Without using the waiting room, I continue on to the room that has written ‘representative room’.
I have been called by the Merchant Guild’s branch representative.
When a company is established, the people doing the application probably use the representatives here.
Or maybe it is the opposite?
I don’t care about denominations though, especially right now.
The reception boy that guided me didn’t enter the room. He just does a bow and leaves.
What’s inside is an extravagant desk and one man that looks like the representative placing an elbow on it, and what seems to be two of his guards.
Maybe he is the vice-representative.
Because of his atmosphere which resembles that of a bodyguard, I subconsciously thought this way.
It has been a while since I came to this town, but until now, I have never met anyone in the upper stratum of the Merchant Guild.
Even when I have business here, it is normally completed just by going to the reception.
In the cases when there’s the need for a detailed interview, it is done by someone in the management and it is normally the same people.
This is the first time I have entered the deep parts of the guild.
Thinking that the problem has turned to the point where I am send here, my mood turns heavy.
“It’s nice to see you here, Raidou-dono. Please sit”
The representative that was sitting, stands from his sit and urges me to take my own.
We enter a space for reception and I wait for him to take his sit first before sitting myself.
There are two sofas facing each other and a desk in between. No matter which one you look at, it was obviously expensive.
The general glass used in this world is manufactured from a rare metal that looks like crystal. If I were to use the manufacture process of my world, it might turn into a trade.
In the wasteland there was quite a lot of glass, so I haven’t thought about it much until now though.
At any rate.
It may also be because I don’t have much connection to this kind of things, but this room is, as expected, extremely different from my own work room.
In my reception room, there’s a simple desk and minimum space. I haven’t done anything like putting out expensive articles and spreading a rug.
Thinking about the visitors, I might have to consider this point a bit. But doing so now would not be appropriate.
My thoughts strayed into a peaceful direction for a bit.
[It seems I have been called here but, what business do you have with me?]
“… Ah, you can’t speak, right. Nice to meet you, I am the representative of the Merchant Guild in the Rotsgard branch”
[My name’s Raidou. I am honored to meet you]
“Normally, it is customary to first increase your services in the guild a bit more before meeting face to face like this, but this time, I have met with a certain bad matter. Truly regrettable”
The representative knits his brows and looks at me.
There may be slight disgust towards my outward appearance, but I can tell that there’s more displeasure towards the problem which is me.
Growing the company in a smooth manner and reach a standing where I meet the representative; even I would have preferred that development.
Instead of urging for his business again, it would be better to just wait for his words.
“The guild has received several doubts towards you”
[Doubts]
“That’s right. Normally, this kind of enquiries decrease in the period of the school festival, but the number of enquiries about contact information increase”
[Meaning there are less complains]
“… Yeah. But in Kuzunoha Company’s case, from the 4 major powers, Limia and Lorel; aside from those two, the other countries have brought out several cases. All of them have been from the representatives of the companies that are connected to countries requesting investigation regarding your goods and its circulation. There are even dangerous opinions in some”
[Dangerous opinions?]
That’s not peaceful.
The face of the representative that was already severe had his brow wrinkle even more.
Interrupting his words might not have been good, but I had to ask.
“That the Kuzunoha Company is… having the cooperation of the demon race to obtain your goods and for the circulation of it. In other words, it implies that you are from the demon race camp, and while betraying all the hyumans, you are wringing profits. Those are the opinions”
That’s stupid.
In what kind of way did they think in order to reach that conclusion?
When I heard the words of Rembrandt-san regarding the demon race matter, I didn’t think the distrust would be that deep.
They are infiltrated in Academy Town as well, but there’s no hyuman that has noticed. At least, for all I know. Counting Rona-san, I have made contact with 3 demons already. But I made sure of my surroundings and there was no change. In other words, that talk about my relationship with the demon race is complete fabrication.
For harassment, the degree is way too high.
[Unthinkable. We are using respectable methods to do business, and I promise that I am not receiving assistance of the demon race in my company activities]
“That’s probably how it really is”
[Eh?]
I react to the words the representative whispers lowly. What does that mean?
“Regarding the goods, we received confirmation of the Church that the material quality and its manufacturing process are safe. When we told the companies that brought their views on this, they retracted their comments”
Ignoring my questioning words, he continued.
Church.
What happened a while ago huh.
In that case, the bishop with a sexy voice properly maintained her promise.
I don’t trust the hyumans that are connected to the Goddess, but I am slightly relieved knowing that the promise was abided.
“The problem is the circulation. We investigated this part as well, but the wagons that are thought to be from the Kuzunoha Company or anything resembling a carriage, we were unable to confirm any of those”
[We mostly get our supply of raw materials from the Guild’s market]
“That’s clearly a lie. With the raw materials that have been sold and what has been sold in Kuzunoha Company for around two months, even by making a rough calculation, the numbers clearly don’t match. It is obvious that there’s some other method aside from buying”
Two months?
They were investigating since so long ago?
I didn’t receive any reports regarding that.
[This is my first time hearing of such an investigation though]
“As long as there are opinions we can’t ignore, the Guild must move. And if it’s about a company that’s connected to the Guild, it is a matter of course. The complains towards your company increased just recently, but there have been complains of people that have even brought detailed documents since a while ago”
[If you said something, I would have cooperated]
“Cooperation? You? If you are telling me to believe that, that’s a pretty naïve way of thinking. Like this, it seems you are minding the investigation, but there are many ways of investigating that won’t alert the target. Moving people around secretly is not the only way of investigation”
[Is it naïve to proof your innocence if there’s suspicions?]
“… I see, buying antipathy huh. Your way of thinking is childish. You don’t know how to conduct. I am surprised that you are able to be in a position of ordering others. Truly surprised. The end result of thoughtlessly managing a company is not good”
…
Why does he have to say so much?
Did I say something wrong?
It makes me angry that he is clearly looking down on me.
[What is it you want me to do?]
“Did I touch a sensitive point? Well, fine. Let’s enter the main issue. I want to hear your circulation method. And I want you to promise us that if it’s any sort of magic or technique, you will share the knowledge of it”
Don’t screw around.
If you are talking about childish, isn’t your side more childish?
You want to hear my circulation method, and give it to you?
[Is there no way to solve this with money?]
I will at least try asking.
“With gold huh, of course, it is possible. There’s nothing that can’t be solved with gold between merchants. But even if the sharing of the circulation method is sealed, you will still need to at least tell me. And, I don’t think you have enough gold to pay for it”
[Sadly, it is not a method I can share, so I want to pay]
“… You said your name was Raidou, right? You really are not fit to be a merchant”
“…”
Hearing the amazed tone of the representative, I reflexively gulp.
His usage of words gave a complete turn and I could tell that he is scoffing at me.
“Just now, you easily told me the existence of another circulation method which you were trying to hide at first. In other words, the trust in the first method you gave out has been damaged. No benefit in it, just loss. You asked if this could be solved with gold right? That was also an incredibly bad move. Listen well, you don’t know the extent of the companies that have come to bring complains about you right? I did say this: ‘they were from people connected to countries’. Meaning, they have considerable scale. Compared to the Kuzunoha Company, the magnitude is different. And against those people, you will resolve it with money? A company that has not been operating for even 1 year? It is like announcing that you have money that’s doesn’t fit the scale of your company. Your ability to decide and understand are also lacking. You, are you the representation of incompetence? You are just a brat that’s lucky”
I was speechless.
Being told all that, I was simply surprised.
The atmosphere has also made a complete turn. The representative that has turned violent and offensive had an unpleasing smile in his face.
“What are you spacing out for? Even I can at least act to that extent. Do you think I would be able to survive in the business world if I were unable to? Seriously, I was wondering what kind of person it was because Rembrandt himself came to protect him, but here it is. How boorish. There’s a limit to letdowns. About the circulation, it is okay to just tell me here, so explain it quickly. After that, it is okay to just go”
Explain… and leave?
This man, just how irritating can he become?
I can tell that my anger is leaking out.
“You can’t even contain your anger and bloodthirst? You are more childish than your appearance tells huh. Regarding faces, I can’t say much about others. Even so, I know how to act before others and I do so. You look incredibly unsightly so I will warn you. You have a face worse than me, so it is better for you to put more into your inside”
Even the exotic-looking representative talks about my outward appearance.
Just what part of you looks bad? You look plenty cool.
That slightly darkish skin looks appealing.
Now that I think about it, I feel like I have seen a similar person before.
Where was it?
No, right now that’s not the point.
Explain and leave. Moreover, I can just say it here?
His trust in me is low, so that’s just strange.
[What do you mean by leave?]
“Exactly as it means. You and the Kuzunoha Company are already done. So there’s no need to address you anymore”
[Done?]
“Its fine already, so just explain. With that, this ends”
[Can I hear the reason?]
“… Because you know, you are going to pay money right? Then I will just withdraw the comments of the other parties, that’s what I mean”
[Excuse me but, how much should I be paying?]
“There’s no need to prepare it right now”
[No need]
“Yeah. If you pay 90% of your sales, no one will complain. Kuzunoha Company will not become a threat in the future. The more it gains, the more they will benefit, so there’s no need to care about the circulation method. Even if it involves the demon race. If the people that had questions of your circulation method get money every month, they won’t criticize you much. The only one that would fall would be you. See? There’s nothing to lose”
[90% of our sales?!]
Moreover, every month?!
For how long would that continue anyways?
“You will pay right? Gold to the people that want to know about your circulation method. To multiple companies that gain several ten times more than you, maybe even the hundreds. There’s no way those guys would say they want a specific amount of gold. As long as they don’t know how much you have”
[How long would that last?]
“Until the Kuzunoha Company disappears”
[This is clearly an unreasonable demand. Is the Guild just going to consent that?]
“Unreasonable you say. You were the one that proposed to pay in gold right? Let me tell you this first, what I am saying right now is just a guess from me and it may not turn exactly as I say. Well, I don’t think it will be too far from what will happen though. Also, about the Guild consenting? That’s right. In the first place, not only consent, this is just a negotiation between merchants. When the weak ones get in the eyes of the strong ones, they get crushed. The Guild is not babysitting. We will help in the business, but the way to act is something you should learn”
[In that case, the people that want to make a new business would not succeed]
“Thoroughly naïve. Ah right, your place is hiring a bunch of demi-humans right? In that case, how about just making your customers only them and stop doing your business in hyuman towns? Looking at your arguments, I feel like you are fit for that”
The representative admonishes me with eyes of pity.
It wasn’t sarcasm, he was really telling me to do that.
[You are not answering my question]
“As I said, the people that aim to be merchants should butter up to existing companies, learn the basics, create connections, be approved by the representative there, and then get a store eventually. I have money. I will do business. But if that’s how it worked, even the adventurers that earn small money can become merchants if they study a little. Those kind of people, they normally get crushed instantly. The power of adventurers can only be used in brawls. Just like you said, the guild punishes unjust deeds. Because I entered into a quarrel with another merchant, I used power to eliminate him and leave him half-dead. Killing would be, without a doubt, injustice. In the world of merchants, that is”
[You…]
“I have heard from Rembrandt, but it seems you have strong followers, and you yourself are reasonably strong right? You understand why you should not use that power in your business right? If you were to use that in this situation… it would make the Kuzunoha Company into allies of the demon race”
[This is stupid]
“No, you are just naïve. Return to Tsige, Raidou. It is too fast for you to be in this town. Redo your studies at your boss’ place. About the gold, I will stealthily put a part of Rotsgard as well, so be relieved”
[For someone that has been ridiculing me, you are being pretty cooperative]
“… Ri—diculing? The guy that’s taken a liking to you, for me, he is a tough enemy I have trouble dealing with. It would be advantageous for me if he were to misunderstand, and I get him to owe me one”
[Rembrandt-san]
“I heard that he had become docile, but to think that he has even made such a weakness. What a joke. But for you, it may be a lucky happening. Now then, it is most likely teleportation or something of the sort, so just talk about your circulation method”
Lucky.
Is he saying that by making Rembrandt-san disadvantaged, I earn safety?
I tell the representative that I have been using teleportation to come and go with goods. I hide the part about Asora and explain that I have a follower that has enough magic power to use long-distance teleportation.
And after that, I was released.
I have grown even more dejected after hearing the comments of the other companies from the representative of the guild.
Troubling Rembrandt-san.
I have made another lie in order to hide Asora.
I…
Just what is it that I should do?
I… have to consult with everyone.
While being self-aware that I am cornered, I slowly walk my way back.
Right now, I have no leeway to think about the team battles of my students.
The northern slums. Though it’s called northern, it’s not much different from the slums of…
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at this point, i wouldn't be surprised if Raidou said, "Well i already hate your fucking god, might as well make her pissed by joining the demons, lets see how she feels when I am fighting with them on my own accord. He could also tell tomoe to just go right there and become her shen long form and scare the living daylights out of them, or maybe have mio become her spider form and scare them, though I am not that sure if they still can...
all in all, a person who has enough power to destroy a country alone, should not be fucked with
Although might makes right we're not really sure he's untouchable and invincible, there are still 'unknown unknowns' out there that might be able to kill him. I would say 'no fucks given' mode is a bit premature.
For now.
but still, mio can't seem to take any damage, even from raidou, so what is there to say that the human forces has something stronger than raidou if they were even forced to summon heroes, heroes which are arguably weaker than tomoe and mio respectively
Mio can't take damage, doesn't mean Makoto can't take damage. He could still die by the hand of an assassin and that could be bad. It wouldn't matter if Mio, Tomoe and his other allies destroyed the world after that, he would die and they would all be filled with sorrow.
Thanks for the chapter (•ω•). Goddamit makoto is too nive, he isnt fit to be a merchant. And its about time he madure a bit, please dont tell me that he doesnt grow and stay so naive. He need to madure（╯°□°）╯︵(\ .o.)\
Thanks for the chapters
Raidou does not need anything from the Guild, nor does he need any raw material from other merchants. I am confused why he even bothered to talk with the guild. Like how can others crush him? Both the kingdom and empire would love to have him, the demons would sure want him as well, with his power(not his power but his ability to destroy the market) why would he consider himself in a weaker position? Why play other's rule when he can play his own game? Being a merchant was since the start more of a hobby of his, I am kind speechless he took the threats.
since I already had a similar response to this, i'll respond on a different matter.
"Why play other’s rule when he can play his own game?" was it?
if Makoto had the balls to do this, he would have been a badass. But we all know, he doesn't have the guts to begin with. And this is not because he is Japanese. Gritonia and Limia hero are too, but they grew a pair. Albeit, they are polar opposites.
All I can say is that Makoto is one of those typical protagonist who always heavily underestimate themselves and sometimes these protagonists can really frustrate me. Only use their true firepower when they felt their live is in danger and turned out to be way stronger than their opponent.
It's beacuse he is too stupid and too naive, simple as that.
Being in the merchant guild gives an air of trustworthiness? when you're new. If you peddle merchandise illegally no doubt nobody's going to buy from a shady store. He needed to be in the merchant's guild to access his customers, at least at first.
Now, he might have a faithful customer base who would buy his stuff no matter what happened. But no doubt his entire customer base will take a severe hit if he leaves the guild.
First of all Apple's negotiation power was not due to its presence for a long time, but rather public's huge demand for its iPhone. Either Walmart loose the opportunity make money or do it Apple's way. There will always be buyers for a great product.
You were spot on why he needs to go to merchant's guild at first, but just as you said "Now, note that once he has a customer base, this all changes." I believe Raidou is at this stage, or at least the entrance of it. At this period of time with 3 biggest countries' official interested in him, he can easily part away with the guild as he no longer receive any benefit associating with it. Raidou as newcomer lacked credibility, being a supplier for any royal family solves that.
Pyschronia raised a point about legal issue, but Raidou can easily go around it if he has the backing of three countries. After all who is there to stop Raidou from selling when the King gives permission?
Hmm...that's actually a good point.
But correct me if I'm wrong. Operating as a business without being part of the Merchant's Guild....is that allowed? I was under the impression that it would make yolur business entirely illegal. If he could, I do think that Raidou's best move would be to cut all ties with the guild though. Rumors are nasty, but somehow working with those people is probably worse overall.
Merchant guild isn't the only place he can get that sense of trustworthiness, being a merchant for the royal family for example is far more attractive than being a member of the merchants guild. As long as his production can keep up, I doubt Raidou will ever loose an economic warfare. There are so many goods you can only get from Raidou after all and many are too valuable to give up, what does guild have in response? Heavy censorship? Sure Raidou may not be welcomed to sell by the merchant guild, but there are plenty people wanting his product, if he is banned in one country the country didn't get banned will have superior goods. Any business man with a brain would want to cooperate with Raidou instead of playing dirty trick if they already knew the products Raidou is able to offer(especially the empire and the kingdom military department).
Maybe this may not be a good example, but merchants guild can be viewed as Walmart in real life and Kuzunoha Company can be viewed as Apple, who has bigger negotiation power? You bet its Apple, walmart wanted to sell iPhone for a cheaper price and had a lengthy talk with Apple about buying more for cheaper. Results? Apple still sells its iPhone for $199 and Walmart was able to sell cheaper, @ $198, yes Walmart never got a deal and had to eat that $1 by itself.
Apple only has the bigger negotiation power because they have been around for sometime. Imagine if Apple was the new kid on the block. Would anybody buy from Apple if people said "Oh their phones are built on the tears of slaves, their computers are built on the bribes to dictators." Oh and "Their stuff is all overpriced and shady, we don't know for sure if they actually work!".
Now, if you were such a businessman, would you enter into any deals with such a company? Rembrandt only associates with Makoto because he is privileged with access beyond the facade Makoto puts up. But anybody worth their salt would not enter into deals with a newcomer who seems shady if they had no other information.
This is why Makoto needed the Merchant's Guild [AT FIRST]. He needs somebody to lend him some credibility, he can go tell them to fuck off once he has some credibility.
Alternatively, imagine this. This random new store has appeared, but is not sanctioned by the Merchant's Guild. Why? Do they have something to hide? So what if their products seem interesting? Would you risk trying it out? Maybe they failed some quality check, you wouldn't be sure. But the fact they are not part of the Merchant's Guild suggests they had some extraordinary circumstances, which usually are ill omens especially if they are not explained. If people sing false tales about your products with no believers, you will have no customers. And your business will fold before it even starts.
Now, note that once he has a customer base, this all changes. The Merchant's Guild is still a great asset, but it is no longer an essential. Your own customers serve as a form of advertisement and assurance to others. Furthermore, you can now play the 'small guy vs big bullies' narrative since you hold the goodwill of some people, compared to having no customers where the narrative is 'foreign invader vs society' as you are an unknown. One gives an air of legitimacy which reduces damages, the other gives an air of shadiness which amplifies any damage done.
Well of course he got shredded because he's not a cunning crafty individual who really didn't learn much about business in the first place. Not sure if business management or ethics were actually taught in his school.
His plan was to make a company and just try to earn profits from it with a unbeatable distribution system. Asora is a cheat of course its a cheat. Being a hero is a cheat being a goddess is a cheat. In this world the stronger you are the more you can cheat. This world that the goddess created is basically controlled by brute force/power.
This could have been a novel about a rampaging hungry spider who ate everything including the merchants ^_^
I'm sorry for this but if Makoto really wants to cheat and have the all the money he wants he can just flatly threaten every rich person or city his been to and just say he can flatten a country with a wave of his hand. He's the cheat himself and I don't see the point that because he's not a good merchant and Asora is a cheat, it's still a more reasonable lifestyle than being bandit or adventurer.
I think the reason he wanted to be a merchant was for the relatively peaceful lifestyle (which the representative here gave him a reality check on) and to help people by distributing life-saving goods for cheap(which isn't really what merchants as a profession do).
………..γ￣ヽ………Thanks!…………
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Makoto tried playing a game of Merchants which he wasn't good at and got wrecked by an elder? No surprise here. You either adapt to the game or play by your own rules. But he wanted to play to the rules of others without trying to learn them? This was an inevitable result.
This is when the old adage comes into play "Play to your strengths". Unless you don't mind losing, or pissing off others in the game who then destroy you with their relative strength in the game.
The only routes left for Makoto would be to go rogue and continue selling merchandise under the sanctions of the Merchant Guild, which he could backup with his raw power. He could also then sell to the demons/demi-humans, and protect himself from any inquisition using brute force.
Or he would have to close down.
In hindsight later on the merchant guild would have done something very bad for the entire hyuman race, because they burned most if not all his ties to the hyuman race with this move. As one of the superpowered humans (only known in hindsight, if ever), his departure would mean a lost of severe amounts of possible assistance he could have provided.
I mean, even now countries are interested in recruiting him already. I'm kind of interested to see the reaction to such a valuable asset being bullied out of the market.
matoko should join the demon and kill all the fuck dam hymen
As I though, even the author knows that Raidou isn't fit as merchant or even a leader. He is just not clever enough and even too naive. He is just lucky that he has capable good subordinate.
Yeah, the author is aware that Raidou is not fit as a merchant, he is deliberately giving him weakpoints and pointing them out, which means he is most likely planning on solving them in some way.
A really risky bet on his part, but can't say I hate it.
I just hope that he get his ass together and solve his problem HIMSELF. Not Shiki, not Tomoe or not some superpower country saving his ass. He won't become mature if all his problem is solved by another person.