Chapter 40 The Wolf and the Merchant’s Secret Tally꞉ A Business Thrill
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Phew…”
Aki-nee speaks up as I let out a huge breath, the meeting with the big shots of the Beast-person Association finally over. “Good job, you survived that. You were really something, Kento.” Some folks are already heading out of the intensely debated conference room, while others are huddled together, conferring among themselves.
”Honestly, I barely did anything but sit there, Nee-san,” I demurred, trying to sound humble.
”That’s just not true,” Aki-nee contradicted, a knowing glint in her eyes. “Standing so tall and composed in front of President Chromanso—that changed how the VIPs saw you. Not many people could pull that off.”
”You really think so?”
”I do. And now I have to ask again: who are you, really? I can’t figure out why a man like you was ever slumming it as an adventurer.”
”Ha ha…”
I dodged her question with a vague laugh, and while she gave me a slightly suspicious look, she didn’t push any further. She probably thinks I’m the secret love child of some noble house. After all, commoners in this world don’t usually possess any kind of business etiquette. I was a destitute survivor who barely made it as an adventurer; the best I could be is a drifter, not someone who should be meeting with powerful dignitaries in a place like this.
That’s why Aki-nee must have been ready to back me up if I made any kind of blunder. She’s just as caring and helpful as always. As I inwardly thanked her, President Chromanso finished giving instructions to his subordinates and approached us. I quickly stood up and bowed deeply.
”Easy, easy, relax yourself,” he chuckled, waving a hand.
”Thank you for your kindness, sir. I’m truly grateful for this invaluable opportunity you’ve given me.”
”Ah, yes. Well, we’ll talk to the Church from our side first. We’ll contact you when there’s any progress. But now, Kento, this is about personal business, you see.”
President Chromanso grinned beneath his imposing beard. Aki-nee next to me tensed up slightly, her guard rising. I braced myself too—a profitable deal would certainly be a welcome thing. I straightened my posture and adopted a posture of keen listening. Just then, a pair of people cut into the conversation.
”Hold on, President, running off with the goods isn’t proper, is it?”
”Ouka and Miss Aerith? That’s an uncalled-for way to describe it,” the President griped, though he made a joking face. The newcomers, Ouka, the manager of the Garou Merchant Guild, and his daughter, Aerith, who had testified in the meeting earlier, bowed with an air of grace.
”Allow me to formally introduce myself again, Kento-dono¹. I am Ouka, the manager of the Garou Merchant Guild. And this is…”
”My daughter, Aerith. I already explained how much I’ve been aided by the ‘Shaking Pleasure Tool’ that Kento-sama created. I offer you my heartfelt gratitude.”
Miss Aerith licked her lips, looking like a beast of prey spotting its target. Her grey tail, the same color as her hair and ears, was wagging. Her eyes glinted so intensely that I felt genuinely frightened!
”Aerith, that’s vulgar! Stop that.” her father admonished, his tone mild.
”How can you say that, Father? I’m finally meeting the creator of the ‘Shaking Pleasure Tool’! I feel like I’ve met a hero from a bedtime story!” she exclaimed, practically purring.
”Ah, ha ha, thank you, I suppose…”
”Kento-sama, please don’t think I’m some greedy, shallow woman. I know what ordinary men think of women like me, but I couldn’t bear to have you think that of me,” she breathed out.
Her voice was thick and sensual as she smoothly took my hand. It was the hand of a beast-person, a fighter, but also a lady, carefully tended and smooth. It was also unbelievably hot and surprisingly strong.
”Ah, ah ha ha. Well, you know, when you’re young, these things happen…”
”Heehee, you have such an open mind… Haaah… I’m getting a little excited. You used this very hand to create the ‘Shaking Pleasure Tool,’ didn’t you…? Haaah…”
Wait, did she just cup my hand with both of hers? And is she guiding it toward her mouth? Her breath is so hot! Her eyes are terrifying! And is that a canine tooth peeking out from the corner of those luscious lips? She just nibbled on my index finger! Help!
”Aerith, didn’t you stop your man-hunting ways?” Aki-nee demanded, stepping in between us.
”Yes, I stopped hunting. From now on, I intend to find a truly wonderful gentleman who will become my mate… My true mate.”
Aki-nee managed to snatch my index finger back. Beast-persons are terrifying, I decided right then and there. I honestly thought I was about to have my finger chomped right off. Clamping a hand over my wildly pounding heart, I discreetly hid behind Aki-nee to escape Miss Aerith’s intense stare. My finger was still tingling with a fierce, burning heat.
”Ha ha ha, good for you, Aerith! If you go back far enough, we Wolf Beast-persons are the hunters of the forest. This is how a mate should be chosen!” Ouka roared with laughter.
”Ouka, stop being such a doting father! You’ll chase away a business partner with that behavior! Can’t you see Kento-dono is utterly repulsed?” President Chromanso countered, sounding exasperated.
Miss Aerith, meanwhile, took a sharp sniff, swallowed hard, and whispered, “I’ll remember that…” which I desperately wanted to believe was my imagination. I mean, I wasn’t entirely displeased, but my biological instincts were screaming danger!
”So, what do you two really want? If you’re trying to chew up my adorable junior, you’ll have to deal with me first!” Aki-nee barked, her stance challenging.
”Nee-san!” I squeaked, utterly defeated.
”Ha ha, we have no intention of picking a fight with the ‘Raging Tiger’. We just wanted to ask if our shop could handle ‘Harvest’s’ products,” Ouka explained, smooth as silk.
”We want the same thing,” Chromanso declared. “Our Grizzly Bear Merchant Guild is also looking to do business with ‘Harvest.’²“
Still sheltered behind Aki-nee, I listened to the two managers. Miss Aerith was still glaring at me with those intense, glittering eyes, which made it hard to concentrate, but I forced my brain to work and started calculating the numbers.
”Our Garou Merchant Guild is a premium brand,” Ouka pitched. “We have many wealthy, high-society wives among our best customers. If you let us handle your products, we believe we can offer them a moment of comfort on their lonely nights, a substitute for their busy husbands.”
”Our Grizzly Bear Merchant Guild does broad business with the military and adventurers,” Chromanso countered. “In terms of connections, we don’t take a backseat to the Garou Merchant Guild. If things go well, we might even be able to get you an audience with Her Majesty, the Queen³!”
Both offers are highly tempting. Right now, my shop’s sales channels are limited to storefront sales or through the Twilight Merchant Guild. If the Wolf and Bear Guilds joined in, my sales volume would skyrocket.
The “connections” that President Chromanso mentioned are also a crucial factor that can’t be ignored. The whole debacle with the ‘Shaking Pleasure Tool’ being suspended might have been easily solved if I had the right connections.
For example, when Mother Marian showed up, I might have been able to send her packing by saying, “Are you sure you want to mess with my business? That means taking on the Beast-person Association, the Grizzly Bear Merchant Guild, and the Wolf Merchant Guild. Are you really prepared for that?”
If those connections truly reach as high as Her Majesty, the Queen, my chances of sending her away would be even higher. Even if I couldn’t, having a powerful ally to run to is reassuring. Watching me calculate the benefits of “borrowing the tiger’s authority” in my head, the two men pressed their advantage.
”Furthermore, our Garou Merchant Guild might be able to assist in product development. It would be excellent to have a luxury product line to distinguish ourselves from the competition. Of course, we wouldn’t interfere! Pushing my limited ideas on you would only stifle Kento-dono’s creativity. A good patron provides only the funding.”
”Our Grizzly Bear Merchant Guild is not to be outdone in that area either,” Chromanso boasted. “We can provide technology as well as money. Since new magic tools are a matter of survival for the military and adventurers, we keep several production workshops at hand. We could collaborate, or you could simply visit and negotiate to acquire any needed skills or knowledge you like.”
These are exactly the kind of highly favorable terms I’ve been wishing for. The production department is always a risk that plagues every business owner. It’s nothing but a money sink until the product launches, and even then, there’s no guarantee it will turn a profit that justifies the cost.
Take the ‘Shaking Pleasure Tool’ as an example again—the sales suspension was a perfect moment where that “risk” materialized. A small shop like mine could be forced to close if a single product fails.
Having the cost and effort of product development completely solved is a condition I desperately want. If I shake their hands, I could finally start developing the “anal” products I’ve held back on until now.
I quickly organized my thoughts. First, the simple increase in profits from expanding the sales channels. Second, the strengthening of my connections through the two merchant guilds. Third, the reduction of risk in product development by securing investors. Normally, there would be no room for hesitation; these are phenomenal terms. But…
”Wow, these terms are so favorable they’re almost troubling me…”
”There’s nothing to trouble you! It simply means your product has that much value,” Ouka stated, amused.
”Indeed. I believe this is the best possible deal. Surely, Kento-dono understands this, as a fellow business owner?” Chromanso urged.
”Of course I do. However, I have one concern. We’re already supplying the Twilight Merchant Guild with our products. I just spoke with their manager yesterday, in fact…”
”Oh? The Twilight Merchant Guild is one of the largest establishments in the Royal Capital. They certainly move fast, don’t they?” Ouka mused, surprised.
”Badatt and his ugly mug. That villain knows how to play the game,” Chromanso muttered with a scowl.
The two beasts of prey—I mean, the two managers—curled their lips into predatory smiles. I don’t know what they found so entertaining, but protecting the honor of the Twilight Merchant Guild was a condition I couldn’t concede. New sales channels and connections are vital, but my current ones are even more important.
Who would want to be friends with a shop that flips its loyalty overnight and wags its tail for a new business partner? The profits these two are chasing were profits that the Twilight Merchant Guild might have earned. No cheating; that’s absolutely wrong.
If I accepted their offer while ignoring the Twilight Guild, I could be abandoned by them and the new partners if things went south. If I took their hands, it would have to be on terms where the Twilight Merchant Guild still profited. That’s the only way for a healthy business relationship to thrive.
”Very well. Then I suppose I should talk to that man first,” Chromanso conceded.
”No, there’s no need for that. I will inform Badatt myself. If he is agreeable to it, he will be the one to present the proposal to you.”
”Ha ha ha! This is a defeat for us, President Chromanso,” Ouka laughed, not sounding defeated at all.
”Hmph… How cunning you are, Kento-dono. You’re a hard man to pin down.”
”I agree. I want to do business with him even more now.”
”What a strange coincidence. I haven’t felt my blood boil like this in a long time.”
The two monstrous figures looked even more eager, their cheeks lifted in wide smiles. They say the world of commerce is a den of demons and monsters, and I’m realizing I’ve just brushed against one of them. A shiver ran down my spine. It wasn’t fear or deception, but an authentic, thrilling rush of excitement.
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Summary:
Kento survives the intense Beast-person Association meeting with a sigh of relief, only to be immediately confronted with a new, even more aggressive business challenge. President Chromanso of the Grizzly Bear Merchant Guild and Ouka of the Garou Merchant Guild—along with his fiercely predatory daughter, Aerith—are now vying to be Kento’s new partner. Their offers are phenomenally good, providing capital, technology, and royal connections. The competition and Aerith’s intense, almost sexual, pursuit of Kento’s creative genius make the room sizzle with tension.
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Character Insight:
Kento’s composure and unknown background are a major point of interest and suspicion for everyone, particularly Aki and the two guild managers. He operates with a surprisingly sophisticated business code, prioritizing loyalty to the Twilight Merchant Guild over immediate, massive profits. Aerith’s intense reaction is not just sexual but a primal, possessive attraction to Kento’s genius as the creator of the ‘Shaking Pleasure Tool’.
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Behind the Scene:
The business world of the Royal Capital is dominated by major merchant guilds represented by powerful Beast-persons, who view a new, profitable inventor like Kento as a resource to be aggressively acquired. The immediate conflict with the Church over the ‘Shaking Pleasure Tool’ has inadvertently made Kento’s products the most highly desired, triggering a turf war between the major players. Kento’s refusal to abandon his first partner, Badatt, maintains his reputation for reliability.
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T/L:
¹ Dono and Sama are polite suffixes used to address people, with -sama being higher than -dono. They are used here to reflect the extreme formality in the business world. ¹ Dono and Sama are polite suffixes used to address people, with -sama being higher than -dono. They are used here to reflect the extreme formality in the business world. ↩
² Merchant Guild is translated literally to maintain the setting’s specific societal structure. ² Merchant Guild is translated literally to maintain the setting’s specific societal structure. ↩
³ Your/His/Her Majesty is a formal, all-encompassing way of addressing the monarch, translated literally from the original context. ³ Your/His/Her Majesty is a formal, all-encompassing way of addressing the monarch, translated literally from the original context. ↩
Notes:
• 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.
• 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.
• Aerith – A wolf beast-person and Ouka’s daughter. She is intensely attracted to Kento’s creative genius and is not shy about showing her interest. Have gray fur hair and tail, wearing elegant dress.
• Ouka – The middle-aged head of the Garou Merchant Guild, known for leather goods and accessories. He is a prominent figure using his own family’s experience to advocate for the ‘Tremble Ddo-Buddy’. Have gray wolf ears and wear merchant attire.
• Marian – A ‘Mother’ and supervisor from the Church of Demon-Subjugation. Her appearance and demeanor defy the Church’s purported ‘chastity,’ instead she has wavy purple long hair, busty, black nun, tear mole under eye, and monroe walk. She has arrived with a clear purpose: to confront Kento about the ‘Devil’s Stick.
• Badatt – The 7th-generation manager of the long-running Tasogare Merchant Guild. Despite his fat, oily, ugly bastard, have multiple rings appearance, he is a competent and respected manager who listens to his employees. He is a man of ‘good sense’ but is overwhelmed by the explicit nature of Kento’s products and the ensuing chaos.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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