This is... Tsk.
When King Benettogna read the pact, he impulsively clicked his tongue, and two opposing feelings surged through his heart.
Haah. What should I make of this?
"I read the contract you gave me," he said, his gaze sharpening as he alternated between feeling comforted and wanting to curse Lloyd out.
"Thank you."
"In summary, the Frontera Family will receive 5% of the total trade value of the commerce facilitated by the Pantara Range as a maintenance fee."
"That is on point, sire." Lloyd grinned.
The king's brows crumpled. "But maintenance fee? To me, it looks like an exploitative customs tax."
"I have nothing to say if you feel it that way. As you know, it's just a name for the expense."
"Are you admitting that the fee is partly a customs tax?"
"I hope you will also acknowledge that, given its location on such rough terrain, maintaining the trade route will be extremely expensive," defended Lloyd.
"Hmm."
"Indeed," Lloyd confirmed. "The constant blizzards will cover the railroad in snow and freeze it. There's also the water and icicles that will come down the slope and damage the roadbed. is more, the timber and gravel on the road will need to be cared for daily. That means the labor required for the maintenance process will create an additional expense on top of the materials needed for it."
"There is more...?"
"Of course. I built a small station at the peak as a resting area for people and shipments crossing the range. It also has a residence for the workers who will be maintaining the railroad. That facility will create more cost since it needs to be regularly serviced as well and have food, clothing, and other resources for the workers." "Do you mean that you will have me to pay for all of this?"
"Since I built the railroad after much toil, I would appreciate it if you considered it a fee for using the train; additionally, 5% of the total value of overall goods is comparatively nothing," reminded Lloyd sharply.
“...”
"Am I wrong?"
"Tsk," the king clucked his tongue. Everything Lloyd said was correct. This trade route would eventually allow him to trade directly with the Magentano Kingdom, an emerging superpower in the international order. The shipments that used to circle the range would now take this trade route instead. Moreover, that would be true for others outside the Benetto Kingdom.
There will be shipments from neighboring nations that travel through my territory before reaching the trade route on the range. I would be able to collect a considerable amount of customs tax from this.
The economic value of the trade route would be significantly larger than the tax itself. Therefore, 5% was a drop in the bucket compared to the total profit he would gain.
"How do you plan on receiving the fee?" asked King Benettogna.
"Oh, that should be written down below,"
"Hmm."
"Over there. Slightly lower. Yes, that's it."
"The maintenance fee will be converted into gold coins... To be later collected every quarter?"
"Yes. It'll be an easy task for the Bone Dragon to move around a few chests of the gold coin."
King Benettogna made a face that said, "You came prepared."
Lloyd nodded in understanding.
Of course. Of course, I came prepared.
It was truly an obvious statement. Considering the scale of the project, Lloyd wanted to get everything he could from it on top of the Tears of Summer.
Plus, it indeed costs money to maintain the tracks.
Lloyd planned to leave dozens of orc soldiers and a few elves, but when he estimated the costs of their food, living, and facility management materials, his heart sank.
All of it was my precious money!
Lloyd believed it would be unfair for others to benefit from the trade route that he used his own money to safely maintain and operate. So he spent the past few days calculating the cost of maintenance and how much he would need to be paid to make a good profit.
The answer was five percent. That covered the maintenance enough, and the remaining money would be used for my fiefdom.
That remaining money would serve as Lloyd's lifetime pension and grow his nest egg.
I mean, I've got lots of money, thanks to the Dragon King Sponsorship. But you never know.
You never knew when or how your source of income would be cut. That was just the way of life. It was not uncommon for trusted banks to go bankrupt on a random day. Nothing was 100% reliable, including his sponsorship from the dragon king.
That sleepyhead dragon is surprisingly moody.
The way Lloyd saw it, Dragon King Verkis liked to act on a whim. He was a sluggard with a villainous temperament.
There's a chance that I may accidentally get on his bad side one day. I must have insurance in place.
Yes, the Dragon King's sponsorship was enormously significant, but it was unreliable money, and the rest of the various sources of income had their drawbacks.
Similarly, the queen can withdraw her support to our fiefdom at any time if I lose her favor. The other revenue I get from the Lacona Viscounty's tax and water bill is quite small.
As a result, any extra source of revenue, such as money from the Benetto Kingdom, would grow his nest egg even more.
It's perfect. Stable and abundant.
He had carefully calculated and planned for today. There was only one purpose for the kidnapping of the king and the services given to appease him afterward: to get this contract in front of the monarch.
Life is long, and money is always needed.
Repeating that motto in his head, Lloyd pointed to the bottom of the contract.
"As such, starting next quarter, all you need is to pay the amount in the contract for the next 50 years."
"50 years...?" King Benettogna uttered in a daze.
"Yes, but the period is very short," Lloyd responded as if it was obvious. "The trade route will last for over 500 years unless war or another natural disaster destroys it. That is how long you will continue to reap the benefits that come from it. Paying a fee for a mere 50 years is truly nothing compared to what you will get in return."
"But if a war or natural disaster does-"
"I got that covered, too. Yes, there. Do you see it?"
King Benettogna sealed his lips. It was really there.
If a war, natural disaster... or another similar event causes the trade route to close... The maintenance fee will be temporarily suspended... Haah.
King Benettogna gave Lloyd a serious look. By this point, his dislike for the young man had vanished and been replaced by admiration for his detailed preparation.
A duration of 50 years is quite appropriate. It's a long period but not excessively so. And given this boy's age... Yes, he's saying he wants to get his fair share from my kingdom just while he's alive.
Even though Lloyd made his intentions blatantly clear, he didn't cross any lines. He shrugged when the king stared at him intently.
I'm not sure whether to call him bold or brazen. He does what he needs to do.
Dumbstruck, a snort escaped him. The king nodded. "I see. I understand you."
"That means..."
"I agree to your terms."
"Thank you so much!" With that, Lloyd bowed 90 degrees and later brought out a pen and ink bottle at lightning speed.
"Haha... Now? You want me to sign the papers right now?"
"Yes, the rightful owner of Benetto Kingdom."
"But the contract needs the king's seal for my signature to have any effect. Why don't we make our way to the palace?"
"Yes, I am overwhelmed with gratitude, but..." mumbled Lloyd hesitantly.
"But?"
"Being a coward, I am scared you will have a change of heart on our way to the palace."
"Huh...?"
"How about signing the contract now and sealing it with your stamp later?"
"Tsk. You look like you are going to kidnap me again if I do not give my signature."
"Please forgive me."
"Ha... How brazen. You do not even deny my words."
"Please forgive me for that, too, sire."
33
"I see... Then give that to me." He then seized the pen without hesitation and scrawled his name on the contract while looking at Lloyd. "There is something I am curious about now that I signed the contract."
"Yes, sire."
"Earlier, you said I would be asked to pay a maintenance fee starting next quarter. Why is that? Why not this quarter?"
"Oh, it's a complimentary benefit."
Once again, the king was at a loss of words. Just like that, they entered the palace and signed and put the king's seal on the contracts. At last, Lloyd had secured his desired deal.
Great. Just perfect. I'm set for life!
Several strong emotions began to boil up in his heart. Although he still needed to stop the restoration of destiny, once that job was done, he would be set for life.
"Lloyd Frontera," called the king. Lloyd noticed something off about that voice. "I have a question I would like to ask you."
"Oh, yes. What is it?"
"Is there a lady you've promised to build a future with?"
Lloyd clamped his mouth shut. He instantly understood where this was going.
Oh, it's been a while. Father-in-law attack.
Suppressing his wry smile, Lloyd said, "Please forgive me."
"Hmm?"
"Could you be asking... because you have a daughter of marriageable age?"
"Haha? Did you read my mind?"
"No, but I had a guess." That wry smile could no longer be suppressed. It rose upward. And his prediction turned out to be true. The king was entertaining the possibility of an arranged marriage for his daughter with Lloyd. The reason for it was simple. Lloyd was spitefully cunning, and he expected him to become his kingdom's most reliable ally.
I am an excellent judge of character. This man is something. He may be sly and selfish to others. But he cares an awful lot for his own people.
The king was certain about this after seeing the construction site of the railroad earlier.
The work site was thoroughly equipped with safety measures, and the workers' quarters were considerable and robust, reflecting his treatment of his men. Furthermore, if a wedding took place, my son-in-law would be the Magentano House's meritorious retainer. That would be an incredible benefit.
He had multiple daughters and sending one of them to marry Lloyd would benefit her future and his kingdom. However, there was something the king overlooked in Lloyd: the latter possessed marriage ideals of the 21st century.
Ha. Marry someone without knowing what the person looks like? And with this fancy house? I'd be a madman if I took the deal. I would live the rest of my life in misery and exhaustion. I'm not enough of a madman to want that.
No matter what, he wanted to have a love marriage and lead a cozy life with someone who was not exceedingly high in status. He would be shackling himself if he married a princess of a royal family.
"Once again, please forgive me."
"Hmm... I don't believe this will be a disadvantageous move for you," ventured King Benettogna.
"The only thing I can offer is an apology. My apologies." With his considerable amount of expertise, Lloyd knew just what to say at a time like this. "Thank you, Your Majesty. Thank you for the contract. I shall relay the message to the queen how you happily accepted." This was the perfect time for a flat denial. Making up excuses would only backfire.
"Yes, please do. And do seriously think about the marriage proposal when you have the time."
"I do not think it will happen for a long time." With that, Lloyd dashed out of the palace and jumped on Yong Yong's back, fearing the monarch would stop him and ask the question again.
"Let's go!"
Clang! Yong Yong soared into the air, smashing the remaining vases in the plaza as he took off, and messages appeared in front of his eyes announcing the birth of a new title.
Ding dong.
[You have successfully completed a large international project by gathering various groups of races together, threatening and fooling a number of elementals, and appeasing the king of a foreign land.]
[To this, the different races of creatures who joined the construction, the elementals who were duped, the outsiders who were used, and the demons who observed the entire scenario would all concur with your new title.]
[A new title, "Hell's Top Talent," has been created.]
