Knights, Let’s Smash Them

48 – Chicken and Spices (6)

I couldn’t hide my bewilderment, so Roger twitched his eyebrows with a hearty laugh ha ha ha.

“This, you know right away. Those petals are excellent medicines and alchemy items for rejuvenation when decocted and drunk, and when these seeds are ground into powder and sprinkled on food, they are magical powders that turn ordinary food into delicacies.”

Crazy.

The magic powder is right.

“Oh…… Really?!”

“Captain Xianne, no.”

I stopped Xianne, who was curious and tried to sniff her scent.

“Eh?”

“It’s a highly addictive spice.”

Poppy.

It was a narcotic plant that was the main ingredient in opium and, when processed well, used to make strong drugs such as heroin.

I knew it was used as a spice in some regions, but I never thought I’d see it all of a sudden.

“Anyway, we also deal with these items. All the spices in our Fisher Pepper combination are of good quality.”

It was indeed so. The product quality of other spices was also very good.

Although it is a product that does not spoil well as a raw spice, it does not discolor or smell strange thanks to the mixture of alchemy ingredients for preservatives.

At least, there were no changes that could be discerned with the naked eye.

In general, as the southern region is a region that takes a few days, rather than a few hours.

Even if it’s a spice, if it’s not managed well, the quality often deteriorates, so at least it means that the management is really neat.

It’s rare to put preservative alchemy in spices.

The only problem is the poppy popping out of nowhere…….

‘Actually, there is no problem legally.’

There are no special restrictions on poppies in the Boliver Empire. No, in the first place, there is no case in which other countries regulate poppy as a drug as in modern times.

Originally, the deceptive concept of magic and alchemy is universal in this world itself.

Because there are many drugs and alchemy ingredients that are severe enough to be really regulated, far more dangerous than opium.

Still, it was true that there was nothing good about being close.

“I think Poppy will be fine for now.”

“Ahahahaha…… It’s definitely a bit daunting. It is also a spice with many likes and dislikes.”

“Other than that, everything is of excellent quality.”

I nodded and looked at Roger, the peddler. It was because I was willing to buy something like this.

“However, we do not intend to purchase spices only once. Do you have any plans to create a lasting trade route?”

“No, of course! As the administrator said, think of it as an investment in the future! I would like to propose a regular trade.”

Good good.

Originally, I was thinking of forming a guild operated by the Knights themselves.

The Imperial Black Lion Knights have many restrictions in the capital of the empire, but in the case of knights in regional territories, there were many cases where there were separate guilds operated by the knights and the territories themselves.

Anyway, if you try to attract transactions with the guild, a lot of money goes out in various ways, including commissions.

I feel that it is more profitable to earn money by attracting my own guild, and to purchase the items needed to maintain the knights at a low price.

Of course, like the Black Lions, the knights are rotten because they are overflowing with money. Rather than launching their own company, they prefer to sign an alliance agreement with another large company.

The Snow Leopard Knights aren’t that kind of a fool yet.

Currently, attracting top players is helpful. Besides, there is no guarantee that the top will come flooding in as soon as the iron rod is pierced.

In the end, everything is a matter of trust.

No matter how much a highway is said to be safe, if no one actually uses it, it is just a ghost road.

And it will take at least half a year to complete the road…….

You don’t know how the market will change at that time, so it would be a wise choice to drill a route in advance from now on.

If you open a new road while maintaining the existing trade route, there is no reason for them to refuse.

“Come to think of it, are there other guilds belonging to the Fisher Pepper Guild?”

“No. Fisher Peppers is a Merchant Guild that currently only deals with peddlers. In fact, the group you saw earlier are all from the same area.”

“Aha.”

Does it feel like a local business?

I’m rather fortunate.

In order to continue cooperation with Fisherpepper in this way and make it completely subordinate to us, there is nothing good about joining the other guilds that are active separately.

“Then let’s do this. I will buy all the spices you have, except poppy. Like we said at the restaurant, 20% of the purchase price.”

“Good.”

Since the conditions have already been set, there is no need to add other words.

The two of us stood up and shook hands.

Clean and cool deals.

“Then, when are you planning to leave for Yeongji?”

“Oh, sand tomorrow. I will be here until tomorrow.”

“Okay. Then maybe…… If you don’t mind, can I get a certain percentage paid in advance?”

Prepayment, advance payment…….

I know it’s a very stressful situation, but I can’t do that from the start.

I have a name value, so even if there is a risk that rumors will quickly spread if I joke around, if I am a peddler belonging to Fisher Pepper and disappear after receiving an advance payment, there is nothing we can trace.

“Then let’s say you sell that much spice in advance.”

“Can I?”

I showed the bag of gold coins I had stored just in case.

Wouldn’t 15 gold coins be enough?

To be honest, I could have beaten a little more, but let’s call it moral consideration.

“15 Gold coins, except poppies.”

“Yes, that’s right… ….”

The moment I tried to affirm that statement.

In my head, I thought that poppies could also be used for something.

‘First of all, it’s not illegal, and it’s not like I know how to make drugs in the first place.’

From noble mtl dot com.

It is a fact that poppy is an expensive ingredient. And usually expensive materials are useful somewhere.

Isn’t it said that even dog poop can’t be used for medicine?

You don’t have to think too negatively…… There may not be.

‘Of course, it should never be used as a spice.’

“Lubern Administrator Alroy?”

After a moment of thought, Roger asked with a slightly puzzled look.

“Is there anything that bothers you?”

“Let’s buy poppies as well.”

“Ah! If that’s the case, no problem.”

“By the way, I have one more question.”

“Please feel free to speak.”

After sneaking a glance at Xian Ne, I opened her mouth.

“This is a seed…… Can I grow it if I plant it?”

***

The schedule after that also went smoothly. Sianne and I disposed of the jewelry we had collected in the house at a pretty good price.

I was able to safely withdraw 30% of the deposits I had left at the Church of the Emperor’s Office. When I came, it was all a few gold coins.

Now it has reached the point where I have to buy a backpack separately to store, let alone a pocket.

This world is really uncomfortable. After the phone, the thing I missed was the card.

In the original world, I didn’t carry much cash, and I always swiped my card first.

Anyway, enough money must have been raised.

I handed over the money to Roger and the others and bought all the spices they had.

I also secured a sachet of curry powder, one of the spices that I absolutely must protect.

A bag of these is 10 gold coins.

Are these really crazy prices?

I bought this at a reasonable price, but if it’s the usual price, it doesn’t mean that I drilled at least 20 gold coins.

I can’t help but understand why the food gets better the further I go to the south.

The food of the common people is tasteless because there are not too many spices.

Aristocratic food is extravagant, and it tastes like sh*t because it’s sprinkled with f*cking spices.

It’s all because the spices are unnecessarily expensive.

Of course, even if the spices were purchased, as the original contract condition was to directly ship them to the Rupel estate.

They quickly arranged a wagon and prepared for departure.

All valuables stored in the safe were disposed of, and 30% of the deposits held by the church were also recovered.

Sian Ne’s hands trembled as she was in charge of keeping her funds at an amount that was more than enough to cover the outrageous spice cost almost three times.

“What the hell…… Why is the Lubern Magistrate? Why!? You came to our knights!?”

“You repeat the same story as yesterday.”

“You really don’t understand! It’s money you can play with for the rest of your life…… ?!”

Chief Xianne, I’m sorry, but half of that money wasn’t earned proudly.

If you make a mistake, you will be confiscated!

Of course, there are quite a few people like me in the Black Lion Knights, so I can’t bet on public opinion.

What if Levia really decided to take revenge?

It’s enough to seize it and have enough left over.

That’s why you should use it right away.

Besides, he’s also the administrator of the Snow Leopard Knights.

Even if those bastards confiscate the capital’s treasures, there will be no reason for them to bow down to Levia servilely out of a sudden rush of money.

“What are you going to do after playing and eating all your life? There would have been no meaning to life. I’m happy now The present moment with the Snow Leopard Knights and Captain Xianne is so precious.”

In addition to that, let’s spit out pure feelings.

Sianne immediately froze hard.

“What, what what, what! How can you get hooked like that again!”

“Isn’t that a natural attitude as an administrator?”

I have always pursued a family-like knights.

Unwillingly, I also had a half-human, half-dragon daughter, so I really don’t regret joining the Snow Leopard Knights.

“… ….”

But there was something strange about Petra’s gaze.

As today is the last day in the capital, I was supposed to come to help Petra clean up as soon as she gets off work.

Are you very tired today?

Looks out of shape.

“Petra? Eyes are dead How tired is she?”

“No… ….”

Petra said in a subdued voice.

Anyway, it’s really hard.

I want to tell him to beat him right away and come here, but the Black Lion Knights are currently relying heavily on Petra.

I also personally asked her for one thing, so she still had to persevere a bit.

‘I feel a little sorry to think that way.’

I clicked my tongue bitterly and gave Petra a light hug. Petra, who was staring in the direction of Xian, was startled and fell over.

“─!!!”

Startled, he raised her body, and Petra opened her mouth.

“Mu, mu, mu…… !”

“Are you okay!? No…… Sorry. I was told to cheer up, but did it feel burdensome or bad?”

“No…… !! No!!”

Petra shook her head and gave me another hug, this time hugging me. It was soft and smelled good.

“Thank you, Magistrate of Luberne.”

“Yes. Suffer a little more I will never forget this grace. Does Petra know too?”

“Of course… ….”

As I pat my back, Petra presses closer to my chest.

She looked exactly like a whining little sister.

Thinking about it, I’m only twenty-three now, but it’s like I’ve taken on an unexpected burden because I got away on my own.

I can accept this level of cowardice.

“I’ll believe in the promotion of the cooking contest you requested this time.”

“Don’t worry. We will publicize it extensively, from chefs at alleys, to those who used to be chefs in the imperial family.”

“Yes. In the meantime, Petra also comes to play at Rupel again. At that time, it was purely for work, so let’s go sightseeing together with me this time.”

“Good!”

Petra undid her arms and stared at me. Her eyes, which had almost lost their life and were empty, came alive again.

“As expected, the administrator is the best.”

Betsy Laughing Petra.

I thought about it while working together, but he’s a really nice kid. Even if you show your sincere support just once, you show your gratitude like this.

…… But it must be because of my mood that my breathing is strangely rough, right?