Chapter 43

The sky visible from the classroom window was clear and blue, stretching endlessly. Boburu, which had become one of the most fertile regions in Orizon, enjoyed another bountiful harvest this year. The farmers would reflect on their year's hard work, and the merchants would think about new profits.

As I gazed at the blue sky, the faces of the villagers would mysteriously come to mind.

(Now that I think about it, I used to daydream while looking at the autumn sky in my previous life too.)

It seems that the autumn sky in this different world also has a mysterious power to make people's minds wander. I would like to keep gazing at the sky and daydreaming, but there are documents waiting for me on my desk.

(The harvest is a joy, but I didn’t expect the workload to increase this much...)

The economy of Orizon is centered around magic stones. Therefore, many lords focus more on monster hunting than agriculture. However, magic stones can't fill bellies. People who can't be satisfied with that come to fertile regions like Boburu to buy crops.

In a capitalist society, the best course of action would be to sell to the highest bidder. However, Orizon is a monarchy. I have to consider not only the price but also to whom I should give priority. Even though I manage to run a profitable operation, I am still a young lord and weak against pressure. I need to carefully decide how much to sell to whom.

As a result, the mountains of wheat have been accompanied by mountains of documents. Of course, the documents I brought to school are all safe to be seen by third parties.

(Well, it's a luxurious complaint, isn't it?)

If there had been a poor harvest, tax revenue would have decreased, and people might have fled to other regions. While sales of industrial products and tourism income are increasing, crops still make up the majority of Boburu's income.

As I was about to face reality, a plump tanuki person approached me.

"Lord George, do you still have surplus crops? ... If so, could you sell them to the Gilliam Trading Company?"

Verde asks, but we have already sold a considerable amount to the Gilliam Trading Company.

(It's not easy to dispose of such a large quantity... Did they find some new profitable opportunity?)

"I might consider it in exchange for information."

Verde, looking around, wrote on my notebook:

"A large number of shrimp hoppers have appeared in the Ashic territory. Crops, including wheat, have been devastated."

Really... Even if the Ashic family is a powerful noble family, it would be difficult to manage with their crops in such a state.

"Verde, can you tell me more about this after school?"

If we don't handle this properly, we might get caught in the crossfire.

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After returning from the Gilliam Trading Company, I immediately convened an emergency meeting. The participants were myself, Mr. Sander, Mr. Bolf, Mr. Gilir, and Mr. Rocco.

"I heard that slave traders have been coming and going in the Ashic territory recently. Is that the cause...?"

According to Mr. Bolf, it is highly likely that people who can't pay taxes are being taken by slave traders.

"Mr. Bolf, do you know the names of the slave traders operating in the Ashic territory?"

Mr. Gilir, who has worked under my grandfather, is well-versed in Orizon's underworld.

"It's the Luna Trading Company."

The moment Mr. Gilir mentioned the Luna Trading Company, Mr. Rocco's face visibly distorted.

"The Luna Trading Company... They are a branch of the Nightech family. Their methods are very cunning... The Ashic family won't be able to stand up to them."

Elves, who are attractive and have magic power, fetch high prices as slaves, and many elves have been targeted by the Luna Trading Company. Mr. Rocco has been stopping them. He came to Boburu partly out of interest in me, but also to protect the targeted elves.

"What do you mean by 'cunning' methods?"

"There are various methods, but the common one is to lend money with smooth talk. They start with low interest rates but gradually increase them until the borrower can't pay back."

... What, those methods sound like loan sharks. There are also cases where they create trouble by claiming that something broke upon contact or sell expensive medicine for children's illnesses.

In the game, the Nightech family was as hated as I was, but their level of villainy is different.

"But why did the Luna Trading Company target the Ashic family?"

"By making dwarves slaves, they can force them to create strong weapons. Also, female dwarves can be sold at high prices to certain people with specific fetishes."

Female dwarves have a smooth, hairless body... So there are perverts in this different world too? I guess the term "lolicon" wouldn't apply since it originates from an American novel.

"If we go along with this, we can do a favor for the Ashic family but will be targeted by the Nightech family. If we refuse, the Ashic family will resent us."

Logically, it would be better to do a favor for the Ashic family, but they are known for their pride and often default on their debts. The Gilliam Trading Company has also lent them a large sum of money, but if the Ashic family collapses, they will suffer significant losses, so they have no choice but to lend more. Even if the money goes through the Gilliam Trading Company, it will eventually be traced back to Boburu.

The longer we wait, the more dwarves will become slaves. I hate the slave system so much that it makes me sick... but I can't run the territory based on personal preferences. With such dire conditions, it's no wonder Verde confided in me.

"The rest is up to you, Lord George."

Mr. Sander, the serious orc, who hates the slave system like a venomous snake, spoke heavily.

"I am already disliked by the Ashic family. So, I don't want to make things worse... I will try to offer a loan directly to the Ashic family with conditions they can barely accept."

I will discuss the details with Mr. Hammer. One thing is certain: the stress is giving me a stomachache.

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There is no such thing as "if one god abandons, another will take up." The letter I received this morning made my stomach hurt even more.

"Mr. Bolf, have you heard about any suspicious people entering the territory or unknown monsters appearing?"

If anything happens to my precious villagers, it would be a disaster. I will work day and night to resolve it.

"Don't worry. Boburu is peaceful... You should just make up your mind. Seriously, are you that reluctant to go home?"

Yes, I have to go to Acorigi Castle tomorrow. Last week, Alan called me, saying, "Let's talk as father and son. Come to the castle for a report."

"Isn't it a waste of time and money? Besides, if Alan wants to see me, there must be something up."

It takes three days to travel to Acorigi Castle. According to Orizon's custom, I have to bring my vassals, which will halt work and incur unnecessary expenses.

"Most likely, he is trying to maintain his dignity as a lord by summoning the energetic Lord George. If you refuse, it will cause trouble, so it's better to show up."

The poor relationship between Alan and me is well-known to those living in the Acorigi territory.

When I was given Boburu as a fief, people whispered, "The lord must have given up on George" or "George being given Boburu is Alan's strategy. George will soon be destroyed."

However, as Boburu's management improved, whispers like "Alan has no eye for people" or "George plans to abandon Acorigi and join Kokatsu" began to circulate.

A wasted trip home, I will ask Mika to send me some Japanese stomach medicine.