Chapter 22
Chapter 22
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: Credit
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I called Isaac, the overseer of farming.
"Did you summon me, Master?"
"How are the slaves holding up? What's the atmosphere like inside? Any suspicious activity?"
I unleashed a barrage of questions like rapid fire.
Isaac was flustered at first but answered them one by one soon enough.
"So, the conclusion is no problems. You're not hiding anything, are you?"
"Of course not. I am absolutely loyal to you, Master."
"Understood. You're dismissed."
Isaac bowed his head and left.
Next, I summoned Hans.
I posed the same questions to him.
Hans's answers came back all clear.
He said the slaves followed orders surprisingly well for slaves.
They even showed an unusual loyalty to the community—more precisely, to me.
I called a few more people after that, and the results were the same.
After conversing with everyone,
I was left alone in the room, deep in thought.
'No issues with the slaves' loyalty.'
Where did this loyalty—enough to surprise even Hans—come from?
'The skill?'
Respected Farm Lord (Lv 1)
Increases loyalty of subordinate farmers.
'Or hope?'
The slaves here had hope: the chance to save money and buy their freedom.
'Or the hostages?'
I'd bought the slaves in family units and separated the women and children in East River.
Of course, they could meet once a week.
'Or maybe all three.'
Skill, hope, hostages.
These effects made the slaves pledge loyalty to me.
The risk of rebellion I'd worried about after buying so many slaves was resolved.
'At this rate, adding more slaves would be fine. But...'
One thought led to another.
Then, a certain person popped into my mind.
I left the room and went to find him.
.
.
East River.
Slave residential area.
Knock. Knock.
"Russell, it's me."
The door opened, and Russell stepped out.
Behind him, I could see his wife and daughter.
These were the ones I'd paid extra for compared to regular slaves.
Fortunately, Russell was living up to that investment.
He steadily shuttled between the island and the continent, handling trade.
He managed most things himself, aside from the biggest deals.
"Russell, got some time?"
"Of course, Master."
"Then let's take a walk."
We left the slave quarters and strolled near the fields.
"Remember what you said to me before?"
"Before... you mean when I said I'd handle the work of a hundred men...?"
"No. Credit. Our expansion pace is too slow right now."
Russell's stride slowed abruptly.
He seemed lost in deep thought.
"Your expansion is fast enough, Master. Frankly, it's overwhelmingly so. But you're saying this because... of the competition with the Heir, right?"
As expected of a merchant—he knew plenty.
It saved me the effort of explaining bit by bit.
"Exactly. We've got two years. I need overwhelming results in that time. Something to overcome my weakness."
As Frontier Heir, my lack of magic talent was a massive flaw.
I had to prove myself through achievements.
Show my capabilities within two years.
"You know my growth windows only come twice a year."
Twice a year.
Wheat and barley harvest seasons.
That's when big money rolled in.
And with it, I climbed another step.
"You're aiming to accelerate growth through credit, then."
Assume a 20% return on investment.
1 → 1.2 → 1.44 → 1.73 → 2.07.
But what if the starting investment was 2, not 1?
2 → 2.4 → 2.88 → 3.46 → 4.15.
"So, any methods in mind?"
"The best option is borrowing from the family. There are several solid approaches..."
I raised a hand to cut Russell off.
Theory was fine, but it didn't fit my situation.
Would Brilda lend me money?
No chance.
Ask Father directly?
Still no.
"Give me something that fits my circumstances."
"The worst option is merchant groups... but they'll scrutinize your profits down to the last coin and squeeze you dry. Leaves you with scraps later on."
He'd skipped straight from best to worst.
"If there's a best and worst, there must be a middle path?"
"The middle path..."
**
Clop clop.
Clop clop.
Russell explained the middle path,
and we delved into discussion on it.
A plan took shape,
and I set off for Vampire Duke territory.
'Lady Benia first, then.'
Russell had insisted strongly on meeting Benia before anyone else.
'Gotta see both anyway, but why must it be Benia first?'
I arrived in the duchy
and went straight to Benia.
"The Lady is waiting for you."
The door opened,
revealing Benia standing beside a chair, waiting.
'This is new.'
Nothing like my meetings with Alensia.
She always lounged in her seat, ignoring whether I showed or not.
"I heard you were coming and waited. Sit here."
Benia gestured to the chair beside her as I sat.
She even poured the tea herself.
"Lady, you don't have to..."
"It's fine. You're a guest."
Alensia and Benia were polar opposites in personality.
Similar looks, yet temperaments 180 degrees apart...
I took a sip of tea and cut to the chase.
Sitting across from my former enemy felt awkward enough.
"The reason I'm here is..."
"Straight to business?"
Benia asked with a wounded look.
"No, it's just..."
"Kidding. Speak freely."
"Ahem."
I cleared my throat and relayed my talk with Russell.
"So, Elwin-nim... you're saying you'll create farmlands in Aquano Barony and Aer Barony?"
Benia sipped her tea and fired off follow-ups.
"But why come to me instead of heading to those baronies directly?"
"It bolsters your political power, Lady Benia. In exchange, I get greater compensation."
Clink.
The sound of Benia setting down her cup.
"You've changed."
"Pardon?"
"You weren't used to dealings like this before. Now... you've truly become a noble."
"I'll take that as a compliment. So, your answer?"
Benia flashed a radiant smile.
She'd been smiling before, but this one shone brighter.
"Then it's settled: you'll create farmlands in those baronies at my request. What do you want as payment?"
I formed a circle with thumb and forefinger.
"Money."
Benia laughed like she couldn't help it.
"Guess I retract the noble bit. Shall we haggle the amount?"
.
.
Negotiations with Benia wrapped up.
The deal: farmlands in Aquano and Aer Baronies.
Specifically, demonic energy removal.
The rest would be handled by their viscounties.
Compensation: 30% of ten years' profits.
Payment after the removal.
'Went smoother than expected.'
Clothing, food, and shelter—all vital to life.
Common folk, the poor, made do with what they had.
Nobles were different.
They demanded the finest in all three.
Island nobles had splendid clothes and homes.
Food, though? Not so much.
Banquets inviting others aside, meat dishes were rare on ordinary days.
Meat was scarce on the island.
But cultivate farmlands with Norfolk Four-Course Rotation, and livestock production would abound for the nobles.
They'd shower thanks on Benia.
Her influence would grow.
'And I'll profit in the middle.'
Lost in thought, I reached Alensia's door.
Knock. Knock.
The reply came instantly from inside.
"Come in."
The door swung open,
revealing Alensia lounging with legs crossed.
I approached carefully, footsteps silent.
The closer I got, the clearer her expression became.
'She's pissed.'
This was exactly why I hadn't wanted to come to her first.
But Russell had objected vehemently.
Alensia was fiercely possessive.
With possessiveness came fierce jealousy.
See Benia first, and Alensia would seethe with envy.
That would make negotiations easier.
Or so Russell claimed.
'Russell, if you'd set foot here, you wouldn't spout that.'
The room's chill stabbed at my skin.
"Lady Alensia, I hope you've been well..."
"Elwin."
"Yes, Lady Alensia."
"Why'd you go to Benia first? Without even greeting me?"
Her tone was curt, laced with anger.
That posture, that glare—she was furious.
Hard to say if jealousy was the root, as Russell predicted.
'At least so far, he's on point.'
"I had a favor to ask Lady Benia."
"A favor? To her? From you? Why?"
I explained my talk with Benia.
Creating farmlands in the two baronies.
Taking compensation from her, and so on.
"So... you've thrown in with Benia?"
"I've joined hands with Lady Benia and with you, Lady Alensia. I'm in no one's faction anyway. Our engagement's annulled, after all."
Even as I spoke, anger welled up in me.
I was the one dumped unilaterally.
Naturally, I had every right to be mad.
I stared straight into Alensia's wavering pupils.
They'd started churning the moment "annulment" left my lips.
Our eyes met, and her composure steadied.
My own flash of anger ebbed away.
'Stick to Russell's script.'
Russell had told me to trust a merchant's instincts on this.
"There's a reason I went to Lady Benia instead of you."
"Why her and not me?"
"If I came to you, I'd have to build farmlands in Kent Barony, right? I don't want that."
"Kent Barony supports me. They once sailed the same ship as you."
Alensia's eyes stopped their flicker.
Confusion gave way to anger.
I steadied my resolve
and pressed on with the plan Russell and I devised.
"That's why I refused."
"What're you talking about?"
"You're set to marry Clan Kent, Lady Alensia."