Trading In The Royal Capital- Day 1.

Following his usual itinerary, Hans spent the first day traveling to the Dragon’s Inner Sea, where he finished purchasing dried fish at the fishing village of Garnere.

On the second day, he stopped at Octogone, the capital of the Viscounty of Guvinar, to stock up on wheat from a wholesale merchant he knew well.

From there, he headed east along the East-West Highway.

Stopping at post towns along the way and gathering rumors at taverns, ten days passed. Finally arriving at the Royal Capital, Hans gave a long stretch on his narrow driver’s seat.

By the beginning of February, the snow had fortunately thinned out, preventing any delays, but this was also a season when farmers desperate for food could easily turn into highwaymen. The peddler glanced at the goblin-made shortbow sitting beside him and let out a soft sigh of relief. He was truly fortunate that he hadn’t needed to use it this time.

However, there was no guarantee that the return journey would be just as safe.

The rumors he had picked up along the way confirmed exactly what the young Alchemist had said: water anomalies were already occurring in various places. Because of this, the price of wheat was unstable; a sack that usually cost two silver coins was now being sold for two and a half.

After handing a half-silver coin to the gatekeeper as a transit tax, Hans stayed on his carriage and headed for a familiar merchant guild.

When he arrived at the shop, an apprentice boy noticed him and hurried to call the manager.

“Well now, how are things going?”

“Haha, things are as lively as ever here; business looks good.”

“Not quite. With the festival coming up, people are actually tightening their purse strings.”

At first, they engaged in a light exchange of current events while testing the market waters. However, as it stood, the one trying to sell was at a disadvantage. Hans immediately began describing the dire situations in the towns and villages near the highway, emphasizing that this year’s winter wheat crop looked to be a failure.

The manager countered, arguing that many people were bringing in wheat in anticipation of the Founding Festival demand, leading to a bit of a surplus. After probing each other’s positions, they settled on a purchase price of two silver coins and ninety-three copper coins per sack of wheat.

With a difference of forty-three copper coins per sack, the total profit for thirty sacks came to twelve silver coins and ninety copper coins. Furthermore, the basket full of dried fish he had bought for one silver coin sold for two silver coins. With four baskets, he made a profit of four silver.

“A bit less than usual this time.”

“Yes, well, I have other cargo as well. Oh, speaking of which, how about this?”

Smiling confidently, Hans pulled a wooden crate containing chunks of dried meat from the back of the carriage. He shaved off a small piece with a knife for a tasting.

“Hmm, hmm. A peculiar texture. Ugh— hm, mhm. How about one silver coin?”

“My, my. To think a man with a shop in the Capital couldn’t appreciate the quality of this meat. Here, have another piece.”

“Mm, I’ll take it. Munch, munch. It certainly does get more flavorful the more you chew. Fine, I’ll add another half-silver.”

“Goodness, that’s generous. But if you have just one more bite, your mouth—and your purse strings—will loosen even further.”

“Mmm, the more I chew… Alright, how about two silver coins?”

“Yes, that sounds fair. Or so I’d like to say, but aren’t you starting to feel that it’s a waste to swallow it just yet?”

“T-true! It feels like a waste to finish eating a flavor like this so quickly. Fine, fine! Three silver coins. But don’t sell this to anyone but us. Will you settle for that?”

“Thank you for your business.”

Two crates brought in a total of six silver coins. It seemed that rare fish and meat did indeed bring in high profits. And specifically regarding this dried meat, there was likely nothing else like it in the world. No one would believe him if he told them it was dried meat from a giant bird made in a village of Wicked Fairies.

“So, the usual ale and salt then?”

“No, this time I’ll be heading back along the outer coast, so I’ll skip the salt. I’d like some seed potatoes instead.”

“I see. Ask the staff for the details. Hey, someone!”

With the help of the staff, he unloaded his goods and stocked up on five barrels of the cheapest ale—three silver coins each—as well as the vegetable seeds and seedlings on his list. Being a shop in the Capital where goods and people from across the nation gathered, the selection was so vast he didn’t know where to look first.

“Mister, if you haven’t picked an inn yet, I can show you the way.”

“No, I plan to stay with an acquaintance tonight.”

“Is that so…”

Hans offered a gentle smile to the staff member who had missed out on a referral fee. Strictly speaking, they weren’t acquaintances yet, but it wasn’t the kind of relationship that required a detailed explanation.

Following the directions he had heard, Hans soon found the sign he was looking for: a board painted with a cute bear. He let the donkey rest in front of the shop and peered inside through the door.

“Welcome! Come on in!”

The voice came immediately from a female beastman staff member who, despite the chilly air, had her shoulders exposed. The first floor was a dining hall, and being near evening, it was quite crowded.

“Are you here for a meal? Take any open seat you like.”

“No, forgive my suddenness, but are you perhaps Enni-sama?”

“Have we met somewhere? Yes, that’s me.”

“This is the first time we’ve met. My name is Hans. …I have heard a little about you from an acquaintance.”

Hans glanced around the shop and leaned in to whisper discreetly into Enni’s ear.

“I have a letter for you from that person. If possible, I’d like to give it to you somewhere away from prying eyes.”

Then, he raised his voice so the surroundings could hear.

“What a wonderful smell. I can expect great things from dinner. Mistress, may I have a room for the night? I have a freight carriage with me.”

“Of course! We’d be happy to have you.”

Enni looked puzzled for a split second, but she immediately returned to her usual smile and invited the suspicious guest in.

After moving the carriage to a roofed courtyard, Hans was guided to his room by a small girl. The bedsheets were crisp, and not a speck of dust could be seen in the room. It was a bit cramped, but at half a silver coin per night including the carriage, it was a bargain. Hans made a mental note to make this his regular inn from now on.

Dinner consisted of fried fish and black bread. A hearty stew and a glass of wine were included for two large copper coins—another great deal.

“That was a wonderful meal. All the food in the Capital is splendid, but this shop makes me feel that way especially.”

“I’m glad you liked it. Dear! A guest just gave us a compliment!”

At Enni’s call, a beastman man behind the counter who looked exactly like a bear lowered his head in a silent nod. The triangular-eared beauty sighed as if exasperated and gave Hans a wry smile.

“I’ll bring some hot water for you to wash up later.”

“Oh, that would be helpful.”

Two hours later, once the rush of customers had finally subsided, there was a knock on Hans’s door. Entering the room with a steaming basin in one hand was the large cook from earlier. Enni remained in the hallway, looking wary.

“…………I heard you’re an acquaintance of someone?”

“Yes. Here, please take this.”

When Hans handed over the letter he had pulled from his vest, the beastman man skillfully opened the seal with his claw and began to read. As the others watched in silence, the man suddenly put a hand over his eyes and his body began to tremble.

“What’s wrong, Dear?”

“…………It seems my brother is safe.”

At that answer, Enni’s expression transformed. She rushed into the room, snatched the letter away, and began reading it intently. Then, she had the exact same reaction as the large man. They were quite a similar couple.

“Thank goodness… it sounds like he’s doing well.”

“Yes, he’s quite full of energy and working hard on various things.”

“…………Hmph. Sounds like him. Will you tell us more?”

For a while afterward, Hans carefully recounted the changes in the village since the young Alchemist had arrived. Of course, he kept the most crucial details a bit vague.

“I was worried, but it seems it was all for nothing. Honestly…”

“…………New oil? He found something good.”

Enni’s face became that of an older sister worrying about a mischievous younger brother. In contrast, Olli, perhaps due to his nature as a cook, seemed more interested in the oil mentioned in the letter.

“Regarding that, I have it right here. Please, do give it a try.”

“…………Mm, this is…”

“My, what is this!? Is this really oil? You’re not tricking us, are you?”

After taking a lick of the contents of the barrel Hans held out, the two showed the same reaction as the villagers back home.

“It’s pressed from plants, which is why it’s so clean. We call it Jade Oil.”

“Wow, he really made something incredible, that boy.”

“…………I think it is exceptionally delicious. But I cannot accept it.”

“And why is that?”

At Hans’s question, the two looked at each other and then cast their eyes to the floor.

“It’s embarrassing to admit, but oil this expensive… our shop can’t afford to buy it.”

“…………He is the brother I am proud of. That is why I want to pay him properly.”

Seeing the beastman couple state this so firmly, Hans couldn’t help but smile.

“Ah, regarding that point—from the start, I have no right to buy or sell it myself. So, I have no choice but to give it to you.”

Commercial transactions within the city, excluding morning markets and the like, are basically the right of merchants residing in the city. If that rule is ignored and discovered, one could be completely barred from trading in all locations.

“Besides, there is a reason to give it to you properly. I am a businessman, after all.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. What I would like from you two is to promote this Jade Oil.”