The reason for this is to get horses at a lower price.
“When the horses die, I’ll transfer ownership to Julie. We’re using the horses to run the Coachman business, not to make a profit from their remains after they pass. Instead, please supply the horses as cheaply as possible under these conditions.”
The first condition suggested the possibility of reselling the horses at a higher price, the second allowed for the possibility of a bulk supply, and the last offered an option for compensation after the horses’ deaths.
In truth, the third option is quite significant.
Although it won’t match the original purchase price, for Julie it would be a considerable reward.
This is the part I’m counting on. Julie seemed to be thinking it over seriously.
“Alright. If I consider that last reward, I don’t think I’ll be at a loss. But still, 30 gold is just too much. That price doesn’t make any sense. There are rehabilitation costs, and I need to make something for myself too.”
“Then, at what price could we make a deal?”
Julie was deep in thought. The approximate price she pays to acquire a horse is 1 gold.
That price mostly comes from selling the remains of the horses. The cost of rehabilitating and maintaining them exceeds 1 gold.
So, selling at 4 or 5 gold is needed to make a reasonable profit.
At the very least, selling for 2 gold per horse would avoid losses. However, with the options I’ve proposed, even if the immediate profit is small, it could lead to ongoing, sustainable income.
In the first place, Sena Horse Ranch didn’t start the business to make a profit from horses, but to prevent indiscriminate slaughter due to breed, pedigree, or health issues.
“One gold per horse. Let’s set it at 50 gold for 50 horses. Any less, and it’s just not possible. Honestly, this is just the price I pay to acquire the horses. I’m not making anything at all at this price. But with the conditions you offered, I don’t think I’ll take a loss.”
Julie agreed to a deal where she buys, feeds, and rehabilitates horses for 1 gold and then sells them for 1 gold—an unbelievable negotiation. William Steven sensed the negotiation was a success.
“Alright. The deal is sealed. You won’t regret it.”
“…It still feels like I’ve been possessed by something.”
Julie still looked confused, but she seemed satisfied with the fact she could keep selling horses.
William Steven and Julie shook hands.
***
Fifty horses for 50 gold. Compared to the money on hand, I’m short on gold, but now the supply is within manageable reach.
I have 20 gold…
20 gold is the limit I can pay now.
But if I push too hard, I might break. It’s important to compromise at the right time.
One gold per horse is an unbelievably cheap price. For now, I’m planning to pay 20 gold upfront.
“Then let’s discuss the details again back in town. For now, it would be good if you could pick out 50 horses from what you have. I’ll pay 10 gold first, and the rest when I receive the 50 horses. However, due to circumstances, I might not be able to take all 50 at once. I’ll pay at least 20 gold right away, and the rest within a month at the latest.”
‘If things go well with the Coachman side, it’ll work out. If it comes to the worst, I’ll go to the young miss and retrieve the invested funds I left with her…’
“Shall we write up a contract?”
I took out some paper and a pen, and quickly drew up the contract. Not once did my hand hesitate as I wrote.
‘Did you memorize the contract? When did you think of all this?’
Since the moment I first saw the ranch from the mountain.
‘Gotta get the seal before anyone changes their mind…’ I pulled out 10 gold coins for the contract deposit.
I handed over the coins calmly and nonchalantly, but my hand trembled without me realizing it. Julie took the 10 gold.
“Alright. I still feel like everything’s flying by in a blur. I was going to sell a single horse, but I ended up selling them all…”
“I’ll go down to the village after I pick out the horses. Would you like to head down first? I have people to meet and things to arrange.”
We agreed to finalize the details when we met again and made our way down the mountain trail with Slot.
In just two days, we’d prepared 50 carriages and 50 horses. Slot, who had quietly listened until now, spoke to me.
“Captain, you’re amazing. I’ve never met anyone like you. Yesterday, I was surprised when you contracted for 50 carriages. But after seeing you today, I’m even more amazed.”
Slot was in awe.
‘Heh, cheer louder. The more you praise me, the stronger I get…’
“You’ll see even more amazing things from now on.”
“But Captain, I have a question. We bought the horses for 1 gold each, right? If we want to get horses like this, shouldn’t we just buy the ones being sold for their remains, like Julie Taylor does? And then hire a veterinarian. Since the price is only 1 gold anyway.”
It’s not that I haven’t thought of that. But considering the state of the horses being purchased, it’s not the right idea.
“At first glance, buying directly might seem cheaper, but our goal isn’t to sell the remains for profit. We want healthy, rehabilitated horses. There aren’t many experts like Julie Taylor who can inspect and care for the horses.”
Rather than managing the horses ourselves, it’s better to find a business partner.
“I see. Captain, your mind really is extraordinary. I’m learning a lot by being employed by the Unicorn Company.”
Listening to Slot’s compliments, I descended the mountain path in a good mood.
When I returned to the inn, the kindly old innkeeper spoke with a grave face.
“Sir, where have you been? There’s trouble. Meat has been caught by the coachmen.”
“How troublesome.”
It seems the time has come to resolve the issue with the coachmen.
***
According to what the innkeeper told me, here’s what happened. While we were at the ranch, Meat went to persuade the coachmen.
He offered them new jobs, and out of curiosity, the coachmen gathered around Meat.
“They must have all been filled with hope at the prospect of new work, right?”
But Meat’s words were strange. Instead of a salary, it was a system where they would take home as much as they earned.
And, in return for being provided with carriages and horses, they’d have to pay a certain commission.
No wonder they thought we were swindlers.
I figured it would be difficult for the coachmen to make a clear judgment.
In a world used to salary-based employment, it’s hard to explain an individual entrepreneurial system based on capitalism.
“The coachman who brought me the message said to let you know as soon as you returned. He told me to tell you to come rescue Meat. But my advice is the opposite. Don’t go to rescue Meat, but run away instead. The coachmen can be rough, but they’re diligent workers. They’ve known Meat for a long time, and everyone recognizes his diligence. He’ll take a bit of a beating, but I’m sure he’ll get out safely.”
“Thank you for your kindness, sir.”
I thanked the kindly innkeeper who urged us to flee. Of course, I have no intention of running away…
“Captain, what should we do?”
“Of course, we go rescue him.”
I expected it would be hard for Meat to persuade them, but I didn’t expect him to get caught.
Did he get beaten up again after already being hit ten days ago?
Was he born under a bad star…?
Let’s go meet the coachmen to rescue him and persuade them at the same time.
I’m not worried. After all, we have a grade SSS Knight candidate on our side.
“If you’re thinking of using the Knight to rescue Meat from the coachmen, I’d stop right there. There’s someone extremely strong with the coachmen.”
“Someone strong?”
“A Monk, apparently. Have you heard of Monks?”
“So, you know what Monks are. This Monk is a longtime friend of the coachmen and happened to visit the village during his training. They say that with a single stomp he can shatter the earth, and no punch can harm him. Truly invincible. Anyway, he’s supposed to be tremendously strong, so I say you should run. Meat will get out safely.”
***
A Monk refers to a religious ascetic. In games and webtoons, it’s a class that often appears.
The versions differ, but they all fill the role of a divine martial artist. In this world, there are many gods.
Among them, the only God is Logos. Unlike the other gods, Logos is the unique creator.
He is the source of all the gods and of all life. Since He is so self-evident, everyone in this world believes in Logos by default.
Because there are many people who have witnessed the power of the gods with their own eyes, it’s impossible not to believe in them in this world.
So, Logos is the god everyone believes in. But Logos does not intervene in human affairs.
In the distant past, He ruled the world directly and issued prophecies, but now He has handed over authority to the Celestial Gods and the Evil Gods.
It would be nice if people only believed in Logos, but there are countless lesser gods created by Logos—Celestial Gods and Evil Gods.
And those who believe in these gods receive divine powers.
Priests, represented by healers, Paladins who balance Knight and priestly powers, and Monks who mix martial arts and priesthood are the main classes.
Celestial Gods are divided into 9 ranks, and Evil Gods are organized into 9 legions.
Since the great war called the Armageddon in ancient times, the Celestial Gods and Evil Gods have been in constant battle.
The strength of each god is related to the faith of humans; when humans’ faith leans toward the Celestial Gods, their power grows, and when faith leans toward the Evil Gods, the power of the Evil Gods increases.
Currently, it is commonly believed that the Celestial Gods are far stronger than the Evil Gods.
Especially in the human world, those who believe in the Celestial Gods are openly spread throughout the nations, while followers of Evil Gods build their strength in the shadows.
Amidst this creative backdrop, humans choose their faith.
They either believe in the Celestial Gods, the Evil Gods, or neither, living with faith only in Logos.
Monks are representative religious ascetics who believe in the Celestial Gods. They use martial arts, but they’re more like Western monks than the Eastern Shaolin style.
They pray and worship, live in communities, and train in martial arts.
Poverty, chastity, obedience, labor, and service are the Monk’s creeds.
Their martial strength comes from the power of the gods, and each Monk serves one of the nine Celestial Gods.
The famous ancient Monk of Yuras Continent, Edvart, was said to have destroyed a legion of 999 demons with a single “Fist of Lamentation” during the ancient Heavenly Demon War.
The abilities granted to Monks vary according to which Celestial God they serve, and these are referred to as “Paths.”
There are Monks who walk the Bright Path, Monks on the Path of Darkness, the Path of Iron Fist, and even Monks who drink the blood of vengeance.
Some even stagger around drunk on wine, wielding the famous Drunken Fist.
Depending on the path they walk, their calling can be inferred.
I wonder what kind of path the Monk opposing us is on.
“Thank you for your advice, sir. But I have to go rescue Meat.
That fellow has a lot of work to do. He doesn’t have time to just sit around getting beaten.”
“Then, go to the warehouse next to the carriage market. You’ll find Meat being held there.”
“Slot, let’s go.”
“Captain, the time has finally come to uphold justice!”
Clang!
Slot briefly drew his longsword from his back, then sheathed it again. His sword slid smoothly back into its place.
Slot, that’s not it… The coachmen are about to become our comrades, you know… With the completely mistaken but determined Slot, I set off.
“The coachman persuasion operation begins!”
And as a bonus, we’ll rescue Meat, too…
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