When I woke up the next day, I found myself being visited by an errand boy from Roberto's Trading Company with an invitation. I was going to visit Roberto's company on my own, but what kind of invitation from the other side?

　I quickly read the invitation and found that the sender was the Roberto Chamber of Commerce's... Chairman!　How did you end up being the chairman of the board of directors? The errand boy told me that Altena, the capital of the merchant city, is the home of Roberto's company and the home of its headquarters, and that the chairman of the board of directors has always been there and wanted to personally thank him for his service.

　When I asked him what he wanted to thank me for, he replied that he wanted to thank the merchant member, Pepelo. Come to think of it, I didn't want to participate in the Basra defense because of Pepelo. If there is a city where he is based, it's no wonder he's only thanking us for a greeting.

　I was just about to ask for a favor, so I decided to head to the head office with the help of an errand boy.


The headquarters of Roberto & Co.

　The invitation is for me. And after last night's tragedy at the peaceful inn, the group is now decimated. So I'm in the Chairman's office alone. However, I'm a little scared at the huge trading house that I didn't expect.

''Excuse me, my name is Ryota, who has been invited to join us.

　At the far end of the room, a very stern old man, who could hardly be considered a merchant, was sitting.

'Oh, you're here!　So why don't you just sit down and have a cup of tea for now?

　Ugh, I've confronted thugs and illegal free agents in my work, but this dignity is at the level of a founder who built a large company in a generation. It's like being overwhelmed by competence financial and organizational power, not position. This kind of person is my least favorite.

'There's no way to thank them. I'm very grateful to you for your help and discounts.

　He thanked me for the discount I suggested in Basra for the Pretares family's parcel mercenary. On the contrary, even if they say thank you, the other party is the chairman of a large business association. If you were to compare him to a Japanese equivalent, he's the chairman of a large corporation. It's much scarier to be stared at in a bad mood because you made a bad conversation.

My name is Pavoni Don Roberto. Well, my name is Roberto, and I don't want you to be afraid of me calling you up at the last minute. It was your idea, wasn't it?　And I hear you're going to let me chew a piece of Xina's cotton, too?　That's a big one.

　Where did the cotton find leak from!　And I only know a very small part of the story about biting a piece of paper!　I mean, there's only Xynau and his son, well, there's a line of eavesdropping, but....

'No, as for the cotton, I was going to ask for it from them. I am indebted to the village where it originates, and the fact that cotton can be grown in Ares is very important. We must protect it at all costs from those who would devour it for short-term gain.

Yes, all the cotton in Ales has been imported and blown all the time," he said. But now, if we can grow what little we can in Ares, we will be able to negotiate a better price. We can't destroy it for the sake of all of Ares. It's only right that we thank you for choosing Roberto's company.

　Oh, you look like a cranky old man, but are you a man of understanding?　This looks fine if we handle it carefully. Besides, three years' share of cotton is enough for us, and we're not going to get greedy and make more enemies.

'About that, Xina's cotton is a wild species with short hair and low yields. It can be profitable as it is, but I think it's important to invest the current profits in researching breeding and cultivation methods. That way, the long-term profits will be greater...

　He's listening to me mecha seriously, but I'm afraid he's staring at me... I'd rather be a thug or a nobleman, I want to run away. I can't stop sweating oil, but I owe the cotton village a debt of gratitude, so I'm going to make a proposal to continue.

'Specifically, I want you to enlist the help of those in the village who know cotton best at present, gather agronomists to set up a test farm and establish a method of cultivation. In return, I will give you my monopoly on trade preference, and if the promise is kept for three years, I will give it to the village, Xina, and the Roberto Chamber of Commerce in equal shares.

　If you've invested in people and facilities for three years, it's not worth it to pull out. And we have less than three years left on our mission. That's why I'm willing to give it up as long as Roberto's Chamber of Commerce is willing to invest for the long term.

''It's not much for me, but it's a great way to set terms. That cotton, I'll promise you in writing that this Roberto Chamber of Commerce will protect it as its own breed in that village and give you five percent (5%) of the profit back if you grow it elsewhere. Will you do me a little favor instead?

　Returning the profit, thank you for giving back to that village, but....
　It's kind of scary how sharp your eyes are!
　Acan, let's say something before we get drunk!

I'm sorry, but I can't accept a job without knowing what it is. Would you mind telling us what you're looking for first?

　Roberto's Chamber of Commerce is a large trade association that has a license to operate throughout Ares, and its power is said to extend throughout the country. It's more than just a political business that is attached to the country. It's very scary!

I'm ashamed to tell you this, but did you see those dim-witted aristocrats on the streets fighting over the mines?　They were bad at managing their territory and were mired in debt, and none of the domestic merchants would lend them money. So they used the mine as collateral to borrow money from foreign merchants to pay for the war.

　 There's no collateral for it, and it's a form of debt for sure.

It's a very unpleasant situation but I don't think I can do anything about it?

　A large aristocracy can step down, but foreign investors are diplomatically unable to do so.
　The sale of mining rights, logging rights and other concessions to other countries is the beginning of gentryhood.
　But please don't go and kill those nobles or anything like that.

''Actually, this story, one of the lenders is Lucent's Bulus, who is a member of the Lucent Chamber of Commerce, who is under the breath of Lady Sailor. The other one is a servant of Princess Fortina of the Shield State of Aegis. Princess Aigis was in charge. If we can get both mining rights, we can develop them immediately.

　Come to think of it, the village we handed over to Lady Sela is small, but it's a popular spa resort in Ares, with the Great Ares Mountains in view. I heard that they started a service for female nobles only, but I didn't know that their connections extended to the princess of Aigis....

　I'm sure he's made a lot of money since he was on the verge of downfall.

　Please be gentle....

No, no, it was my dim-witted aristocrat that caused it. It's this one that I'm asking. We want to negotiate for the two of you to give up your claims for a definite nuisance fee. So, Lady Sailor trusts us, and we want your help.

　Hmm. I'm offering a cut to the dragon ambassador and a village of hot springs, so I'm sure they'll set up a bargaining table if you ask. However, I don't think they'll lose the extra money.

''Um, if you have that much money, wouldn't it be cheaper to have both nobles involved refinance to the Roberto Chamber of Commerce?

I have discussed this matter with the king, and he has decided to secure foreign credits as evidence and confiscate the property and lands of both noble families for the crime. The money will be used to repay the debt, and they will be reduced to viscounts, made bureaucrats and aristocrats, and used for administrative tasks in which they have no interest.

　I see, a lot of money for Lady Sela and the Princess of Aegis and the Roberto Chamber of Commerce. The country gets to increase its fiefdoms and secure mining rights, while the nobleman gets to keep his house alive as a well-educated public servant. In reality, it's actually the Odesses royal family that's in charge.......

　My mouthpiece is only an ostensible rationale.
　It's a scary story, so I just write it down quickly and forget it all.
　Humans are evil. I'll have to make sure Viville doesn't get tainted by Lady Sailor.

Thank God for that. Robert and Company will take care of the cotton village. I'll even pay you a compliment. However, Peppiro says that you look useful, but your eyes are dead, but you still have some fire in them. He's not done yet....

　Pepe Lo!　How dare he!
　........But, well, my eyes might have been dead then.

I'm glad to hear about the cotton village. But you're right, Mr. Peppero, you are right. I don't trust people, but I've been fortunate enough to have a friend, and recently I've been trying to learn to trust him. Well, it's not easy to do.

　The chairman of a large corporation, as expected.
　It's scary how quickly he can spot the slightest difference from the report!

That's good. But I guess you don't always know when you can trust someone.　Our business association is here today because we have built up trust in our long history. Merchants can't rely on profit alone, but rather on the accumulation of trust and confidence. In that sense, I also have a hard time with my men.

　That's right, there are different perspectives on jobs and positions, and executive training is difficult everywhere. It is very difficult to train executives anywhere. But if he can be trusted as a human being as well, it's a very high hurdle.

This is also a fate. Why don't you take a look at your worries, and I will teach you my way of trusting people.

　This is the man who has run this large Roberto business. He was born on merit, not high status. I think I have a lot to gain from what Chairman Roberto has to say.

　Then Roberto's story began.