Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 116: The Gemini Chamber of Commerce
After winter ended, the nobles who had fled from Bianshu Town kept brooding over the lands that had been taken from them.
Some tried to return and demand their territories back from Owen, but the result was predictable—every last one was driven out mercilessly, told they had voluntarily abandoned their lands.
Realizing the lord meant business, these nobles had nowhere to vent their resentment. They gathered daily, making a pastime out of cursing Owen.
Unwilling to let their territories go so easily, they filed a collective complaint to Duke Eddie of Dongsheng Fortress, hoping he would back them and pressure Bianshu Town.
But Duke Eddie had no time for Bianshu Town’s affairs. He was preparing to send troops to meddle in the capital’s succession struggle, seeking his own advantage.
With Eddie’s attention turned toward the royal capital, Bianshu Town was left with a perfect chance to quietly develop.
Of course, developing a domain wasn’t so simple.
Sure enough, Clive came again to complain about the town’s finances.
“Marquis, you’ve already spent a fortune fighting the undead creatures, and now you’ve launched all these construction projects. Our finances are bleeding dry! At this rate, in just a few months, the treasury will be empty!”
Growth demanded heavy upfront investment, and Bianshu Town had already been consuming the Eisen family’s savings. At this pace, the reserves would eventually run out.
To break this cycle, Owen needed to find a way to sell Bianshu Town’s output as trade goods, then reinvest the profits into further development, creating a sustainable cycle.
Depending solely on local demand was unrealistic—Bianshu Town’s population was too small to consume everything.
“I know.”
Owen rubbed his forehead.
“I’m waiting for the people from the Gemini Chamber of Commerce. I wonder when they’ll arrive.”
“The Gemini Chamber of Commerce?!”
The mention instantly lifted Clive’s spirits.
“Marquis, do you intend to sell our recent products to them?”
“That’s right.”
Owen nodded.
The Gemini Chamber of Commerce was the largest trade group Bianshu Town could reach—powerful, well-funded, and led by an honest guildmaster, making them an ideal partner.
This chamber wasn’t a native power of the Dawn Kingdom, but belonged to the Moon Gorge Federation.
The Moon Gorge Federation lay across the eastern sea, made up of many islands. These islands were controlled by various large and small trade guilds, usually acting independently, but uniting against outside threats when needed.
It could essentially be seen as a vast merchant alliance.
The Gemini Chamber’s headquarters was Twin Island—two neighboring islands in the far north of the federation. Its proximity to the Dawn Kingdom’s eastern port of Laifeng made trade between them frequent.
Just before last winter, Owen had even commissioned them to purchase certain rare goods from abroad. By now, it should be about time for them to deliver.
At that moment, a guard knocked on the door and reported:
“Marquis, the president of the Gemini Chamber of Commerce has arrived with two attendants, requesting an audience.”
“Perfect timing!”
Owen stood up, delighted.
“Bring them to the reception hall, and have the kitchen prepare some sweets.”
After the guard left, Owen turned to Clive:
“Clive, get the samples ready.”
“Yes, I’ll see to it at once.”
Clive didn’t need further explanation—he knew exactly what needed to be prepared, and hurried out.
In the reception hall, Owen finally met the president of the Gemini Chamber, Heinte Masha, a woman merchant.
Doing business abroad was no easy task—constant travel risked bandits, and local bullies could obstruct trade. That’s why female merchants were so rare.
Let alone a successful one.
Heinte had a full head of thick brown curls. She looked around forty, with fine lines at her eyes and slightly rough skin—likely the marks of years spent traveling on the road.
The moment she saw Owen, Heinte immediately rose from her seat, smiling.
“We meet again, Marquis.”
“I’ve been looking forward to your arrival, President Masha.”
Owen replied warmly.
He walked over, gesturing politely.
“Let’s sit and talk.”
As soon as they sat down, Owen couldn’t wait to ask:
“About the request I entrusted to you before—did you manage to obtain anything?”
“To be honest, this was my first time handling such a commission. Fortunately, in the Star flame Kingdom we were able to purchase what you wanted from some adventurers.”
With that, Heinte glanced over her shoulder at the attendant standing behind her on the left.
That attendant quickly stepped forward and carefully set a clay jar on the table.
Placing a hand over the jar, Heinte introduced it:
“Inside here is a monster unique to the Lola Great Forest— the Corrosive Slime.”
Slimes were a type of low-level monster in this world. The most common variety was the Sticky Slime, found almost everywhere.
But in certain places, unique variants would emerge. For instance, the Corrosive Slime appeared only in the Lola Great Forest, northeast of the Star flame Kingdom.
“Oh! So this jar really contains a Corrosive Slime?”
Owen leaned forward, eager to take a look.
But just as he reached out, Heinte quickly stopped him.
“Wait, Marquis. Do not open the lid carelessly.”
“Why not?”
Owen asked.
“You can place your hand on the outer wall of the jar and feel for yourself.”
Following her instruction, Owen pressed his palm against the jar. He immediately felt faint vibrations—something like a mass of liquid inside, constantly swirling.
“What is this?”
He frowned.
“The seller gave us some important warnings. Right now, the Corrosive Slime is extremely agitated. If you open the lid recklessly, it may spray acid outward. If you were injured because of this, it would be our failure.”
“I see.”
Owen withdrew his hand, then asked,
“Why is it in such a state? And how should it be handled afterward?”
“Most likely the long, jostling journey irritated it. If it’s left alone for a while in a dark, quiet place, it will calm down.”
Heinte explained.
“You’ve clearly learned quite a lot from the seller. To avoid any danger, could I trouble you to write down all the precautions for me?”
“Of course.”
Heinte turned to her other attendant. That one produced a roll of parchment from inside his robes and handed it to her. She then passed it along to Owen.
“I anticipated that you might ask. These are the precautions I recorded beforehand.”
Unfurling the parchment, Owen read through it carefully. It contained detailed notes on handling the Corrosive Slime and its various requirements.
He nodded in satisfaction.
“As expected of President Masha—you’ve come thoroughly prepared.”
Heinte smiled again, replying politely:
“It is the principle of the Gemini Chamber of Commerce to ensure every client is satisfied.”
No wonder she had risen to become such a successful president of the chamber. Owen finally understood a little better.