“Everything is within predictions, in other words.” [Ryouma]
“We’ve established a department that specializes in music boxes, and Dinome’s Workshop is also eagerly producing music boxes. The workshops at Kereban were also interested in, so we were able to greatly increase the number of craftsmen producing them.” [Serge]
“Greatly increase?” [Ryouma]
“The magic tool workshops of Kereban aren’t limited to just Dinome’s Workshop. He has his connections too and other workshops that he trusts. There are also workshops that have been struggling financially that he was able to buy up.” [Serge]
“This sure has turned into something crazy.” [Ryouma]
“These workshops and the apprentice craftsmen will all be placed under Dinome-dono, so the contents of their work and the management won’changed at all. It’s not really that big of a deal.
Currently, Dinome’s Workshop has successfully reduced its burden in producing music boxes, while other workshops have been alloted work, allowing them to deal with their financial issues. As for the sales of the products and the financing, please allow me to take care of that.” [Serge]
My deal with Dinome-san is that he will be the one to publicly appear as the developer of the music box. As long as he keeps that part of the deal, I have no right to say anything even if he merges companies or increases the number of craftsmen. If anything, being able to form a win-win relationship is something to be happy about.
“I believe this takeover will also bring much profit to you, Ryouma-sama. The magic tools that can be forged at Dinome’s Workshop are limited to the neutral, fire, water, and light elements. But with the introduction of more craftsmen under Dinome-dono, demand of other elements can now be met should the need arise.” [Serge]
I see. If Dinome-san keeps his end of the deal, it seems this turn of events will prove convenient to me.
“I believe it won’t be long before he asks you if there’s something you want.” [Serge]
“I guess I’ll have to think about it then. Should I use this opportunity to develop something new?” [Ryouma]
As food for thought, I could give him an idea and have him develop a magic tool. That idea would then given birth to another idea. …Eventually, I’m sure I’ll run out of materials, but for now, this looks to be an infinite loop.
Serge-san seems to have thought of the same thing, as he’s wordlessly smiling at me like that.
…Ah, I’m done.
“Gochisōsamadeshita.” [Ryouma]
“Oh? Done eating already? That was fast.” [Serge]
“I’m an adventurer, after all.” [Ryouma]
Spending too much time eating will quickly use up one’s lunch break and might cause one to miss out on his meal.
So I quickly eat while talking. It’s an indispensable skill I picked up while working as a salary man in my previous life.
“I’ll go buy some drinks. What would you like?” [Ryouma]
“Can I ask you to get me some of that ‘Barley Tea’?” [Serge]
“Sure.” [Ryouma]
I bought two cups of barley tea from the store and then came back.
“Sorry to keep you waiting. Here.” [Ryouma]
“Thank you very much. …Fuu… Ahh, this kind of tea is good too. It has a different aroma to black tea and herb tea, but I can’t get enough of it.” [Serge]
“I’m glad you like it.” [Ryouma]
“Still…” [Serge]
Serge-san glanced at my store.
“Your store sure sells a lot of strange things, Ryouma-sama.” [Serge]
Now that he mentions it, he’s right.
There are 8 products being sold at my store:
Water
Fruit Juice
Barley Tea
Reemiyen
Stir-Fried Vegetables
Dante Seed.
Sesame Pastry
Hot Dog
For water, juice, and barley tea… We’ve already prepared them beforehand, so it’s just a matter of pouring them. As for the other 5 products, they were picked out according to the results of the survey.
Of the stranger things among our products, there’s Barley Tea and Dandelion Coffee. Just as Serge-san said earlier, Black Tea and Herb Tea are most common in this country, and you won’t find any barely tea here. Dandelion Coffee might be a thing somewhere, but it’s definitely not something normal in this country either.
And then there’s Reemiyen. Due to the dangers and costs of travels, people aren’t able to travel to different countries as easily. Because of that, save for a very small group of entrepreneurs, most people would see foreign culinary as something unusual. Moreover, Fei-san and Leelin-san’s homeland, Zilmar, is a rather chaotic country that barely even engages in diplomatic relationships. Just recently, there were a lot of people who ordered Reemiyen out of curiosity.
And there’s Dante Seeds, which are a delicacy in one region, and Sesame Pastry, which is also a rare dessert. As such, 4 out of 8 of the products we sell, that is half of all of our products, appear as ‘strange’ to your everyday citizen.
This is the result of analyzing the survey we gave out during the social gathering.
“As expected, people will get tired if you just sell the usual. From the looks of things, it seems people order those 4 strange products the most.” [Serge]
When I looked around me, I noticed that he was right and many customers were indeed eating those unique dishes.
“Wow, so this is Zilmar Cuisine.” [Customer 1]
“Pasta mixed with soup… This is pretty unique.” [Customer 2]
“It’s hot. But it sure tastes good when paired up with this cold barley tea.” [Customer 3]
“So semisa could actually be turned into jam like this?” [Customer 4]
From the murmurs I heard around me, it seems the customers liked the products a lot.
“By the way, what will you be doing in the afternoon?” [Serge]
“The ice sculpture to be used on stage is due today.” [Ryouma]
Since Soldio-san started teaching me, I also found more opportunities to talk with the members of the troupe. I once mentioned I could sculpt something out of ice and they showed much interest. When I showed it to them in person, the leader of the troupe and the person responsible for building the stage was inspired, and the next day, much to my surprise, they handed me a written proposal which suggested to include the ice sculpture among the stage decorations.
The Semroid Troupe would will be displaying the performances of the sword dancers and the acrobats during the day, which required a lot of movement, so the ice sculpture will be brought in when the sun sets. It will be brought in during the evening when music was the focus in order to help set the mood.
“I’ve already prepared some magic tool lighting under the sculpture to light it up.” [Ryouma]
“My subordinates informed me. It seems like it’ll be quite a sight to behold.” [Serge]
“I plan to sculpt something that can be put on display, but as for whether I will have the leisure to watch or not…” [Ryouma]
“True. From the looks of things, I doubt you’ll be able to take your time. As far as business goes, though, busyness is a good problem to have.” [Serge]
We laughed and talked like that until we emptied our cups.
Tl Note: Extra chapter. Shoutout to all the patrons and donors that made this chapter possible.
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