Selling The Vegetables

From the next day onward, they spent about two days on each crop, such as carrots, cabbage, Chinese cabbage, lettuce, potatoes, eggplants, cucumbers, and so on, using divided sections for each, going through everything from how to grow the vegetables to harvesting them, distributing the finished produce to the farmers, and shipping the remaining vegetables to be sold as territorial income. However, regarding shipment, the amount was far too large for the town’s merchants alone to handle. Since there was no helping it, the surplus harvest was stored in an underground warehouse that had apparently been used by the town since long ago until a buyer could be decided. The underground warehouse was cool even in summer and was suitable for storing vegetables and other things that spoiled easily.

“Now then, the problem is how to sell this and turn it into territorial income…”

Kent had done this under the pretext of teaching cultivation methods, but as a byproduct, he had mass-produced vegetables. The town was overflowing with food and had become lively, so that was a good thing, but the underground warehouse had far more stock than they could consume, so he was troubled over how to handle it. Incidentally, the fields where cultivation instruction had ended were reseeded and replanted using Al’s power, then adjusted to a proper growth state suited to the current season.

“I guess we have no choice but to ask Marie-san to sell the leftover vegetables.”

“That may be difficult as well.”

When Kent said that, Caro gave a negative opinion.

“Marie-san’s shops are operating two locations with a small number of people, so if we increase the burden any more, even if the shops make a profit, I think the burden on the employees will become quite heavy.”

“That’s true. I wonder if there is a merchant somewhere who can be flexible.”

Kent said that as if talking to himself.

“Ah, come to think of it, there is someone suitable among my acquaintances. Even though she is my friend, her presence has been so faint lately that I had forgotten she existed.”

Caro said that as if remembering.

“I will write a letter right away. She should probably come within a few days.”

After Caro sent the letter, Prim arrived three days later, leading several cargo wagons and a caravan.

“Lady Caroline, it has been a long time.”

“Caro is fine.”

“My apologies. Caro…san.”

Kent and Caro welcomed Prim and the others at the entrance to the town. Prim, who, as one of Josette’s followers, had stood alongside Caro as one of the two leading figures, was the daughter of a great merchant, but since she was a commoner, she tried to take one step back when dealing with Caro, who was a noble. However, Caro had previously asked Prim about how to address her, so she said it again.

“I am sorry for making an unreasonable request and asking you to come.”

“If there is a business discussion that can be profitable for me as a merchant, I will come. And besides, I cannot refuse a summons from a noble without a reason…”

When Caro said that apologetically, Prim gave a natural response from the standpoint of a merchant. However, the words that followed were spoken quietly, so only Kent heard them.

“So I heard that what we will be purchasing this time is vegetables. May we confirm the quantity, quality, and so on?”

“Yes. Then we will guide you to the storage location.”

Kent and Caro guided Prim and the others to the underground warehouse where the vegetables were being stored.

“This is an amazing amount of vegetables. And it clearly includes some that are out of season for harvesting right now… I will have the person in charge calculate the purchase price now.”

When Prim gave instructions, the people in charge who had accompanied her split up and began appraising the vegetables.

“It helps that whenever I get involved with you, Kent-san, various profitable opportunities come my way.”

Perhaps finding it boring to watch the appraisal, Prim spoke to Kent.

“This time, it is thanks to Caro-san. If she had not introduced you, I think we would have sold them some other way.”

“Is that so? But what did you do with these vegetables?”

“They were experimentally cultivated on the land here. We used a slightly special cultivation method, so this will be the only time there are vegetables that do not match the season. From next time, I think they will be harvested in the appropriate season.”

“So the special method is a secret.”

“Well, that is how it will be.”

“It is unfair for only the two of you to talk. Please let me join too.”

When Kent and Prim were talking alone, Caro felt lonely, and in the end, the three of them chatted until the appraisal was finished.

“Young Mistress, the appraisal is complete.”

“Is it? Thank you for your work.”

The appraisal ended, and the person in charge handed Prim a paper with the details written on it.

“If we purchase all the vegetables here… it will come to about this much. What do you think?”

“It will be this high?”

“Yes. Many vegetables that cannot be obtained in the current season are included, and their growth condition is also quite good. I apologize, but since we must deduct transportation costs, please understand that we have presented the price with the purchase amount lowered slightly.”

The amount Prim presented was satisfying even after transportation costs had been deducted.

“What do you think, Caro-san?”

Kent checked with Caro.

“The Acting Lord is you, Kent-san, so it is not something I should decide. If you think it is good, you may sign it.”

Caro seemed to leave it entirely to Kent.

“Wait a moment. Why is Kent-san the Acting Lord?”

Prim said that in surprise.

“Actually…”

Kent explained the circumstances so far to Prim.

“I knew that you two were close, but to think things had progressed that far… I hope it goes well.”

“I will work hard so that I can be accepted.”

After showing a slightly lonely expression, Prim returned to her usual face and supported Kent and Caro.

“Then, since I have received your signature, we will take our leave now. It will be fine if we bring the money to Caro-san’s house, correct?”

“Yes, please do that. Also, could you come once more around the end of this month?”

“That is fine, but will it be for purchasing?”

“Yes. I think this time it will probably be vegetables and fruit.”

“Understood. Then I will visit again at a later date.”

After saying that, Prim led the group of cargo wagons loaded with vegetables and returned to the town of Tior.

Things like that happened, but vegetable cultivation proceeded smoothly, and Kent and the others spent busy days. Before he realized it, August had reached its latter half. Only a few people knew that Kent was the Acting Lord, but thanks to his agricultural guidance, he had been accepted by the farmers and the people of the town and had been spending enjoyable days. However, only one week remained in his stay in this territory. Then, one morning, an incident occurred.

“Hogyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!”

“What was that!”

“Kyaa!”

Kent and Caro, who had been embracing each other naked on the bed as usual, jumped awake at an unpleasant scream that felt like it would drive them insane. Besides Kent, the unpleasant scream also sent unrest running through the entire town.

“Kent, Caro, Al, are you awake?”

Suddenly, the door opened and Verna entered.

“Kyaa!!”

When she saw Kent and Caro embracing naked, Verna hurriedly left the hut.

“Both of you, please put on your clothes.”

Urged by Verna, the two silently and hurriedly changed clothes.

“Come to think of it, Al-chan is not here.”

“That’s true. It is rare for her to be gone in the morning.”

Usually, when they woke up in the morning, the three of them should have been sleeping side by side, but Al was nowhere to be seen.

“When we were preparing breakfast for everyone, that terribly unpleasant scream sounded a little while ago, and after confirming my family’s safety, I hurried here.”

“Were the Town Head and the others safe?”

“Yes, they were fine, but what in the world was that scream?”

“Gathering information comes first. In any case, let’s go to the office.”

“Yes, that would be best.”

Kent, Caro, and Verna hurried to the office.

“Act… Kent-san, Caro-san. What in the world happened?”

“I do not know. In any case, we need to identify the source of that voice and confirm everyone’s safety. Let us contact the guards’ station as well and have them move.”

When they entered the office, the Town Head sought instructions from Kent, who was the Acting Lord. Kent did not understand the situation either, so he judged that gathering information came first.

Verna’s older brother was sent as a messenger to the guards’ station, Verna’s mother was asked to check the farmland, and Verna was asked to check the state of the town. Verna complained that Kent and Caro were not moving, but after the Town Head spoke to her, she reluctantly headed into the town.

A short while after the three left, a messenger from the guards’ station arrived. It seemed he had just missed Verna’s older brother.

“Reporting. The source of the scream earlier was the training ground at the guards’ station.”

“What happened at the guards’ station?”

After the messenger guard informed him of the source, Kent asked the guard.

“Yes. Since early morning, the guards with free hands had been pulling out the weeds growing thickly in the training ground. One of the guards found an unfamiliar plant and pulled it out, and that scream came from the plant.”

After hearing the guard’s report, Kent had one plant in mind.

“I just want to confirm, but what happened to the guard who pulled it out?”

“Yes. He foamed at the mouth, lost consciousness, and was carried to the infirmary. Also, several guards who were nearby also lost consciousness and were carried there in the same way.”

“Kent-san, does something come to mind?”

From Kent and the guard’s exchange, Caro seemed to think he had some idea and asked.

“This is only a guess, but I feel like it may be a plant called mandrake. I have never actually heard one, but apparently, when it is pulled out, it screams, and those who hear it lose their lives.”

““What!””

“Is it such a dangerous plant?”

Caro, the Town Head, and the messenger guard spoke in response to Kent’s explanation.

“You will not die from hearing its scream. How rude. I suppose I do not know about children, but if they are adults, they will only be bedridden for a few days.”

When they looked in the direction of the voice, it was Al, who had been missing until a short while ago.

“Well, if Al, who seems knowledgeable about that area, says so, I guess it will be all right, but we should still confirm the situation just in case. Town Head, we are going to the guards’ station, so please handle the rest.”

“Understood.”

Leaving the rest to the Town Head, Kent and the others headed to the guards’ station.