IHBWAT 06

Chapter 6

A Win-Win Method

The promise Cliff had made as the new acting lord.

The commoners had been waiting for it. Hope that aid would arrive was what kept them alive.

And then it came.

‘It’s just like the acting lord said!’

‘So many supplies are entering the territory…!’

What the merchants brought were basic grains.

They also brought livestock such as geese.

The procession was quite long, so the villagers naturally assumed it was the royal support Cliff had mentioned.

‘Even if it isn’t, everyone will think it is…’

Nigel greeted the merchant caravan with a stiff expression.

The person in charge had been traveling with Cliff earlier. Following Cliff’s instructions, he guided them to the warehouse.

“Hoh?”

A mid-level manager of the merchant group let out an impressed sound as he entered the warehouse.

“These goods… and in such quantity. So this is what you’ve been stockpiling. We’ll purchase everything.”

Good.

They could finally clear out the inventory that had been becoming a burden.

“Ahem. What price would be appropriate?”

“Well, we also have distribution costs… How about six copper coins for a rope of one goet (about 1.5 meters), and about eight copper coins for a basket?”

It was a slightly disappointing price.

But not bad either.

From the territory’s perspective, nothing better was necessary.

More importantly, this amount of stock could be replenished quickly.

“Hm. I will suggest this to Acting Lord Cliff.”

“Haha. Still, this is impressive. With this amount, it feels like you’ve been storing it for three years… everything is in brand-new condition.”

“Hahaha…”

Nigel could only laugh awkwardly.

In this era, everything was cottage industry production.

Even if baskets and ropes were relatively easy to make, accumulating this much stock would normally take a long time. And most of it was high-quality.

Normally, anyone would assume it had been stored over many years.

‘Even I can hardly believe this much was produced in less than a month…’

Even now, the villagers were slowly improving their skills.

Nigel had only just realized how skilled their hands actually were.

In any case, money was now coming in.

But his unease remained.

‘These people didn’t bring grain and livestock as aid. In the end, we’re only getting paid for the goods we sold them.’

They had come for trade, not support.

Unlike what the villagers believed, this was not royal aid. It was just commerce.

And if they left without unloading their carts…

‘This could become a problem.’

It might even escalate into chaos.

Possibly even a riot.

And the territory barely had any security forces to control it.

Nigel turned toward the manor.

‘Acting Lord… please handle this well.’

He could only hope Cliff would solve it.

Frankly, there was nothing else he could do.

* * *

“…I will cover your escort and travel expenses on the way here. But that is all I can do. You are no longer my son.”

The Duke’s final words to Cliff.

After hearing them, Cliff’s mind had been busy.

‘Even if I was promised entry into central politics, a lord selling his territory and only daughter is not an easy thing. That must mean the territory is in such terrible condition.’

Otherwise, he would have used the territory’s own power to enter central politics.

There would have been no need for such a deal.

But the lord had abandoned the territory.

A territory that must be truly pathetic.

“…If I’m going somewhere like that, what do I need?”

The Duke had clearly said he would no longer help him as a father.

But Cliff didn’t think that way.

‘In fact, this is better than when I was still his son.’

The Duke had said he would provide travel expenses and escort.

That meant he could use the Duke’s family crest.

With that crest, there were very few people he could not meet.

Even medium-sized merchant groups would not dare refuse him.

‘Even if the Duke later finds out how I used it… he’ll probably think I did well. He might even be disappointed if I didn’t use it properly.’

That was the kind of man he was.

In any case, the result had arrived.

“Congratulations on acquiring a beautiful lady as your wife and being appointed acting lord.”

Tom, a mid-tier merchant.

He looked exhausted from travel.

Beyond that, he showed no emotion.

But Cliff could guess his thoughts. He was probably already disappointed.

“I don’t like empty congratulations.”

At Cliff’s words, Tom’s expression stiffened.

He had brought a large quantity of goods at Cliff’s request. With transportation costs included, it was already a massive loss. And according to his assessment, this territory could not even consume all the goods he had brought.

‘So he’s going to use authority to seize everything?’

That was how Tom interpreted Cliff’s words.

Naturally, his expression could not remain pleasant.

But he quickly calculated profit and loss.

Picking a fight with a noble here would be unwise.

Cliff knew that too—that was why he spoke this way.

“At the request of the acting lord, I have brought ten carts each of wheat and barley, and fifty geese, male and female mixed. I present them gladly as a celebration of your marriage and appointment.”

Tom bowed his head.

It was a huge loss, but he submitted.

Otherwise, the victim could become the punished one.

‘This is the difference between nobles and commoners… truly a noble world.’

Cliff’s lips curled upward.

In noble society, right and wrong did not matter much.

If a merchant offended a noble’s pride, he could never trade in the kingdom again once word spread.

‘Good judgment.’

But Cliff could not simply seize the goods.

That would be a poor move.

Tom would definitely harbor resentment.

‘Just as I could ruin him with bad rumors in noble society, he could ruin our territory among merchants.’

Once rumors spread, no merchant would come here.

If the territory could sustain itself, it wouldn’t matter. With his abilities, it might even become possible.

But for greater growth—

‘Making enemies of merchants would be stupid.’

He needed a proper deal.

So he spoke.

“I will accept your sincerity with gratitude.”

Tom smiled at that.

“It is an honor if I can be of help, Acting Lord.”

But Cliff did not believe that smile.

It was a cutting-off smile. A farewell smile. Tom had already judged him.

But Cliff still had more to say.

“Hm. I don’t simply let those who help me leave empty-handed.”

At Cliff’s grin, Tom’s eyebrows twitched.

‘A negotiation in this situation?’

Until just now, it had clearly looked like confiscation.

But if Cliff offered compensation, things might change.

However, Tom could not think of anything Cliff might possibly give him.

Cliff himself soon said it.

“But I cannot give money that would please a merchant from this poor territory…”

As expected.

Tom concluded it was just empty talk.

“Your words alone are more than enough, Acting Lord.”

Perhaps this was what Cliff wanted to hear.

And the young noble would probably be satisfied with that.

‘No merchant will ever come here again.’

Cliff then smiled.

“No. I just thought of something I can give you.”

“…And what would that be?”

“I’ll give you the chance to run errands for me.”

For a moment, Tom almost lost his composure.

‘How absurd.’

He had been made to gather goods, then nearly had them seized, and now he was being turned into a servant.

He could even guess what kind of errand it would be.

Probably bringing more supplies again, only to have them taken once more.

A vicious but calculated scheme.

‘We never should’ve come here.’

Cliff would be labeled a tyrant among merchants, but Tom himself would not easily escape this trap.

Refusing a noble’s “opportunity” would be dangerous.

So to minimize losses, he had to hand over the goods and leave.

A noose you couldn’t escape once caught.

And the fact that a 20-year-old noble had thought of this made Tom uneasy.

Until Cliff spoke again.

“It’s to deliver a letter.”

“…A letter?”

It was unexpectedly normal.

“Yes. I intend to send a letter of gratitude to House Aydren, the noble house that lent me its name.”

Cliff smiled.

Tom’s expression shifted slightly.

‘So that’s what he was thinking… But I’m not as malicious as you assume.’

Cliff had no intention of trapping him further.

Even if he used noble authority, overpressuring Tom would be like cutting open the goose that laid golden eggs.

There was still a way out.

In fact, it was simple.

Next time, when asked to bring goods again, Tom could simply say:

• “I’m currently handling an order from Lord So-and-so…”

And Cliff would no longer be able to force him so easily.

So this was a transaction.

“Will you deliver my letter?”

Tom’s eyes changed.

He understood the implication.

Even without investigation, Cliff had arrived here bearing the crest of House Aydren.

He had access to the ducal house.

And if he could establish any positive connection there—

‘Our merchant group might become a major trading house in the kingdom.’

It was a rare opportunity.

A chance to stand before a ducal house.

Whether or not he gained anything from it, countless merchants would want this chance.

Tom had come here for exactly that reason.

“If I can serve Acting Lord Cliff, it would be my honor.”

His heart pounded.

Cliff smiled faintly.

‘Good.’

With this, all the merchant goods were mine.

They had been paid for.

But still, it wasn’t enough.

He wanted more.

And he already had a method in mind.

A way for both him and Tom to benefit.

A true win-win method.