In the Kingdom of Bellenios, which borders Istazio to the east—Vienna Territory.

As they reached the entrance of the territory, the knight leading the procession approached the carriage Ellen was in.

“Miss, perhaps it’s time for a rest. We’ll be arriving soon.”

“Understood. Send a courier to the lord’s castle.”

At her words, the knight bowed and returned to the front.

“This Vienna Territory is a place I’ve heard of for the first time because of you, Miss, but the scenery is quite nice.”

Sally marveled, looking around at the landscape outside the window.

“Isn’t it? The plains are vast, and the climate is cool, making it a nice place.”

Thanks to such characteristics, Vienna Territory was famous as one of the granaries of Bellenios.

In fact, during Ellen’s generation, there had been no experience of a food shortage, unlike the previous generations.

Therefore, if someone were to hear that food was being imported from another country at several times the usual amount, and that too with potatoes, they would immediately suspect preparations for war, and significant opposition would begin.

So she chose this place.

Vienna Territory, where Gillian had promised her a countship in exchange for supporting a rebellion in another country.

“Miss, it seems people from the lord’s castle have arrived.”

Sally, who had been continuously observing outside, adjusted her posture, noting the sight of horses in the distance.

She approached Ellen, quickly checking her attire, and returned to her seat before the knight reached the carriage.

“Is Lady Crient here?”

When someone called for her, Ellen opened the window wide.

It was a knight from the Vienna family who had come as a messenger.

“I am Ellen Crient. Did the Lord of Vienna send you?”

“Yes, indeed. He asked me to escort you with due respect.”

“Thank you for the courtesy. Let’s proceed, everyone.”

If today’s deal goes through, not only this territory but also the people living off its production will collapse, unable to endure the famine.

It wasn’t without guilt.

However, resources like food are limited anyway.

The numbers are fixed, so she is merely choosing a more advantageous option for herself.

Ellen organized her thoughts and composed herself to focus on the negotiation.

Upon her arrival, she was greeted by a group of servants led by the castle’s butler.

The Viscount of Vienna, the owner of the castle, could not be seen, and Ellen surmised it was because the visitor was a count’s daughter, not the count.

The castle’s butler approached Ellen.

“You have many large belongings. I’ll assign some maids to help you.”

“I appreciate your assistance. I have someone with me.”

Sally, who stood behind Ellen, moved close to her side as if to show off.

“Then, what about the escort…”

“That’s fine. I don’t want to sleep with strangers nearby. It makes me nervous.”

“Yes, understood. Then I’ll guide you to the room prepared upstairs.”

With that, the butler led her upstairs.

“This is where you’ll be staying. Once you’re ready, a maid will come to escort you to the dining hall.”

“Understood. Thank you.”

With a short farewell, she effectively dismissed the butler, who bowed deeply again before turning away.

* * *

Viscount Vienna could hardly contain his joy.

Crient was a name he was well familiar with.

Wasn’t it the very place holding the wealth of Istazio?

The visit of someone from such a family to this territory was incredibly exciting.

When Lady Crient entered the dining hall he had prepared with utmost care—by pushing the castle’s servants—he was thrilled.

“Thank you for the invitation, Viscount Vienna.”

“The honor is mine, Lady Crient.”

With the most pleasant smile he could muster, the viscount welcomed Ellen.

Soon, the quiet hall echoed with the clinking of cutlery as the meal began.

“The daughter of an imperial count visiting this humble kingdom’s outskirts personally.”

Viscount Vienna gestured dramatically, as if he didn’t know what to do with himself.

“Humble? On the way here, I found the sturdy-looking castle quite impressive.”

“Thank you for saying so. Compared to the fame of Crient, it’s insignificant.”

“You’re flattering me so much, I don’t know where to put myself.”

Ellen said with a gentle smile, to which the viscount responded with hearty laughter, launching into praise for Crient.

“Haha, Crient is famous in many ways.”

“Oh my, is it that much? Hearing you say that makes me curious about how our family is viewed from abroad.”

“The stories are endless, but if I had to name the most famous, it would be the research lab Leto and the textile company Alba. Their remarkable foresight and adept business acumen…”

The viscount’s voice, reciting his thoughts on Crient, grew dreamy, seemingly lost in a reverie.

For a while, he talked about the wealth and fame of Crient he desired, before finally broaching the main topic that had been on his mind.

“So today, I’m very much looking forward to what surprise you might have for me, Lady.”

What kind of deal have you brought?

Seeing the viscount looking rather eager, Ellen smiled slightly and spoke.

“Indeed, it’s hard not to know our company Leto these days. That makes things quicker. What I want is this.”

She pointed to the potato salad on the plate, finely mashed and mixed with a large amount of sugar.

“Seed potatoes, 1,000 tons.”

“…Potatoes?”

He looked as if he had heard something completely unexpected. The end of the viscount’s voice cracked, clearly flustered.

“Potatoes, ahem. Potatoes, you say? And as much as 1,000 tons?”

“And it doesn’t matter if they’re a bit old, so it would be nice if you could sell grain flour cheaply as well.”

Ellen ignored the viscount’s questions.

Perhaps understanding her intention not to ask further questions, the viscount continued without adding more questions.

“Ahem. You came considering a food transaction. But unfortunately, even though we are a food-producing area, selling that much at once is difficult. We don’t even have that amount…”

“Adding to the stored grain here and purchasing a suitable amount from neighboring territories, it’s quite possible, Viscount.”

“But it’s true. This place does sell grain to make ends meet…”

“Viscount.”

Ellen lightly set down the glass she was holding and looked directly at Viscount Vienna.

“Do you think I came empty-handed, knowing nothing? You should know when to stop playing tricks.”

The viscount’s lips, which had been smiling, trembled at Ellen’s cold gaze.

Such direct words were hard to endure, even for a viscount.

If it had been a typical transaction, she wouldn’t have taken this approach.

However, if she appeared weak here, he would continue to play tricks, making it difficult to keep him quiet in the future.

So she needed to be firm, even if it upsets the viscount.

Opportunists always end up listening to the other party’s conditions.

As expected, the viscount maintained a fake smile, even as his eyes twitched, and spoke.

“You didn’t come empty-handed… So I need to hear what you brought to calculate my options.”

“Now you’re ready to engage in a proper transaction, Viscount.”

Ellen chuckled lightly, swirling the wine glass in her hand.

“Then let me tell you. As part of the deal, companies from our family, such as the textile company Alba and the boutique Thalia, originating from our Leto company, will enter Vienna Territory.”

“Leto and Alba…!”

“Since the place is downstream of the river, it’s also a good environment for building factories. In fact, you wanted to build factories instead of farms, didn’t you? You just didn’t have the means.”

Ellen’s eyes narrowed slightly. The red wine flowed between her lips.

“Then, if I refuse this offer…”

“In that case, I’ll have to find someone else to negotiate with. There’s another candidate with similar conditions right next door.”

“Surely you don’t mean Delvon?”

“Oh, that’s also a candidate.”

Right next to Vienna Territory was another agricultural city, Delvon.

And it was a territory with a personal grudge against Viscount Vienna.

Ellen spoke in a bright tone, as if she found the thought exciting.

“How much tax revenue will be generated? I think there might not be a comparable territory in this Bellenios. What do you think, Viscount?”

“Well, I agree with that, but…”

“Oh, I see. So have you made your decision?”

When Ellen asked, Viscount Vienna awkwardly smiled and began to deflect.

“Haha, Lady. As you know, such matters usually require careful consideration…”

The reason he suddenly hesitated after hearing the names Leto and Alba was obvious.

He suspected he could gain more if he knew why she needed the food and why he was chosen.

In such times, it’s best to push them to prevent thinking deeply.

Ellen interrupted his words.

“I’m sorry, but time is also money for me.”

She gestured for an attendant.

Instructing them to move her chair, she stood up as soon as the chair was sufficiently pulled out, speaking as she did.

“It’s a shame it fell through. Then, Viscount, I wish you well.”

The viscount could only stare at her in bewilderment at her sudden actions.

Belatedly realizing that she was serious, he urgently called after her as she started to leave.

“L-Lady! Please, just wait a moment!”

When Ellen paused and looked back, he began to pour out what he knew she wanted, doing his best.

“Alright! Flour and cornmeal! I’ll sell everything except the minimum needed. But 1,000 tons of seed potatoes is really not something I can prepare alone. I-I need time…”

The viscount’s rapid words gradually softened.

He glanced upwards, subtly watching Ellen’s expression.

“How you procure it is not my concern. The important thing here is that I need the 1,000 tons of seed potatoes you’ll provide, and you need the factories I will build. Isn’t that right?”

“Of course, but… Still, it’s difficult to draw up a contract immediately. I need to assess where to secure the quantities from each territory, and since it’s the first time a foreign company is entering our territory, I need to seek advice…”

“Oh, I see.”

Ellen nodded slightly in agreement, and relief briefly passed over the viscount’s face. But it was fleeting.

“So how many hours do you need?”

“H-Hours…?”

“Yes. How many hours?”

The viscount looked as if he had been struck hard on the back of the head.

“T-Three, three hours! I’ll send someone in three hours. We can adjust things gradually after that. How does that sound?”

“…Alright.”

Ellen agreed.

Unlike the initial amiable atmosphere, her attitude could be seen as somewhat insolent.

However, what flashed across the viscount’s face upon hearing her agreement was intense relief and joy that he hadn’t missed this opportunity.