396 - - Episode 394 What Marie Wants

Gina and Sara went to help Mr. Toruku, while Marco and Kikka went out to the Adventurers' Guild for training after breakfast. When Mr. Lee suggested the early morning training, I refused, but Marco was so motivated that I took it.

Dine for Gina and Sara. Marco and Kikka will be fine since I've asked Vita to escort them, but I'm more worried about them than usual. Mr. Lee, I hope you won't do anything rash.

Well, I've told Gina and the others that I won't be back for about three days, so I'm going to go into the labyrinth and see the core. Before that, I'm going to see Marie. I'm sure they'll be free while we're talking, so let's let Bell and the others go play.

"Shit."

Wow, after the last time you surprised me, I went into the grocery store with my guard up and Sonia stuck her tongue out at me. ...... how long am I going to have to repeat this fight with Sonia?

"Welcome, Mr. Yuta. How can I help you today?

"No, you just clicked your tongue."

Why are you smiling and starting a conversation as if nothing happened?

"Welcome, Mr. Yuta. How can I help you today?"

You're gonna pretend this never happened.

"...... Can I meet Marie?"

Awe, sir. Please come in.

When I gave up, they took me to a back room as usual. I don't know, I just don't get it.

Yuta-san, preparations are progressing very well.

Marie-san, who had received Sonia-san's report, came into the room and declared so and so. What a full expression on her face! Maybe Marie-san shines as much as she is busy.

Well, Vita is taking care of her health secretly, and it must be effective. Every time I hear from Vita, she says she's in perfect health. .......

"Yuta, ask her how much progress she has made in the alcohol department."

Sylphy bites. Well, it can't be helped.

"That's good to hear. How are things going in the alcohol section?

"The liquor department?　The liquor department has sent out requests to various locations through the Pollius Chamber of Commerce. I believe that alcoholic beverages will be brought to the labyrinth city one after another. If it is domestic sake, I think we will be able to gather a certain amount before Yuta-san leaves the labyrinth city."

Marie-san explains the alcohol department to us with a puzzled look on her face. Perhaps, Marie's feelings are more about alcohol than dragons and treasures? I guess.

"Hmmm, that sounds good. Let's taste the local liquor first.

A satisfied Sylphy. Her mood is more important than dragons and treasures. If Sylphy is satisfied with her drink, the other spirits will be too, and my future is bright.

When I was satisfied with the story about the drink, he started to talk about the jewelry department and the materials I wholesale, as if he wanted me to listen to other stories too.

To sum up what I heard, he said that he had mobilized all of Marie's father and brother and was working hard to put in place the necessary arrangements for the jewelry business.

I heard that the gem-related business is territorial, but they are smiling broadly as they are making good use of the dragon-related materials that I wholesale to cut the upper management to the bone. I was about to ask him what kind of upper management he is talking about, but I don't want to hear it because it would destroy my peace of mind.

However, I get the impression that the entire Polurius Chamber of Commerce is running ahead. I once jokingly said that they would dominate the continent with their economy, but even if they don't go that far, I feel that they could grow up to be a monster trading company.

I wonder what will happen when I'm gone, but considering the amount of treasures and other materials I have stored in my magic bag, I don't think it will be a problem. It would be no problem if I could give them a large amount of them when I move to another place.

"By the way, Marie. I have quite a large amount of money gathered in my hand, is it all right?"

I think I learned in school that it is not good to have money concentrated in one place. Especially in this world, there seems to be a big problem because of the lack of paper money. If we are going to exchange treasures for cash, more money will be gathered.

"Yes, ...... the amount of money paid to Mr. Yuta from the Pollius Chamber of Commerce is also a considerable amount of money. It's okay for now, but if it continues like this, it may become a problem sooner or later.

When I questioned Marie, who had been pleasantly chatting with me, she answered with a serious face. I knew it.

"There is a lot of money in the Pollius Trading Company, isn't there?　How are you doing?"

"Of course, we have some cash, but right now we are focusing on the expansion of the Polurius Chamber of Commerce, so we are investing in various places. Once we enter a stable period, we will have a different investment approach, but for now, the right thing to do is to turn, turn, turn the funds."

I said turn three times. I'm a little concerned about how high you're spinning.

"What should I do in my case?"

"Yuta-san doesn't run a trading company, and it would be nice to make a big purchase or invest in some trading company. There's a fast-growing Polurius Chamber of Commerce right in front of you, right?"

Big purchases. ...... I'm ordering a house for Sylphy and her family right now, but I'm sure that won't be enough to consume all of it.

Hmmm......... I've improved my relationship with the Adventurer's Guild to some extent, and I have more good food and desserts. The current feud with the Galli family is hard to imagine that it will be a terrible thing considering the benefits it will bring to the country.

Considering the relationship with the Pollius Chamber of Commerce, I think it is possible to buy a big house with land in the labyrinth city. This is an option for the future.

I feel that the chances of success are quite high, since the Polurius Chamber of Commerce is now a kind of monopoly company. There is a pattern that they may be ruined by the wrath of the powerful, but they seem to be shrewd in that area, so I think they will be fine.

The question is, do they need to further increase the amount of funds they still have in their hands? Do individuals need that kind of money when it is likely to increase even in a normal way?

Well, it's better to have it than not to have it, of course, but I'm not sure how to use it ...... to secretly build a mansion and a harem with beautiful women from different countries. My heart is excited, but I'm afraid of what will happen when the spirits and the children find out.

Oh, I don't have any plans at the moment, but if we can establish an education system and a system that prevents genies from being sent to war, we can build a school for genies.

It is better to have a lot of money for that time. Considering the possibility of losing everything, let's leave the money in the magic bag untouched now and invest the profits that will come in.

"Marie. Can you tell me more about your investment?"

"Of course. I'll walk you through it step by step. You can count on us!"

...... Usually, that word is s*xual harassment. I often feel like the genders are reversed when I come here.

"I don't need your help, just tell me what you want me to do."

......A disgruntled Marie tells me about her investments.

Marie tells me that she promises to give me an annual return of 10%. I've never invested before, though I'm a working adult, so I don't know if it's expensive or cheap.

I think it's quite expensive if you consider the interest. ...... Hmm, I'm having trouble with my lack of common sense in this world at a time like this.

I tried to look at Sylphy for confirmation, but the great spirit Sylphy was not interested in investing, so he shook his head from side to side and gave up.

Well, even Marie-san wouldn't rip off her clients, so I should be a little thankful. Marie is smiling too, so I guess it's a win-win situation for both of us.

After hearing all about the investment, you feel like you've done your best and are about to leave, when you remember. I haven't done what I came here for, have I?

"Well, Marie. As I told you before, I'm thinking of going to see the core of the labyrinth.

"Yes, it was. Yuta, there are many things I want, but first I would like to ask you for some special herbs."

"What?　...... herbs?"

If we have magic grass, all-powerful grass, and divine power grass, we can manage for the most part, can't we?　Now all we need is the fruit of a spirit tree against serious illness and it seems perfect.

"Yes, medicinal herbs. I need rejuvenating herbs."

Is that a pun?　No, there was a wild plant with a similar name in Japan. It was good for your health or something like that, but it can't be that simple in a fantasy world, can it?

"What kind of effect?"

"Thank you very much for asking. The rejuvenating herb is extracted by a special process. It is said that if you apply the ingredients to your skin, it will make your skin as soft and supple as a baby's!

I see, so you're going to get into the beauty business next. Men also like to look young, and women are especially sensitive to such things, so this will be a good product. ...... Hmm?

"They say?　Hasn't the effect been confirmed?"

"Yes. Rejuvenation grass was originally a valuable medicinal herb, thought to be connected to the elixir of immortality because of its effects, but it has been uprooted everywhere. It is now said to be extinct in all places where people can enter."

Ah, so there are stories of extinction from overfishing in our world, too. Humans are very vindictive when it comes to immortality and money, aren't they?

I see. So, did you make the elixir of immortality?"

"I don't know?　However, there is a record that a noble woman of that time got really angry when she couldn't get the rejuvenating herb. The skin beautifying effect should be certain."

That's a lot of fluff, but that's a lot of confidence. But it must be lucrative if you can get your hands on a precious, extinct herb.

"Well, I'll ask Core, but I don't know if I can explain it well.

"Don't worry about it. I can't provide you with the real thing, but I can provide you with the materials. Sonia!

Marie motioned to me, and Sonia quickly held out several sheets of paper in front of me. I looked at them lightly, and found that they contained pictures of rejuvenating plants and their characteristics. With this, I should be able to at least explain them to her.

"I understand. I will ask Core about it.

"""Please."""

Marie and Sonia joined me and asked me to join them with an expectant look on their faces. These two are women, too. That's a little pressure.