How the Villainous Consort Avoids His Death Ending - Chapter 36.2
As I quietly gazed at the garden filled with Lirisia, I recalled the original content I had obtained as a reward from the previous event.
The Northern Continent was a land governed by reverence for the gods. Every port, large or small, had a temple, and it was customary for most treaties to be sworn before the gods. Every act conducted within a temple required something essential: the sacred flower known as Lirisia. This beautiful flower, brought from the distant southern seas, was called the “Blessing of the Gods” and had long been loved by the people of the Northern Continent. However, it could not grow naturally in the harsh climate of the Northern Continent, so it had to be imported. Despite its importance, it was extremely rare, and only a very small number of bulbs were handled by temples, the royal family, or major noble houses. It was the noblest offering to the gods. The value of Lirisia was astronomical. Only the chosen few could approach its fragrance.
If Lirisia alone were brought to the Northern Continent, it could generate immense profits. That was why I had gone to such lengths to acquire the Lirisia bulbs.
❖ ❖ ❖
As soon as I conveyed through a junior cleric that I wanted to sell the Lirisia bulbs, the process moved swiftly.
The flustered cleric soon appeared with a high-ranking priest. The priest silently approached the box of bulbs we had presented and carefully opened the lid.
His eyes examined the bulbs seriously and resolutely, pressing gently with his fingertips.
“…These are definitely Lirisia bulbs.”
After a moment, a mixture of relief and excitement spread across his previously stiff face. The priest caught his breath and asked,
“How many do you have? I want to purchase them all.”
The knights’ faces brightened. Just as one of them opened his mouth in excitement, I raised a hand and quietly stopped them.
Showing all those expressions already. I could not let the naïve knights handle the negotiation. I calmly spoke as if nothing was amiss.
“I do not intend to sell the entire lot. I plan to limit the quantity per buyer.”
“What? No, what do you mean?”
The priest’s eyebrows contorted for a moment.
“Why are you so stingy with the sacred Lirisia…”
I smiled gently and responded warmly.
“Surely temples are not the only places that desire Lirisia?”
Though my tone was soft, my firmness made the priest flinch. I had no intention of yielding.
The Northern Continent’s royalty, high-ranking nobles, and temples across the region all wanted Lirisia. The demand was abundant everywhere. Lirisia was not merely a religious symbol; it was a status symbol and a mark of authority.
There was no reason to sell all of it cheaply here. Perhaps if the price were right, but otherwise, no.
“We must also allow others the opportunity to experience this sacred blessing of the gods.”
“T-That is…”
Embarrassment flashed across the priest’s face. The wrinkles around his mouth trembled slightly.
“You are correct, but there is not a large quantity, correct? You could not have brought such abundance.”
“Exactly why I intend to limit the sale.”
“One… Your Highness.”
The hesitant priest lowered his voice and whispered. His tone became desperate.
“I will pay whatever you wish. This is the central main temple. It is the place most in need of Lirisia across the entire Northern Continent. Could you possibly consider our circumstances?”
“Hmm…”
To negotiate and reveal such inner thoughts was audacious. I clicked my tongue inwardly. Everything was going so smoothly that my conscience pricked me.
I felt slightly solemn, bowing my head.
“Then how about this price? We also had a purchase price… We cannot go lower than that.”
I lowered my gaze, raising the corners of my mouth just slightly, barely visible, and smiled.
The price I offered was, of course, several hundred times the cost of securing the bulbs.
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