Chapter : 39

Although there was some opposition, my will was ultimately carried through since Chamberlain Hamil had agreed.

Progress was swift, matching my firm resolve. I immediately sent invitations to the feudal vassals under my command to convene a feudal council and began preparing to receive them.

With a major event suddenly upon us, it was only natural that everyone became frantically busy.

Of course, the busiest person was me.

'Damn it.'

Documents came pouring in with a variety of issues, as if to express their dissatisfaction.

Thanks to that, I was wrestling with a pile of paperwork again today.

“This is driving me crazy. Do I really have to check every single one of these things?”

Why am I the one approving the payment for the laborers hired to build the grain warehouse? I let out a sigh of frustration.

“Tell them to handle things like this on the front lines.”

“Will that be alright? What if those guys embezzle the funds….”

Treasurer Palmer chattered beside me. I glared at Treasurer Palmer.

“Isn’t it your job to monitor the embezzlement of your subordinates?

Well said. From now on, if something like this happens, you will take responsibility.”

“Ack! My lord.”

At that, Treasurer Palmer screamed and scurried out of the room.

Ugh, that nuisance. I clicked my tongue as I watched his retreating figure.

“Hoho, please understand, my lord. It's just because everyone has more work.”

Chamberlain Hamil, who was assisting me, laughed with his good-natured voice.

At Chamberlain Hamil's joke, I wrinkled my nose.

“Doesn’t he always try to slack off.”

“Actually, Treasurer Palmer has a lot on his plate, doesn't he? Still, he does what he's told, so he's a reliable man.”

“Hmm, that’s true, but….”

For some reason, I want to squeeze him even more.

Whether he knew my heart or not, Chamberlain Hamil smiled again and said.

“Stop tormenting Treasurer Palmer and recruit some talented people during your visit to the Holy See.”

“Hmm….”

Recruiting talent.

Indeed, as Chamberlain Hamil said, there were few places with as many highly educated people as the Holy See.

Not only was the Apennine Peninsula, where the Holy See was located at this time, the wealthiest region, but all the schools worthy of being called universities were in that area.

There was even a joke that even the beggars in the Holy See knew how to read.

'Come to think of it, weren't there many scholars being persecuted by the Holy See?'

Scholars of various disciplines such as chemistry, astronomy, and medicine were being scorned and driven into the shadows for reasons of blasphemy or undermining dignity.

In particular, there was a high probability that the great figures who were considered top-class in [Pangea Universalise] were also there at this point in the timeline.

“Come to think of it, I think you’re right. I’ll have to recruit some talented people when I visit the Holy See. That’s good advice.”

As expected, with his rank up, the quality of Chamberlain Hamil's advice was improving. It was very convenient in many ways.

“Ah, and how are the pencil sales going?”

I suddenly became curious and asked.

The total number of pencils stockpiled so far was 200,000, with 10,000 high-quality ones. Baron Pierre was diligently taking them, but it was still not enough to keep up with production.

The same amount that Baron Pierre had taken had already been produced and was being stockpiled.

If all of these were sold, it would undoubtedly be a significant help to the domain's finances.

If that happened, I was thinking of introducing steel crossbows on a large scale this time.

“They’re selling like hotcakes. Whether it's the blockhead or the high-quality ones, they sell out as soon as they hit the market. There are even merchants lining up in front of the market waiting for them.”

Chamberlain Hamil seemed overcome with emotion at the positive response to the new domain specialty.

But knowing the future, I was indifferent. It was, in fact, an expected result.

However, there was one thing that was puzzling.

“Merchants are lining up and waiting? So you're saying all the stock has been sold? Hamil?”

200,000 pencils were a large quantity for the surrounding merchants to digest. On top of that, the price was not cheap.

“Yes. The L’Isle-Ponte merchant guild came to the recently built market and bought everything. Thanks to that, other merchants are clamoring for us to sell more pencils.”

“Huh….”

It was quite absurd. They couldn't have literally bought all 200,000, but to say it like that, they must have bought more than half.

“I suppose it's not possible to increase the production of the pencil workshop right now, is it?”

“The supply of raw materials is not smooth. In particular, graphite is very scarce.

And we have too much going on right now to just throw more manpower into the mines, my lord.”

“Then that means the supply will have to stay as it is for now.”

“Yes, that's right.”

At Chamberlain Hamil's words, I stroked my chin silently.

The fact that they were selling too well was also a problem.

After a moment of thought, I spoke to Chamberlain Hamil.

“For now, let’s implement a quota system for each merchant guild. Grade them by their size and prohibit them from purchasing more than 5,000 pencils per day.”

“Wouldn't it be better to give exclusive rights to the merchant guild that offers the most money? That would be more profitable, my lord.”

Chamberlain Hamil's words had a point. But they didn't align with my objective.

Money was important, but it was more important to draw as many merchant guilds to my domain as possible.

Only then would the future relay market function properly, wouldn't it?

“For now, the most important thing is to draw the merchants to the domain.

We can't miss out on a bigger profit for the sake of a small one.”

“I will follow the words of my wise lord.”

Chamberlain Hamil took a step back at my calm explanation. I then asked him.

“Ah, by the way, how did the L’Isle-Ponte merchant guild come all the way to our domain?”

The L’Isle-Ponte merchant guild was one of the major merchant guilds leading the city-state alliance in the northern Apennine Peninsula.

It was quite a long way to my domain. They had never even come to my domain for trade before.

“They led a fleet along the Seine River.”

“The Seine River?”

“Yes, they have currently set up camp and are docked temporarily at the village of Vaiten.”

“Ho. Is that so.”

Even if the waterway connecting the Ram River and the Seine River was completed, it would take considerable effort to build a relay market.

If the merchant guilds didn't come, the market would be useless.

‘But a major merchant from the southeast has already arrived via the Seine River?’

I had planned to attract merchant guilds through pencils, but it seems I've caught a bigger fish than I thought.

The L’Isle-Ponte merchant guild from the city-state alliance of the Apennine Peninsula…. My interest was piqued. It seems I might be able to open the relay market sooner than I thought.

“Let’s meet the person in charge of the L’Isle-Ponte merchant guild this time. Send a messenger, Hamil.”

“Yes, I understand, my lord.”

* * *

In the meantime, preparations for the summons to dissolve the vassalage were proceeding steadily.

Chamberlain Hamil sent an invitation to each feudal vassal with the details of this summons, and they all responded to the summons.

They had no reason to refuse when I was offering to break their shackles myself.

“You must not be underestimated or make any mistakes. Prepare thoroughly.”

I earnestly requested of my vassals. In addition to the dissolution of the vassalage, an agreement was absolutely necessary.

Of course, I didn't think they would accept it easily just because I was giving something. It was the nature of nobles to try and bite you if you took even a single step back.

Therefore, to prevent the feudal vassals from getting any funny ideas, I needed to show them that I was above them.

“We need to make them feel the difference in power. How about lining up soldiers along the route they will take to the lord's castle?”

Biden cautiously offered his opinion. It was a rather belligerent proposal.

‘But he has a point.’

I nodded and thought. A show of force was the most direct and threatening method, wasn't it?

“Then who would be best suited for the task?”

“I have heard that Captain Konrad has been recently training soldiers who wield exceptionally long spears.”

“Ahem, that’s right. We decided to call them pikemen.”

At the mention of pikemen, I flinched for a moment. It was something I had pushed forward without seeking the opinion of Biden, who led the barracks. But Biden seemed unfazed.

“I observed their training earlier, and the sight of the pikemen forming a phalanx was truly impressive.”

Knight Balter praised, pointing at Captain Konrad.

Captain Konrad, looking embarrassed, cleared his throat and furtively turned his head away.

“Therefore, I believe that stationing halberdiers in the inner castle and lining up the pikemen in the outer castle would effectively demonstrate our strength, my lord.”

“Indeed.”

I nodded my head.

It was a perfectly accurate statement. It was a bit of a burden to show off a secret weapon I had just started training, but it was worth it.

“Captain Konrad. How is the training status of the pikemen? Are they ready to be mobilized for this event?”

At that, Captain Konrad thumped his chest and said.

“Hmph! Of course, human lord. They can be mobilized at any time.”

“Hoh. Is it possible right now?”

“Of course!”

Captain Konrad shouted boisterously. He looked ready to go out and form up the soldiers at any moment. But I calmed him down. I couldn't just move rashly, could I?

‘Besides, the L’Isle-Ponte merchant guild contacted me tonight, wanting to meet.’

It would be a big problem if they saw the mobilized soldiers and misunderstood it as a threat against them.

The L’Isle-Ponte merchant guild was an essential part of my future plans.

“Let’s hold the review in three days, not today. Don’t your soldiers need to prepare themselves mentally as well?”

Having organized my thoughts, I spoke with a mix of jest. Three days. Yes, that should be enough time for Captain Konrad to prepare and put on a good show.

* * *

“I greet the wise Margrave. I am Viscount Peronne, head of the L’Isle-Ponte merchant guild.”

Viscount Peronne, who kissed my hand, had the unmistakable appearance of a merchant.

He was wearing an expensive velvet coat and flashy accessories.

“It's a pleasure to meet you, Viscount Peronne. I am concerned that this humble place may be an inconvenience to you.”

I said jokingly as I offered him a seat in the reception room.

“Even if this coat gets dirty, could it be more valuable than our meeting now? Please don't mind it.”

‘Hoh. Look at this?’

I raised the corners of my mouth at Viscount Peronne’s polite words.

He could have been arrogant, but he's acting like this? It was a sign that he was quite favorable towards this meeting.

‘This conversation will go smoother than I thought.’

I stroked my chin and slowly opened my mouth.

“They say that if you want to learn about money lending, you should seek out the L’Isle-Ponte merchant guild of the city-state alliance, don’t they?”

“Well, there is such a saying in the world. Money lending is just money lending, it's nothing special.”

“Not special? Then what does that make me, who is asking for your help like this? Haha.”

At Viscount Peronne's humility, I laughed heartily and continued.

“I have called you here because I wish to borrow the hand of the L’Isle-Ponte merchant guild for my domain's affairs. I am planning to expand the waterway we are currently building to create a relay market connecting the south and the north.”

“Hmm…. A relay market. So you weren't building a waterway, but in fact a canal.”

-Tiriring!

[You have revealed your plan for a historic relay market.]

[Notification: Viscount Peronne, head of the L’Isle-Ponte merchant guild, is interested.]

[Notification: If you win the heart of Viscount Peronne, head of the L’Isle-Ponte merchant guild, the progress of the relay market will increase at a rapid pace.] [Current Progress 12/100]