NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 245 - Divine Cat Mii-chan, People Are Our Fortress
Chapter 245: Divine Cat Mii-chan, People Are Our Fortress
After that, I continue practicing coordination with Mii-chan. She charges up divine lightning, which I receive and then release. It barely tires me out. I ask Mii-chan if she’s feeling exhausted, but she just looks completely unfazed.
As we finish our practice, it’s time to head to the royal palace. Today, I have business with the court chef, so I decide to go directly to him without calling Nia.
“What’s the matter, Baron Brocken? Are you here to poach my court chef?”
“Oh no, I wouldn’t dare. Though if anyone wants to join me, they’d be more than welcome.”
“No one would, obviously.”
“Right, right. Anyway, jokes aside, first, please try this.”
“What are you making me eat… bread, huh? Hmm?”
When I hand over the bread made with yeast, the chef’s expression changes the moment he holds it. It’s lighter and softer than any bread he’s had before. He tears off a piece and looks astonished, savoring it as he eats.
“How did you make this?”
“Do you think this bread would be accepted by the townspeople?”
“If you sell it, it’ll sell out instantly.”
“I’m thinking of releasing the recipe for free.”
“Are you mad? Do you know how valuable this bread is?”
“The person who created it wants to release it for free.”
“You could make a fortune with this, more than just one lifetime’s worth of wealth!”
“They prefer being able to eat delicious bread anytime over money.”
“…”
I hand over the recipe, the yeast, and a paper explaining how to make the yeast to the court chef.
“The process isn’t much different from regular bread. It’s the yeast that changes everything so dramatically…”
“Alright then, I’m off to the Commercial Guild to ask them to distribute the recipe for free to all the town’s bakers.”
“I can’t believe it… are you serious?”
“Dead serious.”
Even at the Commercial Guild, they looked at me like they couldn’t believe it, but I firmly requested that the recipe be made public for free. I also asked them to pass the information to the guilds in other towns, ensuring it was shared for free there as well. I made sure to warn them that if anyone tried to make a profit off of it, Baron Brocken would come after them.
Near lunchtime, I head to the luxury inn in Forte and have lunch with Letty while listening to the gathered information.
“This is pretty underwhelming… our food’s better. Don’t you agree, kid?”
“Of course. I don’t skimp on ingredients, and I’m willing to spend whatever it takes for good food.”
“See, lazing around at home suits me better.”
“…Go to work.”
“Mii…”
Well, I plan to make her work hard during the labyrinth exploration.
“So, what’s the report?”
“It’s terrible. The dark guilds kicked out of the royal capital have gathered here. They’ve started fighting among themselves, and now there’s a power struggle between them. To fund their battles, they demand higher tribute than before. If people can’t pay, their homes and lands are seized. Worse yet, young girls are being sold off.”
“That’s horrible. But it sounds like there are plenty of opportunities to exploit. Have you pinpointed their location?”
“I’ve figured out their bases within the town, but I can’t handle their main hideout alone. We’ll have to enlist the help of this town’s rogue guild.”
“Then just ask for their help, right?”
“Listen, kid. In the royal capital, my name carries weight with the rogue guild, but not here. If we want them to move, we’ll need money.”
“Money, huh… It’s tough even for a rogue guild. No problem, though. Hire them. Make sure they participate in wiping out the dark guilds, too. You can mention Baron Brocken’s name, and if they refuse to cooperate, tell them I’ll crush them, too.”
“Confident, aren’t you? Got it.”
As the lord of this town, I can’t afford to be underestimated. I need to lay down the law clearly.
“I’ll also hire the hunters in this town for the extermination battle. I’ll be participating too.”
“Are you serious, kid?”
“I don’t want the rogue guild making off with the dark guild’s funds. I’ll stash it all away myself.”
Though most of it will be in Mii-chan’s bag.
“Mii~”
After parting with Letty, I head to the Wilhelm branch to check the sales figures. Since the festival, they’ve occasionally been selling chilled ale due to customer demand, though reluctantly. Just don’t overdo it. I don’t want to stir up resentment from the other shops.
When I visit the Commercial Guild, the agent approaches and says, “We’ve gathered some personnel. What do you want to do?” That was fast! I’ve been desperate for capable people, so this is great news.
“Mii~”
They’ve gathered ten people, all young and in their twenties. I review their profiles and find no concerning individuals. Some even applied to work with us of their own accord. I decide to assign two of them to work at the Divine Cat Trading Company in Beruna, while the remaining eight will work in Forte’s public offices.
“Beruna and Forte, huh…”
This had been prearranged with Lucas. The staff gathered by the Wilhelm Commercial Guild will be assigned to Beruna and Forte, while those gathered by the Beruna Commercial Guild will be dispatched to Wilhelm and Nixe. This ensures a healthy distance between the guilds and the staff they provided.
“It’ll take a while, won’t it?”
“For now, please arrange for them to come to Nixe by carriage. Rent two carriages and provide hunter escorts. I’ll cover all the costs, including lodging fees.”
“Understood. I’ll make the arrangements right away.”
With that, Forte’s labor shortage is resolved, and I’ve secured staff for when we set up a shop in Beruna. I just hope the Beruna Commercial Guild can gather their staff soon, too.
“Mii~”