Chapter 15: A Letter
When I asked for the cost of importing foods, Jas seed to have co to so sort of understanding.
Though I'm nearly one hundred percent sure that understanding was wrong.
Jas shrugged his shoulders.
"There are so expensive foods that can be imported, but know that they will probably not be worth it."
I stared right at him, while he stared back at . After a few monts of awkward silence, I decided to bring it up.
"I feel like there is a misunderstanding between the two of us right now."
Jas raised an eyebrow.
"How so?"
I massaged my temple with the tip of my finger.
"I am not buying expensive food. What I'm looking for is a large quantity for the sake of the commoners."
We shared a mont of silence. Jas shook his head after a minute or so and coughed rather violently.
"Sorry, I didn't hear what you said earlier, could you repeat that?"
My eyelid twitched. He definitely heard it the first ti.
"I'm not buying expensive food. I want a lot."
Jas furrowed his brows.
"Wait, so you're saying you don't wish to impress so noble family by preparing a al for them."
I pressed my lips together into a flat line.
"No, I don't recall ever saying that. Please stop coming to your own conclusions."
Jas looked back at as though I was a ghost.
"Then what could you possibly want it for?"
It was at this point that I had a little trouble speaking. I guess I was going to have to tell him anyway since I wasn't allowed to move funds that were too much.
"I want to purchase food from outside the city to provide a al to the commoners that want it."
Jas exaggeratedly leaned in and placed a hand behind his ear, like making it more like an elephant's ear was supposed to make it easier to hear.
"Sorry, I didn't hear that."
I tilted my head to the side while an angry smile ford on my face.
"Jas, I can tell that you heard it, you don't have to act like this."
Jas slowly sat back down in his seat and looked at rather solemnly.
"Why are you doing this? It is better to limit your interaction with commoners. While they may not have much power, if one were to attack you while unguarded, then you will die unfairly."
I shook my head.
"I'm doing this because I'm afraid of exactly that."
It was at this point I just decided to randomly co up with a reason that didn't sound too crazy to explain my actions.
"From what I've observed, it feels as though the commoners are getting uneasy. Perhaps a small spark will send them uprising into a rebellion."
Jas imdiately scoffed and uncontrollably began laughing at my idea.
"That is ridiculous. Commoners have long already gotten used to their monotonous lifestyle. Besides, they've already got the capability to grow their own food. The taxes are completely reasonable for the amount they grow as well."
He shook his head.
"And even if they rebel, they will simply end up throwing away their lives. The difference in power is far greater than what you could imagine."
I bit the bottom of my lip.
Yeah, I knew that.
Unlike on Earth, the difference between nobles and commoners was far greater for the simple reason that all nobles had at least so capacity for magic power. This ant the commoners, which almost all consisted of those with no magic power, would be demolished.
Even the few commoners that did know magic, weren't as proficient in it because they had fewer resources to improve their capabilities. The difference in power between mages was exponential.
But just because it made no sense to rebel, didn't an that they wouldn't. After all, it literally happened in the ga. The cost was that commoners died, and property was destroyed.
It was a lose-lose for both parties, but especially the commoners.
But the fact that it wouldn't affect directly wasn't the point. At the end of the day, there needed to be people to farm, or else there was nowhere else to get food. Fewer people farming inevitably ant that the kingdom would have more strain on resources.
And most importantly of them all, Minori casualty in all this.
Though, I obviously wasn't going to tell Jas that.
With a small sigh, I shrugged my shoulders.
"Even if it is pointless, I still wish to do it. I am unsure of the proper processes, but I still wish to import the food required to make as many als as possible. Please purchase as much as you can for a reasonable price. I wish to arrange a place within the kingdom near the slums where there is a lot of space."
Jas clicked his tongue.
"...I don't know why you wish to do this, but fine."
He closed his eyes and interlocked his fingers, setting them down on the table.
"The amount of work you have just put on is massive, I hope you know it."
I slowly nodded.
"I don't know how to do any of that kind of work. I'm sorry about that."
Jas looked back at silently. After a few monts, he put his head down and set aside the papers scattered across his table. He took out a new paper and began jotting down various numbers and plans that imdiately began to overwhelm .
I didn't even know it was possible for soone to write faster than I could read, but that very reality was presented before .
Thankfully, Jas briefly spoke of all the things that he was writing about.
"I will set up several deals across other kingdoms so that the asking price for food won't be too large, but it will take a little while for them to co in. Thankfully, we do have a decent supply of food right now, which should hold up for the most part until that supply cos in."
He sighed.
"I disagree with the idea of setting it up in the slums, but I suppose that simplifies certain things so I won't disagree. But if you are setting it up in the slums, then we will need so guards."
I narrowed my eyes slightly.
"I accept there being guards for the people helping out, but I don't want any guards."
Jas looked at like I was stupid, and maybe he wasn't wrong for having that impression.
"The slums are a very dangerous place. You should know that many people are willing to kill even if it is for part of a gold piece."
I shrugged my shoulders.
"The guards around the others will be enough to scare them off."
Jas looked at with a bit of confusion.
"...Can't those guards protect you as well? It's not as though they would really have to go out of their way."
I waved my hand.
"If I die because of my decision, then so be it."
Jas hardened his expression.
"You are taking life way too easily, Lord Bryson. Just because you are a Duke, does not an you are invincible."
I blinked a few tis. Sowhat wondering why I was even making a decision like this.
"I know. But if I die because of the trust I put in other people, then it is a death that I accept."
Jas looked back at for a long ti. For the first ti, I saw him smile, though it was definitely a bitter smile.
"You do realize I can just command the guards to protect you as well, and even if I do relay your orders to them they will probably try to do so anyway. After all, it wouldn't look good for them if a prince died right in their faces."
I let out a small chuckle.
"Well, I don't think that can be helped. But still, even if it is pointless, I would like you to arrange this."
Jas let out a long sigh.
"So be it then. I believe we can go ahead with that plan today if you wish to. Just give a little bit of ti."
I gave a small bow.
"Alright, thanks."
He then shooed away.
"Since there's nothing else, you don't have to be here. Attend to your own business."
I felt like I was being kicked out, but decided not to question it too much.
Though, unbeknownst to , he wasn't actually preparing for my request right away, but rather, writing a letter.
...
Once Jas saw the door to his study close, he remained in his seat for a little while before letting out a sigh.
"Has it really only been a few days? It feels as though I can't even recognize him anymore."
He tapped his chin a few tis before taking a smaller piece of paper and began writing a ssage in fine print.
'Dear Leo,
My apologies for contacting you over sothing that was not an ergency despite how busy you are. However, I felt as though this should be sothing you would want to know even with how chaotic things must be.
Your son Lord Bryson has appeared to undergo so sort of enlightennt. Despite all of his physical features being the sa, I can hardly even recognize him anymore. He no longer has the gaze that disdained the rest of the world and a self-destructing desire to beco stronger.
My first impression was that soone was pretending to be your son, but I quickly realized this was not the case as I have already morized all the inconspicuous physical features. I then believed that there was a demon possessing him, but my soul eye could not find any trace of corruption. In fact, it almost seems too pure.
As such, I ca to the conclusion your son has changed, akin to a carp leaping through the Dragon Gates.
I am unsure of what caused such a change, but I believe that it is a great one.
Bear in mind, this was my judgnt based on a relatively short encounter. It is entirely possible that I am greatly mistaken, seeing gold where there is only dust. You may be confused by this ssage considering I am usually very certain, and only ntion things I am absolutely confident about.
Yet, this is sothing I know I can't be sure of. Strangely enough, I feel as though your son is sohow seeing further than , already ahead of on the path of enlightennt when he was previously far behind . Unfortunately, I have no evidence, and this is only based on intuition.
Currently, he wishes to take on what I am almost certain is a foolish endeavor, attempting to do charity work for the commoners. While I believe it will simply be a waste of funds and ti, I will still entertain him.
Even if this ends up being a mistake, I believe this will be one he will learn and improve from, unlike the others he has made.
I hope that you co back from your business alive and well. If nothing else, I believe you will be pleasantly surprised to see what your son has beco now.
Well wishes,
Your Swordsman Jas'
After writing that letter, Jas pointed a finger at the paper, causing a few small glyphs to appear. The wet ink dried imdiately, after which he wrapped it up into a tiny slip.
He went to the window, after which a bird imdiately showed up. After inserting the paper next to the bird's leg, he went back over to his own seat and let out a small laugh.
While the bird flew away, he let out a sigh.
"It looks like I have even more work to do now... you owe for this Leo, you bastard."
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