No Talent as an Adventurer

"Ah, that tea? We carry it too. Consumption has been increasing recently, so we've been supporting the production village to boost their harvest. It's just starting to become popular in the Imperial Capital."

"I see. I was amazed by its refreshing aroma. It's perfect after a greasy meal, and it seems like it would be calming to drink regularly too."

"Right? I'm glad someone from the Kingdom can appreciate its quality."

The negotiations went smoothly. When supply meets demand, there's nothing difficult about it.

When I mentioned I wanted to purchase a large quantity since it would surely be well-received in the Kingdom, he even threw in a little extra, saying to please spread the word.

Now soap and fragrances will be exported from my shop to the Empire, and tea will come in from the Empire.

For now it's just one cart's worth, but this tea will definitely sell.

As the scale grows, our ties will become even stronger.

Being a small individual shop yet breaking into the Empire's market has significant advantages.

My goal of opening a branch in the Empire fell through, but considering the burden, it might have worked out for the best.

Employees wouldn't want to be stationed in another country, and the only people I could trust would be Azu and the others, which I wouldn't like either.

"With the coronation right around the corner, delivering now would just get in the way. I'll have it ready when you return to the Kingdom."

"Thank you. That would be a big help."

"Not at all. I look forward to working with you in the future."

We exchanged smiling handshakes and left the shop.

He seemed a bit older than me, but to run a trading company of this scale at that young age.

It really drives home that there are always bigger fish.

That said, there's no point in getting depressed about it.

The negotiations went well, and doing what I can is what matters.

"Being a merchant is tough work. Even watching from the side, I could tell you were both doing mental calculations behind those smiles."

"This was a mild one. There was nothing to lose for the other party."

"The moment there's something to lose, they get stingy. I can relate."

"Nobles often just demand you hand things over. They might have status, but they're often drowning in debt, so they're not great business partners."

"Sorry for being that kind of noble."

From what I'd heard, Alexia's family was far from wealthy.

But the fact that she could bring it up like this meant she'd managed to come to terms with it.

"I'll have Anatia-jou try it first when we get back. Someone like her will appreciate the quality, and if it spreads through her tea parties, we're set."

"To think of all that just from walking into a restaurant and eating. Should I call that a strong merchant's spirit?"

"Opportunities to make money are everywhere. Whether you find them is what determines a merchant's skill."

Is that so, Alexia seemed to say, not entirely convinced.

This was something only people constantly thinking about profit opportunities could understand.

Since Azu and the others had gone ahead, we decided to buy souvenirs for them and lined up at a popular-looking shop.

Their main item seemed to be freshly fried donuts.

They were skilled at handling customers, and the line disappeared in no time.

Their secret was taking orders and payment upfront so all that remained was pickup.

Teaching Kazusa this method might make things easier for her.

Still, between the food and sweets like this, the Imperial Capital certainly uses oil liberally.

I think it's olive oil, but is there an olive-producing region nearby?

Salt and oil are strategic resources essential to life.

Being able to supply them domestically is a huge advantage.

In the Kingdom, Princess Tianis seems to be working on various things, but between that and the incident that half-destroyed the Royal Capital, implementation is probably a ways off.

I took the bag of donuts and we headed back.

"Let's eat one."

"You really do eat a lot."

"I exercise properly, so it's fine. Moving requires energy. Especially when you get stronger by hunting monsters."

"Is that how it works?"

Come to think of it, my appetite did seem to have increased since escaping from that red moon place.

I hadn't been self-aware since I was recovering, but I think I ate quite a lot today.

"Hey, from your perspective, have I changed at all? I actually helped a bit with defeating those monsters…"

"Hmm, let me see."

She looked me up and down.

It was the face of a warrior.

"You have changed a little, I think. But it's probably best if you don't try to become an adventurer, Master."

"Is that so? I know I'm not good at rough stuff, but…"

"Killing monsters makes everyone stronger, but not equally. You can tell by looking at Azu, right? The efficiency of getting stronger differs from person to person. Azu has combat sense too."

"She was so weak and timid at first."

"She was so jittery, I even thought she'd die right away. Now even I couldn't easily beat her. I can only call it aptitude, but people without talent grow slowly no matter how many monsters they kill."

So that's why some adventurers succeed while others stagnate at low ranks.

I had thought anyone could get stronger by defeating monsters, but apparently not.

According to Alexia, Yohane falls into the hopeless category.

"Then I'll continue relying on you all for that stuff. I've learned well enough that life-or-death battles aren't for me."

No matter how much I trained, I couldn't imagine becoming like King Izard or his knights.

"Please do. In return, make lots of money and give us a good life."

"Of course. I'll make sure you all benefit too. We're in this together now."

"I look forward to working with you. Master."

Alexia said with a smile.

I couldn't imagine life without Azu and the others anymore.

Before returning to our room, we ran into Crown Prince Kelves and gave him a donut.

He looked haggard, probably from the intense workload leading up to the coronation. Being an emperor isn't easy, I thought.

Incidentally, the mountain of donuts we bought was devoured in no time.

And so, the day of the coronation finally arrived.