CH 101

What ⁉ I didn't hear about that."

"......, that's because I just told you."

"It's terrible ......."

Chris, who had joined us at the guest house, turned pale and held her head in her hands after hearing my explanation.

In her mind, there was going to be a meeting with Elias in the future dealings.

However, it seems that the story of the royal family's backing within Renalute was beyond her imagination.

Come to think of it, Chris is the only trading company that has the backing of the Empress of Magnolia, the King of Renalute, and the Bardia family, isn't it?　

It seems to me that when the empire is at the center, Chris's family's Saffron Trading Company would be in charge of the west side, and the Christie Trading Company would be in charge of the east side.

What is it that makes Chris so anxious?　

I spoke to Chris in an appealing and encouraging manner.

It's not like we're going to discuss anything in particular.　It's just a meeting for the future, so there's no need to get too anxious. The Empire, the Bardia family, and Renalute, if we establish a business relationship, the east side centered on the Empire will become Chris's trade area, right?"

"Ugh ...... that is true, though. I will not say who, but there is someone who has given me experience in business meetings with the nobility before."

Chris was walking with us toward Palace with a drooped head and slumped shoulders.

Chris looked at me reproachfully and began to explain to me what had happened in the past.

"The man asked me to go and sell his invention to the nobility on his behalf, because he would sell it through me."

'Hmm?　I had heard that story somewhere before."

I was moving forward on my feet, paying no heed to what Chris was saying.

I was still giving Chris a resentful look as she continued her explanation.

"It's my fault for giving you an answer right away, you know?　It's not every day that I get to have a business meeting with such high ranking people, so I was eager to give it a try."

"Well, that's good, isn't it?"

"Yes, I am grateful to have had such a good experience. However, I was made to dance on the palms of the people related to that person, so I was afraid to deal with noble people without being prepared in advance. ......"

"I see."

I wonder if Chris is a little traumatized by what happened last time in the Empire?　

Chris even wrote a resentful note in the letter I got from her at that time, saying that she was cheated out of the deal.

I stopped and looked back at Chris and said emphatically with a smile on my face.

, "Don't worry, that won't happen this time. Besides, I'm here today. If anything happens to Chris, I'll protect you, don't worry, okay?"

" I'll be prepared for that. I'm sure you'll be able to protect me when the time comes, though. I'm counting on you."

Chris seemed to have changed her mind after hearing my words, and returned to her usual dignified expression.

I smiled and said,

"I am glad to hear that. Then, let's hurry. His Majesty Elias is waiting for us.'

"Are you the head of the Christie Trading Company?"

"Yes, I am. I am Christy Safron, the head of the Christy Trading Company.. My name is y. I would greatly appreciate it if you could make our acquaintance.a"

When we returned to the palace, we quickly moved to the front drawing room where Elias was waiting for us.

Chris was amazed at the various decorations in Palace.

Now in the front room are my father, myself, Chris, and Deanna.

Elias, Fara, and Asuna.

While we went to pick up Chris, the people who remained in the room seemed to be having a good time talking with each other.

When I came back to the front room, Fara looked at me and turned her head and her ears went up and down.

Father and Elias lost their smile at that, and Asuna was smiling.

What were they talking about?　

I introduced Chris to Elias, who was curious about the matter.

Elias immediately returned to his solemn face and his eyes turned sharp to regard Chris.

"Mm. I have heard from Rid and Rainer that you are very good at your job. Since both of you have requested it, I will give preferential treatment to the Christie Trading Company in future business transactions within Renalute. I ask you to make every possible effort for the development of the Bardia family and Renalute."

"Thank you for your kind words, and I will do my best. But what kind of preferential treatment do you mean?'

I have never heard of preferential treatment.

I don't remember talking about it.

Chris asked with trepidation.

Chris was afraid to ask what it was about, but Father cleared his throat and then answered,

," Renalute and the Bardia family will receive various preferential tax treatments based on traffic tax in all distribution channels."

".....⁉ Is that true?"

Chris was astonished at his father's words about the tax benefits.

The most difficult thing to deal with in transactions between other countries is taxes.

If you do business only within one country, taxes are only imposed in that country.

If the transaction is between two countries, the amount of tax to be paid will naturally increase.

In this world, traffic taxes and fees are still charged at customs.

However, in the "tariffs" that I remember from my previous life, depending on the country and the goods you were trading with, you would have been taxed 10-50% of the sales price, and in some cases even more than that.

This is a boost for me as well.

If there are signs of recovery from Mother's illness with this "lute grass," I can get involved in internal affairs, which I have been thinking a lot about.

If we can develop the commercial and distribution channels between the Renalute and Bardia families, there should be a great deal we can do.

While I was lost in thought, Father continued to explain to Chris.

"This is due to the fact that the amount of trade between Renalute and the empire has been low up until now. Among those, the preferential treatment that the Christie Trading Company is entitled to is particularly large. If you need anything, consult with me. At that time, I will contact His Majesty Elias. Isn't that what you told me, His Majesty Elias?"

.".....That is correct. I can't give all of the preferential treatment to the Christie Trading Company, but I intend to do everything I can to help them. Therefore, I ask you to contribute to the development of both countries."

Father gave Elias a sharp look at the end as he explained to Chris.

Elias noticed the look and nodded his head in reply with a disappointed look on his face.

"I will make every effort to contribute to the development of both our countries."

Chris seemed pleased that the Christie Trading Company would receive preferential treatment under the taxation system, even though she was concerned about the two men's condition.

Elias said, looking a little grim.

'Well, ......, I guess that's it for the Christie Trading Company at ....... If you need anything else, please send a letter to me. So that concludes our meeting for today, is that clear?"

Father and I looked at each other and nodded.

After Elias confirmed that we had nodded, he spoke.

"Yes. Well then, this concludes today's meeting. Thank you all for your hard work."

We bowed at his words.

After the meeting was over, we were escorted from the front room to our guest room.

I asked my father about the tax benefits.

"......The matter you just discussed with His Majesty Elias, was it put together by you, father?"

'Yes, instead of making Norris's case a non-issue, he's ...... doing a lot of other things. Hmmm..."

Father was laughing with a wicked smile on his face.

Chris was scowling at the sight of him.

Master Rainer, Master Rid, is it safe to ask about that ...... matter of Norris?"

'Ah ...... here, it's not a good place for it, so I'll explain it to you when we get back to Bardia.

"That would be good ......."

She asked me and my father looked at one another and then responded with a wry smile.

'......?　Yes, . Now, I am going to go to the castle town now, so I will leave you now, is that alright?""

"Yes. Thank you for taking care of me on such short notice'.

Chris shook her head at my words and replied with a happy expression on her face.

" I am very happy to receive preferential treatment from the government as a person who runs the business association. I will go and check Renalute's products again in light of what we will be doing in the future."

After she finished, she bowed to us and left the room in a good mood.

After seeing her off, I looked at my father and said,

"Father, I am going to ask Princess Fara if I can meet with her now. When I am able to meet with her, I will ask Deanna to come and see what is going on in the castle town, is that all right?"

Deanna did not understand my words and was dumbfounded,

Father wrinkled his brow and said in a low voice,

"...... Rid, it was yesterday, , right?　What are you thinking about?"

'I am thinking of nothing. I've come to Renalute for a reason. I want to tell Mother and Mel what is going on in the town. I can't go to the castle town. Father is also too busy to go. If that is the case, why don't ask Diana to go to the town and look for souvenirs and such?"

Father's eyebrows twitched at the words "Mother and Mel."

One more push?　I said, folding my arms.

"If Princess Fara will allow it, I will stay with the princess as long as I can today in order to deepen our bond . Then, I would like to ask Diana to send a substitute escort from the Order of Knights to our place."

Father meditated on my words as if he were pondering.

I muttered a few words to him as if I was trying to make him understand something.

"I'm sure Mel and mother are looking forward to seeing the souvenirs ".

" But only if you get the princess's permission. Is that okay?"

"Yes. Thank you."

Father  stunned .

Thus, Diana now had an excuse to go to the castle town on business.

I immediately contacted Fara

She was in the same house as me, so she immediately replied,

"Father, I'll spend the day at Princess Fara's, okay?"

"I understood. But ...... not twice, okay?""

......, I understand."

The father gave me a sharp look and said coldly, as if he was nailing me to the wall.

It was so intimidating that I flinched.

Deanna asked me a question with a dubious expression on her face.

"What are you trying to do, ...... Rid sama?　Do you have any dissatisfaction with me,......?"

"No, I don't. I thought it was an unnecessary bother. I'm sure you'll be very pleased with what you see. You should also pick out some souvenirs that Mother and Mel might like. You will be responsible for selecting the souvenirs that my father and I will give to them, okay?　"This is an order."

"What?"

Hearing my words, Deanna's face turned bright red and she was unusually upset.

Father, who understood my intention, also chuckled and looked at Deanna with kind eyes