Ryan rushed home, his heart pounding.
"Dad-Dad!!!"
He threw the door open and froze.
His family was already seated around the table, steam rising from bowls of boiled potatoes.
"Oh, Ryan!" Claudia smiled warmly. "Come, sit. Let's eat."
"Yes, son," Val added. "Sit down while the food's still hot."
"Thank you," Ryan replied, taking a seat but he couldn't hide his excitement.
"I discovered something important today."
He reached into his pocket and placed a small gray pebble on the table.
Val leaned back slightly, startled. "Hey, son… what's this? Is your head really healed already?"
"Big brother, stop it," Timothy complained. "We're eating."
"Dad, I'm fine," Ryan said firmly. "Just look at it."
"That's just a pebble," Val said skeptically.
"It's salt."
"…Salt?" Val frowned. "Why does it look like a rock?"
"Just try it."
Val hesitated. Ryan's eyes burned with confidence.
Claudia gently nudged her husband. "Go on. Just humor him."
With visible reluctance, Val lifted the pebble and gave it a careful lick.
The entire table watched in silence.
His eyes widened.
"S–Salty. It's salty!"
Ryan nodded proudly. "Exactly. That's rock salt."
The family stiffened.
"It's different from the salt merchants sell," Ryan continued. "Their salt comes from seawater left to dry. This one comes from our territory."
Val and Claudia stared at him.
"What do you mean… our territory?" Val asked slowly.
"I found it near the river," Ryan explained. "At the foot of the rocky mountain. The whole area is filled with it."
Val rubbed his chin. "Even if it's salt, rock salt isn't fit for consumption. It has sediments impurities."
Ryan laughed softly. "I knew you'd say that, Father."
He leaned forward. "It just needs processing. Once refined, it can become crystal clear. I already know how to do it but I'll need a large amount to work with."
Val's eyes narrowed. "And what exactly are you planning?"
"I already gathered people at the plaza."
"You did what?" Val exclaimed.
"The people of Arden," Ryan said proudly.
Claudia's expression tightened. "Ryan… I know you want to help, but this is risky."
Sarah and Timothy exchanged uneasy glances.
"You foolish boy," Val snapped, anger creeping into his voice. "You bothered everyone for this? What if it fails?"
Ryan met his father's gaze without flinching.
"What if I succeed?"
Silence fell over the room.
"I know you're afraid of the unknown," Ryan said calmly. "But I'm not. If it fails, we lose a few days of work. If it succeeds… we gain a livelihood better than planting potatoes forever."
No one spoke.
"I promise," Ryan said firmly. "I'll make this work."
Val let out a long sigh. "…Alright. You got me. Let's go to the plaza."
He stood and opened the door.
"Wait for me, Dad!" Ryan said, rushing after him.
At the plaza
Around thirty to forty villagers gathered
nearly half of Arden's population.
"Thank you for coming," Val said loudly. "We have an announcement."
"We've found a new source of income for our territory."
"What is it, Lord Val?" a villager asked excitedly.
"My eldest son discovered this," Val said, lifting the pebble. "At the foot of the rocky mountain."
Confused murmurs spread through the crowd.
A woman raised her hand. "Lord Val… what is that stone?"
Val chuckled awkwardly. "Of course you wouldn't know. It was only discovered today."
Ryan stepped forward.
"Good afternoon, everyone," he said. "This stone is rock salt."
Gasps echoed.
"It contains a high concentration of salt," Ryan continued.
"With proper processing, it can be used for food and preservation."
"Really?" Lito the blacksmith asked. "You mean we won't have to buy salt from merchants anymore?"
"That's right," Ryan nodded. "But my plan goes further."
He took a deep breath.
"I want Arden to become the largest salt-producing territory."
The plaza went dead silent.
"Lord Ryan," someone asked hesitantly, "does that mean we stop planting potatoes?"
"Yes and no," Ryan replied. "For now, I only need five people to help mine the salt. Everyone else continues farming. If salt earns more than potatoes, then we change."
He scanned the crowd.
"Who's willing to help?"
Fifteen hands shot up.
Ryan selected the strong and young among them:
Robert, Lito's son
Karl and Marcus, twin sons of a farmer
Layla and Gibson, children of hunters
After discussion, they agreed:
Payment would come after the first sale
Refining methods would remain secret
As the crowd slowly dispersed, low voices filled the plaza.
"Salt from the mountain…"
"Do you really think it'll work?"
"If Lord Ryan's right, we won't have to buy salt again…"
An old farmer scratched his beard. "That boy's eyes weren't lying. He looked like someone who knew."
Nearby, a woman whispered, "Even if it fails… at least he's trying."
Ryan overheard them. He clenched his fists quietly.
I won't let this fail.
Val returned home to train, sword in hand.
"Alright," Ryan said to the group. "Robert,
Ryan gathered the five volunteers near the well.
"Thank you," he said, bowing slightly. "I know I'm asking a lot."
Robert rubbed the back of his neck. "Honestly, young lord… I was curious. My father said salt decides wars. If we really have it, I wanted to see it myself."
Karl grinned. "And potatoes every day are boring."
Marcus elbowed his twin. "Don't say it like that!"
Layla is just a gentle, we just want to help you young master.
Gibson chuckled. "I'll try mining salt."
Ryan smiled faintly. "I promise you this if this succeeds, Arden will never be poor again."
That made them go quiet.
The five arrived at Ryan's house together.
Ryan bowed slightly. "I won't forget this."
Robert blinked. "Young lord… you don't need to bow."
"I do," Ryan said seriously. "You're risking your time and safety for Arden."
That silence was heavy but respectful.
When Ryan handed them the swords, Marcus swallowed.
"I'm going with the mining team," Ryan said. "I need to confirm the quality of the salt myself."
Layla raised an eyebrow. "You're the lord's son. Mining is dangerous."
"That's exactly why I'm going," Ryan replied calmly. "If something goes wrong, it should be me who sees it first."
Gibson scratched his chin. "Then what about the refining?"
Ryan turned to them. "Layla, Gibson you stay here. Prepare the refining tools exactly as I instructed."
Layla studied his face for a long moment, then nodded.
Ryan smiled faintly. "Fair."
Scene: Preparing to leave
Ryan handed Robert, Karl, and Marcus their copper swords again.
"These aren't decorations," he said seriously. "If monsters appear, don't hesitate."
Marcus swallowed yes young master.
He secured his own sword at his waist and lifted the pickaxe.
Robert hesitated. "Young lord… you really don't have to come with us"
"I do," Ryan cut in.
The carriage rolled forward.