Chapter 493 The Sun Rises Again ②
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
I stopped by the Tasogare¹ Merchant Guild to discuss the product recall. In the short time since I’d last seen him, the manager, Badatt, had leaned out so much he’d become a distinguished-looking older gentleman. His usual “shady merchant” face was gone.
I wasn’t going to go so far as to say, “You’re not the Badatt I know!” but as someone who’d grown fond of his oily, wheezing chuckles, I felt a little disappointed.
”Anyway… is your health alright?” I asked.
”No, no, please don’t worry about it,” Badatt replied. “I just got caught up in the spirit of things and helped move some merchandise. Acting like a kid again in the Manly Relay² just made the weight melt off me.”
”Ah, so that’s what happened,” I said.
Apparently, the manager himself had participated in that test of stamina. If he was “returning to his roots,” he must have spent his youth obsessed with Manly Relay games. I really would have liked to see a crooked merchant shedding “manly sweat” alongside those hulking brutes.
”Yes, it was the perfect way to blow off steam between desk sessions,” Badatt said, scratching his cheek. “Though my wife did tell me to ‘bring back my squishy-wobbly hubby!’ so it’s off-limits for a while.”
He seemed to be as head-over-heels as ever for his wife, who was also a heavy user of our shop’s products. Since their domestic bliss was vital to our business relationship, I decided I’d send them a high-calorie gift sometime soon.
”So, what business brings you here today?” he asked.
”Well, actually, a significant fact has come to light regarding our shop’s inventory–“
I explained the “vibration mechanism” lifespan issue to Badatt. I told him the “Hot-Shot-kun”³ heating circuits might fail before winter ended, and that I intended to offer either replacements or deep discounts.
This was a serious situation for the Tasogare Merchant Guild. They had high hopes for the “Hot-Shot-kun” as a flagship export for the revived Wielope Empire to the east and the frigid regions further north. Those northern lands were reportedly as cold as the Coalmine Kingdom; they’d already been pestering us for stock, knowing it would be a guaranteed bestseller.
Badatt listened intently, stroking his mouth with a grave expression. He actually looked sophisticated doing it, which felt strangely off-putting. Even his tacky rings looked mysteriously classy now.
”That’s a thorny issue,” he said slowly. “Since these are new products Harvest-san developed, these kinds of teething problems are unavoidable. I was so dazzled by the product’s brilliance that I failed to consider its longevity myself.”
”No, the responsibility lies with us,” I countered. “The Hot-Shot-kun was a rush job, and I have to admit our planning was naive.”
Badatt looked a bit taken aback. I knew what he was doing–he’d thrown me an “assist pass.” He was essentially saying, “We didn’t notice either, so don’t sweat it. We’ll even help cover the cost. We’re partners, right?”
I saw the pass and intentionally ignored it. This wasn’t bravado or fear of losing face. I was a magic circuit smith, but I was also a businessman, and a businessman doesn’t move unless there’s a profit to be made. (At least, that’s the line I’m sticking to.)
”I see. You have something in mind, don’t you?” Badatt asked.
”Yes. For the sake of our future, I want you to leave the handling of this to our shop,” I replied.
Badatt straightened his posture, reading my intent, and asked for the details. I straightened my own back and began the pitch.
”First, the replacement program isn’t a loss. It’s a golden opportunity.”
”I’m listening,” he said.
”I apologize for answering with a question, but Badatt-san, have you ever heard of a shop offering replacements or discounts the moment a flaw is found?”
”Hmm… it’s rare. Usually, only high-end outfits like the Garou Guild offer that kind of service for luxury goods.”
”Exactly,” I said. “Think about your local hardware stores or the armorers who cater to adventurers. They provide repairs and support long after the sale. Why? Because they sell items meant to last, and in their business, trust is the only currency that matters. Generous support leads directly to sales.”
”I see…”
”Who wants to buy a luxury item from someone they don’t trust? Who would trust their life to a sword from a smith who won’t stand by his work? Our products are the same. They touch the most delicate parts of a woman’s body. Without absolute trust, we have nothing.”
”You’re right,” he mused. “That’s why no one can successfully copy your work. Even if they try, they can’t replicate the reputation.”
It was the old “lose the battle to win the war” strategy. My shop had already become a brand in the adult magic circuit world. I hadn’t realized it at first, but buying adult goods from a shady back-alley shop is a terrifying prospect. We grew through word of mouth, and we’d die by it too if we weren’t careful.
”I follow you,” Badatt said. “But calling it a ‘profitable venture’ still feels like a stretch.”
”Here’s the kicker: our products actually last a long time compared to the competition. Once someone buys a unit, they don’t come back unless they need consumables like aphrodisiacs. We’ve been relying on new releases to keep people coming through the door. But now…”
”Ah… I see. You use the replacement visit as a chance to showcase the new lineup and accelerate the sales cycle.”
”Bingo,” I said.
This was “Lose to Win,” Part Two. The Hot-Shot-kun isn’t an adult toy; it’s a general-use item. That meant my customer base was about to explode. When people see us standing by a simple heater, they’ll trust us. They’ll buy units for their friends and family. And once they’re in the shop… well, they might just get curious about our other specialties. It wasn’t a crisis; it was a customer acquisition campaign.
I couldn’t help but let out a wicked, oily chuckle. Badatt, who no longer had the face for that kind of laugh, just stared at me as if wondering what had gotten into me.
”I understand completely,” Badatt said. “But I have to ask: why keep the Tasogare Merchant Guild out of this specific gold mine?”
”Don’t worry, I’m not freezing you out,” I replied with a grin. “It’s just that you have much bigger fish to fry. You’ve got the trade routes to the Wielope Empire and the Sylvaol Kingdom to manage.”
”Ah… the big picture.”
”Exactly. The recall is a major event for my shop, but it’s small potatoes for you. Don’t waste your capital here. Focus on the new routes. That’s where the real money is for both of us.”
”Hahaha! Fair enough. Thanks to you, the northern routes are open, the western troubles are fading, and the south is looking up. My horizon is finally clear, Harvest-san. I’m actually excited.”
”We couldn’t have done it without the Tasogare Merchant Guild. But since we’re here, tell me more about your future plans.”
”Yes, yes… but where are my manners? Sera, could you bring us some tea and sweets?”
”Right away!”
Having finished our long talk, Badatt called over Sera, our shop’s contact who had been waiting nearby. She looked genuinely happy to see us getting along. She brought out a literal mountain of pastries. Badatt and I sat there trading dreams of the future over tea. I thought there was no way the three of us could finish all those sweets, but they vanished into Badatt’s stomach in record time.
I smiled. It wouldn’t be long before that squishy, shady merchant face was back where it belonged.
—
Summary:
Harvest visits the Tasogare Merchant Guild to address a durability flaw in the Hot-Shot-kun heating circuit. He meets Badatt, who has surprisingly transformed into a fit, handsome man due to recent physical labor. Harvest strategically rejects financial aid to maintain brand trust, turning a product recall into a marketing campaign for his adult magic circuits.
—
Trivia:
- Badatt is a ‘heavy user’ of adult magic goods, implying a very active personal life.
- The ‘Manly Relay’ mentioned is actually a serious physical task that resulted in Badatt’s massive weight loss.
- Harvest views trust as the primary barrier to entry for his competitors in the adult goods market.
- The Hot-Shot-kun is Harvest’s first foray into non-adult, general-use magic products
—
Character Insight:
Harvest shows his maturity as a business owner by refusing a ‘friendly’ bailout from Badatt. He understands that ‘taking the hit’ now builds a brand reputation that is far more valuable than short-term cash flow. Badatt’s physical transformation reflects the guild’s new proactive energy in opening trade routes.
—
Behind the Scenes:
The author uses the ‘Ike-oji’ (handsome older man) trope to humorously contrast Badatt’s previously established ‘greedy merchant’ aesthetic.
—
TL Notes:
Notes:
• Badatt – Seventh‑generation head of the Tasogare Merchant Guild, once a rotund, oily, ring‑laden figure with a shady merchant visage, now a lean, handsome middle‑aged man thanks to hard labor. He runs the guild competently, values good sense, relies heavily on Harvest’s products, and maintains a close partnership with Kento despite the latter’s explicit offerings.
• Harvest – The protagonist. A gaunt scholar in a tattered academic coat, wields low‑mana circuits yet masters Academy systems. He runs an adult magic‑circuit shop, crafting rare components, and conducts business with cold calculation, valuing brand trust and lasting customer bonds.
• Sera – Young earnest salesperson of the Tasogare Merchant Guild, she supplies Kento and is known for her braided brown hair, large round glasses, freckles, and serious demeanor that flusters easily—especially around his adult‑goods shop. She also serves as Harvest’s dedicated contact, being helpful, cheerful, and diligent.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
Leave a Reply