Chapter 56

Slave trader Mago Piet, in one generation, has established two slave trading houses, eight item shops, and three magic item stores in the city of Kama. Recently, he has even opened stores in the capital.

His success is solely due to his "Appraising Eye." This innate skill allows him to discern details about objects more precisely than the "Appraisal" skill.

Mago Piet ran around more than anyone, scrutinized goods more than anyone, and continued to sell items. Before he knew it, he had become one of the top merchants in the city of Kama.

"Gr, gru..."

Mago Piet, who was confident in his ability to discern objects, was groaning. The reason was—

Potion (6th Tier): Has a healing effect (minor)

Potion (6th Tier): Has a healing effect (minor)

Potion (6th Tier): Has a healing effect (very minor)

The three potions on the table were the cause. While others would see them as ordinary potions using the Appraisal skill, Mago Piet, with his "Appraising Eye," saw them differently.

Potion (6th Tier): Has a healing effect (30)

Potion (6th Tier): Has a healing effect (45)

Potion (6th Tier): Has a healing effect (10)

It was common knowledge among alchemists, blacksmiths, and merchants that the same item could have different effects depending on the maker. However, these potions were abnormal.

The effect of the 6th Tier potions that Mago Piet's store procures from the Alchemy Guild is generally around 30. So, the first potion was the one he usually dealt with. The second potion was the problem. With an effect of 45, it was 1.5 times more effective than the potions in his store. If this potion were to be sold at the same price as the ones in his store—1 silver coin—there would be serious consequences.

The third potion was even more perplexing. What was the point of a potion that had only one-third the effect of a commercially available potion?

"Where did you procure these potions from?"

"That reaction means you noticed. The first potion is the one my store deals with. I want you to handle the remaining two potions.

The high-effect potion, 2,000 bottles per week, and the low-effect potion, 5,000 bottles—"

"Are you crazy... If we do that, we'll make enemies with the Alchemy Guild.

Moreover, the low-effect potion won't sell at all."

"You can tell the Alchemy Guild that a fool suggested selling them at the same price to teach them a lesson, and that you deliberately displayed them next to the Alchemy Guild's potions.

The Alchemy Guild is known for its pride, so they won't say anything more."

Mago was leaning towards procuring them. If he refused and the deal went to another store, the damage would be incalculable.

He was now considering how to procure them at the lowest cost.

"Let me think about it. However, if I do procure them, it will only be the high-effect potion."

"Your pretense of thinking is futile. You can't refuse this deal.

The procurement cost of the potion from the Alchemy Guild is 8,000 Madoka per bottle, right? I can supply the high-effect potion for 5,000 Madoka and the low-effect potion for 500 Madoka."

"5,000!?"

Mago was surprised that Yu knew the procurement cost of the potions, but he was calculating the profit and the possibility of monopolizing potion sales in the city of Kama if he could sell them cheaply.

Even the low-effect potion could be profitable at a procurement cost of 500 Madoka.

"Sell the high-effect potion at the same price as the one from the Alchemy Guild—10,000 Madoka. If you sell it too cheaply, they might cause trouble.

Hire a few tight-lipped people to spread the word that the potions I supply have a higher effect, and adventurers and mercenaries will flock to buy them."

"Indeed, selling them at the same price and letting adventurers and mercenaries spread the word about their effectiveness.

What about the low-effect potion?"

"What kind of customers buy potions the most?"

"Of course, adventurers buy the most. Followed by mercenaries, knights, and travelers."

"What about citizens?"

"Heh heh, almost no citizens buy a potion that costs 10,000 Madoka, or 1 silver coin.

Apart from what I mentioned earlier, it would be merchants, nobles, and the wealthy."

"You understand. A potion that costs 10,000 Madoka is out of reach for citizens.

But what if it costs half a silver coin? Even if it has a low effect, wouldn't citizens buy a potion for half a silver coin as a precaution?"

"!? Indeed, if it costs half a silver coin... the possibility... no, they would definitely buy it."

"There are thousands of adventurers in the city of Kama, but there are many times more citizens."

Mago's eyes widened as he stared at Yu. The idea that something that had only sold to a specific group could now be sold to everyone was exciting.

After adjusting the delivery schedule and other details, what would have been a negotiation lasting several days was settled in just a few minutes.

"Heh heh, it's a mutually beneficial deal.

However, you're a bit too lenient, Yu."

"I'm too lenient?"

"Why did you bring this deal to me?

Is it because of that dark elf?

In fact, I had already been informed that the dark elf had contacted you. If I were in your position, I would have taken this deal to the Beloon Trading Company, the largest in the capital."

"I didn't bring this deal to you by chance."

Mago nodded in satisfaction.

"Because you're on the decline."

"I'm on the decline? What are you talking about? I'm still one of the top merchants in the city of Kama."

"You built your business from scratch in one generation. That was good, but what came after wasn't.

You recently opened a store in the capital, right?"

Mago was inwardly surprised by the mention of the capital, but he couldn't see how it connected to the current deal.

"You mentioned the Beloon Trading Company in the capital earlier. They've also been expanding into the city of Kama, haven't they?

The Beloon Trading Company is backed by the Minister of Finance of the Uudon Kingdom.

Why would the Beloon Trading Company, which is doing well in the capital, expand into the city of Kama?"

"That... as a merchant... the city of Kama is an attractive location..."

"Don't joke. There are still places to open stores and demand in the capital. Why would they expand into the city of Kama? It's impossible.

Did you refuse to pay the minister when he asked you to tacitly allow the expansion? The Beloon Trading Company is expanding into the city of Kama as retaliation.

The evidence is that all the Beloon Trading Company's stores are near your stores."

Yu's predictions were mostly accurate. In reality, Mago had tried to bribe the minister, but the amount demanded was astronomical, enough to shake the foundation of the Mago Trading Company.

This time, Yu's proposal was not only a chance for profit but also an opportunity to revive the eight item shops that were being overshadowed by the Beloon Trading Company.

"Heh heh, you did your research.

Indeed, my item shops are being overshadowed by the Beloon Trading Company."

The Mago who had been acting as a merchant was now a resigned old man.

"I'm glad, Mago. From now on, I'll be on your side, so you won't lose."

Mago was slightly surprised by Yu's sudden age-appropriate manner of speaking, but his mind was preoccupied with future strategies.

According to Yu, the plan was to gradually increase the supply to the city of Kama and, once the demand and supply were met, to supply the stores in the capital.

Yu didn't reveal who was creating such a large quantity of potions or how they would be delivered to the capital.

However, Yu mentioned that once the business was on track, he would expand the product range, and Mago decided to commit to it.

While they were discussing, a report came that the dark elf's preparations were complete. Mago told Yu to go ahead and left the room.

Mago headed to a room behind the door Yu had been looking at. In that room, three real bodyguards, all former C-rank adventurers, were waiting.

"What did you think of that adventurer Yu?"

"To be honest, I'm glad the deal went smoothly."

A slender man replied. Despite his slim build, his toned muscles and scars all over his body suggested a seasoned adventurer.

"Heh heh, was he that difficult for you?"

"If it had come to a fight, we would have had to let Mago escape and we would have died."

"!? You would have lost!?"

Mago was understandably shocked. Even though they were former C-rank adventurers, they were just a step away from B-rank. For three of them to admit they couldn't defeat a newly minted D-rank adventurer was surprising.

"That boy is not just a D-rank adventurer.

He recently defeated a group of sub-humans who were killing new adventurers, one of whom was the dragonman Zep Magnor."

"The Immortal Mercenary... Zep Magnor, the Seer..."

Mago was relieved that he had made the right decision not to fight at that time.