Book 5: Chapter 3-2: The Conste


    Is the empire really that foolish?


    Merchants who could earn significant sums were stable sources of taxation. It was more sensible to let them continue to prosper and collect taxes regrly than to seize their property by using them of vague crimes.


    Furthermore, if such rumors spread, it would deter future merchants froming to the empire, leading to economic turmoil.


    They probably need funds urgently now. In the long run, it might be a loss, but they need money they can use immediately. Can''t you guess the reason?


    There''s only one reason they need money so urgentlywar.


    I agree. But I don''t understand it. Even if you win, if you destroy your country in the process, it''s meaningless.


    Due to repeated military expenses, the treasury had dried up, making war impossible under current circumstances. Hence, they resorted to desperate measures, selling off the future.


    Throughout history, there have been countless examples of resorting to such methods. However, those are only viable when they can immediately gain profits exceeding their losses upon winning.


    Even if Erucy were to be annihted, obtaining magic stones doesn''t instantly convert them into gold. Even if they use the Fire Magic Stones for iron smelting, it would only trante to long-term gains and cannot serve as a quick remedy for revitalizing the economy.


    I wonder if the Empire doesn''t mind copsing.


    My own words made me remember something. Copsing might not be a concern. On the contrary, the real purpose might lie beyond it.


    Azul, by any chance, is this happening across the entire Empire?


    Even though it''s called an Empire, it''s actually arge nation where five cities havee together. Four major dukes independently govern the cities in all directions, and there is an imperial capital in the center, protected by the four cities.


    No, just two of the four major cities, and they are the ones that have deep ties with you.


    I see, so it''s that man doing


    This is valuable information. Thanks.


    The surveince of the Empire is more important than ever. Also, with this new information, the goal has changed from finding their willingness to fight to finding their weakness.


    Roleau, move that ornament a bit to the right.


    Konna, rearrange the fur products away from direct sunlight.


    Rera, you can decide the cement of syrup and alcohol ording to your taste.


    We were given a two-hour preparation time, so I started setting up the merchandise. The roughyout is outlined in the blueprint, but I want to do as much as possible while I''m here.


    Fortunately, the ce was clean, and shelves and tables were readily avable. A few adjustments were all that was needed to start disying our goods.


    This store will be mainly managed by Rera. She was the only one skilled in arithmetic and could keep the books.


    Roleau came today, but usually, we''ll dispatch other members of Nettle. Obviously, we couldn''t have the Nettle''s leader stationed here for a long time.


    Excuse me, Cyril-sama, is there anything I can help with?


    A girl in herte teens with blue hair approached me with a smiling face.


    Not particrly. Just take a break.


    But I''ve been instructed by Azul-sama to assist you.


    What was your name again?


    Natasha.


    The blue-haired girl lowered her head. Her courtesy was almost too much.


    In that case, I''ll take you up on that offer. Natasha, please consult Rera over there for instructions.


    Understood!


    The girl with blue hair ran over to Rera and started chatting with a cheerful smile. She was the caretaker that Azul sent. We owed the tidiness of this store to her.


    ording to Azul, she''s good at calctions, is knowledgeable about the city''s taxes and finances, and also has enough connections to be of help when buying supplies in the city, making her a valuable asset for any serious business.


    Well, what do you think? Isnt she a good girl?


    She''s a really good girl. A really good girl whose way of walking alone sets her apart from regr people; she''s been trained extensively. Also, it''s not the training of a soldier but more like the training for espionage or assassination.


    I didn''t mean it in that way.


    She''s here for surveince, right?


    I won''t deny it.


    As expected, we wouldnt haveplete free rein in Erin.


    She was a piece Azul prepared to monitor our movements. She might not be as exceptional as Jii, but she was undoubtedly quite skilled.


    Well, it was only natural. I''d do the same if I were in Azul''s position, always have surveince in ce.


    What products do you n to sell in this shop?


    First, Erucy wine, maple syrup, fur products made by the elves, and surplus preserved food. Sausages might be popr too.


    The members of Nettle, as part of their training, hunted for prey, but they hunted too much, and it was bing difficult to consume everything they hunted with Erucys poption alone. We''d put some limits in ce to ensure the ecosystem didn''t get disrupted, but with no natural predators, the deer poption in Erucy had been growing out of control, so those limits hadnt been enforced yet.


    I considered sending the excess to Bell Erucy, but I decided it would be excessive. If we did send it, it would be in exchange for hemp or other products. Otherwise, they might be too dependent on Erucy.


    Sausages, you mean the firm minced meat products we had as a treat in Erucy?


    That''s right.


    Good. Maybe I''ll buy some for dinner.


    Please do. You''re our first customer. We''re also nning to set up a stall at the store''s entrance and sell crpes.


    This shop will surely be popr.


    It''s a crucial base for seasonal work, so it needs to seed.


    Operating only one week a month is a waste. It should be open every day.