Competition (Part 2)

The potions in this shop were surprisingly cheap as well.

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

With prices equally low, they would naturally choose the higher-level one. Just hearing the title made them feel more reassured.

However, when Nick came to Romon holding the account book, his face full of gloom, 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, though he had suffered heavy losses and most customers had gone across the street, there was still a long road ahead!

Having grown up amid Earth's commercial atmosphere, Romon pondered thoughtfully. The second batch of herbs in his space was already growing lushly; in another two months, they could probably be harvested again.

With all medicinal herbs supplied by himself, they were practically free. The profits were something Jefa could never match. Perhaps he should make a few improvements as well...

In early spring, not only was the weather cold, but heavy snow also brought all sorts of inconvenience to many people. Having long-laid plans canceled because of the weather was hardly something that made anyone happy.

That morning, the lord of Rika Town, the Baron, was in an exceedingly foul mood. And the bad mood that had persisted since dawn 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 to you." Judicial Officer Galen stood before him carefully and spoke in a fawning tone.

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

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

"Why are there so many brawls 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 bumps and clashes are unavoidable. According to the law, they have already been fined, but..." Adventurers were not ordinary townsfolk, so such punishments inevitably felt limp and weak.

"Forget it, forget it. If they want to fight, let them fight. It's none of our business even if someone dies..." Fully aware that he lacked the power to control the situation, the already irritated Baron spoke loudly.

"Yes! Yes!" Judicial Officer Galen secretly blamed himself for bringing up such unpleasant news. Regret was useless now, so he could only agree repeatedly.

When one was in a bad mood, nothing looked right.

It was a common failing of all people, and the Baron was no exception. At that moment, he found the other man's submissive manner utterly repulsive.

The Baron waved his hand with a trace of disgust. "All right, all right. You may leave. Leave these with me for now. If anything comes up, I'll send someone to summon you."

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

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

In truth, the officials in the Baron's territory were all more or less related to the Baron. But though they were all born into noble families, the difference between direct and collateral branches was as vast as heaven and earth.

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

Yet no matter what, he was still part of a noble Lineage branch. Once the judicial officer left the Baron's study, he straightened his clothes, lifted his chin, and arranged his expression into its usual cold indifference.

That expression represented their status and bearing.

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

"Well, if it isn't the esteemed judicial officer?" A voice suddenly rang out.

"It's the esteemed tax officer. You came as well?" Looking up, Judicial Officer Galen saw the tax officer entering through a side gate and returned the greeting with an equally insincere smile.

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

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

"Nothing but a fawning wretch." 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 to glance at him. The resentment stirred up by the Baron had long since vanished, replaced by schadenfreude.

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

That was how things were. Even two people who seemed to get along well on the surface might secretly compete against each other.

Although the judicial officer and tax officer were both distant branches of the Baron's Lineage, conflicts of interest had always made them outwardly harmonious but inwardly estranged.

Though they would not go so far as to start a major dispute, making the other uncomfortable now and then was something they both greatly enjoyed.

As for the tax officer, though he felt that the judicial officer's words had carried a hidden meaning, he had come with a purpose that day and naturally would not retreat.

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

"Baron..."

"Oh, Bakar. Are you here to deliver account books as well?" the Baron asked blandly.

It was no wonder he reacted that way. He had to inspect account books every month, and the figures always remained at the same level. Anyone would find it dull after looking at them for years.

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

"This month's increase is this great?" 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 bewilderment.

The tax officer hurriedly explained, "Baron, tax revenue increased so greatly this month because there are several times more adventurers in town than before. Their spending has been substantial, and two potion shops have opened in town as well..."

After giving it some thought, the Baron realized that was indeed the case. He looked at the account book in surprise and asked, "Potion shops actually make this much money?"

"Yes, indeed. I was quite surprised when I saw the numbers too!" The tax officer nodded, a faint sneer surfacing in his heart. "Still, it is mainly Romon's shop that makes money. 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 has only just advanced possibly have that is worth her praise?"

"Baron, you do not know. A young man as promising as Romon is handsome, talented, hardworking, and full of good ideas. Many girls in town like him."

The tax officer said this with a genial smile.

At his words, the Baron's brow immediately furrowed.

Seeing this from the side, a smug smile instantly appeared in the tax officer's eyes.

Yes, this was precisely why he had come.

His conflict with Romon had originally been only a minor disagreement. But that small disagreement had grown increasingly larger, until it had now reached a point where reconciliation was nearly impossible. Seeing the youth grow faster and faster, the tax officer, who had thoroughly offended him, could no longer remain calm.

At first, when Jefa's shop had opened, he had still entertained hopes that Romon's shop would be crushed by it. Yet he had not expected that Jefa would merely end Romon's monopoly; Romon's shop still earned considerable profits.

Jefa had always been cold and sharp-tongued, so it was truly difficult to make a move through him. After all, they were both Druids, and there was still some bond of shared roots between them.

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

In fact, regarding the second miss, he did not believe he was framing Romon. After all, Miss Eileen's favorable impression of Romon was plain for everyone to see, even if it was not necessarily romantic affection.

However, the tax officer had dealt with the Baron for a long time, so he knew deeply what sort of words would be most effective.

Using a casual tone to subtly give the Baron the illusion that Miss Eileen also liked Romon was precisely the effect he wished to achieve.

Though his earlier words had not directly stated that Miss Eileen liked Romon, he had first mentioned that she had praised Romon, then pointed out that many young girls in town liked him. In doing so, the Baron would naturally form the wrong impression.

And that mistaken impression alone could send Romon to his death, knocking him from heaven into hell.

Sure enough, after frowning, the Baron, whose mood had improved upon reading the account book, darkened once more. He stared fixedly at the account book for a long while 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 did not wish to remain any longer. He bowed politely, then withdrew. Only after confirming that he was alone in the room did the Baron completely erupt.

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

"Romon!" Only after a long while did he calm the fury 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 other man was a Viscount, above him, and possessed a territory of two hundred and fifty square kilometers—more than twice the Baron's land. It was also a relatively prosperous territory; in terms of economic disparity, it was at least ten times the Baron's overall.

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

And why would such a young and promising noble invite a Baron from a remote, barren fief to a banquet, if not because he had a beautiful and intelligent daughter?

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

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

At first, this had made him feel greatly flattered. But as time passed, a bold thought arose in his mind.

Since his daughter was so outstanding, only a young noble with an equally boundless 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 of them ultimately became true powerhouses? And even if they became strong in martial might, in this world where countless powerhouses stood shoulder to shoulder, how much weight would they carry?

Moreover, according to the lord's investigation, Viscount Ludesi not only had an extremely powerful family background, but his Lineage 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 forge such ties with the Church was immensely beneficial to future development.

What was more, the Church's influence in this world was not confined to clergy. Some small and medium Churches might not be powerful enough, but even the kings of nations had to lower their proud heads when facing the Churches of mighty gods.

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

"Romon!" In the past, the Baron had actually admired this young man quite a bit. But now, after pacing several steps around the room, a faint iron-blue hue gradually appeared on his face.

!!