Chapter 535 – Business Negotiation with the Queen

Since this involved business negotiations connected to the Labyrinth Trading Company… we set aside time for discussions with Queen Eldorene, including Alfred and Miriam, along with Viola and Princess Elharm, as well as the Dwarf craftsmen.

There were various topics to discuss, but we decided to start with the handling of Grantios’s specialty products. The Dwarves seemed somewhat excited as they spoke.

“No, that liquor is truly magnificent.”

“Indeed. Absolutely.”

The Dwarf craftsmen unanimously praised the ocean-aged liquor with both hands raised.

“I also tasted it before asking for everyone’s evaluation. The consensus was that it’s delicious.”

Miriam gave a wry smile at the Dwarves’ reaction.

“Well, it’s certainly pleasing to receive such high praise. We’ve reached an agreement to receive the Duke’s territory liquor, age it, and then ship it out… but we’d like Termwills to handle it as well. Although we’ll discuss the specific conditions later with Duke Driscoll’s representative, I wanted to meet the Labyrinth Trading Company’s proprietor directly to greet them.”

It seems Grantios wants Magic Stones, so if this strengthens connections with Termwills, they actively want the ducal family to facilitate trade.

For me too, since this strengthens ties between Verdgar and Grantios, it should be welcomed from the perspective of the Otherworld Ambassador and the Labyrinth Trading Company’s principles.

“I’m honored. Personally, I’d be very happy if we could handle that liquor at our trading company.”

Miriam bowed respectfully. Her etiquette was perfect, suggesting ample experience negotiating with upper-class clients. This aspect shows why Alfred trusts her.

Queen Eldorene’s expression softened as she nodded at the response, then proceeded with the discussion.

“Next… it’s about the coating used in Grantios’s building materials, I suppose. According to Duke Driscoll and the Ambassador, they mentioned it might have high utility value on the surface as well.”

“Preventing weapons and building materials from being damaged by seawater and sea breeze—is that it?”

“Indeed, there would likely be high demand in coastal areas. I think it could be used for ships too.”

Miriam showed a thoughtful expression with her hand on her chin, and Alfred also spoke with admiration.

“Magic Stones are necessary to produce the coating. For Grantios, it’s essentially a necessity.”

“So to increase production, we’d need to reflect the cost of importing more Magic Stones in the price?”

“This is something I and the Water Guardians create using Magic, so I won’t be too greedy about it. For us, it’s enough if we don’t sell below cost. More importantly, I consider it more important for your country to receive the benefits of Grantios’s specialty products and become familiar with our nation.”

I see. Since there’s flexibility in pricing, she wants to use it for friendship rather than profit.

“If that’s the case, I’d like to reflect Your Majesty’s intentions as well.”

Miriam replied and exchanged smiles with Queen Eldorene as they shook hands. Hmm. They seem to be getting along quite well.

For Miriam, this probably means keeping intermediary margins as low as possible. While transportation costs and other necessities would have to be added, she seems intent on strictly maintaining an intermediary role.

“Well, that should cover the specialty products. Regarding the water spider silk and textiles, distribution channels are already established, so even though we’ve become acquainted with Your Majesty, handling them here might cause resentment.”

“Hmm. That might be true.”

Queen Eldorene nodded as if convinced by Miriam’s words. Business relationships among merchants must also be considered, it seems.

“Then, leaving detailed discussions for another day, shall we talk about the chessboard?”

Miriam directed the conversation to the Dwarves and took out a chessboard from their luggage.

“Oh, chess! I’ve played it too, and it’s deep and interesting. When I returned to Grantios, I inquired about its reception, and it seems quite favorable. Particularly, the military officers are quite enjoying it.”

Ah, that’s wonderful. With that, the path to popularization in Grantios is established, so now we need to consider various ways to popularize it in Verdgar as well.

“We’ve played it too, and it was certainly interesting. However, the pieces the Ambassador made have quite elaborate decorations.”

“Indeed. And the expressions on these Goblins…”

“It’s as if they’re alive. It reminds me of when I fought those fellows with an axe in my youth.”

The Dwarf craftsmen held the chess pieces up to the light and generally seemed quite excited. Particularly the Goblins, perhaps because they often oppose Dwarves, were receiving unusually good reactions.

“However… while we too prefer such detailed work, whether it’s wood carving or stone sculpture, the more elaborate it becomes, the more it seems like a high-quality item.”

“To lower the price, using molds or simplifying might be good options.”

“Hmm. Molds sound good.”

High-quality items could be handled by craftsmen as one-of-a-kind pieces, but for mass production, I don’t think we need to be so attached to the original form. Setting that as our policy should make adjustments easier.

But… simplification might be something the Dwarf craftsman spirit would prefer to avoid if possible.

In that case, creating molds and producing from them would allow for detailed decorations while controlling manufacturing costs, which might be acceptable aspects. That way, individual craftsmen’s characteristics could still emerge, and motivation would likely remain high.

“Then… yes, I think if there’s a fitting reason to represent the pieces’ movements and roles, we could replace them with different monsters. For example, unifying them with sea monsters. By adding symbols or letters to the bottom of the pieces, even if appearances differ, roles would be clear, reducing confusion.”

“Hmm. In that case, people could bring together pieces with different appearances to play. As long as complete sets are available.”

“Then… we’d need to standardize board size and set maximum dimensions for pieces.”

The Dwarves seemed to be enjoying themselves, debating this and that. At least a path toward an affordable version seems to be emerging. I get the feeling collector elements are appearing too… we’ll see how that goes.

“Theo-kun, you mentioned wanting to spread a common game between land and sea, right? For that, turning the molds into Magic Tools might be good. If we can change materials like glass, wood, and stone according to location, it would be convenient.”

“Ah, definitely. So, having molds made, turning them into Magic Tools… then producing and selling pieces from them—that might work well.”

I nodded at Alfred’s words. Magic Tools that generate pieces according to molds and materials… hmm. Applying Golem creation techniques, making them into Magic Tools shouldn’t be too difficult, right? I’ll try composing the Spell Formula right after this.

That should cover chess. Next… oh, right. We need to create armor and Magic Tools fitted for Weltes and Eckels, so we should take their measurements.

We finished discussing various matters, including the Demon-Slaying Knight Order’s armor and new Magic Tools.

Queen Eldorene also seemed relieved, as all necessary discussions with Termwills were now complete.

After this, there was talk about inviting the Grantios members to the Fire Spirit Hot Spring and botanical garden once King Melvin’s matters were settled, to entertain them. I have no objections to that either.

Since King Melvin will join us at the Fire Spirit Hot Spring after his duties, let’s take a carriage to the hot spring town.