Chapter 232 The Ddo-Buddy Trade Zone ③
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Now then, from here on we will talk about the ‘Grand Ddo-Buddy Economic Zone¹,’” the Queen said. “Mostly, I think it would be good to export the ‘Harvest’ items we got in this deal… but were there any requests from Sylvaol?”
After finishing the talk about the two-country “‘Small’ Ddo-Buddy Economic Zone²,” the next topic was the three-country “Grand Ddo-Buddy Economic Zone.”
”Yes, that is mostly correct,” Princess Ierse replied. “Some merchant guilds were already interested and want to buy some stock. To be exact, I had them tell their needs to your Tasogare Merchant Guild³.”
”I see. That is fine for now, but is it a bad idea to let only the Tasogare Merchant Guild handle the shipping…?” the Queen asked.
”It is not a bad idea, but the guilds over there want to buy directly,” Ierse explained. “They are also curious about how popular it is in the Canaria Kingdom⁴ and will likely visit soon to see for themselves.”
”Hmm. Do they need a formal welcome?” the Queen asked.
”Basically, no,” Ierse answered. “They are all just watching for now, so at most they will visit the Tasogare Merchant Guild or Lord Harvest’s shop as normal customers. If they like it, they will come to us with a deal.”
”Then we shall tell the Tasogare Merchant Guild that. Lord Harvest, is that okay with you too?” the Queen asked.
”Understood, ha!” I replied.
It looks like the “Grand Ddo-Buddy Economic Zone” is just starting, and I don’t know how it will go yet. Well, there’s no rush. I’ll wait for it to grow and help out if there are problems.
”Still, I thought merchants would be more hungry for a chance, but their reaction is pretty slow,” the Queen said.
”Fufu, that is a bit harsh,” Ierse said with a smile. “You feel that way because they are sea merchants. It takes a lot of money to send out a ship, and there isn’t much room for cargo. They are adventurers who brave the ocean, but they want goods that will definitely sell. If they get there and find out ‘nothing sold,’ they will go broke.”
I was impressed by Princess Ierse’s smooth words. I knew she was smart, but she is truly the daughter of the sea nation Sylvaol⁵ and knows her family’s work well.
”I see. So, when ‘Ddo-Buddy’ makes it across the sea, its value will be truly proven?” the Queen asked.
”Yes,” Ierse replied. “First, they will show a little to their partners over there. If it goes well, they will bring more, carefully checking if ‘Ddo-Buddy’ can turn into gold. By then, people might call it the ‘golden rod’ instead of the ‘golden ball’… oh, sorry for being rude.”
Whoa, I think I saw a bit of her ‘inner self’ there. They say men of the sea have dirty mouths, so maybe that’s how she really is. But for the wife of the Crown Prince, that might have been a bit much. Everyone in the room acted like they didn’t hear, and finally, Her Majesty cleared her throat to change the mood.
”Ahem! Well then, we have to wait for the trade with Sylvaol. For now, should we think about making more items in the future…” the Queen said.
”Fufu, I think that is a bit too fast, Queen Majesty,” Ierse said.
”Hmm? I thought I was just saying what you told me, Ierse-dono…” the Queen said, looking confused.
”What I said before was about big guilds and countries. Among the common people, I am sure there is a different need,” Ierse stated.
”Hmm. Tell me more,” the Queen said.
Princess Ierse gave a look that said ‘wait’ to the Queen, who had reached the same thought as me. I wonder what this ‘different need’ is.
”Simply put, Sylvaol is a sea country, and many people work on the water. So, there are many sailors,” Ierse explained.
”That is common knowledge,” the Queen replied. “I heard the capital of Sylvaol is a busy port city full of life from other lands.”
”Yes, and I’d love to brag about my home, but I’ll focus on the sailors instead,” Ierse said. “They are human too, and they leave their families on land during the trip. Since most sailors are men, they leave behind wives and kids.”
”I see, I’m starting to get it… but that is…” the Queen said softly.
”I think you know what I mean,” Ierse said. “To be direct, what do you think the wives do while the men are gone?”
”…If I answer honestly, they would be cleaning the house, raising kids, or working. But that’s not what you mean, right?” the Queen asked.
”Right,” Ierse replied. “Sailors’ wives wait for their husbands, living in deep loneliness every day. Don’t you think a magic tool that helps with that is needed?”
”You… you come up with some pretty mean ideas…” the Queen said.
I also let out a sigh of wonder. She didn’t just ‘know her family’s work.’ She knew the sea trade, the sailors, and even how their wives felt.
I wonder why the royals of Sylvaol sent her to Coalmine⁶, a place with a totally different world. If she stayed home, she would have been a great help. Or maybe because she is so smart, they felt it was better to send her away…?
”Mean… you say? Well, I guess it is using people’s loneliness…” Ierse said.
”No, I mean, you are saying this, right? That while the husband is away, they might find another man…” the Queen started to say.
”That won’t do, Majesty,” Ierse cut in. “I won’t say it never happens, but not because they are sailors’ wives. But isn’t it a nice story if a husband who is worried gives a ‘Ddo-Buddy’ and says, ‘Please think of this as me’?”
”Umu, well, I guess so…” the Queen said.
Princess Ierse stopped the Queen before she got into a risky topic, then told a story that made me think, “Isn’t that also kind of mean?” Still, it’s very easy to picture that scene.
”A husband would be happy to spend money for his wife, and the wife can feel less lonely while he’s gone. Also, I think ‘Harvest’ items are perfect for a hot night once the husband finally comes home,” Ierse added.
”So that’s the chance you saw…” the Queen said.
”Yes. What do you think, Majesty?” Ierse asked.
Her Majesty thought about it for a while. Her good point is that she doesn’t just say ‘I don’t care about common people.’ Because of that, she probably has a lot to worry about.
”Lord Harvest, we just talked about how it’s hard to export to Coalmine, but can we make more for Sylvaol too?” the Queen asked.
”If the Badcage territory⁸ can make the ‘Hot-Shot-kun⁷,’ maybe… Or we could ask for more people at the monastery,” I suggested.
”Duke Roost, what do you think?” the Queen asked.
”It’s not impossible, but I don’t know how much we can do… Like I said before, we can’t get more staff easily,” Duke Roost replied.
”Father, um, could we ask the old gentlemen for help…?” the Duke’s daughter asked.
”Hmm? Having the heroes of the old days make magic tools… That is… No, they might actually have fun with it…” Duke Roost said.
After some talk on the Canaria side, the choice was to ‘somehow do our best.’ Relying on just hard work isn’t great, but everyone used their brains for the sake of the “Grand Ddo-Buddy Economic Zone.”
If it fails, Coalmine will get less and the Sylvaol trade won’t be great, but since Princess Ierse made the idea, she’ll have to accept it.
”Next… is there anything our country can do to help?” Ierse asked. “Right now we only give ‘Fire Rat Fur⁹‘ and buy goods. It feels a bit one-sided for an ‘economic zone.’”
”Umu, true… Lord Harvest, do you need anything?” the Queen asked.
”The ‘Samon Mushrooms¹⁰‘ I spoke of are the most needed,” I answered. “Last year we had a hard time because there weren’t many… I’ll make a list of things we’ll need to make more items.”
”Yes, please do,” Ierse said. “Mushrooms are good, but what about ore? Coalmine is known for its ore.”
”Ah… I am thinking about that, but it’s not ready for real use or mass production yet… Maybe we can buy some just to test?” I said.
”In that case, we have some coming in for the court mages. Use those, Lord Harvest,” the Queen said.
With the Queen in the middle, I talked about raw materials with Princess Ierse. It seems Her Majesty is still worried about technology being stolen. It looks like selling the ‘Wriggle Ddo-Buddy¹¹‘ or ‘Piston Machine¹²‘ is still far away…
Anyway, the “Grand Ddo-Buddy Economic Zone” has taken its first shaky steps. I hope one day materials from Coalmine can be made in Canaria and sent to the whole world through Sylvaol.
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Summary:
Harvest and the leaders discuss forming the trilateral ‘Grand’ trade zone with Sylvaol. Princess Ierse points out a huge market for adult magic tools among the lonely wives of sailors. Canaria struggles with labor but considers using retired heroes to increase production. The Queen remains cautious about sharing advanced machine designs to prevent technology theft.
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Character Insight:
Princess Ierse shows she is a brilliant and slightly ruthless thinker, using her knowledge of the sea to find a niche market. She understands that business isn’t just about logic, but about filling the emotional gaps of everyday people. Her pragmatic approach even challenges the Queen’s traditional view of how trade should work.
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Behind the Scene:
The idea of using ‘retired heroes’ as manual labor for mass-producing adult goods is a classic light novel trope that highlights the absurdity of the world’s economics.
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T/L:
Notes:
• Ierse – The Crown Princess and wife of Gilliam, originally from a foreign land. She is described as lively and healthy with a unique charm. She wants to cheer up her husband. Has long haired hair.
• Roost – Duke of Badcage and father of Tina Badcage. He has long silver hair mixed with some white, a cool-headed expression, and red eyes. Despite a relatively slender build, he possesses a strong fighting spirit.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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