The Extra Strategist’s Royal Road Chapter 78

The Extra Strategist’s Royal Road Chapter 78

Brother Max jumped at the visit of the great noble.

“Oh, welcome!!”

“Good to see you, Baron Elaine. I’ve heard your governance has been excellent. It’s very encouraging.”

“Haha, I’m honored.” Brother Max was at a loss for words at Duke Hellian’s compliment. “I apologize for the inadequate hospitality. If I had known you were coming, I would have prepared more.”

Brother Max served the best wine from the mansion, but even that didn’t seem to satisfy the great nobles, as no one was drinking it.

At this, Marquis Reinhardt made a harsh comment. “It’s more a matter of order. Can’t you see the sun is still high in the sky? And yet you serve wine? At times like this, tea should be served first.”

“Ah, um…”

Brother Max froze at Marquis Reinhardt’s overbearing attitude. General Ironheart intervened to restrain him.

“Baron Elaine hasn’t inherited his title for long. Please be understanding, Marquis.”

“Hmph.” Reinhardt, who seemed to dislike me, appeared displeased, but he didn’t pick any further faults with Brother Max, perhaps because he didn’t have any particular ill will towards him.

Even this seemed more like well-intentioned advice rather than fault-finding.

So Brother Max began to converse with the members of the Hellian faction.

As for me, I had come out of the reception room and was seeking advice from Dorofei about the agricultural situation in our territory.

“How is it? I think I’ve done as much as I could.”

“Well… It seems you’ve made an effort. But the results are just so-so.” Dorofei looked at the statistics and pointed out the efficiency. “With statistics like these, it’s usually because of a poor harvest or growing crops unsuitable for the land. But I don’t think that’s the case with your Ars family. What was the reason?”

“We overlooked the difference in soil quality. In Ribel, where we used to live, we would grow basic crops once in early spring and start the main farming for the year in late spring. But here, the soil quality isn’t good, so the early spring farming failed.”

“Yes, I’ve heard. In Crossing, they focus only on land reclamation in early spring.”

“When we started off on the wrong foot, everything went wrong. The late spring farming didn’t yield much result either. Sigh, if only I had paid more attention.”

I was too busy with the academy and the war.

Dorofei thought for a moment and then suggested to me. “I think the Crossing region needs to develop fertilizer suitable for the soil quality. That’s how you can match or exceed the agricultural efficiency of other kingdoms.”

“That’s true. But it doesn’t seem to be working well.”

It’s not like King Parain was sitting idle. In fact, due to too much effort, no kingdom could match Crossing in fertilizer development.

The problem was that the developed fertilizer didn’t suit Crossing’s soil quality but rather suited the soil quality of southern kingdoms.

As a result, the technology was stolen, and only other kingdoms benefited from it.

“Hmm… Then Ars, could you give me a little soil from here? I’d like to take it back and do some experiments.”

“Really? I’ll definitely prepare it for you.”

If Dorofei succeeded in developing fertilizer, it could become a historic event.

“Ah, but don’t expect too much. I’m still just a novice.”

“I’m grateful just for you thinking about it. I’ll have the soil ready in the carriage when you leave.”

In Dorofei’s case, I was thinking of slowly recruiting him as my talent. I needed someone knowledgeable in agricultural domestic affairs.

As I was talking with Dorofei about agriculture, Gilbert Saleon, who had been waiting in another reception room and seemed to have grown tired of waiting, approached. “Are they still talking inside? My, how long are they going to keep their guests waiting?”

I dealt with him on behalf of Brother Max. “I apologize. It’s my brother’s first time dealing with so many nobles at once…”

“Hmm. If you say so, I’ll be lenient this time.” He soon turned his attention to Dorofei as well. “But Count Grimwood, don’t you need to be in there too?”

“Ahaha… I’m still just a youngster…”

“A youngster? You’re a great noble with the title of Count, aren’t you? Huh! It seems Hellian is excluding capable talents like you just because you’re young.”

“That’s not…”

“Come to think of it, Dunan’s death is largely his fault too. If he had provided good advisors to Dunan, such a misfortune wouldn’t have happened. Tsk tsk, if Wade had been by Dunan’s side a step earlier, Dunan surely wouldn’t have died.”

“…”

Dorofei, who believed Casper to be Wade, couldn’t help but be shaken by Gilbert’s words.

Gilbert’s words now sounded as if Wade could have stepped in from the beginning, but Duke Hellian intentionally prevented it.

“Dunan’s death was a sad event for me too. Do you know? He was my father, Duke Altior’s adjutant when he was young.”

“…I know.”

“Sigh! Come visit Grancel sometime. I’ll treat you to a drink, man to man.”

He was indeed worthy of being praised as having superior political skills, even by Duke Hellian.

When Duke Hellian finished his conversation and came out, Gilbert pretended as if nothing had happened, keeping his distance from Dorofei.

Brother Max, who had come out to see them off, widened his eyes when he saw Gilbert’s face. It seems he had been tipped off by Duke Hellian beforehand, but he hadn’t expected Gilbert to keep waiting.

“Welcome, Sir Gilbert.”

Even though he was the leader of another faction, Brother Max couldn’t treat him poorly, so he guided Gilbert to the reception room.

Duke Hellian watched this scene with displeasure, but for now, there was nothing he could do, so he just observed.

* * *

That’s how I had to spend the first and second days of the festival, dealing with work or attending to guests.

On the third day, I was thinking of slipping by using work as an excuse again, but Olaf came looking for me in the morning, carrying an armful of books.

“Aha! I managed to meet the quantity somehow, Ars.”

Olaf, who finally managed to produce 100 copies of the first edition. His ability was frightening.

One might ask what’s so great about 100 books, but in this world, while paper-making technology was good, printing technology was not highly developed.

Most printing was still done with woodblocks rather than metal plates, and even that wasn’t very efficient, so many books were produced through handwriting.

The books he brought now were also all handwritten, employing 30 slaves with good handwriting.

‘In the long run, we’ll have to abandon woodblock printing technology and spread metal plate printing technology.’

The key to metal plate printing lies in printing press technology.

With modern knowledge, I had a vague understanding of Gutenberg’s printing press and was waiting for a technician who could realize that technology.

That was Luke, one of the seven vassals,  Master Artisan.

“Now, go and sell these. I’ve set up a place for you.”

“Come to think of it, I have some urgent business today…”

“I’ll take care of it.”

“How do you know what it is?”

“Whatever it is, it’s nothing I can’t handle. So go and sell the books, author.”

“Sigh, alright. I said alright.”

I headed to the square in the city with the workers Olaf had prepared, carrying the books.

A cultural festival was being held in the square.

Numerous musicians were playing instruments, and performers were dancing or singing to the music. Painters were displaying their paintings here and there.

Most of them were people who wanted to be selected by nobles and other influential figures. Some had come to the festival purely to showcase their art, but they needed money to do art, so their goal was money.

The same goes for writers.

About 13 writers, including myself, had stacked their books and were promoting them.

You might wonder how they make money selling books in this world where there’s no concept of copyright and unauthorized copying and piracy are rampant, but this was surprisingly profitable.

It’s less about making money by selling books and more about gaining fame to make money.

A typical example is being employed as a scribe for a noble. If you become a scribe for a high-ranking noble, wealth and honor come together. It’s even possible for a commoner scribe to easily arrange a marriage with a noble lady.

‘Everyone’s desperate. Will my book sell in a place like this?’

While they were putting their lives on the line, for me it was neither a hobby nor a profession.

Others were shouting loudly and promoting enthusiastically, so I thought no one would show interest in me just sitting there, but…

“Are you the author of this book?”

Within 3 minutes of sitting down, a woman who looked like a noble asked me that.

“Ah, yes. I’m Ars… No, Platina.”

“Platina… That’s a good name with a nice ring to it.”

I was grateful for her interest, but I wasn’t sure how to actually sell the book.

‘Should I just tell her to buy the book? Or should I explain the content of the book?’

However, the woman started asking about my personal details rather than the content of the book.

“Oh my, you’re from the family that rules this city?”

“Yes… That’s right.”

“What do you do when you’re not writing?”

“I’m sorry, but I’d appreciate it if you asked about the book rather than about me.”

“But isn’t knowing about the author important for understanding the book?”

“Hmm…”

Normally, I would have drawn a clear line, but being in a position to sell books, I was confused.

So today, I decided to change my approach and put on a thick skin.

“What would you like to know?”

I gave a slight smile.

Being accustomed to this type of conversation for extrinsic reasons, I was able to lead the conversation without much difficulty.

“Oh my, you’re still an academy student? Which one do you belong to?”

“If you want to know that, how about buying one more book?”

“I’ll buy it.”

Playing this push and pull game, I sold her three books.

“I’ll have to give the remaining books to my friends. I hope they like the content too.”

“I’m sure they will.”

“Can we meet again sometime?”

“If the opportunity arises.”

“Hehe, then see you next time.”

The woman left, satisfied.

“Phew!”

Being my first time as a salesman, I let out a sigh of relief without realizing it.

My personal information was sold, but since it was a normal novel, I decided to let it slide.

This sales strategy seemed to work, as customers kept coming after that.

Most of the customers were women. Some of them were my acquaintances.

“You wrote this book, Ars?”

“Wow! I want to read it!”

They were the kids who had come to visit with sister Julia before.

It felt awkward to charge them, so I gave them the books for free.

‘It’s selling faster than I expected.’

At this rate, it seemed possible to sell out before the festival ended.

“Ahem! One book, please.”

It was a woman wearing a helmet. Although she lowered her voice, her identity was easy to figure out.

“What are you doing, Eo? Didn’t you say you were going to have tea with Ms. Bisketa today?”

“E-Eo? Who are you talking about…?”

“Well, fine. Here, five copies.”

“Five copies?”

“Give the extra ones to people you know.”

I decided to boldly reduce the quantity. Eo hugged the books preciously and disappeared.

‘Come to think of it, Eo has never read my book before.’

I wonder what expression she’ll make when she finds out she’s the motif for the main heroine.

The aggressive sales strategy worked well and the stock quickly diminished, but soon a problem arose.

Three hours after selling books, a crowd formed in front of me.

‘What should I do about this?’

Women approached, speaking pressingly.

When dealing with them one by one, it was somewhat manageable, but once a crowd formed, it became beyond my control.

“I’m sorry, but if you’ve purchased a book, could you please leave now? Other customers are waiting.”

“Why? You were talking continuously with others earlier.”

“Ugh…!”

I realized this is why business is difficult. When you provide thorough service, problems arise precisely because of that.

“Anyway, continue what you were saying.”

“Please shake my hand too!”

I gritted my teeth tightly.

‘At this point, it’s all or nothing.’

I try to deal with all customers equally, somehow.

As I was forcing a smile and attending to customers one by one,

“…What. Are you doing?”

It was a voice like icicles falling.

Estelle glared at me and the women surrounding me with eyes like an abyss.

Everyone present flinched and trembled at her appearance.

“What is this? Please maintain order. It’s unsightly.” At her rebuke, everyone wore sheepish expressions.

As if intimidated by Estelle, they began to retreat awkwardly. Well, even I get chills sometimes, so it must have been worse for ordinary people.

“Ah, haha. I should get going now.”

“I’ll read the book well!”

The crowd dispersed. I couldn’t help but admire it.

“Wow. They all disappeared at once. Did you use some kind of superpower?”

Looking at me admiring sincerely, she speaks softly, “Sir. Ars. What are you doing? Why were you surrounded by foxes, laughing merrily?”

“W-wait. What did you say? Foxes?”

“I said women. You must have misheard.” Estelle approached accusingly, noticed the book on the table, and her expression clouded. “…I see. So it was today. The day to sell books.”

“Yes, I thought they would sell well during the festival period.”

She seemed to understand and softened her stern expression, but she doesn’t seem to approve of my sales strategy.

“I don’t think it’s good for Sir. Ars to sell books directly. For various reasons.”

“But my business partner said I must do it myself. Said that’s how they’ll sell like hotcakes.”

“Business partner? Who are you talking about?”

“The person who made the book.”

“I understand what they meant by saying that, but that’s precisely why it shouldn’t be done.”

“But there’s no other way, is there? Are you going to buy them all yourself?”

The price of one book is 10,000 sillan.

It’s about 100,000 won in Korean currency. Even though paper-making technology has advanced, the price of paper isn’t cheap. This price is set without considering royalties, and usually, the price of a book easily exceeds 20,000 sillan.

“There are about 50 left, so you just need to give me 500,000 sillan.”

Then Estelle showed a surprising action.

Even though it was just a casual remark, she actually opened her wallet.

However, she shook her head, seemingly short on money.

“Then I’ll join you.”

“Pardon?”

“I said I’ll help you sell the books.”

“Uh…”

It was a good idea. With her joining, it seemed like many male customers would come too.

“Shall we do that then?”

“Yes!”

Estelle sat down, looking satisfied as if she had made a ‘Judgement of Solomon’, but it seemed someone didn’t want to just watch this.[1]

“You said 500,000 sillan? Then give me all those books.”

A woman who had her servant presented a plump purse of gold coins.

“But with this level of purchase, what kind of service do I get?” Erina smiled and spoke to me.

 

Footnotes:

1]  The Judgement of Solomon is a story from the Hebrew Bible in which Solomon ruled between two women who both claimed to be the mother of a child. He used a very clever tactic which worked. He is also known in fiction for his 72 demons The Lesser Key of Solomon books.

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