? With the merchant leader here no less.”
“Grandpa taught me: stick around new shops for at least a week.”
“Good lesson. Was worried we'd miss the deadline with the tight schedule.”
“Burned through magic tools like crazy to make it. But with crowds pouring in, construction costs'll pay off quick.”
Sure enough, few seats left in the three-story teahouse.
Dominic and Anton had split the investment.
Needed a landmark.
This place would anchor Evergreen's tourists.
“Tomorrow night's the eve, right?”
“Yeah. Fast movers might set up stalls in the square soon.”
“Gonna watch it all?”
“Planning to.”
All preparations were set, but money in motion always brought surprises.
Problems were fine—if handled fast.
“Hope nothing crops up. No sign of the knights or Old Lord today?”
“Heard he has guests. Probably holed up at the resort.”
Was Ian's face more relaxed without his master and lord nearby? Or was that Dominic's imagination?
Dominic planned to savor the downtime too.
Festival start meant back to chaos.
Slurp.
“Ooh, delicious!”
The tea hit the spot.
No coffee beans yet, but diverse leaves let him enjoy tea ceremonies lately.
“So laid-back. Gotta earn big, retire, and live like this.”
Dominic mused on his simple dream.
“My spot, your spot in the square—whoever gets there first claims it! Hey, lady—beat it while I'm asking nice, huh? We hit women too!”
Then, an ominous shout from the square outside the teahouse.
“Oh yeah? Perfect. I hit men too. Kyaaak—ptoo!”
Time to intervene.