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TL: ALT
Chapter 13 – Visiting the Welcome Trading Company
Since it was his second visit, Wataru was able to observe Welcome Trading Company more calmly and in detail.
The previous time, he had just dropped in without any prior knowledge, so he hadn’t really been able to take everything in properly.
It seemed that the front of the Welcome Trading Company was for customers, and there was a loading area in the back.
There was a carriage stop, and several employees were busy loading and unloading goods.
The products they handled seemed to be diverse, including dried fruit, miscellaneous goods, lumber, furniture, and furs, and it had the feel of a general store rather than a specialty shop.
“It’s quite a busy place, isn’t it?”
“Yes, it is. It’s unusual for a shop to be run as a general store rather than a specialty shop.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. Each specialty shop has a close relationship with its respective artisan guild. Of course, if the amount of business increases, they can also keep the purchase price down.”
“I wonder why they don’t do that?”
“I think the shop owner is very particular. They want to become big merchants in the future or something like that.”
He nodded in agreement with Mariel’s explanation.
Like clothing stores, there is no doubt that specialty shops are still strong today.
There are probably some universal truths that remain the same even when times and places change.
On the other hand, there are cases where a business starts as a bookstore and then becomes a global general merchandise mail-order company.
When he thinks about this, he wants William to work hard and follow his dreams.
Although the store was filled with miscellaneous goods, the premises were kept clean and tidy, and there was no sense of stagnation.
In fact, he felt a sense of vitality that accompanied the busyness of the place.
The workers didn’t seem rude or arrogant, and they all moved energetically and efficiently.
Looking at it again, he felt that his intuition in choosing this shop was not bad.
Wataru’s eyes were drawn to the horse, and he was surprised to see it.
He just realized that it looked like a horse, but it wasn’t a horse!
At first glance, the snorting creature looked like a horse.
However, the size of its body, especially its small horns and six legs, made it clear that it was not the horse Wataru knew.
“It’s a Hupos. From the looks of it, is this the first time you have seen one?”
“Yes. It’s amazing. It looks really fast.”
“It is fast and good at pulling heavy loads. Well, I’m better at running!”
“What are you two competing for? Hupos are useful as domestic animals for pulling heavy loads. They’re also sometimes used in battle and for delivering messages because they’re fast.”
Aire, looking up at the Hupos, stands tall and shows off her impressive figure, but her demeanor is childlike and endearing.
Next to her, Mariel is giving a detailed explanation, and that information is useful, too.
“It looks at me a lot, but won’t it bite me?”
“It seems that Hupos give a gentle bite to the head of someone they like.”
“I see.”
“They are good creatures if you treat them normally. I used to have one when my family was still a bit wealthy, but it was a very docile creature.”
“By the way, is it a carnivore?”
“No, it’s a herbivore. It likes grass and stuff like that.”
“Then I guess I can relax. By the way, would it taste good if you ate it?”
“Hmm, I’ve never seen anyone eat it. It’s a very large food, and I think it’s rather bland.”
“In my village, we eat Cursoe by stewing it until it’s very soft.”
There are creatures that look similar but are slightly different.
Perhaps there are also domestic animals that can be crossbred.
If he took some fruits back to Earth, he might be able to solve the food problem or create a high-quality fruit.
Well, he still doesn’t know how to sell it.
When Wataru thought about such things and carelessly approached the Hupos, the Hupos suddenly opened its mouth quickly and bit Wataru’s head.
“Ugh, it’s going to eat me!”
“Huh? How much it likes you! It’s licking you all over!”
“Hey, stop that! My Master will be scared!”
The Hupos let out a loud voice and bit him repeatedly.
Although there was no intense pain, the discomfort of having his head covered in saliva and the suddenness of the event left Wataru with no room for anything else.
However, he couldn’t even move carelessly.
Aire released a terrifying electric aura of murderous intent, and as if to seize Hupos’ mouth, she forcefully opened it wide.
The feeling of oppression was gone, and as Wataru bent over in a panic, he staggered away from the spot.
“Are you all right, Master?”
“Ah, yes. Thanks to you, I wasn’t hurt at all. But I’d like to clean up a bit. I’m all sticky.”
Mariel hastily stood between Hupos and Wataru.
Ugh, I feel so sticky and uncomfortable… Wataru said.
As Wataru frowned in discomfort, an employee who had noticed the commotion rushed over.
“Are you okay, sir?”
“Yes, I’m not hurt. But I think I’d like some hot water and a towel.”
“I’m sorry. I’ll get them right away.”
The employee ran around efficiently and had a bucket of hot water and several towels ready in no time.
“Even though Hupos is usually quiet, it’s not normal for it to be so fond of someone it just met for the first time…”
“Is that so? Then maybe the problem was that it happened to like me?”
“Probably…”
“It’s because Master smells good! That’s why!”
“Is that it? I don’t know myself.”
Maybe it was because he wasn’t hurt.
Or maybe it was because Wataru smiled ironically but not angrily.
Despite the accident, time passed peacefully.
Back in front of the shop, Wataru and the others entered the Welcome Trading Company.
He hoped that he wouldn’t be a nuisance by coming in again so soon after yesterday.
However, William was smiling and happy to see him, so it was clear that there was no need to worry about that.
“Wataru-sama,”
“Hello, thank you for your help yesterday. I’m sorry to have to visit you again so soon after yesterday.”
“No, it was a very good deal. Also…”
William’s eyes fall on Mariel and Aire.
Both are beautiful girls who catch everyone’s eye and whoever sees them standing behind him will probably recognize them immediately as slaves.
“After that, I went to the slave trader, Maso-san, as you recommended and decided to have them work for me.”
“I see. That’s good to hear.”
“Let me introduce them. This is Mariel, who will take care of my daily needs, and Aire, who will be my bodyguard.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“What a lovely pair of young ladies. I am William, head of the Welcome Trading Company. You are both welcome.”
Mariel and Aire bowed deeply and introduced themselves.
Wataru was afraid that Aire, a beastkin, would not be able to do this, but his fears proved to be unfounded.
Aire’s bow was polite enough to be acceptable in modern Japan.
He would later learn that she had been taught manners as a slave.
“I used your name in Maso-san’s shop. I was treated very well. Thank you.”
“I’m glad I could be of help. If you don’t mind, would you like to talk in the back room? I’ve already found a buyer for the sugar. I’d like to report it to you.”
“That’s quick. Please do.”
He probably understood that Wataru had come for a reason.
The fact that he was invited so casually made Wataru feel more comfortable.
The fact that he was taken to another room was also proof that William had found him to be a suitable business partner.
Was the sugar business that important to him?
Wataru, who had made this judgment, relaxed a little.
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