Chapter 140 - The Expedition Stove Presentation
In the carriage heading to the royal castle, Dahlia repeatedly clenched and unclenched her right hand. Her fingers trembled so visibly that it was impossible to miss.
Gabriella, sitting beside her, gently took her hand.
“Dahlia, reapply your lipstick and smile.”
“Huh?”
“What will you do if you get overwhelmed? You’re supposed to boil those men alive with your magic stove, you know?”
“...Boil them alive?”
“Well, you could fry them to a crisp if you want, just don’t burn them too much.”
Gabriella’s deadpan expression made Dahlia laugh despite herself.
Gabriella had joined her in the carriage from the Merchant Guild to the royal castle.
She was likely worried about how nervous Dahlia was.
Even Ivano, sitting across from them, seemed unusually tense today, focused entirely on reviewing the documents in his hands without looking up.
Dahlia took a deep breath and carefully reapplied her lipstick.
When she checked herself in the silver hand-mirror, she saw a somewhat stiff but passable business smile.
Today, she wore a navy dress with a hint of a strong bluish hue.
It was long but not trailing, with a modest neckline and back. It was the most formal attire she could manage as the daughter of a baron.
The fabric had a mysterious sheen and depth, and it felt incredibly soft against her skin.
Forto had prepared the fabric on the day she had the incident with the finance department head, and Lucia had sewn it in two days.
She had worried about the cost, but was told there was no need to pay—after all, it was a prototype made for testing the Auratello.
The dress’s design made her neck and wrists appear more delicate, while cleverly placed tucks concealed the areas around her waist that she was self-conscious about.
And yet, even when she raised her arms, the dress stayed perfectly in place; when she bent down, the neckline didn’t open, and the gently flaring hem allowed her to move with ease.
The lining was a beautiful aqua fabric, with Auratello strategically placed throughout.
When Dahlia desperately tried to thank and apologize to them, Forto and Lucia had responded with the same expression.
”This is your battle attire for the royal castle. Do as you please.”
”It’s battle attire! Make sure you give that old fox a piece of your mind!”
Dahlia had accepted the dress without hesitation from the surprisingly combative duo.
There had been other forms of support as well.
The night of the incident, Volf had delivered a large amount of publicly available data on the Chivalric Order.
The next evening, flowers and cookies had been delivered to the tower.
Last night, Volf had rushed to the Merchant Guild, allowing Dahlia to consult with him about the presentation.
And, as expected, he had told her, “Just don’t push yourself too hard.”
She had nodded and smiled in response.
But whether the smile reflected in the hand mirror was her business smile or her genuine one, she couldn’t tell.
When she thought about it, today’s presentation was just an opportunity she had requested to explain herself to the finance department.
Even if she failed, it would only mean fewer orders for the expedition stoves.
Grato had already proposed a plan for installment payments. Even if today’s presentation didn’t go well, the company wouldn’t collapse.
The finance department head’s remarks still rankled, but she would set that aside for now.
All she could do was calmly present what she had prepared.
“I’m off, Gabriella.”
“Good luck, Dahlia. I’m rooting for you.”
Dahlia smiled at Gabriella, who raised a hand in farewell, before stepping out of the carriage.
・・・・・・・
In the spacious conference room of the central wing of the royal castle, about fifteen individuals—presumably civil officials—were seated in chairs.
And oddly enough, the members of the Monster Subjugation Force were also seated there, in nearly equal numbers.
Dahlia had been told to expect eight finance department officials and three people from the Monster Subjugation Force. The sudden tripling of attendees was unexpected.
“My apologies. The number increased along the way... The Monster Subjugation Force also expressed a desire to hear the explanation. We’ll make do with two people sharing the materials.”
The official assisting today was sweating as he bowed and explained.
“No, we’ve prepared extra copies. Please use these.”
Just as Leone, the Merchant Guild Master, had warned.
If you’re bringing business-related documents to the royal castle, prepare three times the needed amount—people might show up in greater or fewer numbers than expected.
Thanks to that, even with every available hand helping out at the Merchant Guild yesterday, the copying work was still quite the ordeal.
“I am Dahlia Rossetti of the Rossetti Company. Thank you for taking the time to meet with me today. I will now explain the expedition stove for the Monster Subjugation Force.”
Standing on the slightly raised platform at the edge of the room, Dahlia bowed deeply.
She kept her introduction brief and quickly moved on to a simple explanation of the stove’s functions.
“Please take a look at the stoves on your tables. The expedition stove is as compact and lightweight as possible, even more so than the compact magic stove.”
The actual compact magic stove and the expedition stove were placed side by side on the tables. As the attendees examined them with interest, Dahlia continued.
“The metal lid can be flipped over to serve as a shallow pot or frying pan. It weighs about the same as a leather bag of wine. Additionally, not every member needs to carry one. If space is tight, they can be shared during breaks, with one stove for every two people.”
Nodding along as they listened were members of the Monster Subjugation Force—Volf, Grato, Randolph, and the others.
They didn’t say a word, but just having them in the same room was reassuring enough.
“If proper meals can be provided during expeditions, it will likely make health management easier, thereby improving efficiency in both monster suppression and travel. On long expeditions, even the most seasoned knights can suffer from poor nutrition, stomach issues, or colds. This stove can help address those dietary concerns. I believe it would also contribute positively to maintaining troop morale.”
Dahlia spoke directly to Gild.
While his previous remarks had angered her, she wanted him, of all people, to understand the stove’s value.
“...That does seem like it will be effective.”
He responded with a flat, neutral tone. The objections or sarcasm she had braced herself for never came.
“The expedition stove can be used in swamps, grasslands, deserts, and other areas where building a fire is difficult. Even if foraging for food becomes necessary, cooking the foraged food over a fire increases safety.”
“Expeditions can sometimes run longer than planned, leading to food shortages. In such cases, we may have to rely on hunting game or even monsters for sustenance.”
Grato offered a bit of clarification.
At his words, some of the younger-looking members of the finance department began whispering among themselves. Apparently, they hadn’t known.
“The fire magic stones used in the stove don’t require frequent replacement. If there’s someone in the unit who can use fire magic, they can also recharge the stones during the expedition.”
After explaining the stove’s features, Dahlia took a moment to catch her breath.
Now came the part aimed at the finance department.
“Please turn to the next page in your materials. The top section shows the current expedition meals, while the bottom shows proposed improvements. The price difference is outlined here.”
“The food costs seem significantly higher, don’t they?”
“Yes, but I believe this will lead to substantial financial benefits in the long run.”
Dahlia raised her voice slightly.
“By improving meals with the expedition stove, we can potentially reduce the unit’s turnover rate and early retirement rate. Additionally, reducing physical strain could lower the incidence of injuries and illnesses, thereby decreasing medical expenses. And with fewer injuries and illnesses, the active service period of the knights could be extended. From a human resources and budgetary perspective, this could be highly effective.”
The Monster Subjugation Force had the highest early retirement and transfer request rates in the Chivalric Order.
As Dahlia spoke, Ivano and the assisting official unfurled a large parchment behind her.
“Next, please take a look at this.”
“What is this...?”
“The circles represent the number of unit members. The red section indicates the early retirement rate. For reference, the green and blue sections represent the Mage Division and other knight divisions.”
“Seeing it in circles gives a different perspective. I hadn’t realized the Monster Subjugation Force had such a high withdrawal rate...”
“This is quite easy to understand...”
The pie charts drew more attention than her words.
While line graphs existed in this world, pie charts did not. For some reason, the standard here was square-shaped charts—grids divided into sections and filled in with color.
Dahlia then returned to the documents, explaining the number of sick and injured personnel, annual turnover rates, and retirement rates by age group using graphs and tables.
Though the data was based on the Chivalric Order as a whole, comparing the Monster Subjugation Force to the First Knight Order made the disparities painfully clear.
“Introducing new items like the expedition stove will indeed incur significant upfront costs. However, over the long term, I believe it will prove financially beneficial.”
Finally, Dahlia had Ivano and the official hold up the last large parchment.
She clenched her back teeth and began explaining its contents.
“This shows the number of individuals who have ‘journeyed to the land of honor’ over the past twenty years. This section represents the Monster Subjugation Force, this the Mage Division, and this the other knight units.”
She used the phrase “journeyed to the land of honor,” but it referred to those who had died in the line of duty.
The red circle represented a fallen member of the Monster Subjugation Force. The Mage Division was marked in green, and the other knight units in blue.
Even among the knights, deaths occurred during border defense, skirmishes with intruders, and accidents.
But the number of deaths in the Monster Subjugation Force was incomparably higher.
The color red covered more than three-quarters of the parchment, leaving everyone speechless.
“Such a significant loss of personnel is deeply concerning.”
Turning to the members of the finance department, Dahlia met their gazes directly.
She hadn’t wanted to bring this up, but this was probably where the biggest cost disparity would show up.
“Compensation for bereaved families, pensions, knightly funeral expenses, hiring and training replacements... I leave it to the finance department to weigh these costs against the expedition improvement expenses.”
As Dahlia bowed, the finance department head offered a perfunctory smile.
“The usefulness of the expedition stove is clear. However, it’s not exactly inexpensive.”
“Regarding that, I have another proposal.”
Ivano and the assisting official distributed an additional sheet that had been intentionally omitted earlier. It outlined the expedition stove’s specifications and price, exclusive to the Monster Subjugation Force.
The recipients’ expressions turned to confusion.
Even the unit members seemed restless.
“For the Monster Subjugation Force, we will provide the expedition stoves at the price listed here. This should make it easier to fit into your budget.”
The price was significantly closer to that of the compact magic stove.
It was the lowest figure Ivano had agreed to without incurring a loss.
“That’s a considerable reduction, but won’t this leave the Rossetti Company with almost no profit?”
“No, there’s something we’d like in return.”
Was it a request for another product’s delivery? A recommendation as the Chivalric Order’s official supplier? Or perhaps a title? All eyes turned to Dahlia.
“Please allow us to engrave the name ‘Rossetti’ on the back of the expedition stoves.”
“Engrave your name on the back? What’s the point of that?”
Gild’s expression was one of genuine confusion.
“When monsters appear, ordinary people can’t fight them. Escaping might not even be an option. While the royal capital is considered safe, there have been nations and cities destroyed by monsters in the past. Everyone in the Kingdom of Ordine, including myself, relies on the Monster Subjugation Force to protect us at the cost of their lives.”
Dahlia remembered Volf, wounded on the day they first met, and the unit members she had encountered afterward.
Life-threatening battles, grueling expeditions, severe injuries, bland meals, and sleepless nights—all for whom?
For the people of the royal capital and the citizens of the Kingdom of Ordine.
Including Dahlia herself.
She couldn’t fight monsters or protect even a single person.
But as a magical toolmaker, she could create magical tools to support the Monster Subjugation Force and cheer them on from behind.
That was the “compensation” she desired.
“As a magical toolmaker, I would be honored to have my name engraved on a tool used by the Monster Subjugation Force.”
Every unit member in the room froze.
Half of the finance department officials were stunned, while the others stared wide-eyed.
The Monster Subjugation Force was somewhat popular among commoners, but its standing within the Chivalric Order was far from high.
Within the Chivalric Order, being assigned to the Monster Subjugation Force without having volunteered for it was considered “drawing the short straw.”
The Scarlet Armor unit especially had an exceptionally high mortality rate—even among the knights.
It was a job that involved frequent expeditions. Over time, many had found their bonds with family severed—some parted ways with fiancées or lovers, others missed the chance to be at a parent’s deathbed.
Even after all that, they were still sometimes dismissed as nothing more than a combat unit good only for fighting monsters—not people.
Monster slaying was expected, victories taken for granted, and failures harshly criticized.
Yet this magical toolmaker had acknowledged the Monster Subjugation Force as the kingdom’s protectors.
She was willing to sacrifice her own profits to have her tools used by the unit.
And she had declared it an honor.
“...We gratefully accept.”
Grato stood and bowed deeply to Dahlia.
“Captain Grato, this isn’t something you can decide on your own—”
“It’s not just about the Monster Subjugation Force—when you consider personnel management and its associated costs, surely the finance department can see the benefits, can’t you? And as for the price, there’s no issue left at all now, is there?”
Grato cut Gild off, his gaze sweeping over the finance department.
“Members of the finance department, if you have any objections, voice them now. If you still can’t approve the budget, I’ll request a general meeting including the Chivalric Order and the administrative department. I’ll even appeal directly to the king if necessary.”
A faint aura of mana rose from Grato.
The room suddenly felt as if the oxygen had thinned. Though restrained, his pressure was on the verge of being unleashed.
“I support the introduction of the expedition stove to the Monster Subjugation Force. I would also like to hear more from the head of the Rossetti Company regarding expedition improvement costs.”
The first to speak was the finance department’s deputy head.
“I also support it. I’d like to hear more about human resource management.”
The man beside him continued with a smile.
One by one, voices of support followed. Many expressed a desire to hear more from Dahlia.
“Rossetti, are you sure about those terms?”
“Yes.”
Meeting Grato’s intense gaze, Dahlia smiled and nodded.
“...Protecting my unit is my duty. If I back down now, there will be more casualties. If there’s something that can improve the unit, I won’t hesitate.”
Grato’s heavy, bitter voice echoed, though it was unclear who he was addressing.
No one responded, but Gild’s amber eyes remained fixed on him.
“Ivano, the contract.”
As Ivano laid out the documents on the table, Grato immediately signed three copies.
Gild, refusing the pen Grato offered, pulled out his own and silently signed his approval on all the documents.
The documents, instantly dried with a dryer, would be promptly circulated to the relevant departments.
Dahlia watched them, surprised at how everything was moving along with almost laughable speed.
Behind her, Ivano, who was folding the parchment, whispered, “You did well.”
Yesterday, during a discussion with Ivano at the Merchant Guild, she had made a suggestion.
Engrave Rossetti’s inscription on the back of the expedition stove—that way, it doubled as an advertisement for the company.
Lowering the price would essentially be covering advertising and promotional costs.
If people knew the Monster Subjugation Force used Rossetti Company products, it would boost the company’s reputation and trustworthiness among nobles and commoners alike.
And if it spread throughout the capital and the kingdom, the company’s profits would inevitably rise.
When she explained this, Ivano had looked utterly exasperated.
She had expected him to vehemently oppose the idea, but he had agreed.
She was deeply grateful to him for yielding to her stubbornness.
As Dahlia quietly exhaled in relief, Grato approached her.
“Rossetti, forgive my bluntness, but I’m going to ‘claim’ you.”
“Huh?”
The whispered words caught her off guard—she didn’t understand their meaning.
Just as she was about to ask him to repeat himself, he stepped up beside her and loudly addressed the men in front of them.
“Now, from here on, this isn’t about payment or exchange—it’s a heartfelt request from me. Everyone here will be a witness; that’s acceptable, right?”
Without warning, Grato dropped to one knee right before her, his expression serious as he extended his right palm toward Dahlia.
“I, Grato Bartolone, Captain of the Monster Subjugation Force, humbly requests Dahlia Rossetti, head of the Rossetti Company, to become the official supplier and consulting magical toolmaker for the Monster Subjugation Force.”
It took Dahlia three seconds to process his words.
Another three seconds to hesitate, glance at Volf’s brightest smile, and make her decision.
And three more seconds to muster the courage to place her fingers atop Grato’s outstretched palm.
In the midst of shock, confusion, and bewilderment, she managed not to scream.
“...I-I humbly accept.”
Dahlia stumbled over her words, but she got them out.
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