Chapter 186 – Merchants and the Past

Miriam seemed to have plenty of work – securing a storefront, developing sales channels, finding craftsmen for tool production, and so on.

“…What should we do? It’d be difficult for us to consistently deliver manufactured goods.”

“We have other priorities ourselves,” Alfred noted.

Alfred and Viola were occupied with developing communication devices and dealing with demon-related work. Therefore, for sales purposes, they needed to secure artisans for production.

“Regarding that matter, I believe we can have artisans introduced through the Commerce Guild. We’d hire them to work here… Well, I’ll select those who are trustworthy. Of course, ordinary artisans wouldn’t be able to handle the core components of magic tools.”

“Magic tools inevitably become quite expensive when sold… and we probably won’t be delivering large quantities, so I think we can manage.”

“If it comes to that, I’ll help out too,” Talcott offered.

Alfred gave a wry smile and nodded.

Now then. The Commerce Guild apparently had agreements among its members covering various matters – sales prices, profit shares, confidentiality of technical information, product quality control, training successors, and so on.

Ignoring these would apparently result in being ostracized by the Commerce Guild and losing access to their services.

Not that being expelled meant you couldn’t do business at all, but being isolated would create various inconveniences in production, procurement, and sales.

Although I’m not a Commerce Guild member myself, if there are established rules, I don’t mind following similar arrangements with Miriam. From my perspective, as long as I can distribute items I make without too much trouble, that’s sufficient for supplementary income.

After roughly deciding what needed to be settled, I thought that would conclude our discussion. But then Miriam said something somewhat unexpected.

“What do you think about engraving decorations or… designs onto the products to indicate they’re creations of the Ambassador?”

“Designs?”

“I enjoy rare and novel things, so I recently visited the theater. I’ve also heard about the Boundary Theater’s philosophy. I was thinking that while selling products, we could incorporate that philosophy into the designs. What do you think?”

…I see. If the products become popular and people have opportunities to learn about the design’s origins, it would automatically serve as enlightenment activity. It would also function like a brand logo – not a bad idea. As long as we maintain strict quality control, it should work to our advantage.

“That’s an interesting proposal. I’ll give it some thought.”

“Thank you. Then once I’ve decided on the store location, I’ll visit again to report. Let’s see… probably by the day after tomorrow, I’d say.”

Considering the convenience of communication with me and Alfred, she seemed planning to establish her store in the Eastern District. Well, once it opens, I suppose she’ll be our neighbor.

“Understood. I’ll prepare the designs by then. Here’s my address.”

I wrote my address on paper and handed it to Miriam. From her, I received a paper with the location of the inn she’s currently using for contact purposes.

With our discussion wrapped up like that, we left the assembly hall. Miriam’s steps through the corridor were light, and even to an observer, she seemed highly motivated, almost elated.

Well… having high motivation is nothing but beneficial from my perspective. Alfred and I exchanged glances and shared wry smiles.

“—Oh my. Isn’t that Miriam?”

Just after leaving the assembly hall, a man called out to Miriam.

“…Dexter.”

Miriam slightly furrowed her brows.

“So you’re back in Termwills. What are you doing in a place like this?”

The man called Dexter gave a thin smile.

“None of your business. Would you mind leaving me alone?”

“Is that so? While you’ve been wandering around playing at being a traveling merchant, I’ve settled down in Termwills and been making quite a profit.”

Dexter shrugged his shoulders as if showing off his attire.

…Indeed. He was dressed in fine, well-tailored clothes like a noble or something.

But somehow, from his expression down to every mannerism, he lacked refinement. He didn’t have the martial elegance in his movements like Miriam did.

Somehow, he gave me a similar impression to Byron or others like him.

“…Excuse me. Let’s go.”

Miriam seemed to have decided to ignore Dexter, walking together with us toward where the carriages were parked.

Miriam’s carriage appeared to be a covered wagon for traveling merchant use. My carriage, Alfred’s carriage. And then… this gold-plated one with tacky decorations must be Dexter’s carriage. Truly lacking in taste.

“What was that about?”

I asked while glancing sideways at Dexter, who was still watching us with a thin smile.

“Someone I met when I was traveling with a merchant caravan in the past… Well, various things happened back then. I turned down a proposal he made, and ever since, he’s been like that whenever we meet. Since I’m rarely in Termwills, it hasn’t been much of an issue until now.”

But if she establishes a store in Termwills, the situation would likely change.

“…Is there a possibility he might harass you going forward?”

“Even so, he is technically a Guild member, so I doubt he’d directly interfere with business…”

“The old-timers in charge have old-fashioned values and particularly dislike things like bribery,” Alfred added in explanation. “Being a mutual aid organization, he’d likely be targeted by the Commerce Guild if he tried.”

“My apologies for my past indiscretions. If this causes you trouble, we could reconsider this arrangement—”

“No. I think someone like Miriam-san would be hard to find even if we searched. I wouldn’t reconsider over something like that.”

When I answered, Miriam quietly bowed her head.

“He could hide his connection and have underlings do the harassing… that might be possible… right?” Alfred said.

“I do have self-defense training… I think I can handle that sort of person.”

Saying this, she took something out from her luggage. It appeared to be Miriam’s weapon.

A whip… and clearly a combat whip at that. The tip was made of metal, looking quite lethal.

“…I see. In any case, if you encounter any difficulties, please consult with us.”

“Thank you.”

Miriam bowed deeply, then got into her covered wagon and returned to her inn.

“What do you think?”

“Seems troublesome. That type tends to be persistent.”

Alfred’s expression darkened. Well, maybe I should look into his movements a bit.

After that—I returned home after spending some time at the workshop developing ideas for magic tools… specifically the cotton candy machine, and writing down spell formulas.

Regarding cotton candy, I’ve heard that when using tools, you need coarse sugar or else it scorches or clogs. We settled on preparing materials using ordinary methods first, then adjusting the magic tool accordingly.

“I know Dexter.”

When I told everyone about the day’s events during dinner, Sheila said this.

“Oh?”

“I often see him in the Western District. Sometimes he causes trouble with his followers, so his reputation is quite poor. I once saw him hitting one of his subordinates.”

“…Is that so? I heard he’s also a Commerce Guild member… what business is he in?”

“I’ve heard he’s in trade. Seems he owns ships too. If rumors are acceptable, I have some information.”

Sheila said this while preparing the fish on her plate. She cut the fish meat, neatly removing it while keeping the bones connected.

“I’ll listen. It might be useful.”

“Probably not the kind of story Theodore would expect to hear though… A while back, he tried to forcefully pick up a traveling merchant and got thrown out brutally before being kicked out of a tavern. This story is famous – whenever complaints about him come up in taverns, this always serves as the punchline.”

“…Ah. You haven’t heard anything about that traveling merchant wearing an eyepatch or something like that?”

When I asked, Sheila tilted her head as if searching her memory, then looked straight at me and nodded.

…Yeah. Confirmed. That must be what Miriam was being vague about.

Indeed, it’s not really appropriate business conversation… nor the kind of story to tell me or Alfred. Miriam has proper sensibilities.

As for Dexter… is he resentful about being rejected, or does he hold a grudge about being thrown out?

“Should I gather some information?” Sheila offered.

“That might be good… Information alone gives us an advantage and makes his movements easier to predict.”

Whether Dexter causes trouble or exercises restraint, it wouldn’t hurt to investigate various things.