Chapter 3 - The Merchant Guild
After enjoying a full meal and even a post-meal coffee at Irma's house, Dahlia headed to the Merchant Guild.
The Merchant Guild was a five-story building made of black bricks that stood out even on the main road. Its three large doors were constantly in use by the flow of people coming and going.
There were many visitors from abroad, some wearing brightly embroidered cloaks draped over their shoulders, and others dressed in long-sleeved and long-skirted garments with neatly wrapped headscarves. From somewhere, the scents of spices and perfume wafted through the air.
Dahlia greeted the guards at the entrance before entering the building.
The first floor was mostly a place for clients to consult, so she made her way straight to the second floor.
"Good afternoon."
At the contract counter on the second floor were a young woman with black hair and a stocky middle-aged man.
Dahlia, who had visited several times before for contracts related to magical tools, was already familiar with them.
"Oh, Dahlia-san! Congratulations on your marriage!"
"Ah, you’re a newlywed, congratulations!"
The two of them beamed at her with radiant smiles, which stung just a little.
"...I appreciate the congratulations, but Orlando-san actually broke off our engagement. So, I'd like to retrieve our engagement contract."
The chairs creaked loudly as both receptionists stood up in unison.
Informing the pair about the sudden annulment of her engagement seemed to trigger some sort of synchronized reaction.
"Wh-what happened?"
"The annulment request came from Orlando-san, so I cannot speak on it."
Naturally, I had no desire to delve into an explanation about his "true love" here. Of course, it wasn't for the sake of Tobias's honor, but perhaps to preserve my own dignity for having been engaged to him.
"Since it came from Orlando-san, does that mean something happened with the Orlando & Co.?"
"I can't say much from my side. You'll have to inquire with him about this."
"...I'm sorry. It’s strange for me to ask you, Dahlia-san, since it's an issue on Orlando-san's side. Understood."
The man quickly accepted the situation.
"Now then, I'd like to request a notary public for the engagement contract’s enforcement and the settlement of joint business under both our names."
A notary public is someone authorized by the kingdom to witness and verify various agreements, business contracts, and other arrangements, providing official confirmation and certification.
In Dahlia's previous world, a notary public would be a mix between an administrative scrivener and a lawyer.
Becoming a notary public is quite difficult, as it requires passing a rigorous exam with no influence from social status or connections, completing five years of study at a specialized institution, and having ten guarantors.
Once one became a notary public, if they ever committed fraud, they’d lose their qualification and face severe punishment. The guarantors would also face penalties, making it a strict profession.
As a side note, if you gave false information to a notary public, or if you misused them through your position or money, the penalties would be grave.
While the cost of hiring a notary public was relatively high, it was often done to avoid problems in work or business, with a notary public and witnesses present to oversee the proceedings.
Fortunately, the Merchant Guild had a resident notary public, so if no one else had booked, you could request them immediately.
"The notary public will cost four large silver coins for an hour. Is that acceptable?"
"Yes. I'll cover it."
Four large silver coins would be roughly equivalent to 40,000 yen in Dahlia's previous world.
Considering it would prevent future troubles, it wasn’t too expensive.
The kingdom's currency included half-coins, copper coins, silver coins, large silver coins, and gold coins.
Generally, one copper coin could buy a loaf of bread, so the half-coin was worth about 50 yen, and the copper coin was about 100 yen.
Roughly speaking, silver coins were worth 1,000 yen, large silver coins about 10,000 yen, and gold coins around 100,000 yen.
While food and daily necessities were cheap, clothing and jewelry were more expensive, so this was just Dahlia's rough estimate.
"I’d like to schedule the discussion for 2 p.m. If that’s not possible, I can adjust."
"Understood. I’ll check right away."
The man hurriedly ran up to the third floor, where the notary public was waiting.
"By the way, Dahlia-san, you’ve just moved, didn’t you?"
"No, I was supposed to start living in the new house today, but I’ll be going back to my old place, the Green Tower."
The address registered with the Merchant Guild was her old residence.
It was a small, old tower on the outskirts of town, overrun with ivy, so it was referred to as the "Green Tower."
Since she would be returning to the same place she left this morning, she wouldn't have any trouble living there.
"I’m not sure what to say, but... please don’t be too upset. Um, you’ll still be able to continue your work as a magical toolmaker, right?"
The receptionist in front of her was desperately trying to keep the conversation going.
Dahlia noticed the staff behind the counter were watching her closely.
"Yes. I’ll continue working on magical tools in the tower."
"Uhm, Dahlia-san, your magical tools are very popular, so we’d be thrilled if you continued to work with the guild."
"Thank you. I look forward to continuing to work with all of you in the future."
Dahlia gave the earnest receptionist a cheerful smile.
She wasn't confident that her smile was convincing, but she hoped it at least didn't look as though the broken engagement had left her utterly devastated.
"Dahlia-san, I’ve managed to get the appointment with Dominic-sama."
The male receptionist who had gone to check came back.
Her father had always told her, "For important negotiations and large transactions, always have a notary public present."
Dahlia had used Dominic’s services as a notary public several times before. He was also acquainted with her father, so she felt more at ease with him handling this.
Just as she was letting out a sigh of relief, she noticed the attention of the people around her shift slightly to behind her.
Turning around, she saw a woman with ivory-colored hair approaching.
"Good afternoon, Dahlia-san."
"Thank you for your continued support, Vice Guildmaster."
Dahlia gave a slight bow.
The woman approaching was Gabriella Jedda, the Vice Guildmaster of the Merchant Guild.
She was of an age that could be considered middle adulthood, yet she had an undeniable presence that naturally drew one's gaze.
She wore a well-tailored dark blue dress, accessorized with a baroque pearl long necklace.
She had been a guild staff member since her father’s youth, and Dahlia had known her since her student days.
"I hear you're here to discuss a contract, but the meeting room on the third floor might be reserved. You can use the one next to this office instead."
"...Thank you."
The fact that it ‘might be reserved’ meant that, in reality, it wasn't.
The meeting room next to this office was designed with safety in mind, but it lacked any soundproofing measures.
"I get it—you're basically saying you want to hear everything," she thought, but decided not to say it out loud.
However, Gabriela, in front of her, added with a slight smirk on her scarlet lips...
"Everyone seems to be quite busy today. Would it be alright if I served as one of the Merchant Guild's witnesses?"
"…Yes, I would appreciate it."
As a fledgling magical toolmaker, Dahlia had no right to refuse the Vice Guildmaster.
Without hesitation, she agreed.
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