Read Novel Full Vol 24 Chapter 12
Vol 24 Chapter 12
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Chapter 12 – Worldwide
Too many people gathered, depleting our stock of monsters except for the big ones. So, we set out to the open seas to secure more. In the meantime, I negotiated a reward with the God of Commerce-sama and successfully won a week’s vacation with the three goddesses. This inconvenienced the God of Commerce-sama, but since I’m also being played like a puppet by the God of Commerce-sama and experiencing my own hardships, I suppose we’re even.
Ten days had passed since I discussed the reward with the God of Commerce-sama, and we had worked diligently every day.
With the reward finalized exactly as I’d hoped, my motivation was high. Feeling awkward about receiving a reward alone, I resolved to offer special bonuses to Donatella-san, Ines, Felicia, Girasole, and the familiar group.
Whether that was the reason or not, everyone managed to spend each day full of energy.
“Wataru-san, I’ll be honest. We’ve collected too much cash.”
I thought this situation would continue for a while, but it seems a change has occurred.
I hope this change is for the better. However, considering Donatella-san’s words, there seems to be a problem.
“Making a profit is a good thing, right? It’s not that simple, is it? I mean, we’re practically giving away monsters for next to nothing, and the compensation we receive is consumed by monster disposal costs and other labor expenses.”
Even though we’re essentially volunteering, what does it mean that we’ve collected too much cash?
“Well, as merchants, we were conducting business with almost no profit—something unthinkable. This isn’t criticism. I have deep respect for how you’ve managed to operate this way under these circumstances.”
It’s an honor to be respected by an outstanding woman like Donatella-san. It’s truly a fantasy miracle.
“Still, even with thin margins, the sheer volume generates a reasonable profit.”
It was like dumping monsters directly into a black hole—you’d think it would fill up, but no matter how much we transported, it just kept absorbing more. If even a small profit was generated there, it would add up to a substantial sum.
“But it is a decent profit, right?”
If that were all, it wouldn’t be described as an excess of cash.
“Yes, it is decent. That’s when the influx of capital began. It’s no exaggeration to say that food is the most needed item in this country right now. Seeing it being brought in seemingly endlessly, people with money but nowhere to spend it started moving. That is, merchants.”
There’s a shortage of many things—clothing, food, shelter, and medical supplies—but eating comes first.
Right. Even with money, it’s tough to do business without goods. But goods were produced in Gothenburg. Those goods were food, which is desperately needed in this country.
I recalled the scenes I saw in Gothenburg between transport runs.
People gathered, and dismantling sites sprang up everywhere. Eventually, there were too many people, and the surplus labor shifted toward processing the dismantled materials. When that happened, the surplus labor shifted toward processing the dismantled materials.
Processing plants appeared around the crowded dismantling sites, and present-day Gothenburg resembles a postwar black market.
Methods of war may differ, but the postwar period is similar, so perhaps a similar atmosphere is inevitable. I’ve only ever seen postwar black markets in black-and-white photos, though…
The facilities are rudimentary, so only simple processing is possible. Still, it extends the shelf life somewhat.
This means transporting this longer-lasting food to areas in need could become a business.
It’s gratifying that the business network is developing smoothly. The God of Commerce-sama says there’s no need to push that hard. However, given the circumstances, cooperating within reasonable limits can’t be a bad thing.
However, one thing troubles me.
“Donatella-san, doesn’t that open the door to profiteering?”
With food shortages causing hardship, people would buy it at exorbitant prices, far beyond a small markup.
The thought of people in a food crisis being exploited further makes my body tremble.
“That part is under control. I can’t guarantee it absolutely, but the magistrate is handling the contracts directly. For large-scale deals, contracts are made through the God of Commerce-sama.”
“The magistrate? You mean the one who bowed down to me and Felicia?”
I considered the possibility that he might be buried somewhere, but apparently, he’s alive.
“Yes, he’s reformed and now works at the Adventurers’ Guild, handling both its and the Commercial Guild’s reception. He’s utilizing his authority as magistrate fully while working. Thanks to him, things are running smoothly, and he’s highly praised.”
…I don’t even know where to begin with this.
First, is it possible for someone to handle both the Adventurers’ Guild and the Commercial Guild’s reception?
And a magistrate working at a reception desk?
Magistrate’s authority?
Full utilization… does that mean exploitative labor?
What can be accomplished using the magistrate’s power?
“If he’s working hard, that’s a good thing.”
Seeing Donatella-san’s beautiful smile, I decided not to question it. The magistrate is helping people, and that alone is enough.
“Yes, the residents also call the magistrate ‘Magistrate-sama’ and are quite friendly with him.”
Isn’t that different from being friendly?
Ah, I get it. I didn’t go with them, but the magistrate who was taken away by the guild master seems to have gotten involved in something else since then.
That’s why he’s being treated badly.
Maybe he haggled during the contract negotiations, or signing the contract exposed an underhanded scheme. The God of Commerce-sama was clearly fed up and had to listen to the complaints. Probably both. Yeah, best to stay out of it.
“So, processed foods started circulating, business picked up, and that money circulated until too much of it ended up concentrated here with us.”
I steered the conversation back from the magistrate to the original topic.
Booming trade is good, but even my basic economic knowledge tells me that money pooling in one place isn’t ideal.
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“You have a plan in mind, right, Donatella-san?”
Donatella-san isn’t the type to raise problems without solutions. She must have simulated multiple scenarios and prepared plans.
“Yes, I propose opening a Toyoumi Trading Company branch on the Southern Continent.”
“Pardon?”
“Why would that be necessary? If we’ve accumulated money, couldn’t we just donate it to the guild to circulate it?”
I dislike increased responsibility.
“Then allow me to explain.”
Ah, here comes the persuasion. If I don’t stay focused, I’ll be convinced before I know it.
“……No, Donatella-san. Using the funds to buy land, develop it, and create jobs is practically the government’s role. Shouldn’t that be left to the magistrates or the guilds?”
I intended to listen to the explanation until the end, but Donatella-san’s plan was so grand that I couldn’t help but interrupt midway through.
“Allow me to explain.”
Ah, I need to stay focused.
“I see…”
I understood Donatella-san’s explanation. She probably explained it in a way that even I could understand, but anyway, I got it. Actually, I understood it all too well.
First, there are flaws in both the donation method and the process of handing everything over to the magistrate and the guild.
For one thing, the magistrate can’t be trusted. Even if a contract with the God of Commerce-sama is made, it’s meaningless if someone above the magistrate—meaning the country—replaces the magistrate. There’s also a risk of suffering harm.
Gothenburg is a port city, after all. Once their home country stabilizes, they’ll focus their efforts on more lucrative territories. At that point, Gothenburg won’t have a magistrate. That makes perfect sense.
Donations and outsourcing to the guilds.
Frankly, it’s beyond capacity.
Also, while it might work in this emergency, once things settle down, each guild will need to focus on its own domain.
The Adventurers’ Guild favors adventurers, and the Commercial Guild favors merchants. That’s only natural. If they didn’t favor their own members, what would be the point of the guilds?
Regardless of the present situation, allowing each guild to dominate administration would lead to trouble later on. This makes perfect sense.
The guildmaster here is trustworthy, but he’s only been left in place because he’s from a defeated nation, and we can’t spare the resources to deal with him right now. He’s expected to be replaced once Gothenburg is rebuilt.
That change will come voluntarily from the Adventurers’ Guild itself. Guilds dislike interference from the state and resist unreasonable demands, but they don’t want to be hostile. Therefore, it makes sense that they would want someone who can easily communicate with the state in a position representing the guild.
The guildmaster himself is said to accept this. Gothenburg is a vital port city for national interests. Even if it’s to counter a magistrate’s malice, a guildmaster who publicly raised the possibility of rebellion certainly wouldn’t be kept in place.
It makes perfect sense.
In that case, a private enterprise would be preferable.
Amidst the postwar chaos, the trading company will acquire land, develop it, pay taxes, and adhere to laws and regulations.
This limits the nation’s interference, and belonging to the Commercial Guild means we can expect its protection.
Still, it’d be bad if the state exercised its authority, but that’s the same anywhere. Since the state itself is in shambles, we should put down roots in Gothenburg while we still can.
My goal is to expand the business network, so I don’t want to get involved in troublesome matters that would increase my responsibilities.
Honestly, as far as reconstruction goes, I’m satisfied if the people I’ve met can live reasonably well, and I won’t feel guilty.
Donatella-san’s proposal was a definite no for me, but she had more suggestions.
Frankly, I’d rather decline the next proposal, too. However, Donatella-san is extremely enthusiastic about this grand scheme, which makes it hard to refuse.
That plan is… Operation: Connect the Northern and Southern Continents with Regular Shipping Routes! (Temporary title).
She says it’s impossible to do every year, but doing it once every two or three years — or even once every five years, at worst — would still have an immeasurable impact on the world.
I don’t think I need that kind of influence, but the benefits are substantial, to say the least. Trade is profitable, after all.
Establishing a base in Gothenburg seems crucial for gaining a foothold. I understand that having a base is advantageous for coordinating with distant places.
If it were just about profit, though, I’d reject it outright. However, this plan has benefits in many areas.
The Castle’s staff are business-loving executives who wouldn’t miss out on such a lucrative deal. In fact, Donatella-san, our executive, proposed the plan.
Many people from the Northern Continent would be happy to travel to the Southern Continent without risking their lives. The reverse is also true.
Plus, the gods would likely be pleased. They suggested the regular shipping route, and they’d definitely be delighted if that initiative extended to other continents.
The benefit is most deeply connected to me.
The regular route will surely draw the attention of every nation on the Northern Continent. By incorporating the beastmen town into the route, I plan to secure its future.
Adding the Southern Continent as a powerful asset will hasten the independence of the beastmen town. That would be a huge benefit for me. The responsibility for that town is too heavy for me to bear alone.
“……Let me think about it.”
Close call. The thought of the delighted goddesses and me being freed from that responsibility almost made me nod in agreement. While there are many benefits, my peace of mind is paramount.
I don’t aspire to worldwide fame. But I suppose I do need to figure out what to do with all this money. Somehow, I always end up agonizing over problems like this.
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