Chapter 55 - Meeting at the Merchant Guild
Early the next morning, Dahlia began preparing to go to the Merchant Guild.
She gathered only the items she could bring from the knights' report and checked the specifications for the five-toed socks and drying insoles.
Afterward, she put on her makeup and slipped into her usual black lamp-black dress and a vanilla-beige jacket.
It was starting to feel too warm in this outfit, so she thought she might need to add a few more summer work clothes.
While waiting in front of the gate, she spotted a carriage adorned with silver accents on its black frame.
The crest drawn on the side depicted a deformed dragon and sword. The dragon symbolized monsters, while the sword crossing over it likely represented the Monster Subjugation Force.
It was quite stylish, but the thought of riding this carriage to the Merchant Guild made her tense up slightly.
"Good morning, Dahlia."
As she attempted to respond to the familiar voice, her gaze was caught by the man stepping out of the carriage.
His knight's uniform was a matte black, with a slightly longer jacket.
Though it might have seemed heavy at first glance, the dull silver accents around the collar and cuffs provided a nice touch.
The collar, slightly larger than usual, sparkled with a garnet badge.
Later, she learned that the red badge signified the Scarlet Armors, while the other members of the unit wore silver.
His black leather boots, with a hint of shine, sharply accentuated his long legs.
The tall, slender man with black hair and golden eyes looked utterly perfect in this attire.
If a portrait were painted of him in this outfit, it would undoubtedly sell for a high price—likely even more than a poorly-made magical tool.
"Good morning, Dahlia."
"Good morning. You look great in that uniform."
"...Thanks, it's a bit hot, though."
Volf gave a wry smile in response.
Though the sky was clear with only a few clouds, she hoped it wouldn't get too hot later.
He took Dahlia's belongings with one hand and escorted her to the carriage.
She no longer panicked when he extended his hand. It was a clear sign of how much she'd grown accustomed to his gestures.
"As for the Merchant Guild, the Captain sent a notice. We shouldn’t have to wait long."
"I appreciate that, but is it really okay?"
"Our unit is the one making unreasonable requests, so don't worry about it. Also, the Captain specifically asked me to pass on his regards and mentioned he’d like to formally introduce himself later."
"No, there's no need for any formal greetings!"
In reality, it was Volf who had insisted that the visit was only for greetings to the Merchant Guild, desperately trying to stop Grato who said, "I'll be attending today as well."
"First, I'd like to go through the process of becoming a guarantor for the Rossetti Company. After that, I hope to discuss things with Dominic-san and the guild representative."
"That sounds good. I agree with you. I'm sorry to trouble you so much, Volf."
"It’s no trouble. It’s my job, so don’t worry about it."
Volf finished speaking, then pulled out a pair of glasses with a fairy crystal enchantment.
He squinted his golden eyes as if inspecting them.
"Volf, are you going to wear glasses at the Merchant Guild?"
"...Well, I thought about it, but I decided against it. I need to focus and be professional here."
Volf carefully put the glasses back in their case and placed them in his bag.
"I know it might be annoying for you, but until we’re in a more casual setting, I’ll have to keep up the 'Knight Volfred Scalfarotto' persona."
"Thank you for taking on such a tough role. I’ll do my best to play the 'Head of Rosetti Company.' Though I have zero experience."
It was only after saying that that they both became aware of the fatigue hanging in the air between them.
Just when they needed to give their all at the Merchant Guild, they were left wondering how to proceed from here.
"Let’s switch gears. Once this is over, should we go for a drink?"
"That sounds good. Let’s do that."
With that simple goal set, they both steeled themselves for what lay ahead.
・・・・・・・
As soon as the carriage door opened, Dahlia felt the weight of curious stares.
It was no wonder. Volf, in his black knight’s uniform, stood out even more than usual.
It was only natural for people to wonder whose belongings he was carrying and who he was escorting.
No matter how much she tried to fix her makeup or change her outfit, she couldn’t match him.
A bitter self-awareness caused her steps to unconsciously come to a halt.
"Lady Dahlia, please watch your step."
The smile on Volf's face, as he extended his hand, had shifted to one suited for nobles.
It was a far cry from the boyish grin or mischievous smile she was used to when they were alone—this was a calculated, perfectly composed face.
To be honest, she didn’t particularly like it.
But it was herself who had caused that expression to appear on his face.
In order to promote her magical tools, he wore the hot knight’s attire and played the extremely exhausting role of a noble.
If that was the case, then what was the point of her being self-deprecating here?
Next to Volf, with no glamour but firm and unwavering, Dahlia could at least stand tall.
She told herself not to look down, to straighten her back, and to lift her gaze—then, she gently placed her fingers over his hand.
By the side of a man who drew every gaze on the street, she advanced toward the black-brick building of the Merchant Guild.
As they reached the entrance, the guards bowed, and Volf, as though he were the master, led the way inside.
As they stepped into the first floor, the previously lively murmurs of voices noticeably softened, as if someone had turned the volume down. Even the movements of those inside seemed to slow, creating an almost surreal atmosphere.
Countless gazes shifted toward him, and soon after, a wave of hushed whispers from the women began to spread rapidly throughout the room.
Volf moved forward without a change in his expression, stopping only when a man bowed before him.
"We have been expecting you, Scalfarotto-sama, and Chairwoman Rossetti. Please allow us to escort you to the reception room."
It was Ivano who had come to greet them.
Once they arrived in the second floor reception room, Gabriella was already waiting for them.
"I am Gabriella Jedda, the Vice Guildmaster. I am acting on behalf of the Guildmaster, Leone Jedda. Thank you for coming. I look forward to working with you today."
"I am Volfred Scalfarotto, a member of the Chivalric Order's Monster Subjugation Force. I apologize for the trouble."
Looking at the two of them, Dahlia felt as though she were witnessing the very essence of nobility, a feeling that seemed distant and foreign to her.
Of course, it was not something she could ever voice aloud, given that she was the very cause of it all.
"Before we begin, I would like to proceed with the formalities to become a guarantor for the Rossetti Company."
"...Understood. I will proceed immediately. Ivano, please handle the paperwork. Dominic is on standby, so I’ll call for him as well. Dahlia, while we wait, could you come with me to the adjacent reception room for a moment?"
Though phrased as a question, her deep blue gaze carried the unmistakable weight of a command.
Once Dahlia nodded and stepped into the hallway, she and Volf would part ways.
"I'll go tell them to call for Dominic, so please wait a moment."
"All right."
As Gabriella was instructing the staff, two men carrying large loads came into view, ascending the stairs. Both of them wore the bright green armbands of the Courier Guild.
"Dahlia-chan, are you here for work?"
"Yes. You too, Marcella-san?"
"Yeah, we’re bringing in paperwork."
Both of them were carrying about three large boxes, each packed tightly with paper.
Despite the heavy load, they handled it as if they were cotton.
"Dahlia-chan, that foaming pump bottle you gave—it’s amazing."
"Did Irma like it?"
"He did, but I’m the one who’s really grateful. It’s great for shaving in the morning. I don’t get nicks anymore, and it makes the shave so smooth."
Marcella easily held the boxes with one hand and absentmindedly traced his chin with his free hand. Although he didn’t seem to look any different, the texture of his skin must have changed.
"How did you manage shaving before this?"
"It was a hassle, so I just rubbed soap on my face. I didn’t bother to lather it properly. A lot of people get razor burns. It’d be helpful if you could sell them at a decent price."
She had been thinking it would be used for washing the face and hands, so she was a bit surprised by the unexpected way it was being used.
"I understand. I'll make sure to get it done as soon as possible."
"That's appreciated. Well then, please take care of it. Next time, let's drink at my place."
"Sure. Say hi to Irma for me."
As she finished greeting Marcella while passing by, Gabriella happened to return at that moment.
"Dahlia, what’s going on?"
As soon as they moved to the reception room, the first question from the woman was that.
"A report came from the Monster Subjugation Force, addressed to the Merchant Guild. It's not uncommon for them to send something like, 'We're dispatching someone regarding business negotiations, so please assist promptly.' But a request like this—'Provide as much assistance as possible to the developer'—is something I've never seen before."
"I'm sorry, I don’t quite know what to do. Could you please tell me, Gabriella?"
Dahlia, unable to hide her confusion, bowed deeply in apology.
"Could you briefly tell me the circumstances?"
"I made quick-drying five-toed socks and insoles that help shoes dry faster. I handed them to my friend—uh, Volfred-san from earlier—and asked him to use them as prototypes during his expedition."
"Okay, and then?"
"When they returned from the expedition, the Monster Subjugation Force urgently placed a large order. They even asked for more on a recurring basis. There’s no way I can produce that many on my own."
"I don’t understand..."
"Neither do I. They want 80 sets urgently, and over 300 sets in six months. I don’t know where I can get that many made..."
Just thinking about it made Dahlia feel dizzy.
On top of that, she still had to fulfill orders for waterproof cloth and raincoats. While the deadline for those was a bit more relaxed, she couldn’t afford to put them off for too long.
“How much do you think can be done in a day, Dahlia?”
"The five-toed socks need to be made by a clothing workshop. Once I get the materials, I can make about fifteen pairs a day. As for the insoles, if I get the leather cut, I think I could manage around twenty pairs on another day. However, I’ll need green slime powder..."
"So, it’s about ten days with six and four. Is that fast?"
"No, it's slow. If it’s a mage or a magical toolmaker with a lot of mana, they could probably finish each task in one or two days."
"In that case, we should just hire someone."
Gabriella, who had been deep in thought, suddenly lifted her gaze and then quickly shifted her eyes to the side.
"I’m sorry, Dahlia... about the foaming pump bottles. They’ll probably be urgent too."
"Huh?"
"They’re so convenient that I’ve been recommending them to my noble friends, and just now I received an express message with a request for about 200 bottles."
"...Thank you, I’m so grateful, I could cry..."
It was truly appreciated, but her voice turned flat, and her true feelings slipped out.
Gabriella, who had been trying to help, seemed to add even more to the situation.
"Let’s lay everything out and discuss it. It’ll be fine, we’ll figure it out."
"Gabriella, please stop praying towards the window while saying that..."
"...I’m sorry, I never imagined things would overlap this much."
With weary voices overlapping, the two could only exchange wry smiles.
・・・・・・・
Gathered in the room were Dahlia, Volf, Gabriella, Dominic, and Ivano.
On the table lay the document titled "Introduction Plan for Five-Fingered Socks and Drying Insoles in the Monster Subjugation Force."
Dahlia and Volf each provided a brief explanation, presenting a concise summary of the introduction plan and the report.
Gabriella also added details about the foaming pump bottles.
Dahlia almost mentioned the compact magic stoves too, but seeing the atmosphere, she decided to forget about it.
Now, everyone sat in silence.
Dahlia appeared half-exhausted, half-restless.
Volf hovered on the boundary between a pasted-on smile and an expressionless demeanor.
Gabriella squinted at the plan, her eyes locked on it.
Dominic occasionally closed his eyes in thought as he glanced at the specifications.
Ivano had a rigid expression as he read the summary of the report.
After the guild member who had brought in refills of tea left, visibly nervous, Gabriella finally spoke up.
"Scalfarotto-sama, pardon me, but may we proceed with the discussion under the premise that everything will be consolidated within the Rossetti Company?"
"Yes. Oh, if possible, please refer to me as Volfred within the company. I'm more accustomed to that."
"Understood, Volfred-sama. Then, here’s my proposal."
Gabriella cleared her throat lightly.
"First, Dahlia, please submit the profit contract for the foaming pump bottles, five-toed socks, and drying insoles as soon as possible. I’ll assign one of our guild members to help.”
"Understood. I’ve already brought the specifications, so I’ll prepare the documents and submit them right away."
It was clear that they couldn’t proceed without a profit contract before production began, or there would be various problems.
"Second, I’ve secured a workshop for the foaming pump bottles. They have some free time and said they can start anytime, so I’ll call them this afternoon. Is that alright?"
"Yes."
"Regarding the contract for the five-toed socks and drying insoles with the Chivalric Order, I will send a messenger to the Tailors Guild. The person in charge of working on socks and shoes, or their superior, will likely come by this afternoon, so please wait at the guild. I apologize, but would you mind joining us as well, Volfred-sama?"
"Yes, of course."
Dahlia felt her blood run cold at the thought of suddenly summoning someone from the Tailors Guild.
"Uh! Would it be alright if we just get an introduction from the Tailors Guild and I talk to the workshop directly?"
"It’s better not to do that."
Dominic, who had remained silent until now, shook his head.
"Volfred-sama, I’d like to confirm, these socks and insoles were very well received, weren’t they?"
"Yes. They were incredibly helpful for the swamp expedition."
"Does the Monster Subjugation Force, as well as the other knights and soldiers, wear boots or leather shoes?"
"Yes, most of us do."
"How about the bureaucrats?"
"Most of the bureaucrats also wear leather shoes."
"In that case, it’s definitely impossible to rely on just one workshop. If the Monster Subjugation Force needs three hundred in six months, that’s six hundred in a year, and it will likely spread to the whole castle, which could be five times that. Afterward, it might spread to the nobility and even to commoners."
"Oh, I see… so even those wearing leather shoes, huh..."
Volf seemed deeply convinced.
Dahlia wanted to ask whether there were so many people in the capital suffering from foot fungal infection, whether there were many environments that caused sweating, or if there were simply many people who were particular about the ground they walked on in their work. However, the atmosphere made it impossible for her to ask.
"Would it be possible to prioritize the workshop currently supplying socks and shoes to the Chivalric Order?"
Given that they already had the know-how, they should be able to handle the volume. Plus, it wouldn’t be ideal for them to suddenly lose business.
"Volfred-sama, do you know which workshop it is?"
"Yes, I have the documents here.”
As Dahlia felt relief that one of her requests had been accepted, Dominic followed up with another point.
"We should contact the Adventurer's Guild to secure some green slimes for the insoles. There was a case of overharvesting blue slimes for waterproof cloths before, so it might be best to consider cultivating them right from the start."
"Huh?"
"Right, then we should bring in the Adventurer Guild as well. We’ll have to set up a non-disclosure agreement and focus on both capturing and cultivating them."
Dahlia could hardly believe her ears as Dominic and Gabriella casually mentioned cultivating slimes.
"But we won’t need that much. One small slime can enchant about five sets of insoles."
"60 slimes for 300 pairs... 600 for 3,000... the insoles are disposable, right?"
Ivano muttered the numbers as he began calculating with the paper in front of him.
"Since they’re disposable, we’ll need more than we expect, so it’s better to start cultivating the green slimes sooner. Also, if possible..."
"What is it?"
"I’d like to purchase one once the prototypes are ready. After all, I’ve been dealing with this for about five years now. Even if it’s cured, it tends to come back when you’re around others who have it."
"Foot fungal infection can come back...?"
Volf’s voice, speaking in a low tone, seemed to echo strangely.
"...Ivano, is it possible that there are quite a few people with this issue in our guild?"
"I can’t answer that directly, so let me put it this way: after supplying the Chivalric Order, please consider doing a pre-sale within the Merchant Guild!"
"I’d be happy if I could be included in the purchase privileges as well. After all, when my socks stink, my young grandchildren won’t come near me..."
It was always a joy when people could use the magical tools she had created.
And nothing could be better than knowing that it made their lives more comfortable.
However, magical tools were often used in ways the creator had not anticipated.
That was the lesson she learned that day.
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