Chapter 94: Pride

Bruno looked at Cario with an unpleasant expression. What kind of ridiculous proposal was this? How did this man have the audacity to say such a thing? His face was thicker than a castle wall!

Sensing the irritation in Bruno's tone, Cario's legs trembled, and with a loud thud, he fell to his knees.

"My Lord… I believe that the Odin people will definitely go to war with the Empire…" Though Cario's voice quivered with nervousness, there was an undeniable confidence in his words.

"And what proof do you have? Just because a noble senator was caught colluding with Odin? But have you considered this now that the plot has been exposed, the Norman Empire will surely be on guard. The Odin people aren't fools. Why would they launch an attack when the Empire is already prepared?"

Cario took a deep breath and then spoke firmly, enunciating each word: "The Odin empire is currently purchasing grain from the Norman Empire at high prices."

"What?" Bruno frowned.

"On my way to Idar, I noticed a large number of grain caravans heading north. This year, the Odin people have bought significantly more grain from the Empire than in any previous year. Even though grain prices have already surged, they haven't stopped purchasing. My Lord, you know this one of the biggest factors limiting the Odin people's ability to wage war against the Empire is food supply!"

Hearing this explanation, Bruno found Cario's claim about an impending war slightly more credible.

The Odin Empire lay to the north of the Norman Empire, in a much colder climate. Only the southern border region, which bordered Norman, had fertile land capable of supporting large-scale agriculture, allowing for two harvests per year. The rest of the Odin Empire, however, was largely unsuitable for farming. Even in areas where cultivation was possible, only a single harvest was feasible, and the yields were poor.

Because of these harsh conditions, a significant portion of the Odin people's food supply came from hunting in the mountains and forests.

As a result, the Odin people's average combat ability was far superior to that of the Empire's soldiers. A single Odin soldier could easily overpower two Norman soldiers without breaking a sweat.

To many Norman nobles, the Odin Empire was nothing more than a land of uncivilized savages.

But regardless of how much they looked down on their northern neighbor, it didn't change an undeniable fact the Odin Empire had become the greatest threat to the Norman Empire.

And historically, it was almost always the Odin Empire that initiated conflicts between the two nations.

After all, with limited food supplies, the Odin Empire often resorted to war as a means of population control, while the Norman Empire relied on its northern Winterhold Fortress for passive defense.

Food shortages had always been the primary factor restraining the Odin people from launching large-scale invasions.

But if the Odin people had secured enough grain… then this crucial limitation would no longer exist.

Bruno struggled to think of any other reason why the Odin people would purchase such vast amounts of grain except to prepare for war.

The more he pondered, the more likely an Odin invasion seemed.

"Furthermore, My Lord, do you remember last spring when the price of iron ore in the Empire skyrocketed? There were rumors of many anonymous buyers secretly acquiring large quantities. At the time, I found it puzzling, but now that I think about it… those buyers may have been connected to the Odin Empire."

Last year?

Bruno paused for a moment back then, he hadn't even transmigrated into this world!

However, after recalling the original Bruno's memories, he did remember such an event. The original Bruno had even been eyeing the iron mines in the Grand Highlands, though a border dispute with the Soren Territory had prevented him from exploiting them.

Iron ore could be used to forge weapons, and grain was essential for sustaining an army. Coupled with the recent arrest of nobles involved in treasonous conspiracies…

The Odin Empire's intention to invade was now almost certain!

At that moment, Bruno looked again at the salt merchant kneeling before him.

This man, Cario, had managed to detect the signs of war just from fluctuations in grain prices and iron ore demand from a year ago…

This man was indeed a rare talent.

Although the concept of historical constraints might seem abstract, it was very real. It often dictated how people perceived and analyzed the world around them.

It was like a window set into the ceiling few people ever thought to look up and glimpse the vast sky beyond.

While the Empire's noble lords were still debating whether to send more troops to the northern borders, a mere merchant like Cario had already pieced together Odin's intentions from everyday trade patterns.

The amount of money spent on acquiring iron and grain could only be justified by the spoils of war.

At that moment, Bruno made up his mind he was going to recruit Cario.

Seeing that the Earl seemed convinced, Cario seized the opportunity and pressed forward. "So, My Lord, if we can take advantage of this situation, Idar will gain an unexpected fortune! And you can send soldiers to accompany me, ensuring both oversight and the protection of the sea salt in our caravan."

"You make a good point, and I'm inclined to believe you." Bruno nodded. But then, he immediately added, "However… just because what you say makes sense doesn't mean I have to sell the sea salt to you. Why should I go through you when I can sell Idar's salt directly? That way, I cut out the middleman and double my profits."

Cario was momentarily stunned.

This… this wasn't the reaction he expected!

Something didn't seem right!

Wasn't the script supposed to go differently?

A noble of the Empire… directly engaging in commerce?!

That was unheard of!

Although merchants weren't treated too badly in the Norman Empire, they were still nowhere near the status of the nobility. Otherwise, Cario wouldn't have spent most of his wealth trying to buy himself a title.

To most nobles, doing business personally was disgraceful!

Cario stared at Bruno in disbelief.

My Lord, could you at least try to maintain some dignity?

Where is your noble pride?!