Chapter 355 At the Beastfolk Association
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
The morning after a long, intense night with Marm, the receptionist at the Adventurer’s Guild, I found myself navigating the city streets with a certain spring in my step. My back stung with every movement – the various trophies she’d left behind – but I couldn’t stop smiling as I recalled her parting whisper: “When are you going to call for me again?”
”I have to push ‘Project Harvest’ forward while simultaneously managing the restoration of the east-west trade routes,” I muttered. “Being the proprietor of this shop is a heavy cross to bear.” Of course, in reality, both projects were designed to line my own pockets.
Following my meeting at the Adventurer’s Guild, I made my way to the Hall, the headquarters of the Beastfolk Association. My true objective wasn’t the Association itself, but a business negotiation with Merchant Guild Grizzly ¹. If I wanted to hunt the monsters stirred up by the recent Stampede, I needed the weapons and armor provided by Chairman Chromans’ organization.
I couldn’t recall exactly how long it had been since my last visit to the Hall. Regardless of the day, the place was a constant paradise of animal ears. I finalized my check-in at the reception desk, my gaze drifting toward the twitching ears and swaying tails of the beastfolk staff.
I was escorted to a conference room where Chairman Chromans – a rugged man with prominent bear ears – and his captivating cat-beastfolk secretary, Suu, were waiting.
”It has been quite a while, Lord Kento,” Chromans said as I took my seat. “The word from Her Majesty the Queen suggests you have a profitable venture for us.”
”It has, Chairman Chromans,” I replied. “I’m looking to squeeze every last drop of value out of the chaos left by the Stampede.”
The Chairman greeted my words with a predatory grin. Like the Adventurer’s Guild, Merchant Guild Grizzly must have profited immensely from the monster surge, unlike the struggling Merchant Guild Twilight. If I could offer him a way to increase those margins, he’d likely never stop laughing.
I laid out the same pitch I had given at the guild: we needed to clear the trade routes, and while I had petitioned the Kingdom of Ferguson for aid, we were expected to provide our own manpower. Manpower, however, required massive amounts of logistics and materiel.
Chromans nodded along as I spoke, while Suu took meticulous notes. They were likely calculating the available personnel and supplies. Given the high percentage of beastfolk among the adventurer ranks, the Chairman was undoubtedly considering how to mobilize his own kind.
”Very well,” Chromans said. “My guild – no, the Beastfolk Association as a whole – will provide the necessary support. Since this is your initiative and it carries the Queen’s endorsement, I have no reason to refuse.”
”I appreciate that,” I said. “Now, I have a further suggestion… or perhaps just a thought I’ve been mulling over.”
”I’m listening,” the Chairman asked.
”The route to the west requires passing through the territories of the Western Lords, correct?”
”Naturally,” Chromans replied.
”I believe those lords are currently facing a specific dilemma following the Stampede,” I said.
”Oh?” the Chairman asked, stroking his beard.
I noted how much more charming the gesture would have been if Suu had done it, then continued when the Chairman didn’t offer a rebuttal.
”Simply put, following the advice of the Ferguson nobility, they likely purchased massive stockpiles of weapons and armor. They may have even hired expensive mercenary companies.”
”Ah… I see where this is going,” the Chairman said, his eyes sharpening.
It didn’t take much for him to grasp the angle. Most of those goods had likely been sold to the lords by Merchant Guild Grizzly in the first place. Now, with the threat neutralized, those lords were left holding specialized gear they didn’t need – useless trinkets for peaceful territories. They would likely be thrilled to sell them back, even at a steep discount.
”You have a devious mind, Kento,” Chromans said. “But buying back our own merchandise for a fraction of the price… won’t that breed resentment?”
”I don’t believe so,” I replied. “Depending on the price, they’ll be glad for the liquidity. Besides, restoring the trade routes is in their best interest. The wealth of the Western Lords depends on their trade with Ferguson.”
”True enough,” the Chairman said. “In that case, leave the negotiations to us. We’ll gather the gear, absorb the mercenaries, and perhaps even send some smiths along for the restoration work.”
”I’ll leave that in your hands,” I said. “As long as the supplies reach Ferguson as promised, I’m satisfied. If my shop’s inventory happens to find its way to the female adventurers in the west, that’s just a bonus. I’ll coordinate with Merchant Guild Twilight to handle the distribution.”
We shared a low, conspiratorial laugh. It sounded villainous, but it was a perfect win-win-win. Ferguson would regain its stability, the Kingdom of Canaria would earn political favor, and the guilds – along with my shop – would see record profits. Even the commoners would benefit from the influx of goods. It was the quintessential case of turning a disaster into a windfall. While the lives lost in the Stampede meant we shouldn’t be too celebratory, moping wouldn’t help the survivors.
”We’ll proceed with this plan,” the Chairman said. “If we hit a snag with the Western Lords, I’ll let you know.”
”Of course,” I replied.
Business was concluded, but Chromans remained in his seat. I waited, sensing he had something else to discuss.
”By the way, Kento,” he said, his smile shifting to something more personal. “A message came in for you.”
”For me?” I asked.
”Yes. It said: ‘Once things settle down, we’re coming to see our grandchild’s face. Be ready for us.’”
I felt a cold sweat break out. “Grandchild’s face?” If a message like that was coming through the Beastfolk Association, there was only one group it could be.
”Is this… Laika’s parents?” I muttered.
”Correct,” the Chairman replied. “It’s from the dog-beastfolk pack that helped slay the two Great Dragons. The message was signed by Chieftain Slop and his wife, Rikka.”
Laika’s parents were the leaders of their pack. I knew they had been assisting in the reconstruction of the Kudoah territory, but I hadn’t expected a visit so soon.
”Does Laika know about this?” I asked.
”She knows they are coming,” Chromans said. “But the part about the ‘grandchild’s face’ was a message specifically for you, Kento.”
I swallowed hard. I loved Laika, and I’d welcome her family, but I wondered if the dog-beastfolk had any terrifying traditions for their sons-in-law. Regardless, I had no choice but to face them with everything I had.
”That’s a good look on your face,” the Chairman teased. “Their arrival depends on the situation in Kudoah, but you’d best start preparing.”
”I appreciate the warning,” I said. “How is the recovery in Kudoah? I’d heard the monster situation was still quite dire.”
”The reports we have suggest reconstruction is moving faster than anticipated,” Chromans noted. “Apparently, ‘Saint Amelia’ and ‘Great Mage Satsuki’ have been performing miracles. Slop mentioned it was as if their desire to return to the capital had manifested as raw power. He also mentioned that Laika’s mate must be quite the stallion to keep them so motivated.”
”Is that so…” I replied, feeling a headache coming on.
”Saint” and “Great Mage,” indeed. People always wanted heroes, and while I was glad they were getting the recognition, I feared the extra attention would be a nuisance later.
”Well, on the topic of stallions,” the Chairman said, standing up with an amused glint in his eye, “I’ll step out. You two should have a moment to talk.”
The old man was clearly enjoying my discomfort. As Chromans left the room, I was left alone with Suu. She closed her notebook with a sharp snap, straightened her back, and looked me in the eye.
”Now then,” she began, her tone professional despite the heat in her gaze. “I’d like a decision on my status. I don’t wish to rush you, but we require a messenger for this upcoming project. Furthermore, my ‘heat’ begins next week. If we are to conduct the ‘experiment,’ sooner would be far better than later.”
Her words were as cold as a business briefing, but her waving tail betrayed her true longing.
Of course, I already knew my answer.
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Summary:
Kento visits the Beastfolk Association to negotiate a buy-back scheme for weapons with Chairman Chromans. The plan creates a win-win scenario for all merchant guilds and the kingdom. However, the chapter ends with a personal bombshell: Laika’s parents are coming to visit to see their ‘grandchild.’
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Trivia:
- Kento is still feeling the physical aftereffects of his night with Marm.
- The ‘Western Lords’ are currently over-equipped and under-funded due to the Stampede panic.
- Laika’s parents, Slop and Rikka, are high-ranking leaders of a dog-beastfolk pack.
- Amelia and Satsuki are working in Kudoah territory specifically to expedite their return to Kento
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Character Insight:
Kento demonstrates his growth as a merchant by proposing a complex arbitrage scheme that benefits multiple parties, though he remains easily flustered by family-related pressures. Suu shows a clear divide between her professional exterior and her biological ‘heat.’
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Behind the Scenes:
The ‘grandchild’s face’ line is a heavy cultural pressure point in Japanese family dynamics, signaling that the parents expect or are aware of pregnancy/offspring.
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TL Notes:
Notes:
• Marm – The attractive, red-haired, tanned receptionist at the Adventurer’s Guild. She wears a uniform that emphasizes her ‘nice body.’ She is kind and acts like a supportive ‘big sister’ figure to Kento. Looks like Mirajane Strauss from certain series.
• Chromans – President of the ‘Royal Capital Beast-person Mutual Aid Association’ and the manager of the ‘Grizzly Merchant Guild,’ a top-tier weapons and armor dealer. He’s powerful, influential, and very business-savvy. Have round, cute bear ears (sooty brown), bushy beard and hair (sooty brown), and large build with muscular physique under a expensive gown.
• Suu – Secretary for the Royal Capital Beast-person Mutual Aid Association and a cat beast-person. Sample No. 19 in Kento’s report. She steps up as the first witness for the defense. Wears glasses and a tight suit.
• Kento – The owner of the magic tool shop ‘Harvest,’ which discretely sells adult goods. He’s a former overworked, ordinary salaryman from modern Japan who was suddenly transported (isekai’d) to this fantasy world. He has dark hair and an unremarkable appearance, typically wearing a plain, slightly suspicious-looking shop owner’s clothes looks like Kazuma Satou from certain series. He has a minimal amount of magic power, enough to craft his specialty items.
• Laika – The beastwoman dog.
• Rikka – Member of the hound-kin pack; Laika’s mother. Has orange hair and fluffy tail. Energetic and teasing.
• Slop – Leader of the hound-kin pack; Laika’s father. Has orange hair and fluffy tail.
• Satsuki – A talented Court Mage who was forced to analyze the shop’s adult magic tools. Miranda’s granddaughter. Now she’s the new worker at Harvest, a development she finds both humiliating and surprisingly fulfilling due to the rapid progress in her research under Kento’s guidance. Has long black hair, palace mage robe, and staff.
• Amelia – The Sister of the Church of Demon-Subjugating, who usually buys from Kento, has light blue hair.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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