Chapter 489: Talk of Business
“…Corn, I think this corn is quite good.”
Soleil’s gaze shifted from the sculpture perched on the stairs to the corn laid out on the net before him.
By the way, this is from my House. We grow some on the island’s fields, but since it’s a small amount, I don’t know if Soleil has had any.
“There were only those with tough skins or gaps in the rows, but if you say it’s corn, I suppose it is. I’m sure it will be accepted quickly, right after tomatoes, this corn will be embraced.”
Soleil began discussing business.
“Ah, but this is meant to be eaten boiled right after harvest, you know?”
If we had soy sauce, grilled corn might be nice too.
If we’re talking about preserving it, the tougher-skinned corn is more suitable. Many regions turn that into flour for staple foods. If it’s going to be a staple, the sweetness of this corn might actually be a hindrance.
“Shouldn’t we first promote vegetables that can be preserved? I would recommend sweet potatoes.”
The old man was pushing for sweet potatoes.
“Freshly boiled corn, baked sweet potatoes, lettuce, soba… This island even has the finest oranges. I want everyone to know about all of them, but at the same time, I want to monopolize everything…”
Charles, a rather suspicious character.
“I think vegetables that can be preserved to stave off hunger are better than those meant for enjoyment.”
I decided to grow various types of vegetables in the island’s fields, selecting about two varieties each year to promote and take outside.
As for how to promote them, I haven’t decided yet, whether to sell seed potatoes or seedlings like I did with potatoes, or to cultivate them on a large scale like tomatoes.
In a world where food can quickly become scarce due to unpredictable weather and other factors, I want to start by promoting what can be preserved and fill bellies.
If the land for cultivation is determined, I would choose varieties that suit the environment, like tomatoes.
By the way, the produce from the fields is sold in set amounts to the island’s restaurants, and the rest can be consumed at the castle. Also, a certain amount is shared with the ordinary folks working in the fields.
The harvest is abundant and of excellent quality. Kiel, Auro, Charles, Marlu, and even the innkeeper, who should be busy, seem to be helping out a lot, and the Spirits have taken a liking to it, coming in droves.
I doubt that even if we sell seedlings of the vegetables and fruit trees from here, the deliciousness can be replicated elsewhere. The only place that might produce better vegetables than this is my House.
Well, the vegetables grown elsewhere still taste like tomatoes, so there’s no problem. Recently, some of the latest dishes featuring tomatoes have started appearing at Naruadeid’s restaurant. Being close to the merchant city is quite beneficial for spreading things in the world.
“That’s right. Just like fruits, for delicacies like corn, we should first let tourists and visiting merchants on this island taste them, then sell small amounts at high prices.”
Soleil nodded, retracting his earlier statement.
Corn as a delicacy, huh? In ordinary households, sugar isn’t used that much, so I guess that makes sense. It’s sweeter than the fruits around here.
“Ah, and I have a report. I’ve purchased the trading company building. It’s the one from my former guild, but it’s been tidied up, so don’t worry. Now that we have a base in Naruadeid, we can handle the sales of tomatoes from the outpost more smoothly.”
So, it was the trading company that was being run by the useless son who took over. I guess he was the one who tidied it up…
“The island is as it always is, with both guild leaders for commerce and shipping applying for residency, which is quite bothersome.”
“I’ve turned down both the first and second applications, yet they remain undeterred.”
Kiel said with dissatisfaction.
“We’ve temporarily halted requests for Spirit Lamps. We’re already booked solid for the next seven years.”
The old man continued with Soleil’s report.
“That’s impressive, considering the price.”
I’m really glad we set it up so that only one can be made each month; it’s smart. It’s hard to believe Kiel came up with that, yet it also feels believable.
“Additionally, with the Spirit’s Branch, we open the garden only on full moon nights for the Spirits’ performances.”
“Performances?”
“Performances?”
When I repeated the word that caught my attention from the old man’s story, it was echoed back to me with emphasis.
“The selection is a bit noisy, but the music is quite nice. I prefer the songs that play in the audience chamber, though.”
Auro said with a smile.
The Spirit Stone in the audience chamber, which doubles as a party venue, has memorized “O Fortuna” from Carmina Burana. It’s unnecessarily grand.
“Seems popular; Marlu likes it.”
Kiel flipped the meat over.
That cactus Haniwa is really doing whatever he wants, huh?
“Still, I never expected Dragon Meat to be this delicious…”
Charles sighed dreamily.
Oh.
“Dragon…!”
Soleil crumpled to the floor, leaning over the table.
Before Soleil could collapse completely, Faramia swiftly cleared the plates and forks from in front of him.
We were just trying to escape reality and talk about work.