Read Novel Full Chapter 208
Chapter 208
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Chapter 208 – One Last Job
The two days it took to complete the sample map were refreshing for my mind and body.
The area around the royal capital is only an F-rank hunting ground, and it’s far away.
Since hunting there isn’t much point, I decided to call the goddess, who was waiting to go sightseeing and relax.
Actually, I asked Alicia first.
She had been feeling down lately, so I thought it would cheer her up to go sightseeing while wearing a mask and a thick robe since it was winter.
But it didn’t work.
She was still feeling down, thinking it was wrong to enjoy herself when so many people were suffering.
At times like this, I don’t know what to say.
My relationships with people have been so superficial that I don’t know how to comfort them.
Saying “It’s okay” feels strange, and it’s not right for the person who suggested it to say, “Don’t worry about it.”
I started to feel down, thinking, “Maybe I shouldn’t have said anything,” when Feeril came down.
She said, “Don’t worry about it.”
This information was absolutely necessary for the future, and all the goddesses would take responsibility for it.
With that settled, I felt a little more at ease as I wandered around town, knowing they were discussing how to proceed.
After a light meal, we talked in my room about the information I had gathered from Hans-san, whom I had visited the other day.
I mentioned topics that I thought might interest Feeril, such as higher-ranked creatures that eat magic stones to become stronger and how their characteristics don’t change when using servitude-type skills. They were a huge hit!
Wanting to talk more, I mentioned a creature that had made an impression on me at Hans-san’s base.
When I described the large, silver-haired beast that had stared at me without moving in the center and Maybira-san, who was dressed and moved strangely, Feeril’s expression changed from a smile to seriousness.
She took on a very serious air, which made me panic.
She had pure white skin and hair.
She hid her face with a veil-like hat and covered her eyes with black cloth.
She only responded slowly when asked a question, looking up as if deep in thought before answering slowly.
Whether it was accurate or not, she seemed to know some of the conditions for acquiring Spatial Magic. This suggested that she had a purpose for being behind Hans-san, but I never figured out what it was.
I answered as best I could when asked about Maybira-san’s characteristics. I wonder what part of my answer made Feeril so sure.
“I didn’t expect to hear such valuable information,”
She said, thanking me in an unusual tone, which left me completely confused.
To make matters worse, when I asked her, “What do you mean?” she brushed it off with, “It’s a surprise for later,” and wouldn’t tell me.
She was laughing at me. I think she’s probably a sadistic alien who enjoys seeing me frustrated because she won’t tell me the answer.
On the second day, Liste came down in the morning.
I saw her looking lively the other day, but it was still awkward to see her again after such a long time.
I decided to show her the completed map of the Lagreath Kingdom, but I kept it a secret from Feeril. She was delighted, just as I had expected.
I gave the old lady the map I had drawn on the back of a piece of paper, but at level 1, it only showed the terrain. At level 2, roads and national borders were added.
The map screen was just big enough to fit the entire Lagreath Kingdom. I couldn’t zoom in or out yet; the only thing I could do was scroll up, down, left, and right.
I figured this part would be difficult to find in books because few people have obtained it, so there probably isn’t much information available.
Then, to ensure a steady supply of books, I mustered the courage to ask Liste.
“Can I sell the map?”
I felt bad about using the special skill she had entrusted to me for money. However, given the situation, I couldn’t afford to be picky.
It would be impossible to earn the price of that book through hunting alone without shifting the focus from skill experience points to money-making.
I was nervous, wondering if it would be okay.
“Are you going to become a merchant!?”
I was taken aback by Liste leaning forward eagerly.
I didn’t expect this reaction.
However, to balance “spreading the word” and “making money,” I’ll have to join a merchant guild. When I think about it that way, I might end up becoming a merchant.
When I told her that, she smiled, but her eyes were serious.
Somehow, a strategic meeting on how to sell the maps ended up taking place in my room at the inn.
This is weird.
I was planning to relax after such a long time.
I wanted to say that, but I was overwhelmed by Liste’s seriousness and ended up spending most of the day discussing map sales with her.
Well, at least I made up for it at night with Night Vision, Body Strengthening, Time Magic, Investigation, Dual Wielding, Mounting, Sacrifice, Hardening, Hole Digging, Charge, and Stomp.
I used my skills so much that I wondered which boss I had been fighting.
After two days of relaxation, I visited the old lady’s room again on the appointed day.
I secretly used my skills to check what I needed to, received a large map, and headed straight for the merchant guild.
I was told that there was a noble-only merchant guild in the second district, but I had no intention of going to such an uncomfortable place.
I asked for directions and headed to the fourth district, where commoners lived.
I entered the largest building and looked around, but I had no idea what to do.
I hadn’t seen what Amanda-san was doing when I was with her in Malta.
I looked for an empty counter, found one, and quickly moved over to ask a woman who looked free.
“Excuse me. I’d like to register a new product for sale.”
“Hmm, you mean ‘product evaluation’?”
“Yes, that might be it.”
“Then, is there anyone available right now? Please go to the third floor and ask someone there. That’s the floor in charge.”
After being told that, I went to the third floor and asked someone else. A man in his 40s with a strict side part and something in his hair appeared.
He immediately said, “This isn’t a playground for children,” so I figured there was no point in hiding it and told him what I could.
“I may look like a child, but I’m from another world. I know an old lady named Neival… Is that okay?”
Adding a little intimidation seemed to be effective.
He didn’t say anything, but the smart-looking guy seemed to understand.
Suddenly, he started sweating profusely and backing away. Gratefully, I followed him to the room he showed me.
“I’m Wador, the evaluation officer. I’m sorry for my rudeness earlier.”
“No, no, it’s okay. I’m Loki. I brought something here that I’d like to turn into a product.”
I unfolded the large map I was holding in my arms and placed it on the table.
Naturally, Wador-san was confused at first and couldn’t immediately understand it.
“Um…what is this?”
“This is a map of the Kingdom of Lagreath. You understand, right?”
“I see… What? It’s drawn… What!?”
I thought it was a strange way to impose a restriction.
When you suddenly realize something you couldn’t notice before, you’re more surprised by your own inability to notice it than by the map itself.
It’s interesting, but it doesn’t move the story forward.
“This is a highly accurate redrawing of the ‘map’ that should have been in Wador-san’s head. No redrawings have been released to the public yet. I was hoping the merchant guild could sell it for me. What do you think?”
“What? You mean we sell it, not you, after registering it for commercial use?”
“Yes. I’d like the merchants’ guild to sell it while keeping an eye on the buyers.”
“…”
There were several options for selling it.
One option was to sell the information on the map to the country through the old lady.
Return to Bezart and entrust the map to Yagov-san and the others.
Or, open my own shop and hire someone to sell the map exclusively.
However, if I sell the map information to the country, they might use it, but they are unlikely to share it publicly.
This is especially true in the current situation, where only Lagreath has a map.
The latter two options would definitely hit a roadblock with the biggest issue: “Secondary use.”
No matter how skillfully I use my Map Making skills, the end product is still just hand-drawn.
Furthermore, when it comes to maps of a country, anyone can copy them if they have a sample.
In other words, even if someone takes action, it will only be profitable initially. Soon, the market will be flooded with copies of unknown origin, and demand for the product will disappear.
If the primary goal is to “spread the word,” then that might be acceptable. However, nowadays, you also need to prioritize “making money” to keep the cash flowing.
Therefore, it’s better to choose an option with more earning potential than working alone.
One option is to leverage the prestige of the commercial guild that spans the continent.
“In this world, paper—parchment—is rare, and it’s almost impossible for individuals to obtain it reliably. Is that correct?”
“That’s correct.”
“But as the headquarters of commerce, the commercial guild should be able to obtain rare parchment reliably.”
“Not in such large quantities, but yes.”
Plus, most merchants who need maps come here, so you likely have connections with the nobility. There’s also a commercial guild in the second district that seems to be exclusively for nobles.”
“…”
“A commercial guild that can reliably obtain ‘paper’ could secretly sell officially stamped, special domestic maps to the wealthy and merchants. Even if copies eventually circulate, as long as sales are limited to the guild, and they don’t sell maps copied onto wooden boards, it would be clear that they’re copies.”
“That’s true.”
“I don’t think anyone would go against the original commercial guild to sell copies secretly. At first, it would be quite profitable. Once demand from the wealthy stabilizes, the guild could sell officially recognized maps on wooden boards.”
“I see. I understand what you’re saying, Loki-san. If we limit sales to commercial guilds, we should be able to control distribution somewhat. However, there is one fundamental problem.”
“?”
“How can you prove that these maps are accurate enough to be sold as official commercial guild products?”
“Ah…”
“We could assign a large number of people to carefully check the locations of towns, villages, and national borders. But that would take at least a year of research, and the cost would be…”
What Wador-san is saying is obvious.
First, since there have been no maps until now, it is impossible to determine whether these are correct.
If the guild is going to sell these maps exclusively, they can’t afford to lose credibility.
As expected, I’ll have to borrow someone’s name in that case.
“There are several ways to prove the map’s accuracy. First, I can fly, so I can draw the map from a bird’s-eye view.”
“…What?”
“Second, I’ve consulted with the old lady—Neival-sama—about the map. She’s very knowledgeable and has approved the layout of the towns and villages. She also said that the government will create a more detailed map based on this one.”
“I-Is that really true?”
“Of course. You’re welcome to check it yourself. If there’s anyone in this guild who knows geography well, they should be able to confirm it. This map is absolutely correct.”
“W-wait, can I call my superior? He visits the guilds in each town, so he should know the area well!”
After that, things progressed faster than I had expected.
I guess the national map creation project was a big deal.
If you take your time, you’ll miss out on business opportunities, so it’s a merchant’s job to act quickly and turn a profit.
Leave the sample map as it is.
In exchange for 15% of the sales, the commercial guild will be allowed to set the sales price without restrictions.
The money will be kept in the Commercial Guild’s account.
We formalized these terms, and the contract was successfully concluded.
If we had gone with direct sales through the guild, I might have been able to negotiate a higher share for myself.
However, getting too greedy might distract from the main goal of spreading the maps.
With this arrangement, perhaps within a year or two, merchants will carry maps to expand their sales routes, and maps will be displayed near the Hunter Guild’s request board.
As for the war, I’ll just have to wait and see how things develop while traveling.
Even if I obtain maps of other countries, neighboring countries will take action.
While they’re discussing military strategy, their territory will be exposed.
After leaving the commercial guild, I climb onto the roof and take a deep breath where no one can see me.
I feel a sense of accomplishment at having finished the job.
Now, what’s next?
My destination is the neighboring Kingdom of Waltz, located to the east.
Even the old lady is almost within reach.
In search of the next hunting ground, the next skill, and abundant funds!
Let’s go to a new land!
Author Note:
Thank you for reading this far!
This concludes Arc 6. Next, I will post “Loki’s Notebook, Part 4,” and then begin Arc 7.
I wrote up to Chapter 208 before publishing, so I will write whatever I want in Arc 7 and beyond. However, I will also make adjustments based on your comments in the feedback section.
I will continue posting daily until the end of Arc 7, including during the New Year holiday. Please enjoy!
The world will continue to expand.
※Minor corrections have been made to parts that do not affect the story.
- Chapter 26
I chose the attributes based on my initial impressions, so I changed the most popular attribute from Fire to Ice.
- Chapter 30
I had been determining the quality of ore based on hardness rather than rarity, so I slightly adjusted the hardness and changed the A-rank material from Platinum to Damascus.
Additionally, I revised the relationship between Hunter Rank and ore.
G: Iron (commonly known as Iron Rank)
F: Copper (commonly known as Copper Rank)
E: Bronze (commonly known as Bronze Rank)
D: Silver (commonly known as Silver Rank)
C: Gold (commonly known as Gold Rank).
B: Magic Silver (commonly known as Mithril Rank)
A: Black Steel (commonly known as Damascus Rank) ←Changed
S: Diamond (commonly known as Adamantine Rank).
These are the changes that have been made.
However, as a fantasy enthusiast, I cannot accept that plain iron would rank higher solely based on hardness. Therefore, I will leave silver and the others as they are.
There may be additional changes, but for now, these are the main revisions.
The only thing I regret is the ballpoint pen, which I might just leave out.
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