Chapter 253

Words : 2166 Updated : Oct 7th, 2025

“Even if we have to spend money, there is only one way.” The voice of Dwayne focused everyone’s attention. “We will have to buy food from outside the country. The remaining food in this nation has long since been turned into military funds or jewels owned by the nobles.” Logan winced at the blunt statement, and the others let out long sighs. Dwayne stepped forward and continued. “We must ask other nobles for help. We need to squeeze whatever surplus the territories with means have to aid those suffering from food shortages.” Though the suggestion had its merits, it lacked practicality. As everyone shook their heads in disagreement, Damian spoke up on behalf of the group. “The nobles will not want to intervene. Even if they do, it will be after the problem has exploded and only to gain favor. They will act only after there are starvation deaths in their own territories. I don’t think His Majesty would want that to happen.” At those words, Logan nodded heavily. “If it’s already late, resentment toward the royal family will grow, and if we try to address the aftermath, it will consume several times more resources. A disaster requiring the combined strength of the nation’s people is beginning within a few years. So let’s discuss realistic alternatives.” It was a suggestion to exclude the cooperation of the nobles from consideration. This was reasonable, as legally, the royal family couldn’t force the nobles to contribute. Even if they requested help, it was certain to be met with a response like “Why should I?” ‘Of course they’ll drape it in nice words, but it amounts to the same thing.’ Anyone familiar with the nature of the nobles couldn’t help but nod in agreement. Even Dwayne, who had been the first to suggest it, could only bite his lip and lower his head in frustration. “Does this mean we will have to heavily rely once again on the reserves from McLean and Esperanza territories, Your Majesty?” “Esperanza has already provided additional support last winter and now lacks the capacity for more.” The Sword Duke, who had been expressing active support since before the coronation ceremony, relayed the dire situation of the territories with a heavy expression. “It’s the same with McLean. I haven’t reported on the public sentiment in the territory, but the atmosphere there is...” Logan cut the conversation short. “What about Taren? There’s now surplus there, right?” “Ah! Yes, that’s right. Now that the cursed mana stone farming method and the dam constructions are complete. But are you planning to squeeze them again, right after? McLean isn’t a serf, and you’re going to milk it for those precious mana stones... Urk!” Dwayne’s expression, which had gone through self-awareness, resentment, and anger, suddenly turned to stone. Having mindlessly blurted out his thoughts, he hastily looked at Logan and the Sword Duke to gauge their reactions. With a bitter smile, the Sword Duke responded, while Logan let out a light sigh and added, “You don’t need to be so wary. I’ve already mentioned it to your master.” “Ahem. I apologize, Your Grace. Anyway, Your Majesty is saying you’ll sell mana stones and buy food from abroad, right? It’s possible, but...” “But what?” At Logan’s interjection, Dwayne let out a sorrowful sigh. “I may not know much about commerce, but there’s one thing I can predict.” “What’s that?” “If the kingdom starts buying in bulk, traders will raise their prices as soon as they see the opportunity. Then, even with a minimum amount of food to distribute, we could end up with a budget shortfall.” “Discuss that with Philip first. We need to find a way to bring in a large amount of food quickly and cheaply into the country. You’ll be able to figure it out.” “...I’ll speak to him, but I doubt Philip can meet all those requirements...” “Let’s trust Philip.” Logan himself sighed repeatedly as he mentioned the seemingly absurd conditions. “If you can think of any other methods, share them.” Though it was an inversion of the normal order to force one’s people to sacrifice themselves for the purposes of raising an army to stand against the Empire, they had no choice at the moment. They had to proceed but had to come up with ways to minimize the repercussions. ‘Never again can we allow something like a plague to happen.’ Logan began to think feverishly. * * * “It’s a bleak situation.” [That’s right. We’re counting on you, Philip. We’ll also be looking for alternative solutions...] The grey-eyed young man could only sigh in response to the undeterred encouragement. At most, a month remained until the farming season. Even if the time when the people starved the most was considered to stretch from spring to summer, it was only about three months away. Fortunately, there was one thing. “Our capital is full.” Although it was mana stones, not cash, which made him concerned, even getting those physical goods into his hands would take about a month, that wasn’t much of an issue for the current McLean Trading Company. The food market of the Empire they had been pioneering was so vast that even a month’s production from one mana stone mine couldn’t cause a significant price fluctuation. Furthermore, with the trading company now state-owned and their credit at its peak, closing deals for a month or two worth of transactions would be easy. However, there was another problem. “We need to buy enough food to keep over a million people alive for six months, secretly, at once, and for the lowest possible price within a month.” The absurdity of the task made him laugh when he said it out loud. An amount of food to be just enough to survive – to not die – but the scale was still staggering. An estimated 1 million people. Wasn’t that 1/20 of the whole kingdom’s population? What had the kingdom done to come to the calculation that such a number of people could starve to death? Had disaster befallen the kingdom without him realizing it? “F**k... How can I do this...” As Philip leaned back with a feeling of helplessness, he felt the touch of leather that wrapped around his neck. A sofa made from the finest cowhide. The texture of the premium sofa, one that he had never even seen in the kingdom, reignited his waning motivation. The luxury he currently enjoyed was possible because he was supported by McLean territory, no, by the kingdom. He had to manage this task somehow, if not for himself then for them. Firming up his resolve, Philip first laid out the absolute necessities. “The central part of the Empire is too risky. The trade should be limited to the eastern territories. It takes a month just to reach from Enerheim to the kingdom at the western end of the east. All trade must be completed within a fortnight. And all at once. Therefore, we cannot let grain merchants exchange information; they would surely fix the prices. So, I have to...” As he spoke, the task seemed to become even more daunting. ‘No, it’s an illusion. I can do it. I must do it.’ Once again reassuring himself, Philip hastily left his office. And at the very beginning of this daunting task, he faced an unexpected obstacle. “What did you say?” Upon entering the trading company he had normally dealt with, Philip was met with astonishing news. “It seems... there are problems with grain distribution in the eastern part of the Empire, and the Imperial Court has ordered a three-month halt on trade. It’s killing me too!” “What!?” A merchant who had built up credit with trade in Lustpelheim for a year, the news was too shocking for Atun to comprehend. “Why would the Imperial Court do that? What’s the problem?” Atun, a merchant who supplied goods even to the Imperial Court. If even he didn’t know the reason, it wasn’t worth asking further. Ultimately, Philip turned his steps toward another power-holder in Lustpelheim. However, the ominous premonition that had been felt since Atun manifested definitively when he tried to meet with the market’s mayor, Dmitri Lion. “The mayor is too busy with public duties to meet with anyone for the time being.” A person to whom he had brought enough bribes over the past year that he wouldn’t remember the total without checking the ledger. The one who always came out to greet with a smile now denied the audience. ‘This stinks.’ The stench was foul. – One day the Empire will invade our kingdom. That’s why I told you... The words of his lord, who had since become king, flashed in Philip’s mind. He had a hunch that this was an Imperial scheme targeting McLean. ‘Or why not just ban trade with our company? Ah, because then they would worry about people trading multiple times?’ Or perhaps they didn’t want to give the obvious impression of targeting McLean. Well, even now it was like pretending not to see, but there’s a big difference between being explicit and not. ‘So they just stop food trading altogether...? What a grand plan. Really.’ He had a rough idea of the reason behind such a measure. He couldn’t help but sigh at the realization, but suddenly an idea struck him. ‘Oh? Hold on, with this situation...’ Philip’s gray eyes shone for a moment, and a sly smile spread across his face. “...There might be a chance here?” The mission, already seeming difficult to achieve under normal circumstances, became potentially feasible due to the absurd variable of the Imperial trading ban, which had twisted the flow of the market completely. The trade currents of a nation, often compared to blood flow in the human body, signified that if trade stopped, the great living organism that is the nation would wither with no blood flow. It emphasized that the very essence of commerce is the constant exchange of goods and movement of materials. If those goods stopped not because of market conditions but because of external factors outside the normal flow? The vast market of the Empire wouldn’t collapse from a temporary cessation of trade flow. But for the merchants, the blood droplets affected by this, it could be a fatal variable leading to their demise. “Trading ban, my ass! If I can’t sell my goods for three months, I won’t be able to pay next month’s purchase payment! Do you understand what that means? I’ll go bankrupt!” The grain merchant, Kwan, was shouting himself hoarse at the head of his longtime business partner, the Ferum Trading Company. “I’m sorry, what can I do? The imperial court has banned it. If you want to do business in this country, you must follow the law of the land.” “What about our contract?” “If you want to argue, go to the imperial court. What can I do? As unfortunate as it is, please leave.” Bang! The door closed harshly with the indifferent rejection. Kwan collapsed on the spot, powerless. “Oh dear, what am I to do...!” His lamentations continued, but Ferum did not reopen the door. As Kwan’s voice grew hoarse and was about to burst, someone approached him. “It seems you need help...” “What? Who are you...?” “Grain merchant Kwan, is it not?” “Yes, but...?” Skeptical, Kwan tensed up as he looked into the man’s gray eyes. “I’m from the Aemal Trading Company.” “...I’ve never heard of it?” “I guessed as much. We’re not a trading company from this country. We do business once and leave. I think we could do business; what do you think?” With that proposal, a spark ignited in Kwan’s eyes. The Imperial command? A ban on all trades? ‘What’s the use of that? I’m going to die here! I’ll strip everything and leave this country, damn it.’ Crack. “How much liquidity can you provide? Depending on the amount, I can give you up to 80% of the original market price.” An offer of a self-discount, rarely heard from the mouth of a typical merchant, was made by Kwan. Listening to those words, Philip’s smile deepened. “A merchant will shake hands with a devil if it brings profit.” A phrase used to disdain merchants in countries that look down on commerce. In some ways, it was the truth. ‘Those of high statures might not understand the heart of a humble merchant...’. Thanks to the Imperial Court, his own way forward was clear. From that day, seven major cities in the eastern part of the Empire began transporting grain towards the McLean Kingdom through various different routes and under various different trading company names.

Chapter 253

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