The Energetic Merchant

While waiting for the person greeting us to arrive, I looked over my appearance once more.

"Excuse me for a moment."

Elza said that, then straightened out my collar and hem with both hands.

At the same time, she leaned close to my collar and sniffed.

"What is it?"

"I was thinking it would be bad if you still smelled of alcohol."

"Ah, I see."

I checked myself as well, but there didn't seem to be any problems.

I couldn't detect any alcohol on my breath either.

"You seem fine."

"Yeah, thanks."

After that, the shop's door opened.

The one who opened it was a woman around Alexia's age, with her hair tied up and an energetic appearance.

"How may I help you?"

"I'm Yohane. I have an appointment with the shop owner today. Let him know."

"Understood. Right this way, please."

The woman spoke briskly and led us inside.

As we walked down the hallway, I could sense a lively atmosphere from somewhere nearby.

That was probably the shop floor. I could tell people were constantly moving around.

"Sorry for the noise."

"Not at all. It's proof that business is booming."

"That's kind of you to say."

She responded cheerfully and smoothly.

She must be used to talking with people.

"This way."

We were led to the second floor and arrived at the room at the very end.

"My broth— The shop owner, Fuda, is inside. Please wait a moment."

"Certainly."

The woman knocked on the door twice, then entered.

She returned almost immediately.

"Thank you for waiting. Please, come in."

We'd barely waited at all. This woman was undoubtedly capable at her job.

We were led inside and entered the room.

The room had some decorations arranged throughout, but maintained a calm atmosphere.

On the walls hung a painting by an unknown artist and a magnificent wolf pelt.

The man who had been seated solidly in the room stood up.

He was huge. A bear of a man.

Muscular and tall, even Yohane, who was tall himself, had to look up at him.

"I've been waiting for you, Yohane-san. I'm Fuda, the chairman of the Carnevale Trading Company."

Saying that, he extended his right hand.

I offered my own right hand for the handshake and we clasped.

Afterward, we sat facing each other.

Elza stood behind me.

The woman moved to stand behind Fuda.

Feeling his firm grip, our meeting began with a pleasant atmosphere.

"I heard you've been entrusted with Luido by the princess. You're quite young, aren't you?"

"Am I?"

"Forgive me, I didn't mean it in a bad way. It's just that such matters are usually handled by more experienced individuals."

"That's certainly true."

I understood what he meant.

Both the princess who assigned this task and myself who accepted it face significant risks if we fail.

So it would be more natural for a shrewd veteran with a proven track record to handle it.

I still wonder why it was given to me, but having accepted it, I have no choice but to make it succeed.

"Regarding Luido, I've been making approaches since I took charge. But we could never come to an agreement."

"I can imagine."

Fuda had wanted to establish large-scale contracts with the residents, just as is happening now with Luido.

However, whenever such deals emerged, upper management would interject seeking their own interests.

Or they would simply refuse anything new.

As a result, negotiations would stall and get shelved.

Now that the obstructive upper management has been swept away, and Fuda heard that I had consolidated things, he approached me with this business proposal.

"I don't quite understand, but is Luido's food really that popular? I certainly thought it was delicious when I had some."

"Absolutely. The seasonings and preserved foods made by Luido's people are very popular. You have no idea how many times customers have pestered my shop to carry them. We've managed to secure some through individual contracts, but anything beyond that has been difficult."

"I see, I see. For my part, having a buyer is very helpful."

"Oh? It sounds like you might be receptive then."

We proceeded with the discussion while exchanging information.

"Please, have some tea."

"Thank you."

The woman prepared tea for us.

"I haven't introduced her yet. This is my younger sister, Mirei. She's more reliable than me, and I depend on her."

"Nice to meet you properly. I'm Mirei."

Saying that, she bowed deeply.

When I took a sip of the tea, I tasted a strong buttery flavor.

"This is…"

"Butter tea. It's quite popular."

"It's delicious."

"The saltiness pairs well with it. This uses butter from Luido, actually. The tea leaves are from elsewhere, though."

Fuda laughed loudly.

Both his build and his voice were massive. He must be unbeatable at auctions.

"May we proceed with the specifics?"

"Of course. Since you've been interested for a while, you must have something in mind."

"Oh my, you've seen right through me. What we'd like is to be entrusted with all of the processed goods."

Luido has a small population for a city.

It would be more accurate to call it a large town.

It receives slightly special treatment because it serves as a satellite city producing food for the capital.

Still, handling all processed goods would be a fairly large-scale deal.

I'd been thinking of wholesaling to this place and one other, perhaps.

"You seem quite invested in this."

"Not at all. It's because I'm confident. Nothing stirs enthusiasm quite like procuring goods you know will sell. Don't you agree?"

"Yes. Without a doubt."

Merchants smile when dealing with products that profit the more you sell.

If they're that eager, we might as well proceed.

For this venture, I think it's enough if Luido's residents prosper reasonably well.

Large contracts require some discounting.

I expected the negotiations to be difficult, but the other party named exactly the amount I had in mind.

Any lower and there would be problems; any higher and they would balk.

Even accounting for margins, it balanced out with the effort.

In other words, let's make a deal here. No need for games.

With a wry smile, I extended my right hand to Fuda.

"We have a deal. I'll entrust the processed goods from Luido to you."

"Wonderful. Just set up a contact point for us, and we'll handle the pickup."

This deal was significant for Fuda as well.

He must have run the numbers many times.

We drew up the contracts and affixed our seals.

Three copies were prepared. Depositing one with the Merchant Guild would complete the process.

"I look forward to working with you!"

Saying that, he hugged me.

That it felt like being grabbed by a bear is something I'll keep to myself.

After confirming the details, Mirei saw us out of the shop.

I was exhausted.

After dealing with such an energetic person, fatigue washed over me all at once.

"Good work today."

Saying that, Elza gently embraced me from behind.

She seemed to do something, and my body felt a little lighter.