NOVEL NEXT Chapter 18
“Colona Baron, have you heard of seaweed?”
In the socialite world where failure to keep up with trends means being left behind, there isn’t a noble who doesn’t know about seaweed.
However, the reason for asking such a question is simple.
In one word, it’s to mock: “Hey, isn’t your family practically broke?”
The one being teased not only has their pride hurt but also experiences a slight political blow from being subtly looked down upon.
The Baron wanted nothing more than to throw his gloves down in frustration, but he held back his anger tightly.
To challenge someone to a duel over something so trivial would be a disgrace to his ancestors.
“Haha, how could a noble of the Toscan Empire not know of seaweed? I’ve heard it’s particularly good for new mothers.”
Colona Baron managed to respond somewhat gracefully.
However, his opponent clearly had no intention of letting him off the hook.
“Ah, I see you do know. Actually, I managed to acquire a bit of quantity this time.”
His opponent handed Colona Baron a box that looked quite luxurious.
Inside the box was around 100 grams of dried seaweed.
The value of the contents? A whopping 10 gold coins, or 100 pounds.
For nobles of the Baron’s standing, it’s not big money, but it’s certainly not small change either.
“Our Delle Baron family has successfully secured about 2 kilograms of it this time. So, I thought I should give a little gift to the esteemed Colona Baron, who is on friendly terms with us.”
The Delle Baron supports Duke Visconti, while Colona Baron supports Duke Sforza—an opposing relationship.
And this guy gives 100 grams of precious seaweed to someone so close in rank?
It’s nothing short of an act to show off their wealth, claiming superiority over his family.
Moreover, money is power, and thus it serves to mock that they are weaker than them.
A huge part of why seaweed sells so well is that it allows for ‘legal mockery’ of rival families.
However, on the surface, it looks like a generous gift of a valuable medicinal item, so getting angry is not an option.
‘If I repay kindness with resentment, I’ll be getting a bad reputation.’
Colona Baron could do nothing but clench his teeth at the trickery.
“Ah, well then, I must take my leave. I have to greet the others.”
The contrast between those who secured seaweed and those who did not was glaring.
Colona Baron, simmering with rage, couldn’t toss aside the box containing 100 grams of seaweed.
“What a pathetic scene.”
This feeling was reminiscent of when he caught his once-beloved courtesan cheating on him with a common man.
“Our family retainers won’t be able to show their faces anymore.”
Such trickery, even just from a count—no, even a viscount—could invoke feelings of inferiority due to the ‘level of difference’.
But when it’s from another baron, especially a rival, and word spreads?
Just thinking of it was utterly terrifying.
And soon, the Baron’s wife, who had also attended the banquet, voiced her complaints.
“Why must I be humiliated for not being able to obtain seaweed even at a banquet like this?”
Though the Toscan Empire is a male-dominated society, the relationship between a wife and husband is an unbreakable symbol of a permanent alliance between two families.
Thus, their positions are nearly equal, despite the roles being different.
For this reason, Colona Baron had to suppress the urge to strike her.
“I’m sorry for being powerless.”
“Today, Baron Dornar’s wife gave birth ten days ago and bragged that she quickly recovered after eating seaweed soup.”
“……”
“She said she had a completely safe delivery, probably because she gave birth at that Medici fellow’s hospital.”
The wife gently caressed her belly while gazing at the Baron.
It wasn’t with affection directed at her husband.
“Giving birth is an obvious duty for noblewomen, but wouldn’t it be better if it could be done safely?”
Though giving birth is a given, it’s still a frightening thing.
Colona Baron understood that much.
“Hmm, that’s true.”
“In that sense, could you make some effort so that I could use the Medici hospital or whatever when I give birth?”
“But the Medici family are our rivals…”
“Even if I’m looked down upon for not following trends?”
Not following trends doesn’t just end at being called uncool.
Above all, being looked down upon for not following trends is something that cannot be tolerated when it concerns one’s honor, which is more precious than life.
“No matter how precious seaweed is, I can still find a way to get it in the black market. And as for that Medici hospital, I’ll bow my head to the duke to secure a spot.”
Seaweed is an item, but a mother’s death is a significant issue that could lead to the breaking of marital alliances.
Moreover, if that wretched woman dies in childbirth?
If she dies because I didn’t take her to the hospital, the opposing family would surely cause a ruckus.
‘My father-in-law would use the dead wife to burden us with huge debts.’
This is just how noble society works.
As soon as Colona Baron exited the banquet hall, he yelled at his butler.
“Butler! How in the world is it reasonable that we can’t buy that damned seaweed?”
“Lord, Sir Fabio, who is under the protection of Duke Visconti, has monopolized all the supplies. You know that, right?”
“Who doesn’t know that? Buy it immediately!”
“To do that, you’d have to bow your head to him.”
“I can humble myself to send a woman to a maternity ward for her request. Even Duke Sforza would understand that.”
In noble society, childbirth is both a blessing that strengthens family alliances and a ticking bomb, as the mother’s death could lead to a broken alliance.
Thus, if I owe Duke Visconti a favor in preventing this from going wrong, even Sforza wouldn’t utter a word against it.
Childbirth concerns the very existence of a family.
“Go find at least 1 kilogram of seaweed, even if it means hitting up the black market! I’ll pay whatever price. For the honor and face of our family! This is an emergency.”
The biggest reason seaweed sells well is precisely this.
While the health of mothers is great, the trend is another matter, but not having it means being treated like a fool in noble society.
“Yes, understood.”
“After securing the supplies, prepare for the banquet. I need to take revenge on that Delle fellow who has tarnished my face.”
And on that day, Colona Baron bought 1 kilogram of seaweed at three times the market rate.
He successfully secured hospital rooms for his wife, who would soon give birth in five months, by appealing to Duke Visconti.
The duke would gain political influence, and Fabio would gather the profit from the seaweed sold in the black market.
They were being incredibly meticulous.
“Indeed, in the medieval times, nothing ticks off nobles more than their vanity, right?”
The cake I originally made, seaweed, and maternity hospitals—all three are new commodities that stimulate the vanity of nobles.
Thanks to that, nobles are buying cakes packed in boxes marked with the ‘Medici’ seal at more than four times the price of regular cakes.
Seaweed and maternity hospitals have become items that nobles feel they must secure, even if they must go into debt.
“How much would we make from seaweed and the maternity hospital?”
I had instructed Sebastian to hire the right people to manage it, so it should be about time for the calculations to come in.
Just then, I heard Sebastian’s voice from outside.
“Young Lord, may I come in?”
He hurried over after entering, having been a butler for decades?
I think I can expect something good from this.
“Come in.”
As expected, his face was adorned with a smile, indicating good results.
“The sales revenue from seaweed and net income from the Medici hospital have exceeded a whopping 4,000 gold coins. In just one month!”
They say the top 1% on Earth in the 21st century monopolize 50% of the world’s wealth.
Let alone in the Toscan Empire, where wealth redistribution is even less prevalent.
So if you’re going to do business, catering to nobles is vastly more profitable, which is why I’ve only sold goods targeted at the aristocracy.
‘This is more than I expected.’
Compared to the time I built the steel factory, the sales volume is small.
But once the entire Toscan Empire consumes all the seaweed, it’s possible that revenue will reach similar levels.
And unlike steel, which has constant demand, the rarity of seaweed or maternity hospitals will diminish, leading to reduced sales.
“I’m surprised by how much money came in.”
Sebastian looked at me with wide eyes.
It must have been unexpected to see a young man, soon to be 21, acquire such wealth on his own without any surprise.
But honestly, it’s a bit early to jump for joy.
‘I need to set up a trading company with this money to establish foundations.’
The base will undoubtedly be my territory, Bio Village.
“Get ready to invest all this money into the village and the trading company. Let’s see what we can properly grow in Bio Village.”
With massive funds, foundational industries, and people, that area has no choice but to develop quickly.
Now we’re set to take our first step.