Chapter 13 - 013: Still In Preparation ( So Just Skip It)

It's been a month since Arthur and Otto make the trading company and the name of Emi-Life trading company is quite known to the public because this trading company sells good quality products from Kararagi, Vollachia, and Gusteko with the price that's cheaper than the other trading company. Arthur also made Otto open several places in the capital for making a product like, cheese, buŧŧer, mayonnaise and many other things that he can think of. With this, they can help a little to decrease the unemployment rate in the capital.

Otto didn't have a choice but to use the slogan that Arthur wrote as the company slogan because even if he is the one that publicly known as the owner of Emi-Life he is just a representative. Of course Otto didn't use the slogan like in the capital at the first day of opening the trading company but he uses it in Kararagi and Gusteko without any reserves, and for Lugunica, except for capital city that know if there is a silver hair half-elf with name Emilia become the queen candidate, many places in Lugunica didn't know about it yet so Arthur decided to spread the name of Emilia as much as he can.

"So our profit is half of the price item that we sold?" Arthur read the report that Otto made for him

"Yes, because we didn't need to paid for transporting the goods"

"There is something that I want you to do, build a house in the large village outside of the capital city and also in several cities, there I want you to spread the news if Emi-Life trading company will provide free basic education like reading, writing, and math for anyone who wants to learn. For the teacher, you can hire people that you deem worthy, for their payment deducts it from my part"

"Are you sure? It will consume a lot of money you know?"

"The reason I make this trading company is to support Emilia in the royal election, start it from the border of Lugunica kingdom" with the nature of the royal election, have support from commoners is a must, and giving a little education for the children of commoners is very meaningful for them

"If you said so..." Otto really didn't understand the train of thought that Arthur has but as long as there is still benefit for him, Otto didn't mind to do this unreasonable instruction

"Also make an appointment with Duchess of Karsten, you can say if we can sell them a weapon and iron 10% cheaper than what she bought from other trading company," Arthur think to make a connection with Crusch at this time will be beneficial for Emilia's camp

"If we do this we will offend the trading company that sold weapon and iron to Duchess of Karsten" Otto think it was not a wise move to offend other trading company when they still in development phase

"That's why as a precaution for that you need to tell her if she needs to take the goods from our warehouse by her own people and said we can sell 20% cheaper if she stations several of his man in our periphery"

"But isn't it mean we make Duchess of Karsten look like forcing us to sell it cheap to her so she will protect us?" This is more dangerous than an offending trading company because with this they will offend one of the oldest family in Lugunica

"Just do as I said, you mustn't underestimate Duchess of Karsten" Arthur believe in Crusch's intelligence and judgment if she will understand the meaning behind his word

"I need to go somewhere else now, I will come back tonight" after he said that Arthur leaves using Hiraishin no Jutsu

"No matter how many times I see it that was really an enviable ability" Otto sigh and start preparing what he needs to do today, it's still early but an order is already given to him "Abusive authorities..."

....

"Arthur, do you will go again today?" After finishing her breakfast Emilia ask Arthur who is lately is rare to stay in the mansion

"Well, there is something I need to take care of tonight. But I will stay in the mansion before that"

"That's good! It's been a long time since we have a spar, how about today?"

"Alright we will spar after you finish your study"

A long-time being alone makes you treasure the time you have with someone that close to you

Maybe such a phrase is what Emilia's feeling right now, she even forces Arthur to call her without honorific because she feels it makes them quite distant

"Alright, I will be waiting for you in the study room" Emilia stand up and walking away leaving Arthur with Roswaal in the dining room

"I think it's not something you need to hide from her" what Roswaal means is about the trading company

Before recruiting Otto Arthur to talk to Roswaal about his plan and Roswaal show his support with agreeing to give Arthur a right to mining magic ore in the Elior forest, with this even if there is someone who wants to investigate about the background of Emi-Life trading company what they can find is Roswaal as a financial backer

Even if Arthur can exchange sacred gold coin from the system, but he is from an unknown origin the same that is also applicable for Emilia, moreover because of her appearance it will make people overthinking.

To solve this problem using Roswaal name is the only easy option that he has, Mathers family is as old as Karsten family and they always produce the most outstanding magician in each generation except for two generations before Roswaal J Mathers. Well, they're the same person after all so it was understandable.

"I will tell her when the time is right, your gospel just wants you to have Emilia as the queen of Lugunica. Anything else is not your business, right?"

At their last conversation, Arthur didn't waste time to play around with Roswaal so he just said if Roswaal should help him and he will help Roswaal for drawing Subaru to Emilia's camp.

"Yooouu are not fun at aaalll" even if Arthur answer is not friendly Roswaal didn't mind it "I'm more curious about your origin now"

"How about have a battle with me? If you win I will tell you about it" Arthur smile playfully while his hand spinning a knife

"Youuuur joke is very fuuunyy... how can you fight with someone as frail as meeee?"

"Nah, let's forget it. There is no benefit at all for me, do you want to say something before I go?"

"Are you sure with your help she can be the queen?"

"Would you believe me if I say she will be the queen if there is no sword saint around?" The strongest sword saint in the history, Reinhard Van Astrea, is very troublesome opponent because he can get any divine protection he needs to ȧssist him on the battle

"Are you sure you want to speak about treason in front of me?" Roswaal want to remind Arthur if he is a Margrave

"As if you care about anything else aside of Echidna" Arthur put down the knife and leave Rosswal who laugh as if he heard something funny from Arthur "I really can't understand the way of thinking a madman"

.....

Arthur appear in his personal room but when he wants to call Otto Arthur see an unusual dragon carriage parking at the front of headquarters

"As I tough she will come" Arthur smile and come out of the room but when he opened the door there is already someone who is waiting for him

"Arthur-sama, I want to apologize because without asking for permission I bring someone here to meet you" Otto is very afraid if Arthur angry because of this "But there is no other option, she is a Duchess after all and a queen candidates on top of that there is no way I can reject her"

"You didn't need to worry, I know she will coming here but I didn't expect she will coming tonight" yes, Arthur really didn't expect for Crusch to place such great importance on him

When Arthur reaches the guest's room there is a beautiful woman with amber eyes and long dark green hair that reaches to the middle of her back waiting for him. She is coming with her two attendants a white hair and blue eyes old man who wears a white shirt, white vest, black bowtie, black dress pants, and a black and blue coat, he is the Sword Demon, Wilhelm Trias.

And another is someone who will leave a deep impression for anyone who see him, flax colored hair and yellow eyes, wearing consists of a blue-collar with a ribbon, a blue dress, black tights, blue leggings, blue shoes, white arm covers, and a blue scarf tied around his right arm, who else that will dress like that except for Crusch's knight, Felix Argyle.

"Sorry to make you waiting for me here despite how busy you're, Crusch-sama" Arthur greet Crusch before he looks at Wilhelm and Felix "This is an honor for me to met with Sword Demon and Blue at the same time, My name is Arthur Spencer, Please to met you"

"It seems we didn't need to introduce ourselves to you, please to met you too, Arthur Spencer" Crusch stand up and accept Arthur's handshake while Wilhelm nod at Arthur and Felix look at him with eyes full of curiosity

"I know Crusch's-sama time is very valuable so I won't dwell on pleasantries, I just want to know what is your opinion about my offer?" After Arthur take a seat he thinks with Crusch serious personality it best to talk about business immediately

"Let me ask you first, Arthur Spencer. Are you representing Margrave Roswaal or Emilia?" For her, it was important to know who she is dealing with

"I'm sorry I forget to tell you if I was Emilia's-sama Knight, as for Roswaal if I may say he is our creditor"

"What is your true condition?"

"This is not a condition, but an option for you to choose"

"Let's hear it" Crusch adjust her sit position to make it more comfortable for her

"The first option, if you just want to have business relationships with us then I can sell you ore and weapon 15% cheaper than the current price you paid"

Crusch didn't answer immediately and Arthur didn't wait for her opinion either

"The second option if you can give us little protection we can give you 20% discount, as you know there are some greedy people and some people who can't accept her existence in any form, so I want you to keep us from people like that" Arthur can solve the problem with ȧssassination but it will make Emilia's image in public eyes worsen, so Arthur want to use Crusch's prestige as deterrent force for people who have ill intentions

"The third option is if you make an alliance with us for the subjugation of the White Whale that you organize we can give you a 30% discount, of course, we will also send people to help you. At least I will participate when the time comes, of course, I want you to announce if this is the work of Crusch's-sama camp and Emilia's-sama camp that participate to slain the beast.

Crusch didn't surprise if Arthur knows about it because it's not a secret, what makes her surprise is because Arthur said he will participate in the battle.

"And lastly the fourth option, if you want to have alliance with us after the White Whale is slain and spread the news Crusch's-sama camp and Emilia's-sama camp make an alliance to strengthen the defenses of Lugnica and preserve security against potential threats, we will give you the price of goods at cost. Which one do you want, Crusch-sama?" Arthur look confidently at Crusch, although he didn't understand about business, he is confident if the option that he is offered to Crusch is not shabby at all

And now what he needs to do is, waiting for her answer.