Black Gold (2)

I thought the Empress and some nobles were well-informed because they operated private intelligence organizations. But given the nature of my domain, I could not maintain such a group, so I tried to locate an Information Guild to solve it with money—only for Linda and Matilda to strongly oppose it.

Their concern was that internal information might instead leak outward.

So after seeking advice from experienced figures in society, such as Rita and Guts, we brought back an alternative method.

“So basically, we place a confidentiality request regarding our information while also purchasing information from the Information Guild… that’s it, right?”

“For now, yes. We’ll have to negotiate with the Information Guild, but Rina and Guts think many will want to take our confidentiality contract since it pays well.”

“…Why?”

“Because they can charge that much. And while interacting with them, I’m thinking of training informants too. But that’s just an idea for now, so just keep it in mind. Could you arrange which Information Guild would be best?”

I thought the Information Guild was indispensable anyway. We couldn’t block all information about our domain, but if we could silence certain secrets, that would be enough.

And what we truly needed was to bring in outside information.

When I emphasized that to Linda, she said she understood.

“Well then, shall we look at other matters?”

At that, I nodded and began discussing ongoing external business.

“It is said many nobles are showing interest in the movements of the Hameureun Barony.”

“The Hameureun Barony… well, they’re bound to attract attention. A barony that never did any notable business is suddenly spending huge sums to build structures everywhere… How is the training for personnel dispatched there?”

“It is progressing smoothly. The training grounds beside the pyramid are being thoroughly secured by the Sain Tribe. However, Her Highness the Princess has shown interest.”

I figured that woman was the problem again. She did not seem malicious. And since I had hinted several times about sensitivity to information leaking, she no longer seemed to run straight to the Empress to report—but I still worried when or how she might suddenly change.

“…If we cut off trade, how much damage would our domain suffer?”

“We might not be able to conduct most of our trade.”

“The Empress won’t stay quiet, will she?”

“I believe not. One can assume they are gaining substantial profits. Moreover, the imperial family has long governed through tribute from regional nobles and taxes from central nobles. There were secondary income sources from autonomous regions and duchies, but there were few major profitable businesses. Now Princess Riana is earning enormous money through the Ingrad Apothecary… they may resent our domain’s attempt to sever that.”

“But we can’t keep carrying this forever…”

The alternative was strengthening our domain—but could a handful of Beastkin really handle hundreds of thousands of imperial troops?

‘We can’t surround the domain with walls… hm?’

Thinking about it, maybe we could. If we established several strongholds around the lord’s castle and stationed newly armed Beastkin in surrounding areas based on those fortresses?

‘But Beastkin exert their strength best in the wild… should we make the forest denser?’

Seeing me quickly writing ideas onto paper, Linda stopped speaking. I was simply grateful she never interrupted at times like this.

After writing ideas for quite a while, I apologized to Linda and asked:

“We can’t sever it immediately, so we should prevent them from digging too deep for now. I’ll handle Princess Riana, so tell the others to focus on work. And is the road toward the port being properly controlled?”

“Yes, the Sain Tribe is living there and maintaining control. Even imperial elites don’t recklessly approach or act around them.”

“Princess Riana too?”

“If Princess Riana attempts entry, Wijel personally approaches and stops her.”

“Wijel is working hard. Anyway, I’ll handle things going forward, but please maintain information control.”

“Understood.”

After hearing several more reports, we finished the regular briefing, and as it was nearly time to leave work, I spoke to Linda.

“You should head off soon.”

“My lord.”

I turned toward the cautiously calling Linda and asked what was wrong.

“May I… have dinner with you?”

“Dinner… well, I don’t mind. Sure, let’s go.”

I stood from my seat, and Linda answered brightly, “Yes!” We left the office and headed toward the inner keep, and while walking side by side, Linda asked:

“My lord always seems busy.”

“Isn’t it good for a lord to be busy?”

“You’re busy enough to need more retainers.”

“Is that so…?”

I did not think much of it. I felt this level of busyness was just right, and resting after a fulfilling day felt quite sweet—perhaps this was also a way of enjoying life.

“I think it’s fine even now. Look around. Everyone finishes their day with bright expressions, wondering what they’ll do tonight before returning home, don’t they?”

“…You’re right.”

If slaves lived right in front of a lord’s castle, nobles of other domains would surely laugh.

After all, slaves had settled in what could be considered the prime land of this domain. But I had no intention of leaving them as slaves.

Someday, if they brought a sum equal to their value, I intended to free them and employ them with proper compensation.

For that, they needed to act proactively rather than merely follow orders.

Even knowing it was unreasonable to expect proactivity from slaves, I hoped they would live active lives—and as a result, desire freedom.

Well, so far, I thought things were going well in that regard.

Moreover, I was grateful that they treated me with smiles rather than fear, letting me feel human warmth from them.

“They’re slaves, but all their expressions are bright, right?”

“You treat them well. Food, clothing, and even compensation for labor… if outsiders learned the wages slaves receive here, it would surely cause trouble.”

“We’ve already discussed that beforehand. They will remain silent so as not to harm me. That way they can dream of a future too. It’s mutual benefit.”

Linda looked as though she did not understand my thinking, but I figured someday she would. After arriving at the lord’s castle, I saw a meal prepared for me alone.

So I asked Renia and Allena, today’s attendant maids, to bring food for Linda, and once it was ready, I asked her:

“I didn’t know what you liked, so I had them bring the same. Is that alright?”

“For me… I’m not in a position to be picky. But do you really only eat this?”

For a noble’s table, it was simple: one full dish, one steak, and alcohol.

“I eat dinner as a drinking accompaniment. This steak is basically my meal, and the main dish is the side dish. I did ask them to bring more for you… but they brought quite a lot.”

At my words, Allena and Renia exchanged glances and turned their heads away.

‘Jealous because I brought a woman? Cute.’

The two women often shared my bed, so I thought they might be jealous of me bringing another woman.

Moreover, Linda was very beautiful. I often heard from Matilda that she had been diligently caring for herself with Tiger Balm lately—and Matilda was likely the same.

Seeing intelligent and beautiful women always warmed my heart.

“Eat. By the way, Linda, are you good with alcohol?”

“No! I can’t even touch it. If I drink… ugh.”

I found the reaction amusing. So I did not force alcohol and drank rum alone—but perhaps she was curious?

Linda kept staring at the rum.

“Do you want to try it?”

“Mm… just the aroma is very appealing. Sometimes I want to drink it… but I’m afraid I’ll make a mistake.”

“Everyone makes mistakes. But I’m not crude enough to force alcohol on someone, so if you truly can’t drink, don’t. This liquor is extremely strong.”

“How strong…?”

“Strong enough to ignite if you light it?”

“…”

Linda stared silently at the rum. Thinking she really wanted to try, I spoke gently.

“I’ll pour just a tiny bit. Want to try?”

“But… is that okay?”

“You won’t get drunk from the amount I pour.”

I told Allena to bring a glass and poured immediately. It was barely enough to coat the bottom—about a finger segment if transferred to a soju glass—and handed it to Linda.

She accepted it and smelled it.

“It smells wonderful…”

“It does. It’s a 33-year-old rum. The taste should be wonderful too.”

“33 years… you said the barrels are changed several times during aging?”

“Exactly. After distillation, alcohol becomes clear. Then through long aging in oak barrels, the oak aroma and the liquor’s own scent blend to create a proper fragrance and flavor. And like this—the color becomes beautiful too.”

Linda, staring at the drink, made a determined expression and brought the glass to her lips. I thought the amount wouldn’t be a problem, and as she took it into her mouth and met my curious gaze—

Gulp. Her throat bobbed, and after swallowing, Linda grimaced in agony.

“At times like that, eating a side dish helps ease the burning.”

At my words, she hurriedly stuffed the main dish into her mouth. But that dish seemed painful too.

It was stir-fried beef sprinkled moderately with chili powder. With her mouth and stomach seemingly on fire, she desperately drank water. Watching her, I laughed briefly at how cute she looked—until she finally calmed down, though her face was red like a rose.

“Seems you’re really weak to alcohol?”

“Hee… a little. But it’s so spicy and hot… ha…”

Watching her struggle to stay conscious, I thought she was far weaker than expected.

I ate anxiously while watching Linda barely manage to cut and eat the steak, and by the time the dishes were cleared, I could only sigh as she just stared and giggled.

‘To think she’d get drunk from that amount…’

She was beyond a lightweight.

“Hehe…”