How To Suck Honey With Extras [EN]: Chapter 75

83. The More Goods to Sell, the Better (2)

And the next day.

As Lowell had arranged, I got into the carriage they had prepared early in the morning.

The destination was Fils, a city located about six days away by carriage from Phelphuk.

Hearing the destination, I sighed.

“Quite troublesome. And so sudden. A business trip out of the blue. Your handling of urgent matters is quite hasty.”

I voiced my complaint for now.

“Will things like this keep happening?”

Lowell, sitting across from me in the carriage, gave a wry smile at my words.

“Originally, there wouldn’t usually be such urgent matters. …But the other party sent a reply insisting that the person in charge must come and speak in person.”

In short, there were people whose cooperation was essential to commercializing the item I proposed.

Naturally, Lowell was supposed to handle the negotiations, but the other party demanded that I come instead of him.

“Well, I understand for now. But why are they in that place specifically?”

“……First, I need to explain this. Mr. Aileon, how much do you know about the structure of the Pilleroth Merchant Guild?”

“I don’t know!”

“……You say that so frankly.”

There’s no way I’d know.

It’s information that couldn’t appear in the original story, and even if I tried to find out, I don’t have the connections to do so.

In the first place, the Pilleroth Merchant Guild isn’t even mentioned once in the original work.

“Basically, there are two major factions within our Pilleroth Merchant Guild.”

He held up two fingers.

“One is like me, a common merchant who handles the distribution and sale of goods.”

A combination of merchants overseeing the distribution and sale of goods.

“And the other is those who possess the technology to create those goods.”

“……So, a combination of artisans.”

“Yes. We also manage the association that oversees those artisans.”

This was possible thanks to the power and wealth of the nobles who supported them.

It was because they had the idea of ​​expanding the organization by embracing the very foundation of the production stage, rather than simply repeating the act of selling and buying goods.

“Accordingly, most of the items sold by our guild are produced by our side.”

It seemed that they owned not only everyday items but also various places, starting with breweries that brewed wine and beer.

And in Fils, where we were headed, there were workshops and artisans who made things.

“……Then, are the friends who were assigned to the potion workshop from the artisan faction?”

“No. They work for me.”

“I see. So, my job is to persuade them with eloquent words?”

Let’s put aside whether I can do that or not.

“It’s not necessarily about persuading them. I believe you just need to have a simple conversation.”

“I don’t mind.”

I simply replied that it was no problem, then leaned back against the carriage seat and frowned.

‘This carriage is killing my butt.’

I need to get a carriage that’s easier on the butt as soon as possible, or I feel like I’ll gain something irreversible.

……Frankly speaking, I’m going to get hemorrhoids.

* * *

During the journey, Lowell gave me some brief information about the artisan association that the Pilleroth Merchant Guild was supporting.

The Pilleroth Merchant Guild seemed to be settling artisans of various sizes in several countries where they traded.

The reason they didn’t bother taking them to their home country, where the main branch was located, was that even if there was commercial understanding, sending technicians abroad could cause friction with each country.

“Actually, the interests of the artisan association and the Selbas Kingdom are slightly misaligned, which is causing headaches. Well, this has nothing to do with us right now.”

However, he said that the artisans were in an uncomfortable mood, so I should keep it in mind just in case.

He didn’t elaborate further, but I could guess.

It was because the nobles of the Selbas Kingdom were suddenly mistreating technology.

Due to incitement and bribery by someone with malicious intent, persecution of artisan groups rooted in each territory was occurring, mainly among some nobles.

‘A scheme to shake the public sentiment and foundation of the kingdom. It’s already happening…….’

I thought it was a minor element mentioned briefly in the original work, so it wouldn’t be relevant to me, but I never thought I’d hear about it here.

‘Does that mean Duke Rupel’s coup is not far off?’

Even if it’s not far off, there is still some grace period until the Selbas Kingdom’s reign reaches the peak of its deterioration.

What’s important now is not the event that will happen someday, but to make them create the items to sell soon, so let’s just keep it in mind.

* * *

We arrived safely in Fils.

The carriage entered a building that appeared to belong to the Pilleroth Merchant Guild, and we moved according to the guidance of the person there.

They told us to wait as they would call the person in charge soon, so we sat back and waited, sipping tea.

Finally, thump. Thump. Thump! Very rough footsteps were heard.

Ugh…… I feel like I can already see the personality of the person coming in.

Just as I was momentarily frozen with tea in my mouth.

Bang!

The door was thrown open, and a man who looked like he was claiming, ‘I’ve been rolling around in the rough field for half my life!’ came in.

His arms, hardened by numerous jobs, caught my eye first, and his fierce eyes glared at me as well.

He sat right in front of the table, cleared his throat slightly, and spoke first.

Is he the representative here?

“Ahem. Hmm! I’m Roks, in charge of this place.”

“……Yes. I’m Aileon. Nice to meet you, Foreman.”

I reflexively greeted him.

Lowell, right next to me, gave a subtle expression and explained me to some extent.

“This is the person I mentioned in the last contact, Foreman.”

“I can tell just by looking, Merchant.”

“…….”

If I’m not mistaken, there seems to be a strangely uncomfortable atmosphere flowing between Lowell and Mr. Roks.

It’s annoying, so let’s ignore it.

Anyway, it seemed like he was about to get straight to the point.

“There’s no need to waste time, so let’s get straight to the point. ……Did you bring it?”

“Of course.”

“Let’s see it right away.”

Lowell immediately had someone place several drawings I had entrusted to him on the table.

He probably saw some of the drawings that were copied and sent, but this would be the first time he saw the whole thing.

“You’ve drawn quite a variety of things. What are you going to use this for?”

He pointed to one of the drawings.

I explained as calmly as possible, suppressing my pounding heart.

If I act flustered, I won’t be trusted.

“First of all, I thought of using that as a lamp at night.”

“Instead of charcoal or oil, you’re going to put magic stones in the lamp?”

“To be exact, I’m putting low-grade magic stones and a liquid processed with specific herbs together.”

“Then it will glow?”

“Yes.”

First, I proposed a form that mimics a small stand that can be placed on a table or desk, using magic stones instead of light bulbs to create a light-emitting phenomenon.

‘That was also a trick that the main character showed once when he didn’t have a lantern in the original work.’

The main character didn’t think much of it and didn’t commercialize it, but I think it’s worth it. The raw materials are cheap too.

I wrote it down because I thought it would be impossible to reproduce it in detail with my skills, but what if I entrusted it to an expert?

Most of the drawings I showed were mostly in that way.

Massage rollers. Functional hangers. Things that mimic simple ballpoint pens. And so on.

I imitated everything I could.

‘Come to think of it, do I want to open a general store or something?’

Most of them were things I often encountered in the world I lived in. But things that don’t exist here yet.

To put it simply, I pictured things that I often saw in large general stores in modern Earth and tried to imitate them.

It’s okay, there’s nothing I can’t do to make a living.

‘The problem is whether these can really be reproduced.’

Honestly, I think it’s enough if I can salvage 20% of the proposed ideas.

“I can’t say for sure unless I try it. But it seems like production itself is possible enough.”

Mr. Roks said that after a moment of contemplation.

“It’s okay if you only do what’s possible!”

There’s no reason to be dissatisfied. Just do what you can!

I laughed and agreed.

“Then let’s have a detailed consultation right away…….”

“Before that, there’s one thing I want to confirm with you.”

He slammed the drawing on the table with his palm.

“You said you drew these, right?”

“Well…… something like that.”

I wondered why he was suddenly asking that again.

When I glanced at Lowell, he seemed confused as well, as if he didn’t understand the intention.

It wasn’t a pre-arranged action.

“Then Aileon. Answer me properly.”

“……Yes.”

I nodded seriously.

“Actually, the moment I saw these, and the moment I saw you, there was one thing I couldn’t understand.”

“……Ah, is it that the designs of these are clumsy?”

“No. Not the design, not the budget. It’s not that.”

He shook his head several times.

“That’s our job. It’s not something for the customer who commissions the work to consider.”

Mr. Roks said confidently and firmly.

“It is our job and pride to do what is requested. That’s why I don’t understand. You…….”

He took a deep breath and continued.

Is he complaining? Was my attitude too arrogant? Or is it still clumsy?

“What on earth did you see to draw this?”

What he asked was a question that seemed to dig into my conscience.

“Wait. What do you mean…….”

“Merchant, keep quiet for a moment.”

Mr. Roks immediately stopped Lowell from intervening.

He wasn’t just being mean.

His face was serious now.

“I really don’t understand.”

“The drawings?”

“Well, your drawings aren’t bad. Honestly, even if you didn’t bring them to us, you could entrust them to a third-rate workshop and they would complete them well enough, it would just take time.”

It was a compliment, but somehow his tone made it sound like he didn’t understand it.

He had the eyes of someone who had seen something incomprehensible, like a child who had seen a ghost for the first time.

“That’s why I don’t understand. You certainly said that you only came up with the basics clumsily.”

“……Are you still doubting me?”

“To be honest, I can’t figure out your intentions. We’re not wizards, so how can we tell a person’s lies? Hmph, I lie to my wife like I eat rice.”

Well, that’s something to be proud of.

“Well, I was caught in the end.”

And you were caught.

“People like us make a living with this kind of skill, but strangely, there are things that we seem to know as soon as we see them. This drawing…… I only know this. You have a separate original that you saw once.”

I don’t know whether to call it a direct hit or what.

What he meant by the original would be about the finished product I had previously encountered.

Conception and imitation are different.

Normally, you wouldn’t think about the traces, but the same technicians know the sense of incongruity.

Moreover, I repeated the imitation of imitation.

It’s no wonder that the sense of incongruity is even stronger.

‘From the perspective of someone commissioning the work, this awareness is proof of skill, so it’s reassuring…… but on the other hand, it’s difficult…….’

What should I say to get around it?

Should I make something up appropriately?

It wouldn’t be difficult if Lowell matched the story well.

I pondered for a moment and opened my mouth.

“……I drew it based on what I saw in a certain place.”

Let’s admit only half of it, just half.

“What you saw? Where on earth? I also know guys from all over the place to get in touch with various things. But this kind of thing…….”

“It’s quite a distant place. It’s so far that it’s natural that you haven’t encountered it.”

That’s all I can say.

“Don’t worry. Problems will never arise.”

If you still can’t believe me here, I have nothing more to say.

Well, you wouldn’t believe me even if I told you.

“If you can’t believe me, you don’t have to accept it.”

“……Then that’s fine. Okay. I’ll accept the job.”

“Yes?”

What. Weren’t you going to say something like, ‘I can’t believe you, so I can’t accept it!’ here?

As I made a puzzled face, Mr. Roks snorted.

“I was just curious about the source. If it’s as you say, well, there’s no connection to this side. If so, that’s all.”

“……Is that so?”

“If you had continued to insist that you had devised this, I might have changed my mind a little.”

In the end, what he was asking was whether I had stolen the technology from somewhere, was that what he was worried about?

Maybe he was worried about the aftermath.

“Aileon. You come to my room later. We’ll have a more detailed conversation then. I want to hear properly about what you know.”

“Only me?”

“Hmph. It’s easier to have a conversation as a technician without the merchant.”

Lowell, the merchant who had been listening silently, shrugged his shoulders as if to say, do as you please.

“……Then let’s do that.”

I smiled slightly and replied.