In any case, I have to do something about Serge-san…
“I’m sorry. I have a tendency to go on and on by myself… I meant no offense.” [Ryouma]
“Oh, no! Not at all! I was just a little bit surprised, Ryouma-sama. You’re only 11 years old and yet you keep coming up with one brilliant idea after another.” [Serge]
That’s what he’s surprised about!? …Oh, right. I just remembered again that I currently look like I’m 11. A kid who could think up all this stuff would probably surprise anyone… After all, there are parents who would dance in joy just seeing their babies stand up, but there’s barely anyone who would praise an adult for doing the same thing. In the same vein, my actions probably seem a lot more amazing to this guy.
That being said, it’s not like I actually thought everything out carefully… I just did some simple calculations that are probably full of holes, and…
Wait a moment.
Do they have discounts in this world?
“Umm… Aren’t discounts a thing?” [Ryouma]
“Not normally, no… They’re mostly given to better one’s reputation to a certain customer or to quickly sell out one product. Extensive discounts would only bring losses, so it’s not really a thing.
Sometimes discounts are used to get rid of a customer, and then there are cases when deceitful stores raise the prices unreasonably high, and then cut them down and call that a discount, when in fact the price is still higher than the market price.” [Serge]
Erm… He seems to be telling the truth.
“I highly recommend that you join the merchants guild, Ryouma-sama.” [Serge]
“The merchants guild?” [Ryouma]
“Yes. There’s a branch in this town, so you’ll be able to register anytime. The merchants guild varies from country to country, but each and every one of them control all the peddlers, stalls, and carts within their country. If you’re going to be doing business, then you will have to pass through the guild.” [Serge]
Eh!? Then…
“Does that mean what I was planning was actually illegal?” [Ryouma]
“Oh, no. The merchant guilds might manage the businesses within their respective countries, but it’s not like they actually manage every single transaction. For example, they don’t manage the transactions when two border towns try to sell to each other, or when a traveler sells the herbs he picked up along the way to a drug store.
Another example is when children or adventurers take on odd jobs to make small change. If the amounts involved aren’t too big, then nothing illegal is going on, especially if both sides are willing.
Unfortunately, I don’t believe the business you intend will result in merely small change. Odds are that you’ll end up attracting the guild’s attention.” [Serge]
“That was close… Thank you, Serge-san.” [Ryouma]
“Not at all. If anything it seems I’ve still been looking down on you, Ryouma-sama. I never expected that you would have thought through your store’s management so thoroughly. I thought for sure you were only trying to make small change, so I forgot to mention about the registration too.” [Serge]
Actually, you got it right… I wasn’t really thinking all that deeply, but whatever… let’s just roll with it.
“So, it seems I’ll have to join the merchants guild, but I’ve already joined the adventurers guild and tamers guild. Will that be a problem?” [Ryouma]
“Please rest assured. I shall recommend you when you register, so there should be no problems. Being able to hold more than two guild positions will allow you more avenues to gather information as well, so if anything this is actually something to rejoice about. If you’re free, we could register as soon as tomorrow. I would be going with you, of course.” [Serge]
“I still have adventurer work tomorrow, so when I come back it’ll be around this time.” [Ryouma]
“That’ll be fine. The merchants guild has several personnel, so we can go through the process anytime. After all, to a merchant, information is life. And that information must reach them before it expires lest lose its value.” [Serge]
They’re open 24 hours?
“In that case, if it’s no trouble with you, would you please accompany me?” [Ryouma]
“It would be my greatest pleasure!” [Serge]
Woah!?
Tl Note: Short chapter part today because I am exhausted. I left early, around 5:30 AM, and then came home at like 7 or 8 after walking nonstop the whole day. So, umm… Yes. I Will post the rest of the chapter tomorrow. And then maybe one more chapter part just to make up for the lack of chapters in the past two days.
Oh, and in the previous chapter it was Serge’s eyes that went big and stiff. Typo.
Leave a Reply