Rudell's Proposal
The next morning.
"What… did you just say?"
"I want to go beyond the Blade Ring Mountains."
Carlos, who was lifting his teacup, looked at Rudell with a surprised expression at his words.
In response to his reaction, Rudell answered again in a calm voice.
"What do you mean all of a sudden!? Do you know where that is!?"
"It's the land where the Nord Tribe lives."
Weinstein County, considered a remote area even within the Kingdom.
Beyond it, past the Blade Ring Mountains, lay an endless expanse of snowy plains.
The Plain of Eternal Winter.
Unlike the county, where warm weather persisted for about half the year, this region was covered in snow and ice year-round.
And the people who lived there were the Nord Tribe.
"Absolutely not! What are you going to do in that dangerous place!?"
"That's…"
This was the reaction he expected.
Looking at Carlos, who was shaking his head and shouting, Rudell made a troubled expression.
It was understandable, as the image of the Nord Tribe among most Kingdom citizens was that of crazed warriors and plunderers.
Even in the original story, the Nord Tribe were the ones who would invade and plunder neighboring territories at every opportunity.
As such, Rudell had expected that Carlos wouldn't grant permission.
Of course, he hadn't anticipated such a vehement reaction.
"Honey, let's hear him out first."
Just then, Maria, who had been listening to Rudell's story, spoke up.
"You…!!"
"You know this child has been bright since he was young. He must have a reason."
"Hmm…"
At her persuasion, a low groan escaped Carlos's lips.
"Rudell, to be honest, even your mother doesn't want to allow you to go there."
It was a natural sentiment from a parent's perspective…
Putting himself in their shoes, Rudell wasn't sure he wouldn't object if his own child said the same thing in the future.
"But I also know you wouldn't say such a thing without a reason. Can you tell us what you're thinking?"
"I want to trade with them."
"Trade…?"
At those words, Carlos looked at him as if dumbfounded and let out a short sigh.
"Rudell, I don't know what you're thinking, but they're not a tribe you can reason with. Don't you know? You know what the situation is like in the other noble territories that border them."
"I know what the situation is like in other territories."
Unlike Weinstein County, which was blocked by the Blade Ring Mountains, the other noble territories that bordered the plains suffered from the Nord Tribe, who raided almost annually.
If they tried to subjugate them, the Nords, being battle-crazed, would gather in massive numbers at the mere news of war.
If they left them alone, they would plunder every year, making them a thorn in the side of the neighboring lords.
Perhaps if it weren't for the Blade Ring Mountains, Weinstein County would have faced a similar situation.
"And you still want to trade with them!?"
"Yes."
Rudell nodded at Carlos, who shouted as if scolding him.
Technically, Carlos's words made some sense.
The Nord Tribe, inherently violent and fond of fighting and plundering.
The very idea of trading with them was absurd…
But that was only from the perspective of ordinary Kingdom citizens.
'The tribes beyond the Blade Ring Mountains are mostly weak tribes.'
The Nord Tribe's culture was literally survival of the fittest, where the strong took everything.
The relatively prosperous central regions were occupied by strong and large tribes.
In the barren and harsh outer regions, even daily survival was a life-or-death struggle for weak tribes.
And the tribes located beyond the Blade Ring Mountains belonged to the latter.
"You might find it hard to believe, but the Nord tribes beyond the Blade Ring Mountains are weak tribes that have been pushed out of the survival competition. Of course, they are still Nord tribes, so we can't ignore them, but if their immediate survival is at stake, wouldn't they be willing to at least talk?"
"Where did you hear such a story?"
"At the academy."
He didn't remember learning such a thing at the academy, but what he needed now wasn't the truth.
A reason that would convince Carlos.
Right now, at this moment, that was all Rudell needed.
"..."
At Rudell's answer, Carlos's expression softened, and after a moment of contemplation, he asked Rudell,
"Alright, let's say we negotiate with them as you say. Then what can we give them, and what can they give us?"
"What we can give them is simple: a little food and necessities."
What would be most desperately needed by those who had lost the struggle for survival?
Rudell could confidently say that it was the necessities of life: food, clothing, and shelter.
There was a reason why the three most essential things for humans were called the necessities of life.
"Then what can we get in return?"
"Monster byproducts."
"…!!"
At those words, Carlos's eyes were filled with bewilderment.
Monsters.
Among monsters, there were rare cases where they absorbed mana and evolved into stronger beings.
And such monsters became more dangerous and ferocious, categorized separately as magical beasts.
Imbued with mana, the value of their byproducts was on a different level compared to those of ordinary monsters.
Even armor made by simply weaving their hides possessed a toughness comparable to steel armor crafted by Kingdom artisans.
Magical beast teeth and bones could be used as powerful weapons or tools.
Byproducts like eyes and hearts, also containing potent mana, were highly sought after by mages.
If they could be hunted, they were essentially walking treasures.
That was what magical beasts were.
"The Nord Tribe hunts magical beasts for a living when they're not engaged in plundering wars. If we can trade with them, we can also obtain those byproducts."
For some reason, magical beasts roamed freely in the Plain of Eternal Winter.
Despite being a land where humans struggled to survive, the presence of these magical beasts was the reason why the Nord Tribe could live there.
Livestock, prey, weapons of war, and companions at the same time.
Magical beasts and the Nord Tribe were practically inseparable.
"If that happens, even the merchants who delay delivery dates and haggle over prices would come crawling to us, wanting to trade."
"..."
At Rudell's words, Carlos fell into deep thought with a serious expression.
If it weren't for his cautious nature, he would have already pushed for trade with the Nords as Rudell suggested.
Not only could it solve the territory's financial problems, but it would also be a legitimate way to get back at the large merchants they were forced to deal with.
In Rudell's eyes, Carlos was already 99.9% convinced.
"Honey."
Just then,
"Let's trust Rudell's story. It would be a shame not to believe him when he's speaking so earnestly."
"Hmm…"
At Maria's words, which broke the silence, Carlos let out a low groan.
How much time passed like that…
"I grant you permission. Do as you wish."
"Thank you, Father, Mother."
* * *
After Carlos gave his permission, things progressed quickly.
A few days passed since Rudell obtained Carlos's approval, and on an early morning when all preparations were complete,
On the outskirts of Weinstein County.
Despite being midsummer, a cold wind blew from the Blade Ring Mountains, and a large crowd had gathered there.
Carlos and Maria, along with the people of the county…
They had all come to see Rudell off.
"Don't forget, Rudell. If there's any danger, turn back without hesitation."
"Don't forget to eat every meal, and remember that staying warm is crucial in cold places. Understand?"
"You two… I'm an adult now…"
Rudell chuckled at Maria, who was fastening his coat tightly as she spoke.
In his past life, he might have still been considered a wet-behind-the-ears youngster, but at least here, he was old enough to be treated as an adult.
"Are you all set?"
"Yes, Young Master. Everything is prepared as you instructed."
Behind Kyle, who bowed his head in response to Rudell's question, three large carriages were waiting for the signal.
Carriages loaded with a small amount of food, medicine, and necessities.
Having prepared for a significant expenditure, Rudell couldn't hide his nervousness.
He hoped this trade would go well…
Looking at the carriages, Rudell thought so, but soon shook his head.
Now was not the time to show anxiety.
With a short sigh, Rudell took a deep breath…
"Let's depart."
"Understood."
Following Rudell's words, Kyle nodded to the workers waiting behind.
At the same time, the horses, dressed in thick coats, neighed and began to pull the carriages forward.
"Then, I'll be back!"
Rudell shouted as he watched his parents and the people of the county gradually receding into the distance.
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