第９３掘：本題 (Part2)
"It might be interesting to make things even more intense."
"Ahem. For now, I have brought many items as offerings for this visit, as well as goods intended for future trade. I shall introduce them to you first."
Ratz said this as she began taking the planned items out of her Item Box, providing explanations as she went. Narjia also began showcasing weapons and armor crafted by the Fairy race.
"Ho-ho. This 'whiskey,' was it? It’s potent, but delicious!"
"Indeed. However, I am quite taken with this sword that Lady Narjia brought. Was it called a katana, like the one Lady Seraria possesses? The sharpness and the enchantments are magnificent."
"Seraria, that’s not fair! This armor is incredible! To think you have unlimited access to things like this!"
"Oh my, this is delicious. A 'cream puff,' was it? I would very much like for this to be at the top of our trade list."
"Wait, what is this white paper!? And this pen? It writes without any ink? No, is the ink inside? But how..."
It seemed the offerings were, for the most part, well-received.
"Hmm, such high-quality goods... I see no reason to refuse this trade."
"Father, please wait. If we only import goods, our own resources will be depleted. What will Lady Seraria and her companions be importing from our country?"
"That is a topic we need to discuss as well. If we simply force our convenient goods upon you, I fear your markets would fall into complete chaos."
"...That is true. We should proceed gradually, observing the situation as we go. As for what we can offer... wheat would be my recommendation. There are other things, but wheat is what comes to mind right now."
"Indeed. Would you be willing to supply us with wheat as our primary trade commodity?"
"Yes, with pleasure. Trade is not trade if only one side benefits. Since Lady Charl seems to have taken a liking to the cream puffs, they are made from wheat as well. Why not let us teach you the recipe so you can develop a unique Gartz-style cream puff?"
"...That is a brilliant idea. I feel like I’m going to run out of parchment paper."
"In that case, please use this paper."
Ratz handed over a large stack of copy paper.
"Sister, leave the recording of this meeting to me! It seems they are unfamiliar with how to use ballpoint pens."
"Very well, I leave it to you."
After that, we spent a while having a lively, back-and-forth discussion...
The main participants in the meeting were myself, Ratz, Narjia, Teague, Charl, and Higil. The others were busy playing around, inspecting the items we had brought.
...Honestly.
"However, with trade goods of this value, a single incident—be it bandits or a natural disaster—would result in a massive loss."
"That is true. Once the value of these items becomes known, the number of bandits targeting them will surely increase."
"...We have no choice but to strengthen security on the road between Roschur and Gartz..."
"But that won't be enough to prevent everything..."
"...Brother. We must accept that as an unavoidable risk; we cannot proceed without first securing the supply."
"True. I suppose we have no choice but to prepare for some losses and raise the retail prices to compensate."
"Indeed. The prices will rise, but there is no other way."
The three of them spoke with troubled expressions. For me, however, this was a problem I could easily solve.
"I can resolve that concern for you. There is a way to transport goods in large quantities safely, and sell them to the people at a low cost."
"Is that true!?"
"Yes. It would require the power of a dungeon... would you be amenable to that?"
"...I see. However, having seen everything up to this point, I don't think there is any reason to doubt you. Father, what do you think?"
"I see no issue with it, though I believe we should take a wait-and-see approach for the time being."
"Understood. We shall observe the situation, and if there are no problems after using it for a while, we can proceed. Is that acceptable?"
"That is fine. It is only natural for those who govern a nation to be cautious. Now, as for the method..."
I held my breath as I spoke, and the members of Gartz looked at me with anticipation, waiting for my answer.
"Would you allow me to construct a dungeon beneath Gartz? It would create a gate that connects directly to my own dungeon. We have already opened such a connection with Litea, and the Adventurer’s Guild has already declared it safe."
I said this with a bright smile.
Seraria’s management skills were on full display, and Narjia finally made her appearance! Since the Fairy race occupies a sensitive position, I had kept her hidden to avoid any unnecessary trouble.