Step By Step! (5)

I thought the deal with the Lilith Trading Company had no choice but to grow to a considerable scale.

“It was a good deal.”

Galea Lilith took the hand I offered and clasped it politely with both of hers. She couldn’t help it—I’d gone and bought fifty ships.

I’d heard the Lilith Trading Company operated around four hundred ships in total. If I’d bought one-eighth of them, it was no wonder she was shocked.

So I set the period when I needed to focus on building the port, and by telling her to send the ships along with the iron ore by the promised date, I was able to wrap things up for now.

The problem to solve here was the crew, and the two women were curious about how I planned to operate the ships—but I didn’t think I needed to tell them the ones sailing them would be Whale Beastkin, so I brushed it off and moved on.

Now the second deal—with Idlen—was waiting.

“Once again, I brought a large quantity of mansia seeds and kanapa. Mansia seeds aside, how exactly are you using kanapa?”

“It’s a trade secret, but… well, it’s bound to be discovered sooner or later, so I should let you two taste it.”

As I said that, I asked Seria—waiting near the entrance—to bring “fresh chocolate.” The two women looked puzzled at the unfamiliar term, and before long, several small chunks of chocolate—about the size of finger joints—were placed before them.

“This is the fruit that makes it. Kanapa.”

At my words, the two women lifted their forks and speared the fresh chocolate. The fork sank in with a slightly unusual feel, so they examined it this way and that. The first to bring it to her mouth was Idlen.

Since she’d been trading with me for a while, her trust was higher, and she didn’t hesitate. And in that instant—Idlen’s eyes widened, and she went slack, as if her soul had been sucked out. Watching closely, Galea also looked doubtful, then brought the chocolate to her mouth.

The real problem was that Seria, Matilda, and even Linda—who already knew the taste—were swallowing hard.

‘This is a flavor that doesn’t exist in this world… but do they really want it this badly…?’

Come to think of it, I’d heard chocolate could have a mildly stimulating effect on women. I didn’t know if it worked the same way here, but the shocked looks on the women in front of me were certainly something to see.

“Well?”

“…What is this?”

Idlen spoke around the mouthful, wearing an expression like she couldn’t believe it. The intense sweetness had hollowed her out, and Galea looked the same.

Seeing their curious expressions, I said,

“It’s the product that’ll become Ingrad’s next stream of funding.”

“Chocolate… right?”

Idlen remembered the word I’d said to Seria and asked,

“I’m sure we can’t learn the method, but if it’s something like this… countless people will come running with their eyes on fire. Are you planning to scoop up all the treasure in the world?”

“It may be polarizing. It’s very sweet. So I prepared a few variations—would you like to try the others?”

At that, Idlen and Galea tried the chocolates on the same plate—one a bit lighter in color, one a bit darker. And then, from behind me, a small voice came.

“Milord… could we have some too?”

It was Matilda’s voice. It was so unexpected I turned and asked,

“Matilda, do you like sweets?”

“…Yes.”

Matilda only nodded, her voice shrinking. So I looked to Linda and Seria, said “Alright,” and asked Seria,

“Seria, sorry, but can you go to the dining hall and bring plenty?”

“Uh, how much should I bring?”

“Hmm, enough for everyone here to eat their fill. Anyway—bring a lot. There should be plenty, right?”

Riin was already making chocolate with full enthusiasm. She was a woman too, and this was basically proof that chocolate would sell to all women.

When I saw Linda and Matilda hurry after Seria, saying they’d help, it was absurd—but I thought it wasn’t a bad reaction. I turned back to Idlen, only to find her wearing a serious expression, so I asked,

“Is there a problem?”

“I don’t think you’re recognizing the problem with this.”

“A problem…? What problem?”

“I think this chocolate is extremely dangerous. That intense sweetness, the unique aroma, and the smooth, non-repulsive texture—how it literally melts as it goes down. If you consider all that, I’d say the continent has never had food like this before.”

“And?”

“Which class are you planning to sell it to?”

“Well…”

Thinking about it, that was a problem too. On Earth, anyone could eat chocolate easily, but this world wasn’t like that.

Even sugarcane—because of its intense sweetness and the issue of rotting teeth—was restricted by the state to the point that growing or selling it freely was prohibited. Chocolate had a distinctive richness that sugarcane couldn’t compare to, so it could become an even bigger issue.

“If you plan to sell to nobles, it would be wise to supply it to the imperial family first and gain recognition. If you plan to sell to commoners, the biggest issues will be distribution and price. And if trouble arises later, it could become a food that gets suppressed.”

It felt strange to be this serious over a single piece of chocolate, but I did have some options.

“I can’t tell you everything yet, but humans won’t be the ones selling it.”

“…Not humans? Then who?”

“If not humans, who’s left? Naturally, I’ll sell through Beastkin. As for the method—it’ll become clear in time. So for today, put aside the worry and… enjoy.”

The three women came in carrying baskets full in both arms. It was ridiculous, but I had to say something to them.

“If you eat too much chocolate, you’ll gain weight. If you can handle that, then go ahead and ‘shovel it in.’”

I said it with a grin, and the women’s appetites dropped instantly—they only picked up a few pieces each.

Whether it was this world or the other, dieting seemed to be every woman’s “fate.”

After finishing routine trading, discussing a few points, and aligning differences, I could wrap up the schedule with Idlen and the others—but my work wasn’t done.

After asking for their understanding and stepping outside, I headed straight for the workshop. Today, I meant to succeed no matter what, so I spent my time handling medicinal ingredients I didn’t usually use.

A massive army—the Terakan Empire’s border remained under a razor-sharp tension.

Humanity’s enemy had always been the Demonic Tribe, a species that could never coexist with humans… but now humans were about to point their swords at other humans.

“I took up the sword for revenge. You may find that displeasing. But this revenge is for humanity. I judged that one such as him must not lead those who are willing to sacrifice for humanity—so I drew my blade.”

A long speech had already been continuing.

Count Branne de Ischtein spoke while holding his sword, raising an aura blade, and addressed the soldiers watching him.

“I never imagined my sword would ever turn toward humanity. But unless I cut down Jillien de Atoon, I can no longer move forward. So I ask you—will you follow this foolish ruler?”

Thoom!!!

A shout that shook the earth and the thunder of stamping feet rang out.

And the hundred thousand elite gathered here were merely the private army of House Ischtein, the border margraves. Aside from the border garrison, most of the imperial forces had already advanced on Atoon and sent an envoy demanding they surrender Jillien de Atoon. It was, in every sense, a hair-trigger situation—and Branne’s speech was stoking the spark into a roaring flame.

Moreover, the Empress, Luminas de Terakan, was not someone who would ever tolerate her empire’s noble being nearly violated in misery by foreign royalty.

An empire had its imperial dignity. Luminas de Terakan was someone who firmly believed that any action that trampled it must be met with treatment befitting the offense—and at the spearpoint stood Agnes, the Terakan Empire’s strongest sword.

“A ruler who drives the people into death is a fool. But I will make a foolish choice, and at the end of that choice, I will share the glory that returns with the people. There is only one thing I will take for myself!! The head of the lawless man who tried to violate me. March!!”

With Branne’s shout, the lead ranks began to move, and Branne’s eyes held a chilling killing intent as he watched.

The continent had begun to swirl into the embers of war.

Meanwhile, someone watched all of it—Hesna, the demon duke who had sullied Jillien’s mind.

“Hehe… This is getting even bigger than expected, isn’t it?”

A demon listening to Hesna answered.

“How did you know? That if you provoked him like that, he’d jump into evil without hesitation?”

“You only tickled human nature—humans want to force those better than them into submission. Jillien, that idiot, thinks he’s noble by birth, but he doesn’t believe anyone else could be equally noble and virtuous. He’s a pathetic bastard.”

“So this will become an opportunity to remove that eyesore called the Atoon Kingdom?”

“Not yet. Atoon has him.”

At the word “him,” the demon furrowed its brow.

“You mean the Sword Saint?”

“Yes. A monster of a human—one who wouldn’t be lacking even if compared to me. They say the blood of demons he’s slain could form a sea.”

Hesna shuddered as if disgusted. To be honest, Hesna considered the “Transcendents” who had existed in this world from the start more dangerous than the Heroes.

Transcendents who had earned the title of “Master”—fewer than fifty across all continents, yet each so overwhelmingly strong that only a demon duke could face them; otherwise, multiple demons would have to swarm together to fight those inhuman monsters…

And among them, the most troublesome was the Transcendent called the “Sword Saint.” Even Hesna couldn’t guarantee victory against that monster.

“Branne’s sword will definitely wear down that Sword Saint. And with that sword… I’ll break humanity’s final blade… I’ll make that Dias punk—who struts around after killing a few Heroes—lose all his arrogance…”

Hesna stared through the crystal orb with eyes like drawn steel.

The world began to flow into an unknowable current.