TN: Please read my translations only on my website nyx-translation.com since I never give my permission to any site to host my translations. And if you like my translations, please support this site on Ko-fi and Patreon to read several chapters ahead!
Enjoy~
Chapter 3 – Starting Without Really Thinking About It
I ended up parroting the idea somewhat, but I successfully hired the six executive candidates from the Southern Continent Branch of the Toyoumi Trading Company, who were introduced to me by Mear-san. We began training them alongside the two hundred criminal slaves who are now under the management of the Toyoumi Trading Company. I’d like to think everything is proceeding smoothly…
Several days have passed since I saw off the escort force. They haven’t returned yet, but we’ve received several reports via supply convoys bringing back the monsters they defeated in the forest and the resources they gathered.
These are the same personnel who leveled up in the sea battle. Before that, however, they were a band of bandits whose daily life was camping. There was some doubt about whether camping training was necessary, but that question has been resolved.
Bandit and military encampments are entirely different, so the primary objective is to learn the disciplined procedures for military encampments.
The secondary objective is to gather intelligence and anticipate an enemy attack. The country remains in a state of chaos, and there’s no guarantee that large-scale bandit groups won’t attack again.
As a hidden objective, they are also gathering intelligence in case disputes arise with the victorious nation that now rules this defeated country.
Considering the rapid reconstruction, the Gothenburg side sees a high likelihood of unreasonable demands from the victorious nations, who themselves have little leeway.
Preparing countermeasures for that eventuality is only natural. This is why the Toyoumi Trading Company’s Southern Continent Branch undertook this intelligence gathering mission.
They identified positions ideal for setting traps, launching surprise attacks, or building fortifications. To be blunt, while the magistrate might hesitate, the Gothenburg-born guild masters are fully intent on resistance.
They certainly don’t expect to defeat a nation outright.
However, they seem to believe that if they can convince the enemy that the costs of attacking would outweigh the gains, that might be enough.
While they’re not as formidable as the Toyoumi Trading Company’s escort force, they’re actively training the criminal slaves secured this time and making progress on repairs, such as to the outer walls.
People are also pouring in from the surrounding areas, so if they can effectively utilize the manpower, victory doesn’t seem impossible.
The assumption that the victorious nation is exhausted and will likely avoid major conflict shouldn’t be wrong.
I’ll warn them to flee if things look dicey, but our escort unit has been significantly reinforced. They might even win on their own against half-hearted enemies.
However, they’re not as strong as Alessia-san and her party, so fighting would likely result in casualties. I hope they can secure a bright future for Gothenburg by avoiding conflict whenever possible.
“Wataru-sama, I hear you’re providing equipment not just to the escort unit but also to Gothenburg’s soldiers and the criminal slave unit. Are you truly certain this is acceptable?”
As I prayed for Gothenburg’s splendid future, Mear-san approached me, looking worried.
It all started with Mear-san’s suggestion: “How about updating our escort unit’s equipment?”
Of course, the guards currently in training aren’t unarmed and wearing cloth garments; they wear standard off-the-shelf equipment.
However, for some reason—or perhaps inevitably—they look rough around the edges, being former bandits.
Though they’re in a position of strength, they’re still in the service industry. Mear-san aimed to provide them with equipment with a unified, clean appearance to make it clear that they were employees of the Southern Continent Branch of Toyoumi Trading Company.
Upon hearing this proposal, I thought that if the risk of attack is high, they should wear high-quality gear.
But if only Toyoumi Trading wore high-quality gear, its employees would inevitably stand out in Gothenburg.
So, if we provided decent gear to the soldiers and criminal slave units, too, they wouldn’t stand out. We also decided to create Toyoumi Trading uniforms to distinguish the clerical staff.
Donatella-san and Mear-san both agreed, but they seemed hesitant about providing gear to soldiers and criminals not belonging to the Southern Continent Branch of Toyoumi Trading Company.
Unlike Japanese people, who tend to be criticized for standing out, people in this world have a stronger “stand out or die” mentality, so my way of thinking must be difficult for them to grasp.
“I understand we don’t need to arrange things to that extent.”
We’ve already been providing cooperation bordering on charity, so it might seem excessive. However, there’s a saying: First impressions matter.
If our equipment improves, Gothenburg’s safety level will rise. This will also raise the level of soldiers not affiliated with the Toyoumi Trading Company and criminal slaves. Additionally, the volume of monsters and resources entering the town will increase.
Additionally, crafting large quantities of equipment using sea monster materials will make Gothenburg’s weapon and armor smiths rich.
“Still, considering long-term safety, I think investing here now would be the more secure choice.”
Well, it’s just a pretext, really. But I’m certain it would have a positive impact on Gothenburg.
Negotiating with the God of Commerce-sama to invest the platinum coins recorded as charitable expenses is certain.
I’m secretly scheming to include the equipment costs in that as well.
At least six thousand people will receive equipment and uniforms. Since we’re supplying the materials, only labor costs are involved, so it should be cheaper. Even so, it should cost about thirty silver coins per person.
That alone amounts to 180,000 silver coins. Converted to gold coins, that’s 1,800 gold coins or 18 platinum coins.
Even with our concessions, the cost easily exceeds the land’s value.
Huh? Is this really okay?
Calmly thinking about it, it’s an astronomical sum. It’s not that I can’t pay; I also have to consider the beastmen town… Wait?
Actually, I think there might be some leeway with the charity expenses, so I’ve started thinking about buying a new ship.
Back then, I was hyped up. Eighteen platinum coins, including the land, buildings, and everything else, came to over thirty platinum coins.
A luxury liner might be a stretch, but I figured I could buy a few interesting ships. Eighteen platinum coins didn’t seem excessive.
I mean, there were so many cool ships! Especially the ones with Japanese food or a Japanese theme.
Suddenly, I felt incredibly uneasy.
I was determined to cover the land and buildings with charity funds, but would the equipment costs be manageable?
Otherwise, wouldn’t I just end up spending the eighteen platinum coins as usual?
The God of Commerce-sama seemed busy, and I had been swamped too, so I figured I would check everything later. However, I should have confirmed this before consulting with Donatella-san and Mear-san.
“It will certainly be costly, though. Wataru-san, would you be okay with receiving some preferential treatment from the city of Gothenburg in return?”
Donatella-san offered an alternative to my suggestion. It seemed like a good idea, but securing preferential treatment would also increase the likelihood that the equipment costs wouldn’t be considered charitable expenses.
Damn it! Which should I choose?
Should I go all in, or play it safe and get insurance?
“…Well, could we get preferential treatment that improves our employees’ lives rather than something directly tied to cash?”
I chickened out. Losing eighteen platinum coins for nothing would be too painful. I’ll try to get them to accept it as a charitable expense after I gain some benefit that doesn’t directly translate to cash.
“A benefit that doesn’t lead to cash, you say…”
“Yes, please make it preferential treatment that doesn’t directly translate to benefits like tax reductions.”
If I received cash-based benefits, the God of Commerce-sama would probably… Huh? I’d rather avoid that. Right now, spending the charity funds is more important than money.
“Indeed. We’ve finally eased the concentration of cash, so offering incentives that bring more cash here could hinder us.”
Upon hearing Donatella-san’s words, Mear-san shot a look that said, “That’s our Wataru-sama for you.” No way! I’d completely forgotten about cash concentration. It hadn’t crossed my mind until she mentioned it. Not that I’d admit it.
“Well, yeah, that’s about it. Is there anything else? If not, we don’t need any preferential treatment.”
“Hmm. If it’s not directly about money, then port priority comes to mind. But building a dedicated dock just to gain priority is bound to stir up jealousy. In that case, how about priority passage through the gate?”
The gate? It’s already falling apart. We’ve repaired it, but it’s barely used. Ah, so it’s the kind of privilege that only shows its value once reconstruction progresses.
“It is a port town, and we’re considering warehouse operations, too. Easier gate access would definitely be convenient. But wouldn’t that just invite jealousy?”
Having to watch others pass through leisurely while we wait in line? I’d get a little annoyed if I were you.
“Powerful trading companies or those handling large volumes of cargo often gain similar rights, so it probably won’t attract much envy.”
“I see. If that’s the case, then it should be fine.”
If other trading companies can obtain similar privileges, then whether or not they get them is up to that company’s freedom or lack of capability. So, even if other companies get jealous, they should conclude, “Well, then work harder yourself,” which seems like it would keep public envy in check.
“Mear-san, this idea is based on my experience in the Northern Continent. Would it apply to the Southern Continent, too?”
Ah, right. The rules of the Northern Continent aren’t necessarily the same as those of the Southern Continent. We definitely need to confirm that.
“Yes, it should be fine. Besides, acquiring those rights requires going through the town’s higher-ups, building trust, making donations, and so on. It takes effort and money. If that part can be shortened, then exchanging equipment for the rights seems like a fair trade.”
“Huh? The magistrate seems approachable, and the guild masters are cooperative, so wouldn’t the hassle be minimal?”
This isn’t about being stingy with equipment costs. It’s a pure question.
“If the magistrate stays in Gothenburg indefinitely, it wouldn’t be a problem. But a successor will definitely come. If you’re seen as gaining privileges through collusion when that happens, there’s a high chance those rights will be revoked. It’s safer to provide clear compensation upfront.”
Mear-san’s words made perfect sense. There’s no way they’d leave the port town under that magistrate’s control forever.
Right? After letting him make all these contributions, they’d just brush him off? Seriously? That would make it harder to collect donations in the future. I suppose that’s the gist of it.
…Good. We found a compromise that everyone seems to find acceptable. I proposed it on a whim, but when a fake merchant like me makes suggestions, I need to think things through thoroughly before acting. Otherwise, I end up rushing into things.
I understand that perfectly well, but in those moments, my whims seem like strokes of genius. I really need to be careful. I’ll probably do it again, though.
We’ll get Gothenburg’s equipment sorted, and we’ll secure priority rights for the port and gate. All’s well that ends well. At this rate, the Toyoumi Trading Company’s Southern Continent branch should be fine. Huh? Even if we handle warehouse operations, the plan was to rent storage space, wasn’t it?
Do we really need priority gate passage?
…It seems Donatella-san and the others still have plenty of ideas. What on earth will happen next?
If you like my translations, please support me on Ko-Fi and subscribe my Patreon to read several chapters ahead!
Thanks for the chapter
LikeLike