217: Chapter 130, The Neighbor Didn’t Hoard Food_3 217: Chapter 130, The Neighbor Didn’t Hoard Food_3 Maritime transportation was doomed unless the Dalton Family offered their support.

Within the Kingdom, everyone had to mind their manners and not behave too outrageously.

Ships frequently disappeared in the vast sea.

Even if the Kingdom wanted to investigate, they wouldn’t know where to start.

“We may have no food, but that doesn’t mean others are in the same situation.

Instead of sighing here, it’s better to negotiate openly with them.

They can either sell us the food needed to survive this crisis, or we shall all perish and descend into hell together,” the sanguinary Baron Katelai spoke.

Recently, the pent-up anger had become too much, and an outlet for it was desperately needed.

After all, it was uncertain whether he could escape the troubles caused by the July Club.

The others feared this approach might provoke adverse consequences, but Baron Katelai did not care.

If he won the bet, he needed to play his part of a Noble Lord here; if he lost, he might as well flee.

Anyway, once the troubles of the July Club exploded, he would have to flee either way.

Doing it a bit earlier, with so many more people accompanying him, might not be a bad thing after all.

“The situation is not that dire yet.

We can still seek aid from the Kingdom

All those with connections should exert their influence to pressure the Dalton Family together.

Our Governor won’t be able to withstand that pressure.

By that time, he will naturally opt for a compromise,” Baron West quickly tried to reassure everyone.

Logic told him now was not the time to provoke conflict.

The Native noble indeed had food supplies, but that didn’t mean their newly acquired territories also stored large amounts of food.

“If your neighbor stockpiles food, stockpile weapons yourself”.

The prerequisite is that your neighbor has stockpiled food.

If the neighbor’s food supply is in fact minimal, even if you win, you won’t reap the results you expected, only inviting more trouble.

After facing a series of setbacks, Baron Katelai was ready to abandon all hope.

Baron West, who still held promise, was not interested in accompanying him.

Background aside, Caesar III was not someone to be trifled with.

Why should a person who only caused trouble and couldn’t maintain local stability become a Prefectural Governor?

Even if it were the Grand Duke’s eldest legitimate son, if he proved to be incompetent, he could only be a drain on resources.

A conflict instigated by someone with ulterior motives was jointly suppressed by the two leading figures in Layton County.

But the reality of the locust plague still had to be addressed.

Those with relationships activated their connections, and those without relationships could only save themselves.

Suddenly Hudson became busier, more precisely, Mr.

Belsden became busier.

Confronted with the Locust Army, the efficiency of manual pest eradication was too low.

Replaced with the Earth Bear, things become much easier.

Not only could it exterminate the current locusts, but it could also eliminate the larvae in the ground.

Especially the locust eggs, those were a stubborn issue.

Traditional methods relying on manpower and natural resources such as water and fire were inefficient, and many locust eggs slipped through.

After all, the eggs were too small, blended into the mud, easily overlooked.

Burning proved the most effective, but you couldn’t possibly torch all the land, right?

Though the Magic Potion for pest eradication showed good results, it was regrettable that it was not only expensive but also in short supply.

Even Major Nobles couldn’t afford it.

Belsden, possessing the unique skill of pest eradication, quickly drew everyone’s attention.

Under the cover of a gravity field, locusts couldn’t stand it, let alone their eggs.

Now everywhere was covered in bare soil, void of vegetation, so there were no worries about damaging the landscape.

They could be at the mercy of the young bear.

Undoubtedly, the extermination of locusts required a charge, and dealing with the eggs also required an additional fee.

Faced with a bear that only recognized money, Hudson felt helpless.

If this went on, outsiders would not know how to position him.

The owner had to bear the troubles caused by the Magical Beast!

To negotiate prices more easily, Belsden stubbornly learned to speak in advance, depriving Hudson of any chance to serve as middleman and make a profit.

There were also gains.

Everyone believed that Master Hudson’s bear was an adult now!

The prestige of the Mountain Domain was skyrocketed…

No matter how they tried to hide it, it was generally accepted that an Earth Bear could only use the universal language of the Continent when it matured.

This was a universally acknowledged “fact”.

Belsden, who was only two years old and three months, had to publicly claim he was 230 years old now.

As for Hudson, he was undoubtedly extremely lucky to have picked up an Earth Bear on the verge of maturity.

No matter whether Hudson himself believed in it, the outside world believed in this claim anyway.

No one doubted that Belsden was the Earth Bear captured by the Clergy, as the ages didn’t match.

An Earth Bear approaching maturity was incredibly powerful, making it almost impossible to capture alive.

In this world where might makes right, the charm of a Strongman is unmatched.

Hudson, who is now impersonating the bear, is welcomed enthusiastically wherever he goes.

Even any nobles who were initially dissatisfied with the charge are no longer complaining.

An apex beast of the Continent who agreed to help eradicate locusts at the cost of only one silver coin per acre was extremely conscientious.

If you are unwilling, there are plenty of others in line behind you waiting.

If these lands were not melee measured in tens of thousands of acres, this charging standard would not be considered high.

Though the speed was a little faster, that just showed the efficiency.

No matter what, Mr.

Belsden had to personally visit each area.

Within one day, he could solve the problems encountered by a dozen nobles.

Seeing Belsden earn a fortune every day, Hudson suddenly realized that he was a pauper.

Before, the bear was working for him.

He never thought there would come a day when the tables would turn, and he would serve the bear.

Although he managed to negotiate a decent price—according to the standard of the highest appearance fee for a “Divine Archery Knight”, that is five hundred gold coins per day, overtime pay not included—Hudson was not in the slightest bit happy.

Reason told him that he must empty Belsden’s treasury as soon as possible, or else, that guy could brag to high heaven.

After reflecting deeply, Hudson found that he hadn’t been harsh enough.

The spending on training was reported too low.

After all, the energy was stored in his own Compass.

Even if the consumption of the Demon Crystal was inflated tenfold, Belsden would not know.

Reason: as the strength increases, the purity of the energy required is higher.

No problem, refining energy must result in loss, which is common sense throughout the Continent.

In-demand service, monopoly trading, no room for bargaining.

For pasture rental and post-sale services, just add a little bit.

These visible costs can no longer fool the bear.

Perhaps coaxing the bear to develop a swamp might also be a good choice.

As long as Belsden is willing to contribute, the progress of development will certainly increase.

For example: Before digging a ditch, use magic to temporarily harden the mud on both sides.

…