Chapter 35: Lively

Chapter 35: Lively

Everyone rejected it. It seems like they are hesitant because its a business involving enchanting weight reduction magic.

Hmm.

Count Whiskers let out a sigh.

Should I have gone myself?

No, I also sent letters and met them in person, but even if you had met with the count, they would have likely refused.

Mages are all like that.

But Count, its quite chaotic outside. Whats happening all of a sudden?

Chaotic? Ive been overwhelmed with my recent work and havent received any reports. I was planning to handle them all at once when you returned, Steward.

Due to busy tasks, the count hadnt been receiving daily work reports. It was because the intermediate filter, the steward, had just gone on a business trip.

Knock, knock.

Count.

Whats wrong?

Ive come to report. Young Master Ethan has brought the mages and started the business.

Where did he bring them from?

He brought them from the Magic Tower.

Hmm, the Magic Tower.

Count Whiskers put on a pensive expression.

If they were mages from the Magic Tower, they were originally there for magical research. Such individuals usually didnt come out of the Magic Tower.

Then there wont be any proper mages among them.

If they were high-ranking mages, they would have already declined. Even if they were skilled mages, they wouldnt have accepted mediocre offers.

Even the magicians whom the steward had approached had all rejected the proposal, so it would be even more likely for the mages from the Magic Tower to do so.

Ethan was an excellent swordsman, but he wasnt a skilled administrator or merchant.

Moreover, he had been isolated for a long time, so he wouldnt be well aware of the realities outside.

Both the steward and the count considered Ethan to be exceptional in swordsmanship, but they thought it was limited to that field and accepted his limitations in other areas.

Perhaps hes disappointed because he doesnt have a single customer.

Thats likely. Swordsmanship has been flourishing so far, but its different when it comes to business.

Unfortunately, through this incident, his son would learn many lessons. There was much to be gained from failures as well as successes.

Thats how we learn.

Count Whiskers prepared to go to the market with the steward, both to comfort his son and address the issues caused by the business Ethan had started.

There there is still something to report.

Something else?

Well, theres a problem that has arisen due to the business initiated by Young Master Ethan.

A problem?

Of course, there were bound to be problems.

For now, it would be better for us to go out together. I will take the lead, Count.

* * *

The Market on the Whisker County.

This market was exclusively used by the residents of the territory.

Count Whiskers territory had very few external visitors.

The only place where they could encounter people from other towns was the magic item shop run with the support of Count Huntar.

The reason the market was not thriving was that Count Whiskers did not have any unique products to offer.

It was much better to go to nearby territories to purchase common goods. The prices and variety were not competitive enough.

Is this the right place?

It seems to be. Look over there! Isnt that him?

Yes, and I think thats a mage.

The count and the steward, upon arriving at the market, were astonished.

There were so many people.

It was unbelievable. They couldnt fathom such a large crowd in the market.

So many people here? Why?

Thats the problem I mentioned earlier. All the people here are customers who have come to Young Master Ethans Weight Reduction Enchantment Workshop. There are too many people, and its difficult to control the situation. Theyve requested assistance from the knights to maintain control

Wait a moment.

Count Whiskers interrupted the subordinate who was giving the report with a hand gesture.

So is the problem that the business is doing too well? Are all those people here customers of Ethans Weight Reduction Enchantment Workshop?

Yes, sir! Do you know this necklace? Its quite heavy. The effect is great, but its not preferred because of its weight. But with weight reduction enchantment? You get a weight reduction necklace with the same great effect!

Ill take one!

Me too!

Yes, yes! Thank you!

The weight reduction enchantment worked exceptionally well on heavy objects, and these effects were highly sought after.

Please come this way!

Please line up here!

If you stand in front of the mages, well perform the weight reduction enchantment on your items immediately!

The weight reduction enchantment workshop was bustling with people. However, despite the apparent chaos, there was a certain order to it.

Customers lined up in front of each mage, and the mages quickly enchanted the items brought by the customers.

The duration of the process varied depending on the type of item, but generally, the speed was impressive.

Armor took the longest, but smaller items were weight reduction enchanted in the blink of an eye.

That was why even with such a large crowd, they were able to handle it smoothly.

Are you saying that all of the customers are really here for the weight reduction enchantment workshop?

Yes, Count. Thanks to Young Master Ethans workshop, the market has become incredibly active. According to the merchants, they are selling several times more than before.

Hmm.

Count Whiskers couldnt believe the situation.

The signboard of the weight reduction enchantment workshop bore Count Whiskers seal.

It meant that the workshop was officially operated by Count Whiskers himself.

So people trusted it even more and flocked to the weight reduction enchantment workshop.

This grand establishment itself served as a certificate for the workshop.

Is it really my son who established this workshop?

Count Whiskers kept asking the question repeatedly.

It was hard to believe that his son had built such a workshop.

In his recent outing, Count had paid a hefty sum to purchase medicine that was said to be good for his health.

Counts goal was for his eldest son, Ethan, to regain his health enough to wield a sword like before, even if he couldnt use Whiskers swordsmanship.

He simply hoped for Ethans recovery to the point where he could swing a sword.

But that was just a recent event.

My lord, I hope Im not dreaming.

Smack!

The lord slapped Stewards face.

Thats hurt.

Its not a dream, Steward. My sons business is changing our territory.

Count Whiskers laughed heartily, his mouth splitting wide.

Father, youve come?

Ethan, who happened to be nearby, greeted Count Whiskers and Steward.

Some people have left, so its more relaxed now.

People have left just now?

Yes, today is relatively slow.

How many people usually come here? It hasnt been long since the workshop opened!

The count couldnt contain his excitement.

More people will likely come. I request your permission, as the Lord, to use the surrounding buildings.

More people will come? Are you saying that there will be even more customers here?

Yes, the mages I brought are currently only using the weight reduction enchantment. But I didnt bring them here just for that purpose. There will be customers who come to our territory for other reasons.

The count didnt fully grasp Ethans words, but he could at least understand that the mages Ethan brought were far more exceptional than the count had anticipated.

Therefore, he made a bold decision.

From now on, I entrust all the authority of this market to you, Ethan. Do as you please. Youve reached an age where you can handle it.

Count Whiskers spoke with a sobbed voice.

Im sorry I couldnt trust you.

You didnt trust me?

To some extent.

Ethan looked at Steward. Steward avoided his gaze.

Steward said you would fail. But truth be told, I believed in you, Ethan.

The count chuckled ambiguously and sold the Steward.