Chapter 18 - Rosetti & Co.
"How did it go, Dahlia-san?"
When she returned to the Merchant Guild, Ivano hurried over with a worried look on his face.
"I believe Orlando-san will arrive today, so please proceed with the cancellation procedures. Afterward, I’d like to re-register. I apologize for the inconvenience, but I’ll need a notary public for that as well."
"Understood."
"Also, I was informed that Orlando & Co. will no longer do business with me, so could you introduce me to another trading company where I can source goods?"
"Huh? Did Tobias-san say that?"
Ivano stood there, his mouth hanging open.
"Yes, Orlando-san told me, so it’s confirmed."
"I’m sorry, but I will check with the vice guildmaster first. Could you give me a moment?"
"I should be the one to apologize for causing further inconvenience..."
Dahlia watched Ivano dash up the stairs and let out a sigh.
It seemed like she wouldn’t be able to go home anytime soon.
"Oh, Dahlia-chan, hello!"
She turned at the voice from behind and saw Marcella approaching.
"Honestly, Dahlia-chan, you really do look better with red hair. I just finished my deliveries for the day."
"Thank you, it’s thanks to Irma’s good work. By the way, Marcella-san, did you help arrange the Courier Guild's covers?"
"No, I was told they were out of stock, so I just recommended ordering more from the one who made it."
"Thanks. I’ll do my best to make sure I can deliver quality goods."
"I’d really appreciate that. It’s a real hassle when the cargo gets wet."
Marcella suddenly glanced around.
"Are you heading to a meeting?"
"Yes, I’m looking for a new trading company to work with for sourcing goods. It seems difficult to continue doing business with Orlando & Co. from now on."
At the Merchant Guild, individuals could take on jobs, but the upper limit for transaction amounts was lower.
There were also issues with trust, and without a trading company, it would be difficult to source materials for magical tools. That was why Dahlia planned to find a new trading company.
"It’s a hassle to meet with idiots, too."
With Marcella no longer calling Tobias by name, Dahlia decided to keep the fact that they had just met moments ago to herself.
"Dahlia-chan, why don’t you just start a 'Rosetti & Co.'? Then you can source as much as you want."
"Start a trading company? Even if the deposit wasn’t a problem, getting four guarantors is impossible."
Dahlia replied with a wry smile.
Starting a new trading company was possible with just one person, but it required a deposit of 15 gold coins and at least four guarantors.
The guarantors had to be adults, each depositing at least four gold coins. They also needed to either have served as a master or vice-master of a trading company registered with the Merchant Guild for at least three years, have worked for at least three years in related guilds such as the Courier Guild, Tailors Guild, or the Merchant Guild, or be a noble with the rank of viscount or higher.
The responsibility of these guarantors was heavy. If the new trading company engaged in illegal activities, even if the guarantors were unaware, they would be liable for high fines.
The deposit would be returned with interest based on the earnings after two years, but if the business collapsed within that time, the guarantors would also be required to cover the debt, along with other penalties—so it wasn’t something one could enter lightly.
"'Rosetti & Co.' sounds good. I’m on board."
Gabriella, who had appeared from down the hallway, said with a bright smile.
Following behind her were Ivano and the notary public, Dominic.
"Dahlia-san, why not take this opportunity to establish 'Rosetti & Co.'?"
"If you’re going to do it, I’ll be one of your guarantors."
"Wait, Marcella-san! What are you saying without even consulting Irma?"
"If it’s Irma, she’d definitely get angry if I didn’t decide on the spot, you know? Also, just so you know, I’ve got enough savings for that kind of thing."
"If I can also be a guarantor, please let me do so. Oh, I haven’t introduced myself yet, I’m Mezzena Grieve."
The chestnut-haired man who had helped Marcella with the deliveries spoke up.
"Why me?"
"Simply as an investment. The courier industry has always been battling against rain. The waterproof cloth and raincoat have really helped. If more items like those become available, it’ll make our job easier, so I’d gladly contribute. Also, if possible, I’m hoping for an automatic gate mechanism as well."
Mezzena smiled, and Ivano raised his hand.
"I also want to be a guarantor. I’m not trying to do you a favor, Dahlia-san. I’m just after the profits. So please, make sure I’m rich in two years."
"That makes three. I’d like to volunteer as well, but since a notary public can’t be a guarantor, I’ll recommend it to my son and grandchildren when I get home. I’ve got one son and three grandchildren in related guilds, so I’m sure we’ll have enough."
Dominic said cheerfully, but Dahlia struggled to keep up with how quickly everyone was moving.
It felt almost too good to be true, and she couldn't help but wonder if they were all just trying to humor her.
"Dominic-san, that won’t be necessary. I’ll fill in the final slot, with my husband’s name, that is."
Vice Guildmaster Gabriella’s husband, the guild master, was Viscount Jedda. Dahlia couldn’t help but hold her breath.
"The guild master as a guarantor? That’s great. But I was told Viscount Jedda is currently out of the country... Wouldn’t it take some time to obtain authorization?"
"Don't worry. The proof of authorization is always on my desk."
The vice guildmaster always carries around her husband’s proof of authorization? Is that... okay?
Everyone shared this question in their minds, but no one dared to voice it thanks to Gabriella’s perfect smile.
"Alright then, shall we head to the meeting room and wrap this up quickly?"
"That’s right. I can be the notary public, if that’s alright with you, Dahlia-san?"
"Wait a minute, everyone, are you sure about this? This is all happening so suddenly, I haven't prepared anything. I'm just a fledgling magical toolmaker, I can't expect to make the kind of profit you're all imagining in two years..."
"What are you saying? The moment you made the waterproof cloth, you were already a full-fledged magical toolmaker. If you're looking for research funds, should we get more guarantors? If you go to the Courier Guild and shout, 'The developer of waterproof cloth is starting a trading company, anyone want to be a guarantor?!' I think you'd get a pretty good number."
"If you'd like, I could go ask around the Merchant Guild members right now. It would be easy to get more. Should I go?"
"Please don’t!"
Dahlia couldn’t keep up with how fast things were moving, and her stomach definitely couldn’t keep up either.
"We can treat the deposit at the Merchant Guild as the deposit. If that’s not enough, you can use the money from the guarantors. You can register your workspace as the Green Tower, the documents are eight pages, and if you don’t understand anything, you can ask me or any of the staff. All that’s left is for you to show your enthusiasm, Dahlia."
Gabriella finished speaking and shot a glance at Marcella and Ivano.
"Come on, Dahlia-chan, you know those materials you’ve always wanted to try using? You might be able to get them through the supply chain. Didn’t you want to try using fire dragon and wind dragon scales, or sea serpent hide?"
"I heard there was a gryphon hunt in the neighboring country recently. We might get some of the materials here. Distribution is increasing, so there will likely be more rare materials to source in the future."
Dahlia understood that those materials wouldn’t be easy to obtain, and they would be quite expensive.
But still, as a magical toolmaker, she couldn’t help but dream.
She wanted to create a magical tool with incredible heat resistance using the scales of a fire dragon.
Could she create flying-related products with the wind dragon’s scales?
She wanted to confirm the theory that sea serpent hide could alter water flow.
If she could get even a small part of a dream material like the gryphon’s, she’d be able to fully enjoy the process of checking its properties.
The thought of even more unknown materials made her heart race.
"...Alright, let’s go to the meeting room for the trading company's contract."
"Yes."
Dahlia finally gave in.
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