Establishing sustainable trade is a very necessary thing; for a nation, it is certainly good to produce and consume everything domestically, as it prevents dependency on others.
However, if one wants to gradually start building a self-sufficient country from scratch, then it is a waste of time and resources, which is not a good choice.
Producing surplus resources and using these resources to trade for other necessities needed by the country is what many nations choose to do; the Demon King Territory does this, the Silver Moon Tree Court does this, as do the Dwarves and Beastmen.
Except for the empire, there is no exception... This naturally does not mean the empire has all sorts of materials and grows all crops, but rather it simply does not necessitate trade.
Because civilians don't need "abundant food" to increase their happiness.
It's enough if they can eat to fullness (not starve).
The empire never expected these easily expendable "materials" to become warriors fighting for the empire or become officials capable of improving the empire's environment... even though these civilians are also an indispensable part of the empire.
"Little Ti?"
With Yila's call, a incubi servant appeared on the open-air platform in a kneeling position. She... no, he quietly awaited Yila's instructions.
"Go and ask Hilena and that ghost lady if they can purchase some 'Poison Eating Tree,' which is also known as a crop called the Ancient Priest Tree. Tell them that it's a convenient tuber crop for planting."
Yila said this, and Tikapu immediately nodded and disappeared from the scene.
"Poison Eating Tree, what is that? Ancient Priest Tree?"
On Vera's inquiry, Yila peeked at Tikapu who seemed to be repeating his words. He explained, "I think I've explained it clearly. It's a tuber crop, like yams."
"I get it, I was asking about other things..."
Understanding what Vera truly wanted to ask, Yila said, "It comes from the Silver Moon Tree Court, is now widely planted in the Beastman territories, and is a food crop that grows like a tree."
"Although it might not be as tasty as wheat and requires a lot of processing, because it is easy to plant, I think planting the Ancient Priest Tree to replace wheat and become one of the Demon King Territory's foods is feasible."
"You just need to cut the Poison Eating Tree's branches slightly, and after complex processing, it can be eaten. Stick the untreated branches into the ground, and if you're lucky, combined with sufficient rainfall, new crops may grow, which meets the rainfall requirements here."
In such a way, it's made very clear. Yila thinks the crop called "Ancient Priest Tree" is very suitable for planting as either a staple or supplementary food along with the Blue Ganoderma.
"Uh, why didn't I hear you talk about this crop when I was in the empire? Empire folks don't eat this at all. If it's easy to plant, why didn't you promote it within the empire?"
Vera suspiciously looked at Yila. Based on his description, this crop is well-suited for poor people as food. Yila should also be someone who cares about the impoverished.
"..."
Regarding this, Yila didn't know where to begin. He organized his words, saying, "Actually, in the Duchies, this crop is very popular. The empire already has black bread as staple food, and the aristocrats don't need to provide more food for the civilians."
"Also, if I were to propose introducing this thing to the empire, I would first face opposition and resistance from the nobility because it's me, because it's 'Yila' proposing it."
With a sigh, Yila shook his head helplessly, and seeing Vera nodding in agreement, he added, "Moreover, this crop is poisonous and must undergo detoxification before being edible."
"I can foresee it—there would definitely be a noble who claims the civilians under his rule were poisoned to death by my introduced crop, and thus denounces me publicly, eventually leading us into endless mutual accusations."
Yila spent countless decades allowing the empire, this behemoth, to grow claws and bone spurs sharp enough to shred other behemoths, yet the sores on this behemoth remain.
Neither the behemoth itself nor its claws can address the sores... It was not until after Yila left the empire that he fully understood this: to change the empire, you must first step outside of it.
Only another behemoth can carve out the empire's sore along with its necessary sacrificial flesh.
"You truly have it rough."
In Vera's lamentation, Tikapu's voice once again appeared in front of Yila, reporting, "Lord Yila, the Demon King asks how much to buy, although I think she might not understand what the Ancient Priest Tree actually is."
"..."
"Ah, really appreciate her trust."
Yila, crying or laughing likewise, shook his head, then suddenly became serious, replying, "Buy enough for seven or eight silver coins, and if there's a problem with the funds, buy less, it might be overpriced, but don't take it too seriously."
"Yes."
"..."
"Everyone really trusts you... I didn't even have extra funds to buy my experimental materials."
Vera said somewhat sourly, watching Tikapu disappear, saying words she herself didn't believe, "Obviously, my research is also for the sake of the Demon King Territory..."
In such words, Yila took a glance at this former Court Mage of the Empire who chose to become a Witch Demon over a few wrinkles, criticizing, "If you said it was to explore the truth of magic, I might believe a little more."
"Alright, actually I'm trying to craft a Super Love Potion, trying to drug you, and then have a bunch of little Witch Demons with you."
Seeing Vera's boastful lies, Yila twitched his mouth corner, retorting, "I don't think Witch Demons have the ability to bear offspring, nor do I, as a Governor, anticipate having descendants."
Hearing this, Vera was obviously stunned for a moment, her eyes widened in shock, saying, "Huh? Governors can't have children either? It can't be!"
Yila just quietly leaned against the wall, and after a long time, he said, "Powerful and easily obtained power always comes with a price, this is no secret within the empire... Perhaps because of this, Governors are the unconditionally trusted left arm and right arm of the royal family."
Though Yila knew very well, Isabella and Yose did not trust him because of this reason.
"You all really are a bunch of... maniacs."
To Vera's sharp criticism, Yila merely chuckled, "I hope you can call them 'heroes.'
"Wait, then what about you?"
"I have personal ambition, I fight only for the nation of my ideals, whether it's the empire or the Demon King Territory, they are merely embryos, are of that world, of that ancient nation...
Feeling Vera had pinpointed an irony in his words, Yila said while gazing into an apparently distant direction,
"Substitute."