Chapter 29

Chapter 29

#29. Arad Company (2)

A few ideas popped into my head about what could be done with that seemingly useless land.

As much as I wanted to spread out a map and start planning, we were still in front of the emperor’s throne.

‘Not possible right now, but if I ever get some free time, I should give it a try.’

Putting those thoughts aside, I focused on the figure seated on the white throne before me.

“I am eternally grateful, Your Majesty.”

Though I’d been given a frozen wasteland, I showed no sign of disappointment as I paid my respects.

“To Professor Arad, we bestow the rank of Count and 200 gold coins.”

Haytai’s announcement continued.

‘200 gold? Not bad at all.’

At this, I couldn’t help but crack a small smile while still bowed.

‘Yeah, if you’re gonna give away the territories for cheap, at least throw in some decent cash.’

Considering High City’s always strained finances, I saw this as quite a generous move.

‘So, they must have some breathing room after all.’

I had a rough idea why such a big payout was possible.

The recent purge in the north had left some vacant lands.

If these were made direct ducal territories, it would increase High City’s tax revenue.

And most importantly, thanks to Arad Salt, the empire’s payments had been particularly generous lately.

“However, the 200 gold will not be given all at once but divided over three years. The first two payments will be 70 gold each, and the final one will be 60 gold.”

Under Master of Ceremonies Haytai’s solemn guidance, the ennoblement ceremony proceeded without a hitch.

“Professor Arad.”

And finally, the grand finale.

With a ceremonial sword in hand, Duchess Ariana rose from her throne and approached me step by step.

She wore a noble’s tunic made of silk and linen, with a fur-lined robe draped over her shoulders.

At her waist hung the very bag I had crafted for her.

“At the Magic Realm, I made a promise to you.”

Standing before me on my knees, she spoke in a soft voice.

“That I would grant any wish of yours. Anything within my power…”

Her usually composed voice was strangely trembling.

“Wish… state your wish.”

Her cheeks and ears were slightly flushed.

“I shall state my wish, Your Majesty.”

“Y-Yes!”

Unfazed by Ariana’s reaction, I stated the wish I had prepared.

“I wish to establish a merchant company. Not just any company, but one authorized directly by the duchy!”

“Aaah… Again with that wish?! Can’t really blame you… Eh?”

“Huh?”

“Wait… Is establishing an authorized merchant company really your wish?”

“Yes, it is.”

For some reason, Ariana’s face and ears were redder than before.

“G-Good… Such a wish can easily be granted. Hahaha… Hahahaha!”

Her panicked and nervous laughter betrayed both relief and embarrassment.

Her blue eyes avoided meeting mine, briefly showing a hint of wistfulness.

‘Hmm? Didn’t Izabel already relay my wish?’

Meanwhile, I tilted my head in confusion at Ariana’s unusually flustered state.

* * *

The morning before the ennoblement ceremony.

“To request an authorized merchant company as your wish?”

Through Izabel, Ariana had learned of Arad’s wish beforehand.

Though she could have heard it directly, she simply couldn’t bring herself to do so.

She feared that facing him directly and hearing talk of national marriage or personal proposals would cloud her judgment.

“Yes, Miss. He wishes to establish an authorized merchant company.”

“Hmm…”

“Isn’t it just like him? Selling food with Arad Salt in Haven, trading at the Magic Realm with the Golden Caravan… His nature is truly that of a merchant.”

Despite Izabel’s rare praise, Ariana still didn’t fully understand.

“Even though becoming an authorized company would reduce taxes, it would make me the official owner. And yet he wants to go through with it?”

“Well, everything in the north ultimately belongs to you anyway, doesn’t it?”

“Officially, yes… But who in their right mind would actually believe that?”

“Still, it’s good news. With only Rune Trading Company managing Arad Salt, they’ve been struggling. Adding another authorized company might not be such a bad idea.”

Half-listening to Izabel’s words, Ariana tried to decipher the true meaning behind Arad’s wish.

‘Could he… Is he trying to lower my guard and then propose during the ceremony?’

This conclusion made Ariana’s head heat up considerably.

‘Ugh…’

Pointless expectations (?) and worries kept her awake and unable to eat properly all night.

Thus, time passed until the ennoblement ceremony began.

“I shall state my wish, Your Majesty.”

“Y-Yes!”

Finally, Arad’s wish was revealed.

“I wish to establish a merchant company. Not just any company, but one authorized directly by the duchy!”

“Aaah… Again with that wish?! Can’t really blame you… Eh?”

“Huh?”

“Wait… Establishing an authorized merchant company is really your wish?”

“Yes.”

“Y-Yes… Such a wish can easily be granted. Hahaha… Hahahaha!”

After a sleepless night of worrying, Arad’s wish remained unchanged.

“By any chance… Do you have any other wishes? I’ll grant one more specially.”

“What I’ve received is more than enough. Asking for more would be unfair.”

“Eh… Good thinking.”

Her voice, which could no longer hide its weariness, leaked through.

‘So this… This is right. I asked for another wish, and this is the proper response. It would be insane to feel regretful now. Yes, this is correct.’

Her hand holding the ceremonial sword trembled slightly.

‘Maybe… Maybe he heard about it later and decided against it.’

The notorious curse affecting past Dukes and Duchesses of Lenslet suddenly came to mind.

Though considered superstition, for the sake of the north, it was better for someone like Arad to live long and safe.

‘Yes. This is for your safety and longevity, Arad…’

Struggling to hide her regret and longing,

Ariana finished the ceremony by lightly tapping Arad’s head and shoulders with the ceremonial sword.

* * *

The Northern Region had a vast landmass compared to its population.

To compare, it was roughly the size of the Korean Peninsula, with geography and location similar to Denmark in Europe.

Naturally, the entire region wasn’t governed solely by the Duke.

The Northern Duchy referred to the main castle called High City, the Great Wall of the Far North, and some direct ducal territories.

Other parts of the north were ruled by noble families loyal to the Duke of Lenslet.

Following the feudal rules of the continent, a Duke-level noble could grant or revoke titles up to the rank of Count.

Thus, a new Count – a high-ranking noble – was born in the north.

It was the first time in 200 years since the founding of the Northern Duchy and the granting of titles to the founding heroes.

“A Count is born, and practically overnight too.”

“Considering his contributions and skills, it’s not that surprising.”

“While he’s the first Count, lesser nobles like Knights and Barons have been around.”

“Rather, I was surprised by how insignificant the territory granted was.”

“Probably taking the other nobles’ feelings into account.”

In a certain hidden chamber,

Six figures wearing deep hoods and black masks with glowing white tears spoke in hushed tones.

“He not only created Arad Salt but saved the Duchess’s life too. He could have requested a national marriage instead of just a Count title.”

“National marriage? She’s the one who turned down proposals from the Emperor and Crown Prince. No doubt she put up an impenetrable wall against this Professor Arad too.”

“Or maybe he turned her down?”

“Given the infamous short lifespans of Lenslet’s past Duchesses, would even a royal marriage break that curse?”

“You’re right about that.”

The location definitely wasn’t High City.

If it were, such suspicious masked individuals couldn’t gather secretly.

“Who exactly is this Professor Arad?”

“They say he’s an adventurer from the Eastern Continent.”

“Do you believe that?”

“Of course not.”

“Could he really be a secret weapon raised by the previous Duke with witches?”

“His closeness to witches makes that highly likely.”

“Because of him, our plans are ruined.”

“We need to lay low for a while.”

“They say the purges in High City continue regularly.”

“Truly foolish! So foolish! All because of some misplaced northern pride!”

“I thought this Duchess would be different, but she’s worse than her father.”

“With the Empire ready to embrace us! Why can’t she just close her eyes and accept a political marriage?”

“And eliminate all witches according to the Imperial Church’s demands!”

“All her talk about caring for the north and its people is just selfishness. Look at that ridiculous 20% property tax limit she forces on the lords! Who else bans tolls and limits merchant taxes to 10%?”

“There’s no such law anywhere in the world!”

“The frequency of her undercover inspections is ridiculous too.”

All their accumulated grievances burst forth.

They only saw the single tree of greed, ignoring the surrounding forest completely.

Their complaints and lamentations continued endlessly.

While this may be their last chance for such a gathering for a while.

Creeeak.

Then it happened. The chamber door opened, and another person entered.

Similarly hooded and masked, their bulky cloak hid their figure entirely.

Now there were seven in the chamber.

“You’ve come!”

“To see you here is an honor beyond measure.”

No one dared to treat this newcomer casually.

“Please take pity on this miserable northern region.”

[Let’s cut to the chase. I don’t have much time.]

The newcomer’s voice was artificial, disguising both age and gender completely.

Each word made the white tears on the mask glow.

[From now on, you will place these stones in locations I designate throughout the north.]

Revealing something from under the cloak, the masked figure held up a small black stone about the length of an adult’s forearm.

Completely blank, with no writing or markings.

“This… What is it?”

[A stone closely connected to High City’s spirits.]

The mysterious figure continued.

[Throughout the north, the harvest of herbs will drastically decrease. Crops like wheat, rye, and potatoes that barely grew before won’t grow at all. However, High City’s farms will experience unprecedented bountiful harvests.]

“…”

The masked nobles couldn’t hide their smiles at this revelation.

“We should stockpile food supplies early.”

[The Empire plans to sell them cheaply for a while.]

* * *

In modern Earth, especially South Korea, thorough computerization made it difficult to evade taxes even when rates were 30-40%.

While not impossible, tax evasion was extremely troublesome and risky.

For reference, I practiced legal tax minimization but never illegal tax avoidance.

Anyway, even in this other world, despite eventually needing to return to Earth, I now had the opportunity to legally run a business without paying a single penny in taxes.

“Though if the Duchess requests, I might have to put on a tearful dissolution show… But judging from Ariana’s character, that probably won’t happen.”

Every businessman dreams of running such an ideal operation at least once.

“Still, I should occasionally contribute some funds depending on the situation.”

Of course, I intended to regularly pay “defense contributions” to High City.

“Proper security and defense allow business and economy to thrive.”

Mustn’t get blinded by the benefits of an authorized company and forget the ultimate goal of helping the north.

“Alright! Let’s begin.”

Stretching my body, I proudly gazed at the building before me.

“If South Korea has Jin Industries, then Lenslet has Arad Company.”

In the middle-class district of High City stood a three-story building with a proud sign coated in magic stone, bearing the name “Arad Company.”