The rum I brought was a white rum with an extremely short aging period.
Rum, by its nature, is a liquor distilled from molasses left over after extracting sugar from sugarcane.
Unaged rum, with its high alcohol content, is one of the cheapest strong liquors available.
Considering the current level of technology, even diluted green-bottle soju would count as a premium drink here.
‘I can make it, but making it wouldn't really bring much profit.’
Despite that, the rum instantly captivated the chiefs.
“This is completely different from the liquor we know. It’s not murky or sticky—it’s as clear as water!”
“It’s got a clean scent, but it’s sharp and strong.”
While commenting on its spiciness and potency, the chiefs eagerly emptied their large cups of the liquor.
From their conversation, it seemed they were used to drinking low-alcohol cloudy rice wine that ferments quickly and easily.
Faced with a liquor over 40% alcohol content, they didn’t stand a chance.
As I expected, the chiefs got drunk after just one cup.
Their flushed faces signaled that it was time to wrap things up.
“Haha, this stuff is amazing! After one drink, I feel like I could take on a hundred Nador bastards by myself!”
“I can’t believe I’ve lived this long without drinking something this good—I feel like I’ve wasted half my life!”
Judging by their increasingly incoherent speech, it seemed the gathering would soon descend into chaos.
As long as their antics didn’t affect me directly, this was a great sign—rum sales would skyrocket.
At this rate, I could raise the price from 10 grams of gold for 20 liters to 12 grams.
Since the production cost was next to nothing—made from sugarcane leftovers—it was practically free.
Processing it to raise the alcohol content turned the waste into gold.
Isn’t this basically the philosopher’s stone?
‘Paracelsus, father of alchemy, are you watching from the grave?’
While I basked in the scent of money, Malik came over and threw his arm around my shoulder.
“Haha! Let me tell you, I took down those Nador bastards like an elephant smashing its prey! Just me, throwing spears, shooting arrows, and even firing muskets against thousands of soldiers!”
I needed to make a quick exit after instructing my men to keep supplying the rum.
If I didn’t leave now, I’d be stuck listening to endless repetitions of the chiefs’ “greatest moments in life” stories.
And frankly, listening to their drunken tales wouldn’t fatten my wallet. Even if they paid me to stay, I wouldn’t endure the booze-fueled ramblings of old men reeking of alcohol.
Besides, Chloe and Kris were waiting for me back at the lodging provided by the chief.
‘Being stuck on the ship this whole time left me pent up, anyway.’
“I think I’ve had too much to drink. I’ll be heading back now.”
With that excuse, I swiftly made my retreat.
They say there’s no paradise for those who run, but escaping from drunken uncles only to arrive at my lodging was pure heaven.
The next day, the refugees I had brought immediately began teaching the tribespeople how to farm.
“It’s a relief that things are going as planned, Kris,” I remarked.
Kris responded with a faint smile and a nod.
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“I thought there’d be significant conflict at first due to differences in language and religion, but it seems my worries were unfounded.”
Contrary to expectations, people don’t draw swords over language differences.
It’s differences in religion that historically lead to armed crusades, with zealots spreading their faith through “holy” wars (massacres).
Most of the refugees from the Tuscan Empire, unlike me, are deeply religious. They believe that the “true God” is watching over them and consider skipping mass a grave sin.
‘Even Chloe and Kris abstain from intimacy and fast on holy days like Easter to maintain their purity.’
Given these factors, I had anticipated problems, but aside from the language barrier, they were getting along quite well.
“Hey, you there! You need to dig deeper with the shovel!”
Of course, no matter how much they shouted instructions, the tribespeople couldn’t understand a word.
Translation was necessary, but the only person here capable of interpreting was Abdullah, whom I had brought from Nador.
Frustrated, one of the refugees ran off, showing visible signs of exasperation, and resorted to demonstrating the steps himself.
“Stick the shovel into the ground, step on it with your foot, scoop up the dirt, and create a pathway to that water puddle over there! Without it, you can’t farm!”
Even though the tribespeople didn’t understand the words, they mimicked the actions perfectly, following the refugee’s lead.
Plowing the fields, planting seeds—everything seemed to be communicated effectively through gestures.
Watching it unfold was almost fascinating.
“Humans can work together for mutual benefit even when they follow different religions.”
Though I could explain this to Kris or Chloe, they probably wouldn’t believe me. They’re too entrenched in their faith to grasp such ideas.
Still, there are countless examples of interfaith marriages that thrive.
But such progressive thinking isn’t necessary here and now, so I kept my mouth shut.
“Then again, the refugees here are desperate to turn their lives around, and the tribespeople are determined to survive by learning how to farm.”
The refugees and petty criminals I brought were people who had lived their entire lives in scorn and poverty.
So I’d provided them with some “education” during the voyage.
On the Albanian continent, education often meant being beaten with a wooden club.
‘But unnecessary corporal punishment isn’t educationally effective.’
Not that I was trying to reform their personalities or offer them holistic education.
Beating them would only create resentment toward what they learned.
Instead, I taught them for three to four hours daily, repeating the same message:
“You’ve lived a life of scorn and disdain. This is your only chance to be treated with dignity.”
“If you can’t adapt here, I’ll send you back where you came from.”
“Why didn’t you bring any women, Baron? Wouldn’t it be easier to settle them if they could marry?”
Statistically unproven, but it’s said that married men are three times more efficient than bachelors.
The reason is simple: they work themselves to the bone for their wives and children.
Marriage and monogamy have been humanity’s most significant drivers of progress from ancient times to today.
‘That’s why I married off the refugees to settle them in my territory.’
I’m no philanthropist, so I aim for maximum efficiency.
However, this situation called for a different approach.
“Ah, that’s part of the strategy to integrate the refugees into the ruling class.”
“Strategy?”
“This tribal alliance can’t survive without me, and the chiefs know that well.”
Without my timely supply of gunpowder, the Nador forces would sweep through and annihilate them.
“My direct connection to them equates to influence within the tribal alliance. For example, Malik was elected as the first grand chief today.”
Malik wasn’t chosen because he was exceptional.
It was thanks to his association with me and the muskets I supplied, which enabled the alliance’s survival.
“And these refugees are all under my command.”
Kris nodded in admiration.
“The more refugees you bring, the closer your ties with the tribes will grow. And the method is marriage.”
“The refugees are healthy men, and the tribespeople won’t mind marrying them, even if they look a bit different.”
This will naturally establish the refugees’ influence here.
The more intelligent ones could rise to positions akin to nobility, as I mentioned.
“And this isn’t the end.”
Just then, Abdullah came running toward me.
“Did you collect the payment?”
“Yes, Baron! I received 120 kilograms of gold in goods!”
That’s about 30,000 gold coins when exchanged, with a profit margin exceeding 80%.
I’d just made 24,000 gold coins.
“Did they ask for anything else? There must’ve been requests for more rum.”
Though I had left Abdullah in charge of collecting the payment, I wasn’t careless about it.
‘Gold is practically worthless here, serving only as jewelry and holding little monetary value.’
Even if Abdullah tried to embezzle it, he’d gain nothing but risk his life.
Moreover, I already knew exactly how much was due.
“Yes, they asked for three times the amount of rum and twice as many muskets and gunpowder.”
From what I heard, the war with the Nador forces had entered a lull.
Their request for more weapons likely indicated plans to expand their influence, even through conflict with other tribes.
“Good. As expected.”
Once I established a proper port city here, I’d effectively become the de facto ruler of this colony.
Without investing a single coin, I’d let the colony expand itself.
This was pure fortune.
“Abdullah, I appoint you as the interim governor of this port city.”
Abdullah had no choice but to obey me.
Among the people I could leave here, he was the most capable.
“Thank you, Baron, thank you so much!”
Good. You’re sharp enough to realize you’re safe for now.
“I’ll be heading back now. I trust you to handle things.”
After Fabio returned, Malik, now the grand chief, wasted no time taking action.