Striving For The Luxury Liner – Vol 9 Chapter 29

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Chapter 29 – The Need for Laying the Groundwork and the Children’s Arrival

When I tried to talk to the old man in the Merchant’s Guild about the information about the land price increase, the merchant group took me to a corner and surrounded me.

“Wataru-san, are you sure you didn’t say anything to the Merchant’s Guild?”

“Eh? What? I told them that we were going to build an orphanage, didn’t I?”

(No, I was talking about the docking of the Castle.)

Camille-san asks me in a whisper.

“I didn’t say anything.”

The merchant group puts their hands on their heads and looks distraught. Did I do something wrong?

“This is our fault. We had plenty of opportunities to check when we came to greet them and when we signed the contract. The guild master was strangely relaxed, but if he didn’t know, it was only natural.”

Mauro-san looked at the old man and said that. As I thought, that old man was the guild master.

“Wataru-san, the anchoring of the Castle will be a story that will spread all over the continent. Any Merchant’s Guild that is not involved will have its reputation destroyed. I was once a member of a Merchant’s Guild, but it would be a troublesome organization if they lost their cool.”

Hmm, I hadn’t thought of that. I guess the Merchant’s Guild acted like they thought I was doing all the work.

“But it’s business, so shouldn’t it be kept secret?”

“Secrecy is important, but when it has such a big impact on the city like this, it’s important to lay the groundwork.”

“I see that it is difficult. I thought we could just keep it a secret for now.”

The merchant group sighed. I’m sorry about that. Hmm, can it be done in time now?

“Is it okay if we do it now?”

“Much better than after we open the Castle. We’ll talk to them ourselves.”

“Please do.”

The merchant group went to the counter and talked to the old man. I wonder if it’s okay to talk to him in a place like this, but I guess it’s okay because no one is here.

I hear “What?” and “Hey, hey, you should have said that before.” I’m sorry, old man.

“Master, what’s wrong?”

“Yeah, it’s kind of important that the Castle be docked, so I guess we should have laid the groundwork.”

“But we don’t know what will happen until the orphanage is built, do we?”

“Yes, I probably should have mentioned that when I started building the orphanage.”

Both Girasole and Felicia listen with blank stares, so I guess it’s a merchant’s rule.

“Master, Camille-san is calling for you.”

“Hmm? Oh, thank you, Felicia.”

I don’t really want to go, but I guess I have no choice.

“Oh, you should brush up on your merchant skills. It’s important to ask around.”

I am at a loss for words.

“Yes. I apologize for the trouble.”

But if I were to go into business, I would only do pepper. The pepper trade is easier for me because I am in a stronger position. The merchant group wanted to talk some more, so we went to the orphanage.

When we arrived at the orphanage, the gatekeepers opened the heavy iron door and welcomed us. Since they are the gatekeepers, they should wait at the gate, but apparently, they have too much free time, so I ask them to join the farm work.

When the children come, I ask them to stand at the gate, including the guards. There are not many people in town and even fewer who visit the orphanage, but when the Castle docks, people are likely to come.

“Elmo-san, is there any inconvenience on your side?”

“Master, it is unnatural to address a slave with honorifics.”

Oh, that’s true. But it’s not quite right not to use honorifics with such a serious-looking uncle. I still find it difficult not to use honorifics with Girasole, after all.

“I understand. And I told you to at least call me Wataru-sama, didn’t I?”

“I apologize.”

I have the tendency to be pleased when a woman calls me Master, but I don’t have the tendency to be pleased when a man calls me Master. I have tried my best to make it acceptable to call me ‘sama,’ though I would have preferred ‘san,’ but they say it doesn’t show that they are slaves.

“So, Elmo, did you find anything uncomfortable?”

“No, sir, everything is fine.”

“Oh, okay, thank you. I’m going to take a look around and see if I can get some work done.”

“Understood.”

I feel more comfortable with the old man type in the Merchant’s Guild. I am tired of being respected. Well, considering my position, I guess they can’t be so casual with me.

When I looked around the orphanage, I found a lot of stuffed animals in the chests. It looks scary at night, doesn’t it?

I think we managed to neutralize the harsh atmosphere with stuffed animals and interior decorations. I went outside to help them with their work, but they were very attentive to me, so I left early.

I don’t think we’re going to get along. It was easy to talk to Ines and Felicia because originally, I was looking for an escort and an ecchi relationship with them, but this time there were so many of them that my relationship with them seemed clearly defined as a master-slave relationship.

When I returned to the Lutto, the old man came running. Is something wrong with Camille-san and the others?

“Oh, I’m glad I found you. The Crown Prince’s envoy is coming to the Merchant’s Guild to see you now.”

The Crown Prince’s envoy, come to think of it, the Marquis said something like that, didn’t he? It hasn’t been that long since I showed the Marquis around, and the envoy is already here?

I can’t stop thinking about it, so I head for the Merchant’s Guild with the old man. But what about the guild master who is running to pick me up? He completely ignores the weight of his position.

I hurry along with the old man, who is fast on his feet. We enter the guild and are ushered into the reception room.

“Thank you for waiting. This is Wataru.”

“Thank you for waiting. I am Wataru.”

“No, no, I came to visit you on your ship, but when I heard you were in the city, I selfishly said I would like to meet you. I apologize for disturbing you.”

What the heck? How should I respond? He is the Crown Prince’s envoy, so I shouldn’t be rude. But humility is no better. It’s difficult.

“No, it’s an honor to meet you.”

“I have a letter for you from the Crown Prince. Please take a look at it.”

Ugh, what should I do? I received the letter as politely as I could. It was like receiving a diploma.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t know anything about etiquette. Is it okay if I just open it here?”

“No problem. Wataru-dono, who introduced Mage-sama to the people of Girasole, is a benefactor of our country. Please don’t mind me.”

What? A benefactor of the country? Are they trying to keep me around somehow? If I’m not careful, I’ll be in trouble.

“Oh, thank you very much.”

To sum up the letter, he heard it from the Marquis. The Navy will guard the orphanage in exchange for the ship’s anchorage, which is no problem considering the favor they received from the mage. However, he has requested that an envoy inspect the orphanage and the ship that will dock there. If they don’t confirm that it’s in the national interest, there will be a lot of complaints from complicated people.

Maybe something like this. I’m going to ask Camille-san to confirm this since it may be difficult to say, and I may be wrong.

“I’ve looked into it. I think the envoy’s visit will be fine, but at what time do you want it?”

Hmm, if it’s the mage, I think it’s okay to be arrogant, but what kind of attitude is better for the position of a friend of the mage? I’m an F-rank merchant in terms of status, so if I take advantage of his words and get carried away, I’ll get into trouble. It’s really annoying.

“Thank you very much. I know it’s short notice, but could you do it tomorrow? There are five of us, myself and my attendants. Also, would it be possible for us to do some shopping on the ship? The Crown Prince and his wife are very pleased with the ship’s goods sent by the Marquis, and they have asked us to purchase them if we can.”

Wow, I thought that was a quick response, but that’s what they want, isn’t it? Liquor? Beauty products? I have a feeling it’s both. If it’s after the opening, that’s fine, but I don’t want them to come now.

“There are rules set by Mage-sama, so as long as you stick to those rules, there should be no problem. Camille-san here is in charge of the ship, so she’ll take over.”

That’s just right, so I push Camille-san to take over. I pretend not to notice that she looks at me with a little bit of resentment. I’m tired of all these inspections lately. I’m going to leave it all to Camille-san now.

The orphans will be here soon, so I have to stay at the port. I am the director of the orphanage, after all.

After the discussion between the envoy and Camille-san was over, we returned to the Lutto.

“Wataru-san, do you want me to lead them tomorrow?”

“Yes, that’s right. I’ll leave it to Camille-san and the others. I’ll wait at the harbor in case the orphans come.”

“You’re not thinking of throwing it all away because it’s too much trouble, are you?”

“Haha, well, I’m thinking about it. But please listen to me. I’m not comfortable dealing with people like that, and that’s why I asked Camille-san and the others to help me. Can you please do this for me?”

I told them my honest feelings because they would know if I was lying to them.

“Sigh… I understand. We will guide them tomorrow. But please attend the opening ceremony of the Castle.”

“…..? What is the opening ceremony? I’ve never heard of it.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I have not yet asked your permission. While Wataru-san was at the orphanage, the guild master requested it. When the Castle is opened to the public, he wants us to pretend that we invited the naval leaders and nobles from the surrounding area at the request of the Merchant’s Guild.”

“Hmm? Do we have to pay that much attention to the Merchant’s Guild? I think it will be troublesome if the relationship becomes too close.”

“With the advantage of the ship, there is no need to worry about the environment. But if we use the Merchant’s Guild as a contact point, the troublesome parties will flow to the Merchant’s Guild, and no trouble will be brought to the orphanage or the Castle. If the Merchant’s Guild selects the tickets, there will be no resentment toward us. We are in a stronger position and can make demands. I think it would be more convenient to use the Merchant’s Guild, don’t you?”

Ah, Camille-san, you want to throw all the troublesome matters to the Merchant’s Guild, don’t you? The Merchant’s Guild will be able to increase its influence, so it’s a win-win situation for both parties.

“If that’s the case, I don’t mind. If the Merchant’s Guild is willing to take care of it, I can at least tolerate the ceremony.”

“Thank you very much.”

We returned to the Castle and had dinner at a pizza restaurant today and enjoyed sharing the food with Rimu, Fuu-chan, and Beni-chan. I haven’t played with Rimu and the others lately. Next time I have time, let’s play together in the kids’ corner.

………………

In the morning, we pick up the envoys and send them to the Castle. Camille-san, Alessia-san, Ilma-san, and Carla-san will also help guide the envoys. We will return to the harbor and wait in case the orphans arrive.

Since it will probably be a whole day of waiting, I have asked Dorothea-san and Marina-san to stay with me. I can’t go to the kids’ corner, but I’ll play with Rimu and the others today. Claretta-san is here to help us with the orphans when they come. It’s important to have someone with experience, right?

Dorothea-san and Marina-san, and I will just play with Rimu, Fuu-chan, and Beni-chan. Treasure hunting, tag, hide-and-seek, it’s a lot of fun. By the way, Rimu and the others can play catch, but they prefer to be thrown around.

“Master, a merchant with children is coming towards us. Aren’t they orphans?”

I didn’t know they were really coming today. It was just an excuse to skip the envoy’s guidance.

“All right, let’s greet them.”

We went outside and waited for the merchant and the children to come toward us.

“Are you Wataru-san?”

“Yes, are you the merchant who brought the orphans?”

“Yes, these are the children.”

When I looked at the children, I saw that many of them had dark expressions on their faces. Are they suffering from the scars of war? I would prefer not to see such hard-looking things, but that’s what happens when you build an orphanage in a war-torn country.

“Thank you very much.”

I thank him, sign the request, and we part ways. When I look at the children, my body shakes. I feel like I’m going to fail.

“I’m Wataru, the director of the orphanage you’re going to. What should I say? I promise you that the place you are going to is safe, and you will be able to eat a full meal every day. You can study. You can play a lot. We will all try our best to live happily together.”

Anyway, I did my best. But it seems that I can’t grasp a child’s heart. It was sad. I asked Claretta-san for help.

“Don’t be afraid, everyone. We’ll go together.”

Although there was no response to her words, Claretta-san approached them with a smile, and the children began to approach her reluctantly. Is it important to smile?

I tried to smile at them, and they freaked out and looked away. That’s sad. Well, I’m hardly ever at the orphanage. It’s okay if they are afraid of me. I’ll settle for wishing them happiness from afar. But since there are ten of them, is it extravagant of me to think that I should have at least one person who likes me?

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