That evening, I went to the Spring Wakaba-Tei, as planned, to meet with Dorothea, Sylvia's grandmother.

　The place of the meeting was the reception room at the back of the first floor.
　It's a room I've used before when I've met with acquaintances from my adventurer days.

　As expected, the situation is not one where an escort is needed, so I asked Garnett to pass the time with the rest of the guys and meet with Dorothea on a one-on-one basis.

'I heard about the situation from my granddaughter (Sylvia). I heard you saved that girl's life, and you're also a benefactor of Green Hollow.
'You're overreacting. I'm just doing what's best for me.

　Dorothea laughed as I replied, "It's not the motive that matters," she said.

It's not the motive that matters, it's the result. Whether it's for good or for self-defense, if the result is the same, you should get the same amount in return. At least that's how I've been doing business up until my age.

-- Grandma said the important thing is not 'why did you do it' but 'what did you do' --

　These were the words I heard in a conversation with Sylvia shortly after I escaped the labyrinth with my life and woke up in Green Hollow Town for the first time.

　It made me realize once again that this person is definitely Sylvia's grandmother.

'My lovely grandson and my second home. I'm not going to be able to get a good look at it, but I'm not going to be able to get a good look at it. It's a good idea to be able to have a good time with them, but it's also a good idea to have a good time with them.

　Dorothea flipped through the material in her hand and read it happily, looking at it as if she were gazing at something interesting.

''I've had a chance to examine your assortment. I've got mithril alloy armor and dragonskin armor. Magic tools, potions, and elaborate tools. It's truly amazing to have all of these items in just a few months.
'It's because of fate and good fortune. And the only thing I can manage on my own is mithril.
I'm not sure if it's 'just' Mithril. You look like you've lost all your senses. There are hundreds and thousands of merchants who are desperate to get their hands on that "just".

　Dorothea laughs with amusement.
　I couldn't deny that my senses were numb, so I didn't argue with her and shushed her.

　Perhaps it was because I continued to handle it as if it was natural, but I was not a little aware that I was about to forget that it was a rare metal of the very first class.

It's not a matter of whether or not it's a rare metal. The important thing is just fate and luck. It's not the person who tries to do everything by himself that survives. It's the guy who has the 'connection' to pull the things and people he needs.
...... That may indeed be true. Because some of them destroyed themselves in reverse because they could do anything.

　Of course, what came to mind was the Falcon.

　That guy was overconfident in the versatility and power of his skills, and switched his role of scouting for the Demon King's army to defeating the Demon King on his own accord, and after cutting me down, he was defeated and trapped.

　But now that it's all over, it's strange to think that the incident was the reason why I am the way I am now.

'Maybe it's none of my business, but if you need something, just let me know. I'll get it for you at a discounted price, just let me know if there's anything you need, and I'll make it happen. Of course, I don't mind if you want a buyer's introduction.
Yes. ......

　As Garnett said during the day, it doesn't hurt to establish connections with the major trade associations.

　The question is what to ask for.

...... At the moment, I haven't had any trouble with weapons armor.
''I suppose so. Inexpensive weapon armor was [restored] from the Adventurer's Guild's trade-ins, and the higher-end items were bought from the Tri-Brook Blacksmith's Guild and the noble Beaufort family.

　I guess the important thing is fate and luck.

　The Blacksmith's Guild of Tri-Brook, a supplier of high quality weapons, is a connection he got from Travis, who was introduced to him by his peers as an adventurer.

　And the Beaufort family, which stocks high quality armor and dragon leather, is the family of Theodore, an A-ranked adventurer like Travis.

　The story goes that they introduced Theodore, a renowned dragon slayer, to the Demon King's Castle Realm, where countless dragons were flying around, and in return they were allowed to trade with him.

　Both of them are the result of the relationships they built during their adventuring days.

''So what we need ...... is something other than weapons and armor.

　This reminds me of a meeting I once had with others over dinner.

　It was a meeting to get the opinions of everyone who wanted to make such and such a product, and to use it as a reference for the future.

Magic tools, potions, elaboration. I would be grateful if I could procure the materials and equipment for those products.
Green Hollow is full of stuff that we don't know how to get. Just let me handle it.

　Noir, Erica and Alexia.
　These women, who manufacture something other than weapons and armor, wanted to develop and sell new products when they opened the branch.

　I'm sure it's not because they want to make me a profit, but rather a proposal that comes from the motivation of wanting to more than adequately demonstrate their abilities as someone with specialized skills.

　Alexia is more of an adventurer on the side, and her day job is as a mechanical engineer.

　Erica is an apothecary and dreams of owning her own shop in the future.

　I honestly don't know what's on Noir's mind, but these days she seems to enjoy being an expert in magic tools and herbs more than as a black magician.

　I'm in a position to be supported by those girls.

　Then at least providing them with a place and supplies for their desired activities would be a way to repay them.

'And if you could introduce me to some of your employees, that would be very helpful. The reverse side of Green Hollow's booming economy will inevitably lead to a fierce battle for manpower.
Of course it's my pleasure. If I'm going to open a branch, I'm going to need at least ten people.

　Dorothea is quickly jotting down important information in a memo at hand.

　By looking at the lively expression on his face, he must be enjoying his work.

'Send me a letter later with the details, I'll get back to you with a quote right away. I'll get back to you with a quote right away. I'll get back to you with a quote right away, but in the unlikely event that I need to make a purchase, I'd appreciate it.
Yes, I'll be waiting for you.

　I was just about to leave the table when Dorothea spoke up as if she had remembered something.

''I hear your White Wolf Store has a good relationship with the Silver Wing Knights.
Yes, what about it?
''This is a small talk, though. In the course of business, we've been doing business with not only the Golden Fang, but also the Silverwing for a long time, but you'd better watch out for your predecessor's chieftain.

　Dorothea slowly rose from her chair, speaking in a tone as if they were really just chatting, and bent over to put her hands on her hips to relax her back.

'The man still drags the values of the war-torn era with him. No wonder His Majesty the King has ordered a change in generations. The current Knight Commander is an upright man, but if you intend to get involved in a deeper relationship, keep that in the back of your mind.