"Perfume?" Fisher's brow furrowed in puzzlement as he stared at the array of delicate bottles Logan had placed on the table.
"What's the purpose of this stuff?" he asked, eyeing the liquid with suspicion. "You don't expect us to drink it, do you?" Fisher's question drew similar looks of astonishment from his companions, Lion David and the elf Pleti.
Logan, observing their confused expressions, let out a gentle chuckle before explaining, "Perfume, my friends, is designed to imbue you with its essence, to carry its fragrance with you throughout the day."
"Is that all it does?" Fisher's voice was thick with disbelief as he glanced from the bottle to his brother-in-law. "It's neither food nor drink. What's the point of smelling good? I'm a sturdy Beastman, not some dainty flower."
Lion David nodded in agreement, equally perplexed by the concept.
However, Pleti, ever curious, picked up a bottle and gently wafted its contents toward his nose. His eyes widened in surprise. "This scent... it's unlike any I've encountered before."
"Indeed," Logan confirmed with a proud smile, "Each bottle offers a unique fragrance."
Pleti, still clutching the bottle, nodded thoughtfully. "It's quite captivating." Yet, a frown creased his brow as he pondered the practicality of such an item. "Who would buy such a thing, though? As Fisher mentioned, it's not consumable, and it merely scents the body."
Then, a realization dawned on Pleti, and his eyes sparkled with sudden insight. "Wait, this is meant for women, isn't it, Master Logan?"
With a knowing smile, Logan nodded. He was impressed by Pleti's quick deduction but not entirely surprised given the elf's keen senses.
"Exactly," Pleti exclaimed, now examining the perfume as if it were a gem. "The potential market for this could rival that of fine spirits!"
Fisher and Lion David exchanged looks of confusion once more.
Pleti, seeing their befuddlement, elaborated. "Many elf and human women enjoy what is known as a flower bath. It involves steeping fragrant blooms in their bathwater to perfume their skin."
"A flower bath?" Fisher scratched his head, trying to imagine such a practice.
The notion was tempting but impractical. "Crystal bottles are luxurious, used primarily by alchemists and wizards who don't mind the expense. A single crystal bottle could cost dozens of gold coins," Pleti pointed out, his tone skeptical. "It would make the packaging more expensive than the perfume itself!"
Logan acknowledged the challenge with a nod. "True, crystals are pricey and perhaps an overindulgence for packaging perfume. We need something practical yet appealing, that doesn't overshadow the product itself."
The discussion had laid the groundwork for a promising venture, with each member of the group now buzzing with ideas and the potential for their aromatic new enterprise.
Logan nodded thoughtfully, conceding that while crystal was indeed a luxury, it might just have its place in a burgeoning perfume market. "We could perhaps introduce a few limited edition perfumes, encased in crystal bottles. They could fetch hundreds of gold coins each," he mused, his mind ticking through the possibilities.
"Exactly," he continued, warming to the idea. "We can offer the choice at the point of sale. For those who prefer exclusivity and have the means, we could provide custom-filled crystal bottles."
"If a buyer prefers simplicity or a more economical option, we can use standard wooden barrels and sell at regular prices. For the crystal bottles, we'll set a premium," Logan explained, his eyes glinting with business acumen.
He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice as if sharing a secret. "Never underestimate the wealth of the nobility. In the human kingdoms, akin to the ancient Western world but more stratified, the upper echelons are extravagantly rich. Some of these nobles possess wealth that rivals small countries."
Pleti chuckled at the plan, his eyes wide with a mixture of admiration and surprise. "Logan, you've got the makings of a true merchant prince," he said, a grin spreading across his face.
The proposal was swiftly embraced by the group, setting the framework for their joint caravan's operations.
They decided to establish the Wind Walker Joint Mercenary Group to safeguard their venture. Fisher committed three tenth-level strongmen along with a variety of other skilled mercenaries. Lion David contributed six elite tenth-level fighters and fifty others ranging from sixth to ninth levels. Pleti, ever the strategic thinker, added a legendary figure to their ranks.
The scale of the Wind Walker Joint Mercenary Group was formidable, over a hundred seasoned fighters, including a quasi-legendary figure and nine tenth-level warriors, under the leadership of the quasi-legendary Gavas. With such might, they felt confident dissuading any potential threats on their routes.
The structure of leadership was also quickly decided. While Pleti and the others had suggested that Logan appoint an Beastman as a deputy leader to represent his tribe, Logan had laughed off the idea. "With all deputy leaders being tenth-level warriors, sending anyone less than that, say a sixth-level warrior, who, by the way, would be my own grandfather, would hardly be fitting. And a fifth-level?
I wouldn't wish that on them, nor would they likely accept," he joked, ensuring everyone understood the gravity and prestige attached to their roles.
Thus, the formation of their caravan was not just a business decision, but a formidable alliance poised to transform the landscape of trade and security in their world.