Chapter 18: Isn't This Child Exploitation? (3)
Chapter 18: Isn't This Child Exploitation? (3)
“Even so, that was far too reckless.”
“You think so?”
“Yes. If things had gone wrong, the merchandise could have been damaged. If the pouches containing the Troll’s blood had burst…”
“I had those moved to a different carriage, didn't I?”
“Ah…”
Now that he mentioned it, it was true.
When they were loading the byproducts into the freight carts, Patrick had specifically instructed them to gather the Troll’s blood and a few other sensitive items in one place.
Did he have this planned from the moment we left the territory?
Chandler was impressed, but a part of him remained uneasy.
“But Young Master, no matter how plausible a plan sounds, there’s no guarantee things will go exactly as intended in reality.”
“Is that what you think?”
“Yes. To be honest, I’m worried. If word gets out that we’re carrying valuable goods, it won’t just be merchants coming our way—bandits and thieves might set their sights on us too.”
“Tsk, tsk. Our Chandler is still so young; he doesn't know how the world works.”
“……”
But you’re younger than me, Young Master.
He couldn't bring himself to say it out loud.
Patrick spoke to Chandler as if imparting a great lesson.
“As the saying goes, you can’t let the fear of a few maggots stop you from making the sauce. That’s especially true when it comes to making money.”
It was a saying Chandler had never heard before, but given the context, he understood the point.
“Are you saying we have to take risks to make money?”
“Exactly. Besides, what I did isn't even a risk. In a city where money flows as fast as it does here, there’s no way merchants won't catch the scent of profit.”
“Well, that’s…”
“And thieves? Bandits? You’re actually afraid of those punks?”
“Of course I am. Aren't you, Young Mas—ah.”
It was then that Chandler realized.
The reason he feared thieves and bandits was that he was weak. As a weakling with no means to resist extortion backed by violence, those villains were terrifying. However…
“Let them come. If they have a death wish…”
Seeing Patrick speak with a smirk, Chandler’s worries about villains vanished instantly.
His anxiety regarding the plan also dissipated rapidly. Because…
“Young Master. A merchant from a certain group is here and wishes to see you.”
At the worker’s voice from outside, Patrick grinned.
“See? I told you. There’s no way merchants would miss the scent of money.”
“You are truly amazing, Young Master.”
Chandler could only offer his sincere admiration.
On the very first day they stayed at the inn, five merchants came to visit Patrick and his party.
Some had seen the goods being unloaded at the market that day, while others had come after hearing rumors.
Patrick showed them the goods first. The reaction was immediate.
“Ooh… To think you brought this much Troll hide and blood.”
“The quality is top-notch across the board.”
“The other materials aren't bad either.”
As they marveled at the items, Patrick gave a short laugh.
“Well, if you like them, I might be persuaded to sell a few. It would be nice to lighten the load for the rest of the trip.”
“Hahaha. Is that so?”
“The Young Master is quite bold.”
“We can offer a very good price for the Troll hides.”
“By the way, where did you acquire monster materials of such high quality?”
“That’s a secret… My father told me not to go blabbing about it.”
“Ah, what a shame.”
The transaction seemed to be proceeding smoothly, but neither Patrick nor the merchants brought up the main point yet, merely testing the waters with roundabout talk.
Then, one of the merchants spoke up.
“I heard rumors that you possess something far more precious than these…”
“Ah, you mean the full pelt of the Saber Tiger? Unfortunately, that’s not for sale here. I was told to take it to the Capital to sell.”
“Could you at least let us see it?”
“Hmm, I was told not to show it around carelessly…”
“We beg of you, Young Master.”
“We’ll make sure to give you an excellent price on the other materials.”
“Please, just let us verify the quality.”
As the merchants pleaded, Patrick acted as if he had no choice.
“Well, if you insist. You can take a look, but just a look.”
Patrick then showed the merchants the full pelt of the Saber Tiger.
Upon seeing the item, the merchants gasped in awe.
“Incredible. This is the real deal.”
“For a Saber Tiger to grow this large, it must have lived for decades.”
“Oh, the head and fangs are still attached. Even without processing, simply stuffing this would make it a magnificent trophy.”
The merchants were genuinely impressed.
The Saber Tiger, which had been beaten to death with fists without the use of a single blade, had a pelt without a single hole. The head and teeth were perfectly preserved.
Just as the last merchant said, there would be no shortage of nobles who would want to turn this into a taxidermy piece to decorate their estates.
“Young Master. What is the price for this?”
“Price? I told you, it’s not for sale.”
“Not for sale? Aren't you taking it with you specifically to sell it?”
“I mean it’s not for sale here. I have to take it all the way to the Capital. My father insisted that’s the only way to get a fair price.”
Of course, Baron Schneider had never said such a thing. But Patrick added more, acting as if he were frustrated himself.
“Tsk, do you think I enjoy this long trek to the Capital? Just because I caused a little trouble, he sends his only son out on the road like this.”
Hearing this, the merchants quickly pieced the information together and formed a hypothesis.
A son who caused trouble.
A strict father.
A rare treasure.
A merchant trip to the Capital.
No doubt about it. This spoiled young master caused some major trouble.
The father is making him go on this trade mission to the Capital as a form of punishment.
The trouble might have been too much to handle back in the territory. That’s likely why he was sent all the way to the Capital under the guise of a trade mission.
In the end, what stood before them was a treasure held by a clueless young master who had no interest in the trade mission itself.
They wouldn't be merchants if they didn't get greedy.
“Young Master. You don't need to go all the way to the Capital. I will pay you a much better price than what you’d get there.”
“No, sell it to me, Young Master. If you sell to me, I’ll buy the Troll and other monster byproducts at twenty percent above the market rate.”
“I can offer 20 gold for the Saber Tiger pelt alone.”
As the merchants lunged forward aggressively, Patrick snapped at them.
“I told you it’s not for sale! Didn't you hear me?”
“Hahaha. Young Master, think about it. Even if you don't go to the Capital, if you return with a better profit, wouldn't your father look upon you more favorably?”
“That’s…”
As Patrick appeared to waver, the merchants spoke hurriedly.
“Young Master, trust me and sell the goods. You won't regret it.”
“Young Master, I have more capital than this fellow. I can pay a higher price.”
“What are you talking about? If we’re going by that…”
As the merchants began to compete among themselves, Patrick shouted.
“Enough! Everyone out! I said I’m not selling!”
“Wait, Young Master.”
“I said get out!”
Patrick irritably pushed the merchants toward the door. As he shoved them out of the inn, he grumbled audibly.
“Cheh, as if I want to keep it.”
That single sentence, which reached the merchants' ears clearly, set their business souls on fire.
If I can just coax that sucker of a young master…
I can make a massive profit.
If I stick to him a bit more persistently, he’ll cave. No, he’s already halfway there.
The problem is these other guys.
I’ll need to prepare plenty of cash to win this competition.
Having reached that conclusion, the merchants scattered.
They went to secure funds immediately.
Once the merchants were gone, Chandler spoke up.
“They offered a pretty good price. Is there a reason you didn't sell?”
“Yeah. Because what I’m aiming for isn't just a ‘pretty good’ price.”
“……”
Actually, at that moment, Chandler wanted to say, “If you get too greedy, you might end up losing everything,” but he held his tongue.
The Young Master is far wiser than I am. In that case, rather than giving hasty advice, it might be better to trust him and focus on the tasks he assigns.
Having made his decision, Chandler said, “Understood. Then, what should I prepare?”
“…Ho.”
Patrick was slightly surprised to see Chandler’s cooperative attitude.
He’s quick on the uptake.
What Chandler did wasn't anything grand. He simply recognized the excellence of Patrick, who was much younger than him, and accepted it.
But Patrick knew.
In this world, there are surprisingly many people who cannot do this simple thing.
Genuinely acknowledging and accepting someone else’s superiority is quite difficult.
Age, rank, honor, experience, gender, and so on.
People have a habit of coming up with ten thousand reasons why they are no worse than anyone else.
There aren't many who can simply admit their own shortcomings, recognize another’s talent, and act accordingly.
Furthermore, Chandler was in his late teens—an age when pride and competitiveness are at their peak.
Yet, cooperating so readily with Patrick, who was much younger, meant he was a truly extraordinary individual.
Not bad.
Patrick said with a smile, “There’s nothing much to prepare regarding the trade. But I do have a personal task for you.”
“Please, tell me.”
“There’s something I’m looking for. And that is…”
Hearing Patrick’s request, Chandler was momentarily bewildered. Why is the Young Master looking for that?
The thought crossed his mind, but he quickly corrected himself.
There must be a reason.
He bowed his head and said, “Understood. I will look for it.”
“It’s an important matter. I’m trusting you with this, so give it your best.”
“Yes, sir. I understand.”
When Patrick mentioned it was important, Chandler showed a burning determination. He wanted to prove his competence to Patrick, the future lord.
I will find it, no matter what.
* * *
Patrick had a specific goal in mind when he turned the merchants away on the first day.
First, the merchants would move to gather funds to win the competition among themselves.
And when money moves, the attention of other merchants follows.
Then, they would start looking for the reason behind the movement of capital, and eventually…
A clueless, pushover young master has appeared with expensive goods.
That rumor would spread throughout the city.
As a result…
“Young Master! Sell to our group! I will pay 50 gold for the Saber Tiger pelt!”
“Young Master! Our group will pay 50 gold for the Saber Tiger and buy the Troll byproducts at fifty percent above the market price!”
“Young Master, I…”
This was the scene now.
Far more merchants than on the first day had come to find Patrick.
Their goal was to treat the spoiled young master like a sucker and fleece him, but with so many competitors, they couldn't just treat him like a total fool.
In the end, they began to outbid each other with better terms, and the price of Patrick’s goods continued to climb.
Heh heh heh. I thought so. Trying to rip off the Radiant Dragon Hero, are you?
On the first day, there was a merchant who claimed 20 gold for the Saber Tiger was a generous offer.
Yet, on the second day, a merchant appeared offering 50 gold.
What did that mean?
Since a merchant would never buy something at a loss, it meant the 20 gold price was an absurdly low-balled offer.
Well, that’s just how merchants are.
Surprisingly, Patrick wasn't angry about this.
If someone tries to rip off your wallet, rip off their face.
Patrick had once been scolded by his Master for teaching that to his disciples, but the situation was different now.
This was a business transaction, wasn't it?
It was only natural for a merchant to be greedy when money was involved.
A dog would sooner give up on a pile of dung than a merchant would give up on profit.
So, he could understand the merchant’s greed. However…
So you guys should understand too. Understand that I’m about to rip your coin purses wide open. Heh heh heh heh.
Patrick’s wicked plan was already proceeding step by step.