Chapter 59
Chapter 59
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 59
Chapter Title: Recruitment
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“Gula, you say…….”
He had plenty to say but made it clear he wouldn’t. Even for a bastard born to a lowborn mother, Gula was a toxic weed that not even stray dogs would touch.
To burst out the front gate so confidently without realizing that. It might’ve been better to propose a price negotiation to the Merelrof Count instead.
“But it’s true. Gula seeds are edible. You can roast them, boil them, or even eat them raw. In terms of nutrition, satiety, efficiency—everything—it deserves to be called a divine blessing.”
“Nonsense.”
How could such an amazing crop have gone unnoticed by anyone until now? It was almost insulting to the Variel Empire. Even now, scholars in the imperial palace were conducting daily research to overcome the great famine.
And something as common as scattered Gula was a divine blessing?
“I’ve been eating it lately.”
“You’ve been eating it?”
“Yes. And it tastes good. Lord Romandro will surely be unable to pull away after one bite. The growth period is about a month, so winter won’t be an issue.”
Screech.
The smoothly running carriage halted midway. Once at the village square, once in front of the alley where the entertainment district gathered, and once more in the residential area. Each time the carriage stopped, the subordinates who had left ahead climbed aboard.
But Berik’s face looked a bit off. His flushed cheeks were one thing, but the wine scent wafted every time he grinned slyly. Ian shot him a glare and lightly scolded him.
“Berik. Don’t slack off on your tasks.”
“Huh? No, no. Just a little. The owner kept offering.”
Berik, who had boarded in front of the entertainment district, sniffed. How much had he drunk in that short time? As Ian started to frown, Berik quickly shifted to his report to change the subject.
“That place is the hottest tavern around here. Dozens of people heard about it from me. They said they’d post notices too.”
-We’ll pay for dug-up Gula.
This was exactly what Ian meant by “buying” people. The territory folk near Bratz would dig in the forests close to Bratz, and those near Merelrof would do the same in Merelrof lands.
“You specified the pay and timeframe clearly?”
“Of course. One gold coin per three large sacks. Only within the next month.”
A single gold coin was what a lower-class laborer earned in a month. Filling three sacks wouldn’t be easy since Gula was small, but someone sturdy could manage it in half a month.
“But isn’t that too generous? A whole gold coin?”
“That’s what’ll make their eyes light up and scour the forests. When you think of the bountiful winter one sack of Gula will bring, it’s not expensive at all.”
And most importantly, the “timeframe.”
Without setting a one-month limit, people would surely start cultivating and bringing it in. Sorry, but that absolutely could not happen. What Ian wanted was the Gula itself, along with every sprout in the area withering away.
“How’s the Merelrof harvest situation this year?”
“Doesn’t seem great. It’s not really a farming area to begin with, and the central army’s battles in Bratz polluted the river, didn’t they? They’re predicting a poor harvest among themselves.”
“Do you know what Merelrof usually does in case of a poor harvest?”
“In winter, caravans from the Hawan Kingdom come to Variel. That’s when economic activity picks up.”
“…Caravans.”
“They have everything except what they don’t. The big ones carry years’ worth of dried meat. Merelrof territory folk provide lodging and services in exchange for buying food.”
“So even in poor harvest years, there’s no major panic.”
“Actually, in Merelrof, it’s easier to find years without poor harvests.”
Romandro’s subordinate gave an excellent answer to Ian’s continued questions. He must have gathered information thoroughly before being dispatched.
In short, no one knew how the autumn harvest would turn out. If they secured as much Gula as possible……
Who knows?
Merelrof might even come proposing a deal instead. While Ian mentally organized his plans through winter, Romandro just groaned, pressing his temples.
‘Gula? Gulaaaa?’
He wanted to rush back to the territory right now and verify Ian’s claim. If it wasn’t true, he’d give the mana user a piece of his mind, no holds barred. And at dawn, he planned to visit the Merelrof Count again.
“Hey. Can’t we go a bit faster?”
“Do you have urgent business?”
“Too chatty!”
“Understood. It’ll be bumpy. Let’s go!”
Crack! Neigh!
Unaware or uncaring of Romandro’s worries, Ian merely swatted away Berik’s hand reaching for the dried meat in the box.
“Hey, that’s too much, master.”
“Sober up first. Your speech sounds like a street thug.”
“My mouth tastes bitter. Just one? Huh? Just one.”
By the time they arrived at the mansion, the box was empty. The moment Romandro stepped down from the carriage, the kitchen and all the servants were in an uproar.
“What did you just say? Make food with this?”
“It’s Gula. Your joke’s in poor taste today.”
“No, it’s real. Lord Ian said to cook with Gula. All famine crop recipes are usable, but check thoroughly for the fleshy part around the seeds.”
The kitchen staff all crossed their arms, staring down at the Gula box. No matter how they thought about it, this was a waste of ingredients, fuel, and manpower. Who in the world cooked with roadside weeds?
The head chef had no choice but to go up to Ian’s room himself to confirm the order.
“Lord Ian. About tonight’s dinner.”
“Ah, yes. You heard, right? For reference, I like boiling Gula until soft and then using it in various ways. Cold is good too, but warm, the texture going down your throat is exquisite.”
“…….”
This wasn’t a joke. It was real.
The head chef doffed his hat in bewilderment and bowed. The kitchen hands crowded around, grilling him.
“What’d he say? Cook with real Gula?”
“Yes. Everyone, light the fires.”
“I don’t get it. Ah! I know! He’s giving it to Lord Molin and his group.”
“Idiot. Ever seen someone die from eating Gula?”
“Of course not! Who’d eat that crap?”
“No. Weak bodies might get poisoned and die. Remember that old shoeshine guy? Ate Gula and keeled over.”
Splash!
Had the kitchen ever been this noisy? The head chef couldn’t even think of quieting them as he stirred the pans. All the sauces and spices poured on top felt like they were being dumped down the drain. First time in his life feeling guilty while cooking.
And a few hours later.
Romandro draped a napkin around his neck with a tense expression. The dining room doors opened, and servants filed in, pulling trolleys. A familiar yet unfamiliar food scent. One thing was certain: it stimulated the salivary glands.
“This, all this is made from Gula?”
“Head chef. Introduce it, please.”
“…Precisely, Gula seeds. This is a dessert of roasted seeds steeped in honey. And this is made into stew. They swell bigger when cooked. No name, so I can’t say more.”
Ian didn’t know detailed recipes either. As former emperor, he’d only ever received food, never entered a kitchen.
But pros knew. Lifelong cooks made it visually and olfactorily stunning even roughly.
Clink.
“Mmm.”
Ian tasted without hesitation. He savored the Gula fully, trying this and that, dipping and scooping. Romandro frowned and poked at the Gula lightly.
“…The doctor’s on standby outside, right?”
“No. It’s nighttime; he’s home.”
“I said on standby!”
“Hahaha. Kidding. Don’t worry and try it.”
Ian laughed heartily, and Romandro sighed deeply, closing his eyes. Then he shoved the Gula into his mouth in one go.
“Hic!”
Romandro made a strange noise unwittingly. Ian watched his eyes slowly widen and couldn’t hold back a laugh. Actions over words—his spoon scooped more stew.
“Suits your taste?”
“This, this…….”
Why was it so delicious? Romandro seemed utterly entranced by the novel delicacy. Ian gestured to the servants standing at the back of the dining room.
“You lot, come here.”
“Us?”
“Don’t just stand there. Eat some. Aren’t you curious?”
The servants hesitated, glancing only at Romandro. He was like possessed, lifting the soup bowl to drink straight. Touching the master’s table was one thing, but weed perception held their feet.
“Thank you.”
“What do you want?”
“The honey one for me.”
Hanna stepped forward first among them. She boldly took food and ate, then covered her mouth in surprise.
“It’s delicious.”
“Right?”
“Hanna, really delicious?”
“Sis, try it.”
“Then, excuse me, Lord Ian…….”
If the master and imperial advisor ate it, what could go wrong? Urged by Hanna, servants trickled over one by one, taking Gula dishes.
“Huh?”
“Mmm…. This is Gula?”
“No way. It’s really good.”
Ian smiled faintly, watching his household. He’d offered partly because they looked hungry, but they were the vital link between him and the territory folk.
They were the key starting point for Gula distribution. One becomes two, two becomes four. As with all great feats, beginnings are humble.
“Ha, this is freaking amazing. How’d you find it?”
Romandro finally regained his senses and wiped his mouth. All the bowls before him were empty.
“By chance.”
“Didn’t Der give you food?”
“No, not that. Anyway, we’ll get through this winter with Gula. Starting tomorrow, build a greenhouse in the garden. It roots in dry sand or water, but it’s weak to cold.”
While building the houses, mobilize Merelrof and Bratz territory folk to sweep all Gula in the area. With certain demand, controlling local supply would steer the market favorably.
“What about snow? Right, now that you mention it, it’s hard to see in winter.”
Romandro muttered, licking his spoon clean without shame. Then, casually asked Ian.
“After a few days’ observation, if no issues, I’ll include this in my report to the palace. Alright?”
“Of course. You must. Please note the discovery details too.”
Meaning, don’t leave out Ian’s name. Naturally, it’d be absurd for newly arrived Romandro to discover Gula’s edibility alone. Romandro waved dismissively, as if no worries.
“Reports always get the truth, even with a knife to my throat. By the way, can I have more?”
“No. Supply’s low still. Remember, one seed yields over ten Gulas.”
Ian refused with a smile, and Romandro smacked his lips, setting down the spoon. Should’ve stopped the servants from taking Gula earlier.
“And everyone, keep your mouths shut tight until we have enough Gula seeds.”
At Ian’s command, Hanna and the servants solemnly mimed zipping their lips.