Industrial Cthulhu: Starting as an Island Lord

Hughes looked at the young man in front of him with interest.

He had heard from Ken about Josh’s story, traveling alone with goods across the Storm Ocean to sell in the Empire. Hughes admired his courage and determination.

However, his selling price was too low.

Soap was a valuable commodity, yet Hughes sold it at a very low price on the island. Even if he sold it for ten Lio per bar in Castel, it would still be in high demand.

In the Empire, when compared to Holy Water No. 9, soap could be sold at nCounty luxury item prices, perhaps even for hundreds of Lio.

“Lord Count, I... I want to purchase a batch of soap on credit. Once I sell it, I’ll pay you back... and of course, I’ll give you a higher price!”

Josh’s words came out stammering. He felt as if his tongue wasn’t his own. The speech he had rehearsed so many times suddenly vanished from his mind.

But at least he had said it, though stumbling and incoherent, he had managed to say it.

Hughes chuckled lightly. “It’s a good idea. You have courage, and you’re not reckless. You tested selling it first and only came to me after confirming it worked. That’s excellent.”

Josh’s face flushed slightly. Lord Count was actually praising him?But Hughes’ next words made the young man feel like he had fallen into an ice-cold abyss.

“How do you plan to deal with pirates?”

“Pirates?”

“Yes, pirates. You don’t think the reason they let you go last time was just luck, do you? That ship belonged to the Candlelight Church.”

“The Candlelight Church? So only Church ships are safe from pirates?”

“You’re overestimating the Candlelight Church. Pirates don’t leave their ships alone because they fear them, but because the Candlelight Church pays them off.”

“Huh?”

Hughes found it amusing, this kid really knew nothing.

“Everyone at sea has to pay tribute to the Pirate King. He doesn’t care if you’re from the Candlelight Church or the Empire. Even the Imperial Navy has to pay taxes to them regularly based on the number of ships they have, that’s why there are so many jokes about it.”

Josh nodded blankly, then suddenly shuddered.

“Then... that means I have to pay them too!?”

“What are you thinking? Do you really think pirates would care about a few Lio from you? Even if you wanted to pay, you wouldn’t have a way to do it. If that ship hadn’t belonged to the Candlelight Church, and if you weren’t carrying only a small amount of goods, do you think other ships would have let you on with your cargo?”

For ships carrying passengers, pirates would often accept a fee and let them pass. But for cargo ships, things were more complicated.

Most merchant vessels needed permission from Gem Bay and an authorization letter stamped with the blood seal of the Pirate Court.

The remaining cargo ships were mostly smugglers belonging to the pirates, closely linked to either the Empire or Gem Bay.

Regular passenger ships weren’t allowed to carry large amounts of goods.

Pirates would inspect them, and if they caught someone secretly transporting cargo... well.

Pirates didn’t believe in fines, they preferred simpler methods to enforce Gem Bay’s authority.

—The masts of the Dark Sails Fleet were always adorned with severed heads.

When the sails unfurled, the dried skulls would knock against each other, making a crisp sound.

Josh stood frozen for a while before his entire demeanor deflated. Only now did he realize just how absurd his idea had been.

He had lived his whole life on the Storm Ocean and had actually forgotten about the pirates, how foolish.

It seemed he had only two options now: either continue hiding a small amount of soap in his luggage when traveling or give up the business entirely.

“So, do you understand now? If you want to sell soap, you need an authorization letter.”

“Yes... I’m sorry, Lord. I’ve wasted your time,” Josh said, lowering his head.

“I can get the authorization letter.”

“Uh... what?”

Josh looked up, his eyes filled with confusion. As realization dawned on him, his eyes widened.

“My lord, you mean—”

“I can get the authorization letter. So, where’s your ship?”

“I... I...”

“Can you get one?”

“...I can!”

Josh bit his lip. He had no idea where he would get a ship from, he didn’t even know how to sail. In fact, he embarrassingly got seasick.

But he knew this might be the biggest opportunity of his life, and he would do whatever it took to seize it.

He had no idea how he would manage it, but as long as he tried, there was hope. Summoning all his courage, he gave his answer.

Hughes glanced at him, then grinned and tore a piece of paper from his notebook, writing two lines on it.

“Take this to Alexei. You have a two-ton limit. Within a week, bring your ship to me.”

He slapped the note onto the table.

Josh had no idea how he walked out of the lord’s manor.

Everything that happened today felt like a dream.

Just weeks ago, he had been working in a factory, often mocked by others for slacking off.

And now...

He looked down at the note in his hand, his fingers trembling slightly.

He had never expected to even meet Lord Count.

When Ken had spoken on his behalf, he had assumed the Count would toss him to some city hall official, or worse, throw him out completely.

Yet now, things had exceeded even his best expectations.

Not only had he secured goods on credit, but he had also received the Lord’s promise to obtain an authorization letter.

No, he hadn’t received the letter yet. He had one week to get a ship.

Josh finally snapped back to reality. Clutching his head in distress, he squatted down.

“Oh no, what have I done? Where am I supposed to find a ship? I also need someone to sail it, this is impossible! Am I supposed to get a ship on credit too?”

He simply sat down on the ground, the stone-paved road was clean and cool to the touch.

After an unknown amount of time, he suddenly paused.

“If I can get goods on credit... maybe I really can get a ship on credit too?”

“No, that’s impossible. That’s impossible. That’s impossible... But I should at least try.”

Josh’s greatest strength was his willingness to act on his thoughts immediately.

Ignoring his frustration and hesitation, he got up and hurried forward.

He had no idea where he was going, but taking action was better than doing nothing. He could figure things out along the way.

For now, he’d try the city hall up ahead.

“Young master, are you really planning to get an authorization letter from the pirates?”

“Why not?”

“That kid doesn’t seem very reliable. He’s too young.”

“But he dared to come to me. Courage is far more important than you think. Give him a chance to try. Besides, I don’t plan to rely solely on him.”

Hughes looked at Connor. “Send a message to Jeremiah, I need three... no, five authorization letters. They’ll agree.”