Isaac needed funds to move.
But where could he gather them from?
There was an old saying: "Sesame oil and peasants yield more the more they are squeezed." T/N: proverb about over-exploiting resources.
Would that mean he should tax the farmers?
No. That path was only for when the territory reached true desperation. Isaac believed—even without formal economic theory—that "if the commoners prosper, the kingdom prospers." He had no intention of draining the peasants dry through forced taxation.
Then, what about the nobles?
That too was impossible. Pushing them would only breed resentment and sow seeds of discord for the future. A nation could not be run with knowledge alone; the ruling class had to be involved in administration. Voluntary contributions were acceptable, but coercion was not.
The pool of targets shrank quickly. The answer was obvious.
Merchants.
Isaac had set his sights on the second-ranked merchant guilds in Wellrod Territory.
The Black Merchant Guild already monopolized work from lords and deputies across nearly every town. They handled almost all public projects. Yet even in that environment, certain guilds had managed to secure the runner-up position purely through private trade. That spoke of real strength and persistence.
Isaac intended to dangle bait before them—
—the promise of becoming future exclusive merchants to House Wellrod.
But he hadn't said that part aloud. If they lunged simply at the bait, they weren't the kind of guild he wanted. Instead, he sent out letters and would see who came forward out of interest alone. The screening had already begun.
Those blinded by greed would be cast aside. Only those who showed true sincerity would receive sincerity in return.
Some guilds had already replied with intent to participate. Tirihill would not be empty when the time came.
So far, everything was moving exactly as Isaac had predicted.
Yes—exactly as predicted...
"Absolutely not! Impossible!"
"Lucia is right. He's only five years old!"
Lucia and Margaret's voices thundered, scolding Randolph and Morgan without restraint.
(Here it comes.)
Isaac had foreseen this. His mother and grandmother were firmly opposed.
Randolph and Morgan faltered under their fury, while Isaac himself sat small between the two women. He knew full well he was the cause of their anger.
"Isaac! Why would you say something like this? You already get plenty of pocket money!"
"Well, that's..."
Isaac hesitated. If he blurted out "to protect Father," Randolph's dignity would be completely crushed. Yet he couldn't think of a quick excuse.
Seeing his son at a loss, Randolph cut in.
"It's for me."
"...For you?"
"Father! What are you—"
Under the astonished stares of Isaac, Lucia, and Margaret, Randolph continued.
"Yes. It's for me. After what happened with the Black Merchant Guild in the capital, Isaac grew worried. He wanted me to believe his words, so he sought to build achievements I couldn't ignore."
It was bitter to speak of his own failings. To admit being covered by his son's foresight was humiliating. But remaining silent while Isaac was blamed was worse. Randolph still had pride as a parent; he would help his child when needed.
"That can't be..."
Lucia's denial caught in her throat. When she thought of Isaac, she realized—it wasn't impossible. He might really say such a thing.
Margaret, however, struck back.
"Lies. A child this small could never say such a thing on his own. You made him!"
Her force was unshaken. Randolph's confession hadn't slowed her. She gripped Isaac's shoulder tightly, almost painfully, her passion in her strength.
Isaac did not shake her hand off. Instead, he placed his own over hers, looking up at her.
"It's the truth, Grandmother."
His eyes shimmered with tears, upturned toward her.
—The secret weapon of a child: tearful pleading gaze.
It was a move that leveraged his youth itself. Margaret's grip loosened unconsciously.
"Father is a kind man. The Black Merchant Guild tried to take advantage of that kindness to exploit him. I cannot forgive that!"
When Isaac declared it, Margaret turned toward Morgan.
"Then you should punish the Black Merchant Guild yourself. You're the head of the house!"
It was a direct strike of reason.
But even reason had limits.
"Once Randolph accepted their apology, the matter was finished—at least publicly. Reopening it now would only stain our name. Besides, Randolph believes it was a mistake, not malice. And I, too, will not impose sanctions on an official merchant house for a single failure. That is why entrusting Isaac with this matter is not such a bad choice."
Noble dignity was at stake. As Randolph had told Isaac during the trade, the House of Marquis Wellrod could not afford to make a spectacle over a loss of one hundred million Reed. For a marquis house, most assets were in land or property. In liquid cash, the loss was painful—but not worth breaking dignity for.
The guild would be observed further, and decisions made then. That was Morgan's stance.
"Not a bad choice? That's not something you say to a five-year-old! Speak like that ten years from now!"
Margaret, despite her fury, struck precisely at the weak point. She was still the wife of a marquis. Even her emotional words carried sharp accuracy.
Morgan faltered under her pressure, yet began to explain.
"No, no. It's because he's young that this works. Just as nobles have dignity, so do merchants. If they lose to a child, they can't complain later. And the boy has the will for it."
"But still—"
"Grandmother."
Margaret was about to object when Isaac cut her off.
"This isn't just for Father."
"...Explain yourself."
"Yes."
Isaac straightened his posture, his expression solemn.
"If I can build achievements, then the struggle for succession won't be only about Elder Brother. That way, Mother won't have to feel so lonely anymore."
At present, Nathan was the strongest candidate for heir. Because of this, nobles fawned over Melinda, while treating Lucia with half-hearted courtesy. But if Isaac could show results that made people whisper "perhaps he's the better heir", some of those nobles would begin to flock around Lucia instead.
Then Lucia would no longer spend lonely days waiting for her few friends, like Karen, to visit.
—Child secret technique: teary-eyed upward gaze, this time combined with pure devotion to his mother.
That combination drained much of Margaret's momentum.
(Good. This should work.)
Isaac felt certain of it.
"You don't have to do that!"
Lucia suddenly pulled him into her arms. She wasn't convinced.
"Who cares about heirs? Who cares if no one comes crawling for power? As long as we can live quietly as a family, that's enough..."
Her words broke down into sobs. For her, being together with Randolph and Isaac was all she wanted. There was no need to throw stones into calm water, no need to fuel the fires of succession. She would rather endure petty slights than stir up more trouble.
But Isaac did not seek to preserve the present. He wanted to use this chance to move forward. He felt sorry for his mother, but he could not stop.
"Mother, forgive me. But children always leave their parents' side one day."
"It's too soon!"
(Well... she's not wrong.)
The simplicity of the objection left him with no comeback. After a pause, he forced himself to continue.
"It's not as if this is farewell forever. And it's only ten times—just this year and next. Please let me go with a smile."
Isaac held her gaze as he spoke. He was only planning ten iron ore auctions in total, and only while staying in Wellrod Territory. None would take place while he was in the capital.
Even so, Lucia's face remained clouded. Her pain came from the thought of her young child venturing far away. It wasn't overprotectiveness—it was simply natural worry. The imbalance between Isaac's mind and body made it harder for her to bear.
"But... but..."
Tears streamed down her face. Isaac looked toward Morgan for support.
"I only granted permission. Whether he truly goes is Isaac's own decision."
"...What?"
The cold deflection startled him. Next, he turned to Randolph.
"I want to let Isaac choose as well. But family unity is important too. It's a difficult issue. Yes, difficult."
"Seriously?"
Randolph, too, avoided saying "let him go." He dodged the issue, looking away. Both men were leaving it all in Isaac's hands.
(Damn it. My persuasion was flawed!)
He realized now the cost of relying on Morgan's promise—"I'll grant any wish I can." He had pressed too hard. They had agreed, but half-heartedly. And now, when it mattered, they would not stand behind him.
(So that's the lesson... Nobles are useless as allies unless you seize their hearts completely. ...But this is no time to be analyzing.)
Isaac steadied himself and faced Lucia again.
"Mother, please think of this as my chance to grow as a person. I'll have escorts. I'll miss you, but there's nothing else to fear."
"...Isaac."
He was wise beyond his years. She wanted to let him go. But worry as a mother weighed heavier. Her arms stayed wrapped tightly around him.
Then, from an unexpected corner, came a powerful shot of support.
"Lucia, let him go."
"Mother-in-law!"
It was Margaret. She had changed her mind.
"This child is not like Jude. He has human warmth. We should respect that feeling and allow him this chance."
Talk of succession and punishing the Black Merchant Guild still unsettled her. But more than that, she saw his desire to act for his parents' sake. Before Isaac grew into a cold man like Jude, she wanted to nurture his affection by giving him opportunities. Denying every attempt because he was a child would only warp him.
Lucia gave no reply. She only hugged Isaac tighter, then nodded at last.
—She hadn't accepted his journey, but she would permit it.
That was her way of showing the limits of her resistance.
Margaret looked at Lucia with gentle eyes for making such a painful choice. Then she turned a stern gaze on Morgan and Randolph.
"If you gave Isaac permission, then support him to the end! What was that cowardly dodging earlier?"
"Well, that was—"
"No, you misunderstand—"
Both men buckled under her pressure.
(Maybe... Grandmother's the most manly one here.)
Isaac was startled by the unexpected side of her.
(If I fail now... it won't just be shame. It'll be far worse.)
He had made his family worry and even made his mother cry. At last, Isaac began to feel the true weight of the pressure he had taken on.
Notes:
• Tirihill - A mining town four days away by carriage from the domain capital, Wellrod.
• Lucia - Isaac's mother. The second wife.
• Margaret - Isaac's grandmother.
• Morgan - Isaac's grandfather.
• Randolph - Isaac's father.
• Melinda - Isaac's step-mother. The first wife.
• Nathan - Isaac's half-brother.
• Karen - Lucia’s sister-in-law, Andy’s wife, Tiffany’s mother. Cheerful, sharp-tongued, with strong intuition; supportive of Lucia but quick to point out truths, often unsettling Isaac with her perceptiveness.
• Jude - Isaac's great-grandfather.