Once the group entered Lawrence’s house, Lawrence lit the fireplace as it was still slightly cold. That was when Lawrence wondered if even this world’s weather worked the same way as in reality. Were there four seasons and other silly questions as he changed into a nobleman’s clothes in the privacy of his room as Jacob happily went to Lawrence’s basement to retrieve a few bottles of wine.

As Lawrence re-entered the room, there was a knock on the door as it opened and in came Roland and Johannes, with the both of them having what resembled a smirk on their faces, meaning both of them walked away with what they wanted.

Now, the room was roughly divided in half. Kaisenberg, Lord Black and Johannes were huddled together, discussing something in a hushed voice.

Jacob, Lawrence and Roland were together and Roland whispered, “I was right, they are here to raise money from taxes. Aside from the construction tax, they wished to implement a trade tax from the increasing number of merchants coming through as well as a Bread and Butter tax, which is a tax usually enacted on noble families by the crown.”

Essentially, the Bread and Butter tax was a tax that King Carmine implemented on nobles that had the luxury of owning their own herds and churning their own butter. Essentially, Johannes wished to leverage on the fact that Lawrence owned the fledging The Guardians’ Bakery, which heavily used such items.

“What did you give them?” Lawrence replied and Roland smirked.

“They will waive the development costs of the port, I mean, of course, they want you to rebuild the Black Bay Village’s port. Next, the Bread and Butter tax is levied at 10 percent only and to grow to 25% over the course of 5 years. By then, the villagers should be able to shrug off the increase in pricing off the items.”

“Next, I have also asked that the port, once built, will be completely exempt from tax for the first 3 years, and no additional taxes may be levied on the city of Tears aside from any that is mutually agreed on or agreed today.”

Lawrence nodded.

The Bread and Butter tax was something that barely hurt Lawrence and he understood that the finances of the realm were dire, not through any fault of Lord Black’s. It was important to give some leeway to Lord Black to manoeuvre around since he was, after all, the territory’s leader.

If Roland had denied everything, there will be no ground for negotiation at all.

Of course, Lawrence being the neutral good alignment that he is, wanted to be as friendly to Lord Edward Black as possible.

On the other hand, Lord Black was listening with excitement at the outcome of the negotiations that has transpired.

To Lord Black, development and reopening the port would have cost an immense amount of money and if Lawrence was as skilled as the stories say, he may even be able to kill the Siren that menaced the seas of his domain.

Next, the new Bread & Butter taxation would probably net him some 3200 gold coins this year and though a small amount, in the long run, will ramp up as The Guardians’ Bakery continues to grow.

“I couldn’t get them to move at all on the trade tax but I think they understand it as natural if the trade here flourishes,” Johannes said and Edward Black nodded. Kaisenberg, who knew little about trade, stood and listened. The only parts he could really understand was whenever Johannes mentioned gold coins. He had a rough idea as to what was going on, but right now, his important duty was to nod sagely as he listened, as if he understood.

“Now, the Honourable Carstein, would you be open to a discussion?”

Lord Black was the one who finished their session first and Lawrence hurriedly sat back in his chair to face Lord Edward Black.

“Please, Lawrence is fine.” Lawrence laughed, the other two men sitting behind him, one at each side. For a moment, Lawrence was reminded of Kongens Nei, as the Norwegian King, King Haakon VII argued with the German diplomat, Curt Brauer as the latter pushed for the former to recognize the puppet government led by Quisling.

Lawrence gulped.

He was only a marketing professional, not a politician though he has done his hardest to try and be one so far, having gone as far as distributing soup for the refugees or telling stories to orphans.

“Lawrence, I am going to be very honest with you here. Will you be ready to invest more in my territory and in turn, my people?” Lord Black leaned forward, rubbing his hands together. At this point, Lawrence felt a hand on his shoulder as Roland sat forward instead, preparing to open his mouth.

“Roland, please. I’m talking to Lawrence. One honest man to another. Let the man speak.” Edward Black said, raising his hand before Roland could even say a word to stop the man in his tracks. From what Johannes has said, Edward could tell that Roland was a shrewd man. He wanted to be able to converse with Lawrence, not “Lawrence”

“I would say that I already have, but you seem to have something else in mind?” Lawrence replied and Lord Black nodded, crossing his arms as he sat back in the comfort of the chair that he now wanted to have and place in his own bedroom.

“Would you be willing to inject 50,000 gold coins into the regime’s finances?”

Johannes bolted up in his seat, which he had sunk into earlier.

“Milord!” Johannes hissed but Lord Black waved him off.

Lawrence sat back, looking at his notification, hoping that this was how the skill, Passive Perception worked. He had tried it while walking around but felt that they only occasionally proved their usefulness by pointing out certain details, such as a man whose boots were caked with mud and others.

The person seems to be telling the truth…

“What do I get in return?” Lawrence asked and Lord Black’s face was unreadable for a moment. Jacob’s stomach grumbles.