Chapter 422 First Day of the ‘Grand Market’ (Part XI)
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
(Kazumi’s POV)
(Now that I think about it, Rena did mention that she might have seen someone who resembled an acquaintance from her past life…)
When we met the second group of merchants from the Royal Capital for our afternoon negotiations, I was genuinely surprised to find that they looked exactly like my former boss and manager from my past life, the company president, and Hiroya.
”I am Genta Rahman, the head clerk of Rahman Pharmacy.”
The tall man who greeted Ms. Sasha was…
(He looks just like President Hama. No, he might be a bit younger…)
”And I’m Ryuji Rockty, the clerk.”
The short man beside him was my former boss, Mr. Rockty.
He looked like a younger version of my past life’s Mr. Rockty.
I couldn’t help but chuckle as I watched them shake hands with Ms. Sasha and Rena, one after the other.
(This can’t be a sign that ‘he’ is also a relative of the Müller family, can it…?)
My former cousin and husband.
I shivered involuntarily, feeling like he might be here somewhere.
* * *
”We are a pharmacy that has been using medicinal herbs from Raetia for a long time, creating various medicines.”
Clerk Rockty placed bottles of healing potions and ointments on the table.
”I am well aware of that. Even when I was a child, I often relied on your medicines for colds and minor injuries.”
Ms. Sasha responded with a smile.
Apparently, Rahman Pharmacy was quite well-known in the Royal Capital.
”Thank you! However, while we have various medicines, we’ve been struggling to develop one specifically for ‘Healing Stamina’…”
Head Clerk Rahman’s expression turned grim.
”That’s true. While magic can heal wounds, there isn’t a magic that dramatically heals fatigue and restores stamina.”
Rena is in a state of confusion.
That’s right.
This World Healing magic can ‘consummate the magical power of the magician and the target’s physical strength to heal wounds and injuries’, but there is no magic that heals physical strength.
”Resting your body slowly and having nourishing meals is the best way to heal stamina.”
(But… ‘Raetia’s Hot Springs’ can do that, you know.)
Raetia’s pride, the hot springs.
One of its effects is ‘stamina healing.’
(Aha…)
I could see through their intentions.
”I see. If we analyze this hot spring and develop it into a ‘stamina healing potion,’ that’s the plan, right?”
”Y-yes! As expected of Lady Kazumi, Raetia’s greatest sage! That is precisely it.”
Mr. Rahman clapped his hands.
* * *
Their discussion goes like this.
They want to place researchers to analyze Raetia’s hot springs and commercialize it.
By the way, a retail store for the pharmacy as well.
”Regarding the retail store, I got permission from the lord in the morning. We would like to request some financial support from Zett Merchant Guild for potion development…”
Mr. Rahman and Mr. Rockty bowed their heads.
Depending on the funding amount, they want to decide the margin rate going to Zett Merchant Guild from the sales of the new potion.
”Unfortunately, our store has not been performing well recently…”
”The price of herbs from Count Foreltun’s territory has skyrocketed… There are quite a few items we can only source from there…”
Mr. Rahman and Mr. Rockty continued explaining while wiping sweat with their handkerchiefs.
”I see. ‘Stamina healing potion’ is indeed attractive, especially here in Raetia where many adventurers gather.”
”It’s convenient to heal stamina during dungeon exploration.”
Ms. Sasha and Rena nodded deeply.
”How long do you expect the development to take?”
I asked Mr. Rahman.
”We’re planning to assign top-class researchers from the pharmacy to develop this new drug. We’re betting the future of the pharmacy on this new drug, so… ── half a year. If we can’t complete it by then, we’ll be prepared to shut down the store.”
Mr. Rahman gazes at me with a serious look in his eyes.
”Understood. Zett Merchant Guild will cover 30 percent of the development costs.”
Ms. Sasha said firmly.
”And in exchange for selling it, we will take a ten percent cut.”
”Ten percent? Are you sure?”
”Yes. But in return, we’d like you to handle the sales of our ‘lotion’ as well.”
(I see. By selling it in a pharmacy, she wants to promote the lotion as a medicinal product.)
A product that aids in sexual activities.
If it gains a reputation as such, people won’t hesitate to use it.
”Actually, I was planning to ask you the same thing! And…of course, we’d like to sell the adult magic tools as well.”
Mr. Rahman leans forward eagerly.
”Regarding the adult magic tools, we don’t intend to grant exclusive sales rights. We’re happy to sell them if you wish, but for the lotion, we’d like to entrust its sale to your pharmacy as a medicinal product. We’ll also leave the distribution to other merchants to you.”
Ms. Sasha politely declines the offer for the adult magic tools.
”I see, I see,”
Mr. Rockty chimed in with a playful tone.
Mr. Rahman looked a bit disappointed, understandably.
”But, I must say…it’s quite an honor to be entrusted with selling the lotion. Are you certain about this?”
”Absolutely. Having your well-established and trusted pharmacy sell it as a medicinal product will significantly enhance its value.”
Ms. Sasha smiled at Mr. Rahman.
Unlike me, who only saw the lotion as a mere accessory to adult magic tools, Ms. Sasha’s perspective is truly impressive.
* * *
After finalizing the contract with Rahman Pharmacy, they quickly arranged for the dispatch of retail stores and researchers, barely taking the time for formal greetings before rushing out of the mansion.
”A stamina-healing medicine, huh? That will be so convenient when it’s done.”
I’m excited too.
”The lotion…even though the profit margin for Rahman Pharmacy is minimal, they accepted it enthusiastically.”
Rena wondered aloud with a puzzled expression.
”It’s because it’s a guaranteed bestseller. Ms. Sasha must have foreseen an increase in customers specifically for the lotion.”
Yeah.
Ms. Sasha is right.
What’s more, he was also responsible for selling to other merchants.
This is big.
”As the Zett Merchant Guild, we can add value to the lotion by calling it ‘medicine,’ making it a win-win for both sides.”
Ms. Sasha smiled and nodded vigorously at my words.
”Well, we have 3 more business meetings left. It’s tough, but let’s do our best!”
Ms. Sasha patted my and Rena’s shoulders.
It will likely be a deal focused on adult magic tools, but since I’m also entrusted with the spoils from the Great Labyrinth and the newly discovered mithril veins by the lord, there are many important materials.
”There are many requests to do business permanently in Raetia, like opening retail stores. ──Is that okay? For the Zett Merchant Guild?”
Just like this morning, there are many talks about wanting to bring in products and open stores themselves.
Of course, the lord grants the permissions, but they likely consult the Zett Merchant Guild, which is based in Raetia, because they are seen as a monopoly merchant guild.
”Indeed, until now, we handled all the distribution ourselves, and opening stores in Raetia was a costly business.”
That’s right.
The distribution to Raetia was only permitted for the Zett Merchant Guild’s caravan, which moved with the stationed troops, so other merchants hesitated to engage in ‘permanent business in Raetia’ due to those costs.
This led to discussions between the lord and Ms. Sasha about easing the distribution with the ‘Grand Market’ as a catalyst.
’As a merchant guild, we should compete in business, not just make money from transportation costs.’
This opinion from Ms. Sasha led to the decision to ease the restrictions.
From the lord’s perspective, having various merchants compete would invigorate economic activity within the territory.
He accepted Ms. Sasha’s opinion.
”Since we are entrusted with the spoils from the Great Labyrinth and the mithril veins, our advantage won’t crumble.”
Clench!
Ms. Sasha clenched her fist.
The figure of the ‘career woman’ I admired in my past life was there, and she looked very reliable.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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