CH 16

16 - How To Start A Business (Another World Beginner’s Edition)

Moving on.

“I’m in your care, Sir Cain,” Lulurun said.

As a result of Rhynes’s introduction and actions, Cain, the Third of the Knights of the Holy Empire, will cooperate with Lulurun.

Well, since she knew him, Lulurun stared at Cain with an incomprehensible expression.

“What is with that face?” Cain asked.

“There’s nothing behind it, can you stop with those white eyes?” Lulurun said.

Cain sighed deeply and brought the life back to his face. It’s clear he’s not eager about this.

“Why would I… be something like a tour guide, and moreover, for a little girl like you!!” Cain yelled.

“I am really sorry about this, Sir Cain,” Lulurun said.

Here’s the story so far: Lulurun asked Rhynes if there was someone who could help her → “I know someone who knows what he’s talking about.” → Rhynes offers to introduce them → and finally, Lulurun says, “I understand, introduce me.”

“It’s a bit of a mess, isn’t it?” Cain asked.

“But I’m starting to like you, Sir Cain, that you’re hearing me out is wonderful,” Lulurun said.

“It’s Lady Rhynes’s request, I can’t refuse it, can I…?!” Cain yelled.

He can’t refuse his superior’s offer, Lulurun was certain that Cain was a serious employee, she understood that sort of pressure, and so Lulurun sympathizes with Cain.

“I want to start working, but I don’t know the rules of this country, so I need your guidance,” Lulurun said.

“The rules?” Cain asked.

“Though I’m thinking of starting a private business, I don’t have any business plans, other applications, or starting capital,” Lulurun said.

“If you want a job, just work for the Church,” Cain said.

“Huh? That’s it?” Lulurun asked.

“That’s it,” Cain said.

Lulurun was speechless.

“Working is a right given to everyone. No one should hinder someone from doing or not doing it,” Cain said.

“Oh, is that how it is?” Lulurun asked.

“If you’re wondering about an application, you only need to notify the Church, but that’s about it,” Cain said.

“What about tax payments?” Lulurun asked.

“The tax levied on the people is the same, once a year for all economic statuses. Given the threat of witches, it is foolish to impose burdens on the people, or so the Emperor thinks,” Cain said.

“I see, he’s a good Emperor,” Lulurun said.

The more she listens, the more she realizes how different this world is from the one she lived in. In a word, it’s “free.”

There is almost no burden on the people, and it seems that the procedures and applications to the country are so minimal, that anyone can freely start what they like, all you needed to do was say, “I’m going to do this.” to the state organization called the Church.

“What carefree rules for starting a business!!!” Lulurun yelled.

After Lulurun thought it was going to be complicated, she’s alarmed at how simple and easy the rules actually are.

“Are you serious?” Lulurun asked. “You don’t even need to make a deposit to start a business?”

“Are you saying that I, a Knight of the Order of the Holy Empire, would lie?” Cain asked.

“Ye—no,” Lulurun said quickly with a smile.

“Don’t look like that, it’s creepy,” Cain said. “So, what kind of work are you trying to do?”

“Umm, I haven’t decided on anything specific yet…” Lulurun said.

“Haaah, if that’s the case, why are you trying to start a job with such vague feelings?”

“I didn’t mean it like that, the thing is…” Lulurun said, “I just want to work to help people in need, and when I have a business description, but I’m worried about how to actually make it happen.”

It’s a simple but blurry concept: help people with magic, while hiding the fact that you could use magic.

“If it’s helping people…” Cain said. “I see, if you just want to do something specific to this town, it might be easier to learn how to start up a ‘Guild.’”

“Gui-Gui-Gui-Guild?!” Lulurun yelled. “Isn’t that a bit too cliché?!”

“Do you hate it?” Cain asked.

“I don’t like the idea of a cheap Guild…” Lulurun said.

“The thing is, the name should be something like a handyman shop or an anything-you-want-to-call-it shop,” Cain said, “but it should be the kind of thing that tells people you’re here to help.”

“That’s it! That’s what I’m looking for!” Lulurun said.

“But a Guild is better,” Cain said.

“Guilds! No thank you,” Lulurun said.

It’s a little tough for the life of adventurers and Guilds for an older man over 30, and Lulurun decided on the “Anything Shop” that was among Cain’s suggestions.

“Is being an anything-shop really a viable job?” Lulurun asked.

“I think that a business that takes a lot of kinds of jobs will become an excellent business, the more jobs you get, the better, and if you do good jobs, the reputation will spread even if you don’t advertise,” Cain said.

“I see,” Lulurun said.

“It’s an easy job to understand, your reputation is directly linked to your business performance,” Cain said.

“If possible, I’d like to open a storefront in a busy part of town, but how do I buy land?” Lulurun asked.

“For prime locations, I’d talk to the landowner themselves about buying it from them… but, you don’t have that kind of money, do you?” Cain asked.

“How do you know that? Are you a mind reader, Sir Cain?” Lulurun asked.

“No, I can figure it out somehow,” Cain said.

“… Can you?” Lulurun asked.

“I can figure it out, alright?” Cain said.

It’s pretty obvious that Lulurun has been living in the wild and not living the good life, even though her hair is cleanly cut and her dress and appearance were made beautiful with magic.

“The immediate goal is to raise funds,” Cain said.

“I guess that’s the hardest part of all worlds, huh?” Lulurun asked.

“What do you mean?” Cain said.

“It’s hard to get started, isn’t it?” Lulurun said.

“There is no such thing as an easy job, if someone thinks that, it’s because their aspirations are stagnant,” Cain said. “People who can make the difficult easy are strong, or at least that’s who I want to work with.”

“I see, you meant Lady Rhynes, didn’t you?” Lulurun said.

“Right, Lady Rhynes is exactly my ideal as a knight, my idol, with her sword arm that moves without hesitation, her beautiful appearance, everything about her is perfect,” Cain said.

“I see how it is,” Lulurun said.

“The hell do you mean?!” Cain said.

“You’re so easy to read, Sir Cain,” Lulurun said.

“Shut up, idiot!” Cain said.

Lulurun understands what Cain’s words mean when he speaks about Rhynes, and when he gets embarrassed, she grins and finds she can’t hate him.

“What are you laughing at?” Cain snapped.

“Nothing,” Lulurun said.

“You’re a beautiful woman, but your behavior is not beautiful at all!” Cain said. “You should learn more from Lady Rhynes, ah, you’re her lover, aren’t you?! You should be ashamed to be standing next to her!”

“Lover?” Lulurun asked.

“Her lover…” Cain said.

“Ah, that was a lie,” Lulurun said.

“Huh?” Cain asked.

She remembered what happened, but honestly, it was a problem, so she pretended that the overacted act never happened. I can be flexible, that’s Lulurun’s motto.

“But you kissed her, didn’t you?” Cain asked.

“That was an accident, Rhynes was so nervous she went out of control, but anyway, that was an act because I wanted you to leave, Sir Cain.”

The life in Cain’s eyes is the bright shine and sparkle of a man in love.

“Then, you aren’t Lady Rhynes’s lover?” Cain asked.

“Not at all, that was a lie we made up to end the trouble, I’m sorry for having lied, forgive me,” Lulurun said.

“You’re forgiven!!!” Cain yelled.

“Huh? Ah, thank you,” Lulurun said.

She had thought the confession would make Cain angry but he seemed extraordinarily pleased.

It’s easy to understand, that he likes Rhynes so much… still, she can’t hate him, someone so stupidly honest, Lulurun found herself growing fond of Cain as she shamelessly and innocently takes on a victory pose.

“Sorry, I got distracted,” Cain said.

“You could stand to be more,” Lulurun said.

“Oh, shut up,” Cain said.

“Well then, about raising funds,” Lulurun said.

They’ve resolved the misunderstanding and returned to the main topic, Cain advises with a smile and a laugh.

“I see, if you are unfamiliar with the circumstances of the town and the locals, why not work for a while in a place while you gather information?” Cain asked.

“I don’t want to be an adventurer in a Guild, I don’t want to be kicked from a party,” Lulurun said.

“You’ve got it wrong, if you want a great place to gather information on the town…” Cain said, grinning.