Two months had passed since the apple candy stall's massive success at the Harvest Festival.
The harvest in the Kohin¹ fields had finally begun.
Most of the fields were still in the early growth stages, so I hadn't expected much. However, some of the trees were ready for picking, and the yield blew our expectations out of the water. Almost immediately, a merchant arrived to inspect the volume.
"I see... so the full-scale shipments won't begin until next year at the earliest? I must say, the Lords have been hounding me for more," the merchant said.
"That's the way it is. You'll have to be patient," Faza Landmark replied. "We're clearing more forest and expanding the fields to meet the demand. I expect we'll be able to provide a steady supply in two or three years."
Ryu Landmark stood by his father's side, listening to the negotiation in silence.
"I have no doubt these will fetch a premium again," the merchant continued. "Once the nobility gets a taste, they have deep pockets and zero patience. They won't begrudge the cost."
"Hasn't the price climbed a bit too high?" Faza asked, his voice tinged with worry.
"With demand far outstripping supply, a price hike is inevitable," the merchant replied. "For now, focus on cultivation and building a solid foundation. Furthermore..."
The merchant leaned in. It seemed the name of the Landmark Knight Family was becoming a hot topic among the neighboring nobility. They were gaining a reputation as the source of the "Black Powder"² - marketed as "Coffee" - and as the innovative house that introduced the revolutionary wheelbarrow³ to the world.
It was a pleasant surprise, but it presented a new diplomatic challenge regarding their patron, Margrave Sugoera. Since they were due to pay their respects at the end of the year, it would be wise to bring significant gifts to maintain his favor.
Just as Faza's list of worries grew, the conversation shifted to the trading price for this season's coffee. The merchant, Vasco, proposed a figure that was nothing short of staggering.
"Given the current market rates, I believe this is fair," Vasco said.
Faza stared at the proposed amount, then instinctively glanced at Ryu. Even Ryu was genuinely shocked. The offer was ten times the price of their previous deal.
"Considering the reputation of the last batch and the current volume, this is the going rate," Vasco explained. "Of course, once the supply stabilizes, I expect the price will normalize."
Neither Faza nor Ryu had any complaints. They signed the contract on the spot.
Once the deal was struck, Ryu decided to hitch a ride back to the Merchant Guild in Vasco's carriage. During the journey, the merchant tried to feel the boy out.
"And what business do you have at the Guild today, Young Master?" Vasco asked.
"A patent application," Ryu replied.
"A patent? May I ask what sort of invention we're talking about?"
Vasco couldn't help himself. The Landmark Knight Family was on a winning streak; they practically smelled like a gold mine. If it was another hit, he wanted his guild to secure the rights immediately.
"I'll tell you after I've filed the paperwork," Ryu said.
Ryu gesture to two objects wrapped in cloth he had pulled from his Magic Storage⁴. Vasco was dying of curiosity - were both items new inventions? Or just one?
Vasco waited outside the Guild for hours. He knew a golden opportunity when he saw one, and he wasn't about to let it drive away.
"Oh? You were still waiting?" Ryu asked, surprised when he finally emerged. He had assumed Vasco would just visit the house later.
"I'll see you safely home. We can talk in the carriage," Vasco replied.
As they rode, Ryu revealed the two new products: "Starch Syrup"⁵ and the "Spade"⁶.
As Ryu explained the process, Vasco realized the starch syrup was the secret behind the apple candy from the festival. If this was true, it represented an entirely new method of sugar production. However, it looked difficult to transport and manage. It was only feasible for someone like this Young Master who possessed Magic Storage.
Wait, Vasco thought, if I source some of those expensive Magic Storage bags or pouches from the Royal Capital, we could use those to transport the syrup...
It would come down to production volume, but if they could move it in bulk, the investment would pay for itself. He'd need to consult the Merchant Guild headquarters.
Then there was the "Spade." Once Ryu explained its use, Vasco realized it was the perfect companion to the wheelbarrow. The design was unlike anything currently on the market - perfectly specialized for digging and moving earth.
Vasco's instincts screamed that this was a must-have product for the guild that already handled the wheelbarrows. After dropping Ryu off at the manor, he didn't leave. Instead, he marched right back inside to find Faza and begin a second round of negotiations.
Summary:
Following the success of the Harvest Festival, the Landmark family begins harvesting coffee (Kohin). A merchant named Vasco negotiates a lucrative contract that pays ten times the previous rate. Ryu subsequently applies for patents for starch syrup and a specialized spade, sparking further industrial interest.
Trivia:
- The 'Black Powder' is actually coffee, but the term is used to reference Ryu's past yakuza life.
- The wheelbarrow was a previous invention that already established the family's reputation.
- Vasco's plan to use Magic Storage bags for logistics shows the world's technological response to Ryu's innovations.
- The family is politically vulnerable and must navigate relations with Margrave Sugoera
Character Insight:
Ryu is transitioning from a simple farmer/producer to a tech mogul by securing patents. Vasco displays the typical 'hungry merchant' archetype, adapting quickly to Ryu's disruptive technologies.
Behind the Scenes:
The author uses the 'sugar production' plot point common in isekai, but ties it to the logistical limitations of the world to maintain balance.
TL Notes:
1 ↩ Kohin: The fictional name for coffee plants in this world.
2 ↩ Black Powder: A double entendre referring to coffee grounds and Ryu's criminal past (illicit substances).
3 ↩ Wheelbarrow: Referred to in previous chapters as a revolutionary tool for manual labor.
4 ↩ Magic Storage: An extra-dimensional inventory skill common in isekai settings.
5 ↩ Starch Syrup: Mizuame, a traditional Japanese sweetener made from starch.
6 ↩ Spade: Specifically the modern digging tool, distinct from cruder fantasy-world farm implements.
Notes:
• Faza - The Lord of the Landmark Domain. A slender but sturdily built man with red hair and brown eyes.
• Ryu - Formerly Yokohama Ryusei, a yakuza. Reincarnated as the third son of the Landmark family. Has red hair and blue eyes. Possesses memories of his previous life and the ability to see names of objects.
• Sugo - Captain of the territorial guards. Responsible for teaching martial arts. Large, grim-faced, and protective of Ryu.
• Vasco - A merchant associated with a guild. Sharp-witted, profit-oriented, and quick to recognize industrial potential in Ryu's inventions.