Chapter 37

4. Merchant Guild - 2

Thank you all for your advice!

I have revised the tax-related matters.

Since the calculations were quite complex, I decided to set a fixed amount.

Perspective: Mariage Ruston

"Hmm... So this is the girl Alfred is so fond of, Hinami. Yes, she's a cute girl."

Sitting on the sofa, the girl looked tense. Despite her youthful appearance, she was already 15 years old... quite surprising.

As usual, I was working in the Merchant Guild's office when a visitor came to see me. Normally, I would immediately turn away anyone without an appointment, but with Alfred, I couldn't do that.

I, Mariage Ruston, the Master of the Merchant Guild, am quite busy. It was good to take over the guild from my grandfather, but the Merchant Guild's operations were not well systematized, and I have been running around every day.

I took a deep breath and glanced at Alfred, who had sat down next to her. His eyes seemed to be asking, "Is there a problem with Hinami?" Just by looking at him, it was clear that he had absolute trust in her. I couldn't believe that "The Inferno Mage" would be so attached to someone. She must be very talented. Recalling my memories, I remembered that Salina had also told me how amazing she was. Salina, the front-line knight of the hero party that Alfred belongs to, is trusted by everyone. Her abilities are truly outstanding. For her to recommend a healing potion... the future is daunting.

Hinami is truly admired by remarkable people. Oh, but I remember Salina saying she had never met her in person. Still, Alfred's attitude is obvious.

I took a deep breath and looked straight at Hinami. I then used the skill <Fairy's Guidance> to examine two people—Hinami and the cursed slave behind her.

<Fairy's Guidance>

A dance performed by fairies to invite others to a feast, to determine if the person could be harmful.

When used, the person's essence appears as an aura.

MP: 1,300

Ah... there doesn't seem to be any problem.

However, this skill consumes a lot of MP, which is quite tough for me. In fact, my MP is almost depleted. But no matter how tough it is, I can't do without this skill.

I manage the Merchant Guild with this skill and white magic items.

As a still inexperienced guild master, it's more important to prevent problems from occurring than to deal with them... such preliminary checks are essential.

"You are now a member of the Merchant Guild. If you need anything, come to me."

I smiled and welcomed them.

"Thank you...!"

Suddenly, her face lit up like a flower, and she thanked me. Yes, she has good manners... I hope she will do well.

◇ ◇ ◇

"Can you process these documents?"

"Yes."

I called my secretary, Bell, who had been helping me earlier, to assist me again.

"But... that small girl being such an amazing alchemist. You can't judge a book by its cover, can you?"

"Yes. In fact, I wouldn't have approved her without Alfred's recommendation."

I stretched to relax my slightly stiff body. I replied to Bell, "Yes," and thought about the future. I had plans, but it seemed that my excellent secretary had already made the arrangements.

"We will decide on the property tomorrow and send scouts on the first day of opening, the third day, the seventh day, and the first month."

"Yes, please do. I appreciate your efficiency, Bell."

In the Merchant Guild, new members are always scouted by the guild. Of course, this is done in secret, and only the upper management knows about it. Naturally, Alfred, who is not a member, doesn't know about the scouting.

As merchants, the person's ability—well, their business acumen—is essential. We use the scouts to confirm if they are capable. The content of the scouting includes the quality of the products, the cleanliness of the store, and whether the prices are set correctly, among other things.

Some suggest providing a full tutorial, but the guild's policy is to let them run their business and develop these skills on their own.

"I have a feeling she might raise some flags during the scouting. But her value can't be measured by the market's standards."

"...Yes. There will be a revolution in healing potions."

Ah, yes.

If my grandfather were still the guild master, he would have been overjoyed. But for me, it might be too much. Can I properly protect the new merchant, Hinami?

"Surely... Hinami's shop will be in a lot of trouble. We need to support her well in the Merchant Guild..."

"Lady Mariage, you can do it."

"Eh...?"

Whether she knew about my worries or not... no, Bell sees everything. After all, we are childhood friends. It's strange, though. In the workplace, we are in a superior-subordinate relationship, yet...

She always calls me "Lady" and never breaks the formal tone. However, once work is done, the formality disappears, and she seems like a completely different person.

"Besides, I'm here too."

"...Thank you."

Her neatly arranged golden hair is slightly longer than her shoulders. She is always dressed calmly, gentle, and efficient—my proud secretary and childhood friend. Just, she can be scary when angry.

"But, we need to do our best."

"Yes. I will do my best too."

She clenched her fists in front of her chest and encouraged me with a smile, "Let's do our best!" I have been the guild master for three years, and I am still a novice. I can't manage without the help of others.

"Thank you."

I thanked Bell again and reached for different documents to continue my work.

I want to get used to my job quickly and become a great guild master like my grandfather.

I started my new work, and Bell prepared fresh tea. As I busily worked, Bell, who had been quietly supporting me, spoke up.

"By the way, Lady Mariage."

"What is it?"

As I processed the documents, Bell suddenly snapped her fingers as if remembering something.

"There was a request for item acquisition at the Adventurer's Guild."

"Oh... Such requests are common. Was it a rare item?"

"Yes. It seems to be a rare fruit from a tree called the 'Royal Fruit.' I've never heard of it."

I have heard of the Princess Tree and the Prince Tree, but this is the first time I've heard of the Royal Tree. Information in the Merchant Guild is strictly managed. If I don't know about it, it must be a high-level item.

"However, it doesn't seem to be a new species of tree. The request mentioned, 'Please collect the Royal Fruit from the Royal Tree, which grows only on this continent.' It's as if they have known about this tree for a long time..."

"I see... If that's true, we should investigate it in the Merchant Guild. Can you handle it?"

"Yes, I thought so and have already made the arrangements."

As expected, she is excellent. I thanked Bell and tried to recall if I had ever heard of the Royal Tree, but I couldn't.

It seems best to wait for the guild's scouting.

"By the way, what is the buyback price?"

"10 gold coins per fruit. Many adventurers are taking on the challenge, but there is too little information."

"I see. Thank you for letting me know."

10 gold coins for one fruit.

The price is high, but without any information, we can't determine the value of the fruit.

What is it used for... It might be a good idea to casually ask the Adventurer's Guild about the requester.

The Prince and Princess Trees can be obtained, but are they the same species or something completely different?

"Oh, but... since it's a plant, maybe Hinami knows about it?"

"Yes, indeed. She is an amazing alchemist. We can casually ask her when we look for the property tomorrow."

"Yes, please do. I have a meeting I can't miss... I feel reassured leaving it to Bell."

I sighed and finished my tea in one gulp.

Well, it's going to be a busy day.

Thinking about the future makes me a bit gloomy, but I'm also excited about the new possibilities.

"Let's do our best!"

"Yes!"

This is from Mariage's perspective.

It's a bit shorter...