Thought It Was 'The End', Only to Return to a Changed Genre - Chapter 119
Excuses, Forever Abundant
Whenever he managed to catch a clue, it was quickly severed.
Jeff let out a groan.
When he discovered the legend of the Kingdom of Brubewein, it felt like striking gold.
Though he considered it a ridiculous story, he continued his investigation because it was the only thing Adeline responded to.
He intended to dig a bit more and, if nothing came of it, give up.
However, something unexpected turned up.
The Kingdom of Brubewein is a barren and impoverished country located at the end of the Miphan Mountain Range.
It has no significant specialties and lacks arable land, forcing it to purchase food from abroad every year.
Most of its citizens were so poor that without state aid, they couldn’t survive the winter.
With a small population and meager tax revenue, how did the Kingdom of Brubewein manage to distribute food every winter?
Initially, they assumed the royal family was financing this through overseas businesses.
Otherwise, how could they afford to feed the entire populace?
However, upon closer inspection, there was no visible business venture in Brubewein.
In his pursuit of funding sources, Jeff discovered that the Kingdom of Brubewein was secretly selling monster parts.
Whether the royal family was spearheading this operation was unclear, but they were making a fortune selling rare monster parts at high prices.
Business was Jeff’s area of expertise.
He succeeded in initiating trade under a different name but couldn’t penetrate the core of the operation.
Gregory spoke up.
“If we tighten the leash, wouldn’t they spill something?”
“Shall we try blocking their food purchase routes?”
“We must try something,” Patrick chimed in.
“Even if we block it now, they’ve probably already secured enough food for this winter. Instead, why not devalue their products?”
Monster parts were used in various applications.
Many of Jeff’s businesses dealt in products utilizing monster parts.
By investing a large sum, they could flood the market with these parts, driving down their value.
Whether or not the business’s head could maintain secrecy, Jeff alone could likely crush it.
Jeff frowned.
“If we ruin their business, won’t the people of Brubewein starve to death?”
“So what?” Patrick replied coldly. “Whether it’s fiefdom subjects or citizens, it’s the ruler’s responsibility to take care of them. If blocking this ruins them, that’s their fate for having such a leader.”
“Easy for you to say.”
Gregory and Jeff shared the same sentiment.
Even if they starved, it wasn’t their responsibility.
Morality and conscience held no significance in the face of their objectives.
What mattered was achieving their goals and protecting their own.
Gregory asked,
“Do we have enough funds?”
“Oh, plenty. What do you take me for?” Jeff grinned. “Honestly, I don’t even get a chance to use my money. I’ve only been spending Shane’s.”
“I don’t like that much either,” Gregory sighed, shaking his head.
Entrusting Shane was the best way to keep Adeline, but not seeing her often was a disappointment.
“The Brubewein Kingdom sent a delegation too.”
“I’ll handle the approach. Leave that to me,” Patrick volunteered.
While Jeff was skilled at socializing and winning favor, Patrick could also be charmingly affable if necessary.
He just rarely needed to be.
“Make sure the Saintess keeps them from approaching Adeline.”
“Understood.”
If Adeline didn’t divulge anything, they’d have to find out on their own.
Gregory, Emma, Patrick, and Jeff had asked her countless times during her past struggles with insomnia.
