Settlement

Though many within Sharia had been suffering due to the long and cold Winter, it wasn't as though there wasn't enough food and supplies to go around. The nations of the Magic Triumvirate were so far North that they were covered in snow year-round. Thus, while they primarily survived due to animal husbandry, they had found solutions to growing crops in nearly arctic temperatures centuries prior.

The simple truth of the matter was that the people in charge of the Magic Triumvirate, despite 'welcoming' people of all races, didn't want foreigners settling there. They relied on people bringing in goods and currency from outside and were actively harmed by 'poor people' trying to migrate to the region. After all, unlike other countries, people couldn't just be put to work tilling and cultivating the land. That was a job left to the slaves of wealthy and established Nobles, so unless they were actively contributing to the development and prosperity of the nation, countries like the Ranoa Magic Kingdom didn't truly welcome outsiders.

With a standard, 30kg bushel of wheat costing 3 Asura Silver Coins, Eula, using the wagon Paul had previously purchased, managed to acquire two-thousand-kilograms for a discounted 15 Asura Gold Coins. The retail price was 20AGC, but as most people would haggle down to around 2ASC per bushel, the merchant was able to turn a profit of around 2AGC by selling in bulk.

Under normal circumstances, 2000kgs of what could be processed into around 1500kgs of wheat flour. That was enough to produce 1500kgs of noodles, 3000 loaves of bread, or 15,000 slave rations, a tough but easily preserved food that resembled a thick cracker.

With Xiangling at the helm, 1500kgs of wheat flour could be turned into much more than simple, borderline tasteless bread. First and foremost, she was an expert at making dumplings, and, thanks to Paul, she could also produce high-quality pizzas, pasta, and lasagna. Cheese happened to be one of the top three exports from Sharia. Better yet, they also grew a variant of peanut that flourished in sub-zero temperatures, so Xiangling was able to teach the members of the Beast Race how to process them into peanut oil.

While it wasn't the best oil for frying things, the concept of frying was virtually unheard of within the Central Continent. When the beast people ate the meat and cheese dumplings provided by Xiangling, it was like they were entering a new realm of flavor. After all, while cheese was ubiquitous within the world of Mushoku Tensei, especially in regions that focused on animal husbandry, most people had never consumed it melted, much less fried...

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"This is phenomenal! Exceptional! Beyond fantastic...!"

With hundreds of beast people gathering around Amalie's bakery daily, it wasn't long before the Mayor sent his servants to see what was going on. When they brought back some of Xiangling's food, the rather portly fellow was beside himself with amazement. He had to try it fresh from the oven, so, after deliberating for several days, he decided to pay the bakery a visit rather than attempting to force Xiangling to come to him.

Under normal circumstances, the Mayor, better known as Count Schmidt, would never lower himself to visiting a bakery owned and operated by a beast person. However, upon learning that the person responsible for the fried dumplings was a member of Einherjar, a Party comprised entirely of Saints, he decided to make an exception. Members of the Adventurer's Guild were regarded as Sovereign Citizens, so Count Schmidt technically had no authority over Paul or his Party members. That typically wouldn't matter, but with the power they wielded, Count Schmidt would rather not antagonize a group of people that could theoretically slaughter everyone in his Manor before fleeing to another country.

"If you think this is good, you should see what Xiangling is capable of with higher-quality ingredients. These dumplings are just the tip of a very large iceberg."

Hearing Paul's words, Count Schmidt's glistened with magical energy and excitement. He wanted nothing more than to acquire Xiangling as his chef, but, understanding Paul's background, he knew she was a vassal that had been serving the brown-haired youth her entire life. She was also a Saint-Ranked Fire Mage who, according to rumors, had incorporated chantless Fire Magic into her spearmanship. He would need to be a fool to think she would betray her Master after accompanying Paul into his exile.

Believing he had seen through Paul's intentions, Count Schmidt gestured for one of his female slaves to wipe his face and beard before suggesting, "Tales of Sir Paul's philanthropy have already spread far and wide through the Ranoa Magic Kingdom, not just Sharia. In exchange for allowing some of my staff to apprentice under Chef Xiangling, I will allow any businesses operating within the Western District to forgo having to yield tax for three years. I believe that should suffice for your purposes?"

Though he was more than a little confused by Count Schmidt's sudden proposal, Paul maintained a professional smile as he answered, "So long as they're not expected to pay back taxes, I'm more than happy to agree to such terms."

Expecting Paul to negotiate for better terms, Count Schmidt was slightly taken aback. The slums actually cost Sharia money to sustain, so even if Paul had arranged for ten years of tax exemptions, he would have agreed.

"Does Sir Paul not intend to remain in Sharia? With the 'investments' you have made at the Ranoa Magic Academy, I had thought..."

Like most of the Nobles affiliated with the Magic Triumvirate, Count Schmidt had interpreted Paul's act of sponsoring nineteen students as a sign he intended to settle in the region. Why else would he be promoting the growth of the Western District in such a high-profile manner?

Realizing where the misunderstanding lay, the corners of Paul's smile curled upward a little as he explained, "Though I wouldn't mind laying my roots in the Ranoa Magic Kingdom, the Count should recall that, despite my appearance, I'm only twelve years old. There are still a lot of places I want to see and explore, so I'm afraid I won't be settling for quite some time."

"I see..."

Interpreting Paul's words to mean he would be returning around the time the students from the Ranoa Magic Academy were preparing to graduate, Count Schmidt took a moment to deliberate his next words. It was a bit of a gamble, but so long as he could help the Western District thrive in Paul's absence, he should be able to secure the youth's favor upon his return. By then, everyone within Paul's Party of prodigies would be Ranked as a King or Emperor-Ranked Mage or Swordsman. Having the favor of such a force could literally make someone a King...

Though Count Schmidt had no aspirations for the throne, he was a close friend of the King and an ardent supporter of the Second Prince. So long as he could prevent Paul from getting drawn over by the Neris Kingdom or Basherant Dukedom, he would be doing his King and country a significant favor.

"Allow me to amend my previous offer. I will permit the beast peoples of the Western District eight years of tax exemption. In exchange, should Sir Paul and his Party ever return to the North, please consider settling within the Ranoa Magic Kingdom. If that is unacceptable, I would be content so long as you vow to never settle in our affiliate nations..."

Understanding the Count's concerns, Paul adopted an ostensibly friendly smile as he said, "Rest assured, Count Schmidt. While it is only a matter of time before I venture to the Neris Kingdom and Basherant Dukedom, they have no particular allure. I can promise you that if I settle in the North, it will invariably be in Sharia. Though I was not able to attend it myself, I am quite fond of the Ranoa Magic Academy."

Returning a smile of his own, Count Schmidt replied, "Then it appears we have reached an accord. If Sir Paul is willing to sign a magical contract, I can have it drafted and notarized before tomorrow's eve."

"Sure. So long as it's a personal agreement between the two of us and not my Party. Though they serve as my retainers, I regard the members of my Party as friends and companions. I will sign no agreement forcing them to obey or respect the terms issued by another."

Nodding his head, Count Schmidt replied, "Very well. I'll keep that in mind as I draft our agreement. Come by my Estate tomorrow around four in the afternoon. Barring unexpected circumstances, everything will be prepared by then."

Rising at the same time as Count Schmidt, Paul offered a courteous but unsubservient bow before escorting the man to the door. There were a ton of beast people loitering around outside, but due to the presence of the Count's men, they kept a wide berth of the bakery. When the rotund man finally left, taking with him a veritable banquet of food, Paul waited for a few minutes before opening the doors and shouting, "You know the rules! Form a line, youngest to oldest! Anyone that gets caught trying to cut or cheat other people out of their food is barred entry for ten days...!"

As there had been a lot of fights and bullying, Paul, or, more accurately, Ghislaine, had been forced to 'discipline' quite a number of people. That simply resulted in people bullying one another before they got into a line, so Paul had implemented the current system. He had also implemented a policy that allowed the so-called strong to challenge him for the right to a larger portion. However, after witnessing him subdue Mileena in unarmed combat, there were very few people willing to challenge his authority.

Paul might not be a member of the Beast Race, but he had managed to secure his position as the undisputed 'Big Boss' of the Western District...

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After returning to his Manor, located in the wealthiest section of the city, Count Schmidt took a moment to savor Paul's parting gift before cleaning himself up and retreating to the confines of his room. There, he entered a secret room concealed behind a revolving bookshelf before approaching a large, seemingly shattered mirror.

Bringing his hands together, Count Schmidt muttered a rapid incantation that caused the glass shards littering the ground to glisten with magical energy. Then, as if time was flowing in reverse, the fragments raised from the ground, returning to the mirror and reverting it to a complete state.

Shortly after the mirror became whole again, the surface rippled like the surface of a pool before a bald man with a full beard and runes covering his head appeared. His body was garbed in the grey, high-quality robes reserved for members of the Mage's Court, but the runes glistening on its surface denoted him as an Elder, one of the few Emperor-Ranked Mages in the Magic Triumvirate.

Without raising his eyes from the document he was reading, the ancient-looking man stated, "Earth Saint Schmidt, it's good to see you again. Tell me, is there a matter you wish to report to the Mage's Court?"

Bowing despite his status as a Count, Schmidt replied, "I'm honored that the Archmage is the one to receive my port. As for my purpose, I wished to inform the King of an accord I've reached with the exiled son of House Notos. He has agreed to a magical contract stipulating he will not affiliate with the Neris Kingdom or Basherant Dukedom."

Raising his head, the elderly Archmage revealed icy blue eyes that pulsed with magical energy. Paul was a popular topic among the Mage's Court as of late, not because he was a particularly interesting person, but because of his association with the Artifacts known as Visions.

"The Count has done a tremendous service to the Ranoa Kingdom. I will personally apprise the King of your accomplishment during the evening advisory session. Well done."

Bowing a second time, Schmidt could barely keep a smile from his face as he replied, "I am the Kingdom's humble servant..."

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