Reincarnation of a Hunter Chapter 26.1 - Canada Bombing Operation (1)

A few days later.

 

As I was reviewing reports in my office, a servant rushed in frantically.

 

“My lord, a messenger has arrived from Catalonia.”

 

“Let them in.”

 

The knight who came as a messenger bowed before handing me a letter. I broke the seal and unrolled the scroll.

 

[To my dear son-in-law, Baron Eric Marseille,

 

Due to a pirate attack on the port of Catalonia, part of Marco’s confiscated assets were burned. I am sending what remains to Marseille, so please do not be too disappointed.

—With hopes of eternal friendship, Luis Miguel Catalonia.]

 

Since I had expected this much, I asked the knight who had delivered the message:

 

“How many ships did you bring?”

 

“Eight 1,500-ton carracks.”

 

‘They burned four out of twelve ships? These pirates are truly something.’

 

Though I was slightly disappointed that the number of ships I could receive had decreased, I couldn’t help but feel impressed.

 

Burning ships at sea is no easy task. I wondered what method they had used.

 

And to think, Marseille Harbor could have been the one attacked by those pirates. What a relief. I offered the knight some words of comfort.

“Catalonia Harbor must have suffered greatly. Please convey my deepest sympathies to the Marquis.”

 

“Understood. Fortunately, the attack occurred during the knights’ naval training. While the merchant ships docked at the port suffered heavy damage, the casualties were fewer than expected, so the Marquis is also relieved.”

 

If Catalonia’s merchant ships were heavily damaged, charter fees would skyrocket.

 

This meant it was the perfect time to make money by putting the received carracks to good use. I suppressed a smile. If I laughed in front of this knight, rumors might spread that I was some kind of devil.

 

“By the way, what happened to Marco, Luca’s son?”

 

“W-well, about that…”

 

So he escaped.

 

“No need to say more. I don’t care, so just pass on my condolences to the Marquis of Catalonia.”

 

“Yes, Baron. As the rumors say, you truly are a magnanimous man.”

 

Magnanimous? Since when do rumors about me circulate in Catalonia? I’m not sure what that’s about, but as long as I’ve left a good impression, that’s all that matters.

 

⚔️

 

At the port of Marseille, I met Captain Adrienne.

 

“Adrienne Ashel! How are the ships you received?”

 

“Hahaha! My lord, this is incredible. How on earth did you manage to acquire these ships?”

 

Only a handful of people know the full story. Rumors will spread eventually.

 

“More importantly, Adrienne Asel, I appoint you as the leader of this Kraken fleet.”

 

“Gasp! Oh my, this is an honor for my family.”

 

I patted Adrienne on the shoulder as he teared up. For someone who looks like a rough pirate, he sure cries a lot. It was a little unsettling.

 

“Make sure all contracted shipments are completed without delay. Since Catalonia was attacked, charter fees will skyrocket for a while. Do some business along the way.”

 

“Of course, my lord. And with more ships, we’ll be able to greatly assist in exporting goods from our territory.”

 

“Export, huh. We’d need surplus goods to export in the first place.”

 

“Huh? Well, there’s ‘Canada,’ isn’t there?”

 

The brand ‘Canada,’ known for its maple syrup, shouldn’t have high production yet. I doubted there was enough surplus for export.

 

“The business hasn’t been running for long.”

 

“No, my lord. I heard the farmers have been producing so much that even the auction houses are struggling to handle it.”

 

What kind of nonsense is this?

 

“When did you hear that?”

 

“Just today.”

 

While I was distracted elsewhere, production must have exploded. It seems they mobilized all available labor during the farming off-season.

 

‘If this continues, prices will crash. Huh? Crash? Wait—I’ve got a great idea!’

 

A sudden inspiration—‘Operation Canada Bombing.’

 

A scheme to disrupt the sugar market using ‘Canada’ and make quick money.

 

‘Which city should I target for this? I’ll have to ask Diego first.’

 

The thought of making money excited me.

 

Just imagining fleecing merchants from other cities made me grin.

 

“Hahaha! Adrienne Asel! We’ll export ‘Canada,’ so contact the auction house and discuss the quantity and shipping arrangements.”

 

“Huh? Understood, my lord.”

 

Adrienne gave me a strange look for a moment, but that wasn’t the issue right now. I immediately returned to the lord’s manor and sought out Diego, the chief economic advisor.

 

He was holed up in the administrative office, working on reports with the clerks.

 

“Diego! I have a job for you.”

 

“Now?”

 

At my words, Diego, his hands and sleeves smeared with ink, looked up with tired eyes and replied.

 

Judging by the stacks of reports piled beside him, he seemed quite busy.

 

“Are you swamped?”

 

“No. What is it?”

 

“It’s confidential. Follow me.”

 

I dragged Diego to a secluded spot behind the building. The timid man shrank back nervously.

 

“Uh, my lord. Why bring me to a place like this…? I, uh, prefer women, you know.”

 

“Stop talking nonsense. Which port handles the most sugar trade?”

 

“Well, obviously the Port of Alexandria, where sugar production is concentrated.”

 

“Not production. Transit.”

 

“That would be Lisbon in the Iberian Kingdom. All sugar supplied to the western continent passes through there. Daily sugar auctions are held.”

 

I smirked. But perhaps my expression looked sinister, because Diego took a slight step back.

 

“Diego, I need you to go to Lisbon.”

 

“…Does it have to be me?”

 

“Yes. I don’t trust anyone else.”

 

“Pascal is quite clever, though.”

 

“He’s too emotional.”

 

Diego, realizing I was plotting something, frowned.

 

“You’re not planning to get me killed, are you?”

 

“Probably not. Maybe.”

 

Diego’s face paled. Clenching his fists tightly, he tried to strike a deal with me.

 

“I don’t know what this is about, but if I succeed, grant me a family name.”

 

“Fine.”

 

Diego’s eyes widened.

 

“Just like that?”

 

“What’s so hard about giving you a name? Just get ready to go to Lisbon.”

 

That’s what I said, but elevating a commoner to a minor noble isn’t something a lord can decide unilaterally.

 

To insert a new face into their exclusive league, the existing quasi-nobles must welcome them for it to have meaning. 

 

Simply declaring, “From today, you’re a quasi-noble,” doesn’t mean the quasi-nobles will treat them as one of their own.

 

The situation is different from when Captain Adrienne was made a quasi-noble. Adrienne was already receiving treatment befitting a knight and had long-standing friendships with the quasi-nobles within the territory.

 

In Diego’s case, since I’m the one pushing him in, I’ll have to offer something in return to the established powers. 

 

Only then can Diego become an insider.

 

What exactly to offer can be decided later.

 

“You should’ve asked for it sooner.”

 

“Think about what your family name should be.”

 

“I’ve already thought about it. Please make it ‘Garcia.’”

 

The name Diego Garcia sounded like some Mexican gang leader’s name.

 

“What’s the meaning behind it? It sounds thuggish.”

 

“It’s my mother’s hometown.”

 

“What a beautiful name, evoking the nostalgic charm of a rural village! Alright, I’ll prepare it.”

 

Diego, with his hollow eyes, grinned widely.

 

The sight was eerie, almost zombie-like.