SSS SKILL: DUPLICATE

Chapter 5: Oil is gold

"Oil?! How is that possible?" blurted Albert, as he couldn't believe that those small beans could produce oil. Oil is produced from animal fats. This is what everyone in the world knows.

"It is possible, but there are things that we need to prepare before we can turn those cheap beans into something as valuable as gold," said Edgar. He is grateful that he spent some time researching how to produce daily necessities like oil. There are few resources in the kingdom, and Edgar's modern knowledge could give the kingdom a large amount of income.

When Edgar decided to look for a gate of inheritance, he taught himself some miscellaneous knowledge to increase his chance of passing the trial. He is glad that his decision was right.

"What do we need to prepare your highness?! I will prepare it right away!" said Albert while feeling excited. Although he does not completely believe in the prince, he still has some hope because the person in front of him does not resemble the previous lazy and debaucherous prince.

Edgar smiles at the eager minister and says,"Let us wait for the craftsman first. I already told Elena earlier to look for someone that can be trusted because the method of producing oil can be easily copied. Those people involved in the production of oil must be strictly monitored!"

Edgar knew that the secret of cooking oil could not be hidden for a long time since the method is simple, but he wants to keep it for as long as he can because monopoly is a huge profit.

"Your highness, I will personally cut anyone's head that will leak the secret!" said Albert with a serious face. He knows oil is important to the kingdom, but they might not be able to keep it secret for a long time because it contains huge benefits.

Edgar nods at the seriousness of the minister, so the supervision should not be lax. Then he shifts the conversation to another important matter.

"What is the current situation of the kingdom?" Edgar asked the minister because there is not enough information in Van's memory since the debauchery prince did not care about the kingdom's situation.

"Your highness, the kingdom's situation is not good," answered Albert while feeling happy because Van started to become concerned about the kingdom, but he still looks serious while explaining the situation. Since the king became sick and unable to attend court meetings, Albert started losing power, and some nobles aren't following the court's order. More nobles have become disobedient since Van became the regent king.

"Your highness, food production in some areas has decreased because water canals have not been managed properly since your grandfather's reign. More bandits are appearing. There are insufficient funds for magic research and study of students in the magic academy. Many nobles aren't cooperating with the royal court. Taxes collected in areas governed by some nobles have decreased. Some broken magic armor and weapons of the army should also be replaced," said Albert. He looks exhausted when he explains the kingdom's plight because his effort to solve the situation is obstructed in many places.

"Many problems of the kingdom will be solved once money is available. Although money will be sufficient, you can use money from the treasury first to buy food immediately and sell it at a reasonable price to areas that lack food to suppress the price manipulation of nobles and merchants. Limit the sale of food that we bought. Avoid getting cheated by grain merchants and nobles. We must avoid turning our people into refugees. If there are already beggars and refugees, feed them porridge and give them temporary work," said Edgar. He had read in history on Earth that many refugees became rebels. Many rebellious refugees shook the foundations of some countries in history.

"Yes, your highness. I am sure that common people will be very thankful for your kindness." Albert feels relieved that he got Edgar's permission to get money from the Treasury for food. The treasurer did not agree because money is lacking. He is worried, though, that oil might not provide the expected income to the kingdom.

"Your highness, how much do you expect to earn from selling candles made from oil?" asked Albert. He assumes that the oil will be made into candles because oil extracted from animal fats is turned into candles.

Edgar has a mysterious smile on his face when he heard Albert's question. People from this world do not know the pleasure given by oil. The pleasure of food!

Edgar said, "Our oil will not be used in making candles. Cooking oil will bring great change to the world! People will experience food delicacies that they have never had before! "

"F-food?!!"Albert is really shocked that oil could be used for cooking food.

Knock! Knock! Knock! The knock from the door interrupted their conversation.

"Your highness, the craftsman is here," said Elena.

"Let him come in," said Edgar. He looked at the man who came in—the man who would make oil production possible. His posture is low, and he looks afraid. He didn't yet know his importance to the kingdom. Edgar brought out a blueprint from his drawer that he had drawn earlier.

"Come closer and don't be afraid. I called you here because I need your help to make something. Once you make it, I will give you an official position, land, and money," said Edgar. He is promising benefits to keep the craftsman's loyalty and enthusiasm.

The craftsman is very happy when he heard Edgar's explanation. His face is full of smiles while he imagines his future. The regent king seems different from the rumors that he heard. He looks wise and kind.

Edgar handed out the blueprint, and then he said, "Here is the blueprint for the oil press. It is simple to make, but you must keep it secret because it is very important to the kingdom. If you leak the secret, you will lose your head and implicate your family. Do you understand?"

Edgar's tone sounds serious when he is warning him. He is following the principle of giving a carrot with stick.

"Y-Yes, your highness," answered the craftsman while stuttering. He now knows that he is involved in a very important matter for the kingdom. He will lose his head if he is not careful, but he also feel excited because the regent king will definitely attach importance to him once he successfully completes his task.

"Elena, prepare a place for him where he can experiment and make the oil press. You can bring him out with you," said Edgar. He really appreciates the little maid. She is a very competent secretary.

"Yes, your highness," answered Elena. She is happy that the prince started to govern the kingdom.

When they got out, Edgar continued his conversation with Albert.

"Tomorrow I will show you how to extract cooking oil and use it for cooking. You must prepare a place for the production of oil. That place must be strictly guarded. I have another task for you and must be kept secret. You must find an unknown person with good eloquence because that kind of person is important for future layout in our neighboring kingdoms. We will continue our conversation later," said Edgar. He wanted to end the conversation because he wants to start his training.

Before going to the training ground, Edgar wants to go to the top of the castle and see what the city and the kingdom look like. He already saw it in Van's memory, but he still wants to see it personally.

After walking for a while, he almost reached the top. He is walking on the stairs, and he can hear the flapping sound of a flag. The flag is yellow with a red lion mark. It's the flag of Baynard.

He stepped on the viewing platform. His long red hair and dark red coat are swaying because of the strong blows of the wind. He moved to the edge of the platform and took a look. He already expected it, but he still feels amazing as he looks at the scene.