Chapter 431-2 Audience Chamber III
"The price will match what people paid to acquire the Grandchester territory. Payment can wait until next summer. You can cover it with the wheat sales, and I also promise to sell any unsold wheat at that same price."
"Hmm... but I still can't give an answer right away. Give me some time to consider."
"As you wish. However, if time drags on, sales to the royal family might drop off."
"Oh?"
Sophia smiled softly, then stepped back and raised her voice to the nobles holding the territories.
"To the lords of these lands: Sophia Merchant Guild will sell wheat directly to your domains, bypassing the Commerce Guild and other merchant guilds. However, because this isn't a deal through the Commerce Guild, payment by promissory note won't be possible. Sales are limited to amounts payable in cash only. Oh, and I'm open to trade for local specialties, too."
The lords exchanged glances, then started sharing their thoughts with one another.
"That might actually be a good deal."
"But cash only? That's not something we can just pay off easily."
"We could buy as much as we can for now, then watch how things unfold..."
Watching this, the veteran grain merchants who had been waiting for Sophia to flinch paled, as did the king who had approached Sophia's guild for a purchase.
"W-Wait, Sophia. The crown isn't refusing to buy either."
"Rest assured. Few lords can pay cash upfront for enough wheat to supply all their people. I suspect they're all looking forward to the crown stepping in to buy."
The lords nodded silently, their eyes shining with hope as they looked to the king.
"There's no choice, then. But your methods won't escape being called ruthless──you're holding the king and lords hostage over the lives of the people."
"With all due respect, I have no intention of pushing a hard sale. If buying from the crown proves difficult, there's no need to force a purchase..."
"Alright, alright. Merchants are hopeless. I'll buy what you're asking for, as you say. Work out the details with those bureaucrats over there. And the merchants waiting in the back should listen up. No more disputes about wheat trading, and I'll temporarily ban exports too."
The grain merchants dropped to their knees, eyes pleading as they looked towards the king, begging in unison.
"Your Majesty, please have mercy! Even just for the agreements we've already made!"
"Our merchant guild cannot survive without trade with other countries!"
The king fell silent for a moment, stroking his chin as he considered the situation.
"Hmm. Sophia, what do you think?"
"I believe it's reasonable to honor the agreements already in place. If we don't, many merchant guilds will struggle to stay afloat."
"That wouldn't be a bad thing for the Sophia Merchant Guild, would it? If you buy out the other guilds, the Sophia Merchant Guild could become a powerhouse."
'What a cruel thing for the king to say.'
"I'm afraid I don't see it that way."
"Oh?"
"Trust within a merchant guild isn't built overnight. Even if you buy out other guilds, you can't purchase the trust they've built over years, nor can you guarantee the same trades will continue. The loyalty of the employees matters just as much."
"I see. It's similar to acquiring territory through war."
"Precisely. Plus, if many merchant guilds collapse, it won't be good for the distribution within Avalon. Unemployment will rise, prices will skyrocket, and chaos could ensue."
"What a frightening prophecy."
"With all due respect, this isn't a prophecy. It's a prediction backed by strong evidence. When one merchant guild disappears, it means many workers lose their jobs. Not just the artisans crafting goods, but the guilds supplying their materials and those handling transport──everyone feels the hit. Inns and taverns might suffer too. The bigger the establishment, the worse the damage, and if several collapse one after another, just imagining the chaos is terrifying."
"Hmm..."
"Many people are involved before a single product hits the shelves, all linked like a chain forming an ecosystem. Merchants are the ones managing these connections──it's no exaggeration to say they're the ones keeping everything in balance. I firmly believe that only through cooperation can everyone gain more profit."
"Sounds like something a scholar would say. So basically, you want to work alongside other merchant guilds without crushing them out, right?"
"Exactly so."
"Such a selfless merchant... I always thought merchants pushed others aside to chase their own gains, but maybe it's time I rethink that. Or perhaps this is exactly why Sophia is called a saint-like figure."
"That's far too kind."
'In the long run, working together is more efficient and profitable. And if people want to call her a saint, well, let them.'
Just as the conversation paused, the Crown Prince standing by the throne spoke up.
"Your Majesty, Sophia earlier said the royal family should buy half of the wheat they have. What are the plans for the rest?"
"A fair question. Sophia, what will you do with the remaining half?"
"Actually, we plan to apply to the proper authorities for permission to export the rest from our merchant guild."
This announcement stirred murmurs not only among the grain merchants but also among the nobles.
"So, are you planning to corner other merchants and rake in insane profits by trading wheat with foreign countries?"
"We're considering exports to Roisen. There's no plan to hike up wheat prices."
"What?!"
The merchants immediately started shouting loudly.
"No way we can believe you won't jack up prices!"
"It's only right that we handle the sales."
The king, watching the scene quietly for a moment, suddenly stomped his foot in displeasure.
"Silence! I never authorized your reckless comments!"
His roar shut the merchants up instantly.
The nobles went quiet too, and the hall fell into a piercing silence.
"So, Sophia, what's to be gained by selling wheat cheap to Roisen?"
"I would say trust from Roisen, but the real goal is to bring down these skyrocketing wheat prices. The merchant guild that bought up all the wheat in the Coastal Union is about to hit some hard times. They've already overpaid too much."
"Wasn't it said that bringing down the merchant guild would be frowned upon?"
"They're deliberately manipulating market prices──that's the kind of business they run. I'm not about to join their game."
Sophia smiled sweetly.
"Good grief, you're a fierce saint. So, are you aiming to become a grain merchant then?"
"If needed, I might handle grains sometimes, but I don't plan to specialize. Ideally, I wanted to work with the established guilds, but..."
"Looks like that won't happen anytime soon."
The king smirked.
"Of course, I won't sell all the wheat I control to Roisen. Sophia Merchant Guild also plans to sell wheat directly."
"But the Sophia Merchant Guild only exists in Grandchester territory, right? I heard stores are opening soon in the Royal Capital too."
"That's correct. We plan to open many branches of Sophia Merchant Guild across the territories."
"We thought the Sophia Merchant Guild was just a pet project of the Grandchester family,"
"Since it's where we started, I can't blame you for thinking that. In fact, we do receive various forms of support from the Grandchester family. However, we are an independent merchant guild and we're looking to expand our business to other territories as well."
Suddenly, a familiar female voice cut in.
It was Lady Victoria of Duke Arbal.
"Then how about setting up a branch in our territory? The Arbal family can provide the land and building, if you'd like."
"Thank you. We are indeed interested in establishing a branch in the Arbal domain. We would be honored if you could spare some time later to discuss this."
"Of course, Sophia would be our priority. Please come to the main house tomorrow."
"Understood."
The king had been silently watching their exchange, but when the other nobles started raising their voices one after another, causing a commotion in the venue, he decided to quiet them down for the moment.
"Sophia, seems like you've won this round."
"Not at all, this is a victory for all of Avalon. We are standing united against the ruthless strategy to bring down other countries with our grain. And the added bonus is that we'll be lending to Roisen as well."
"That sounds rather amusing."
"We are pleased to hear that."
The king laughed heartily.
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