9 Lesson 9: The value of matches

"Amy, what is that!? How did you do that?

Youth are very excited.

You're gonna scream out loud, so the passers-by are stopping and paying attention over here, too.

If it were Japan, it would certainly be a surprise to suspect Sakura.

"But let me try it again!

"Fine."

Extinguish the ignition match in your hand and remove the other bottle from the box.

"Now look at that."

Rub the tip of the matching rod with the side of the box and it will catch fire.

"" "" Ooh! ""

Now the passers-by came together and the twitch happened.

Most of them are adventurers, but they also look like townspeople.

"What's that!?

"You just rubbed it and it caught fire, didn't it? Huh?

"How did you do that? Magic!?

"Stupid you. Does anyone bother using magic to start a fire? My brother started a fire with that tool."

"Liar! I've never seen or heard of a tool like that!

"I just saw it with these eyes!

etc.

The existence of the match had become a bit of a fuss.

"Honey, you're gonna light that fire... can I do that?

An adventurous young man asks with a serious face.

I snort.

"Yeah. Of course you can. Look here. The tip of this stick must be a little red, right? This red part is painted with pyrotechnic medicine, and it's made to catch fire when rubbed against the crusty yasley part of this box. Would you like to try?

"Yes, okay!?

"Fine. Ko-yu's, you have to try it yourself. Come on, don't hesitate."

"You're not gonna say that and take the money, are you?

"Haha, I won't take it like this. Come on, give it a try"

I hand the matchsticks and boxes to the youth.

The young man holds a matchstick with his trembling hand and rubs it with a lump.

"... it really came on. I'm on fire too!!

"" "" "Whoa, whoa, whoa!

A twist that happens again.

I was so close to cheering.

"Do you guys want to try it?

When I asked them that, they all said, "Do it!!," he replied instantly.

I'll give you the match stick and have it lit in turn.

Some of them didn't light it in one go or the match stick broke, but even such a person could light it properly twice or while rubbing it for the third time.

In other words, everyone on this occasion will have felt the usefulness of the match.

"Fire so easy... how awesome"

Youth of inspiring and trembling adventurers.

I'm just a sales talk.

"If it's a firestone, it won't take long to start a fire?

"Oh. You're right. I don't like flint stones because I'm short of heart. I don't even have enough money to buy fire magic props."

A young adventurer snorts at my words.

"Right? But this' match 'makes it easy for anyone to start a fire. There are 40 matches in this little box over here. The large box contains 800 bottles. How about one? I'm sure it'll help you with your adventure."

A young man cringes his throat.

And...

"You're right, with that 'town', adventure would be a lot easier. But... how much are they selling for? It's convenient. It's expensive, isn't it?

Finally came the question I was waiting for.

The same question is written on the faces of the people gathered in the store.

I keep my face close to the youth,

"How much do you think?

And I dared ask.

Because I thought about measuring the value of matches in this world by throwing the pricing round.

"This is all the convenience... plus the drugs on the tip, right? So it's worth more than a firestone?

When I looked around the market yesterday, the firestone ignition set was cheap and 50 copper coins (5,000 yen).

When it was expensive, it was like two silver coins (20,000 yen).

Because it's an indispensable tool for life and adventure, or it seems like it's going to cost a lot.

"Right -"

A young man points to a small match containing forty bottles,

"The little box over here contains forty pieces of 'Town', right?"

"Yes, it is."

"Wouldn't you at least do 40 copper coins?

I see.

Adventurely, you thought it was worth a piece of copper coin.

On that evidence, other adventurers on this scene are nodding yeah.

On the other hand, however, the expression of the inhabitants of the town - especially the housewives - is dark.

At the price the adventurer youth said, I feel as though I can't help it.

Well, this is where the battle starts.

To a large extent, there are two ways of doing business.

Sell valuable things high or sell lots of cheap things.

The former has a large amount of a single transaction, but the number of buyers becomes limited for the high price of the goods.

The latter can be bought by a lot of people, but the interest margins are small, one by one.

Both long and short.

I chose...

"Too bad. It's off the hook. Four copper coins a piece for the smaller ones. Large matchboxes of 800 coins are specially offered for 40 copper coins only for three days in the opening celebration where the usual price is 55 copper coins!

A young man shouts instantly at my words imitating a mail-order show.

"Buy it!!

[Current holdings]

- 00 gold coins

- 01 silver coins

- 52 copper coins