I’m a Rookie, but I’m an Experienced Professional - Chapter 36

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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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Chapter 36

 

“Miss Eileen, did you hear that news?”

 

Even after arriving at the City Planning Department office, I was still pondering how to persuade the Lord when Anton Brown asked.

 

“What news?”

 

“They say we can’t procure Nereia timber for this summer’s construction.”

 

Nereia timber doesn’t rot easily even when wet and has excellent strength, so it was mainly used for Belheim’s buildings.

 

But we can’t get that timber?

 

“Why all of a sudden? There was no such talk when we had the meeting just a few days ago.”

 

“Nereia timber is a special material that only comes from the eastern regions of the Empire, and the Lord of Nuviar declared he won’t sell it to other regions because he needs to use it for flood prevention construction.”

 

Nuviar again.

 

I frowned.

 

Since we’re also preparing for the summer rainy season, I couldn’t really argue with Nuviar’s reason for preparing against river flooding.

 

‘But that means if I solve Nuviar’s problem, we can get the Nereia timber, right?’

 

Furthermore, couldn’t I use this to persuade Callix Crowbell?

 

Having thought that far, I jumped up from my seat.

 

“The Lord knows about this too, right?”

 

“Huh? He probably knows, I think?”

 

“I see. Then I’ll go meet with the Lord.”

 

“Wh-what? Wait…!”

 

Anton Brown shouted from behind, but I ignored him and headed straight to the Lord’s study.

 

It would have been troublesome if he wasn’t there, but fortunately he was in his study.

 

Noah Roheim was with him too.

 

“What’s the sudden matter?”

 

“Did you happen to hear about the Nereia timber situation?”

 

Not wanting to drag out the conversation, I asked directly.

 

“I know about it. Lord Roheim and I were just discussing that matter.”

 

He waved the documents he was looking at.

 

“It seems we’ll need to find a substitute. Do you have anything in mind?”

 

“No. Even if there were, since it’s not the material we’ve been using, it would take time to adapt. Then it would be impossible to finish construction before the summer rainy season.”

 

Callix Crowbell seemed to know this fact as well, nodding silently.

 

“I think rather than finding a substitute, it would be better to persuade Nuviar and get the Nereia timber from them.”

 

“Well. Viscount Smith seems to have staked everything on preventing the Raed River flooding this time, so I’m not sure if persuasion would work.”

 

“We could just prevent the Raed River flooding for them.”

 

It must have been a completely unexpected answer, as his eyebrow rose at an angle.

 

“Do you have a way to prevent the Raed River flooding, Miss Eileen?”

 

Noah Roheim also asked me with slight surprise.

 

“No. As I told the Lord before, I can’t give you a definitive answer until I go there and see the situation myself.”

 

I took a deep breath and continued.

 

“But there’s a possibility, so we could try negotiating with them. If we prevent the river flooding for them, they could give us the Nereia timber in return.”

 

“Hmm…”

 

Callix Crowbell stroked his chin in thought.

 

Since he didn’t firmly say no, there was a possibility to pursue this.

 

“This is all for Belheim, my Lord.”

 

From what I’d observed so far, Callix Crowbell truly cherished and loved Belheim.

 

“We absolutely need Nereia timber to prevent the summer rainy season flooding.”

 

I persistently pressed on that point.

 

“I think it would be good to have a conversation with Viscount Smith as Miss Eileen suggests.”

 

Noah Roheim also took my side.

 

“If worst comes to worst, how about getting at least some timber in exchange for releasing Count Conrad Marlo?”

 

Ah, that man existed.

 

I recalled the middle-aged gentleman I had completely forgotten about.

 

It’s already been five days since he was locked in the underground prison, I wonder if he’s okay.

 

“Getting just a little timber would be meaningless. We absolutely need the amount we originally planned.”

 

Since I had to go to Nuviar to complete the main quest, I argued strongly.

 

“My Lord, Viscount Howell Smith has requested magical communication.”

 

Perhaps moved by my courage, this time heaven helped me.

 

“My Lord.”

 

I called Callix Crowbell with a somewhat earnest heart.

 

He looked at me with narrowed eyes as if trying to gauge my sincerity, then soon nodded.

 

“Alright, now go out.”

 

* * *

 

After Eileen left, Callix instructed Noah to connect the magical communication.

 

Noah Roheim immediately brought a yellow lark-shaped magical communication device.

 

An Arcana was embedded in its chest, and a small clockwork mechanism was attached to its back.

 

When he wound the clockwork, the lark spread its wings. The metal feathers glittered under the light, and the small beak opened and closed while producing a human voice.

 

“It’s been a long time, Your Grace the Grand Duke. Have you been well?”

 

“I’ve been well.”

 

Callix tilted the corner of his lips at an angle and leaned back deep into his chair.

 

“I’ve been very well, except for being a bit uncomfortable because someone released a little rat into my territory without permission.”

 

“…”

 

The lark’s beak, which had been moving busily, stopped. It meant the Viscount had closed his mouth.

 

“The communication seems poor. I’ll contact you again later.”

 

Callix said, pretending not to know while knowing everything.

 

“…I have committed a great discourtesy to Your Grace the Grand Duke.”

 

Only then did the lark’s beak move again.

 

“Conrad Marlo is only guilty of following my orders, so please look upon him with a generous heart just this once.”

 

“Well.”

 

Callix tilted his head at an angle. Unlike his still-smiling lips, his eyes showed not a trace of warmth.

 

“Then the Viscount who gave those orders should pay the price.”

 

“…Must you go that far? It’s not like I was trying to do something bad…”

 

“You weren’t doing something bad.”

 

Callix’s eyes narrowed.

 

“You were trying to secretly steal away an important talent from Belheim.”

 

“Steal away? I was merely requesting help.”

 

Viscount Smith continued in a tone that sounded quite aggrieved.

 

“Don’t you know as well, Your Grace? If the Raed River overflows next year, Nuviar will…”

 

“That’s your problem.”

 

Callix cut off the Viscount’s words as if he didn’t want to hear them.

 

“Is there a reason I should worry about other people’s territories?”

 

The lark closed its mouth again. Though they couldn’t see each other’s faces, he could picture Viscount Smith trembling.

 

Who told him to do such a thing?

 

Since he had shot himself in the foot, there was no value in sympathy.

 

“If you want Conrad Marlo back, you’ll have to offer appropriate compensation.”

 

“…Is there anything you desire from me?”

 

“Well. What could the Viscount have that I don’t?”

 

Callix drew out his words as if to tease the Viscount.

 

“The only thing I can think of is Nereia timber.”

 

“If you need Nereia Timber, I can sell you as much as you want.”

 

When Callix threw out the bait, Smith Viscount immediately reacted.

 

“However, this year will be difficult. We also need to prepare for the river flooding.”

 

“In other words, if I prevent the river flooding, you’ll sell me the Nereia Timber?”

 

“If you would do that, by all means.”

 

Smith Viscount’s voice, which had been subdued, suddenly came alive.

 

“Well.”

 

In contrast, Callix was indifferent.

 

“Just to buy some timber, should I really release that rat bastard who dared try to steal my person, and even solve your territory’s headache?”

 

“That’s…”

 

“Besides, if I can’t solve the problem, only I’ll suffer losses, so it’s better not to do it at all.”

 

“W-wait a moment!”

 

When Callix was about to cut off the communication, Smith Viscount shouted desperately.

 

“If you release Count Conrad Maron and install drainage systems in Nuviar, I’ll sell you as much timber as you want.”

 

“Hmm…”

 

“Furthermore, I’ll sell Nereia Timber 10 percent cheaper for the next 3 years.”

 

When Smith Viscount slyly added the condition, Callix snorted.

 

“Only 10 percent? It should be at least 30 percent.”

 

“3-30 percent?”

 

Smith Viscount’s voice rose at the outrageous lowball offer.

 

“T-then we won’t even cover transportation costs. We have to pay the Transport Guild…”

 

“If you prevent river flooding without protection magic, you’ll save that much money, so use that to cover transportation costs.”

 

“But if you can’t prevent it, won’t we be the only ones suffering losses?”

 

“Then the Viscount can take responsibility for making the wrong choice. Isn’t that right?”

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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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