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TL: ALT
Chapter 42 – Bargain
Ozora Market is located in Star-Gazing Hill Town, which has a large open space.
Since there were a lot of people gathered there and there was a lot of traffic, it was easy to notice if you went near it.
There was a guard standing there, collecting a stall fee of two copper coins, which was very cheap.
There was no charge to the buyer.
The outer perimeter was surrounded by ropes and tarpaulins, so it was impossible to enter or leave except through the designated entrances and exits.
This was probably to prevent unscrupulous people from setting up stalls in hiding and to prevent theft and pickpocketing.
Some people set up tents, others set up tables and display their wares, and others spread out straw mats and sit on small chairs waiting for customers. The nature of the stalls is extremely diverse.
“There are so many people here. The square looks big, but there are even more people. It’s like visiting a New Year’s shrine or Comiket…”
“On the 50th, markets are held in most cities. Anyone can set up a stall and sell whatever they want as long as they pay a participation fee.”
“I see. Then this is the place.”
“Yes, I think we’ll be able to find the accessories we’re looking for.”
“Aire, that was a good suggestion. Well done.”
“Heh. Master, pat my head some more.”
“Alright, alright, alright.”
When Wataru patted her head, Aire wagged her tail happily from side to side.
She said that she could move around in this world without worrying about her tail at all, so she felt comfortable.
Ozora Market is a good fit for a society with a well-developed guild system.
Guilds are gatherings of craftsmen and merchants and are a mass of self-interest.
Guilds are responsible for preventing inferior products from being sold.
If someone who is not a member of the guild continues to handle and sell the goods, they can even be sanctioned, and they have the right to self-government.
In Japan, this would be the equivalent of a trade association.
“Basically, you can do any kind of business in Japan, but some things like medicine, dangerous goods, and second-hand goods are controlled by the government.”
“The main difference with guilds is that each craftsman forms his own organization and manages these things.”
“I wonder why the government doesn’t control these things? If they don’t have a unified system, there will be a big difference between regions.”
“I think it’s because the lords are too powerful.”
“Oh, I see.”
Aire’s comment was an eye-opener.
Unlike modern nations, in this world, many nobles each rule their own territories.
Since authority is dispersed and each person has his own responsibility, it becomes difficult for the country to manage things unilaterally.
This is why the lord is putting so much effort into the Ozora Market.
The guilds want to make a profit.
That’s why they try to control the prices as much as possible and don’t allow other people to interfere.
As a citizen, if you don’t need the goods you bought for any reason, you can’t sell them.
Even if you take them to the guild, they’ll probably only buy them for a small amount.
The role of the Ozora Market was to revitalize the distribution of goods owned by the citizens create a flow of money; and while controlling the guilds, it had many advantages, such as collecting participation fees.
For this reason, the Welcome Trading Company, which does not discriminate between customers or types of goods, has great potential for growth.
“Not only people from the city, but also people from the surrounding villages come here to sell their traditional goods. You’re sure to find a bargain.”
“If you see something you like, not just accessories, let me know. I want to get my hands on as many good things as possible.”
“Okay. I’ll do my best to find something.”
Once they entered the Ozora Market, they would have to continue searching for the shops they were looking for while going with the flow.
They had wanted to discuss what kind of things they needed beforehand, but unfortunately, Wataru didn’t know what would be profitable.
There was no choice but to buy the most promising things and try them out.
When it was time to go inside, Aire leaned her body against Wataru’s back and hugged him lightly.
The overwhelming softness that Wataru felt on his back.
Wataru remembered the softness and texture of the marshmallows he had enjoyed so much last night.
It was a softness he could have touched forever.
Before Wataru’s thoughts could travel to the land of eternal happiness, Aire began to pester him.
“Master, I want you to buy me one too~”
“Aire! You’re so brazen for a slave!”
“But, but! I want one! Mariel wants one too, right?”
“T-That’s… that’s not it! It’s just to keep other men away, you know, because I’m a slave!”
“Hey! Your face is all red~.”
Mariel, who is always serious, and Aire, who is always trying to have a good time, are always making fun of Mariel.
This is becoming a familiar scene, but there is important work to be done.
Wataru cannot let them continue like this, so he claps his hands to get their attention.
“That’s enough, both of you. We’ll think about it if you do a good job. If you do a bad job, I’ll put a collar on you instead of a ring.”
“Wha-? I-I’m sorry!”
“I’m sorry to cause you trouble, Master.”
“No, it’s not good for you to be so scared. I was only joking, but… well, it’s not a bad idea to put it on at night as punishment.”
“Punishment… collar… whip… stop just before with aphrodisiac… haaa…”
“(I was only joking.)”
Wataru said it with the intention of making it sound like a joke, but the two of them didn’t take it as a joke.
This is probably a problem of the strength of the influence of words depending on the relationship between master and slave.
Even if it’s a joke, the risk of being taken seriously is too great to ignore.
“(Mariel’s face was downcast and she was shaking. I must have really scared her. I’ll have to be careful.)”
He felt he had to deepen their relationship even more than before.
He regained his composure and walked to the entrance.
After bowing slightly to the guards and passing through, the area was suddenly filled with the noise of a festival.
The shouts of shopkeepers and customers negotiating with each other could be heard everywhere.
“Well, let’s take a look at the stalls. I also like to go to shops like this.”
“That’s right! It’s exciting to think you might find a bargain.”
“What if there’s a really valuable item being sold for next to nothing to someone who doesn’t know its value?”
“I’d pretend I didn’t know and buy it.”
“Yeah, well, in the world I live in, there are a lot of opportunities to sell things for a lot of money, so I’ll be actively looking for products.”
“Okay. Aire, I’ll leave the shopping to you, but I also need you to act as a bodyguard.”
“Sure! Leave it to me!”
For now, they decided to take a look at the small items sold by the man they saw as soon as they entered the market.
They had a hunch that they might be able to find something good there.
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A collar instead of a ring!!😨
Thanks for the treat.
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