Chapter 26

I have arrived at the Commercial Guild.

I have arrived at the Guild Master's office.

What for!

In front of me is the Guild Master with a stern face. He is indeed a suave and sophisticated man, but in this case, his expression is rather bitter.

"Are you the representative of the adventurers?"

"No."

An immediate denial, what's this about a representative?

"Then are you an agent?"

"No, there is no representative among adventurers. We are a group of individuals."

"Really, such a large group operates without a representative for hunting and production?"

"Yes."

After all, we choose games based on what we want to do, so our actions tend to be similar. If you prefer combat, you can go that way, and if you want to farm, there's a VR farming game.

The Guild Master, looking perplexed, introduces himself and we spend some time aligning our differing perceptions.

"You are enriching the city by spending money at production sites and market stalls, but you are also causing trouble by opening impromptu markets in the square. I had just proposed to the Adventurer's Guild that I wanted to talk to a representative, but it's troublesome with a group of individuals."

While drinking the tea served on the sofa in the Guild Master's office, he talks about the current situation in a non-confrontational manner. A secretary-like woman with brown skin stands behind the Guild Master.

It's non-confrontational for me, but it seems to be causing trouble for the city. Well, the population of the city has more than doubled, so it might be all about causing trouble when it comes to adventurers.

"There are also people who only engage in production and don't even visit the Adventurer's Guild. So, the market in the square is indeed a nuisance?"

"Yes, occupying the space and completing transactions among adventurers alone are both problematic. We have been regularly informing them not to conduct transactions, but it has been ineffective. Just as we were about to enforce regulations, you arrived, so I thought you might have just made it in time."

"What do you mean by 'preparing the market stalls'?"

"Preparation is almost complete, but how to inform them is a problem. It will be a paid service, and the stalls will be located away from the main gate. I wonder if they will comply willingly."

"Even if it's a paid service, if there is a place for transactions and penalties for enforcement, I think they will comply. If we can get a few popular market stall owners to move, it might become a regular thing."

"We are considering that. For sales outside designated areas, we have set penalties, including fines and a ban on transactions at commercial guild-affiliated stores for a certain period. However, with a group of individuals, it might take a while for the message to spread and become established. After all, many adventurers contribute to the city's economy, so we don't want to cause trouble due to insufficient prior notice."

Adventurers seem to be a delicate presence in this city.

"I think it will spread quickly. Even though we are a group of individuals, we do have means of communication."

It will probably become a topic on the bulletin boards.

"Is that so? Then let's proceed. Or rather, we have no choice but to proceed."

"Speaking of which, if you could handle consignment sales, it would be great. As an adventurer, I prefer wandering around rather than being tied down to a business."

"The market in the square is popular because you can do it whenever you want, right?"

"That's part of it. Once the market stall locations are decided, I think the market will move to the stalls where customers gather."

The Guild Master looks troubled again.

"If you really want to manage the group, you could limit the sale of land and buildings to groups that register as a collective. I think it would form a group in no time."

I want a house too, but owning a personal house is expensive.

"Selling land to those who don't settle down is not possible, as the city's land is limited. Perhaps lending it out is an option..."

"Adventurers love to build their own bases. Even if it's a bit more expensive, I think they would register as a group."

While thinking about what to call a group other than a guild, I casually share my game knowledge.

"Hmm? Let's consider it with the Adventurer's Guild."

"Please take my casual opinion with a grain of salt. By the way, where can I hear about the market stalls? I came here to hear about it."

"Are you going to sell something? What kind of items?"

"If it requires constant supervision, I'll decline, but if I sell, it will be food or medicine."

"Could I see what you have?"

Feeling a bit like an exam and slightly embarrassed, I serve a sandwich with a bit of brandy and tea.

"What is this?"

The Guild Master holds the brandy bottle at eye level, looking at the amber liquid inside. I prepared a small bottle for the tea, but it always comes in a large bottle, so I just left it as is. The size doesn't affect the storage capacity.

I want a small bottle, but rather, I want a dedicated barrel.

"It's a liquor to add flavor to the tea."

"Where did you get it?"

"I made it."

Is brandy not in this world? He's really interested in this.

"Most brewing recipes are not widely available, and they are practically a monopoly of the capital."

Phew! The Guild Master was interested in the liquor itself!!!

Is tobacco and salt a state monopoly?

"Is there a problem with individuals handling it?"

"No, it's just that the recipes are not widely available, so it's not possible to make it. Legally, there is no problem. However, if it becomes known that someone can make it, the capital will recruit them, and ultimately, there will be no one left in this city to make the liquor."

It sounds very troublesome.

"I guess I'll stop handling liquor."

"No, the guild would like you to handle it. Especially for wines and spirits other than beer and wine, the supply from the capital is limited, so any increase in circulation would be welcome."

"I'd rather avoid the hassle."

"Then how about consigning it to the guild? We will keep the consignment fee low, but in return, we would like to handle the sales and pricing."

"Will my sales be restricted?"

"No, I don't intend to restrict your sales. If you want to stop, you can, but I think it will take some time to adjust."

"It feels too good to be true."

The Guild Master leans forward slightly in response to my words.

"I don't want to lose you to the capital. This is the first time I've seen this liquor, and wine quality drops when moved. To be frank, handling rare liquors can strengthen ties with the city's nobles and officials. Items that leave a lasting impression lose their value when they become common, and unlike other foods, people don't get tired of alcohol, so it's very valuable."

He praises my tea and offers some flattery.

"Also, after hearing your story, I plan to accept consignment sales from other adventurers. If we set price ranges when accepting items, we can control the market to some extent, as we don't want the residents' market stalls to fail. We will take a 5% commission on consignment sales, and the adventurers' market stalls will have free pricing, with fixed costs based on the number of days, so those who are confident in their sales will likely move to the market stalls."

It seems he had already decided on a strategy during our conversation.

"I will handle your sales at a 3% commission. If you don't want to show your face, you can hire someone and open a store once you have some extra income. If you help circulate liquor in this city, the Commercial Guild will provide assistance. When consigning, just announce your name at the reception, and we will make sure the process goes smoothly."

This conversation is getting bigger.

"The amount an individual can produce is limited."

"That's good for maintaining rarity."

He smiles and says it confidently.

I mentioned that others might be able to produce it as well, but he says he will negotiate with them when the time comes.

【You have obtained the title "Economic Pioneer"】

【Announcement: A player has negotiated trading rights with the Commercial Guild. As a result, the following information will be disclosed.】

【Starting three days from today, the Commercial Guild will offer "Consignment Sales," and players will be able to own "Market Stalls."】

【The exchange of money and goods during transactions will be simple and secure.】

【In conjunction with this, the Commercial Guild will begin offering storage rentals today.】

The announcement as soon as I left the Guild Master's office.

Wait, wait, this feels like the biggest mistake I've made so far. And this is a situation where I'll be exposed to a lot of people. Am I being overly self-conscious? But I'll leave through the back door.

When I asked the secretary Quero for the back door, she led me to a side entrance that goes directly to the west retail district without passing through the lobby.

The effect of the title is a 5% increase in NPC selling prices and a 5% decrease in buying prices, with a consignment fee of 3% instead of the usual 5%. I also received a pat on the back from the Guild Master. His name is Moss Bauwer, which sounds like a fast-food chain. I can't help but laugh, but I can only call him Guild Master!

After taking a roundabout route through the back alley behind the weapon and armor shop to return to the square, the players who were running the market were buzzing. I listened in while passing by with a nonchalant expression.

"Official sales are here!!!"

"Are we supposed to move to a different place and pay for it?"

"Consignment sales mean you don't have to be there all the time, which is convenient."

"They've been patrolling for a while, so it's good if there's a place and the system prevents item fraud."

"Someone stole from me today, took the item and ran off without paying."

And so on. It seems to be generally well-received.

I was worried that people would feel like they were being kicked out of the square.

As it was getting close to lunchtime, I crossed the square and entered a restaurant. I ordered a hamburger and tea and resisted the urge to slump over the table. What's with today, too many events in the morning.

In the afternoon, I plan to relax in the guild's archive and the used bookstore.

The hamburger was delicious with plenty of demi-glace sauce. I wish I had a daikon radish to make a Japanese-style hamburger. I'm not Shin, but I'm starting to crave Japanese food. I don't need a full Japanese meal, just some soy sauce.

I should have asked about rice at the Commercial Guild...!

【The field boss "Grootlent" in Fos has been defeated by Black Lily and five others.】

I was relaxing when the world announcement came.

Black Lily's party defeated it, so they are indeed strong. The reward for the Deidrizzard was a bracelet that increases mining output. I wonder what the reward for the Fos Trent is, given its name, it might be a bracelet that increases gathering output?

...I'm not jealous at all!

After a relaxing solo meal, I moved to the Adventurer's Guild. The Commercial Guild is busy with players coming and going, probably due to the recent announcement. They are likely signing up for storage and learning about consignment and market stalls.

Thinking about it, it was unnatural that a building of the same size as the Adventurer's Guild had almost no player traffic. It will likely be bustling with consignment sales applications in three days. I'll sign up for storage when it's available.

"Thank you, Plum."

I wait for the receptionist to be free and speak to her.

"Did you hear the news?"

She smiles and responds. They have a great lineup of beautiful receptionists.

"Yes, other adventurers are also flocking to the Commercial Guild to hear about sales permits."

"That's good. The square is also an evacuation site, so we've been trying to raise awareness through the Adventurer's Guild, but no one was listening. It seems we need to provide solutions, not just warnings."

"You're right. I'll use the archive this time."

I head to the archive, passing the polished stairs.

The wooden floors, despite the dirt, are polished and reflect the soft light from the magical lamps on the walls. It must have been carefully maintained over a long period, or perhaps there is a cleaning spell. I, who dislike cleaning, would want a cleaning and organizing spell in the real world.

□ □ □ □ □

・Increase・

Title

【Economic Pioneer】

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Homura Lv.22

Rank D

Occupation Magic Swordsman Alchemist (Assassin)

HP 605

MP 778

STR 34

VIT 22

INT 43

MID 16

DEX 15

AGI 22

LUK 14

NPCP 【Galahad】【－】

Title

■General

【Communicator】【Circ