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“What’s this? Why have you come back empty-handed, Romad!”

Romad bowed his head and calmly narrated the situation. He had encountered that large, brute of an adventurer, and after finishing his explanation of the man’s attitude, Romad shook his head.

“He’s truly a novice. It doesn’t matter how much money you offer him; he’s not the type to sell out. He doesn’t understand how the world works.”

“Then you should have just roughed him up a bit and thrown some counterfeit money at him, shouldn’t you?”

“That, that’s a bit…”

Romad stammered, scratching his head. For the wealthy Teriq, beating someone up in broad daylight and settling the matter with gold was feasible, but he was just an employee. He didn’t have such money.

And it wasn’t like Teriq was the kind to generously cover his subordinates’ misdemeanors with money. It was far more likely that he would dismiss him for unnecessary expenditures.

Romad tried to calm Teriq with his words.

“Causing a scene in public will only cost you money, right? Let’s just handle it according to the market’s way.”

Teriq calmed down a bit at the mention of spending money. Upon reflection, Romad’s suggestion was sensible. Unnecessary expenses were to be avoided. They could simply resolve it according to the market.

“I’ll just capture that Slayer and then claim she died, offering twice the compensation. It’ll only cost 600 gold, which is much cheaper than actually trading for a proper Slayer, isn’t it?”

While any respectable merchant would be outraged by such logic, Teriq was satisfied. Indeed, according to the laws of the Lastil Duchy, this was the cheapest and most hassle-free solution. Sure, the adventurer who lost his Slayer might cause a ruckus, but they could easily beat him up without any guilt since it would be considered self-defense, hence no fine was necessary.

It was a thoroughly satisfying idea. Teriq smiled contentedly.

“That’s fine. Handle it accordingly. I’ll trust you.”

“Yes, young master.”

As Romad was about to leave the room, Teriq suddenly remembered something and added,

“Oh, and take Sir Lantas with you. That gentleman has been loafing around lately; let’s at least get some work out of his salary.”

Romad’s expression brightened slightly. He, too, was discontented with Sir Lantas, who received an enormous salary yet did nothing but indulge in leisure every day.

“An excellent decision.”

Romad bowed and let out a small laugh.

* * *

Upon returning to the inn, Repenhardt found himself deep in thought.

‘I’ve ended up with too much money left over?’

Even after purchasing expensive clothes, meals, and choosing only the most costly weapons, he still had money left over. Initially, he had prepared 2,000 gold coins for the purchase of Siris, expecting to spend them all at Elvenheim. However, he managed to settle the deal with just 300 coins. Thus, even after deducting the cost of his purchases, he had close to 1,600 gold coins remaining.

“Just carrying it around and using it as travel expenses could work, but…”

Truthfully, even indulging in luxury wouldn’t consume more than 100 gold coins. The price of a Slayer was beyond imagination. In fact, 1,600 gold coins were a vast fortune that could change the fate of an ambitious merchant.

“Wait, there’s no need to carry this around, right?”

For an individual like Repenhardt, that amount of money was enough to enjoy a lifetime of wealth and honor. However, he had a significant task ahead – the reconstruction of the Antares Empire. No amount of funds could be considered too much for the establishment of an empire.

Therefore, he decided to reinvest the majority of his funds, excluding a reasonable amount for travel expenses. Conveniently, he was in Zeppelin, where formidable trading companies from across the continent were gathered, making it the perfect place to find an investment opportunity.

“Now, what should I invest in?”

Repenhardt recalled. Imagining using knowledge of the future to make a fortune was a common fantasy. And he was someone who actually knew that future.

“It must be around that time now?”

There had been a severe famine in the Kingdom of Crovence in the past. The Kingdom of Crovence, blessed by the Goddess of the Earth, Redanti, was a fertile land that hardly knew failure. Boasting bountiful harvests in both spring and autumn, it was an agricultural nation that exported the surplus grains.

As a result, no one prepared for a famine. Then, a catastrophic famine struck. The expected barley harvest was completely ruined, and the kingdom’s fate was sealed after consuming all stored grains during the winter. Tens of thousands died of starvation, and a dystopia unfolded where parents resorted to cannibalism.

Realizing the timing aligned with the upcoming spring after this winter, he thought,

“Investing in grains would be wise.”

He smiled. He remembered hearing drunk adult mages talk about how knowing the story of that famine in advance could have led to making a fortune. It was a chance to save people and make money, killing two birds with one stone.

He quickly went through the list of trading companies in the Principality of Chatan that specialized in grains in his mind. The first that came to mind was naturally the Rolpein Trading Company, but, honestly, he harbored a lot of resentment towards them. After all, Siris’s abusive owner in her previous life had been the head of the Rolpein Trading Company. Hence, he was loath to set foot there.

The next one that came to mind was another grain-specializing trading company that competed with the Rolpein Trading Company. Despite the financial pressure from the Rolpein Trading Company, this company had managed to excellently run its business and eventually climbed up to be the third-largest trading company on the continent.

“The name was… Taoban Trading Company, probably?”

Having made his decision, Repenhardt got up.

Looking around, he saw that Siris was handling the newly purchased weapons to familiarize herself with them inside the room, and Sillan was clumsily trying to imitate her with the short sword he had been given.

‘There’s no need to take them along.’

Siris, he thought, deserved to rest at a comfortable inn for today at least. After all, they would have to embark on a grueling journey again tomorrow.

“Sillan, stay and rest with Siris. I’ll be back soon.”

Sillan, who had been energetically flailing with the dagger, frowned.

“Where are you going now?”

“I need to visit a trading company.”

As Repenhardt put on his coat, Sillan briefly considered following him. However, having just taken a lap around Zeppelin, he felt tired, and the fun of playing with the dagger was too good to pass up. Siris, not having been directly ordered, didn’t think of following either.

“Take care.”

Sillan waved his hand towards Repenhardt, who added,

“Order anything you want to eat, and don’t forget to include something for Siris!”

He had entrusted this to Sillan because Siris would never order room service on her own. Sillan clicked his tongue.

“That’s really thoughtful. Really, go and don’t worry.”

Leaving the two at the inn, Repenhardt set out again towards the trading district.

In a small room painted with whitewash and furnished with nothing more than wooden bookshelves and a table, a man in his early thirties was grimacing as he went through documents.

In front of him, numerous documents had piled up into a mountain. He was in the midst of signing documents and pondering deeply, engrossed in calculations, when another man of a similar age entered the room with a troubled face.

“President Siebolt, the Rolpein Trading Company has started selling wheat and barley at half price!”

Siebolt Taoban, the president of the Taoban Trading Company in his thirties, furrowed his brow and sighed deeply.

“Damn them.”

The Taoban Trading Company was currently embroiled in a fierce competition with the Rolpein Trading Company over grain. It was an era devoid of any concept of fair trade laws. Naturally, the larger entity could afford to push out the smaller one by taking financial hits and using money to overpower them. One might expect them to not stoop to such underhanded tactics if they had any sense of commerce integrity. However, Rolpein Trading Company’s infamous reputation was not unearned. If things continued as they were, Taoban would lose all its trading partners.

“Damn it, to think that such a company is the second largest on the continent…”

Siebolt clutched at his hair, feeling a headache coming on, a tangible sense of how rotten the world had become. Yet, retreating was not an option.

‘If we can just stop the return bills coming due, we might find a way to survive…’

While he was deep in thought, another subordinate cautiously opened the door and called out to him.

“Excuse me, Mr. Siebolt.”

“What?”

His mood was foul, which made his tone brusque. The subordinate, noticing this, cautiously continued.

“A investor has arrived.”

“And?”

At this juncture, getting a small amount of investment would hardly solve the immediate problems. It would only add to his troubles. Moreover, this was usually handled by his subordinates, and he was only to be informed. Why bother him directly at such a time?
There was indeed a reason.

“The thing is, the amount is a staggering 1,500 gold coins.”

“What?”

By the standards of a major trading company, 1,500 gold coins was not a significant amount. However, for the struggling Taoban Trading Company, it was a lifeline.

If they could just get through this winter and have the grain shipments come in, they could cover their losses and still turn a significant profit. Rolpein Trading Company was employing such a bleeding strategy to ensure they wouldn’t survive the winter.

Siebolt’s eyes lit up, and he rose from his seat.

“Who, who is it? I must meet them in person!”

Repenhardt sat in the small reception room he was led to, looking around.

‘Hmm, quite a modest room. Is their situation really that bad?’

It had been quite a challenge to get here. He remembered Taoban Trading Company as the third-largest trading entity on the continent, so he had expected an imposing building. Yet, the Taoban branch in Zeppelin City was merely a small two-story brick building. Considering the land prices in this area, the funds could have easily built a mansion on the outskirts, but it paled in comparison to other trading companies’ buildings.

And indeed, it wasn’t so shabby. With decent wallpaper and elegant furniture, the interior was sufficient to entertain guests. However, having grown too accustomed to the opulence of Elvenheim and the inn “Golden Rest,” it couldn’t help but seem somewhat poor in comparison.

‘Sigh. Have I been indulging in luxury too much lately? I need to exercise some restraint.’

Internally reflecting, Repenhardt waited for Siebolt Taoban, the head of Taoban Trading Company. Shortly after, a man in his thirties rushed into the reception room. He was not the old man Repenhardt remembered, but his stubborn mouth and clear eyes immediately identified him as Siebolt.

“Welcome, guest.”

“My name is Repenhardt.”

After exchanging greetings, Repenhardt got straight to the point. He put down three sacks full of gold coins on the table and said,

“1,500 gold coins, I wish to invest all of it in grain. The location is the Kingdom of Crovence, and the time is next year’s spring barley harvest.”

Siebolt, momentarily lost in the weight of the gold, asked in surprise,

“Excuse me? The Kingdom of Crovence?”

The Kingdom of Crovence was the continent’s largest granary, blessed by Redanti, ensuring it never suffered a poor harvest. Selling grain there was akin to selling a stove in the tropics—utterly senseless. Siebolt’s jaw dropped in disbelief.

“Uh, guest. I hesitate to say this, but selling grain to the Kingdom of Crovence is like selling soap to orcs. It just won’t sell.”

“Orcs get used to soap just fine if they try.”

“What?”

“Ah, never mind. It’s nothing.”

Repenhardt had inadvertently mentioned a story from a past life.

He chuckled bitterly. Honestly, he understood Siebolt’s attitude. If he didn’t know the future, he would have considered such an investment folly as well.

“If it fails, I’m the one who loses, right? But if it profits, you’ll gain a substantial benefit too.”

“That may be true, but…”

Siebolt fiddled with his lips, troubled. That money could certainly solve his current difficulties. However, his merchant spirit couldn’t simply agree to a clearly doomed investment.

“Still, I can’t recommend an investment that’s bound to fail. Perhaps you should reconsider…”

“If you’re not interested, I’ll look elsewhere.”

Repenhardt didn’t have much attachment to the Taoban Trading Company. His choice was initially driven solely by his dislike for the Rolpein Trading Company, so opting for another company posed no issue for him.