Mouth agape he spoke with a stunned expression, "Yes..." Hearing the boy talk about his many servants he knew his son had already spoken too much! He had the persona of a rich farmer to the outside world, yet here was his son spilling so many secrets!
Lily didn't let him stay focused on the faults of his son as she started speaking, "Of course that isn't the only price you will have to pay! You see we want the permission to explore your territory in its entirety. Not only that, we will have the first pick on any new plants we find!"
Hearing this, all Otheman could think of was the security risk these children posed to his soon-to-be nobility! Still, he forced himself to calm down as he wondered what these children could possibly want with his territory. Seeing their young baby faces he decided that going straightforwardly should be his best option.
"What is your reasoning for these 'prices' you have set?"
Ambrose spoke first as he proudly declared his reasons, "Building a farm is the best part! When you build it yourself you know what can be improved and what can be changed. As for exploration, isn't it obvious?"
Lily joined in and explained as well, "What better way than seeing plants in their natural habitat and understanding what they can do if crossbred! My brother here might even become able to make an even better farm!"
The siblings started labeling everything great about farming and how much they wanted to see if anything would change when they moved to a nearby territory. This left Otheman even more confused on why these two liked farming so much!
Before he was hesitating for three main reasons.
One is simply because he was afraid of what would happen if he brought others to his territory and what they would do if they saw he was building a castle. If they knew he had so many servants and money, wouldn't he become a perfect target for bandits? He had a very basic military force that was made entirely out of servants. They would barely help!
Second is because he wondered how much the farmer would cost. Not only would the farmer believe that he was entitled to some of the crops he planted, but if he killed a farmer as famous as Edmund then he was bound to attract attention! Edmund was famous for transforming a mostly barren land into the land of harvest, so many would notice his disappearance.
Lastly, if Edmund didn't teach him his farming techniques he would likely not be able to take proper care of the farms. Although this might not seem to be anything to worry about, but if he can't get any techniques out of Edmund he would likely never be able to solve his food problem.
Now everything changed as he learned these two twins were the actual ones responsible for such a grand change. As Edmund was an adult with developed emotions, it became a major concern for everything. He was running out of money buying food for his servants as he kept everything secret.
Children are much easier to manipulate and seeing how they seemed to only care about plants, it was likely he could at least trust them not to spill about his castle. So long as he instilled in them that they should never tell anyone about the place he was building.
Pulling himself together Otheman spoke to the children with an amicable smile, "Alright, I agree to your terms, we can go over specific details when we reach my place. Tell me when you want to come over and we can deal with it then."
Edmund who had been largely silent spoke up at this point, "Hold up."
Otheman was feeling his nerves tighten as he expected something unreasonable to come now. Still, he kept a professional smile as he asked, "What is it?"
Unlike what Otheman was expecting, Edmund spoke with a kind smile while staring at his kin, "Well in five days the monthly Mana exam is happening. They need to be there for that. Then this work all needs to be completed within the six months after that in case they need to go to the academy... hmm... Am I missing something?"
Jack who had been silent the entire time spoke up, "Money. I can see from the conversation you are trying your luck to become a high-ranking noble here, so why don't I talk as the resident merchant." Jack's business sense was activated as he knew there was a huge opportunity working with Otheman.
Aroura who had followed Jack also spoke up now, "The farm of around a quarter acre we have here can make around 22,500 carrot roots each two months which all can be sold at around 5 small copper. It can be sold to merchants for one small copper less. So if we get you a quarter acre farmed and well you would make 90,000 small copper each two months or 180 Large silver or 18 silver bars."
Lily patted her sister's head as she nodded at her power over numbers. Ambrose also nodded happily but then frowned as he explained.
"Those numbers are the best we can get out of all the small plots we have around here. Not to mention that carrot root isn't the only thing we grow and instead is only grown twice a season.
We likely couldn't get such high numbers in a different place like Otheman's territory. Cut those numbers in half and then you should have a more accurate estimate on how much Otheman can earn."
Jack's eyes shined as he saw what Aroura was capable of. He had considered an arranged marriage in a few years if things worked out, but seeing what she was capable of made him believe he should set it in stone early.
Clearing his throat Jack brought the attention back to him, "Yes that is how much he would earn, but remember he has servants to feed and if he plans to be a noble he needs a bigger house. Not to mention that you two won't be the only ones working in the farms. It is also his territory.
So I think taking ten percent of what he sells as your profit seems good. Knowing how well you have helped your father in these few years. I have confidence having enough manpower you both should be able to triple the number of land plots!"
Seeing everyone making plans about his land like he didn't exist felt like hell to Otheman. So after clearing his throat he spoke up, "Are you forgetting something?"