Chapter 251: Bringing Down The Curtain Of The Saint |
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With a substantial sum exceeding sixty gold coins, grains were once again purchased.
Though it was possible to buy all the grains from one place, doing so would defeat the purpose.
Purchasing grains under the banner of the Salvation Trade Company, the amount soon reached a staggering 350 bushels.
“This should be enough to feed them.”
Thinking this, the direction of the carriage was shifted from north to west.
The one who set out personally to find the starving villagers says,
“I offer you mercy! Everyone, come this way and form a line!”
It took only a moment for a crowd to gather at those words.
The Holy Kingdom itself might be having a good year, but for the people, it’s a time of spring hunger.
Unable to survive on peeled bark, the distribution of mercy drew people from all around with their baskets.
By the time the grain slightly exceeded 350 bushels and dwindled to 310, he had gathered up the sack bags.
Distributing 40 bushels as an act of mercy in one domain is considered a significant amount.
Now, it was time to move to another location.
He raised the flag and boarded the carriage again.
Unaware that someone had taken notice of his appearance.
As he began distributing free grains across various domains, people started to take notice.
To those nearly dead, he was a savior.
Yet, identifying him was impossible as he always arrived wearing a deep hood.
They only recognized the flag marked with the Salvation Trade Company.
A week after starting the distribution of mercy, calls for the Salvation Trade Company became more frequent everywhere.
“…He really has won over the people’s hearts.”
Halfman, sipping his drink in a corner of the tavern, muttered,
“With just a few hundred bushels of grain, he has won the hearts of the nearby villagers, laying the groundwork to become a major figure.”
At this point, it was more amazement than jealousy.
Despite his child-like appearance, the number of thoughts he must be hiding inside was beyond anyone’s comprehension.
He put down his drink with a clack and stood up.
It was time to acknowledge his defeat.
The Holy Kingdom began distributing mercy a step too late.
As knights and priests were dispatched to distribute grains, the villagers grumbled even while accepting it.
“Che, what’s the point of this…”
“Exactly. Starting trouble and then coming late to clean up… The damage is already done.”
Their resentment towards the Holy Kingdom hadn’t faded yet.
The heresy inquisitors had caused trouble in the villages, and the lords had closed trade routes without considering the villagers.
In such a situation, the Holy Kingdom’s late distribution of mercy was akin to running into a burning house with oil.
Ray shook his head, watching from behind.
‘Distributing mercy was rather a bad move.’
Probably, Pope Eclair had refused the advice of the nobles to exercise restraint and had distributed mercy.
She too must know it was already too late.
Yet, she proceeded, intending to atone and accept the people’s resentment as punishment for her sins.
Ray couldn’t say he didn’t understand Eclair’s feelings.
The power of the central and allied local nobility was significant.
Even for a Pope, it wouldn’t have been easy to stand against them alone, especially as she was just starting to establish her position.
Moreover, Iriel was not leaving the mansion.
Given the current situation, it wasn’t unreasonable that there were no capable people to help.
Of course, the villagers might not know all of that.
Some time ago, rumors began circulating that the owner of the Salvation Trade Company was a saint.
At first, these rumors were dismissed as incredible, but gradually, the idea didn’t seem so far-fetched.
After all, the name “Salvation Trade Company” and the child always seen descending from the carriage bore a resemblance to the saint’s physique.
Feeling something odd, Halfman decided to make a separate inquiry with the information guild.
However, days passed without any news, and his attempts to make further inquiries were rejected by the guild.
At this point, suspicion turned into conviction.
“It really could be the Saint.”
Though he had never seen them in person, he knew from rumors that the Saint had white hair.
It might be a coincidence, but the child from the Salvation Trade Company had the same feature.
Lost in thought, the door suddenly burst open, and someone entered.
Wearing a deep hood and holding an empty leather pouch, one might have mistaken them for a bandit at first glance.
Ray slumped down in a chair and said,
“350 bushels… it’s over.”
Distributing an absurd amount of mercy single-handedly had left him completely exhausted.
Halfman politely bowed his head and responded,
“You’ve worked hard. To gain grains with money, and then hearts with grains, I am thoroughly impressed. It seems I still have a long way to go as a merchant.”
Finally hearing the words he wanted, Ray erased his tired expression and cracked a smile.
“The circumstances were good, and so was my luck.”
“Hahaha, you’re too modest. But what’s even better is your consideration for the villagers’ plight.”
Now, he no longer judged people by their appearances.
Despite looking young, his vast knowledge and judgment had significantly expanded the trade company’s reach, making it impossible to look down upon him.
Halfman asked,
“Do you have any tasks for me?”
As if on cue.
Years of merchant life had honed his perceptiveness.
Sensing the right moment, Ray pulled out the trade company’s badge from his pocket.
Handing it to a puzzled Halfman, he said,
“Merge Halfman Trade Company with Salvation Trade Company and grow it into a major trading company. Completely destroy the lords’ trade routes, and from now on, Halfman Trade Company must dominate trade exclusively.”
The idea of smashing the nobles’ trade routes.
It’s not an easy task.
“Our funds are severely lacking. Though we have higher recognition compared to other major trading companies, we lack the talent and capital to grow any further.”
Ray shakes his head and replies,
“If we continue to support the people’s hearts with our trade, money will come when we need it.”
“…So you created the Salvation Trade Company with that in mind.”
“That’s the idea. Your knowledge and credibility, combined with the recognition Salvation Trade Company has gained, will make it not so difficult to become a major trading company.”
He had planned to entrust the trading company to him from the start.
Deeply moved, Halfman responds tearfully,
“I will definitely repay this kindness.”
“Forget it, that’s repayment enough.”
“I will never forget this.”
“Whatever… Just remember this one thing. Since we’re acting with the people’s support, never exploit them. Greed can lead to your downfall.”
Despite the strange advice, Halfman simply nods in agreement.
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
As he is about to leave, a child sitting in a corner looks at him intently.
It seems they want to greet him but can’t seem to find the words.
“Take care, little one. If you stay here, at least you won’t go hungry.”
“Uh-huh…”
“Someday, I’ll come back again, so do your best.”
With that, he nodded and waved his hand.
After waving back, he left the Halfman Trade Company.
With the emergence of a new trading company to keep in check, the nobles will be busy growing their own trade companies for a while.
If he continues to grow in this gap, it won’t be long before he becomes the top trading company in the region.
Halfman will have to recruit as much talent as possible and juggle relations with other nobles to make the trade routes his own. He’s going to be incredibly busy from now on.
By the time he arrived in Selonia, all sorts of rumors had already spread far and wide.
Returning to the mansion, Euclid opens his eyes wide and says,
“The name is splendid. Salvation Trade Company.”
“Someone chose the name very well.”
“Among the people, rumors have already spread that the owner of the Salvation Trade Company is the Saint. It’s too late for any kind of damage control now.”
“Anyway, I was about to give up being the Saint soon. It doesn’t really matter if they find out it was me, does it?”
“Why wouldn’t it matter? If it becomes known that you are leaving the Holy Kingdom, it will cause quite an upheaval for a while.”
“That’s going to be a bit difficult.”
Now, he speaks dismissively, as if it’s someone else’s problem.
Packing his belongings into a leather backpack, he turns to Euclid and says,
“Can I ask you one last favor?”
Stepping back, she politely says,
“Though you are leaving the Holy Kingdom, our family will always serve you. Please command as you wish.”
“Make sure the nobles’ trade companies don’t grow any larger. If they try to close the trade routes again, just grow Halfman’s company, and it will solve itself. I plan to leave tonight, so please send my regards to His Holiness the Pope.”
“Understood. I will take care of the academy matter, so you need not worry. The talents you have brought are exceptional, so they should be self-sufficient in a few years.”
She always handles things cleanly.
About to leave, she hesitates uncharacteristically and asks,
“Have you no plans to visit the Holy Maiden?”
“…”
He smiles at his packing, indicating that she doesn’t need to ask any further.
“My apologies.”
Shouldering his bag, he steps out of the mansion, where Zik and Lich are waiting.
Zik awkwardly scratches his head,
“This is the last time, my lord.”
“I’ll visit if I get bored.”
Zik snickers at his joke,
“You’re always welcome.”
Continuing the conversation, he pulls a sword from his waist and shows a knight’s salute, planting the sword into the ground.
Then, Lich speaks up,
“Please call on us if you need anything, Lord. Whether you wish to build a magic tower or anything else…”
“No need.”
“Yes.”
They exchange brief words and step aside to clear the path.
He slowly walks past them,
Leaving the reach of the mansion’s lights.
Moving forward, he discovers a quiet garden where mist and moonlight merge, casting a single beam of light on the path.
The bright stars peeking through the clouds create a beautiful spectacle.
He stops for a moment, mesmerized by the multicolored melody of the night, and stares blankly at it.
Then, someone beside him speaks.
“You’re leaving.”
A familiar voice.
The tone that always accompanied him in the Holy Kingdom.
“Iriel.”
“One cannot stay holed up in the mansion forever.”
Her calm voice no longer carries any agitation.
“That time… you clearly said you would no longer involve yourself with my emotions, right?”
Silently nodding, Iriel lets out a small sigh.
“…You always do as you please. Whether it’s causing trouble or leaving the Holy Kingdom…”
Unable to argue because it’s true, she suddenly whispers in his ear as she draws closer.
“This is… a punishment, so accept it.”
She slowly wraps her arms around his neck.
And then, she cautiously kisses him.
Their breaths mingle at the point of contact.
The faint scent of fruit and the soft touch linger at the tip of his lips.
The pretense of indifference is gone, and her long eyelashes quiver.
Iriel, slowly pulling away, says,
“I truly am grateful for everything up to now. This is where we part.”
She speaks with the dazzling night sky behind her, making it seem as though tears might fall.
“Take care.”
Ray also responds with a farewell.
“…Stay well.”
It was a place where many things happened.
Looking back, even the mundane daily life seems enjoyable in retrospect.
He takes a moment to look around the garden before stepping away from the Holy Kingdom.
It was the moment the Saint disappeared from the Holy Kingdom.
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