Chapter 15: A Letter

Chapter 15: A Letter

When I asked for the cost of importing foods, James seemed to have come to some sort of understanding.

Though I'm nearly one hundred percent sure that understanding was wrong.

James shrugged his shoulders.

"There are some expensive foods that can be imported, but know that they will probably not be worth it."

I stared right at him, while he stared back at me. After a few moments of awkward silence, I decided to bring it up.

"I feel like there is a misunderstanding between the two of us right now."

James raised an eyebrow.

"How so?"

I massaged my temple with the tip of my finger.

"I am not buying expensive food. What I'm looking for is a large quantity for the sake of the commoners."

We shared a moment of silence. James shook his head after a minute or so and coughed rather violently.

"Sorry, I didn't hear what you said earlier, could you repeat that?"

My eyelid twitched. He definitely heard it the first time.

"I'm not buying expensive food. I want a lot."

James furrowed his brows.

"Wait, so you're saying you don't wish to impress some noble family by preparing a meal for them."

I pressed my lips together into a flat line.

"No, I don't recall ever saying that. Please stop coming to your own conclusions."

James looked back at me as though I was a ghost.

"Then what could you possibly want it for?"

It was at this point that I had a little trouble speaking. I guess I was going to have to tell him anyway since I wasn't allowed to move funds that were too much.

"I want to purchase food from outside the city to provide a meal to the commoners that want it."

James exaggeratedly leaned in and placed a hand behind his ear, like making it more like an elephant's ear was supposed to make it easier to hear.

"Sorry, I didn't hear that."

I tilted my head to the side while an angry smile formed on my face.

"James, I can tell that you heard it, you don't have to act like this."

James slowly sat back down in his seat and looked at me rather solemnly.

"Why are you doing this? It is better to limit your interaction with commoners. While they may not have much power, if one were to attack you while unguarded, then you will die unfairly."

I shook my head.

"I'm doing this because I'm afraid of exactly that."

It was at this point I just decided to randomly come up with a reason that didn't sound too crazy to explain my actions.

"From what I've observed, it feels as though the commoners are getting uneasy. Perhaps a small spark will send them uprising into a rebellion."

James immediately scoffed and uncontrollably began laughing at my idea.

"That is ridiculous. Commoners have long already gotten used to their monotonous lifestyle. Besides, they've already got the capability to grow their own food. The taxes are completely reasonable for the amount they grow as well."

He shook his head.

"And even if they rebel, they will simply end up throwing away their lives. The difference in power is far greater than what you could imagine."

I bit the bottom of my lip.

Yeah, I knew that.

Unlike on Earth, the difference between nobles and commoners was far greater for the simple reason that all nobles had at least some capacity for magic power. This meant the commoners, which almost all consisted of those with no magic power, would be demolished.

Even the few commoners that did know magic, weren't as proficient in it because they had fewer resources to improve their capabilities. The difference in power between mages was exponential.

But just because it made no sense to rebel, didn't mean that they wouldn't. After all, it literally happened in the game. The cost was that commoners died, and property was destroyed.

It was a lose-lose for both parties, but especially the commoners.

But the fact that it wouldn't affect me directly wasn't the point. At the end of the day, there needed to be people to farm, or else there was nowhere else to get food. Fewer people farming inevitably meant that the kingdom would have more strain on resources.

And most importantly of them all, Minori casualty in all this.

Though, I obviously wasn't going to tell James that.

With a small sigh, I shrugged my shoulders.

"Even if it is pointless, I still wish to do it. I am unsure of the proper processes, but I still wish to import the food required to make as many meals as possible. Please purchase as much as you can for a reasonable price. I wish to arrange a place within the kingdom near the slums where there is a lot of space."

James clicked his tongue.

"...I don't know why you wish to do this, but fine."

He closed his eyes and interlocked his fingers, setting them down on the table.

"The amount of work you have just put on me is massive, I hope you know it."

I slowly nodded.

"I don't know how to do any of that kind of work. I'm sorry about that."

James looked back at me silently. After a few moments, he put his head down and set aside the papers scattered across his table. He took out a new paper and began jotting down various numbers and plans that immediately began to overwhelm me.

I didn't even know it was possible for someone to write faster than I could read, but that very reality was presented before me.

Thankfully, James briefly spoke of all the things that he was writing about.

"I will set up several deals across other kingdoms so that the asking price for food won't be too large, but it will take a little while for them to come in. Thankfully, we do have a decent supply of food right now, which should hold up for the most part until that supply comes in."

He sighed.

"I disagree with the idea of setting it up in the slums, but I suppose that simplifies certain things so I won't disagree. But if you are setting it up in the slums, then we will need some guards."

I narrowed my eyes slightly.

"I accept there being guards for the people helping me out, but I don't want any guards."

James looked at me like I was stupid, and maybe he wasn't wrong for having that impression.

"The slums are a very dangerous place. You should know that many people are willing to kill even if it is for part of a gold piece."

I shrugged my shoulders.

"The guards around the others will be enough to scare them off."

James looked at me with a bit of confusion.

"...Can't those guards protect you as well? It's not as though they would really have to go out of their way."

I waved my hand.

"If I die because of my decision, then so be it."

James hardened his expression.

"You are taking life way too easily, Lord Bryson. Just because you are a Duke, does not mean you are invincible."

I blinked a few times. Somewhat wondering why I was even making a decision like this.

"I know. But if I die because of the trust I put in other people, then it is a death that I accept."

James looked back at me for a long time. For the first time, I saw him smile, though it was definitely a bitter smile.

"You do realize I can just command the guards to protect you as well, and even if I do relay your orders to them they will probably try to do so anyway. After all, it wouldn't look good for them if a prince died right in their faces."

I let out a small chuckle.

"Well, I don't think that can be helped. But still, even if it is pointless, I would like you to arrange this."

James let out a long sigh.

"So be it then. I believe we can go ahead with that plan today if you wish to. Just give me a little bit of time."

I gave a small bow.

"Alright, thanks."

He then shooed me away.

"Since there's nothing else, you don't have to be here. Attend to your own business."

I felt like I was being kicked out, but decided not to question it too much.

Though, unbeknownst to me, he wasn't actually preparing for my request right away, but rather, writing a letter.

...

Once James saw the door to his study close, he remained in his seat for a little while before letting out a sigh.

"Has it really only been a few days? It feels as though I can't even recognize him anymore." nove-lb/1n

He tapped his chin a few times before taking a smaller piece of paper and began writing a message in fine print.

'Dear Leo,

My apologies for contacting you over something that was not an emergency despite how busy you are. However, I felt as though this should be something you would want to know even with how chaotic things must be.

Your son Lord Bryson has appeared to undergo some sort of enlightenment. Despite all of his physical features being the same, I can hardly even recognize him anymore. He no longer has the gaze that disdained the rest of the world and a self-destructing desire to become stronger.

My first impression was that someone was pretending to be your son, but I quickly realized this was not the case as I have already memorized all the inconspicuous physical features. I then believed that there was a demon possessing him, but my soul eye could not find any trace of corruption. In fact, it almost seems too pure.

As such, I came to the conclusion your son has changed, akin to a carp leaping through the Dragon Gates.

I am unsure of what caused such a change, but I believe that it is a great one.

Bear in mind, this was my judgment based on a relatively short encounter. It is entirely possible that I am greatly mistaken, seeing gold where there is only dust. You may be confused by this message considering I am usually very certain, and only mention things I am absolutely confident about.

Yet, this is something I know I can't be sure of. Strangely enough, I feel as though your son is somehow seeing further than me, already ahead of me on the path of enlightenment when he was previously far behind me. Unfortunately, I have no evidence, and this is only based on intuition.

Currently, he wishes to take on what I am almost certain is a foolish endeavor, attempting to do charity work for the commoners. While I believe it will simply be a waste of funds and time, I will still entertain him.

Even if this ends up being a mistake, I believe this will be one he will learn and improve from, unlike the others he has made.

I hope that you come back from your business alive and well. If nothing else, I believe you will be pleasantly surprised to see what your son has become now.

Well wishes,

Your Swordsman James'

After writing that letter, James pointed a finger at the paper, causing a few small glyphs to appear. The wet ink dried immediately, after which he wrapped it up into a tiny slip.

He went to the window, after which a bird immediately showed up. After inserting the paper next to the bird's leg, he went back over to his own seat and let out a small laugh.

While the bird flew away, he let out a sigh.

"It looks like I have even more work to do now... you owe me for this Leo, you bastard."