Buying the Tree-Eater
1086 Words
Establishing a sustainable trade system is crucial for any nation. While self-sufficiency—producing everything domestically—is ideal, attempting to build such an economy from scratch is both time-consuming and resource-intensive. It is rarely the best option.
Instead, many nations produce a surplus of certain resources and trade them for essential goods they lack. This is the common practice of the Demon-controlled territories, the Silvermoon Tree Court, and even the dwarves and beastmen. The only exception to this rule is the Empire.
Not because the Empire possesses every resource or cultivates every crop, but because it has never deemed trade necessary.
After all, commoners do not require "variety in food" to increase their happiness.
As long as they can eat enough to survive, that is sufficient.
The Empire has never expected these expendable "materials"—its commoners—to become warriors for its cause or officials to improve its governance, even though they are an indispensable part of the Empire.
"Little Tee?"
At Ira’s call, a kneeling incubus butler appeared on the open-air platform. She—
No, he—waited silently for orders.
"Go ask Sylina and that ghost lady if they can procure some Tree-Eaters, a type of crop known as the Ancient Priest Tree. Tell them it’s an easy-to-grow tuber."
As Ira issued the order, the incubus butler, Tikap, nodded without hesitation and vanished.
"Tree-Eaters? What’s that? Ancient Priest Tree?"
Hearing Vera's curiosity, Ira leaned slightly to glance at Tikap, who was likely still repeating his instructions. He explained, "I think I made it clear—it’s a tuber, similar to a yam."
"I understood that. I was asking about something else…"
Seeing Vera’s puzzled look, Ira knew what she truly wanted to know. "It originates from the Silvermoon Tree Court and was later widely cultivated in beastman territories. It’s a type of grain that looks like a tree."
"Although it’s not as tasty as wheat and requires extensive processing before consumption, it's easy to grow. I believe the Ancient Priest Tree could replace wheat as a staple food in the Demon Lord’s domain."
"You only need to prune the Tree-Eater’s branches and go through a complex detoxification process before eating it. If you plant untreated branches in the ground and the conditions are favorable—especially with adequate rainfall—it will grow new crops. The rainfall here meets the requirements."
With that explanation, Ira had made his reasoning clear. The Ancient Priest Tree was a viable staple food source and could supplement Bluebell Mushrooms in the Demon Lord’s domain.
"Then why haven’t I heard of this crop before? The Empire doesn’t eat this stuff. If it’s so easy to grow, why didn’t you introduce it there?"
Vera eyed Ira suspiciously. Based on his description, this crop seemed perfect for impoverished civilians. And wasn’t Ira someone who cared deeply about the commoners?
"…"
Ira hesitated, not knowing where to begin. After a brief pause, he explained, "Actually, this crop is quite popular in the Duchy. However, in the Empire, black bread already serves as the staple food for commoners, and the nobility has no interest in giving them better options."
"Moreover, if I were to propose importing this crop into the Empire, the nobility would immediately oppose it—not because of the crop itself, but simply because I, Ira, was the one proposing it."
Sighing in exasperation, Ira shook his head. Seeing Vera nod in agreement, he added, "Besides, this crop is toxic. It must be detoxified before consumption."
"I can already predict what would happen—some noble would claim that the commoners under his rule were poisoned to death by the crop I introduced, using it as an excuse to publicly condemn me. Then, it would spiral into endless political infighting."
Ira had spent decades shaping the Empire, refining it into a powerful beast with claws sharp enough to tear apart its rivals. But the rot within…
Neither the beast nor its claws could excise that decay.
Only after leaving the Empire did Ira fully understand this. To change the Empire, he first had to break free from it.
Only another beast—external pressure—could carve out the Empire’s festering wounds, even if it meant cutting away parts of its flesh.
"You really had it rough," Vera remarked, sympathy in her voice.
Just then, Tikap reappeared and reported, "Lord Ira, the Demon Lord asks how much you want to buy. Though, I don’t think she actually understands what an Ancient Priest Tree is."
"…Ah, I really appreciate her trust," Ira muttered, shaking his head with an amused smile before turning serious.
"Buy about seven or eight silver coins' worth. If there’s an issue with funds, get less. They might overcharge us, but don’t worry about it."
"Understood."
As Tikap vanished once more, Vera let out a dramatic sigh. "Everyone trusts you so much… Meanwhile, I don’t even have spare funds to buy materials for my experiments."
She sulked before adding, "My research is also for the Demon Lord’s domain, you know…"
Ira shot her a side glance. "If you had said it was to uncover the mysteries of magic, I might have believed you."
"Alright, fine. The truth is, I’m trying to brew an ultra-powerful aphrodisiac to drug you and make you father a whole bunch of little liches with me."
Ira’s mouth twitched. "…I seriously doubt liches can even conceive. And as the Regent, I highly doubt I’d have descendants."
At this, Vera visibly froze. Her eyes widened in shock. "Wait… What? Regents can’t have children?! No way!"
Leaning against the wall, Ira fell silent for a long moment before answering, "Power that is both immense and easily obtained always comes with a price. This isn't a secret in the Empire…
"Perhaps that's why the Regent is the one person the royal family will never doubt."
Although, Ira knew full well—Isabella and Yusef didn’t trust him because of that reason.
"You people are absolute lunatics," Vera concluded, her words cutting.
Ira simply chuckled. "I’d prefer if you called them heroes."
"Okay, but what about you?"
"I have personal desires," Ira admitted. "I fight not for the Empire or the Demon Lord’s domain but for the ideal nation that exists in my mind. Both the Empire and the Demon Lord’s lands are merely prototypes of that—"
He paused, gazing into the distance as if looking at something far beyond the horizon.
"—A substitute for the real thing."
- Writer
