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TL: ALT
Chapter 16 – Lots of Things to Do and Stella’s Suggestions
Wataru promptly sought out a real estate company to find farmland for medicinal herbs and secured an appointment.
However, he decided to wait until he heard Aire, Cloche, and Stella’s opinions before making a purchase.
After all, he had no way of knowing if the land contained magic.
Now that an alchemist was among their group, Wataru and the others could accomplish much more.
However, he needed to conduct business in both Japan and the other world, and he didn’t have unlimited time.
Particularly for the Welcome Trading Company, contractual obligations required him to maintain a certain stock level at all times.
He loaded carts with large quantities of sugar in paper bags and rattled them as he made multiple trips back and forth.
Aire and Cloche primarily handled this task.
Meanwhile, Wataru began managing the schedule that he and Mariel needed to complete in the near future.
“Master, we need to check the growth status of the storing grass. Leaving it unattended for too long could lead to another incident like last time.”
“Right. Wasn’t it fine when we checked on it midway through?”
“Yes, but given the location, we can’t be overly optimistic.”
“You’re right. I’d rather not be attacked by those tentacles again.”
“We need to return to the tailor to finish the alterations for your winter clothes after the fitting. Also, deliver baking powder to Vocal’s shop and thank Lord Moye for his assistance. The meeting with my parents, who have lived far away for a long time, is soon approaching. Even if we go see the new farmland, it doesn’t look like we’ll have much time,” said Mariel.
“We really are busy! Even two of us wouldn’t be enough.”
Faced with the ever-growing list of tasks before him, Wataru let out a weary sigh.
Not a single one of these matters could be taken lightly, though.
“I guess we’ll just have to tackle them one by one. It’s frustrating that we can’t hire people and handle things on a larger scale.”
“But finding reliable people is the hard part. Having Aire and Cloche transport our goods is already a huge help.”
“Ultimately, since you need to lead the charge yourself, we have to figure out a way to build a system for outsourcing. Otherwise, the more we work, the more work piles up.”
“For Stella to operate here, we also need items that grant transformations. Relying on Lord Moye repeatedly isn’t ideal. What should we do?”
The gate connecting Earth and the other world is a closely guarded secret.
For now, Wataru and his slaves can use it without issue. However, as a mere mortal and not a god, Wataru has no idea how far its range extends.
There is a very real possibility that the moment he hires a third party to expand his business, it will incur divine displeasure, rendering the gate unusable.
He can’t even delegate negotiations to others.
Many would likely look down on slaves.
It’s certainly true that it works precisely because Wataru stands before them as their master.
“If our life here is somewhat stable, wouldn’t it be an option to pause potion sales for a while?”
“That’s out of the question.”
“Understood.”
He’d been running around searching for drinking vessels and alcohol to acquire Stella for a while now, but many customers were eagerly waiting for the potion sales to resume.
Each of them faced a serious, life-altering situation.
That’s precisely why Wataru felt uneasy about making them wait too long.
“I won’t let potion sales stall any longer. I love making money, but I don’t think it’s everything. Helping people in trouble must mean something.”
Mariel said nothing more, bowed her head, and agreed with Wataru.
Should they hire a negotiator in the other world?
Hiring someone to manage inventory and coordinate communications wasn’t a bad idea.
Trying to delegate everything would be unrealistic.
He should delegate at least some tasks bit by bit.
“Also, Mariel, Make sure to set aside ample time in the schedule for us to deepen our relationship.”
“Fufu, understood. I’ll add procuring medicine from the Pharmacist Guild to the list.”
“Oh, okay. I’m counting on you.”
For Wataru, time spent interacting with Mariel and the others was just as important as the work itself.
Going out to play, soaking in hot springs, and spending evenings together were all important to him.
What would have become of him if they weren’t here?
Even if he had gained a fortune, he couldn’t have found joy within himself.
He would have squandered it, living only for the moment.
He was astonished by how different his thoughts were now compared to when he sold sugar and saw gold coins.
Mariel and the others had become that important and significant to Wataru.
And that would probably be the same for Stella from now on, too.
Suddenly, Stella poked her face out right in front of Wataru, who was deep in thought.
“My lord, I have a suggestion. Would you mind if I shared it?”
“Wh-what is it?”
“Regarding the item for granting transformation… May I craft it?”
“Huh? Stella can make it? Isn’t that something nobles keep strictly secret?”
“Yes. Have you forgotten? I was the alchemist personally employed by that lord. Alchemical items are imbued by trusted court alchemists who have been employed for generations or by slaves who can be ordered to keep secrets.”
Wataru blinked, struck by this unexpected blind spot.
It made perfect sense.
But that meant this was an incredible find.
“I see. It’s surprising the general was willing to let me take you.”
“He probably had reasons to publicly relinquish me. But, since this is mere conjecture, perhaps we should refrain from speaking ill of him.”
Even so, disclosing the manufacturing method to others without permission remains forbidden, even after the rights have been transferred. However, merely making them is not an issue. It was never prohibited in the first place.”
“I see. Being able to prepare it myself would be a huge help!”
“I’m delighted to be of service to you. Hehehe.”
“I’d like you to start immediately, but… Ah—”
“Yes, we don’t have the equipment here.”
Alchemy tools from another world, huh?
Can modern iron and glass even handle this?
“Where can we get tools like that?”
“Some items might be available through the Alchemist’s Guild, but most would need to be commissioned from workshops. Their uses are specialized, and the exact requirements can vary slightly depending on the practitioner.”
“I see…”
Just when he thought one problem was solved, a new one arose.
Still, considering his future plans, this was something he absolutely had to sort out.
Ideally, he would like to source tools available in modern Japan.
Ultimately, mass-producing potions in this world would be necessary.
“Master, if you’re looking to buy in Southern Ship Town, you have two options: use the Welcome Trading Company or ask Lord Moye. Since you’re visiting to express gratitude, why not see how he reacts and then make your request?”
“I suppose so. What should we do about Stella’s workshop? This apartment is definitely out of the question, right?”
“The café would be difficult, too. Ideally, we’d find a suitable location when purchasing farmland later.”
“First, though, we should meet with the real estate agency. Once Aire and Cloche return, we’ll head out.”
There’s a lot to do, but now that the necessary steps are clear, there’s no time for hesitation.
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