On this day, Arx was visiting a large store that he has always known well.


　A nobleman who owns his own mansion could have summoned someone from a merchant's house, but Arx has not yet received a title and is not yet an adult. Even if he is a regular patron of the family, it would be too much to call on him in this situation.


　The people who greeted Arx were the owner of the big store and the watchman with whom he always does business.
　After exchanging a brief greeting with them, he was taken to a reception room.


　In the room, there was a glass table and a leather sofa with the faint scent of flowers in the air. When I sat down on the sofa, the owner of the store and the keeper, with whom I always communicate, sat down in front of me.
　The maid who came in with me holds a glass jug with red petals submerged in it.
　When I sipped the water, the fragrance of roses spread in my mouth.
　Enjoying the lingering scent for a while.


　Arx said to the handsome shopkeeper.


"Sorry, man. I'm sorry for welcoming you.

No, Mr. Arcs has always been a customer of mine for his engraving tools. It's just that he's always been so good to me about the imprint.

I think that's an exaggeration.

What are you talking about?　I'm not sure what to make of it, but I think it's a good idea.　I'm not sure what to make of that.

I'm not sure what to say. Then, when you are no longer light, I will ask you to come to the mansion.

So, you're not going to be able to carry yourself?

I'd like to be.

Well, well, well. ...... I hope you and Mr. Arx will continue to have a good relationship.

Yeah. I'm hoping we can work well together.


　I hope we can work well together." When we said this, the well-built shopkeeper hung his head.
　Until now, except for important stamped parts transactions, I have been dealing only with the store keeper, but recently, the owner has been showing up like this when he has free time.
　It's not surprising, as the shopkeeper said earlier, that the guild is developing engraving tools.


So, how are the sales of the stringed shining glass going?

Yes. Yes, it has been very well received. The government offices are especially eager to introduce it, and the senior aristocrats who like new things are rushing to have their craftsmen learn how to make it.

In that case, please have them apply for payment of switch royalties through the Mages Guild or Craftsmen Guild as agreed.

Yes, sir. Yes, sir.


　In the past, I had developed corded and switchable glitter glasses, and I had asked this big store to be the contact point for their sales.
　Since the Mage Guild does not sell products directly, it is common for the Guild to distribute its technology and products to large, reliable stores and receive a portion of the profits as royalties.
　In the case of the higher nobility, since they are not private customers, they sell their skills to their own craftsmen with restrictions on production and trade. The shopkeeper's own place and the mages' guild, for example, take a lot of margin, but the money coming in is still considerable.


　The shopkeeper's smiling face is a clear indication of this.


The shopkeeper's smiling face clearly showed this.


　The shopkeeper thanked me and gave me a token of his appreciation, then left the room with a low bow.
　He then faced the headman again.
　The bannerman was still rubbing his hands so hard that he looked like he could make a fire with just a squeeze.
　I wonder if he has any fingerprints, but whatever.


So, did you get what I told you to get?

"Well, well, well, this is the first time Master Arx has asked for jewelry. Is it a gift for some noble princess?

"No, it's not like that. It's a boring story, but it's always been magic.

I see. If you wish to give a gift, please let me know. I'm sure we can find something that will satisfy the recipient.

I'm sure we'll have something that will satisfy the recipient." "Haha, ......, I'll look forward to working with you then.


　I smiled back at the humble manager.
　When I visited the store this time, I asked to see something in advance, and that was the jewel that the keeper mistook for a gift.


　--Look for the emerald.


　It reminded me of something Chain had said to me one day.
　At that time, Chain told me that he had something good to tell me.
　I don't know what kind of "good thing" the emerald will bring to me, but I wanted to get it first, and that's why I approached the big store.


　The bannerman laid out a cloth on a glass table and laid out the gems on top of it.


First, soda stone from the Stone Valley. This is red jade, a vajra stone from Zeilner. And here is the finest blue jade from Sapphireberg.

"Wow, that's amazing. Is this everything?

Yes. These are all the gems we handle.


　The gems were all shining in the sunlight coming through the window.
　The colors are vivid and clear, and they seem to be of high quality.
　However, none of the gems I was shown were the ones I wanted.


"Well, do you have any emeralds?

"What is it, ......?　What is it?

Emeralds, emeralds, emeralds. You don't know?　It's a green gemstone called green jade or green jade, but when it's polished, it has a stronger green glow.

I know what jade is, but ...... I've been in this business for thirty years and I've never seen it.

I see. ......

"I'm sorry I can't help you.




　When we showed our disappointment, the watchman bowed his head apologetically.


No, what's not there is there.

The emerald, sir? Would you like me to find it for you?

"Yes, please. It's a green gem, not like jade. I want you to hit every one of them.

"Yes, sir.


　After agreeing on the future course of action regarding emeralds, I thought about it again.
　It was true that I had never seen an emerald before.
　The only time I had ever heard the word "emerald" was when I was standing on the pillow of my dreams.
　The only time I saw it or heard its name was when I followed that man's life.
　Perhaps emeralds are not in common circulation in this world.
　That's probably why she told me to look for it.
　If they are everywhere, there is no need to look for them. All you have to do is tell her to get it.
　But the fact that he said that means that it is difficult to obtain.
　But even if I told him to look for it, I don't own a mine, and I don't know where emeralds are found. I reexamined my memory of the man, but I don't remember reading anything that says so.


...... Well, I got a letter saying that Gills was coming soon.


　As I was puzzling over what to do, I suddenly remembered something like this.



I remembered that.



　In the tower-shaped room that serves as his parlor and library.
　Facing me now was a young man wearing a tulip hat.
　His eyes are as narrow as a fox's, and his mouth is always covered with a thin smile, giving him an air of strangeness, as if he has piled up as much suspiciousness as possible.
　In his conversations with exaggerated gestures, he carefully observes his surroundings, perhaps to look for new business opportunities.


　Gills, a traveling merchant.
　After receiving the letter, he appeared at the house a short time later.
　As soon as he was greeted, his business spirit was as strong as ever, as he gazed at the shining glass with strings and asked questions about the goods in the house.


　After a short conversation in the parlor, he gave him a ruthless word.


"I guess negotiations have broken down.

No, wait a minute!


　When Gills heard the incomprehensible reply, he got up from the sofa and screamed.
　But this one keeps a rigid demeanor.
　Gills stands up from the couch and screams, but I remain rigid. I keep my arms crossed on the couch and keep a hard expression on my face.


"Wait," he said.

"Arx, you said you'd listen to me the other day!　Why would you do that?

You did. I did, but that's not the same thing as making a deal, is it?

"Yeah, but ......


　So, for himself, Gills is still a tricky opponent.
　You don't know who he is, you don't know the purpose of the deal, and most importantly, you don't know who he is when he talks to you. I don't think it's ...... possible that they are trying to frame you, but these people are the type of people who will profit from something you can't predict without even knowing it. You have to be cautious because they might show a thick skin like "I didn't lie just because I didn't tell you.


　In the first place.


"You want me to handle what I'm making?

Yeah.

How much profit is that going to make?

The profit may take a while to come in. But I promise you, you'll have more connections.

You want me to lose money on this?　But I'm an amateur. But I'm a layman, so I don't understand until you explain to me how I'll benefit from the increased connections. Until that's resolved, I can't accept the deal.

Yeah, that's true.

Like I said, what's in it for Gil?

A small percentage of the profits, of course?

That's not all, is it?

No. Ha-ha-ha.


　Gills smiles deceptively.


I asked you.　Why don't you tell me?

"Mr. Arx. You can't expect me to tell you everything, can you?


　Gills tried to dodge the question with a coy smile, but it didn't work on him.


I'm not going to get into it.

I'm fine with that." ......


　Since you have no experience in business negotiations, the only negotiation technique you can use is patience.
　You should not relax your hand until the other party becomes annoyed and backs off.
　In any case, we don't need to force ourselves to deal with Gills right now.
　It would be a relief if we did not have to make a move.


"Hey, Mr. Arx. I guarantee that you will make a profit.

Isn't that an absolute condition?　A merchant who makes his clients lose money is out of the question. You'll have to tell me what kind of profit you'll make on top of that.

Of course it's because you'll have a wider range of customers to sell to.

You can't be that broad. What's in it for me now?

It's good to have a lot of acquaintances. The more friends you have, the more they can help you. At least the nobles need that kind of thing.




　Certainly, making many connections is something that the aristocracy considers important.
　It is not uncommon for them to use this to protect their own vested interests by expanding their horizontal connections.
　However, if you ask me whether this will increase when dealing with a single merchant, I am not so sure.
　In the first place, I don't need such connections at the moment, so I don't find them attractive.


　...... This kind of thing is difficult to do.
　I don't have any experience in such negotiations, so I don't really know how to handle it.
　Besides.


(Gills and trust. ......)


　The most unreliable people are those who want to make money and not lose it, especially in this kind of talk.
　There's a good deal just for you" is a common phrase of scammers.
　The man he met who seemed to be a salesman might make him lose money, but he would guarantee his job.
　I believe he said something like that over drinks.
　After the incident at the Rustinell warehouse, he was not completely unreliable, but I was still hesitant to do business with him.


Don't look so suspicious.

But you know what I mean. You're aware of it, right?　Are you sure you're not doing it on purpose?

I don't know.

That's the thing, right?　That's the point.


　Gills, who is smiling and dodging, complains bitterly.
　I wonder what this man is really thinking. With such an attitude, I wonder if he really wants to do business with me.
　Then Gills says in a funny way.


And then Gillz says in a funny way, "You're making all these accusations that we don't have any goods to trade. ......

That's not true.


　He said, and took out an item that he had prepared.
　On the table is a pot of instantaneous water heater that I made in my workshop before.
　It was the same model that he had shown to Godwald and the others.


What's this?

Instantaneous water heater.

Instant?　That's .......

Yeah, it's not instantaneous, but it's pretty fast. So you pour water into the pot and put it on this stand.


　Soon, steam came out of the spout of the pot.


Whoa!

This is the kind of thing that boils water quickly without fire.


　While saying this, I poured hot water into the glass pot filled with tea leaves. The top of the pot became cloudy with steam, and the tea leaves flailed around in the pot as the water flowed, eventually turning the water a high brown color as the ingredients were extracted.


　When the contents were poured into the cup, the aroma rose with the steam.
　When Gills saw it, his eyes lit up as if he had found a treasure.


...... will sell like hotcakes. Especially in the north, it will sell like hotcakes.

Is that so?

Is that so?　It's not easy to boil water in extremely cold places.

That's true. With this set, we can melt the snow and use it right away. You'll have to modify it for cold weather, though. ......

No, no, no. It's a big help. Of course, they'd appreciate it on the plains, too.


　That's true. This kind of product was very popular in the man's world.
　The first time a man bought one, he even said it would change his world.
　In the rural areas of this world, it can take 30 minutes to an hour just to boil water. If you can boil water easily, it is sure to be a popular product.


　The glittering glass with ...... strings will be distributed to large stores, but some items, such as this instant water heater, will be handled by myself.
　For now, though, I'll only sell these items if they are not directly related to weapons.


"It's really cruel to break off negotiations after showing them all this.

"The only person I've shown this to outside of my circle of friends is Gil's. I think that's enough.

Well, yeah. ......

That's because I owe Gills for the Rustinell warehouse. Besides, if we can get this much out of them, why bother with weapons at all?

"No, I don't. I'd rather have the convenience of this one.

Well, you'll have to think about it next time you come back.

All right. I'll get you a place to sell it next time. And can I see some more of that shiny glass on a string?

Yeah.


　After we finish talking, I ask Gills.


"...... Yeah. Gills, do you know what an emerald is?

"What's ......?

"Emeralds. Emerald.

You know, I've never heard of .......

Oh, no. You've never heard of Gills?




　When I saw Gills furrowing his brow in distress, I wrinkled my brow in the same way.
　After that, we searched several times in the jewelry stores in the capital, but in the end we could not find any emeralds. When we asked the merchants, all we got were unfavorable replies such as "I have never seen it" or "I don't know it," and we were at a loss.
　We were at a loss as to why there were no emeralds when there were other gems such as sapphires and rubies, and aquamarines of the same composition.


Are these emeralds important?

It's not that important. I just haven't seen it around.

"Haven't seen him?　What, have you seen him before, Arx?

Yeah, a while back.

What kind of gem is it?

It's a gem that glows green when polished. It's not like jade. Does that ring a bell?

Well, ......, if you want it, I'll find it.

When you find it. Give me a shout.


　...... Thus ended the first meeting of the Guilds, and the deadlock on the emerald.