Never Underestimate the Milk Ladies' Information Network
Lord Ivan, who welcomed me in the annex, was the spitting image of a highly competent male lead from a typical romance fantasy novel. He had sharp eyes that weren't necessarily hostile, yet he didn't leave a single opening to be taken lightly.
I got the distinct feeling that this was going to be an incredibly tough battle. It felt roughly on par with the difficulty of fighting Malenia in Elden King or the Nameless King in Darkness Souls. Sigh, if only there were a bonfire here.
"First, allow me to express my gratitude. Thank you for bringing my sister all the way here from the distant capital."
"It was nothing, my lord."
As I took my seat, Ivan's servant smoothly placed a cup of tea in front of me. In the North, guests were usually served alcohol. Serving tea instead was a clear, deliberate statement that this was strictly a business meeting.
I wouldn't be foolish enough to let my guard down and spill my thoughts under the influence of alcohol anyway. My father had taught me that such intentions were hidden within the empire's tea culture.
"No, I know very well how much resolve it must have taken for you to bring Matilda out of the capital."
Since the fact that I had officially escorted Lady Matilda to the North was something no one could deny, Ivan made sure to acknowledge and praise that contribution right off the bat.
Damn right! If he didn't even recognize this, he might as well throw that whole 'Northerners never forget a debt' spiel out the window!
"So, speak frankly. What is it that you want from the North?"
Ivan's gaze shifted. Was he telling me to lay my cards on the table? Man, both Lady Matilda and this guy really loved getting straight to the point. I absolutely loved that about them.
"I want the monopoly on the Blue Stones produced in the North."
I didn't beat around the bush and demanded exactly what I wanted. At my request, Ivan slowly nodded.
"I see... So that is indeed what you are after."
"Did you expect it?"
"What else would a merchant family want from the North besides Blue Stones, White Bone, and silver?"
"Hahaha, I won't deny it."
Ivan had just listed the three major specialty exports of the North. Well, it was sad, but true. It wasn't like he could list the insanely strong Northern liquor as one of their top three specialties. Having understood my goal, Ivan spoke calmly.
"Very well... Lord Kyle, I am truly grateful that you stepped up for the sake of the North. However, I can only give you half."
Half. Fifty percent. A mere fraction of my target. My heart sank for a moment when he said he could only give me half of what I wanted. Whew... Don't panic, Kyle. You anticipated this possibility. Come on, count prime numbers. 1, 2, 3, 7, 13, 17, 109... I composed myself and replied calmly.
"May I ask why? If it is a matter of imperial supply rights, I have already resolved that issue."
"No, it is not because of that."
Then what was it? Ivan took a sip of his tea, pausing deliberately before speaking.
"...The North is harsh and barren, but we possess many vital resources, including Blue Stones. We shared those resources with various merchant guilds in the capital as a token of our cooperation."
Back then, the guilds that had established ties with the North grew into massive entities with empire-wide influence, much like the Jebb Guild. At that thought, Ivan ground his teeth in sheer frustration.
"But look at the situation now. Despite the Crown Prince's absurd tyranny, those who benefited from the North's grace are cowering in fear, waiting for the storm to blow over."
Ivan seemed absolutely livid at those who were doing absolutely nothing for the North right now. Honestly, I would be pissed too. You practically spoon-fed them resources, and the moment things got tough, they pretended not to know you.
Who wouldn't be furious? But if you're that angry, why the hell aren't you giving me the whole thing?! I was the one who escorted Lady Matilda back to the North!
"I recognize that you acted courageously for the sake of the North. And that is precisely why I am willing to give you as much as half."
As if reading my mind, Ivan spoke. I had a pretty good idea of what he was trying to do.
"Once this storm passes, a different kind of storm will sweep through the North. It will be highly profitable for you as well."
"You plan to purge the merchant guilds."
"Indeed."
What Ivan wanted to do was strip the monopoly rights from the guilds that had dominated Northern resources until now and redistribute them to other guilds. It wasn't a bad idea—in theory, that is.
"With all due respect, my lord... that plan will fail."
"...Why?"
Ivan's brow twitched slightly. I quickly continued before he could take offense.
"Because your power will be divided."
The reason Ivan's plan was bound to fail was simple: wealth naturally tends to concentrate in a single point.
"At first, the guilds will bow their heads to avoid the harsh winds of the North, just as they did to avoid the political winds of the capital."
Initially, the guilds would prostrate themselves. They would beg for mercy, shower the North with gifts to curry favor, and accept whatever compromise the North proposed. But...
"But over time, they will find a loophole. They will analyze the scale and weaknesses of the newly selected guilds, dragging them into a war of capital and political influence."
The established giants versus the newly selected, fragmented guilds. Which side would hold the advantage in the market?
The new guilds would have to build everything from scratch—the manpower to manage the resources, the warehouses to store them, and the logistics to supply other guilds. In the end, what would be their easiest option? Simply selling their allocated quotas back to the established giants.
"They might put up a good fight at first with the North's backing. But eventually, looking at their own bottom line, they will realize that cooperation is more profitable. The hastily prepared challengers will ultimately be swallowed whole by the existing giants."
"..............."
This was exactly why I wanted the whole thing. If the rights were half-heartedly divided, we risked being devoured by the Jebb Guild. It was either take everything or lose everything. This battle was strictly all-or-nothing.
"And in the end, as you watch the market revert to the old system, the North will find itself powerless to intervene. Seeing your helplessness, those guilds will look down on the North even more."
Distributing the resources in piecemeal fashion would never punish the guilds that had dared to ignore the North. Only a complete overhaul of the system would set a proper example. Understanding my intent, Ivan narrowed his eyes at me.
"...Are you saying you are different?"
"I am a merchant just like them. The only difference is that I look a bit further into the future."
The real difference wasn't 'I'm a transmigrator who knows the future!'... No, it was a much cooler, more sophisticated reason.
"I believed that choosing the North and facing the storm head-on was a far better choice for my guild than doing nothing just to avoid it."
"I see..."
Ivan's eyes began to waver. Yes! My legendary 'Talk-no-Jutsu' was working perfectly. Now, time to seal the deal!
"Furthermore, if you choose me, I can solve one of your greatest worries."
"My worries?"
I stood up from my seat and slowly walked toward him.
"Let us summarize the current situation."
I spoke as if I had become his chief strategist.
"Following the Crown Prince's declaration to break off the engagement, the North closed its gates. While Northern resources cannot leave, imperial food supplies cannot enter either."
This was the reality. Enraged by the broken engagement, the Duke of the North had shut down all checkpoints and demanded that the imperial court punish the Crown Prince.
"Currently, His Majesty the Emperor is bedridden and unconscious, and Her Imperial Highness the Princess is managing state affairs.
However, according to imperial law, the Crown Prince is the next in line for the throne. Because of this, the imperial administration cannot comply with the North's demand to punish him."
This was exactly why Princess Shuren had claimed she lacked power. Even though the Crown Prince had neglected his duties, he was still legally the heir.
If the Emperor passed away, he would ascend the throne, which was why so many nobles lined up behind him. Punishing him under these circumstances? It was practically asking the administration to sign their own death warrants.
"But the imperial administration has a trump card they are relying on. It is the North's food supply."
Yes, the administration's ultimate leverage was food.
"The capital has secured enough stockpiles to last three months without Northern resources. The North, however, only has enough food to last one month."
I had thoroughly investigated this before the crisis broke out, so I was absolutely sure. The North's food reserves would last a month at best.
"The imperial administration believes that if this standoff drags on for another month, the North will hit its limit, offer a compromise, and reopen the gates. That is their safety net."
"...You know the North remarkably well."
"The Lorend Guild is responsible for the milk supply of the entire North. When it comes to food-related intelligence, there is nothing our guild does not know."
Never underestimate the information network of the milk ladies! These were women who delivered milk daily and knew exactly how many spoons their neighbors owned. Keeping track of food supplies was child's play to them.
"But... what if, in the midst of all this, a 'hidden food warehouse' is suddenly discovered in the North?"
"...What?"
For the first time, a look of genuine bewilderment crossed Ivan's face.
"A warehouse stocked with enough food to feed the entire North for over three months. With its sudden appearance, the imperial administration will no longer be able to leisurely wait out the North's isolation."
In the warehouse I had secretly prepared, ten thousand tons of wheat—enough to sustain the North for three months—silently awaited its owner. Unable to hide his shock, Ivan stared at me.
"You prepared a food warehouse in advance?"
"Officially, why don't we call it 'a warehouse secretly prepared by Lord Ivan de Ludmily for the future of the North'? Everyone in the North will sing your praises, my lord."
Lord Ivan de Ludmily, having foreseen the Crown Prince's reckless behavior, had secretly established a food warehouse in the North. The Duke of the North would be deeply moved by his son's foresight, and the people of the North would revere him as a hero who saved them from starvation.
Once this crisis was resolved, Ivan would secure overwhelming support as the Duke's successor, and we, with his backing, would secure the monopoly on Blue Stones in the North. Ivan gets the glory, and I get the profit. It was a win-win transaction.
"Pfft... Hahaha! Ahahaha!"
Ivan burst into roaring laughter. He and Lady Matilda really laughed the exact same way. This sibling duo sure loved a good laugh.
"Haha... My sister said you were a highly entertaining man... and she was right."
"Thank you. I do pride myself on my sense of humor."
Ivan stood up, as if there was nothing left to discuss, and extended his hand. It was the classic shot straight out of a corporate drama or movie.
"Very well... It is a deal! I shall grant you the monopoly on Blue Stones."
Yes!!! I did it! Woohoo! Shaking his hand, I danced a victory jig in my mind.
"Thank you, my lord!"
That day, in a secret meeting within a quiet annex of Blakemore Castle, I pulled a golden ticket. This was exactly why people played gacha—no, did business!