After a long journey…
Ten hours inside a rattling wooden carriage was enough to make Ryan swear off travel for the rest of his life.
His back ached, his legs were numb, and every bone in his body felt like it had been shaken loose.
The carriage bounced violently over uneven roads, and he groaned as he stretched, pressing a hand against his lower back.
"If I feel this bad…" Ryan muttered, glancing forward, "how are you even alive, Hans?"
Hans, who had been driving nonstop for nearly seventy kilometers, didn't turn around.
His hands were tight on the reins, his jaw clenched.
"For money," Hans replied simply. "Pain is temporary. Silver is eternal."
Ryan sighed. "That explains everything."
They had left the Arden estate at dawn,
around six in the morning. Now, as the sun leaned westward, it was already close to four in the afternoon.
They didn't have much time.
Ryan needed to return before his father discovered he had left the territory.
His mother had given him permission but he hadn't dared ask his father. Val Arden would never allow him to travel to another kingdom.
Fortunately, they had made it without incident.
"Alright, Hans," Ryan said, straightening up. "Let's head to the Temar Merchant Association.
They handle food trade."
Hans nodded and guided the carriage forward.
They stopped in front of an enormous, luxurious building three stories tall, wide glass windows, polished stone walls. It easily spanned five hundred square meters.
Compared to their shabby carriage, it looked like a palace mocking a beggar.
"This place is huge…" Hans muttered.
Before they could even dismount, a sharp voice cut through the air.
"Hey! You there!"
A blond young man with freckles and a permanent scowl stepped forward, clicking his tongue loudly.
"Why are you parking that shabby thing in front of our store? Move it at once!"
Hans hurried down from the carriage, bowing politely.
"S-Sorry, sir. We're here to sell some goods."
The salesman sneered.
"With that carriage? I already know what kind of 'goods' you have."
He waved his hand dismissively.
"We don't need flour. We have more than enough."
Ryan laughed.
Not loudly but clearly enough.
"Pfft haha."
The salesman's face twisted in fury.
"What's so funny, huh?!"
He clenched his fist and took a step toward Ryan, looking ready to swing.
"Jarred."
A calm, authoritative voice stopped him.
An elderly man with neatly combed white hair stepped out from the store, eyes sharp and calculating.
"Step back."
Jarred froze.
"Boss..!"
"Stop," the old man said again, then turned his gaze to Ryan. "Are you unharmed, young master?"
Jarred blinked. "Y-Young master?"
The old man sighed sharply.
"Do you have any idea what you were about to do?"
He turned to Jarred, his voice dropping dangerously.
"This is the heir of the Arden family."
Jarred's face drained of color.
"A noble?" he whispered.
"Tch," the old man scoffed. "Even if the Arden family isn't powerful, a noble is still a noble. If he reported this to the city lord, you'd be lucky to lose only your head."
Jarred collapsed to his knees, trembling violently.
"I-I'm sorry! Please forgive me! I didn't know! I would never dare again!"
Ryan watched quietly, expression calm.
The old man bowed slightly.
"Young Master Ryan, please forgive this foolish boy. I will personally discipline him."
Ryan waved his hand.
"It's fine. He wasn't entirely wrong. Our carriage is shabby."
Jarred stared up at him in disbelief.
"Hans," Ryan said, turning away, "bring the goods inside."
"Yes, Young Master!" Hans replied immediately, suddenly full of energy.
Inside the shop, a table was prepared. Plates and spoons were set neatly.
Ryan placed a sack on the table and turned to the old man.
"Mr. Alfred, I came to sell something… expensive."
Alfred's eyes sharpened instantly.
Ryan sliced open the sack and scooped a small amount of white sugar onto a plate.
"Take a look."
Alfred leaned closer.
"A white powder…?"
"Try it," Ryan said with a grin. "Just a pinch."
Alfred hesitated, then tasted it.
His eyes widened.
"…Sweet."
Sweeter than anything he had ever tasted.
He inhaled sharply.
"Is this… sugar?"
"Yes," Ryan said calmly.
"But there's no burnt bitterness," Alfred said excitedly. "And it's white like crystals!"
"This will sell extremely well among nobles and wealthy families," Ryan said.
Alfred nodded rapidly.
"I'll offer four silver coins per kilogram."
Ryan shook his head.
"Six silver coins. Nothing less."
Alfred paused, then laughed.
"…You drive a hard bargain, young master. Fine. I'll buy the entire sack. Fifty kilograms."
"Good," Ryan replied.
"But that's not all."
He opened the second sack.
"Brown sugar. No burnt taste. Four silver coins per kilogram."
Alfred inspected it briefly.
"I'll take it."
After tax, the total came to 475 silver coins seven gold coins and fifty-five silver.
Hans stood frozen, mouth slightly open.
"…Young Master," he whispered, "did we just become rich?"
Alfred shook Ryan's hand firmly.
"If you have more of this product, sell it all to me. Every last bit."
Outside the shop, Hans finally exploded.
"Young Master! Since when did you possess something that valuable?!"
"Shh," Ryan said quietly. "It's a secret. Don't even tell my father."
Ryan placed ten silver coins into Hans's hands.
Hans panicked.
"Y-Young Master! This is my monthly salary! I can't accept this!"
"You worked hard," Ryan said. "This is your share."
Hans swallowed hard.
"We'll be hiring people soon," Ryan continued. "Bringing them to our village."
Hans nodded eagerly.
"What we lack most is a knight, right?"
Ryan smiled.
"True but what we really need is an educator."
"…An educator?" Hans repeated, confused.
Ryan's eyes gleamed.
"Yes."