CH 91

“Expansion of business”

“Oh, boy. Good morning. Let’s get right to it, but for today’s…wait, these two are?”

The day after I picked up a sibling, I took them both to see Greg, who had asked me to sell the jewelry I was making on consignment. Greg, who was polite at first, was now able to speak in a more casual manner, so as far as I’m concerned, we’d become somewhat friendly. ……is okay, right?

Anyway, the reason I brought them to see Greg this time was, of course, for a purpose. That purpose was to scale back the consignment sales that I was currently asking Greg to do and to set up a retail store.

Although Greg was currently left in charge of the sales destination, I had received reports that Greg was generally distributing products to small and medium-sized merchant associations, and the volume of orders was gradually increasing. That was why I thought this would be a good time to change the business from a wholesaler to a retailer.

In order to switch from wholesaling to retailing, there were a few things that were necessary. The two main requirements were a place to sell the products and employees to serve the customers.

So I came up with the idea of hiring these two people, whom I had met by chance, as employees. As slum dwellers, there was a high possibility that they would not be able to find a decent job and would end up on the streets, and since their standard of living was so low that they could be counted from the bottom, I calculated that they would work hard even if it was a little hard.

I also wanted to make amends for the trouble I had caused Natalie, so I decided to hire them and hold a consultation meeting with Greg.

“So, boy. Hiring these two is great, but we don’t have the all-important store.”

“I know. I’ve got an idea about that. But, GREG, wouldn’t you like to own your own store?”

He looked doubtful as if he did not understand what I was asking, but he seemed to intend to answer the question and replied honestly.

“What’s going on all of a sudden? Well, for a peddler, owning my own store is a goal I’d like to achieve someday…….”

“Then it’s settled. I’ll give you the money, and you run the store.”

“What!? E-even if you suddenly said that to me……”

Unfortunately, Greg-kun, this was a decision that had been made……. Based on the store I built, he will start a new trading company in his name. This was exactly what I plan to do.

If I stayed out of the public eye and worked behind the scenes, he could take care of all the troublesome matters and I could do as I pleased, killing two birds with one stone. Isn’t it wonderful?

Anyway, he understood that I brought Natalie and Jean’s siblings for that purpose, so I would give them instructions for the future.

“For now, Greg, when you wholesale the accessories for today, go around to your customers and tell them that the number of accessories you will be wholesaling in the future will be reduced. If you finish that by noon, wait for me at the guild of commerce. We’ll go through the formalities from there.”

“Are you serious?”

“Do my eyes look like I’m lying to you?”

“…I can’t tell.”

I squinted at him and made jittery eyes at him to let him know I was serious. Apparently, he got the message that I was serious and nodded his head, showing his willingness to follow my instructions, even as he let out a sigh.

“For you guys, Gerolie siblings, you guys have to go back to your slum house now to prepare for the move. I will pick you up around the evening, so you need to finish packing by then. Understood?”

“W-w-w-what do you mean!? You didn’t explain anything to me!”

“Sister, what does he mean by Gerolie siblings?”

“You guys, under this person, work. Get a lot of money, everyone happy.”

““Why are you speaking in Katakana!?””

I had to explain it again to the siblings, who were not very cooperative. It was a simple request for them to work as employees at a new store that Greg was opening.

After hearing my explanation, both of them begged me for a job with a twinkle in their eyes. I asked them why they were so happy. They said that since the identity of people from slums was not clear, they were not well regarded in terms of trustworthiness, and even if they were hired, most of them would only be working for a day job.

“But this offer is not a day job, it’s an official one, right?”

“Yes, a day job, or even a permanent job if you both want it. Well, as long as I’m alive.”

“For someone from a slum, it’s not often that you get such good treatment. Please let us work!”

“Please!”

Following his sister Nathalie’s bowing, the younger brother, Jean, also bowed his head and begged me. While thinking about how unimportant it was that they were indeed sisters and brothers, I gave them another set of instructions.

“Well, I’ve given you the instructions on what each of you should do. I’m going to go to the commercial guild now and look for a store, so all three of you go and do your thing.”

“Understood.”

“Okay. Let’s go, Jean.”

“Ah, wait, sis!”

As each of them set out to do what they were instructed to do, I too headed for the commercial guild to fulfill my objective.

***

“Ooh, hey. Look at that.”

“Mm, what’s this all of a sudden.  What’s going on—”

The sudden appearance of someone in the guild’s midst was met with silence. The guild, bustling with activity in the morning, was filled with merchants, workers, and other visitors. What they saw was a nobleman who radiated an air of dignity. Step by step, they saw him, and without knowing why, many of them simply got down on one knee and hung their heads. The noble atmosphere befitting a person of high rank was that of a charismatic person who could control others.

His face, while still young, had a well-developed face and a gentle smile full of intelligence that captivated people of both sexes. Why did such a being appear in such a labyrinthine city?

However, it was only a momentary feeling, and before they knew it, everyone had bowed their heads and fallen prostrate. The nobleman’s name was Rolando, the heir to a former noble family, now just an adventurer.

—Time goes back only a short time ago.

“Okay, let’s go with this outfit this time.”

I was in an unoccupied building near a commercial guild. The purpose of my visit was to put on the clothes I had bought in advance. I thought it would be a good idea to have something like formal wear for such occasions, so I bought new clothes at a tailor’s shop.

The clothes were of the nobility’s quality, but could also be worn for everyday use. The closest way to describe them would be that they were the kind of clothes royalty would wear when they went sightseeing in the castle town on their own.

I immediately put on the sleeves to check the comfort of the clothes. The workmanship by a first-rate tailor was excellent, and it fit my current body shape perfectly.

“What a great workmanship~”

As soon as I stepped out of the building, I used the light magic “camouflage” to blend my appearance into the scenery. Changing to the same color as the surrounding scenery, served as a protective color and allowed me to become invisible from the outside.

Using this, I approached the entrance of the commercial guild, and when no one was looking, I removed my invisibility.

(noble mode activated)

I would usually be in a more playful mode, but as the heir to a noble family, I used to be trained in manners and etiquette. I had learned not only the body language of a nobleman but also court etiquette and other less useful manners so that I would have no problem one day in front of royalty.

With a straight back, chin pulled back, and relaxed movements, I made my way to the reception counter with a dignified stride. A slight, gentle smile on my face and a focus in my eyes give the impression of the strength of will to the other person.

It was what is commonly referred to as a model walk, and if I put a book on my head right now, I would be able to walk without dropping it. But here’s where things got a little worrisome.

(W-what? Why are you all getting down on one knee and prostrating yourselves to me?)

Since I had to make a big transaction this time, I released the noble mode that I always keep sealed up and came to the commercial guild, but strangely enough, when they saw me, they all got down on one knee and fell down flat.

Come to think of it, when I was teaching my younger brother, Mark, the etiquette of a nobleman, he used to get down on one knee just like they were doing now. When I asked him why he replied.

“For some reason, Brother’s gestures are so beautiful that they make me feel like I have to prostrate me.”

I thought at the time that was Mark’s joke or something, but apparently, that one word was not a joke but the truth. I began to think that my visit in noble mode might have been a mistake, but since I could not back out now, I made up my mind and headed for the reception counter.’

Since it was a busy morning, there was a certain number of people in line, but the line split to the left and right, creating a single path.

(Am I Moses or something!!!)

Moses was famous for his anecdote about splitting the sea, and I apparently could split a line of people. There was an air of urgency to say something about the situation, so I decided to say something that wouldn’t ruin the atmosphere.

“A great deal.”

At that moment, the people who had been standing in line flattened one after another, as if the road had been prepared just for me. Should I call it “Rolando Road”? No, let’s not.

I walked along Rolando Road……, or rather, the road where people were prostrating themselves, with a steady motion while being puzzled inside, and I saw a familiar face at a certain reception counter, so I headed there.

When she saw my face, she was puzzled, but she approached me to fulfill her role as a professional receptionist.

“W-welcome to the Commercial Guild. How can I help you today?”

“I am here to see the Guildmaster, Miss Kaneine, could you show me the way?”

“Y-yes! G-gladly!!”

She seemed to go crazy at my words, and she was leading me to the reception room. The other receptionists looked frustrated and envious, and some of them were doing the usual pattern of chewing on their handkerchiefs.

I was finally ushered into the reception room, but I couldn’t hide my confusion at the reactions of the people around me when I arrived here. …How did this happen? I just came to buy a property…….

A few moments later, there was a knock at the reception room door and Guild Master Kascher entered. When he saw me, his eyes widened and a look of astonishment came over his face, but he immediately came to his senses and fell down flat like the others. Hey, hey, what are you doing?

“I apologize for keeping you waiting.”

“No problem. May I quickly tell you what I am here for?”

“Certainly.”

When I said that he continued to stay flat on his face, so I said, “Why don’t you sit down on a chair for now?” I didn’t have a taste for talking to an old man while he was on one knee.

“First of all, how’s the case going? Even though there’s still time before the specified date, I hope you’ve cleaned up a bit.”

“Y-yes. The man who was in charge of Rolando-sama was dismissed on the same day. Other staff members who behaved badly were given a stern warning or dismissed on the same day, and 80% of them have been dealt with.”

“Good. Next, I am looking for a property that has a store to sell and a dormitory-like place for employees to live. Do you have anything reasonably priced?”

“Please wait a moment. I will bring the information to you.”

Kascher returned shortly thereafter and picked up properties that looked good from the listings he had on hand. One of the properties caught my attention, so after confirming the details, I asked him a question.

“I would like to know more about this property.”

“This property is slightly overpriced, although there is nothing wrong with it.”

The property consisted of two buildings, a store and a dormitory, and a slightly larger lot. The price seemed to be higher because of the two buildings and the larger lot, but I wondered how much it would really cost.

“Hmm, how much?”

“The building that will be the store and the building that will be the residence will be about 40 medium gold coins.”

“…Does that include the cost of the land?”

“No, two large gold coins will be charged separately for the land.”

“I understand. For the time being, please hold on to the idea that I will purchase it.”

“Do you want me to see it in person?”

Come to think of it, I hadn’t thought about doing a private viewing……. However, it was not hard to imagine what would happen if I went out in public dressed like this, so I’d better cover it up and say something nice here.

“I will trust you as the guildmaster of a commercial guild.”

“…Thank you very much.”

“Then, I’ll go back and get my agent. The actual contract will be signed by the agent, so please be prepared for that. Then I will come back after lunch.”

“I-I see. Understood. We will be expecting you.”

For the time being, I had secured the property and decided to go hide somewhere until my appointment with Greg arrived, nodded to Kascher in a haughty manner, and then stood up and walked out of the commercial guild with dignity. Needless to say, everybody had flattened again in doing so.