Competition (2)

The potions in this shop were astonishingly cheap as well.

This made many townsfolk who had always bought potions from Romon immediately change their choice. The reason was simple: between a Second-Level Druid and a Fifth-Level Druid, whom should they trust?

When the prices were equally low, they would naturally choose the higher-level one. It sounded more reassuring, after all.

However, when Nick came to Romon holding the account book with a dejected expression, Romon merely smiled. He glanced at the adventurers who still came to buy medicine from his shop and simply said, "It's fine. Just wait and see."

Yes, although they had suffered considerable losses and most of their customers had gone across the street, there was still plenty of time ahead.

Having grown up amid Earth's commercial atmosphere, Romon pondered this. The second batch of medicinal herbs in his space was growing luxuriantly. In another two months, they would probably be ready to harvest again.

With all the herbs supplied by himself, they were practically free. The profits were not something Jefa could compare with. Perhaps he should make some improvements as well...

In early spring, not only was the weather cold, but heavy snow also caused all kinds of inconvenience for many people. Having to cancel something planned long ago because of the weather was hardly pleasant.

That morning, the lord of Rika Town, the Baron, was in a terrible mood. This foul mood, which had lasted since morning, was all because of the heavy snow.

He had originally planned to attend a gathering at a noble's home eighty kilometers away that day, but the snow had disrupted transportation.

Now he could only flip through the account books on his desk in frustration while sulking.

"Baron, these are this month's judicial records. I have brought them all for you." Judicial Officer Galen stood before him cautiously and said ingratiatingly.

"Oh, put them down. Let me take a look." The Baron nodded and had him place the thick stack of ledgers on the desk.

After casually flipping through only a few pages, his face showed annoyance.

"Why are there so many cases of fighting and disturbances?" the Baron asked with a frown.

Judicial Officer Galen hurriedly explained, "Baron, for some reason, the number of adventurers has been increasing rapidly, so clashes are unavoidable. They have been fined according to the law, but..." Adventurers were not ordinary townsfolk, so such punishments were inevitably rather toothless.

"Forget it, forget it. If they want to fight, let them fight. It's none of our business if someone dies anyway..." Knowing perfectly well that he had no power to control the situation, the already irritated Baron spoke loudly.

"Yes! Yes!" Judicial Officer Galen secretly blamed himself for delivering such unpleasant news. It was too late for regret now, so he could only agree repeatedly.

When one was in a bad mood, everything looked unpleasant.

It was a common failing, and the Baron was no exception. At that moment, he found the man's timid, submissive manner utterly disgusting.

The Baron waved a hand with some distaste. "All right, all right, you may leave. Leave these here with me for now. If anything comes up, I'll have someone summon you."

"Yes! Yes! Then, Baron, I'll take my leave first. Please carry on." As if granted Amnesty, Judicial Officer Galen hastily bowed, then backed away with a fawning smile.

Only after he had fully exited the lord's study did the judicial officer let out a long breath.

In truth, the officials within the Baron's territory were all more or less related to the Baron. However, even within noble families, the difference between direct and collateral branches was enormous.

The judicial officer's family belonged to a remote collateral branch of the Baron's family—so remote that if he had not come to work in the Baron Fief, the Baron would not even have known such a person existed.

Still, no matter what, he was a member of a noble family branch. Once outside the Baron's study, the judicial officer adjusted his clothes, straightened his back, and resumed his usual cold expression.

That expression represented their status and bearing.

Only after arranging everything into its most perfect state did the judicial officer head outside.

"Well, isn't this Judicial Officer Galen?" A voice suddenly rang out.

"Tax Officer Bakar, you're here too?" Looking up, Judicial Officer Galen saw the tax officer entering through the side gate and returned the greeting with an equally insincere smile.

"Yes, I came to submit this month's account books for the Baron's review. What, did you just come out from inside?" Tax Officer Bakar asked with a smile.

"Yes. Since you need to see the Baron, I won't delay you. Go on in. I have matters to attend to, so I'll be leaving first." The judicial officer smiled as well, then walked past the tax officer.

"What a bootlicker." Looking back at the judicial officer's retreating figure, the tax officer muttered disdainfully before striding inside.

At the same time, the judicial officer, who had already walked away, turned back and glanced at him. The resentment stirred up by the Baron had long vanished, replaced by malicious delight.

"Go on, go on. Let you have a taste of the Baron's anger too."

That was how things were. Even two people who appeared to get along well on the surface might be competing behind the scenes.

Although the judicial officer and tax officer were both distant branches of the Baron's family, conflicts of interest had left them outwardly cordial but inwardly hostile.

They would not go so far as to create major disputes, but making the other person unhappy now and then was something they both enjoyed.

As for the tax officer, although he felt there was something behind the judicial officer's words, he had come with a purpose that day, so naturally he would not retreat.

Arriving outside the Baron's study, he first had someone announce him, then cautiously entered.

"Baron..."

"Oh, Bakar. Are you here to submit account books too?" the Baron asked blandly.

It was no wonder he reacted that way. Every month he had to look over the account books, and the figures always remained at the same level. Anyone would find it dull after several years.

However, when he opened the ledger this time, the figures before him made his spirits rise.

"It increased by this much this month?" Thinking he had misread it, the Baron looked again carefully. No, it was correct. He looked suspiciously at the tax officer standing before him, his face full of confusion.

The tax officer hurriedly explained, "Baron, the large increase in tax revenue this month is because there are several times more adventurers in town this year. Their spending has been substantial, and two potion shops have opened in town..."

The Baron considered it and found it true enough. He looked at the account book in surprise and asked, "Potion shops are that profitable?"

"Yes, indeed. I was quite surprised when I saw the numbers too!" The tax officer nodded, a faint sneer surfacing in secret. "But Romon's shop is the main earner. That boy is talented and kind-hearted. Even Miss Eileen has praised him highly."

The moment the Baron heard that his second daughter was involved, his interest was immediately piqued. "Is that so? What could a Druid who was only recently promoted possibly have that would earn her praise?"

"Baron, you don't know. A young man as promising as Romon—handsome, talented, hardworking, and full of good ideas—is liked by many girls in town."

The tax officer said this with a chuckle.

The moment he heard this, the Baron's brow furrowed.

Watching from the side, the tax officer's eyes immediately revealed a satisfied smile.

Yes, this was precisely why he had come.

His conflict with Romon had originally been a minor one, but it had gradually grown larger and had now reached a point where reconciliation was nearly impossible. Seeing the youth grow ever more rapidly, the tax officer, who had thoroughly offended him, could no longer remain calm.

When Jefa's shop had first opened, he had still held out hope that it would crush Romon's business. Yet all it had done was end Romon's monopoly; Romon's shop still earned considerable profits.

Jefa had always been a cold and unfriendly man, and it was truly difficult to strike from that direction. After all, they were both Druids and still shared that connection.

Thus, the Baron became the tax officer's target.

In truth, regarding the second young lady, he did not believe he was framing Romon. After all, everyone could plainly see that she regarded Romon favorably, though it might not necessarily be romantic affection.

However, the tax officer had dealt with the Baron for a long time, so he knew exactly how to speak most effectively.

By casually creating the impression that Miss Eileen liked Romon as well, he would achieve the effect he wanted.

Although he had not directly said that Miss Eileen liked Romon, he had first mentioned that she praised him, then pointed out that many young women in town liked him. In this way, the Baron would naturally form the wrong impression.

And that misunderstanding alone could send Romon to his death, knocking him from heaven into Hell.

Sure enough, after frowning, the Baron—whose mood had improved after looking through the account books—once again darkened. He stared fixedly at the ledger for a long time without saying anything.

Only when the tax officer's legs had begun to ache from standing did the Baron wave him away.

Having achieved his goal, the tax officer naturally had no desire to linger. He politely bowed, then withdrew. Only after confirming that he was alone in the room did the Baron finally erupt completely.

"That bastard!" He violently flung the thick account book onto the floor, then sat in his chair with narrowed eyes, muttering nonstop.

"Romon!" Only after a long while did he calm the anger in his heart. Then he took an ornate invitation with gold-trimmed edges from a drawer.

It was an invitation from Viscount Ludesi. In rank, the man was a Viscount, above him, and possessed a territory of 250 square kilometers—more than twice the size of the Baron Fief. It was also relatively prosperous, and in terms of total economic strength, it was at least ten times that of the Baron.

Yet in age, Ludesi was young enough to be his son or nephew.

And the reason such a promising young noble had invited a Baron from a remote, desolate fief to a banquet was none other than the Baron's beautiful and clever daughter.

His second daughter, Eileen, was now a Second-Level Priest. At her age, that was already remarkable. After all, at Fifth Level, one could preside over a medium-sized Temple in a city.

She was still so young, with a boundless future ahead of her. More importantly, she was so beautiful. Ever since Viscount Ludesi had happened to meet her at an internal Church gathering, he had repeatedly expressed goodwill toward the Baron.

At first, this had flattered him greatly, but over time, a bold idea had formed in his mind.

Since his daughter was so outstanding, only a young noble with such a bright future could be worthy of her. Therefore, the Baron absolutely could not tolerate his daughter favoring a Druid.

Even if that Romon was exceptionally talented, what use was talent? Were there few talented people in this world? Yet how many ultimately became truly powerful? And even if they became powerful in battle, how much weight would they carry in a world filled with countless strong figures?

According to the Baron's investigations, Viscount Ludesi not only came from an extremely powerful family, but his family also had very close ties with the Church of the Earth Goddess.

He was no ordinary Viscount, but a descendant of a Holy Spirit of the Earth Goddess. For a Priest, being able to establish such a connection with the Church would be tremendously beneficial for her future development.

Furthermore, the Church's influence in this world was not limited to those with Divine Authority. Some smaller Churches might not be powerful enough, but even the kings of various nations had to lower their proud heads before the Church of a powerful god.

Therefore, he wanted his daughter to become as outstanding as possible, then unite her with this nobleman and thereby deepen their ties with the Church—yet such an unpleasant matter had unexpectedly arisen.

"Romon!" In the past, the Baron had actually admired this young man. But now, after pacing a few steps around the room, his face gradually took on a livid hue.