I Inherited a Beautiful Wife and a Territory - Chapter 32

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Inheriting a Beautiful Wife and Estate Episode 032

32. Serfal

Serfal, the northernmost city of the Yusta Peninsula.

So much so that all the materials of the peninsula gathered here, Serfal had a large floating population even compared to cities in the homeland.

Also, it was a place where huge night markets and slave markets were formed.

Naturally, there were many people looking for it, and the lodging business that operated for these people was also booming.

This meant there was an inn street lined with numerous inns.

“Let’s go to a place called Shelter of the Waves.”

He had already decided on the lodging where they would stay.

At Cliff’s words, the attendants scattered to find the inn. Meanwhile, Cliff’s party drew attention from their surroundings.

It couldn’t be helped.

Cliff, who had brought three carriages.

And three black beasts pulling the three carriages.

“Aren’t those wolves?”

“Looking at that size, it’s certain. Those are definitely Shadow Wolves that live in the Shadow Forest of the Central Region.”

“Huh. How did they tame those Shadow Wolves? They’re creatures that don’t like people…”

A sight that destroyed their common sense.

Cliff was creating this.

While drawing attention due to the wolves’ majesty, no one thought to come inside. But even in the midst of that, there was someone who came here without hesitation.

And it was a young girl.

“You’re looking for our place, right? Shelter of the Waves?”

The thought that came to mind the moment he saw the girl was ‘Anne of Red Hair.’

She was a girl with red hair braided back.

She approached him and spoke without being intimidated even in front of the big black wolves. He was more surprised by that.

First, he was surprised that she was from Shelter of the Waves.

“Did you hear what I said?”

He was also surprised that she had accurately figured out that he was looking for that inn.

The girl smiled brightly at his question.

“No. I didn’t hear your words, sir, but I secretly overheard the conversation between my father and brother. So I could tell. A great person would soon visit this city, and that person would want to see us siblings.”

“…You’re quick-witted. Are you Maribel, lady?”

“Yes, nice to meet you. I’m Maribel, sister of brother Jaide. I’ll guide you to the lodging.”

Maribel, whom Tom had recommended while making an awkward expression.

Her first impression wasn’t bad.

‘She’s perceptive… and quick to act. It wouldn’t be easy for a woman to be like this.’

This wasn’t Earth from his previous life.

In this world, it wasn’t easy for women to step forward. Still, the fact that she could be like this was probably due to her personality, and it meant this was such a free commercial city.

“Will you guide me?”

There was no need to search further.

“Of course, then may I sit next to you, my lord, and drive the carriage?”

Her eyes were sparkling as she spoke.

Cliff granted her request this time too.

“Sure.”

A casual acceptance.

“Yes! Thank you.”

Having received permission, she skillfully climbed onto the driver’s seat. And she began to indicate directions with her hands.

The Shadow Wolf moved in the direction she indicated.

Soon they found the sign that read ‘Shelter of the Waves.’

She waved to a young man who was coming out from there.

“Brother! The guests you’ve been waiting for have arrived!”

“Maribel, you…!”

A boy with the same red hair as her.

He could tell at a glance. He was the person called the brother of this Anne of Red Hair.

Maribel jumped down after seeing her brother.

Ignoring her brother’s shocked face, she lifted her skirt and bowed her head gracefully.

“Welcome. This is the girl’s home, Shelter of the Waves. The man here is the girl’s brother, Jaide. Brother, this is the guest you’ve been waiting for.”

At her greeting, Jaide, who had glared at her once, also gave up and came over.

“I’m called Jaide. Until recently, I worked at Tom’s Shop. By any chance… are you the proxy of Baron Ellemis?”

“You seem to have been guessing, so there’s no need to hide it. Will you get us rooms?”

“I will do so. Maribel, have you prepared the guests’ rooms?”

“Yes. Of course. Brother said group guests would come. You also told me to keep the best room empty.”

Had she approached him, who stood out, because she already knew a VIP would come?

‘Still, it would have been difficult to figure out whether that conspicuous guest was me or not… No, maybe it didn’t matter to that girl anyway?’

A kind of customer solicitation.

The girl might have just needed guests to stay at their inn.

A girl who approached boldly and struck up a conversation.

She had quite a cute appearance, so her charming behavior was enough to attract those looking for lodging.

‘There’s no worry about being subjected to strange acts… There wouldn’t be. She doesn’t seem to be an adult yet.’

Even between married couples, it was customary not to touch the bride before she became an adult.

Had she calculated even this aspect, or had she just acted without thinking?

As much as he became curious about Maribel, his curiosity about Jaide also grew.

“Move my luggage to my room.”

“Yes, I will do so.”

Cliff had the beastfolk move his luggage.

Instead, he turned his gaze to Jaide.

“You worked at Tom’s Shop?”

“That’s right, proxy Baron.”

“Then you already know why I came here?”

Cliff’s eyes sparkled.

He was curious about how he would act toward him. And through Jaide’s answer, he guessed that Maribel’s earlier behavior wasn’t thoughtless action.

“…First, we’re mainly recruiting slaves to work with rabbits and in the kiln. Would you like to take a look?”

“You’ve already obtained those things?”

“Yes.”

Jaide nodded and led Cliff to one place.

First, it was a rabbit hutch built behind the inn.

‘Should I say this is more than expected, or should I say it’s less?’

Dozens of rabbits were moving around in the narrow hutch.

Seeing that most were still small, they hadn’t been born long ago.

So he realized.

“You’re breeding them, aren’t you?”

“That’s right. At first, we only captured three pairs and put them in here. Now, as you can see, their numbers have increased considerably.”

Cliff nodded.

Indeed, rabbits were animals that were compatible with the Elimis Domain.

Jaide had started raising rabbits at most a month or two ago.

It probably hadn’t even been two months yet. But already the three pairs of rabbits had multiplied to dozens.

“There are 27 in total.”

Now when these 27 give birth to offspring, there would be over a hundred rabbits.

“From now on, we won’t have to worry about meat in the estate. We should have gotten rabbits instead of geese from the beginning.”

“If you wish, I’ll look into geese as well. I heard that the goose population decreased a lot this winter.”

“Right. We need to increase the geese anew too.”

The threats that had been at the lake had also disappeared.

Moreover, by contracting with the Shadow Wolves, the possibility of wolves coming down to harm livestock was also reduced.

‘More than that, both siblings are really quick-witted and act decisively.’

He also looked at the slaves Jaide had purchased.

Six men and four women.

“Five of these are from Elimis. They’ll probably be able to adapt more quickly.”

“Good.”

Cliff showed a satisfied expression.

Jaide’s work was very much to his liking. However, what bothered him was Jaide’s attitude.

‘This guy… he’s doing this on purpose, isn’t he?’

He had asked if he knew the reason for his visit.

Purchasing slaves and livestock (rabbits).

Of course, that was indeed the purpose of his current visit. But that wasn’t everything.

Jaide hadn’t mentioned anything about that.

‘Is he testing me?’

Whether I’m someone worth following or not?

But if that were truly the case, he wanted to say he was still young.

“You’re quick-witted and clever. There’s a reason Tom praised you. How old are you?”

“You flatter me. I came of age this year.”

Then he’s twenty.

Since he came of age last year, that makes him one year younger than himself.

Certainly a young age.

‘For someone that young, he has insight and judgment. I suppose I can consider his drive to execute plans appropriate for his age.’

He has ability.

There was one thing to confirm.

Tom might have advised Jaide.

What goods to buy to make a good impression on Cliff.

“What were you thinking when you acquired these things?”

“I first acquired slaves from Elimis. From them, I was able to roughly hear about the situation in Elimis. I thought you must have spent a cold and difficult winter. Since that place lacks down and fur to make winter clothes and blankets.”

Cliff nodded.

Cotton and fur weren’t produced in the Elimis Domain.

Yet the cold was severe. Having endured a harsh winter, he expected that Cliff would prepare for the next winter.

“I heard that creatures like rabbits don’t live there either. I was told there isn’t much suitable game. That’s why I prepared rabbits.”

“Is that why you prepared the slaves? No, wait. You saw the charcoal that Tom brought back from his visit, didn’t you?”

“That’s correct. I heard many charcoal kilns were built. You probably increased their numbers excessively to prepare for winter. But once winter passes and farm work begins, it will be difficult to operate all those charcoal kilns anymore.”

Without even visiting the estate, he knew the estate’s situation well.

He wanted to applaud his deductive ability.

Cliff asked.

“And so?”

“I thought the Acting Baron would be looking to acquire slaves.”

That was enough to hear.

He hadn’t received any particular advice from Tom.

Excellent.

‘No wonder Tom recommended him.’

A person with insight, deductive ability, and drive.

He was indeed a capable talent.

But Cliff didn’t say anything to him right away.

“I heard there’s an excellent night market here. Could I get a guide there tonight?”

“Of course.”

Jaide bowed his head.

Cliff smiled.

Jaide hadn’t yet said he would pledge loyalty to him. He wasn’t his person. Just like Tom, he merely wanted to make a deal.

‘That’s problematic.’

Tom’s situation could repeat itself.

He needed a relationship with stronger binding force than with Tom. He needed to become the owner of the trading guild, not Jaide.

The first thing that came to mind when thinking of Serfal.

That was slaves.

The place Cliff visited was indeed the slave market.

“…Are you thinking of buying more slaves?”

Jaide had already prepared ten slaves.

Women might struggle with heavy labor, but they could handle lighter work instead.

And they could also bear children.

Ten such slaves including men.

But Cliff didn’t seem satisfied with that.

‘Well, he’s someone with a lot of money now. But if he just increases slaves, there won’t be enough food to feed them…’

Cliff spoke up.

“Where might I find a shop that sells more high-grade slaves?”

“High-grade slaves, you mean?”

At Cliff’s words, Jaide nodded repeatedly.

That much he could understand.

But after being guided to such a building, Jaide’s expression hardened when he heard what Cliff said to the owner there.

“I imagine you have slaves of merchant origin?”

“Of course, my lord. We have many slaves of merchant origin – those who became slaves due to massive debts from failed business ventures, those captured by bandits and sold as slaves, those who fell out of favor with nobles or were caught in illegal dealings.”

Slaves of merchant origin.

Jaide gulped.

This was Cliff presenting Jaide’s replacement.

And there was more.

‘Rabbits aren’t a problem, but I spent all the money I had buying slaves too. If I can’t sell these to the Elimis Family…’

Only then did he realize.

The abilities and goods Jaide had shown Cliff.

These would be achievements and advantages if he were to become Cliff’s person, but if he only wanted simple trade, it was like exposing his weaknesses.

All the goods Jaide had prepared.

Cliff needed them.

But Cliff had shown him.

‘Even without you, acquiring goods is an easy matter.’

Even without Jaide’s goods, there were many people who would sell him things.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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