Even the next day I was bombarded with visits.
　In fact, there were two more party leaders who asked to see me privately before the meeting began.

　Gorky, the leader of the Stainless Steel Chamber of Commerce on the island of Crom, was a gloomy, mature man with a stern physique.
　He met with me in private, just like Georg, and wanted to know what I was up to, as well as expressing interest in my business acumen (though his reliance on the Strategy Book and Aria was too embarrassing), but as expected of the leader of the Grand Chamber of Commerce, he was a boring old man.
　But essentially, he was not a man who liked to be circumvented or to argue.
　We went right into business negotiations.

　The island of Krom is the only one in the archipelago of Caziou that has mineral deposits.
　As an aside, I've heard that criminals arrested by the marine police (Cagliostro) are forced to work in the mines here until their sentences are up (apart from life in prison) after a trial. One theory is that it's more painful than death. Yotel and Captain Mangan's crew, who plotted to take over the Azzurri Chamber of Commerce, are probably still doing hard labor here.

　Iron ore, zinc, and tin are the main minerals produced on Krome Island, but there is also a mineral unique to the island called chrome ore.
　The chrome ore, however, is not unlike silver. The chrome ore is considered to be a wasteful product, not unlike silver, and is sold at a relatively low price.
　I explained to Gorky how wasteful this was, and how useful chrome ore could be depending on the specifics of the process (which, as usual, was based on knowledge from the Strategy Book).

I explained to Gorky, "What do you mean by that?　As expected of a wizard, you are very knowledgeable!

　Gorky, who has a gloomy demeanor, was very excited about this one time.
　I'm very happy about it too. As someone who has always wanted to improve the status of wizards, I couldn't wish for the same praise, but his current kind of dialogue.

　I also shook hands with the leader of the Stainless Steel Trade Association and promised to move forward with our joint business plan. We parted ways, and I would discuss the details, including the processing method, at a later date, when I visited the island of Krome.


　The next person I visited after Gorky was the head of the Ryannou Chamber of Commerce, whose territory is on Barombo Island.
　He was an elderly man by the name of Noob, and he seemed to be an unremarkable ornament who had only been given the position of party leader by virtue of his bloodline.
　In fact, his discussions with me took place exclusively with the two aides he had brought with him.

　The islands of Cassiou are truly exotic, each with its own unique natural environment, and on Barombo Island, the "bamboo" grows wild.
　According to the book, it is not uncommon in the east of the continent, but around here - on the northern continent, where Lacusta and Alavana are located, and in the waters of the Cassiou - the bamboo forests are found only on Barombo Island I told him that I wanted to buy a lot of that bamboo on a regular basis.

　I told them that I wanted to buy a large quantity of the bamboo on a regular basis.
　Two of Norbu's entourage immediately set about selling it to me.

You're a good-looking man!　Yes, yes, on the island of Barombo we use the properties of bamboo for various purposes. For example--
I've been studying the price...

　He explained the various uses of the former in a very sincere manner. He talked about the usefulness of bamboo and the value of the product in more detail than even the "strategy book" ever described.
　The latter, however, was quite a hefty price tag.
　I guess he's overestimating the value of me and Aria at the table, saying we were still just children.

　Then Aria responded with her well-honed, iron-clad sales smile.

We at the Malm Chamber of Commerce are interested in the bamboo because of its fertility and growth potential. In fact, the islanders of Barombo are tired of managing their bamboo forests and disposing of the leftover bamboos they cut down, as they can't stop cutting them down, right?
Well, that's...
There's certainly no denying that aspect of it, but...
Then we thought it would be relatively inexpensive to buy a large quantity of wood from them, so we decided to talk to the Ryannou Trading Company.

　There would normally be unreasonable shipping costs, but with the Town Gate, we can pretty much ignore that.

It's true that it's rare in this area, but there's no particular use for it that can't be substituted with other woods. When the price isn't much different from other woods, there's no need for us to stock up on it either.

　Normally, there wouldn't be many men who wouldn't rise to the occasion after being smiled at by a beautiful girl.
　However, the entourage who tried to look at their feet were rather pale at Aria's boldness to bash back with a soft smile.

''Wow, I understand.''
I'll learn more.........
So I urge you to consider purchasing one.
'Haha you're a pretty face and a tough little girl...'

　The two men, looking remorseful, offer to change the price.
　Aria sees it as appropriate and the negotiation is concluded.
　While the two sides were exchanging smiles, it was impressive that the all-important party leader was sipping tea in a carefree manner the entire time. It's really just an ornament called "party leader".


　Anyway, we have now met six of the nine party leaders of the League before the meeting.
　The remaining three are all leaders of the big business associations, which are considered to be the top three in the League.
　We're not interested in newcomers like us from the Malm Chamber of Commerce, are we?
　In other words...

　　　　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.

"The day of the League's meeting of party leaders has arrived.
　Me, Aria and Chocolat, accompanied by Madame Hanna, are leaving early in the morning.
　The meeting place is the Chamber of Commerce on the island of Montserrat. The meeting was held in the largest room on the island.

　Just before the meeting, there was a problem.
　They made Aria and Chocolat wait in the hall for a break, and Mrs. Hanna and I went to the reception desk and tried to ask an employee of the St. Tony's Trading Company to show us around.
　As soon as Mrs. Hanna introduced herself.

The Azzurri Corporation?　The stranger stinks. Where's Felix's greenhorn?

　He was teased by a middle-aged man who came after him in a pompous tone of voice.
　It sounds good to say he was well dressed, but he was an obese man with a protruding belly, and yet he was strangely pale.
　And yet he was pale and strangely pale.
　He was consumed by luxury and had plenty of fat, but his internal organs were probably unhealthy.

　Facing the middle-aged man, Madame Hanna bowed in a contrastingly polite manner.

'It's been a long time, Lady Golmes. I'm Hannah, Felix's wife.
'It's been a while, hasn't it?　Have I ever met the likes of you?
'Yes. Once last year, my husband and I were there to greet a newborn son, a legitimate one.
I don't know!　For that matter, where is Felix's youth?
My husband passed away the other day.

　She gouged out the wounds in her heart that would not yet be healed, and yet Mrs. Dixon answered stoutly.

Yes, I did. I've been betrayed by a mouse-like watchdog, haven't I?

　Gormes scoffed.
　He knew from the start that there was no way Felix would be able to attend, and he was teasing.
　A lowlife.

　A man like this is the second in command of the Junknap Chamber of Commerce, the League of Nations, which makes you learn how important it is to be fortunate enough to be born into a good family. Ironic, of course.

　When Mrs. Hanna's greetings were complete, I stepped forward to prevent her from hurting herself further.

'It's a pleasure to meet you, Lord Golmes. May I greet you as well?
I don't need it, kid. I can imagine what it's all about. Some kind of stinking cursed cursed man who seduced the widow of an Azzurri businessman and set up some kind of shady business, right?
'With the honor of Mrs. Hanna, if I may correct you, Lady Hannah is a woman who is a model of chastity. And I'm a wizard. I'm not a curser.
Humph!　They would both be the same!

　Gormes shook his belly and chuckled.
　
　Everyone says uninventive things. Or perhaps, if their intellect is low and they are all uneducated, they will not be able to distinguish between a wizard, a curser and a fortune teller.
　It's a scary scary, scary thing, I have to be a counter-teacher.

You see, cursed man?

　'I hear you are doing dubious business across the islands of Qaziou,' said Gormes, poking me in the chest with his forefinger.

I hear that you are doing dubious business all over the islands of Qaziou.　Well, it would have been easy to deceive these bondmen, who are not really party leaders, I suppose. But I'm not so sure about that.　I have no intention of doing business with you on my Isle of Ebel, you know it's a waste of time!
That's very kind of you. And I'm not going to leave you alone.
What?
There's nothing to see in your neck of the woods on Ebell Island. I couldn't come up with any business ideas to consider.
"Gulp, gulp, gulp, don't you dare!
In fact, it deserves respect. In an island with no characteristics and no significant resources, the jiannap company has risen to the second place in the world of Kajuu. The hard work and ingenuity of our predecessors is worthy of our respect. It's a true achievement. And your men are no slouches in maintaining that position.

　If they ask me to build a friendship with them, it's not something I wish for.
　However, if they say they won't do business with us, their counterparts won't be in trouble, unlike the other merchant associations that use the other islands as their territory.

　Rather, isn't it the Jannap Chamber of Commerce that will eventually be in trouble?
　The fact that there were no resources to be found on Ebel Island meant that they were making huge profits from pure trade.
　And the rubber sap, for example, which is currently only exported to Rakstad, will eventually be processed and manufactured on the main island of Nerf, and sales of rubber products will probably begin.
　If the people of the Cassiou realize the benefits of this, demand for this product will explode across the entire region.
　And when that happens, will the Jannaup Corporation be able to avoid buying from them?
　No, no, no, no, no.

'For your earlier advice, I'd like to offer my own advice, Lord Golmes.
What a bunch of cocky young men!
It's a pity you're the leader of the party and dragging your best men down so badly.　If it's an ornament, it's an ornament, and if it's an ornament, it's still better to stay put and not have a decrease in profit.
You!　I've got an eagle's refinement, and if you're quiet, you're pissed off.　Remind everyone that I am a direct descendant of the great pirate king!

　Golmes was red in the face and raised his fist in the air.
　It looks like he's never been in a fight, but he's likely to have beaten up his subordinates and people who are in a weak position for a long time.
　This is the stance of someone who doesn't think about fighting back, but only about the amount of pain he can cause his opponent.
　And just before he swings his fist down at me--

That's enough for now, Master Golmes.

　Suddenly, a soft voice called out.
　If you want to call it classy, this is the very tone of voice that is a model.
　As soon as Gormes heard it, he froze in his fist-pumping outfit.

　I was curious and looked at the owner of the voice.
　He's probably around fifty years old. A mild-looking gentleman was standing there smiling. His carefully trimmed nasal moustache also contributed to the impression of gentleness.

''This, this is, Mister Pitre. When are you here!''
Hahahaha, the seas were a little rough, but I'm just in time for the meeting.
It's a disaster!

　Gormes made a turn and rubbed the gentleman with his hands, which were clenched into fists, and then he slipped closer to the gentleman.

'Lord Pirtle are you the head of the Kincolie Chamber of Commerce?
Yes, sir.

　Mrs. Hanna reassures me.

　The Quinquory Guild is part of the League of Nations, whose territory includes the island of Domon.
　Or should I say, the first?　It is a large trade association that holds the largest power in the Cassius.

　Even though Golmes' jiannap trade association has continued power, the reality is that they are not rivals.
　If Pyotr were to declare to Golmes, as someone just said, "I have no intention of doing business with you," then the jiannap trade association would lose its biggest customer and would be unable to do business.
　That's why an arrogant man like Gormes would be so unskilled in dealing with Pitor.

　That Pietre, after giving me and Mrs. Hanna an eye salute, just said, "You can go now," and then closed one eye. Instantly, his mild-mannered face is full of affection.
"It means that he's a charming person, worthy of being the leader of the Chamber of Commerce party, the number one in the Federation.

　I bow to him for helping me out of a troublesome situation, and Mrs. Hanna and I both bow to him.
　Then we take him up on his recommendation and resign from the scene.

　Meanwhile, Gormez looked back at us, gave us a quick glance, and said, "You'll remember that later! And then he glares at me.
　But it's not the best looking thing to keep rubbing at Pietr. Now you.