Northern Border of Aspiration City, in the town of Casston
As the news spread, most lords had heard about it.
Baron Cass was among the first to learn, and his face turned deathly pale.
As a member of the Ironblood Alliance led by the Ironblood Fortress, he had naturally taken part in the blockade against Fruitvale Village.
To cooperate with the Gilded Beast Merchant Guild's plan, they had all engaged in massive purchases of grain and berries, investing nearly all the available funds in their territories.
In the early stages, the plan had seemed profitable. The food they had bought up was sold at higher and higher prices, bringing in huge profits.
Greedily eyeing greater gains, Baron Cass had invested even more into buying berries, hoping to get a share of the profits once the Gilded Beast Merchant Guild monopolized the potion trade.
Now, however, most of the berries in his possession had already been sent to the Gilded Beast Merchant Guild, waiting to be processed into potions—after which he was supposed to get his share.
But in recent days, there had been reports of massive price drops in potions, leaving everyone anxious.
And now, with the news from Fruitvale Village, they could no longer sit still. The large-scale berry ripening there meant the blockade had failed completely!
"Earl Aven… just how did that Earl Aven manage this?"
Baron Cass paced restlessly in his chamber, the image of Aven flashing in his mind.
Back when his illegitimate son Fessen was involved, Earl Aven had personally visited him. The sheer power of Aven's Rhydon had left a deep impression.
Later, news of Aven kept reaching him—especially after he crushed the Marina City Knights, which even stirred a flicker of regret in Cass's heart.
That flicker was short-lived, quickly shoved aside. After the incident with the beast hunters, they had stood firmly on opposing sides.
But now, in this clash between the Gilded Beast Merchant Guild and Fruitvale Village, the guild had lost completely. The blockade had failed, and potion prices had been fully suppressed!
"Damn it! If the price of potions returns to normal, we'll all suffer heavy losses!"
Cass couldn't help but curse out loud.
The more he thought about it, the more irritated he became. Without further delay, Cass directly ordered his butler to make preparations—he was going to head to the Gilded Beast Merchant Guild to see exactly what was going on!
Meanwhile, over at the Ironblood Fortress, a large number of nobles had already arrived. Their expressions were all extremely grim—it was obvious that they had received the news and had already realized what kind of situation they would be facing next!
…
Inside the castle of the Ironblood Fortress.
After receiving the report, Marquis Hormay flew into a rage!
This was the second time he had been angered because of Aven, and every time the Gilded Beast Merchant Guild faced Aven, it suffered a crushing blow!
Last time, Aven had led his knight order to capture Keystone Town, destroying the guild's eastern branch in the Eastern Territory. And this time, the losses the Merchant Guild suffered were even more severe!
"Marquis, this time the Gilded Beast Merchant Guild's losses are truly enormous."
"Right now, the price of potions has been completely forced down to the normal market level, and the prices of tree berries are also plunging rapidly."
"In our earlier purchases of tree berries and grain, we already spent the vast majority of our gold coins. At this moment, we simply do not have enough funds left to pay those lords and apothecaries."
Kneeling on both knees, Nelson reported the details to Marquis Hormay, his face filled with panic. He didn't dare to conceal anything—not even the slightest detail.
"Hah… I understand."
Marquis Hormay's expression was dark and heavy. He walked over to his desk, sat down, and closed his eyes in deep thought.
After a long moment of silence, he suddenly spoke.
"If we can't sell it, then we'll just keep it for ourselves."
"Go and inform those apothecaries—they are to continue producing potions. Whatever the Ironblood Fortress owes them will absolutely be paid in full!"
"As for those lords in the Ironblood Alliance, tell them to go home and wait. Make sure they remember this—so long as the magical beast trade continues, the Gilded Beast Merchant Guild will never collapse!"
Upon hearing the Marquis's words, the Guild president lowered his head even further.
"As you command, Marquis. This time, I will absolutely not let you down!"
Soon after, the nobles gathered at the Ironblood Fortress dispersed one after another.
It was obvious they were not satisfied with the Ironblood Fortress's response, but none of them dared to express their anger openly.
"Magical beast trade…"
Sitting inside his carriage, Cass's expression was filled with conflict.
It was true—so long as the magical beast trade remained, the Gilded Beast Merchant Guild would not go under!
But what he really wanted to say was… even if the Merchant Guild didn't collapse, small lords like him couldn't possibly hold out for that long!
Right now, the finances of his territory were in utter chaos. The gold coins he had left were barely enough to keep the knight order fed and equipped—how could he continue supporting the expenses required for monster beast trading?
"If things really don't work out… then I'll just have to secretly sell off the grain I've been hoarding."
"Of course, if the Gilded Beast Merchant Guild finds out, it might bring about the Marquis's displeasure…"
"But as long as I'm careful enough, it should be fine. After all, there are so many nobles selling grain—there's no guarantee they could trace it back to me."
"I'll just sell a little grain, and as long as I don't sell it to Fruitvale Village… If I can make it through this period, then once the funds from the monster beast trade arrive, the crisis will be over."
Baron Cass secretly made up his mind.
Although the thought of the Ironblood Fortress's retaliation still filled his eyes with irrepressible fear, if he didn't do something soon, he wouldn't even be able to keep his territory running!
He believed that under such circumstances, most of the other lords would make the same choice as he did.
…
Inside the Gilded Beast Merchant Guild's potion-making workshop.
At this moment, a large number of apothecaries had gathered together.
Many of them now wore expressions of regret—regret that they had ever agreed to work for the Association and produce potions in the first place.
Now that potion prices had been completely suppressed, the Association had suffered devastating losses, and it was impossible for their wages to be paid out in full!
"What? You want us to keep making potions?"
They had gone on strike to gain the right to negotiate, but the answer the Gilded Beast Merchant Guild gave them left them bitterly disappointed.
"Damn it, I'm not making potions for the Guild anymore!"
Some apothecaries voiced their protest. They knew that even if they continued producing potions, they would never get the payment they were owed.
As a result, some of these apothecaries chose to leave. Since they hadn't been with the Association for long, their losses weren't as large.
But there were also those who decided to stay.
"So long as the magical beast trade continues, the Gilded Beast Merchant Guild will not collapse!"
They stayed because the Association owed them far too much money already, and they were unwilling to walk away empty-handed. Of course, they knew that staying might result in even greater losses—but it was also a gamble. If they won, they could recover everything.
Apothecary Harlan was one of those who chose to bet on the Merchant Guild.
He believed in the Gilded Beast Merchant Guild, believed in the Ironblood Fortress. That Aven was just a minor commoner noble—how could he possibly be a match for Marquis Hormay?
…
Fruitvale Village.
Aven quietly listened to Fessen's report.
With the steady ripening of the tree berries, this round of confrontation between them and the Gilded Beast Merchant Guild had drawn to a close.
He could easily imagine the current state of the Merchant Guild and those lords—no doubt they were suffering greatly and were now barely holding on.
"Lord Aven, this is a great victory!"
"The potion market has already reopened, and Fruitvale Village's finances are gradually stabilizing."
Phyllis's face was flushed with excitement. Ever since learning of Aven's plan, she had treated this matter like a real war.
And without a doubt, this was a battle that Fruitvale Village had won—and won decisively—striking a direct and heavy blow to the Gilded Beast Merchant Guild!
Sometimes, she would even try to put herself in the opponent's position, but every time she did, a chill would run down her spine.
In such a situation, she could find no chance to fight back, and the chaotic finances of the territory alone would be enough to drive any treasurer mad!
"Yes, this is indeed a major victory."
"But the Gilded Beast Merchant Guild has not been completely destroyed. We must remain vigilant."
"Especially now—sometimes, when your opponent seems to be in a desperate corner, that is when they are the most dangerous."
Aven smiled and nodded, then swept his gaze over the gathered Fruitvale Village officials. His expression grew serious again as he gave his instructions.
"Lord Aven, we have already taken all necessary defensive measures for the village."
"Even if someone really tries to sabotage the berry trees, we will definitely detect and stop them in advance!"
Sutter and Peter exchanged a glance, then both stepped forward to give their assurance.
They had also realized that the Gilded Beast Merchant Guild might send assassins or saboteurs to attack the orchards of Fruitvale Village.
If the berries could be destroyed before harvest, potion prices would inevitably be affected, potentially rising again in the Association's favor.
"Mm, I'll leave this matter in your hands."
"During normal times, the Combee and the Oddish will also assist you in guarding the orchards."
Aven had great confidence in Fruitvale Village's security forces—especially with the Combee colonies joining in. Now, there were no blind spots left in the village's defenses.
"Mado, how is the village census coming along?" Aven turned to the one-armed knight.
In recent days, more and more commoners from other territories had been arriving in Fruitvale Village, so the census work was still ongoing.
"Lord Aven, the number of officially registered residents in Fruitvale Village has now reached five thousand."
"In addition, there are nearly two thousand more commoners who have recently arrived in the territory. Except for craftsmen and merchants, most have been settled in the resettlement points near the Black Coast Forest."
"There are also quite a few who have entered the territory but are temporarily housed in the abandoned orchards. Once their registration is complete, I will move them to the Black Coast Forest as well."
Mado responded earnestly.
Due to the recent shortage of manpower, Fessen had incorporated some disabled knights under his command, and Mado was one of those promoted to manage the refugee population.
These disabled knights had all received formal knight training and were well-educated in reading and writing—making them excellent candidates for administrative work.
Now, with news spreading that Fruitvale Village was recruiting disabled knights—and with examples like Mado and Jorah being given important roles—more and more disabled knights were coming here.
Life in Fruitvale Village left them deeply satisfied, and they were full of gratitude toward Lord Aven, diligently carrying out their duties, eager to prove themselves once more.
"Good work. Are you adjusting well to your official duties?"
Aven nodded. Without these disabled knights, Fruitvale Village truly would have been short-handed.
This also made him determined that, once this period passed, he would seriously improve the village's municipal administration.
The world's current bureaucratic system was still extremely rudimentary, and he felt it was time to initiate a reform of the government structure—along with a change to the system for selecting officials.
"Thank you for your concern, Lord Aven. I can fully handle the responsibilities of an official!" Mado said confidently.
Seeing the confidence on their comrade's face, Sutter, Fessen, and Jorah all smiled—glad to see their fellow knight regain his self-worth.
Aven also smiled. Watching a retired soldier find his purpose again gave him a deep sense of satisfaction.
"Very good. With all of you protecting Fruitvale Village, I can rest easy."
"Phyllis, is the territory's treasury holding up?" He turned toward the beautiful treasurer.
Even during the meeting, Phyllis's hands never stopped moving over her account books. The recent market fluctuations had kept her incredibly busy.
Although Aven had suggested she find some assistants, stubborn Phyllis refused—insisting she could only feel assured if she personally checked every calculation herself.
"No problem, Lord Aven."
"Although more commoners keep arriving, they are not a burden."
"Every day, they bring in large amounts of timber from the Black Coast Forest—and the income from herbs especially is adding considerable revenue for the village."
"In fact, these commoners not only fail to become a financial burden, they actually create significant value for the territory!"
Phyllis reported earnestly.
When she spoke of the Black Coast Forest, her eyes held a look of admiration toward Aven.
The timber, the herbs, even the mineral veins hidden there—it was truly an undeveloped treasure trove. And Lord Aven was the one holding the key to that treasure!
"In addition, there is noticeably more grain appearing on the market now."
"I believe some nobles couldn't hold out any longer and have secretly begun selling the grain stored in their territories."
At this, she smiled, because this too was within Lord Aven's expectations. Even the Ironblood Alliance was not a perfectly united front!
"Mm. We'll keep buying up that grain. The treasury is stable, but we can push the price of grain down a bit further."
"Besides, the real pillar of the Gilded Beast Merchant Guild is still the magical beast trade. That will be our next target—only then can we truly uproot them completely!"
(End of Chapter)