Chapter 143 Negotiation
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Alright… the real deal starts now…”
Kazumi takes a deep breath in front of my house.
”Why are you so pumped up?”
”My proposal could decide the future of this village.”
Kazumi gives a surprisingly serious answer to Liz’s casual question.
”What Kazumi says is true. Rena has been helping out too… today is a really important day for the village. It could become the best in the border area.”
”Really…?”
I didn’t think it was that big of a deal.
”Okay… let’s go…”
With Kazumi leading the way, we walked into the mansion.
* * *
In the usual living room, my dad and mom, Elberhardt, Ms. Sasha, and a big man I didn’t recognize were sitting down.
”Thanks for waiting. I’m Kazumi Müller.”
Kazumi greets everyone and takes a seat.
We sit on the sofa in the corner of the living room. Even though we’re outsiders to this meeting, they said it’s fine to just listen, so we decided to watch what happens.
”Long time no see.”
I quietly greet Ms. Barbara, who was already sitting on the sofa.
”Long time no see. How have you all been?”
Elberhardt’s girlfriend stands up and greets us lightly.
”I’m looking forward to hearing Ms. Kazumi’s interesting proposal today.”
Ms. Barbara smiles as she says this.
”To get right to it, Razia Village and the Zett Merchant Guild have decided to partner up, and the main office of the merchant guild will be moving to Razia Village.”
I was surprised by what Ms. Sasha, Lady Zett, said first.
”Razia Village is a key spot for trade, being 7 days from the Royal Capital Beluga and 5 days from the fortress city Mundo, but it hasn’t been taken seriously because of issues with the trade routes. We, the Zett Merchant Guild, see an opportunity here and plan to make it a base for our trade routes.”
After saying that, Ms. Sasha looks at Kazumi.
”Now, I have a proposal for Sir Elberhardt, the Minister of War of the Romuna Kingdom…”
Kazumi raises her hand to speak.
”Yes? What is it?”
”I’d like to request permission for the Zett Merchant Guild’s caravan to accompany the troops moving between the Royal Capital and Razia Village and the fortress city Mundo every 2 months.”
”I see. You want to use the military for protection, right?”
Elberhardt, who was smiling, slightly changes his expression and asks Kazumi.
”Yes. That’s exactly it.”
Kazumi replies with a smile.
”The military has some issues with favoring one merchant guild over others… but of course, you have something to negotiate with, right?”
”Of course!”
Kazumi responds cheerfully.
”I’ve heard that there are more refugees coming from the north to the Royal Capital lately. Razia Village is ready to set up a settlement to welcome them.”
Elberhardt tilts his head a bit at Kazumi’s proposal.
”That’s a generous offer, but… is there enough space in Baron O’Brian’s territory for such a settlement?”
Kazumi nods with a smile at the Minister of War’s question.
”Let me introduce another participant in this meeting. This is Sir Haken.”
As Kazumi introduces him, the big man stands up.
”I’m still getting used to the language here, but… I’m Haken, the ‘Claw.’ I lead the largest pack of Snow Wolves in the northern region.”
”Whoa!”
I accidentally shout out loud as I stand up…
”Oh, sorry…”
Since everyone was looking at me, I bowed my head and sat back down on the sofa.
”May I speak? I want to explain my relationship with Mr. Haken.”
My dad raises his hand.
”Baron, please explain.”
Elberhardt encourages him to continue.
”He’s the Snow Wolf. He’s the leader of a family with magical powers that can turn into humans. By chance, he became friends with me…”
Dad nods lightly at Haken and continues talking.
”We made a deal to set up a Snow Wolf reserve in the ‘Goblin Forest’ in exchange for giving up land where his pack lives for settlement. They’ll be moving in there, but… what do you think?”
Elberhardt looks a bit surprised, and Dad grins as he continues.
”Of course, we’ve also arranged for Mr. Haken’s family to protect the settlement from other Snow Wolves.”
”Their home in the north is one of the most fertile lands. Even though it’s in Baron O’Brian’s territory, it’s the biggest Snow Wolf habitat, and settling there has been tough.”
Kazumi adds to Dad’s words.
”Thanks to this deal, we can now settle there. It seems like it would be easy to take in refugees and produce food for ourselves.”
Hearing Kazumi’s explanation, Elberhardt smiles widely.
”Wow! I guess I have to allow the Zett Merchant Guild caravan to join us! I didn’t know you had such good trade materials ready.”
* * *
”How are the girls doing?”
After the meeting, I shake hands with the huge Haken.
”Of course… I can’t believe Dad made a deal.”
”We’ve been contacted by the lord. For us, having territory in the ‘Goblin Forest’ has been a long-time dream. Life in the northern habitat is tough for us.”
”So, it’s like a land exchange deal?”
Kazumi runs over with a smile.
”It’s a cold place, but it has really good land for settling. I think it’s a win-win deal for both sides.”
”Wait, Kazumi, you were thinking about this… that’s amazing.”
”Razia Village is the main base for the merchant guild. It’s going to be lively.”
Liz looks surprised, and Dorothy is impressed.
”Having the caravan travel with the troops… securing safe logistics, Kazumi really thought this through.”
I’m honestly impressed too. As expected from Chief Miura.
”Securing safe logistics. But that also means higher costs. That was the biggest issue.”
Ms. Sasha joins us, and we all sit on the sofa to talk.
”Now that’s solved. It makes sense to set up the merchant guild’s headquarters in Razia Village for better location and progress.”
Ms. Sasha looks happy too.
”Ms. Kazumi, thanks for your help with this. I can’t believe you came up with such an idea…”
Dad sounds a bit amazed, but he seems really happy.
”Now it feels like the development of Razia Village is guaranteed. Well, there’s still the biggest concern left… but I’m sure Hiroya and the others will handle it.”
Elberhardt grins at me.
”Of course! We’ll take care of it!”
Liz puffs out her chest, and Rena, Martina, and Dorothy all nod enthusiastically.
”I’m counting on you.”
Elberhardt winks, and I’ll pretend I didn’t see him get elbowed by Barbara next to him.
* * *
The meeting ends successfully, and Elberhardt is going to catch up with Dad and Mom along with Barbara. I hear Principal Milia will come later too.
”Mr. Elberhardt… I have a favor to ask…”
”Huh? What is it, Hiroya?”
”Do you have time tonight? I’d really like to spar with you.”
(I want to test my strength as Hiroya’s.)
Maybe my thoughts showed on my face, because Elberhardt smirks and says, “Sure, no problem.”
”Then I’ll come to your new place tonight. I heard you bought a nice house.”
”We all bought it together. So, I’ll be waiting.”
I bow deeply and head back to everyone.
* * *
”See you tonight!”
Kazumi says goodbye to Ms. Sasha and comes over to me.
”Okay, let’s head home for now.”
”Is Ms. Sasha coming tonight too?”
”‘Too’?”
”Everyone, Elberhardt is coming too. He said he would spar with me.”
Kazumi looked a bit surprised at first, but when she heard “spar,” her face relaxed.
”Then let’s do it in the backyard. I’m just having a business meeting in the open room on the second floor.”
”What? Is there a problem if I book it?”
Kazumi whispered softly in my ear.
”‘I’m trying to sell ‘adult goods’…’”
…I see.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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