Rebuilding a Kingdom - Chapter 20 (Patreon)

The Second Plan
I handed the report to Brother Roland and brought up the idea I had been contemplating.

"Thanks to the sale of magic vehicles, we've accumulated quite a bit of profit. Please consider using this fund to curb the skyrocketing prices of magic tools."

"I can't grasp things just from a sudden request like that. Please explain in detail."

"The idea to create magic vehicles stemmed from what you mentioned to me, Brother Roland, about wanting to address the prices of magic tools flowing in from the Elfast Magic Kingdom."

"Ah, I remember that. But the ones inflating the prices are other countries, trade companies, and merchants.The castle has been at a loss as to how to handle it."

"With Prince Ian’s idea, we made magic vehicles and attempted negotiations with Elfast Magic Kingdom's diplomats, which unfortunately were rejected and fell through."

It seems even Prime Minister Sylberg couldn't quite grasp my intentions.
I glanced at both of them and continued.

"Yes, negotiations were indeed rejected by the Elfast Magic Kingdom. With the collapse of those negotiations, we should shift to a second plan. That is to use the profits from selling magic vehicles to suppress the prices of magic tools."

"I see. So, you intend to use the profits from magic vehicle sales to partially supplement the cost of magic tools for commoners."

As expected of Brother Roland, he caught on quickly.
Hearing my proposal, Prime Minister Sylberg rubbed his chin, wearing a complex expression.

"However, merely supplementing the cost when purchasing magic tools won't necessarily distribute funds to the commoners. We wouldn't know how they would use the funds."

"Yeah. I agree. It's impossible to distribute funds to all the commoners in the kingdom."

"Then how do you propose to go about it?"

"I considered providing funds to all the trading companies and merchants selling magic tools within the kingdom and negotiating for reduced prices, but there are too many of them, and we can't trust them all. So, I plan to narrow it down."

"And then?"

"We'll use the profits from selling magic vehicles to supplement the price difference only when purchasing magic tools from the Cassel Trading Company, Melton Trading Company, and Rankle Trading Company, who cooperated in selling the vehicles. This way, the prices of magic tools will be reduced only with these companies."

"Those three companies indeed have significant sales channels within the kingdom. However, this might lead to an influx of commoners wanting magic tools from these companies. Other companies and merchants might envy them. But since these three are designated by the castle, it's not surprising that the castle would negotiate with them. If others envy them, they should strive to become castle-designated as well."

"I see... If they become castle-designated, they'll also benefit. It might motivate other companies and merchants to surpass these three to become castle-designated too. If that happens, the castle will need to maintain a good relationship... In that case, the companies and merchants artificially inflating the prices of magic tools by withholding inventory might stop, right? But will it really work out as expected?"

"If the magic tools are sold at high prices, it's only these three companies that benefit. Commoners can just buy magic tools from them, so there shouldn't be any problems."

After listening to the explanation, Brother Roland seemed convinced.
However, Prime Minister Sylberg remained with a troubled expression.

"I doubt that all trading companies and merchants will act in unison. Some might try to obstruct or interfere with these three companies out of jealousy. What's your take on that?"

"I don't think the castle needs to do anything special about that. Obstructing or interfering with castle-designated companies could be seen as directly challenging the castle. Those companies and merchants would gradually find it difficult to conduct business within the kingdom."

"Indeed. Merchants are sharp when it comes to profit. They'll naturally distance themselves from those who don't benefit them."

"In addition, these three companies are castle-designated major trading companies, so even if there's some interference, they shouldn't collapse. They should handle it themselves. Considering the profits we're providing."

"I understand what you're saying. Sylberg, please arrange for the Cassel Trading Company, Melton Trading Company, and Rankle Trading Company to come to the castle. As the acting King, it is my duty to persuade them."

"As you wish. Leave the details of the negotiations to me."

Prime Minister Sylberg straightened up, bowed, and left the throne room.
After seeing him off, Brother Roland relaxed his posture.

"I always thought you were a clever kid, but really, are you only ten? Even as your older brother, I've been surprised by you lately. Most ordinary kids wouldn't come up with such ideas."

Well, with memories from my past life in Japan, I guess.
With everything considered, I think I'm quite mature.

I won't tell Brother Roland about this, though, as he probably wouldn't believe me.

Once this matter is settled, maybe I'll act a bit more like a child again.

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