NOVEL WEB EP.7
“I will delegate the rights to sell the books to the Yuren Merchant Guild, who offered the highest price.”
At my declaration, all the merchants, except for one, wore dark expressions and let out cries of dismay.
“No!! If only I had bid just a bit more…”
Only one merchant clenched his fists and cheered, and rightfully so.
‘Winning at just a 1 Silver difference must be frustrating for the guild that bid second.’
I proceeded to draft a contract with the leader of the Yuren Merchant Guild, who had won the bidding.
“The specifics remain largely unchanged, but there are two stipulations you must adhere to.”
“What are they?”
“Absolutely! The price cannot exceed double the original. Furthermore, each family can purchase only one copy.”
I could see the leader’s expression twist at my words, as if questioning why he had spent such a large sum on the book without those conditions.
“If you dislike these terms, then there will be no contract…”
“Wait… wait! I understand! I will comply!!”
As I acted as though I would invalidate the contract, he hurriedly changed his attitude and signed the contract containing various clauses.
‘If I don’t impose such conditions, affluent noble families will surely buy in bulk, or the Yuren Merchant Guild could exploit absurd profits.’
The guild leader may have regarded me merely as a young noble, but in reality, I was a webtoon artist who had experienced every kind of unfair contract back on Earth.
Wait, why are tears coming out…?
Regardless, the conditions I presented were by no means unreasonable.
I could charge up to double the price, so there would definitely be profit, and the one-copy rule was based on two reasons.
First, since this is a fairy tale, I wanted as many children as possible to read it.
Second, the reason I went through all this effort to produce the book was to avoid the trouble of visits from noble families again.
I thought that around 100 copies, assuming one book per sale, would be sufficient.
“It was a good deal.”
“Thank you, Young Master.”
In the end, I happily concluded the deal with the guild leader, finalizing the auction for the [Cinderella] storybook.
*
The Somerset family is a Count family.
As a Count family, they rank third among the five noble ranks, which is quite prestigious.
In such a family, there is a gathering known as the Territory Council where vassals typically congregate to discuss various matters concerning the territory’s operation.
However, our family’s Territory Council was a bit sparse, or rather, very minimal.
While typical councils include various vassals coordinating on issues tied to interests, our council was attended solely by my father, the head of the family, Sir Mularus, who is responsible for the territory’s defense, and finally, Count Klein, who oversees the finances and operation of the territory.
“Young Master, it brings me much joy to see you finally attend the Territory Council!”
Sir Mularus, our territory’s sole knight, looked as if he might shed tears at the sight of me sitting in the head’s office during the council.
Count Klein, sitting opposite me, pretended not to notice and discreetly wiped his eyes with his fingers, which made the situation rather awkward.
Previously, the council had only been conducted by the three of them, but starting from this session, I would also be present.
Outwardly, it was presented that I had reached an age where I should learn about successor training and the territory’s management, but…
“I have indeed earned a considerable amount of money this time.”
It was merely due to the fact that I had made a substantial profit from selling the books that I was invited to attend the Territory Council to have my opinions heard.
“Firstly, we need to prioritize the expansion of the territory’s guards and improve the supply of weaponry…”
“While that is certainly important, currently, the guilds within the territory are struggling with the trade of goods, causing a halt in the flow of funds…”
“Those matters are indeed important, but we must first consider that the taxes to be paid to the royal family will resume normal levels starting next year. For the past three years, taxes were reduced due to post-war measures…”
I felt strange yet fascinated as I listened to the three of them discuss various affairs of the territory. It felt like peeking into the world of true nobles.
Ten years ago, before our family’s decline, it was said that on the days of the Territory Council, the long desk in the office would be filled with people, with some even standing.
The two loyal vassals who remained in our fallen family now seemed all the more admirable.
“If it were me, I would have run away long ago.”
As I gathered my thoughts and assessed the financial situation of the territory, I couldn’t help but feel that their continued presence, despite being aware of the dire circumstances, could only be seen as true loyalty.
However, setting loyalty aside, this was not the time to discuss such matters.
“Father, how much debt do we still have?”
As everyone was lost in pleasant dreams about what to do with the money from selling the books, I shamelessly shattered that reverie.
“W-Why are you asking that all of a sudden?”
My father was so startled that he could hardly respond, and Count Klein, unable to hold back, spoke up instead.
“I will answer that. Currently, our territory’s debt totals 815 Gold, with an interest payment of 54 Gold each month.”
I had sensed it when I previously assessed the financial situation of our family, but it was astonishing that we had managed to endure this long.
“Such predatory loans! Not only is the interest exorbitant, but a monthly interest rate of 7%? This is nothing short of loan sharking!”
It was a situation that could not help but bring a sigh of despair.
In such circumstances, even adding the profits from this endeavor would ultimately lead to a return to a tight financial situation.
“Our family is not a wealthy territory known for its special products, but being a Count family, we do have a decent level of harvest.”
Thus, while we were able to pay off those ridiculous debts and interest, it still meant a lifetime of repaying debts.
“I toiled in my previous life just to pay off student loans, and I certainly won’t do that again in this life.”
Conversely, if I could manage to pay off all that debt, the territory that would yield a steady income each month would entirely be mine, allowing me to live leisurely as a noble without indulging in extravagance.
“There is definitely a use for this money.”
This money would be my investment capital.
If my planned strategy flows as intended, our family may very well see a revival in the near future.
*
“That space is for sewing. Please place the sewing machine and long table over there.”
In our family’s mansion, which sometimes felt unnecessarily vast,
the spacious grounds proved beneficial in such times, despite their seeming excess.
“Leather should not be exposed to light, so it needs to be set up against a wall where it won’t get sunlight.”
As I saw the craftsmen I had worked with as we created the books sharing their opinions about the new workspace, I felt a wave of nostalgia wash over me.
In the past, whenever we made books, I had temporarily hired workers for the task, but now we had decided to employ them fully.
“I would like to hire the craftsmen on the condition that I cover all material costs. What do you think?”
Honestly, I expected that some of them would refuse my proposal. This was because, in this medieval world, craftsmen were invaluable resources whose worth could not simply be measured in money.
Moreover, these were not just any craftsmen; they were the best artisans known in our region. I did not think they would easily accept my offer.
“I’m all for it!”
“I want to participate too!”
“Just leave it to us!”
However, contrary to my expectations, their enthusiastic acceptance of my proposal left me taken aback.
“The craftsmen also struggle to make significant profits without the nobility. Since the recent war, the spending by nobles has decreased substantially, leaving everyone in a difficult situation.”
It seemed that the scars left by the war were not solely our family’s burden.
When Alain, the butler, briefly explained their positive responses to my offer, I began to understand.
They too had endured hardships during the war, producing goods under the pretense of military requisition without proper compensation for their labor. After the war concluded, their workload had come to an abrupt halt, leaving them in a difficult position.
Thus, hearing that the picture book project I initiated recently felt like a much-needed relief, my proposal was likely welcomed with open arms.
“However, Young Master, I may be thinking foolishly, but isn’t it rather hasty to invest solely based on the demand for the Cinderella picture book?”
Alain, who had been observing the establishment of the book factory on our estate, subtly inquired.
As the steward responsible for our family’s finances, it seemed he was quite concerned about my current actions.
Just looking at my father, Alain had probably tried to dissuade him multiple times, only to hear the mantra of, “We can just pay it back!”
But I was different from my father!
“I’m certain that selling Cinderella will become increasingly difficult.”
Indeed, while the combination of a fairy tale that never existed in this world and a proven hit from Earth like Cinderella had immense potential, the price of the book itself was no small matter.
Cinderella, made exclusively for nobles, had a price range from at least 1 Gold to nearly 10 Gold, depending on the differences in quality.
Even the mass-produced version had significantly lowered its supply cost but remained unaffordable for ordinary citizens.
Only wealthy merchants or noble families could consider purchasing it. And even then, Cinderella was specifically aimed at young girls, further narrowing the consumer base.
That was precisely why I had printed only 100 copies. I believed that was the absolute limit of what I could sell right now.
“Why would you engage in such a business, knowing that?”
Alain questioned why I would undertake such an ambitious venture and invest the money I had previously earned, given that I knew sales would be limited.
“Well, that’s because the next work won’t be Cinderella.”
Thank you, Brothers Grimm.
To be frank, I didn’t read many fairy tales, and the number of stories I could recall was only a few.
However, I could undoubtedly remember three representative works that children would love.
Having gained this much profit from the first one, Cinderella, I would ensure the subsequent works succeed and resolve my family’s debt issues.
“The next work will be ‘Snow White’.”