The one who brought the food was Lowell. He had also brought along a hundred knights and a thousand soldiers.
Since the amount of food was enormous, a considerable force was required to guard it.
With an extremely tired expression, Lowell spoke to Ghislain.
"How have you been? There's enough food here for the people of the fortress to eat for months. I'll make sure to bring more on schedule next time."
"What? Why are you here? What's a spymaster doing all the way out here? Don't you have work to do?"
At Ghislain's question, Lowell's face darkened.
"The amount of food was so large that the head butler insisted I come. He said he wouldn't trust anyone else. On top of that, he wanted me to check on the situation in the territories along the way here. Oh, and now he's telling me to handle diplomacy as well."
At first glance, the roles of a spymaster and a diplomat seemed vastly different. But upon closer inspection, there were many overlapping tasks.
Taking on diplomatic responsibilities allowed one to meet influential figures directly and gain intelligence under the guise of official duties. It also made it easier to visit other territories.
However, it also meant increased exposure to danger. Still, the advantages outweighed the risks.
"Oh, that's not bad. No matter how much information you gather, it's never as good as seeing things for yourself."
Ghislain nodded approvingly, but Lowell gritted his teeth as he glared at him.
Now he was tasked with personally traveling around to gather intelligence. Once he returned to the estate, he would have to analyze and sort through the information collected by other spies.
'Ah, I really want to run away.'
As a former prisoner of war, he knew that escaping meant death. The only option was to keep working himself to the bone.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The soldiers from Fenris began unloading large sacks of wheat from the carts and heaps of meat from refrigerated wagons. Watching the scene, people gasped in astonishment.
"W-woahhh!"
Even seeing it with their own eyes, they couldn't believe it was real. Never in their lives had they seen such an abundance of food and meat.
'Wow, the continent is suffering a famine right now, but how did they manage to bring that much?'
'Look at all that meat. It must taste amazing.'
'That's too much, way too much. Are they planning to sell it? How much would it cost?'
'I heard they're nobles, but are they involved in the merchant guild business too?'
People could only swallow their saliva, too wary to approach.
This was a place where monstrous Ghislain, and Kaor, who could take down a Twin-Head Ogre single-handedly, resided.
Though Kaor was bedridden, Ghislain and the other knights were fine. Everyone knew they wouldn't stand a chance if they dared to provoke them.
As the people stood dumbfounded by the sheer quantity of food, Ghislain spoke.
"Aren't you tired of eating monster meat every day?"
Nods.
"Isn't bread and meat way too expensive and annoying to deal with?"
Nods again.
"I'll sell the meat and wheat at pre-famine prices. Want to buy?"
"Oh!"
The people widened their eyes in disbelief.
They knew all too well how the price of food had skyrocketed outside the fortress. To sell food at pre-famine prices was utterly unheard of.
Seeing their astonishment, Ghislain continued.
"But there's one condition: payment must be made exclusively with monster hides and tendons. I'll also match their prices to pre-famine rates, so keep that in mind."
The people nodded in agreement.
Although the price of hides had risen recently, it was nothing compared to the cost of food.
In this place, the most commonly traded goods were monster byproducts. Naturally, hides and tendons were plentiful and cheaper than in other regions.
'Trading for food now wouldn't be a loss at all.'
'We have plenty of byproducts to sell aside from hides and tendons.'
'Finally, we can stop eating monster meat!'
Soon, the hunters rushed to their workshops and warehouses to bring out the hides they owned.
They scrambled noisily, each trying to make the trade first.
"I'll trade right now! Give me meat, meat!"
"I'll take wheat! I've got premium hides!"
"I have hides too! They're not top quality, but I have a lot!"
As people swarmed in, the area in front of the inn turned chaotic. While the knights and soldiers worked to control the crowd, Ghislain spoke to Lowell.
"Alright, start the trades quickly."
"…Me?"
"You're the only one here who knows the exact quantities. Plus, you're insanely fast at calculations."
"…That's true."
Lowell was known throughout the estate for his lightning-fast calculations. It had even saved his life on one occasion.
Without a moment's rest, Lowell began processing the trades. As a result, piles of hides and tendons quickly accumulated.
Watching the growing stockpile, Ghislain nodded with satisfaction.
'If we keep hunting and trading for food, there'll be no shortage of hides and tendons.'
The rumor that a merchant guild had brought in an enormous amount of food spread quickly within the fortress.
Not only hunters but also other merchant guilds that had been trading within the fortress flocked to the scene. They saw this as an opportunity to purchase food and sell it elsewhere for profit.
Even Grant, the commander of the fortress, discreetly joined in.
"We have byproducts we usually send to the royal court. We'd like to trade them for food."
Good food was directly tied to soldier morale, and Grant didn't want to miss this chance.
Ghislain nodded and proposed a new business plan.
"I want to trade with all the fortresses near Shadow Mountain. Can you help with that?"
"All the fortresses?"
"Yeah. I don't have the time to go around to each one myself."
"There are over fifty fortresses along the Shadow Mountain range. Are you saying you can trade with all of them?"
"I'm known as the food king of the northern Lutania Kingdom. Never heard of me?"
"No, I haven't."
"…Anyway, I can handle it. Just get the permits issued under the kingdom's name so no one bothers me. I don't want to waste time."
"Understood. I'll deliver the message as quickly as possible. If I report this success along with your accomplishments, the royal court will likely approve."
Grant immediately mobilized messengers. He emphasized Ghislain's capabilities, wealth, and influence in his reports to both the royal court and the fortress commanders.
Adding a little spice(?) to it is the fact that this is a golden opportunity to receive support from the nobles of the powerful kingdom of Lutania.
The Turian Kingdom is a place that provides full support to the fortresses. In particular, the commanders of each fortress are carefully selected, and their reports are also highly credible.
In just a few days, a royal decree was issued:
[The Turian Royal Court hereby authorizes official trade with Count Fenris of the Lutania Kingdom.
— The Turian royal family guarantees the creditworthiness of the Fenris Merchant Guild.
— Members of the Fenris Merchant Guild may travel anywhere within the kingdom without special procedures.
— Taxes on food sales by the Fenris Merchant Guild are exempted.
— All commanders and lords of the kingdom are to protect the Fenris Merchant Guild.]
It was an extraordinary privilege. Few merchant guilds had ever received such benefits.
This level of support was primarily due to the kingdom's focus on maintaining its fortresses. Supporting the Fenris Merchant Guild aligned with that goal.
Ghislain smiled with satisfaction.
'Grant managed to secure this much, as expected.'
Though Ghislain hadn't been particularly close to Grant in a past life, they had been acquainted.
Grant was capable and had served the fortress for a long time. He was also the eldest son of a powerful marquis family in the Turian Kingdom, which lent considerable weight to his words.
'This will make earning money much easier.'
Through trade with other kingdoms, Ghislain planned to gain resources and wealth. While food was the main commodity now, the long-term goal was to expand to products like cosmetics and iron ore.
Even Kaor and the knights could now live more comfortably, knowing the kingdom would protect them in his absence.
Of course, not everyone was happy.
Meanwhile, Kaor, still wrapped in bandages, pouted.
"Tell me who hit me."
"I didn't see."
"Damn it… I'll just beat everyone up."
Kaor grumbled in frustration. He'd wanted to exit heroically, but instead, he'd been surrounded and beaten. It was infuriating.
For the next few days, Ghislain stayed, hunting monsters and training the knights. Even Kaor, despite his injuries, was dragged along to endure grueling training.
The hunters who had signed contracts with Ghislain were filled with regret.
'We're doomed… A 30-year contract?'
'I shouldn't have taken that advance… How do I pay it back?'
'And now the kingdom's protecting these maniacs…'
They too were dragged into monster hunts, forced to carry supplies and dismantle carcasses. Escaping wasn't even an option now.
'No wonder they gave us the advance payment up front. We can't pay it back anytime soon!'
Most of them had squandered their large advance payments on drinks and entertainment.
Physically overpowering the knights was out of the question. Especially with Kaor now recognized as the strongest fighter in the fortress.
Even if they could collaborate and defeat him, they couldn't overcome the fortress's forces, which now protected Ghislain and his group.
They were thoroughly trapped.
"Hunt monsters diligently to gather hides and tendons. Send them along with the merchant guild whenever it comes by. Got it? I'm heading back. Kaor, keep up your training."
"Yes…"
The knights and hunters nodded gloomily at Ghislain's orders.
Even the knights considered escaping, pleading with the ones who had come with Lowell.
"Please, trade places with us!"
"This place is amazing! Freedom awaits you once you return to the estate!"
"You'll grow stronger so quickly here!"
But the newly arrived knights, sensing the situation, immediately refused.
"Who are you? Do I know you?"
"Are you insane? I'm not staying in this hellhole."
"Take care. See you alive."
The trained knights internally sighed in relief. If they hadn't been diligent, they would've ended up here, enduring the same hardships.
Leaving the tearful knights behind, Ghislain returned to the estate with Lowell.
Only one person, Kaor, laughed joyfully and shouted:
"Haha! Everyone knows I'm the strongest here now, right? If you don't listen to me, I'll beat you all up! Got it?"
Kaor had become the most powerful figure in the fortress, commanding hundreds of hunters and backed by the Turian Kingdom.
"Hahaha! I'm the king of Ironcliff now! The king!"
He loved the new place.
***
Even without Ghislain, the estate was bustling with activity. Even those without much sense of responsibility worked hard—out of fear of the consequences.
Thanks to this, the estate had continued to develop rapidly in Ghislain's absence.
As soon as she returned, Ghislain received reports on what had been accomplished in his time away. Since he'd been gone for quite a while, a thorough review was necessary.
The first matter brought to his attention was the road construction project being carried out in cooperation with the marquisate.
"The road construction is proceeding smoothly. We've already connected to the surrounding territories."
"Thanks to this, more users are utilizing Arrow Delivery. However, we're still operating at a loss…."
"On the other hand, we've started to receive road usage fees from neighboring territories. While the northern region has fewer merchant guilds and a smaller population, we anticipate higher revenues from areas near the capital under the management of the Young Lady of Branford family."
The road and delivery businesses were progressing without major issues. As expected, with the Branford family involved, things ran like clockwork.
At this rate, the project would steadily generate increasing profits just by continuing on its current path.
The subsequent reports mainly concerned the development of the estate.
"The production of Galbanium has exceeded expectations. The blacksmiths are so dedicated that it's almost suspicious—they're voluntarily working overtime without going home."
"Most of the Fenris region has been converted into farmland. The revenue from food sales is being used to continuously purchase resources and essential goods for the estate."
"In other areas, we've established large hatcheries and various workshops. The estate's production output is increasing rapidly."
"Residential construction is nearly complete. It's now hard to find anyone in the estate who doesn't have a home. However, the relocation of villages is proceeding somewhat slowly."
The smaller villages far from major hubs were being integrated into nearby fortresses and cities, with the residents gradually relocated.
However, this process was slower than expected. Many were reluctant to leave the places they'd lived in for so long, and relocating entire communities required a significant workforce.
As a result, village integration was progressing slowly. Nevertheless, once the relocated residents settled into their new environments, complaints were almost nonexistent.
With the increasing number of facilities catering to the needs of the estate, the standard of living had improved dramatically. The loyalty and satisfaction of the estate's residents had risen to unprecedented levels.
For the impoverished northern territories, the progress in Fenris was nothing short of miraculous. All of this was thanks to Ghislain's knowledge and her almost insane drive to get things done.
"It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that no other place in the north is as prosperous as this one. Surplus production is gradually increasing."
"As economic activity flourishes, tax revenue is also rising. Though expenditures still exceed income…."
"The residents are all singing your praises, my lord."
Desmond and Rayfold were widely considered the wealthiest estates in the north. However, even in those territories, the wealth was concentrated in the hands of the lord, and the disparity between the rich and poor was stark.
It was no exaggeration to say that there was no other place on the continent like Fenris, where every resident could eat their fill and live without major worries.
After basking in the flood of praise, Ghislain nodded in satisfaction and said:
"Good. The estate is in much better shape than before. So, you all know what I'm planning next, right?"
"...."
The vassals didn't answer. They had a good idea of what he was thinking but didn't want to say it aloud. So, Ghislain spoke up first.
"It's time to prepare for war again, isn't it?"
As expected, his words brought glum expressions to vassals' faces.
[T/L: Please support me and read 320 extra chapters: https://ko-fi.com/revengerscans ]