Kays Translations

Chapter 17: Business meeting

“Thank you for coming all this way, Grace-sama. Your potatoes and mithril alloys are selling very well. The potatoes are especially popular among adventurers and some craftsmen.”

“I'm glad to hear that. After all, the aristocrats wouldn’t go anywhere near it. There'll be a lot of trouble, especially from the Azure chamber of commerce and even if you tell them that the potatoes will restore their magic power, they wouldn’t believe it.  As for the mithril alloy, they're probably studying how to make them?” 

"You're right Grace-sama. I don’t know if it's because the nobles are trying to save face with the Azure Chamber of Commerce, but they haven't shown much interest in the potatoes. But it's only a matter of time. Word of mouth is spreading rapidly and mithril alloys are being purchased with great interest by several blacksmith guilds. If any of them discovers how useful it is, it'll sell even more."

"Well, I'm glad to see that the product I brought is spreading in this city.”

As soon as I brought the new product, I was ushered into the parlor of the Harrison Chamber of commerce and had a business meeting with Edward. My bodyguard, Vigna, had to wait outside for some reason.

I think he heard it through Chris. Even my favorite tea and baked sweets had been prepared. I guess that's how valuable the goods I sold were.　

And when I mentioned the name of the Azure chamber of commerce, was it my imagination that Edward, who had been smiling up until then, raised his eyebrows for a moment? I didn’t know if it's because he has a bad relationship with the Azure Chamber of Commerce or not.　　If so, it's rather convenient. I have to get Edward to go beyond them

“So Grace-sama, you brought rubber this time... What is it used for? It's certainly more elastic than anything I know of."

As he said this, he touched the rubber plate I  brought with me. He's probably appraising it, but if he didn't have knowledge of other worlds, he wouldn't know what it was used for right away. In this world, it's currently only used as a ball for children to play with.

“I've got a finished product for you, if you'd like to see it please come outside.”

"No problem."

When I went outside with Edward-san, who looked dubious at my words, we saw a parked carriage and two girls were talking. They were Vigna and Chris.

"Grace-sama! I’ve been waiting with Vigna-chan. This is really amazing, but why aren't you talking to me, your exclusive merchant?”

"Chris, what are you doing?"

Chris talked to me in a very excited manner. I don't know how long she’s been friends with Vigna. Also, Chris-san is not my exclusive merchant. When I was wondering what to say, Edward-san who was next to me started holding his head.

“Well, I wanted Chris-san to see it too. She knows our traffic situation. so can you take a look at this carriage wheel?”

“Is this rubber wrapped around the wheel?”

“Yes, this reduces the damage to the wheels and absorbs shock. thereby making the ride more comfortable. They say seeing is believing. So, may I ask you to try it?”

"Oh, that sounds wonderful, I'll take your word for it."

So we got into the carriage and Vigna drove us off. Moreover, we didn't drive on a highway but on a slightly deteriorated road. 

“This is… the rubber's absorbing the shock? Wow!"

“Yes, it also protects the wheels and makes them last longer. The road to our place is rough and it seems to have caused a lot of trouble, so I made these for you right away.”

“It's true that the road is a pain in the butt when you speed and the vibrations are really bad. Edward-sama said he wouldn't charge Grace-sama for the carriage repairs so this is just right.”

"Chris! You should be talking to Vigna. But this is a great idea. It will improve the strength and comfort of carriages. This could be sold to the nobility. We can also use this as a starting point to push potatoes, which will give us more advantages.”

Edward seemed to be thinking about how to sell it as soon as I said it. However, he wasn't as surprised as he was with the potatoes and mithril alloy. That's right, those were revolutionary items, but this is just useful.

It's underwhelming, but I guess it was within my expectations. But don't be naive Edward-san, the real work is yet to come.

“So, Grace-sama, shall we decide how much you want to sell it for later?”

“No, what I'm selling this time is not the item, but the method of making it. I want to sell this "Slime Rubber" process to your business association.”

“What? You're not selling the product itself, you're selling the process of making it?”

“Yeah, it's called a tire, but it's just one of the ways to use the Slime Rubber. I believe you can use it for something more interesting.”

His eyes widened in disbelief at my words. Well, it's obvious, because I told him at the first meeting that I wouldn't tell him how to make those products, and if I told him how to make my products I wouldn't have any advantage. But It's fine this time. That's why I created it in a way that can be made in this world today.

“In return, there are two conditions. The first is that 10% of the profits made from the Slime Rubber products must be kept in my territory. The second is that when our territory becomes a city, we'd like you to set up a branch of your business association. It'll be easier for us to do business with you if we can talk to you in person when we do more business in the future.

I confirmed that Chris was listening in while chatting with Vigna and said it loudly. I wonder if this was a good start.　　

I may have knowledge about things, but I don't have much experience in business. I wanted a trading company that I could consult with about my territory at any time.

“Is that the extent of your requirements? Of course it's fine, but, don't you think there's a possibility that I'll betray you if I get the knowledge of 'slime rubber' from you?"

“I told you  I would trust you. I want you to think of this as proof of that. And I know you won't be foolish enough to break our partnership over a few bucks.”

He chuckled happily at my words, but not with his usual warm smile, but with a glint in his eye, like an adventurer who has found a treasure right in front of him.

Then we shook hands. And with that handshake I was convinced, he wouldn't betray me.

"I accept those terms. But I need you to do something for me... There's an upcoming social gathering of a small and medium-sized trading companies that I trust. I'd like to introduce you to some people. All of them have wide connections, so I think it will be useful to you.” 

"Yes, of course, I'll be bothering you then."

I nodded in a calm manner and shouted in my brain, "Yes! Apparently, he's going to introduce me to his trusted friends. If this goes well, my network will expand and my range of activities will increase. It would also increase my chances of getting Souzi's relics.

After the business meeting, we returned to the Harrison chamber of commerce to say goodbye.

“Thank you for all the interesting information you've given us. I'll definitely make use of it.”

“No, I’m the one who's been well received by you Edward-san.”

“Oh, by the way, I've told the town that I'm gathering residents for Grace-sama's territory. Immigrants may come someday. If you want to know their identities, please let us know, we'll look them up.”

"Oh, thank you very much."

After a while in the carriage, I saw that there was no one else around but Vigna and I screamed.

"Ya-hoo!”

“It must have gone really well. Congratulations."

"Yeah, this will make the Harrison Trading Company more powerful and higher in status. And I've earned the trust of the chairman of the board of trade there. It's so perfect it's scary.”

“Hai hai. But he might betray you.”

“No, he's not that stupid and even if he betrays me, it will happen then. Knowledge will still be available. Worst case scenario, we'll find a new business association. Well, using the World Library, I don't think that's going to happen. What were you talking about with Chris?”

“It's none of your business.”

“Oh, it's a girls' only talk. I'm sorry I asked.”　

For some reason, Vigna's face turned bright red at my words. I see and guess it was a secret.

“Hey, do you like the sweet or the less sweet baked goods?”

"Well, I like the sweet ones.”

"Hmm, then I'll make it for you next time.”

“Huh?”

You can't cook, can you? I'm afraid she'll kill me if I say that, so I keep quiet. I wondered what strange wind was blowing. As I was thinking, I heard a voice shouting, "Excuse us!”

"Grace, Someone’s there."

"Hmm? Is it a customer?"

As if the loose atmosphere from earlier had been a lie, her surroundings became tense and she put her hand on the sword at her waist. I followed suit and put my hand on the gun in my pocket.

"Hey, are you related to Grace-sama? I heard he’s recruiting residents here."

“Oh, that’s Good."

When I popped out, there were five men and women in plain clothes. Some of them seemed to be children younger than me. They seemed to be immigrants. It seems that Edward's call seems to have worked.

“I'm Grace, so I'd like to talk to you first.”

“Huh?"

When I got out of the carriage and called out to them, they shouted in disbelief. It seems they can't believe I'm royalty. Isn't that awful?

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