Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 81: The Traveling Merchant’s Mind Goes Blank
Through betrayal, Marches had lost both one of his few valuable connections and his largest customer.
He possessed a large quantity of merchandise but had no means of selling it.
Tauro’s loan allowed him to pay the remaining price of the property, but unless he sold the goods still loaded in his wagon, he would soon be penniless again. Without a trading partner, his future business was equally bleak.
Tauro therefore made Marches another proposal: this time, they would travel to town together.
Their destination was Dareder, the capital of Count Dareder’s territory. The count also ruled Dansas Village, where Tauro and his companions lived.
The Damaski Company that had deceived Marches operated there as well.
It wasn’t a large firm, but it was reasonably influential within Dareder.
For an ordinary traveling merchant, a connection of that level had been unusually good.
Because of that influence, smaller companies that might normally deal with a traveling merchant would probably refuse Marches out of fear of pressure from the Damaski Company.
He needed a connection with a company even more powerful than Damaski.
Tauro decided to use one of his own.
“Marches, please take us to the Garfish Company.”
“The Garfish Company? That Garfish Company?”
“Yes. That one.”
“Tauro, even if we’re trying to counter Damaski’s pressure, a company that large won’t deal with an ordinary traveling merchant like me…”
Marches sounded discouraged.
“Let’s at least try. Giving up without doing anything would be a mistake.”
“Y-you’re right. Nothing ventured, nothing gained!”
Steeling himself, Marches headed for the Dareder branch of the Garfish Company.
“Why, Lord Tauro! Are you here on an errand for Master Giro Sugar today?”
When they arrived, an employee recognized Tauro and hurried out of the shop to greet him.
“That’s part of the reason, but today I’ve also brought someone and some merchandise that I would like to introduce to your branch manager.”
Tauro had previously delivered a special, one-of-a-kind Reversi board to this branch while posing as the apprentice of Giro Sugar, the craftsman favored by the company’s headquarters in the royal capital.
“U-understood. Please come this way.”
The employee immediately ushered both visitors into the back.
Marches had expected them to be turned away at the entrance. All he could manage in response was a stunned “What?”
His mind had stopped working altogether.
Headquarters had firmly instructed every Garfish branch to treat Tauro, Giro Sugar’s apprentice, with the utmost respect.
After all, Garfish alone handled the craftsman’s special boards.
Each board sold for an enormous sum, but their value to the company went far beyond the price. They also created connections with nobles eager to obtain them.
Every branch manager was made to understand that fact when called to headquarters.
Ed, the manager of the Dareder branch, had received lavish praise when he personally delivered one of Giro Sugar’s works to the royal capital.
Apparently, even the company hadn’t managed to determine Giro Sugar’s true whereabouts.
Ed had received a special bonus merely for reporting the contact.
Being able to see the craftsman’s work was also a privilege in itself.
The pieces were known throughout society as the elusive works of Giro Sugar. Simply seeing one was considered a miracle.
Ed had already viewed a single piece and had been captivated by its intricate carving and innovative design.
He had proudly told the branch manager in the neighboring town about it, earning that man’s envy.
Now it seemed Lord Tauro had brought another of his master’s creations.
Could the man accompanying him possibly be Giro Sugar himself?
Heart pounding with anticipation, Ed welcomed the pair into the guest room.
“How may I help you today?”
Ed opened the conversation.
As a greeting, Tauro withdrew a unique special board from [Magic Storage] and presented it to him.
“First, I’ve come to deliver a new piece.”
“This is magnificent…!”
Ed gazed at the work in awe.
“Is the playing surface made of metal?”
“Yes. My master said he decided to make this one a little more elaborate.”
“What an astonishing idea!”
Ed beamed, delighted to have something new to boast about to his fellow branch managers in neighboring towns.
“Now that we’ve covered that, I have another matter to discuss.”
“Oh? What might that be? Does it concern this gentleman?”
From his companion’s demeanor, Ed had already realized the man wasn’t Giro Sugar.
“Would the Garfish Company be interested in doing business with Dansas Village?”
“Indeed…? I’ve heard rumors about the village, but I understood that the Damaski Company handled its goods.”
Ed’s expression instantly became that of a merchant.
“The merchant who supplies those goods is this man, Marches.”
“Then let us discuss the matter in detail.”
Sensing a business opportunity, Ed leaned forward.