Chapter 19

Chapter 19

#How to Deal with Uninvited Guests (1)

"Do you not need my help?"

Count Sinclair's mind was filled with uncertainty as a question mark loomed.

In cases where he extended his assistance, it was customary to receive gratitude, but a refusal?

"Yes, my Lord. We do not require assistance. Instead, we request your investment."

"...Investment?"

"If you provide the initial capital, we will repay it with interest."

"Hahaha! This is... you are much more intriguing than I initially presumed."

The Lord erupted into laughter.

"In a world teeming with individuals attempting to deplete my resources, you propose a business arrangement? And you promise to return it with interest?"

"Yes."

"Well, if it's a deal, there must be specific terms. Do you have something in mind?"

"Indeed."

Dominic carefully retrieved several documents he had stored and handed them to the butler.

The documents were meticulously detailed, but the Count quickly scanned the key points and nodded with a satisfied expression.

"You need money but don't want interference, I see. Good. You have the right spirit! It will be as you wish. I will instruct the treasurer to proceed with the investment."

"Yes, my Lord."

"Repayment will be in 10 years, with interest rates slightly lower than the average among the banking guilds. After all, if Evergreen prospers, it benefits me too."

With the Lord's words, the clerk's pen began to move swiftly.

"My Lord, how shall we receive the business plan?"

"It's settled. It's as if we've already received the plan. Now I see, I had an efficient administrator right here in the kitchen."

"You flatter me."

The Count pondered that perhaps a landmark that the haughty nobles of the capital might envy could emerge in his domain.Updated from novelb(i)n.c(o)m

And so, the satisfying deal between the two was concluded.

**

"When did you prepare that document?"

"What? ...Ah, that?"

Having borrowed the kitchen from the head chef, Dominic had been given permission to consume anything from the food storage.

He had reached out to Anton, who was flourishing in business under the direct jurisdiction of the Lord, and even received a bag of rice. Dominic immediately fashioned rice cakes and cut them into slices.

"Eh, these rice cakes aren't as sticky as I thought. I suppose I'll need to order a dedicated mold from the smithy next time. Do you know a place?"

"You need to answer the question first."

"How can you discuss business with tteokbokki (spicy stir-fried rice cakes) right in front of you? What an unusual knight. Aren't you going to eat?"

The rice cakes were a bit messy, but they looked appetizing, simmered in a red, sticky sauce, along with cabbage, green onions, and other vegetables.

"I regretted not having this while I was taken away. I craved it so much."

The tteokbokki he had left behind during the Lady's postnatal care! He yearned for its chewy and spicy flavor every night.

Certainly, Calron, that bald-headed man, must have devoured it all.

"Let's see... Ouch! Hot, hot."

Dominic hastily shoved the tteokbokki into his mouth, burning the roof of his mouth. But that was a small price to pay. Dominic began his combat meal, clutching a fork and spoon in both hands.

Just as he savored the chewiness of the rice cakes, the spicy taste of garlic and red pepper powder hit him.

"I should've added udon noodles, or even pasta! Why didn't I think of that?"

Dominic mused to himself, now splitting a boiled egg in half. As the well-cooked yolk gently broke, the red sauce poured over it.

"This is it!"

Growlllll~.

"Damn! It was a lost cause anyway. What's plan B?"

"Should we consider burning down his place? Remember Haines or Hounds? After setting fire to his warehouse, he packed up and left, right? My Lord... I mean, Sir."

"Fire? We almost got caught by the guards last time. It's too risky. Do you want me to go to jail at this age?"

"I'm sorry!"

"You all lack common sense. Oh, my fate!"

"Sir... Lord Ron."

There was someone cautiously speaking to Ron, who was pounding his chest in frustration.

"I've heard that Anton's recent success is thanks to the village chief of a small fishing village called Evergreen. They say that the dubious seaweed was made palatable by the skills of that village chief."

"Really?"

"Yes. So, if we deal with that village chief, wouldn't Anton waver too?"

"Ah, that's a useful thought. Alright, you handle it. While you're at it, if we could source that seaweed, that'd be even better."

"May I use some of our workers for it?"

"Of course. Take them all and intimidate that so-called village chief. Then the other fishermen and villagers will naturally scatter. Don't forget to get the signature from the next potential chief on a contract."

"Yes, Lord Ron!"

Only then did a smile creep across the goateed man's face.

This was a method often used when signing supply contracts with small villages. A bit of intimidation in areas beyond the jurisdiction of the local troops, and 'favorable contracts' were hardly a problem.

This was how Rondo Company had grown.

That very night, workers from the Rondo Company gathered in one place, intent on swiftly settling the matter.

**

"Is that true, Dominic?"

"I told you, it is."

"Is this a dream or reality? The Lord is investing in our village? Wow! I knew you had potential! I always believed you'd make a great village chief. Hahaha!"

When Dominic returned to the village and shared the news about the investment contract, there was a unanimous cheer.

To prevent being overwhelmed by celebratory back-slaps, Dominic quickly diverted the attention of the burly men by saying, "Here, this is a copy. The original is at the Lord's castle."

Among them, Calron, seeing the investment contract with the Lord's handwritten signature and seal, was ecstatic.

Those from the fishing community by his side felt the same.

Fiddling with the papers, they exchanged remarks like, "Looks like our village is really about to change!" and celebrated wholeheartedly.

"You're holding it upside down."

"Ah, is that so? Haha! Well, these things happen!"

Though many of them still couldn't read.

"Now that we have the funds, let's proceed with the construction. The women are familiar with seaweed harvesting and processing, so we don't need many workers."

"Right. We can employ people from the fishing community for the construction and hire craftsmen through the guild as needed. Money was the issue, not the availability of resources."

"Great. We also need to find healers and mountain wizards..."

"I'll look into that too. Trustworthy people, of course. Leaving kids aside, when it comes to marriage, we're better off than you, who hasn't married yet. Haha!"

"It's not that I can't, it's that I haven't... Anyway, it's a happy day, so should we grill some meat? Shouldn't we eat and drink on such occasions?"

"Woohoo! That's our Dominic!"

"Meat, meat!"

In no time, flames shot up from the fireplace in the courtyard in front of the kitchen. These people were swift when it came to festivities.

'You can't stop them.'

Seeing their enthusiasm, Dominic chuckled and brought out the smoked meat chunks he had stored away. Hearing the news, villagers also joined in, each bringing an ingredient, indicating the start of a village festival.

Neigh-

Clip-clop, clip-clop.

Until the distant sound of horse hooves was heard.