When I returned to Liberty Combe, I quickly returned to the town hall on my feet.
　I returned to the lord's office with Biblina, who came back with me, and I immediately asked the other deputy lord, Erdena, to tell her to come to my room.
''Are we in a hurry?''
　Erdena, who came to the lord's office, appeared in the lord's office with papers under her arm, as if she was in the middle of other business.
''I'm sorry to be so busy, but I had something I wanted to discuss with you in a hurry,''
　When I said that, Eldena said
I'm sorry, but can you let me just finish up the work I'm doing and give me half an hour?
Yeah, I'm fine.
　Hearing my response, Eldena hurriedly left the lord's office.
　Biblina, who saw Eldena's back like that, looked away
Oh, dear, I'm sorry Safate, but you can finally catch your breath.
　As he said this, he sat down somewhere on the sofa.

　If you think about it, since we left first thing in the morning today, we had been negotiating and moving without a break.
　During the trip, we were repeatedly discussing this and that about the problematic issue, so Vibrina and I are up to the present without taking a break that seems to be a break.

　As if sensing our situation, my secretary Unja and Aura were in the room.
　The two in maid's uniform bowed to us.
Come on, little girl. Come on, Vivienna, catch your breath.
We've brought you some tea and refreshments.
　As he said this, the two of us placed a cup of tea and a plate of tea sweets in front of me and Biblina.
'Thank you. It helps.'
　As I was thanking them with a smile, Biblina was smiling and taking the cup in her hand.
I thought I knew Safate well enough to know that he was an idiot at his job, but now that I'm actually here with him, I'm quite dismayed.
　As she said this with a wry smile, Biblina reached for the tea cake.
　Then the plate was suddenly lifted by Aura.
'Oh, Aura, what are you doing?'
　Aura's cheeks puffed out at a bewildered Biblina, and she puffed out her
''I don't like people who say bad things about my lord.
　He said and pouted and turned away.
　Biblina, against such an aura.
'Oh!　I... I didn't mean it like that. I didn't mean to say anything bad. I'll apologize to you and give you that tea cake, not the other way around.
　Biblina works hard to worship Aura.
　Aura's cheeks are puffed out as she looks at Vibrina like that.
''Please apologize to my lord.
　I said.
　With those words, Biblina apologized to me and Aura finally put the sweets back in her mouth.
　Vivalina, not wanting to be taken away from me again, brought the baked goods to her mouth with great speed and then swallowed them with all her might.
　Aura, who had been watching her with a sideways glance, finally put a smile on her face.
Can you stay for another drink?
　I heard that.
　Biblina giggled and gulped down her tea with a guffaw.
You'll need a refill on the tea, too.
　I said, and swallowed again.

　When Biblina had just tucked all the tea and tea treat refills into her stomach.
Here you go.
　Erdena came into the lord's office.
　When I looked at my watch, I saw that just half an hour had passed.
　Eldena is very precise about everything, and she is also very precise about time.
　I'm sure this is something I can learn from, but as expected, it's hard to be this precise.......

　I asked Erdena and Biblina to sit on the reception set and I sat across from them.
'I've already explained this to Biblina...'
　I said that and explained the situation to Eldena.
　When Eldena finished listening to my explanation, she put her hand to her mouth.
In other words, you're offering to open a store in Liberty Convey as insurance against opening a store in Urinakombe as well, those two merchants," she said.
That's the way it is.
　When she heard my answer, Eldena began to think about it.
　After a while, Eldena opened her mouth without hesitation.
''........That's right. Originally, the reason for restricting the opening of shops in Liberty Combe was a measure taken during the era of the small frontier cities to prevent the small local shops from being eliminated by the large merchant associations that were still small in size. All the shops there are solid and good, right?
　Saying that, Eldena shook her head.
There might be a surprisingly large number of outside merchant associations that want to set up shop in Liberty Combe, which has become a frontier city.
''Yes, that would make the logistics more active... oh, but then what would happen to the central wholesale market...''
What's wrong with the central wholesale market?
　In front of Vibrina, who had a questioning expression on her face, I twisted my head while folding my arms.
You see.........up until now, all the goods brought in by the Chamber of Commerce from the outside were bought and sold at the central wholesale market, and the commission was taken there, but if you allow the outside Chamber of Commerce to set up shop inside the Liberty Combe, you won't be able to get the commission income from those sales.......that would worsen the profits of the central wholesale market, right?
　The central wholesale market is growing steadily, thanks to Black, who is managing it.
　The number of employees it employs is proportionately much higher.
　Since the market is operated on an independent basis, I was wondering whether or not it was right to take measures that would lead to a decline in revenue.
　The three of us discussed this issue for a while, but none of us could come up with a good opinion.
　So I asked Alea, the ant-man in charge of finance, to come to me.
"So I'm wondering if we can do something about the decrease in profits at the central wholesale market...
　Alea, who had been listening to my words while nodding unhappily, folded her arms and nodded her head slightly.
'Right. Then it would be if we set the inspection fee, wouldn't it?
Inspection fee?
Yes, sir. The goods brought in from the outside must be inspected as usual. They must be checked for stolen goods and goods that are banned by the royal capital. This inspection should be carried out at the central wholesale market.　If the money is collected under the guise of an inspection fee, the people of the trading company will not complain, and the central wholesale market will be able to avoid a large decrease in revenue. In fact, there are some outlying cities that charge this kind of inspection fee, and I don't think the Chamber of Commerce will be opposed to enforcing it.
'I see ... then ...'
　We nodded at Alea's words, and once again the four of us, including Alea, worked on the matter of inspection fees.
　
　In a moment or so, a rough draft was ready.
''My lord, if you don't mind, may I leave the consultation with Gin-san from the central wholesale market and the various shopping district associations to this Alea?
　Alea offered with a smile.
'It would be nice if you did, though.'
'Yes!　Then we'll leave it to you.
　With that, Alea said she would go document the draft and left the room.

''Oh dear I think I'm going to have a better idea of what to expect.
　I looked away from Alea and sighed loudly on the couch.
　At the same time, my stomach made a loud noise.
　When I looked at my watch, I saw that it was already getting close to evening.
''Come to think of it, I missed my lunch...''
　When I mentioned such a thing, Korok and Tiree came into the lord's room at the right time, as if I had been watching for the right moment.
''Papa are you still working bear?''
　Korok was staring at me with trepidation.
　Come to think of it, this morning I went out before Korok woke up, so this was the first time I had seen Korok's face today.
　That's probably why Korok had come with Tiree to see me.
　I turned my attention to Erdena and Biblina.
For now, since we're waiting for Alea's report we should go out for dinner a little early, right?
Well that's good, isn't it?
Yes, I don't mind.
　I confirmed their replies and turned my attention to Korok and Tille again.
"I'm done with my work. Let's go to dinner together.
　As I said this, Korok was hugging me, his face lighting up with a flash of light.
'Daddy! Happy bear!　Let's get going, bear!
　Tiree was also hugging me with a smile from behind Korok, who said so happily.　
　I gently patted their heads, and they all went out to the street together.