Chapter 96

The monster that Rujero mentioned by name seems to be an incredible creature. The giant ant Murofka once came out of the demon realm, and at that time, four towns were destroyed and thousands of people were killed.

After that, the giant ant Murofka, having rampaged and eaten the people it killed, returned to the demon realm.

"Why did the giant ant Murofka come out of the demon realm?"

"Well, I don't know. Some say it came out to look for food, but only the giant ant Murofka would know the truth."

The giant ant Murofka is a giant ant. According to records, no weapons or magic worked against it.

Ricardo asked if there was a catalyst that could excite magic to a black attribute, like the black dragon stone.

"A black catalyst? It has been a challenge for those who have studied catalysts for a long time, but no one has found it yet. ...Are you looking for a black catalyst, Ricardo?"

Ricardo, thinking there was no point in hiding it, nodded.

"Yes, that's right."

Rujero thought for a moment.

"Among those who study black catalysts, some believe that the creature I mentioned earlier might possess the material for a black catalyst. However, I think it's not the case."

"Why not?"

"There is a monster called the Shadow Chaser Lizard in the Munaron Canyon of the Apra territory. I think it might be possible to obtain a black catalyst from this monster."

The Shadow Chaser Lizard is not a highly threatening monster, but there are no records of it being captured. It seems that the monster hunters who targeted it all escaped.

"The Shadow Chaser Lizard apparently has a special ability."

Rujero explained why he was interested in the Shadow Chaser Lizard. According to him, there are monster hunters who have witnessed the Shadow Chaser Lizard suddenly disappearing after emitting a black mist-like substance. Rujero deduced that this black mist-like substance might be magic excited to a black attribute.

After hearing about the Shadow Chaser Lizard, Ricardo was pleased to have learned useful information about catalysts from Rujero. On his way back from the academy, Ricardo stopped by the Unius Restaurant. He hadn't been there for a while and wanted to check on it.

The season had turned cold, and many people were gathered at the sales stand near the entrance of the restaurant, buying Chinese buns. Ricardo entered the restaurant and walked to the back. On the first floor, there were many tables, and the place was bustling with female customers.

The Unius Restaurant had changed its menu significantly when the season turned to autumn. They stopped serving cold Chinese noodles and instead focused on Chinese dim sum and rice dishes, such as dumplings, siu mai, spring rolls, and zongzi.

Of course, the idea was Ricardo's, but the dishes were completed by the chefs, with Ravana at the center. In this country, rice dishes were almost non-existent, but dishes like fried rice and mixed rice were well-received.

Julia wanted to create a place where women with children or groups of women could enjoy themselves. So she consulted with Ricardo and changed the menu to something similar to a dim sum style, inviting more female customers.

This strategy worked, and many female customers began to visit during the day. The second floor was changed to a high-end restaurant that mainly served tempura and meat dishes. This became a place visited by nobles and wealthy merchants, and it was gaining a good reputation among them.

"Ricardo, over here."

Julia called out to Ricardo when she saw him.

"What is it, Mother?"

"The Crown Prince is on the second floor. Go and greet him."

Ricardo frowned. It wasn't someone who could just walk around freely.

"I'll go and greet him."

Ricardo went up to the second floor and entered the special room designed for nobles. In the special room, the Crown Prince and General Samuele were enjoying their meal, with the royal guards providing security.

The special room was designed so that the adjacent kitchen could be seen, and the guards were closely monitoring every move of Ravana, who was frying tempura. Ravana, a female chef and the head cook at the Unius Restaurant, was tense because the guest was the Crown Prince and she was being monitored. Ricardo could tell she was nervous.

Ravana served the Crown Prince a freshly fried shrimp and vegetable tempura. The Crown Prince started eating it with satisfaction.

"This tempura is exquisite."

The Crown Prince, chewing with satisfaction, spoke to Ricardo. Ricardo bowed.

"I am honored by your praise."

The Crown Prince, with a sinister look, glared at Ricardo.

"Ricardo, you have made a big mistake."

Ricardo was confused. He didn't know what mistake he had made.

"You opened such a delicious restaurant without telling me."

"Ah... No, I apologize. The Crown Prince was in the Yorgul territory, so I didn't report it."

Seeing Ricardo's moment of confusion, Crown Prince Gaius smiled.

"Well, it's fine. Sit down. Let's talk while we eat."

Ricardo, feeling uncomfortable, sat next to General Samuele and thanked him for approving the sale of the coastal land.

"That land will be used for the Serrato prophecy. Ideally, it could have been granted for free, but there are some annoying minor officials."

It seems that some officials, using precedent as a shield, objected to the Crown Prince. Ricardo was impressed by the courage of the officials who objected.

Looking closely, Ricardo noticed that the Crown Prince's face showed signs of fatigue.

"You look tired."

"I see. Since returning to the capital, I've been dealing with paperwork non-stop."

The King had secluded himself, causing a backlog of unprocessed documents.

General Samuele interjected.

"The officials piled up the cases that had been delayed."

The Crown Prince's eyes narrowed slightly. It seems that he had just finished dealing with the backlog of documents after much effort.

"What... Those officials!"

Ricardo tried to suppress his laughter and asked about something he was concerned about.

"Your Highness, is it true that the royal army will be withdrawn at the end of next month?"

The Crown Prince frowned with regret and answered in a low voice.

"There is a reason. After a thorough investigation, it was found that the royal finances are in trouble."

The funds needed to maintain the royal army can only be sustained until the end of next month. Ricardo was suspicious that the Crown Prince was sharing important internal information about the royal family.

The Crown Prince smiled with a sinister look. A child nearby might cry.

"Why do you look surprised?"

"Yes. It's a pleasure to be trusted, but..."

"I understand. I trust you. But that's not all. I want your help in improving the royal, and the country's, finances."

Ricardo was perplexed. He was neither a wealthy person nor a skilled businessman.

"How can I help?"

"You are weaving a fabric called towel fabric at the breeding grounds, right?"

Ricardo nodded. The Crown Prince announced that he wanted to promote towel fabric as a specialty of the royal territory.

"A specialty... But the production of towel fabric is not enough for export."

The Crown Prince nodded and took out a document from the storage purple crystal Ricardo had given him, placing it on the table. It contained information about the production volume, selling price, and reputation of the towel fabric.

"Did you investigate it?"

"Shortly after returning to the capital, I learned about the towel fabric. It felt good to use, and when I checked where it was made, it turned out to be from Ricardo's place."

Currently, the supply is low, so towel fabric and its products are not considered important. However, the Crown Prince felt that it had the potential to become an important export.

Currently, the capital's specialty is magical tools. Many magic crafters gather in the capital, competing to create good products. These products are transported to other noble territories and other countries, where they are sold at high prices.

Additionally, some grains are exported, contributing to the royal family's income.

The tax system of the Romanus Kingdom is represented by three main taxes: head tax, land tax, and commercial tax. There are other minor taxes, but these three are the main ones.

The head tax is a tax levied equally on all adult citizens and is not very high. The land tax is similar to a property tax, and the commercial tax is similar to the retail sales tax in the United States, but it also includes a special commercial tax on imports and exports with other countries, so it is not the same.

Among these three taxes, the head tax and land tax provide stable revenue. However, the commercial tax is different. In recent years, as magic crafters who can create magical tools have started to grow in other territories and countries, the export of magical tools has decreased, leading to a decline in tax revenue.

"Recently, I've heard that the export of magical tools has increased. Isn't it fine without relying on towel fabric?"

Ricardo's comment made the Crown Prince smile wryly.

"You don't seem to know the details of the exported magical tools."

Ricardo thought about it.

"Could it be that the increased exports are magic cannon wands?"

The Crown Prince nodded with a grim expression.

"I intend to restrict the export of magic cannon wands."

It makes sense. It was unnatural that the King did not restrict it. Even an average king would understand the foolishness of selling weapons to other countries. The Crown Prince suspected that someone intentionally did not report the details of the exports.

"So you want to cultivate towel fabric as an export product?"

"Yes. I will do my best to assist you."

With the Crown Prince saying that much, Ricardo could not refuse. He promised to do his best to develop the towel fabric business. After making the promise, Ricardo's face turned serious as he thought.

Currently, towel fabric is woven by hand. To increase exports enough to improve the finances, a mechanically powered loom, like those developed in England, would be needed. Ricardo thought it would take several years to develop such a loom. He was unsure if the Crown Prince could wait that long and decided to confirm.

"Your Highness, I don't think the royal finances can be improved in a short time with just towel fabric."

"I understand. I think it's fine if the finances are on track by the time I ascend the throne. However, I want to cultivate an industry that can compensate for the loss in tax revenue due to the restriction on magic cannon wands."

The Crown Prince seems to want to declare that he will cultivate the towel fabric industry in place of restricting the export of magic cannon wands.

Ricardo promised to increase the production by adding more weavers. However, he explained that it would take time to train the weavers and asked for understanding.

"Are there any other products that could be exported?"

The Crown Prince asked. Ricardo thought for a moment.

"What about the salted baccala production we started this year? We plan to start it in earnest next year."

"Hmm, that sounds promising."

"Yes, I was thinking of it as winter food, but if we can come up with a delicious cooking method, we can sell it to other territories and countries."

"Alright, let me try it next time."

"Understood."

General Samuele, who had been listening to their conversation silently, was amazed. It felt like he was listening to a conversation between the King and a big shot in the financial world.

However, the person in front of him was a thin, young boy.

(What a genius. I'm glad he is on the Crown Prince's side.)

General Samuele thanked the gods for the fortunate meeting between Ricardo and the Crown Prince.

Ricardo and the Crown Prince continued their conversation over dinner.

When the Crown Prince was satisfied with the tempura, Ricardo asked about the Munaron Canyon in the Apra territory.

"Are you interested in that valley?"

"Yes, I heard that a monster called the Shadow Chaser Lizard lives there. I want to obtain the catalyst from that monster."

"Shadow Chaser Lizard, huh. I remember hearing that it's a difficult monster to capture. Also, the Munaron Canyon is supposed to be off-limits to the public by the Apra Marquis."

"Is that so?"

Ricardo looked disappointed.

"I heard that the Munaron Canyon was originally one valley, but the cliff in the middle collapsed, dividing it into the western and eastern parts. The Shadow Chaser Lizard was supposed to live in both parts."

"Is that so?"

Seeing Ricardo's expression, the Crown Prince laughed.

"Did I say something strange?"

"No, I just thought you didn't know about the Munaron Canyon."

"What do you mean?"

According to the Crown Prince, the western and eastern parts of the Munaron Canyon have different ecosystems. The western part, closer to the demon realm, has become a dangerous place where monsters from the demon realm have settled. On the other hand, the eastern part is home to rare monsters but is not as dangerous.

"Is the overflow of monsters from the demon realm related to the Serrato prophecy?"

"I think so. If you want the Shadow Chaser Lizard, you should look in the eastern part. ...No, a magician of Ricardo's caliber should be fine even in the western part."

"But it's supposed to be off-limits by the Apra Marquis..."

"Previously, scholars requested permission to study the ecosystem of the valley, and it was granted. If I put in a good word, the Apra Marquis should allow entry."

Since the Crown Prince offered to negotiate with the Apra Marquis, Ricardo thanked him.

Later, when Ricardo told Patrick and Tania that he was going to the Munaron Canyon, they also expressed their desire to go. Not only that, but Greta also wanted to go.

"The eastern part is not that dangerous, right?"

Greta, with a serious face, pleaded, making Ricardo flustered. Greta, who is usually reserved, showed strong determination this time.

"However, there are Horn Wolves and Trick Trees."

"Those monsters are not a match for you, Ricardo."

Ricardo, in a bind, told Greta that he would allow it if her uncle Alphio gave his consent.

Alphio agreed on the condition that two guards would accompany them.

Ricardo was surprised that Alphio agreed. At that time, Alphio had been ordered by the Boniperti Marquis to assist Ricardo to the best of his ability.

A few days later, Ricardo, Monta, Tania, Patrick, Greta, and two soldiers from the Boniperti Marquis' household set off for the Munaron Canyon.