Ch.213213. Even a Schoolhouse Dog Can Recite Poetry After Three Years…

“Then, as I mentioned earlier, we will handle the production of the medicine, with the profit distribution set at 30% for us and 70% for Lord Selden Alphonse.”

“Hmm, what about the clause stating that we have exclusive rights to sell the Majangcho?”

“Yes, I’ve included that, of course.”

In just one day, quite a lot had happened.

The villagers of Pandera territory were gathered in the square, and they were informed that Village Chief Loris had been kidnapping people.

As expected, the territory’s residents fell into confusion, but the matter was quickly resolved with the testimony of the middle-aged man and the elderly man who had been kidnapped.

On top of that.

Berik, who took over as village chief in place of Loris.

That wasn’t an easy task to persuade people to accept, either.

Even with just three people, opinions can diverge—how could one possibly satisfy all the residents of Pandera territory?

That’s why I thought I might have to use force.

But.

The elderly man who had been kidnapped was quite respected and influential in Pandera territory.

In fact, the reason Loris kidnapped the old man was likely to keep him in check.

Moreover, according to Berik, the old man had consistently expressed opposition to Loris’s opinions on every matter, making him a thorn in Loris’s side.

‘Hmm, the profit distribution isn’t bad either.’

70% of the profit distribution.

It’s a shame I couldn’t get 100%, but I had to be satisfied with this much.

The elderly man and middle-aged man who had been kidnapped already knew about the uses of the Majangcho grown in Pandera territory, and this arrangement would also help strengthen Berik’s position as the interim village chief.

Although Berik became village chief because I pushed through like a bulldozer, there might still be people with complaints, right?

I needed to silence those people.

In that respect, money was quite a powerful key to authority.

I nodded with a satisfied expression.

“I’d like you to produce more Majangcho than Loris did, but please leave about 20% of the existing Majangcho fields intact each year.”

“May I ask why?”

“We still haven’t figured it out yet. Why only the Majangcho grown in Pandera territory is effective… We need to maintain the fields at least until then.”

Berik strokes his chin and nods.

“Hmm… that makes sense.”

As I was scanning through the contract clauses once more, Wortman suddenly expressed a dissatisfied look.

“I was going to keep quiet about this, but isn’t this profit distribution completely unreasonable?”

I looked at Wortman with an indifferent expression.

“Why?”

“From what I can see, only Pandera territory’s Majangcho seems to be effective, so why is Lord Selden Alphonse taking 70% of the profit? Even though you exposed Village Chief Loris’s evil deeds and rescued the kidnapped people, isn’t this too much like a slave contract?”

This bastard…

Whose side is he on anyway?

A guy who’s about to join Lake territory as a knight or mercenary is taking Pandera territory’s side?

I was about to get annoyed but took a deep breath instead.

Regardless, Berik is currently the village chief.

Aren’t Wortman and Berik old friends?

Plus, this concerns his hometown, so it’s natural for him to have complaints.

I thought I should explain.

I leaned back in my chair and turned my gaze to Wortman.

“Loris was secretly selling small amounts of Majangcho to nobles. Why do you think he did that?”

“I-I wouldn’t know.”

“He knew for certain that Majangcho was profitable, so he was cautious. If rumors spread, heads of other houses would set their eyes on it, and Pandera territory would likely be in danger. Moreover…”

I paused briefly to catch my breath before continuing.

“If the news reaches the Imperial Palace, part of Pandera territory’s Majangcho profits might flow into the imperial coffers.”

“…The Imperial Palace?”

“Even though Pandera territory is considered abandoned land, it’s still within the empire’s reach. It’s just that they don’t pay attention to it now because it has no significant use or profit.”

Wortman gulped nervously.

“Are you saying that Lord Selden Alphonse can address both of these concerns?”

“Yes, I can.”

Wortman continues with a completely bewildered expression.

“Honestly, I’ll admit that Lord Selden Alphonse is strong. The same goes for Jawill Wilson, and I’m sure the knights and mercenaries in Lake territory are quite skilled too. But are you saying that power works against the Imperial Palace as well?”

At that moment, Jawill Wilson, who had been silently listening to the conversation, cleared his throat and joined in.

“Ahem! Wortman, our young master is on such good terms with the Imperial Palace that he frequently receives invitations. Recently, one of the imperial princesses even personally visited Lake territory.”

“W-what?!”

“As the young master said, if Pandera territory sells exclusively, you’d end up having to sell small amounts secretly to nobles, just like Loris did. Then your profits would be much lower than if you contracted with us, wouldn’t they?”

Wow…

They say even a dog that hangs around a school for three years can recite poetry…

Why does the intelligent Jawill Wilson seem so unfamiliar now?

Just as an exclamation was about to escape my lips, Berik smiled calmly and pushed the contract forward.

“Here’s the contract. Let’s sign it.”

His expression suggested he had seen through everything.

In other words, he has good intuition?

Well, Berik probably figured out my personality quickly.

If he had awkwardly tried to secure more profit for himself, he might not even have gotten the 30%.

“Wortman, is it okay for me to sign the contract?”

I asked nonchalantly, and Wortman, still dazed by Jawill Wilson’s explanation, replied with a blank expression.

“…That seems right.”

I signed the contract with a smirk.

Now Selden Alphonse has exclusive rights to Pandera territory’s Majangcho.

In other words, I’ve acquired a well that won’t run dry.

When the price of Pail fruit started to rise, other territories began planting Pail trees.

As for the monster blood business, it’s time to recover the investment, but the price will soon drop as there won’t be a shortage of supply.

However.

The Majangcho business will steadily generate profit as long as baldness exists in this world.

Moreover, since the medicine will be made directly in Pandera territory, we only need to handle the sales.

How beautiful a business is this?

I barely managed to suppress my twitching lips and adjusted my posture.

“Berik, you know Wortman is going to Lake territory, right?”

“Yes, Wortman told me.”

“Will it be alright without Wortman in Pandera territory?”

“It’s regrettable, but it’s true that Pandera territory is too small for Wortman to pursue his dreams. I should support my friend’s path.”

“Oh, and Clara is the same. She’s decided to stay in Lake territory.”

Berik stares at Jawill Wilson thoughtfully.

“Looks like an undeserving fellow is going to benefit.”

“I know, right? He serves a good young master and gets to live in the same territory as his first love…”

“Indeed. If I were Jawill Wilson, I might have made a small statue of Lord Selden Alphonse in my bedroom and bowed to it every day.”

Jawill Wilson’s face turned bright red.

I continued, giggling.

“Indeed, you seem more perceptive than Jawill Wilson and Wortman. How about coming to Lake territory once Pandera territory stabilizes?”

“I appreciate your high evaluation of my inadequate self, but even though it’s temporary, the position of village chief is already quite overwhelming for me.”

“That’s why I’m saying come to Lake territory once things stabilize. I’d welcome you with open arms anytime. If there’s no one to take over as village chief, just let me know. I can send Jawill Wilson.”

Jawill Wilson covers his face and mutters.

“…Young master, please stop.”

Seeing this, Berik glances at Jawill Wilson and then turns his gaze to me.

“I cannot answer you now, but I will think about it seriously over time.”

“Oh, really?”

“Life seems like it would be quite fun with Lord Selden Alphonse. And I’m confident I could do better than Jawill Wilson, at least.”

In the warm atmosphere, Jawill Wilson looked at Berik and twisted the corner of his mouth.

“Is that so? It’s very fun indeed. The young master always brings trouble wherever he goes, so there’s never a dull moment. Yes, absolutely. And if you cause any trouble? A very solid and heavy wooden sword awaits you—”

I quickly cut off Jawill Wilson’s words and cleared my throat.

“Jawill Wilson, you’re quite talkative today? Has the Cheonwondan’s energy all drained out? Hmm… I might need to give you another pill.”

“…I apologize. I must have temporarily lost my mind.”

Everyone burst into laughter.

Everyone except Jawill Wilson, that is.

*Swoosh*

Now that the contract for the Majangcho business is complete, it’s really time to return to Lake territory.

I gathered the contract from the table and nodded at Wortman and Jawill Wilson.

“Let’s go, home.”