Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
 Chapter 144: Back in the Royal Capital
For both Tauro and Aeris, it had been a long time since their last visit to the Royal Capital.
“Thank you for bringing us all this way.”
Tauro paid the coachman the remainder of his fee and added a generous bonus for the ten-day journey.
“Take care of yourselves. And thank you for the business!”
The man pocketed the payment with a broad smile.
“I’ll remain here and find passengers for the return journey. Passengers wanted for Dansas via Dareder territory! Departure tomorrow morning! Anyone traveling in that direction?”
He wrote the route on a wooden board, raised it above his head, and began calling to the crowd at the carriage depot.
“What should we do first?” Aeris asked.
“We’re going to the Garfish Company. They agreed to act as an intermediary between us and the nobles.”
“Tauro, this is the Royal Capital. Garfish is a major company whose local branches can be difficult even for ordinary merchants to approach. Walking into its headquarters and asking for introductions to powerful nobles is far too reckless!”
A short time later, Aeris sat in a reception room inside the Garfish Company.
“Tauro! It’s been far too long!”
“It has, Mardai.”
Mardai Garfish, head of the company, had personally been waiting at the front desk after receiving Tauro’s letter. He immediately escorted them to a private room and shook Tauro’s hand.
Aeris could only stare.
At first, she had assumed the company was treating her favorably because the reputation of House Van Dyne extended even here. It was now obvious that Tauro and Mardai already knew each other well.
“This is Aeris, the daughter of House Van Dyne whom I mentioned in my letter.”
Tauro introduced her.
Aeris hurriedly stood and bowed.
“I’m Aeris. Thank you for receiving us.”
“I’m Mardai Garfish, representative of the Garfish Company. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
Mardai returned the bow with impeccable courtesy.
“What have you learned?” Tauro asked once the introductions ended.
“I have contacted several people about arranging meetings. Reaching nobles of this stature will require a considerable amount of money.”
“That can’t be helped. Make the necessary payments through the usual channels.”
“Understood. If you haven’t chosen accommodations, I can arrange those as well.”
“That would be extremely helpful.”
Aeris listened in amazement as the two discussed sums and arrangements with practiced ease.
“The scholar Sharga was the first person to answer the message,” Mardai continued. “He agreed to cooperate and introduced me to a count who commands the Royal Guard. I’ve already received a reply from the count himself.”
“The commander of the Royal Guard?”
Sharga was the scholar who had led the dungeon investigation in Dansas and openly called himself a fan of Tauro.
Tauro had hoped that Sharga might introduce him to a scholarly noble. A connection to one of the kingdom’s leading military figures was entirely unexpected.
“The count is highly influential within the military,” Mardai explained. “If you establish a relationship with him, he may be able to introduce you to others who would otherwise refuse to become involved.”
“Please arrange a meeting as soon as possible.”
“Of course. The count’s side was unusually eager to make time for you. I’ll propose tomorrow.”
Mardai moved to a writing desk, swiftly composed a reply, and sealed the envelope with wax. He opened the door and handed it to an attendant.
“Deliver this to the Royal Guard headquarters immediately.”
After the attendant departed, Mardai returned to his seat.
“Now, Tauro, there’s another matter. I heard from one of our branches that products registered under the name Giro Sugar were contracted to a local trading company. Garfish is indirectly involved in their distribution, but why was the principal contract given elsewhere?”
Tauro assumed he was referring to products such as the refrigerator and cooler, whose trade network involved Garfish even though the original arrangements had been made locally.
“…I apologize. You’re right that I owe the Garfish Company a great deal. In that case, what would you say to an exclusive distribution arrangement shared by Marches Trading Company and Garfish for the products I registered recently?”
The tension in the room eased, and Aeris looked visibly relieved.
“What kind of products?” Mardai asked, instantly wearing the sharp expression of a merchant evaluating a new opportunity.
“A magic lantern, along with tents and rainwear made from cloth that repels water.”
“Interesting. Let us begin with the lantern.”
Mardai glanced toward Aeris.
“My apologies, Lady Aeris. We’ve begun discussing business while you’re present. Would you prefer to be shown to your lodging?”
“No, please don’t worry about me. I’ve spent enough time with Tauro to be accustomed to conversations like this. More importantly, the lantern is remarkable.”
Her eyes brightened, and she began enthusiastically describing its beauty and usefulness on Tauro’s behalf.
Mardai listened with growing interest. Before long, the two were leaning toward one another across the table, exchanging questions and observations.
“But I’m the one who made it…”
Tauro watched in mild disbelief.
Even so, he was pleased. Aeris had been weighed down by fear for days, and the animated expression on her face showed that her spirits were finally beginning to recover.