Chapter 73

As the pepper, curry powder, and spices were presented, the merchant answered with eyes wide in amazement, as if he were looking at jewels.

Clearly, his reaction was different from that to sugar and salt...

"Yes."

"To have spices prepared as well... This is remarkable!"

He beamed with a full smile.

What kind of smile was this?

It was as if he had found a tree that bore gold. This must be what such a face looks like.

"Moreover, there are many spices I have never seen before! This will be a great discovery of the century! However, we should be very careful."

Perhaps these are varieties that don't exist in this world.

They were items I procured from Japan.

"The spicy and tickling flavor! I cannot decide the monetary value of these alone."

"Is it really that difficult to procure spices?"

"I remember a game where ships could be obtained with pepper and such."

Hagi's words made me recall a game.

It was a famous game. I played it too.

I think a solo hero's journey is enjoyable.

"Yes, noble customers and adventurers will be delighted to use them in their meals, especially to eliminate the odor of meat. While the Kingdom of Raikus does focus on agriculture, cultivation is limited to the range of the barrier—"

The merchant began to speak passionately.

He must feel as if he has found a tree that bears gold.

To summarize the merchant's words, while they can procure vegetables and fruits despite the risk of monster attacks, the food situation is not bad due to the presence of plant-type monsters. Furthermore, production abilities can provide a certain level of supply. However, considering safety, the cultivation area within the barrier is limited, making the production of meat and fish lower.

However, spices are often difficult to grow in certain areas, making them highly popular.

They can be grown with abilities, but there are limits.

...Cultivation was a classmate's ability.

Maybe I should ask them to grow Japanese vegetables later?

Or have they already started supplying to restaurants with the seeds I brought?

The spices I obtained from Japan, even if similar, have different flavors, so they will definitely be popular.

However, the amount of money that nobles and wealthy merchants will offer is unknown, so the merchant we are dealing with cannot decide alone.

It's not impossible, but to avoid being deceived, they cannot take the risk.

"So, it would be good to go to the negotiation with someone. Let's first serve the nobles as a trial to set the price."

"Yes, I would like to be involved in this. If we sell to nobles, it won't have a significant impact on the country. It's like providing entertainment."

The merchant's eyes gleamed with excitement.

I'm not good with such social people...

I always left complicated interpersonal relationships to Shigetaka.

Well, just because I'm not good at it doesn't mean I'll run away.

"Ah... I remember hearing that in our world, spices used to be as valuable as jewels and gold."

Hagi muttered, and the cooking classmate nodded.

"In Japan, they are easily available and cheap, but in this world, they are as valuable as jewels. Quite interesting."

Shigetaka responded with enthusiasm.

That's right.

If we can easily obtain rare items here and sell them, we can quickly solve the problem of not having enough points.

We can equip everyone.

As a result of the negotiation, the merchant will take 20% of the sales, and we will sell to the nobles.

If we think positively, we have a good collaborator... right?

It's better than being taken advantage of.

Hagi will accompany us to observe the spice sales negotiations.

He wants to learn about tool sales and the merchant's perspective.

In the end, we were promised ten times the purchase amount for sugar and salt, while the value of the spices remains unknown.

Ah, soy sauce and miso didn't fetch a high price because there are fruits and vegetables that taste similar.

I was surprised when I tasted the juice of a tomato-like fruit that tasted like soy sauce.

I remember reading an article that tomatoes taste similar to soy sauce... maybe it's just a coincidence?

Anyway, it's clear that we can earn a significant amount of money just by selling the items I purchase.

We can convert the money earned in this world into points, buy items in Japan, and sell them to the nobles through merchants in this world.

This cycle will allow us to earn money.

All we need to do is buy items in Japan and sell them here, and we will earn money.

Of course, part of the reason they are selling well is due to their novelty.

"Hanahashi has a job. Buying items from Japan and trading them."

"Indeed, that seems to be the easiest job."

"Yes, I think this is a job only Shigetaka can do. Good luck."

"Growl?"

Kumako doesn't seem to understand.

Well... it's difficult to explain this to a bear.

So, I started trading by purchasing seasonings in Japan and delivering them to merchants in this world.

Incidentally, in about a week, we earned a total of 2 million in money and points.

Considering the initial investment, it's pure profit.

Moreover, the demand for unknown spices is increasing, and the prices are expected to rise.

It's becoming a trend among the nobles.

Some nobles are even coming directly to Shigetaka's workshop, bypassing the government.

We politely decline them.

The popularity is growing... but it's a good trend.

Of course, if the value of money fluctuates too much, it could cause problems for the country, so we are accepting price negotiations.

It's also helpful that transactions can be made in points as well as money.

I heard that coins have a higher value as money.

Since I'm here, whether it's money or points, it doesn't matter to us, which is fortunate.

We discussed what to do with the points we earned, and I thought about turning Meguru's sword into a Full Metal Turtle sword.

However, my role is to earn money to help everyone survive, which seems better.

Even if I get a Full Metal Turtle sword, it won't dramatically increase my strength.

"Have Itou make it. I think it will be more efficient for him to use it."

We have been prioritizing Full Metal Turtle armor.

So, Itou is still using a Metal Turtle sword.

While I trade, if Itou goes hunting, he can make better equipment.

I want to level up and obtain the expansion ability to return home as soon as possible.

But equipping everyone with better gear seems more efficient right now.

...I have a lot of game experience.

Think of it as forming a guild or clan with classmates.

Who will be the guild master, Shigetaka or Itou?

...Something like that.

Anyway, even if I get a good weapon, it won't contribute much to the group.

Of course, I want to level up and help everyone return, but I don't know at what level the desired ability will appear.

Considering the maximum output with limited resources, it's best to make a sword for Itou now.

Itou and others mentioned that they can earn a lot from monster hunting.

"However, don't overwork Itou."

"Of course, I won't overwork him."

Shigetaka nodded and began forging the sword Itou had entrusted to him.

Shigetaka, who has become quite skilled in blacksmithing, has a furnace that burns at a much higher temperature than when we were in the forest.

The fuel is coal and points.

He stepped on the bellows to raise the furnace's temperature and melted the heated Metal Turtle sword and Full Metal Turtle materials in the furnace.

According to Shigetaka, this stage cannot be achieved with points alone.

"Here we go! One, two, three!"

He heated the Full Metal Turtle shell and Metal Turtle sword to a red-hot state and began hammering them together.

Shigetaka and his blacksmithing companions lifted a heavy hammer made from the Full Metal Turtle shell and began hammering.

"Shigetaka, it will take time, so you can go do your own work. Or just do what you feel like."

"...Understood."

I petted Kumako and told Ramless about leveling up and went hunting.

Thanks to the transfer, the time to procure trade items is not too long.

When I have time, I'll try to level up a bit.