Episode 89

Actions taken out of consideration for others are probably all related to one’s own business.

However, his spirit of service should be a necessary element when thinking about expanding the shop in the future.

I should learn from him too.

For a while Rig walked through the shop, looking over the goods.

“As I thought, all of these are of good quality. Would it be alright if I pick out and purchase around five swords now?”

“Yeah, no problem.”

“Thank you. By the way, how are you planning to run the shop?”

“How, you mean?”

“You’ll handle custom orders and generic sword deliveries separately, right?”

That’s right.

There are broadly two types of blacksmith shops.

One makes generic swords and displays them in the shop.

That’s basically how we’re operating now.

And the other is custom orders: many smiths take orders first and then produce the weapon.

Before, I made swords for Ivas, Weather, and even Reberto, and that’s the method of doing business by focusing on that.

Made-to-order production is expensive, but you craft the sword to suit that person.

Money-wise, I think you’d earn more if you only did custom orders… but that’s only after your skill as a smith is recognized.

Right now I need to prove my skill enough that people will place orders.

“For now, I’ll keep working like this to earn trust. If custom orders become hard to handle, I might pause making generic swords… something like that.”

“…I see. If that happens, I might not be able to purchase from you anymore.”

“I don’t know if it will get that big, so for a while I’ll keep delivering goods.”

“Yes. Please. If you need Magic Ore, we’ll direct it to Lord Faik.”

“…I see. Then, if Cirea Magic Ore comes in, could you send it our way?”

“Yes, understood. As for the price, we’ll inspect the item then and discuss. What about if higher-grade Magic Ore comes in? Shall we take a look just in case?”

“…Yeah.”

Birea Magic Ore and Eirea Magic Ore.

The higher the rank of Magic Ore, the harder it is to get onto the market.

If it’s obtainable, I’d like to secure it even if I don’t make anything with it right away.

Once we agreed on terms, Arme cut in.

“Lord Faik! For now, would it be possible to deliver five swords and ten knives by the start of next week!?”

“No problem.”

“Thank you! That’s what he said, Dad!”

Arme slapped Rig on the back energetically, and Rig sighed, looking tired.

“Ah, I heard that. Well then, thank you, Lord Faik.”

“Likewise. I look forward to working with you.”

We clasped each other’s hands firmly.

“Well then, please take care of it!”

“Yeah. Will you come pick up the goods at the shop?”

“Yes! Would around seven in the morning be inconvenient?”

“That should work. Come to the back door at that time. We’ll have them ready.”

“Understood! Thank you!”

Arme bowed politely.

Then, as Rig had said, they bought several swords and knives and left the shop.

After the two of them left, Alicia smiled happily.

“That’s great—you’ve got orders.”

“Yeah.”

As we talked, another customer came in.

A pleasantly busy feeling.

I headed to serve the customer with a smile.

The first day’s start is going great, I’d say.

But the problem starts from here.

Even if many customers bought things, if the reviews are bad, people won’t come back.

Yes, from here on word of mouth is important.

It’s about how my weapons’ reputation spreads by word of mouth.

To get people to spread it by word of mouth, I have to sell good-quality items as cheaply as possible.

…I have to work hard.

As the sun began to sink, we locked up the shop and went upstairs.

While climbing the stairs, we talked about today’s sales.

“We sold quite a bit. Today’s sales were about 1,000,000 gold.”

“Huh, you kept records?”

“Yeah. You have to keep proper records.”

“…Now that you mention it, that’s right.”

“The exact number is 1,003,200 gold.”

…I see.

Alicia declared it with overflowing confidence.

I’m grateful she kept proper records.

“…Anyway, I’m glad we sold well.”

Having Lord Goral cooperate this far, a huge failure now would be more than embarrassing.

“If it’s like this on the first day, it’s a big success.”

“That’s true. The issue is whether customers will keep coming.”

“Yeah. But I think Faik’s weapons will be fine. They shouldn’t get bad reviews.”

I can only trust Alicia, who said that so confidently.

I put my full effort into the smithing each time too.

I don’t think all the reviews will be bad.

“I have another worry as well.”

“Another worry? Is there something else?”

“…If Faik’s reputation skyrockets from now on… with our current staff we might not be able to run the shop.”

…W-will it really get that big?

I’d be happy if it did, though.

No, no. This isn’t the time to grin.

I need to think seriously.