Ramiza-san, the Unfortunate Beauty

After returning home, I dropped off the cookie souvenirs and started working on the transportation plan going forward.

Kaimol seemed to have returned from his delivery to Alsarm during all the commotion, so I asked him about it.

"From what I saw, things looked normal. Prices hadn't changed much either. But the goods I delivered found buyers right away."

"Good to know. I'll take it from here, so hold down the shop."

"Got it. I'll handle things here, so go do what you need to do."

I nodded at Kaimol's reassuring words.

I also handed him some of the souvenir cookies. No matter how many big eaters we had, we'd gotten a lot and needed to whittle down the pile.

Share them with your sister.

First, I checked the warehouse.

"There isn't that much, is there?"

"Well, for a shop our size, this is about right. Outside of deep winter, turnover isn't that fast."

Three large bags of burning stone.

I'd need to leave one behind to avoid running out, so I could only take two.

The cart was still mostly empty.

Next, I made the rounds to the shops of merchant acquaintances.

I chatted while asking about their burning stone inventory, buying up any surplus at market rate.

My excuse for collecting it was that a major client had placed a large order.

That way, even if it was obvious I was buying up stock, it wouldn't be a problem.

A white lie.

If I said it was because there was profit to be made, they'd gouge me.

Acquaintances or not, they were merchants too. No one was careless about that sort of thing.

I managed to gather a decent amount of leftover burning stone.

I figured someone had to have over-ordered.

"Heave-ho. You're doing pretty unglamorous work, huh?"

"Legwork is the merchant's foundation. Even when the scale gets bigger, the job doesn't change."

"Before Master bought me, I thought merchants just passed goods from one hand to the next…"

I had Alexia carry the purchased goods.

Buy low, sell high.

The more you delegate, the smaller your profit margin becomes.

Rest on your laurels and you'll be left behind in no time.

Next was iron ore.

That said, there were no iron mines near this city.

The only iron ore that made it here was what the city consumed.

If I tried to forcibly acquire that and sell it to Alsarm, who knew what I'd be accused of.

Jacob wouldn't stick his neck out for me either.

"Which is why I'm going to buy iron ore in the Empire."

"After everything that happened… Are you a masochist or something?"

"No, I'm not. I'll go anywhere if there's profit in it."

"Well, I guess just buying rocks and coming back isn't that dangerous… Last time, we delivered wheat and got sent on some errand. None of that this time, okay? Going to the imperial capital is absolutely out of the question."

"I know. I'll take the warnings seriously."

When I got home and gathered everyone to tell them we were heading to the Empire, Finn chewed me out.

It hadn't been that long since the crown prince had put our lives in danger.

The succession war was probably accelerating.

There were surely blood-soaked scenes unfolding.

I wouldn't go to the imperial capital even if asked.

That said, I'd also built up a favor with Duke Dantarg.

I also needed to deliver the duchess's order.

Buying a cartload of iron ore on the way back shouldn't be a problem.

"Would it be possible for me to come along? I'd like to pay my respects to the duke."

"I don't mind. He might even be happy to see you."

I granted Orleans' wish.

Taking her along was no great inconvenience.

Little gestures like this were how you built trust.

"Are we all going again?"

"Yeah. The roads aren't safe either."

"Understood. I'll go get ready."

"Do that. I'm counting on you."

"Yes!"

Azu took Orleans and headed to the back.

They were well-practiced at preparing for travel by now. I could trust them with it.

"Elza and Alexia, come with me to Ramiza-san's place."

"Sure thing."

"Such a demanding boss… Well, fine."

"Sounds like a hassle. I'll go help over there instead."

Finn said that and went after Azu.

I'd thought she'd slack off until the preparations were done, but she was actually volunteering to help.

Maybe she was starting to fit in after all.

We picked up the order at Ramiza-san's shop.

Given the volume, the cart was pretty packed.

But the mules didn't seem bothered.

They'd been pulling their weight too. Maybe I should splurge on some apples for them sometime.

"That's everything you ordered."

"Thank you. This should let me keep face with the duchess."

"Good to hear. I think I'll spend the proceeds on experiments for a while."

"Please don't cause any explosions…"

"I know, I know. I've still got plenty of recipes I want to try."

Ramiza-san held the title of State Alchemist and was the best in the city.

She sold potions and supplied various compounds, including fragrance products to shops like mine.

She'd also been entrusted with producing the anti-drug candy.

She might be the highest earner in this city.

As for what she did with those earnings: she bought up rare materials from monsters and labyrinths and experimented with new compounds.

I recalled her saying she poured everything except living expenses into it.

Most of it ended in failure, but the occasional success produced new medicines.

Apparently, one such medicine had once eradicated a disease from the city entirely.

An incredible person, really, though you'd never guess it looking at her.

She was beautiful with a generous bust, yet she remained single. Her personality was probably part of why.

I'd admired her as a kid.

"This soap really makes your skin feel different."

"It has a lovely scent. Did you really come up with this, Master?"

"I did my research on what fragrances women prefer."

Chatting like that, we regrouped with Azu and the others once they'd finished preparing and set off for the Empire once more.