Chapter 77

Chapter 77: That time when we picked up the craftsmen

TL: kizen

ED: Filip/Gecko

Weve arrived at Corundum, two days before the deadline of the enlistment I posted at the guild .

Well then, I have something to do at the guild so this is where we part

I understand . Thank you for everything, Caam-san

Dont worry about it . I cant tell you to just swim home after all . Alright, take care not to mistake deer for tigers okay?1

Another saying huh? Unfortunately, I havent seen any tigers yet in this world

That is truly unfortunate . At any rate, good luck

Thanks

The hero party left after that exchange . Well, no matter how he decides to report the incident, something is bound to happen so I guess I can just continue without worrying too much about it .

Well then, everyone is free to do what they want during this trip but for those who can do calculations, please stay behind for a bit

After saying that, only three people were left .

I apologize for taking your time even though were finally at the port town . Im thinking of just sending you guys to buy supplies the next time we run out so Ill introduce you guys to Nils-san . Also, if Ill need your abilities once we start exporting goods in the future

The three of them looked a bit confused but just continued .

Just think of it as you guys being a merchants apprentice . Ive only done transactions so I dont know how this would work but Im sure it will work out somehow as long as persevere . Well, theres also the option to hire someone who specializes in that though . Well, then, shall we go?

After saying that, we moved to Nils-sans warehouse .

Once we arrived, I called out to a man who looked like one of Nils-sans workers that was nearby .

Hello, is Nils-san here?

Yeah, he is inside . Did you come to purchase from us again? If so then please show me the liquor barrels that will be used

Were not here to purchase anything today . I just came to talk and also introduce these gentlemen to him . I wont always be available to come here personally after all

I understand . Well, hes inside so please look for him there

Thank you

I knocked on the door of the same office/break room that I entered the other day then waited for a reply before entering .

Sorry for disturbing you

Once Nils-san saw my face, or rather the color of my skin, he gave an immediate reply .

Are you here today to make a purchase?

No, thats not it . I cant always be away from the island for long periods since something might happen so Ill introduce to you these people behind me who are somewhat capable of calculation

I understand but lets make the gentlemen behind you wait for a bit longer and lets talk about this first

After saying that, he stood up then took out a white cloth from his desk .

I didnt have the opportunity to travel to the island so couldnt report it but Ive already given the thread you gave me the other day to my acquaintance . According to them, its inferior to silk but it will be profitable with a large enough stock . The cloths texture is between silk and cotton so it seems like it can be treated as a higher quality cloth for the commoners

I see . However, I just found that cocoon by chance while I was exploring the island and we havent even paved a road towards that area yet so we dont have any in stock . If we push for it, the earliest that would happen will be around the time of the end of the seasons festival . Would that be alright?

Is that so? I would appreciate it if you would let me handle the negotiations at that time

If we really wanted to get the highest profit, it would be better for us to make a deal with the textile industry directly rather than conducting business through a middle man like you . However, since I dont have any connections, Ill be in your care

I appreciate it

Well, Im not a merchant after all . However, if someone decides to personally go to the island to buy the thread, would it be better if I send them to you? Should I write them a letter of introduction or something?

You dont need to go that far

Oh, thats right . Can you recommend a place that deals with vacant shop spaces?

I had to say it in a roundabout way since he might not understand if I say real estate agent .

If thats what you want then you should head to the guards station since theyre also the ones managing that

Thank you . The next thing I would like to bring up is the delivery of the livestock, or to be more specific their escorts

Alright, what about them?

They were the heroes

Wha-! W-well, you seem to be in good health . And so, what happened to the hero-sama?

We fought but managed to come to a settlement after talking it out . We even gave them a ride on our ship to this town . The problem is that the merchant ran away in the middle of the fight . Moreover, according to the hero, he was going to take all of the money once I was defeated . I obviously would get at least a bit mad at that so Im thinking of harassing them . I wont ask you to introduce me to them but the next time I ask for livestock, please get them from the same merchant . I want to greet them with a huge smile on my face when they come to deliver the goods on the island after all

I truly apologize . I didnt know they were that type of person . I will change how I interact with them from now on

Its fine if thats what you want to do but please get them the next time I request for livestock since I want to harass them

Youre a very interesting demonkin, arent you Caam-san?

No, thats not it . This is just me being childish and wanting to play a prank . Im thinking of enjoying the awkward atmosphere that will happen when they arrive

We moved on to the introduction of the three after that . I felt like the progress was a bit too slow though, probably because theyre not that well educated .

Nils-san . Please keep drilling it to them like that . That way, I wont have to hire a merchant

Understood . Theyll be fine merchants by the time Im done with them

You dont have to go that far since theyre going to end up being sailor merchants . Well, I dont really mind if you rip me off, to be honest

I wont do such a thing for it may damage my credibility

Well then, we should be leaving soon

I understand . Please drop by again whenever youre here

Sure

After saying that, we left Nils-sans warehouse .

Caam-san, I dont think we can do this

Its fine . Didnt Nils-san just say hell help you out? And besides, since youre only going to purchase supplies that were lacking, just use the note that Im going to give you and youll be fine . Ill be coming along if its something important

As I said that, I told the three of them that they were free to go then I headed for the guards station .

I approached one of the old men on the counter and asked about the vacant stores .

I have a few questions about the vacant stores and Ive heard that this is the place to ask . Would it be alright for me to check the layout of the buildings?

Understood . I shall get someone who can help you with that so please wait a moment

He went into the back room then after a while, an onee-san came out and sat in front of me .

Thank you for your patience . What type of business are you planning on starting?

Lets see . Im thinking of a place that serves tea and serves light meals or sweets

Hearing that, the onee-san had a troubled look on her face then called another person from the back to assist her in explaining .

Ive heard about your query . That type of store would need a usable furnace as well as some tables and chairs . Would that be enough?

Yes, that would be enough . However, Im only browsing for now so lets save the detailed explanation for next time . Please show me the closest available store from here

After that, I was led to the closest vacant store so I began checking the layout .

The entrance was quite wide, there was a counter, a kitchen, and a simple-looking room in the back .

Should we go with square tables or would it be better if they are round? Square tables would be easier to get though . The counter only needs chairs and the room at the back can be used as a breakroom . It would be great if the sales would also allow us to get a vacant room nearby .

While I was thinking about all of that, the agent who showed me the store started talking to me .

Um, you said your store is going to be serving tea and snacks but is that really true?

Yes, thats the kind of store Im aiming for

Tea is something that you drink at home or during breaks so I dont think it will be very popular, to be honest

It doesnt have to be popular since were going to open a store for publicity

Publicity you say?

The agent was at a loss for words but I kept going .

Ive discovered something that could be used as an alternative to tea after all . Ive never seen it being sold around here so Im thinking of making it known to the public at first . Once people who know about it increase, the number of people who would want to be able to brew it in their own homes would also increase . Thats when we can start considering exporting the product

Okay

Because of that, for the time being, this shop will only be used to introduce the product to the masses . Even if the shop doesnt become popular, well be able to get a profit by selling the raw ingredients

Is that so?

Thats the reason for getting a shop . Well, it would still be best if both the shop and the raw materials are thriving, wouldnt it? Im sure that the price would change depending on the location among other factors but such things are better off left for when weve actually started in earnest . This should be enough for now . Thank you for your assistance

It was my pleasure . Well then, I shall return to my work

After saying that, we exited the building and he locked the door .

I think we can obtain chairs, tables, and firewood in this town so just have to regularly transport the beans here and well be fine .

Two days later at noon

Well then, lets go to the guild to see if there are any craftsmen who would like to immigrate

That would be great . We would have wasted our time if there arent any

Yeah . But youve already bought women and drinks while we were here, havent you?

Thats true

Just dont get any weird disease okay?

Got it

Then Ill leave things here to you guys

Roger

After saying that, I was seen off by the cheerful sailor .

Once I got to the guild, a couple of men sitting at one of the tables at the back started looking in my direction the moment I entered .

They might be the potential applicants who recognized me from the description on the poster . Five men huh? They look skilled . I wonder if there arent a lot of female craftsmen in this area?

While I was thinking that, one of them approached me .

Are you the demonkin called Caam?

Yes, are you applying to immigrate to the island?

Thats right

Then lets get right to it . Lets talk at that table over there

After saying that, I picked a vacant seat then we started the discussion .

Well then, why dont we introduce ourselves first? Well, as you can probably tell, Im the dark-blue-skinned Caam who put up the recruitment post . Nice to meet you

The five people nodded and just gave me a brief reply .

Ill just ask to make sure but do you really want to go to the island?

Ill be speaking for our group . Were craftsmen working in this town but we are already done with our training and will have to start being independent soon . Thats why your post came at just the right time since we have matching interests

Alright, why dont you guys introduce yourselves?

The names Jucove, a carpenter

Im Goburg, also a carpenter . We worked at the same place and we were thinking of opening a store somewhere

Im Sharlet, a mason

Bart . Im a woodworker that mainly makes make furniture

Pietro, blacksmith

Oh, I unexpectedly got the full set .

Well then, Ive got a few questions for everyone . Are any of you guys married? If so, do you have any children?

All of us are bachelors so we can leave right away

I see . That makes things easier . However, dont you have things you need to bring, like tools for example? What about those?

Everyone has their own tools . However, Pietro will need an anvil to do his smithing

Thats right . Pietro wont be able to fix my chisel without that . My chisel is already busted so I cant use it for anything as is

I see . Lets look for a place where theyre sold then

I know someone

Pietro mumbled those words . He sure is a man of few words .

Then that makes things quicker . Ill show you the way to our ship first so that youll know where it is . Then we can split up so you guys can finish making your preparations . However, Pietro-san, before you go and do your preparations, please guide me to the place that sells anvils . Its a necessary expense so Ill spend our funds to buy it . If anyone else needs additional tools required for your job, please let me know so that I can also purchase them

Oooh

They sounded impressed by that . At any rate, I wonder if its normal for craftsmen of different fields that are skilled enough to start working independently to gather like this .

Before we leave, please give me a moment to take care of something first

I went to the lady at the receptionist desk and asked her to remove the paper I had posted then we left the guild . I guided everyone to where our ship was docked then told them that well meet there in the morning of the following day .

After that, I was led by Pietro-san to the shop he had worked for . There, I bought an anvil as well as some iron since we didnt have any on the island .

Urgh! Its so damn heavy!

Hey, demonkin lad . Its an anvil so of course it would be heavy . Go get someone to help you since that thing is even heavier than my wife

How would I know your wifes weight! Also, Im sorry but I have two wives so theres no way this thing weighs more than my two people .

I guess youre right . Ill go get someone

Its small but heavy but I might be able to carry it myself if I can figure out a good way to hold it . Now, who should I call?

I also need to prepare so Ill excuse myself

After saying that, Pietro left . It would have been nice if you helped us out too you know?

Once he left, I called over a couple of sailors to help me carry the anvil and iron I bought .

Gaahm-zan, gib us some good alcohol tonight for this! Pleaze!2

Fine, so put your back into it already! Its digging into my shoulder!

The shopkeeper uncle used a thick rope to tie the anvil on two poles so that we can distribute the weight but if I had to guess, each person was still carrying about 70 kilos . My shoulder was dying because of that .

Small but heavy things are the worst!