The Man Picked up by the Gods – Volume 2 Chapter 43: Consultation on Opening a Business (Second-Half) (2/2)

“Ryouma-sama, the laundromat you came up with is truly amazing! Not only is it a new vein of income that no merchant has yet attempted, but your ideas are also new and unique, a new source of inspiration for the world of merchants! I, Serge Morgan, may not be the best, but I beseech you! Please allow me to aid you!” [Serge]

Wow! He’s really exaggerating this! Who would’ve thought things would turn out like this? At this rate, I wonder if it’s still going to be a small store… 

“T-Thank you very much. It’s reassuring to have you with me.” [Ryouma]

“You praise me too much, Ryouma-sama. Oh, right. I suggest you consider the land you will be building your store at.” [Serge]

Store!? I’m not planning on doing something that big!

“Hmm… Judging from your reaction, I assume you did not intend for things to become this big, Ryouma-sama?” [Serge]

“Yes. My original intentions were to make just enough to get by, so I was thinking a stand in some corner of the town would be enough, and from there I could just go from door to door. A store would take too much of my time, after all, and I won’t be able to continue being an adventurer.” [Ryouma]

“I see. But there’s no need to worry about the management. I can simply lend you some of my own people.” [Serge]

That’s obviously no good.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea to be relying on others even if it’s for a store…” [Ryouma]

Serge-san wryly smiled.

“Hmm… I’m starting to understand what the members of the duke’s family meant. Ryouma-sama, there’s nothing strange about leaving the management of a store to someone else.” [Serge]

Huh?

“While it’s true that a store owner normally starts out managing his store himself, eventually he’ll find himself in a position similar to mine where he is in charge of many stores. In that case, managing all of the stores alone will prove impossible, and choosing and raising capable people to manage the store on his behalf will become necessary. Do you think that’s strange?” [Serge]

Now that he mentions it… The managers in the chain stores of Japan were also just hired by the owners.

“You’re right. It’s not weird at all.” [Ryouma]

“Yes. Moreover, in this world there are people suited for management and people who aren’t. For the latter type, it would be better to hire someone suited than to try and forcefully manage the store himself.” [Serge]

“That’s… true.” [Ryouma]

“Of course, we don’t know which type you are yet, Ryouma-sama. Although you have good ideas and policies, so it seems as if you have the skill for it, but I don’t think you’re particularly skilled in seeing through people’s motives. After all, your face is like an open book.” [Serge]

Am I that easy to read!?

“Although you’re able to hide your thoughts better than those of your age bracket, but to an old merchant, you’re still too green behind the ears.” [Serge]

“I see…” [Ryouma]

And here I thought I had a good poker face back in my previous life… Was that just my imagination?

“Besides, it’s not like I’m lending my people completely out of good will. One reason I’ve offered them is because Reinhart-sama asked me to be an adviser to you when he first introduced us. Another reason is because of your future prospects.” [Serge]

“Future prospects?” [Ryouma]

“Yes. Ryouma-sama, despite your age you have already come up with various inventions. From the waterproof cloths and threads, to that iron ingot, and to various other goods. Even without Reinhart-sama’s introduction, I would still not be able to take my eyes off of you.

Moreover, the contents of our conversation suggests a huge profit. I could not possibly ignore that as a merchant. I will also be selling bags wholesale to your store, so please let me help you in your endeavor. If needed, I can also invest to help with your capital.” [Serge]

…If he’s going that far, maybe it’s alright? But, still…

“What happens when your investment doesn’t pay off?” [Ryouma]

“No merchant would be able to expand his business if he feared failure. Any merchant with a big enough store more or less knows how to take risks.

Moreover, I personally believe that your laundromat will prove most profitable. If things don’t work out, then you could just make it up to me by making ingots and waterproof cloths and threads. The costs of running the store are also significantly reduced thanks the slimes doing the laundry.

The odds of success are high, and in the case of failure, I can simply recoup my losses. I can’t imagine that you’re simply making stuff up too. So, with all that, this is quite possibly the best trade deal in history. Nary a merchant would turn down such a deal.” [Serge]

I see… I could certainly make money if I make iron ingots…

“Alright. I’ll be in your care then.” [Ryouma]

“You’re willing to work with me?” {Serge]

“Yes, but please allow me to refuse the extra capital. I currently have enough thanks to the bandits I subjugated in the past.” [Ryouma]

“What about the personnel?” [Serge]

“I’ll leave that to you. Also, please allow me to purchase the bags that the store will be using. As for the ingots, I’ll bring them over later when I have the time. The abandoned mines were entrusted to me, so I was originally planning on making them anyway.” [Ryouma]

Like this my conversation with Serge concluded, and after purchasing the bags from a happy Serge-san, I exited the store.

 
 
 
 
 

Walking along the dark road, I returned to the inn, but for some reason, the ojousama was there waiting with an aura of wrath about her.

“Ojousama…?” [Ryouma]

“What were you doing out this late, Ryouma-san? I was so worried…” [Elialia]

When the ojousama suppressed her anger, she suddenly broke down in tears.

Apparently, the incident yesterday with a goblin king making an appearance caused the ojousama to worry grievously.

I’m sorry.

I knew I was in the wrong, so I just quietly received the ojousama’s scolding as she cried. After a while the ojousama finally got tired of scolding me, and just said she was going to sleep. I watched the ojousama leave as the maids took her away.

“My deepest apologies for causing you to worry.” [Ryouma]

“Enough of that. Elia scolded you plenty already.” [Elize]

“We really were worried, though.” [Reinhart]

“Be careful next time, alright?” [Reinbach]

“Yes. I’ll remember.” [Ryouma]

“So, what were you doing out this late?” [Elize]

I told them that the carriage broke down and I went to Serge-san’s store.

“You were at Serge’s store? I guess that means you’ve thought up a new job?” [Reinhart]

“I’ll probably be coming home late tomorrow too. I know I was just scolded, but…” [Ryouma]

“As long as you tell us beforehand it’s fine. So, what are you planning on doing tomorrow?” [Elize]

“I will be going with Serge-san to the merchant guild to register. My original plans ended up getting bigger while we were discussing, so we’re going tomorrow to the merchants guild to register me.” [Ryouma]

“What? Weren’t you planning on just making enough to get by?” [Reinhart]

“That is what I was planning, indeed, but Serge-san insisted it would be best for me to open a store.” [Ryouma]

“A store? Your discussion developed that far?” [Reinbach]

“Apparently, Serge-san thinks it’s that profitable. He even offered to provide the employees.” [Ryouma]

“Serge said that, did he? When is the opening?” [Reinhart]

He just nonchalantly asked about the opening day! And here I thought he’d be shocked.

“I don’t know much about stores yet, but aren’t you guys shocked? An 11 year-old kid just told you he’s opening a store, you know?” [Ryouma]

“There’s no age restrictions, and there are kids your age who have stalls of their own. There are some who tend to normal stores too.” [Reinhart]

“Of course, there aren’t actually any 11 year-olds with a store of their own, but it’s you we’re talking here, so…” [Reinbach]

“Ryouma-kun, you’re not like other kids. And since Serge gave his approval, it should be alright. But if anything happens, you have to rely on us, alright? And make sure you don’t forget to keep in touch with us.” [Elize]

Is this really alright?

“I understand.” [Ryouma]

I went back to my room like that, not wholly understanding what happened, then I had the remaining slimes from yesterday split, and formed contracts with them.

My slimes currently numbered as follows:

Sticky Slime x907
Poison Slime x666
Acid Slime x666
Cleaner Slime x22
Scavenger Slime x3033
Heal Slime x2
Metal Slime x1
Slime x1

The sticky slimes have broken through 900. They should be reaching 1000 soon.

The poison slimes and the acid slimes are numbered the same. 666 sure is an ominous number, though…

It’s good to see the cleaner slimes doubling their numbers. Moreover, perhaps because of yesterday’s incident, the slimes have gotten stronger too.

The slimes learning Physical Attack Resistance while in the big or huge forms is one thing, but I never thought the slimes would actually learn staff techniques, spear techniques, and taijutsu.

I did teach them various stuff, but I never thought they would actually be able to gain these skills. I should try teaching them various new stuff from now on…

 

Tl Note: Haven’t uploaded the new PDFs/epubs yet. Tomorrow.


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34 responses to “The Man Picked up by the Gods – Volume 2 Chapter 43: Consultation on Opening a Business (Second-Half) (2/2)”

  1. barbaricbob Avatar
    barbaricbob

    “you’re still too green behind the ears.”

    Shouldnt it be you’re still too green. Or wet behind the ears?
    I never heard those sayings like that before

    1. Phoenix Avatar
      Phoenix

      It’s a different world though, maybe that’s the saying over there? OR he’s mixing metaphors in his excitement.

  2. Rain Avatar
    Rain

    Thank you for the update. As BarbaricBob mentioned “you’re still too green behind the ears” is two sayings mixed together.

    1. Baelmung Avatar
      Baelmung

      Not entirely in germany its the literal translation of that with the english meaning of wet behind the ears one.

  3. Kuro Avatar
    Kuro

    Slimes with taijutsu?… Ha.Ha..

  4. 5d100 Avatar

    Thanks for the chapter
    Lali~ho!

  5. CCaprice Avatar
    CCaprice

    Thanks for the chapter.

  6. ThePlaneskeeper Avatar

    Thanks for the chapter!

  7. GM_Rusaku (@ narou-tl.com) Avatar

    Thanks!!!
      + +
     +     +
       ∧_∧ /
    +  ( n ´ ∀ ` n NEPUUUUU~~~♪
      /  ノ \
     +(__)_)+

  8. Slicktrick Avatar
    Slicktrick

    To the slimes, Ryouma must look like their lord and savior

    1. Thibault Berthier Avatar

      welcome to the “Lord of the Slime”

  9. Daiz71 Avatar

    Thanks

  10. LK Avatar
    LK

    Thanks for the chapter and please keep up the good work (^-^)

  11. Creative Boundaries Avatar

    Thanks for the chapter
    You are playing with the devil’s number there, was it intentional?

  12. kariageweb Avatar

    Thanks for the chapter! 🙂

  13. sfcipher Avatar

    Thanks for the treat.

  14. Cutie Meow Avatar
    Cutie Meow

    Thanks~

  15. deadbybored Avatar
    deadbybored

    thanks for the chapter <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

  16. datvincent Avatar

    I dont get this guys, why is it so hard to understand everything he is told? I get that he has a almost no emotional intelligence, but how come one minute he seems smart and the next he is amazed by the revelation that store managers arent always the owners of the store?

    1. caudyr Avatar

      Been awhile since the post, but I felt I should comment.

      He’s coming from a life where he was basically forced to do almost everything himself because he couldn’t really trust others to do it due to his experiences…even when he had subordinates they seemed to be fairly useless.

      I do feel he makes some stupid decisions as well, but…I feel like I can at least somewhat understand the logic behind his train of thought here. Especially since as someone below this comment said, people like this really DO exist, lol.

  17. Kai Avatar
    Kai

    Thanks for the chapter
    I just hope when he have his store managed by others and his cleaner slime splits, the ones who aren’t contracted will not become wild.

  18. kaminokitsune Avatar
    kaminokitsune

    Hehe, Elialia is already acting like his little wife ^w^

    “Of course, there aren’t actually any 11 year-olds with a store of their own, but it’s you we’re talking here, so…” [Reinbach]

    *but it’s you we’re talking about here, so…

    Thank you for the chapter!

  19. Godric Kharg Avatar

    Cleaner Slime x22

    I thought it’d be higher… but it WILL be soon enough… lol

    I suddenly have this image of the slimes trained to accept the copper coins in a systematic way while cleaning the clothes AND coin… holding them safe not unlike a coin laundrymat… lol

  20. darkLoki Avatar
    darkLoki

    Thanks for the chapter. He is a collector of slimes

  21. Kowtang Avatar
    Kowtang

    Man, If it was me several months ago I would think that someone like Ryouma aren’t exist but, fact is stranger than fiction, there are actually people who always do things on there own and don’t even think about employing someone to help lol…

  22. Fiery Vesper Avatar
    Fiery Vesper

    Can I has slimes too? 🙇
    Every problem can be solved with slimes. 🙎

    1. Hong Meng Avatar
      Hong Meng

      All you need is some snot and you got what you want.

  23. Tiffany Rivera Avatar
    Tiffany Rivera

    Anyone else think he shouldn’t have been scolded for arriving late at the Inn? Although they all know each other now, Ryouma is not actually their child and and he’s lived by himself for 3 years. They have no right to dictate a curfew and or anything like that. Elialia went too far and her mother/family allowed it. She’s not actually his wife. I don’t know. Just when people who try to push stuff on me what pops into my head is “I do what I want!” and “You’re not my real dad!” lol

  24. Joseph Massie Avatar
    Joseph Massie

    So where did the single regular slime come from?

    1. Caudyr Avatar
      Caudyr

      Didn’t he mention that he was going to try and make a slime evolve into a Metal Slime, to confirm the evolution criteria? This slime is probably for that purpose.

  25. Jay Avatar
    Jay

    “..in Germany It’s the literal translation of the english…”
    Jup. Completely approved!👍 As an actual german I didn’t even think about it twice, ’cause from childhood on It’s been such a common phrase… In actual – the names are even better, especially “Reinhardt” and “Reinbach” 🤣 these two old fashioned names connect them even more as father and son than anything else…
    Also, “Sebasu” (maybe from “Sebastian”?!) It’s such an cliche name for a butler – you just HAVE TO wholeheartedly LOVE it!! But then again, maybe I’m just reading too much into it…

    P.s.: Sorry at Baelmung, if I may have sent my comment as personal reply…

  26. Claire Gardner Avatar
    Claire Gardner

    Also, and minor spoiler here,

    Spoiler
    the gods will later tell him that his mind is being affected by his body. In other words, he is literally regressing. That’s one of the reasons why he is apparently so easy to read now compared to his stern poker face from his previous life.

  27. Claire Gardner Avatar
    Claire Gardner

    I want to see a chapter from the slimes’ perspective. About them being scared and weak, then meeting a human child that just wants to feed them and make them strong.

  28. Tam Avatar
    Tam

    Honestly, its a pity not to see the skills of the slime.
    While it is hard to compare the new skills of you dont know which Level they Had before

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