Will I Eventually Become a Capitalist? Chapter 28

Russell pondered for a moment before speaking.

He was genuinely afraid that these people might collapse from exhaustion on the job. Seeing such a scene would really put him in a bad mood.

Therefore, it would be better to follow the prompt's advice and spend some food to nurture them for a few days.

Besides, Russell wasn't footing the bill.

—Megumin's father had always hoped to chat with Russell again. Well, he didn't know what Russell wanted to discuss, but no matter what it was, it wouldn't stop the esteemed Mr. Russell from charging a hefty consultation fee.

Everything was reimbursed by Mr. Megumin.jpg.

"Ah?"

After Russell expressed his thoughts, Yelena and Talulah, who were standing beside him, wore expressions of astonishment.

"For my own peace of mind, is it wrong to bestow a little food upon the commoners and enjoy their applause and adoration?"

"Moreover, this isn't a losing business. Well-rested workers are far more productive than slaves in a famine. We can't possibly treat them like serfs, can we?"

Russell simply explained his reasoning.

Then, whether it was an illusion or not, he felt Yelena and Talulah looking at him even more strangely.

"...Are you truly a noble of Ursus?"

After a long silence, the girl named Yelena looked at the young man beside her as if he were an alien.

?!

"...Lord Russell, perhaps you've been living in St. John's Fort, and the lands under the Tsar's rule are more particular about the rule of law and humanism,"

Talulah said softly.

"In reality, many nobles, especially those on the border, like to find excuses to turn commoners into serfs, then force them into their factories to labor endlessly until they die..."

Russell was rendered speechless.

He had thought the prompt was already quite inhumane.

So, the surplus value prompt was practically a beacon of civilization in Ursus?

Good heavens, even with the boost from bloodline power, these people were going to be hanged sooner or later!

Russell instantly felt that his noble status was no longer appealing.

He needed to find a way to completely sever ties with those insects.

"This land is thoroughly diseased,"

Russell stated his position concisely.

"Perhaps this world truly needs a cleansing fire to judge the beasts who have lost their compassion."

These were extremely wild remarks, unbecoming of a noble.

As his words fell, the prompt also popped up.

[Yelena's favorability towards you has greatly increased, currently equivalent to seeing a convenience store clerk?]

[Talulah's favorability towards you has increased significantly... she seems to see her own shadow in you? Damn it, besides your noble background, how are you alike?]

[She might seek you out for philosophical discussions. You could try chatting with her about The Wealth of Nations, Das Kapital, and A Treatise on Money.]

The prompt's notification made Russell's lips twitch slightly.

So, after two significant increases in favorability, it was only to the level of seeing a convenience store clerk?

Did Yelena start with a favorability of minus one hundred?!!

And who sees your shadow, you idiotic dragon girl! Who are you insulting?

"...Lord Russell, I believe we may find more common ground in the future,"

Talulah said earnestly, looking at the man who seemed to be lingering at a crossroads.

She had a premonition.

Russell and the other nobles were not on the same path.

Russell didn't reply. He simply tossed the warehouse key to Talulah, gestured for her to get lost, and returned to his bedroom to pester Huihui as usual.

"Huihui, how's my magic tool coming along?"

"...Boss, don't rush me. Even if you kill me, the casting period for the magic tool is still seven days."

The girl's voice on the other end was weak and listless.

Russell pestered her three times a day, more punctual than his meal times.

Tsk—

A small handicraft workshop just wasn't efficient.

"No progress at all?"

Russell scorned the Crimson Demon Tribe's efficiency, completely disregarding the difficulty of crafting a magic tool, acting like a scummy client.

Huihui didn't like hearing that.

The Crimson Demon Tribe's magic tool technology is the best in the world!

"No, there has been progress."

Huihui quickly typed out a line, trying to vindicate the Crimson Demon Tribe.

Ah.

Progress?

Russell was overjoyed.

"Progress in what aspect?"

He quickly asked.

"Your Spirit-Confining Kunai is ready."

Chapter 32: The Real and Fake Talulah

Spirit-Confining Kunai

Type: Spirit-Type Weapon

Attack Range: 1

Maximum Capture: 1 person

Additional Skill: Spirit Confinement

Restrains spirits that have lost their host, turning them into Weapon Spirits.

The Kunai, carrying spirituality, can deal a certain amount of damage to Malevolent Spirits. Activating the skill can confine a soul.

The weaker the spirit and the more scattered its consciousness, the higher the chance of successful confinement.

[It would be cooler if the items for confining souls were made into eye patches, masks, or earrings. Why make them into kunai? The aesthetic of the rich is truly problematic — Unnamed Leader of the Crimson Demon Tribe]

[Has the boss started customizing kunai? This time the requested additional attribute is spirit confinement, what about diarrhea curse, frostbite, or bleeding next time? Thinking about it is terrifying. The boss might be scarier than the Demon Lord — Unnamed Huihui]

Russell looked at the description that appeared on the prompt and silently took out a small notebook from his pocket.

Thinking about it is terrifying, huh.

Once the magic tools are made, I'll send you to Sargon (a mixed nation, with the Sahara Desert in its primitive jungles) to open up new markets!!

Russell made a mental note of Huihui's comment.

Then, he walked out of his private residence and headed towards the granary's defense line.

As expected, he saw Talulah there, leading people to move canned goods and winter clothes.

"Lord Russell."

The Red Dragon proactively greeted Russell.

Beside her, Yelena pondered for a moment before offering Russell a spicy candy.

"It's a bit spicy, hmm, but not too spicy."

Russell tore open the wrapper and ate the candy, then commented.

"Moderately spicy flavors can bring about a warming sensation; there's no need to pursue extreme spiciness."

Yelena said.

Her physique had been completely altered, making her unable to tolerate anything warm.

Over time, she naturally began to crave the feeling of warmth.

Spicy candies were created under these circumstances.

"Do you like the feeling of warmth? Ah, if you receive proper treatment, it should improve in about three months."

Russell smiled as he spoke. In reality, the best treatment wasn't the Originium inhibitor, but talismans—specifically, the Horse Talisman. However, even without the swiftness of the Horse Talisman, the Originium inhibitor could still evoke Yelena's longing for warmth.

Her words brought a hint of longing to Yelena's eyes.

She truly wished to experience the world as a normal person.

"By the way, Lord Russell, did you come looking for us because you forgot to give us some instructions?"

Sensing the newfound spark in her companion's eyes, Talulah's face also broke into a smile.

Then, she looked at Russell, this noble with a humane touch. He didn't seem to be just passing by for a stroll, after all, a stroll wouldn't involve helping the Reunion Movement unload grain.

"Hmm, it's nothing much, really. I just suddenly remembered that the big guy in your organization, he's a Wendigo, right."

Russell pondered for a moment before bringing up Patriot.

Black Serpent, one of the undying.

His base combat power wasn't explicitly shown, but after controlling Talulah, he possessed the strength to consistently suppress two Internal Guards.

This was a formidable figure, as Empress Kai, who was always speaking in riddles, only had the strength of one Internal Guard.

Russell played with a talisman, on which yin and yang tigers coexisted.

The Tiger Talisman was enough to separate Black Serpent and Talulah.

If I can defeat the Black Serpent here and force it to flee its body, I can then restrain it.

It's just that—

Russell dislikes fighting.

"Patriot?"

Talulah clearly knew who Russell was referring to.

"Do you need him for something?"

"Well, I'm looking for someone to spar with, I suppose."

Russell spoke ambiguously.

Of course, it was a spar, but it was to have the Black Serpent spar with Patriot.

Being sent flying into the sky with a single spear thrust was something he'd rather avoid.

"You want to fight Patriot?"

Talulah's demeanor instantly became solemn.

Her talent had been evaluated as not inferior to Patriot's, but talent and strength were two different concepts.

She had also sought out Patriot for practice, and each time they sparred, she felt as though her head was still attached to her neck, which was a miracle.

"Lord Russell, your strength and courage are admirable."

"Yes, so, could I trouble Ata to guide me?"

Ata?

Talulah froze.

Wasn't that a bit too intimate a way to address someone?