Chapter 9

Episode 9

#9. If You Can’t Get a Job, Start a Business (Part 1)

To Professor Arad. I am Ariana Rune Renslett, the Lady of the Northern Duchy and Representative of the North.

I’ve heard about this so-called “Arad Salt” you’ve created.

They say it can turn even the blandest dishes into something fit for palace spices.

Recently, through my trustworthy subordinates and knights, I’ve confirmed these rumors to be true.

With that in mind, I, Ariana, would like to humbly ask you instead of command…

The letter started without any unnecessary formalities, fitting for someone from the North.

I quickly read on to find out what her request was.

-I wish to purchase the recipe for your Arad Salt.

-The North lacks everything and treasures every bit. We’re not rich. Recently, with the influx of spices coming through the Empire, our already strained finances are being drained even faster.

-I want to buy the recipe from you and then share it widely with our people.

‘…What?!’

Reading her letter gave me quite a shock.

As a Duke, she could have simply demanded the recipe from me by force.

She could have taken me to the High City and hoarded all the Arad Salt-infused dishes for herself.

Or she could have bought the recipe cheaply and sold the salt at an exorbitant price through her own merchant guild.

‘A unique ruler.’

But she didn’t choose any of these easy and tempting options.

-In exchange for the Arad Salt recipe, I, Ariana Rune Renslett, promise two things:

-One, I will immediately grant you fifty gold coins as a reward.

-Two, I will bestow upon you the honorary title of Viscount.

-You may retain the surname ‘Jin’, recognizing your noble heritage and adherence to proper etiquette.

-Your investiture ceremony will take place in the High City this spring.

-I pledge this under the name of the Duke of the Northern Duchy.

Even the compensation was impressive.

One gold coin is worth twenty silver coins, and one silver coin equals one hundred coppers.

An ordinary person might never see a gold coin in their entire life. Yet here she was offering fifty of them, along with the title of honorary viscount.

Though this viscount title was purely ceremonial with no land granted, the difference between a freeman and a quasi-noble is significant in a society with rigid class distinctions.

Of course, the value of Arad Salt, which can replace spices, far exceeds these rewards, potentially impacting the entire continent beyond just the North.

Considering that this world has no concept of copyright or personal rights, this level of compensation is extraordinary.

This is a world where such concepts don’t exist.

While the exact proportions and preparation order of Arad Salt remain secret, the basic ingredients are already widely known.

If nothing is done, copycat products will likely flood not only Haven but the entire Northern Region by summer.

This is probably why competitors like Polly haven’t approached me yet to buy the recipe.

‘There’s no point monopolizing something that will inevitably leak anyway.’

It seems the Duke of the Northern Duchy understood this and chose to gain public support and honor instead of attempting a clumsy monopoly.

There’s probably also an intention to address the Northern Region’s trade deficit caused by spice imports.

‘But why offer me gold and a title? She could have just waited for knock-offs to appear.’

Yet this lingering question remained.

“The His Highness the Duke wishes to ignite passion across the North, starting with you.”

At that moment, an elderly knight named Dominic spoke to me while I was reading the letter. He’s rumored to be the legendary Swordmaster and Frostblade Valkyrie in disguise.

“Passion, you say?”

“Yes. His Highness wishes to showcase you as an example of how great achievements can be made outside the battlefield.”

“…”

Hearing the knight’s words, my eyes widened in surprise.

‘What an incredible person.’

Her perspective is something rarely seen even in 21st century Earth.

On one hand, it’s disappointing that such remarkable individuals have disappeared so meaninglessly.

“I will follow the Duke’s wishes.”

Having finished reading the letter, I knelt properly according to protocol, accepting both the request and the order.

Since it’s bound to be stolen eventually, I’m perfectly fine selling at this high point.

“…”

I could feel Ariana watching me with a gentle smile.

“While we’re at it, let me write it down for you now.”

“Ho ho? Would you really do that?”

I took out a piece of paper and wrote down the recipe for Arad Salt.

Then I carefully folded it and handed it to the old knight I suspected to be Valkyrie.

“This is splendid. Your straightforward nature is refreshing.”

“To be honest, I’ve been feeling the pressure from all the attention Arad Salt has been getting lately.”

“Is that so? Good thing I brought the gold then. Here, take it.”

Pleased with my straightforwardness, Valkyrie handed over the promised bag of gold coins.

“The investiture ceremony will take place when spring arrives. Come straight to the High City once the weather improves. The Duke will welcome you warmly.”

“I am infinitely grateful.”

Even if the investiture doesn’t happen as promised, I wouldn’t have much complaint.

‘With the money I’ve accumulated so far plus fifty gold coins… It should be enough to get by in the North.’

Right now, the gold coins in my pocket mean more to me.

Thus ended the flattery like roasting beans in lightning speed.

Truly, this was characteristic practicality of the North.

“Hem hem! Since we’re all here, shall we have dinner?”

As the situation wrapped up, the mayor and other northern knights eagerly began taking their seats at the tables.

“Yes! I’ll serve you right away!”

I quickly prepared the food.

Thanks to Jack’s preparations – heating water and preparing ingredients – I was able to make breakfast efficiently.

Soon other customers started coming in for Arad Stew.

Naturally, Jack took care of the regular customers while I handled the distinguished guests.

“So, what special dish awaits us today?”

“I’ve prepared an Arad-style tomahawk steak. I recommend dipping it in the special Arad sauce provided.”

“Ohoho! This steak looks like an axe! Hahaha!”

“For dessert, we have sorbet made by blending honey-preserved winter apples with ice.”

“Sorbet… what? Whatever it is, I’m looking forward to it.”

‘Feels like omakase.’

Thus began a rather bewildering day.

By the way, even though I’m not officially a viscount yet, I could already sense the atmosphere around me changing.

“Um… Should I call you Young Lord Viscount?”

“You’re not a viscount yet, so treat me as usual.”

“But still…”

First were Jack and Tom.

Even when they heard the fabricated story about my noble origins, they didn’t react much.

However, now that I’ve received official recognition from the Duchess of the Northern Duchy, it seems they can no longer ignore my status.

‘I should leave this inn sooner. Preferably within this month.’

Watching Jack and the staff, as well as the regular customers who seemed uneasy around me, I thought to myself.

“Is everything alright?”

Deciding to leave the inn, I asked Jack while working.

“What… do you mean?”

Jack replied formally, apparently now finding it more comfortable to speak respectfully to me.

“With Arad Salt soon spreading across the North, we won’t be able to maintain our current sales.”

“Aa… Well, there’s nothing we can do about that. It is Her Highness the Duchess’s decree after all.”

Strangely, Jack showed no signs of worry despite my concerns.

“To be honest, it’s been too exhausting lately.”

“Tiring?”

“More mentally than physically.”

Rather, he seemed relieved.

“Our revenue will certainly decrease, but my mind feels lighter. My body feels lighter too.”

It seems he’s been suffering mentally from caring too much about others’ opinions.

“Aa… I should have considered that.”

Feeling somewhat apologetic, I decided to pass on one secret technique to Jack as a token of our past connection.

“Could you lend me your ear for a moment?”

“Uh?”

“In the Arad Salt recipe that will soon be public… add wildflower stems…”

“?!”

One crucial element was missing from the recipe I submitted.

Like fermented fish in kimchi.

While its absence won’t drastically change the taste, there will be a subtle 1% difference that discerning palates will notice enough to keep coming back to Jack’s Inn.

“Thank you so much!”

Jack expressed his gratitude with moved eyes after hearing my secret.

I finished my work as head chef, knowing this would be my last day.

To bring things to a proper conclusion.

Jack seems to have a natural talent for cooking.

In just two days, he absorbed most of the recipes.

Not all of my cooking skills and knowledge, of course.

Just the inn-appropriate dishes – primarily the ones I’ve been making at Jack’s Inn.

“With the spread of Arad Salt, we’ve definitely seen fewer walk-in customers.”

“Takeout orders have decreased significantly too. Maybe because other inns are copying us?”

“We should consider lowering our prices soon.”

The Arad Salt recipe quickly spread throughout Haven. Now Jack and Tom alone can manage the inn.

“I think I can handle things on my own starting tomorrow.”

“Seems that way.”

“I plan to continue giving free stew to the city guards and bureaucrats.”

“Will that be okay? Your profit margin will shrink considerably.”

“There are unexpected benefits that aren’t immediately visible.”

“Ah, you’re learning to see the forest instead of just the trees.”

Jack appears to have grown as a businessman from observing and learning beside me these past few months compared to when we first met.

‘Now I can leave the inn with peace of mind.’

Thanks to him, I was able to retire from my position as head chef at Jack’s Inn.

Though I wasn’t completely leaving the restaurant business.

“Is Arad around?”

“Yes, what would you like today?”

“The usual course, please.”

The only time I personally cook in the kitchen is for the knights from the High City who come here daily for meals.

“But isn’t the Arad Salt recipe already public? You could get similar dishes at Polly’s Inn too?”

“Are we bothering you by coming here every day?”

“Not at all! It’s just… Isn’t this inn rather shabby compared to Polly’s for esteemed guests?”

“Hahaha! I was joking. The reason we come here every day is because of the food you, Arad, prepare.”

“Me?”

“Some of our knights find your cooking particularly appealing. Sorry Polly.”

The knight introducing himself as Dominic (suspected to be Valkyrie) quietly answered my K-omakase style question.

‘Do we have a gourmet who can detect that 1% difference in taste?’

I glanced at the lone female knight among them.

As always, she was deeply savoring the medium-rare steak I prepared, her hood pulled low.

She subtly shivered with each bite, looking rather adorable.

‘If she’s this into my cooking… She’d probably agree if I asked to join her party.’

Seeing her, I suddenly made a bold decision.

I must protect Duchess Ariana Rune Renslett of the Northern Duchy!

…Of course, when I received 50 gold coins for Arad Salt, that resolve momentarily wavered but quickly returned.

“Anyway, why are the esteemed knights from the High City visiting Haven?”

I cautiously inquired about their purpose here.

“Our reason for being here is obvious for knights of our rank. To fulfill our duties as enforcers.”

“Is there a disturbance in Haven?”

“No need to worry about that. Haven is close to the Magic Realm, isn’t it? We occasionally hunt high-ranking monsters from the Magic Realm that bother the citizens.”

“Aa…”

Translation: Basically, they’re here on vacation.