Interlude 9
The Story of the Founding of the Tia Trading Company
Translator : PolterGlast
As an out-of-season
harvest festival, which had awaited Takuhir's return, was being held in
Teigoon, the members of a trade caravan who were visiting the Kyle Kingdom for
the first time to conduct new trade were half-dumbfounded by its grandeur.
"Hey, Halim, I
listened to your stories with only half an ear until I got here... but this
place is truly amazing. I can hardly believe this is a town that was just built
on the frontier."
"Yeah, actually,
me too. I thought it would be a small town at first, but the inside is on a
different scale. We're lucky to be able to trade with a place like this.
Yoltia-sama is truly a goddess of luck to us."
While smacking their
lips over a dish called curry rice, which was served as part of the festival,
the trade merchants who had come from the distant Principality of Fearalt spoke
with deep feeling.
The circumstances that
led them here could only be described as a strange twist of fate.
Halim was originally
just a humble street stall vendor in Salaam, a trade city on the eastern edge
of the Principality of Fearalt.
Half legitimate
business, half not-so-legitimate business. In a world where negotiation was the
norm in transactions, deception was also a negotiation tactic.
Halim had survived
desperately in such a world.
Then one day, he came
across the perfect target. A foreign woman, dressed for travel but neatly
attired, accompanied by four men who appeared to be her guards.
It's only natural for
the rich to give a share to the poor. A jar full of sugar, something ordinary
people couldn't even taste, and the woman said she would pay it as the price
for negotiation, as an information fee.
It is the custom of
this city to gratefully accept such offerings from the rich. If ten of my burly
comrades surround them, we should be able to fleece them easily.
Of course, we won't
take their lives. We'll just have them quietly hand over the sugar as an
offering to us poor folk.
This, too, is a
natural price the rich pay as a study fee to survive in this city. But the
woman said something completely unexpected.
『But, just between us, these people are all mages who
serve a high-ranking noble in the neighboring country... so don't you go taking
us to any strange places and angering them. They'll burn all the bad people to
a crisp. 』
...
That's right, force
isn't good after all. Picking a fight with mages and getting burned to a crisp
as our study fee... that's just not worth it... I changed my mind.
If that's the case,
there are still other ways. I know a few officials here who will move
conveniently if I let them sniff a little bribe.
If I inform on them as
having stolen goods and get them arrested, my share will decrease, but that
would also be an easy job. A foreigner wouldn't be able to prove their
innocence so easily. Eventually, they'd likely be released due to lack of
evidence, but the sugar would, of course, be confiscated in lieu of a fee.
This is how outsiders
learn the harshness of the world and study the art of living shrewdly. But...
『Our master is being guided by one of this country's
counts. If you're people who are plotting something bad with the officials,
those officials will also have their heads chopped off, so be careful. Even
when passing through the checkpoint, an official who demanded a bribe was about
to have his head chopped off, and our master had to hastily stop it. 』
...
What! Say that first!
It is true that I heard Count Flame was visiting this city and guiding a party
of honored guests.
Various information,
including such things, comes to us stall vendors. Utilizing it in business is
also one of a merchant's talents.
That Count was
originally a man who made a name for himself in the Royal Guard, and I hear he
is very strict about official corruption. Corrupt officials even fearfully call
him the "Decapitating Count."
Well then...
They've come all this
way, invited to this country. In other words, they're friends of this country,
and if so, they're my friends. I can't take a study fee from a friend.
After all, friends
must be cherished...
Let's do business
properly and receive the sugar. I'm not too keen on it here, but I suppose I
have no choice but to guide them to the boss of the underworld.
He's a greedier and
more insidious man than us, but I know for a fact that he holds the desired
goods. After all, he's the type of man who uses his power to buy up goods that
are likely to sell for a high price and waits for the opportunity to sell them
for many times the amount.
Since I get the sugar
just for guiding them, the outcome of the negotiation is none of my concern.
"Just guiding you
is fine, right? It's true there's a guy who has them, but business is
negotiation. I can't take responsibility for whether it goes well or not, you
know?"
"Of course! What
we want is that information. The moment you guide us and we find out the other
party has them, this deal is done."
"Then it's
decided. Follow me."
I guided them to the
boss's shop deep in the back alleys, reluctant on the outside but thrilled on
the inside. To make such a killing on such an easy job.
The boss here
ostensibly manages the stalls, shops, inns, brothels, laborers' placements, and
dispute resolutions in this city, but behind the scenes, he also manages
moneylending, extortion, and even greater crimes. He is one of the faces of the
city's underworld.
"Oh? It's rare
for Halim to introduce a customer. Indeed, I have Klimt scales, and top-quality
ones at that, but can you pay the price?"
Saying this, the boss
looked at the woman I had guided with a licking, sticky gaze. That's right, I
was so flustered I forgot. This woman is an exceptional beauty, and the boss is
an exceptional womanizer.
"Yes, I have it.
If you intend to make a fair deal, enough to have plenty of change left
over."
The woman wasn't fazed
at all. Either this woman is a complete fool, or she's been through quite a few
harrowing experiences.
"Let's see... I
wouldn't mind letting you have them, but we have various expenses too. 30 gold
coins per scale."
"Oh my? Did I
hear wrong? I feel like there's one too many zeros. Even with a little extra
added, wouldn't 5 gold coins per scale be a reasonable price?"
No, no, that's
impossible. There's no way that greedy man would sell at a fair price. Besides,
these are valuables that money alone can't buy.
"Hmph, depending
on the conditions, I might lower it to 20 gold coins per scale, but..."
"Five. I won't
budge on that. If you sell me 100 or more, I'll add something suitable as a
thank you. Wind magic stones, almost unobtainable in this country."
Saying this, the woman
took two magic stones out of a bag.
"I see... a woman
with quite a bit of nerve. We could just take both of those magic stones
without selling anything, is that alright with you?"
Saying this, the boss
raised his right hand. His subordinate men began to surround us in droves.
No, sister, this is
bad. We have no choice but to leave the magic stones quietly and go home. This
is the study fee for learning the rules of this city's underworld.
There are 30 men here
who aren't afraid to die and are strong-armed. Even with a few mages, the odds
are bad.
"Fufu,
Yoltia-san, shall we do this?"
Hey! What are you
saying! This man called Aral or something muttered quietly and is about to draw
his sword as if it were nothing.
Why is he laughing
happily in this situation?
"Well, I suppose
they reap what they sow."
The large man called Walrus
also sighed and smiled as he prepared to ready his greatsword.
Are they all crazy?
The other two men, far from being scared, even have faint smiles on their faces
and are taking up fighting stances. Faced with over 30 ruffians, not one of
them is shaken at all.
Please spare me from
getting killed as collateral damage. I started backing away alone, preparing to
flee.
"Well, leave it
to me. The negotiation has only just begun."
No, the craziest one
is this sister.
Negotiating with the
boss with these numbers? Impossible, yet she's smiling.
Despite being
threatened, she defenselessly stepped forward in front of the boss.
"A fun welcome.
But I don't recommend it. It would be a trouble for me if my important business
partner became just a head and couldn't do business anymore. Besides, it leaves
a bad aftertaste."
"Hahaha! Quite a
spirited sister, aren't you. I like you. 15 gold coins and those two magic
stones. I can't go any lower. However... well, if you accept my conditions, I
might lower it to 5 gold coins."
"Oh my, thank
you. I don't dislike a decisive man. What are the conditions for 5 gold
coins?"
"Nothing much,
simple really. Since we're here, let's have a contest. The stake is 120 scales
and you, sister, yourself. The winner of the contest takes them.
Fight one-on-one with
my subordinate, grappling. The one who surrenders, is pinned down, or becomes
unable to move loses. If the guard behind you comes out and wins, I'll make it
10 gold coins. If you come out, sister, and win, I'll make it 5 gold coins. How
about it?"
"Yoltia-san,
that's no good! He probably knows that magic can't be used well in close quarters.
Even more so if you're grappling."
The male guard behind
her stopped her.
"Walrus-san, it's
okay, leave it to me. I accept that challenge. Since I'm the one going out,
you'll sell me 120 at 5 gold coins."
Saying this, the woman
stepped forward without hesitation. No, absolutely a bad idea.
The boss has a
ridiculously huge, super-strong man. I've seen burly men getting strangled by
that man and screaming unsightly screams countless times.
"Hoh, not just looks,
but quite a bit of courage too. Seems like you'll need some discipline, but
that's part of the fun... Hey you, don't crush the bones like usual. This
sister has to keep me company thoroughly after this."
The boss is already
licking his lips, thinking he's won. As expected, that super-strong man came
out from his side, faced the sister, and they grappled hands.
Sister, it's over. I
couldn't watch anymore.
But just as I was
about to look away, something unbelievable happened.
The moment the boss signaled,
she ducked down. In that instant, the giant man flew through the air, let out a
loud scream, and was slammed spectacularly onto the ground on his back.
"Whaaa?"
The boss only let out
a cry of surprise, unable to move from his chair at all, his face pale.
"Now then, the
deal is done. As promised, I'll add the two magic stones too. If you break your
promise, I think you won't be able to move from there for the rest of your
life... you have no objections, right?"
"Ugh...
p-promise... I will keep it."
The boss somehow spat
out the words, looking in pain for some reason. I didn't understand the
meaning.
Why did the
super-strong man fly through the air as lightly as a feather?
Why was he slammed
onto the ground faster than falling?
Why can't the super-strong
man move a muscle?
Why can't the boss
move from his chair, looking in pain?
Ignoring my questions
as I watched from the side, the deal was concluded safely, and we somehow
managed to leave the boss's mansion.
"Well then, we
made a very good deal today. Here, as promised, this is the thanks for guiding
us, so take it. Your information was accurate. Please continue to help us if
anything comes up."
Handing over the jar
filled with sugar, the sister smiled. Crap, that smile is against the rules!
From this moment on,
in my mind, Yoltia-sama changed from a beautiful customer sister to a respected
"Big Sis" (Ane-san). And I fell for Big Sis's chivalrous spirit. Her
courage, her way of sticking to her principles as a merchant—it was the moment
I thought I wanted to be of use to this person in the future.
The opportunity to
grant that wish came first thing the next morning.
Big Sis visited my
stall again, handed me 10 gold coins as a deposit, and asked me to buy up
several specified spices within the range that double that amount could buy.
After that, until Big
Sis stopped by on her way back, my comrades and I split up and desperately
scraped together the goods. Of course, we bought up only the high-quality stuff
that high-end restaurants would stock, as cheaply as we could.
Because we were
particular about various things, the cost alone came to 20 gold coins, but
there was the favor of the sugar, and profit didn't matter to me anymore.
And so, when I went to
deliver the goods to Big Sis who stopped by Salaam on her return trip, she was
wide-eyed with surprise.
"Halim-san! I saw
various things in the Royal Capital too, so I know, but with this quantity and
quality, didn't the purchase price alone go up to about 20 gold coins? Are you
okay?"
"Well, you see, I
wanted to see the surprised face of the chivalrous Big Sis who took care of me,
so I unintentionally went all out. As promised, I hand them over for 20 gold
coins. But as expected of Big Sis. You can tell the quality of the materials
and the purchase price at a glance."
Big Sis's discernment
was also pleasing. I felt she properly evaluated my work as a merchant.
"But... are you
sure? I feel kind of bad."
Big Sis had a very
apologetic look on her face. So, I decided to take the plunge and reveal what I
had been thinking for some time.
"In exchange, I
have one request. We are humble street stall vendors, but we've decided to
start a proper business on this occasion. We plan to gather our like-minded
comrades and become trade merchants. Could we use your name, Big Sis, and call
ourselves the 『Tia Trading Company』?"
"Heh, so he's the
street stall vendor Yoltia was talking about. Since it's going to be a trading
company named after her, I have to order something too. You praised my wife, so
I'll give you 10 gold coins first as a celebration for the establishment of the
company."
Here, for the first
time, I became acquainted with the Demon Territory Count Solis. As expected of
Big Sis's husband, he's generous.
Wait... what did he
say just now? Wife? No way... Big Sis is a noble too!
To my surprise, the
noble continued.
"As a start for
the trade merchant business, could you continue to trade the same type of
spices as this time with our domain in the future? With 50 gold coins as a
deposit, and the rest settled upon arrival. You can properly add your profit
and transportation costs, and if you tell us various other information about
this country, things we want to know, I'll add even more to the reward. How
about it?"
"W-w-with
pleasure!"
50 gold coins as a
deposit! Moreover, it's the first time a customer has told me to properly add
profit and transportation costs instead of haggling.
I was so confused I
could only give a short reply.
We are humble street
stall vendors, but we still know to some extent the movements of this country,
the flow of business, and stories of not only the surface but also the
underworld. Are you saying you'll pay for that as an information fee too?
I have plenty of men
around me who are perfect for such things. So of course, that's no problem
either.
"Ah, sorry to be
sudden, but there are some food ingredients I found in the Royal Capital that I
want. Can I ask you to buy them as an additional order? I'll pay 20 gold coins
as a deposit for this too.
If you can make it in
time, why don't you return to the domain with us? We can show you the way for
future reference, and the outward journey will be passable without any
problems. I'll issue a pass for the return trip...
If you think you can
do it, we'll stay here another night and wait tomorrow, how about it?"
"Y-yes! I'll
gather them even if it kills me! Please let me do it!"
I jumped at this
business opportunity. I gathered my comrades and did everything I could to
manage it.
Time was precious, so
I also called out to that boss.
"Halim... Did you
actually jump into that woman's pocket? The Demon Territory Count of the Kyle
Kingdom, huh... I might let the goods flow cheaply, but there's a condition.
Establish a connection with the Demon Territory Count. And procure that sugar
for me too. Got it?"
For some reason, it
was strange that the greedy boss, pale-faced, let the goods flow at the market
price. That man is a merchant too, after all; he must have seen some kind of
business opportunity.
I somehow managed to
hurriedly gather the goods and my comrades, packed them into a rented cart, and
left the city of Salaam with the Demon Territory Count Solis's party.
This was the
establishment of the Tia Trading Company and the beginning of becoming the purveyor
to the Demon Territory Count of the neighboring Kyle Kingdom.
We formed a caravan
with experienced comrades, and thereafter regularly traveled to the Demon
Territory Count's domain loaded with large quantities of spices and products
from the Principality. On the return trip, we carry sugar, rice, and other
products from the Demon Territory Count's domain to Salaam.
We, the Tia Trading
Company, seemed to be on track to make a name for ourselves through this trade.
Everything we brought
back sold at a high price in Salaam, so there's no other business as efficient
as this. Furthermore, just by reporting information gathered by my comrades
about the internal affairs and rumors of the Principality to Yoltia-sama, we receive
a reward. This time too, we received a surprising reward as an information fee.
That's not all.
This town, which is
easy to live in, is highly popular among my comrades after just one visit, and
everyone is raising their hands to happily participate in the next trade trip,
even before we've started the return journey.
I understand that
feeling. I myself even thought about immigrating here.
I'm thinking of
setting up branches within the Principality of Fearalt and here in Teigoon, and
if I can do that, I'm thinking of putting down roots in the Teigoon branch.
I sincerely hope that
such a day will come eventually, grateful to Yoltia-sama every day.
-----
Thank you for my Patrons !!
[Platinum]
-
[Gold]
B random
DavidA
Nepheos
ShitaiNoKootoRyuu
[Silver]
Creris
Frédéric Bertrand-Hudon
Matthew Fraser
Xavier O'Donoghue
Anton Lim
aviel zaken
Ctdela
Curious Panda
nick nasca
openope
rads
SD Fox
Read Advanced Chapters only on my Patreon
-----
