Read Novel Full Vol 14 Chapter 31
Vol 14 Chapter 31
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Chapter 31 – Mauro’s Miscalculation
I arrived at the Castle, which is docked in Cagliari, and boarded the ship with Bella-san and the others who would be working there. All that was left was to introduce Bella-san and the others to Camille-san and the others, and that was it. The merchants are kind of swarming in, and I don’t know if Mauro-san is getting excited or not. I pretend I didn’t hear that.
“I see, so the church is so cooperative in the construction of the mental institution?”
“Yes. With Wataru-san’s money, we can show mercy to the church, so they are very happy to take the initiative. Well, there seems to be a leadership conflict within the church, but it doesn’t affect us, so we don’t mind.”
Hmm, the orphanage seems to be going well, and the construction of the mental health facility is also going well. Yes, it’s going well.
I wanted to go to the orphanage, but it would be safer not to until things settled down.
I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear about the leadership conflict in the church. I’m going to ignore the religious-related leadership conflicts because it seems too dark.
But, well, in this world, God’s existence is openly acknowledged, so it won’t be so bad.
Hmm?
While I was listening to Donatella-san’s story, there was a knock at the door of the room. When Donatella-san called out, I heard Camille-san’s voice. Apparently, they had made it through the swarm of merchants.
“Wataru-san, it’s been a long time.”
“Wataru, it’s been a long time.”
After giving them permission to enter, Camille-san and Mauro-san greeted me without showing any signs of fatigue. That’s what’s so great about this place. I’m sure I’d be exhausted if I had to deal with those merchants.
“Camille-san, Mauro-san, it’s been a while. I apologize for the trouble I’ve caused you.”
“No, no, it’s nothing at all. It was just the right time for the merchants to let off steam.”
“I would have liked to pull every hair out of their asses, but that’s not really the ship’s policy, so I gave them a break.” [T/n: It’s a Japanese idiom that means to be deprived of all one’s possessions.]
I just concentrate on Camille-san’s beautiful face.
There is no Mauro-san, who is an old man, full of energy and has a wicked look on his face; no, there is no such thing.
“I-I’m glad to hear that. Oh, these are the people I told you about who want to work on the Castle, Bella-san, Carlo-san, Dario-kun, and Flora-san. They are Ines’ family and close friends, and they are very trustworthy people, so please take good care of them.”
“Ara, we can never have enough people, so we really appreciate your help.”
Camille-san smiles very happily at Bella-san and the others who greet her in response to my voice.
The Castle is a very special ship, so it’s not easy to hire people. Even though there are Saporabi, slaves, and former slaves, skilled personnel would be very welcome.
It has almost been decided that they will work, but the interviews and aptitude tests have begun.
“Wataru. I’d like to discuss something with you.”
While I watched Camille-san, Donatella-san, Bella-san, and the others in the interview with a little tension, Mauro-san spoke to me. Mauro-san’s consultation is kind of scary.
Ines accompanies Bella-san and the others in their interview, and Alessia-san and the others enjoy the food in the Castle for the first time in a long time, which they ordered from the staff room extension. Of course, Rimu is also on an expedition over there.
Damn. I was only caught off guard when I recommended that they enjoy themselves since it was safe on the ship, and we were just making small talk with Donatella-san. The only person on my side was Felicia.
Felicia is very reliable, but she’s serious, so she’s not a good match for Mauro-san, who is a veteran.
“…Um, what is it?”
Well, since we’re in the same room, I’m prepared to interrupt their fun and call them in at the worst possible moment.
Whew… it’s not good when I’m dealing with Mauro-san because, for some reason, he makes me very nervous.
“Umu. As I’m sure you’ve heard, the merchants are getting orders.”
“Yes, I heard. It seems to be very popular.”
Instead of being happy that it’s so popular, I’m scared that it’s so popular!
“Yes. Though not the entire continent, we have captured most of the merchants in this country as well as in nearby friendly countries. Since we let them ensnare the high-ranking nobles of their own countries, the power of the Castle could easily rival that of a country.”
“Huh? No, you are exaggerating.”
Well, if it comes to a siege, it will not be defeated until I die due to my lifespan, but it is an exaggeration to say that it is on par with a country.
“No, that’s not wrong. Today, if you move this ship, you will be greeted with the highest rank in any country, and this country, the Kingdom of Brescia, has invited Camille to become a noble. The title is count.”
“If it’s a count, doesn’t that mean it doesn’t match the country?”
A count is a great title, but there are many others above it, such as royalty, dukes, marquises, and margraves.
“Even Camille, a woman and an employee, is influential enough to be given the rank of Count.”
Ah, I see; that’s a great thing if you think about it.
If Camille-san is a count, what about the mage? That’s what it means.
I have read several novels where high-ranking nobles have the same power as the royal family, and considering the influence of the mage, it might not be an exaggeration to say that he is on par with the country.
“Are you asking me about the peerage?”
I can’t make any promises about how the ship will move, so if I accept, Camille-san might be in trouble when we move. I don’t like this one bit.
“No, I only brought up the subject of the peerage to make it easier to understand the position of the Castle, and there is no intention of accepting it, so it’s not a problem.”
“If it’s not a problem, then I wish you hadn’t given such a frightening example.”
There must have been another example that would have been a little more heartfelt.
“It was a perfect example to understand your position, wasn’t it?”
Yes, but I don’t think it’s good because it’s hard to accept, honestly.
“So, what do you want to talk to me about?”
I’d like to complain, but I’m going to get hit back and verbally beaten up anyway, so let’s just continue.
“Um… Well, like I said, things are going too well, but… there was a miscalculation.”
Mauro-san’s confident expression was filled with frustration. I felt a slight urge to say, ‘Serves you right,’ but I guess it’s inevitable.
“Perhaps you would like to relax the restrictions on product sales? If so, I’ll leave it up to Mauro-san.”
I hear that alcohol, cosmetics, food, and precious metals are all very popular, so it’s hard to keep putting restrictions on them.
“No, we have no intention of relaxing these restrictions at this time. When they are so popular and in such a high position, it is more profitable to sell them for their scarcity value.”
Mauro-san oozed malice. Is it my imagination that he looks more like a financial gangster than a merchant?
“Hmm, I can’t think of any problem other than the product. What is the problem?”
“Beauty treatments.”
“Beauty treatments?”
“Yes, beauty treatments.”
“What’s wrong with beauty treatments?”
Aside from the discomfort of the word “beauty treatments” coming from Mauro-san, was there a problem with beauty treatments?
“Didn’t you once give an emissary of the royal family a careful experience of beauty treatments?”
There was such a thing, wasn’t there? In a way, he was a test subject, but his appearance was much cleaner and clearer, and he looked better.
“After that, many men wanted beauty treatments, but they couldn’t be treated in the same room as women, right? This reduced time efficiency, and women complained about it.”
I see it is indeed difficult to have treatments in the same room. But is it really a problem for Mauro-san?
“You are in a better position, aren’t you? If they complain, why don’t they just refuse?”
“That’s true, but… it’s pathetic…”
“Pathetic?”
What does he mean by that?
“Because of the men, the husbands, the sons, the merchants, I am pushed up by the noble’s wives who could not get treatment and the young ladies who could not get an appointment. They cry to me for their bodies and their lives. They try to cover it up with cosmetics, but it’s coming to the end of its usefulness.”
In short, it is hard for him because he is under a lot of pressure from the women. I know exactly how he feels.
What to do in such a situation… As expected, even if the ship is disguised, the facilities and equipment cannot be increased.
There is a way to take facilities from the other ship’s beauty treatment and multiply them infinitely, but I think… this is likely to incur the wrath of God.
I can add small and useful things, but large facilities would be overkill. I oppose it because it would be hard when they get angry and forbid things that were fine before.
The way women were given preferential treatment in Japan was… they literally had a Ladies’ Day. If women are complaining, then just have women-first events on a regular basis.
“I’ll leave the length up to you, but how about having a women-only day once a month or so? Then, the beauty treatments can be in full swing. Since even the nobles are safe on the ship, they can be accompanied by no more than two escorts and two maids.”
It seems that people of lower status get treatments late at night, and if it’s in full operation and for women only, it can be reversed.
We can summon a lot of Saporabi, so there will be no problem with the beauty therapists.
“Women-only?”
Mauro-san tilted his head. Even though it is said that women are strong, it is within the family. In this world of society, men are still the dominant group, so it must be difficult even for Mauro-san to understand.
When I explained in detail how Ladies’ Day works, Mauro-san’s face became convinced, and a feeling of “This is a good chance to make money, isn’t it?” appeared on his face.
I also asked him about the onboard gym, and since it seemed to be for men only, I explained about aerobics, beauty exercises, and hot yoga.
When I appointed myself as a staff trainer at the gym, knowledge of all kinds of things came to my mind, so I thought it would be easy enough to get a specialized person to handle it.
Aerobics is quite a lot of exercise, but I’m sure the trainer will be able to handle the level of exercise.
“I see. I think I can handle it. I’ll talk to Camille and Donatella about it.”
“That’s good to hear. Good luck.”
There will probably be a push to increase the Ladies’ Day, but I can’t think of any countermeasures, so I’ll just keep my mouth shut.
Camille-san and the others have finished their interviews and are chatting leisurely, and there seems to be no problem over there either.
I join them and talk to Camille-san and the others for a bit before returning to the Chateau.
With one weight off my shoulders, I am free to bring the dark elves back to the island, push the fairies to the island, and be on my way.