Chapter 11
Chapter 11
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: Harvest
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A, B, and C fields have finished their reclamation.
Everything is proceeding according to plan there.
Once I reclaim D field, the Norfolk Four-Course Rotation will be complete.
"First... sales."
Selling itself isn't difficult.
Monster Island has always been a land short on food.
"The problem is the price."
There are two ways to set the price.
First, market price sales.
This has a big advantage.
Food prices on Monster Island are extremely high.
In other words, selling at market price means massive profits.
On the flip side, those who had high expectations for the island's farming success would be disappointed.
Second, selling at a price just a bit higher than cost.
This has its advantages too.
Food would be sold far cheaper than market price.
In other words, people would praise me.
But I wouldn't make massive monetary gains.
Or I could go for the middle ground.
A way to earn decent profits while gaining decent fame.
"Time to head out."
"Yes, Grandfather."
I organized my thoughts and stepped outside.
On the way to the fields, Grandfather spoke up.
"Have you decided on the price?"
It wasn't just me—everyone was focused on this.
Wondering just how much grain produced on Monster Island would cost.
"I'll sell it at the original price."
"The original price? But it costs less to transport than grain imported from the continent, and you didn't pay tolls to the Callas Viscounty either. You're still planning to sell at that price?"
"Yes. At the market price. Ex.ac.tly."
I emphasized those three words: "exactly."
Grandfather pondered for a moment, then burst into a hearty laugh.
"Alright, if that's what you think, then that's how it'll be."
Excluding the food for me and the slaves,
and what we donated to River Village,
we loaded everything onto the wagons.
The reason we donated some grain to River Village was to maintain good relations.
Plus, when the goblins invaded the farm, they fought alongside us.
Thanks to their militia guarding the bridge, I could farm in peace.
"All loaded? Let's move out!"
"Understood, Heir."
Starting with the first wagon,
many more followed behind.
I went around the villages under Frontier Viscounty, selling the grain.
When I announced the price, everyone looked disappointed.
I could understand their feelings.
They must have hoped for a chance at cheap prices.
I took payment in monster byproducts.
After selling everything, the plan was to head to the continent.
I intended to buy slaves with the money from this trip.
And expand the farmlands even further.
.
.
"Already sold out?"
I hadn't even reached the southern villages of Frontier territory yet.
And yet, all the grain was gone.
Production volume was still low,
and islanders stockpile large quantities of grain whenever the opportunity arises.
"Good. Turn east! We're heading to the continent."
"Understood!"
The wagons, now filled with monster byproducts instead of barley, raced onward.
Toward the Vampire Duke territory in the east.
Toward Vampire's Bridge stretching toward the continent.
And beyond it, to the continent itself.
We arrived at Vampire's Bridge.
This would be my first time crossing it,
but I'd viewed it several times before.
I recalled the first time I'd seen this bridge.
'It was incredible.'
Before, I'd tended to look down on this otherworld.
A world with magic, sure, but I thought it fell short of science.
Its civilization was at a medieval level, after all.
But seeing Vampire's Bridge changed my mind.
A bridge starting from Monster Island and stretching to the horizon.
I'd never seen anything like it in any footage from Earth.
"Heir, isn't it amazing?"
"It is."
"As expected of the First Vampire Duke. A 9th Circle Archmage!"
"9th Circle Archmage!"
One person's shout was echoed by the others.
"The hero who saved humanity!"
"The hero who saved humanity!"
I closed my eyes amid the praises for the First Vampire Duke.
The First Vampire Duke.
A figure from 300 years ago.
Ancestor of the current Vampire Duke Family.
Master of fire, water, wind, and earth.
The four great elements, each notoriously hard to master, all raised to the 9th Circle.
Even archmages would shake their heads at this tale.
They'd call it impossible.
'But his legacy remains in many places.'
300 years isn't that long.
Books left by the Vampire Duke exist,
and his footprints are etched across the island's soil.
"Whoa!!"
"Heir!! Look at the sea!!"
A sea monster leaped above the surface before plunging back into the depths.
The people cheered as if it were some fun spectacle.
And so, we crossed Vampire's Bridge and reached the continent.
.
.
Where Vampire's Bridge ended,
there stood the Callas Viscount's checkpoint.
Since up to the bridge was Vampire Duke territory, it was set up here.
Most of those waiting in line were merchants.
Their wagons were also packed with monster byproducts.
As we moved to the back of the line,
a checkpoint knight came running.
"Are you Heir Elwin, by any chance?"
"That's me."
"The Viscount is waiting. I'll guide you."
Callas Viscount?
For me?
Of course, relations between Monster Island nobles and Callas Viscount were poor.
Island lords suffered financially from his exorbitant tolls.
So why summon me?
'Because of that?'
Following the knight, we arrived at a luxurious mansion near the checkpoint.
Callas Viscount came all the way here himself?
Just to meet me?
'He must be in quite a hurry.'
The door opened, revealing the dining room.
Ornate magical lighting.
A spacious room.
A massive table in the center.
Covered top to bottom with food.
"Hahaha! Little lord of Frontier. I've been waiting. Sit down."
"Thank you, Viscount."
Were there this many varieties of food in this world?
Even I, after six years here, hadn't known.
"Hahaha! Eat up. These are hard to come by on the island."
"I see."
I ate slowly, pondering.
I could guess why Callas Viscount had called me.
The issue was how to respond.
'No point in making more enemies.'
No matter what anyone said, my main foe was Brilda Frontier.
No evidence, but she'd tried to kill me twice.
She'd do it again.
To make her son the Frontier Viscount.
'For now, maintain smooth relations. To do that...'
While I thought, I finished the meal.
"Hahaha. By the way, I heard something..."
His tone grew heavier toward the end.
"What news?"
"They say farming succeeded on the island?"
The main topic had finally arrived.
I could guess his concern.
If the island produced its own food, toll revenues would drop.
"Yes. It succeeded in the southern villages, and I plan to expand the farmlands further."
"Expand? By how much?"
Anxiety laced Callas Viscount's voice.
"Enough that even if all islanders eat their fill, there'll still be surplus."
"Th-that so? Is that even possible?"
"And that's not all. I plan to raise livestock on the fields too."
"..."
He fell silent, deep in thought.
The longer he thought, the graver his expression became.
Now it was time for the carrot.
I didn't want Callas Viscount as an enemy.
"So, Viscount, I have a request."
"For me?"
"Please expand the checkpoint."
Expand the checkpoint.
Once Monster Island produces its own food,
trade volume is bound to decrease.
Yet here I was, suggesting expansion.
"Are you mocking me?"
"I'm serious. Because..."
I explained why the checkpoint needed expanding.
1) Producing our own food doesn't mean imports will drop.
The savings will go toward importing weapons and gear.
2) Improved combat prowess means hunting more monsters.
This increases monster byproduct output.
3) Selling large quantities of monster byproducts.
Using that money to import even more weapons and gear.
As my explanation continued, Callas Viscount's face brightened.
Eventually, his lips twitched as he held back a smile.
"... I'd like to call this a virtuous cycle."
Weapons & gear imports increase → Monster hunts increase → Byproducts increase → Income increases
→ More weapons & gear imports → ...
This would continuously boost trade between Monster Island and the continent.
Which directly meant more revenue for Callas Viscounty.
"Uhahahaha!! Indeed!! As expected of Frontier's little lord. I want to help with that virtuous cycle too!"
Callas Viscount granted a special toll reduction for this trip.
30% on the way in.
30% on the way out—that was a huge sum.
He even provided weapons and gear as aid.
Of course, it was all calculated to benefit him.
"Thank you, Viscount."
After the meal,
Callas Viscount saw me off all the way outside the mansion.
"Please head back now."
"Hahaha! I can't bear to part with you, my feet won't move. Go on ahead. I'll watch until you're gone."
I bowed deeply and returned to the carriage.
Only after Elwin was out of sight
did Callas Viscount return to his room.
"My lord, you can't take Elwin's words at face value."
"You think I'm taking him at face value? No. Not at all."
During his conversation with Elwin, a grand vision had formed.
The development of Monster Island.
'The current stagnation is the most awkward. Better if it develops.'
Maintaining the status quo and just producing grain?
Toll revenues would drop.
But if this sparked Monster Island's growth?
Population increases.
Monster hunts increase.
Byproducts increase.
The bigger Monster Island's market grew, the more trade with the continent was inevitable.
"Prepare weapons and gear for Elwin. And expand the checkpoint."
"... Understood, my lord."