第１４８６堀：オークション参加計画状況 (Part2)
Agil let out a wry smile at Ratz’s explanation.
She was right, of course. While this was a golden opportunity to expand one’s business, a single misstep—a single spark of resentment—would see it all come to an end in an instant. To throw oneself into such a high-stakes gamble required a rare, iron-willed tenacity.
Under normal circumstances, a merchant would carefully research their target, gauge their preferences, pull strings through mutual acquaintances, and then make a calculated, direct pitch. In other words, they only make their move when the odds of success are overwhelmingly in their favor. There is little merit in forcing a storefront open when a crowd of unpredictable, high-profile figures is descending upon the area.
Well, I suppose it also speaks to the sheer confidence they have in their own wares...
As I pondered this, Seraria wore a troubled expression.
"...You don't think they’re connected to the Dark Guild or something equally unsavory, do you? Did you explain the situation to them?"
"It’s natural to be suspicious. We did, after all, request that everyone stay closed for the sake of the VIPs' safety. Pushing back against that makes them look guilty, but Steve and his team have been vetting their backgrounds. There’s nothing of the sort. It’s just pure, unadulterated merchant ambition."
"Perhaps they simply don't know how dangerous the world can be?"
"That’s a possibility. After all, it seems they went straight to Lowell to plead their case."
"What? Is that true?"
Kagura asked, her eyes wide with shock.
It was no wonder she was surprised. Lowell was a princess of a great power and a general to boot. It wasn't that she was unapproachable, but even the kings and dignitaries of smaller nations tread carefully when making requests of her. For a merchant running a modest shop in a small nation to do such a thing—it was enough to make anyone want to verify the facts.
"It’s true. Though, the circumstances were a bit different than you might imagine..."
"What? Did Lowell mess up?"
"Mess up? Well, you remember the plan to improve the road between the town of Wean and the lodging facilities, right?"
"I do. Hiring the locals to build the road and selling our goods there."
"Exactly. She was chatting casually with the workers during a patrol, and that’s when they asked her."
"Ah..."
The realization dawned on everyone at once.
Lowell was indeed a princess of a great power and a general, but precisely because she was a general, she made it a point to check on the mental state and working conditions of her subordinates. That was the source of her popularity, but it also meant she had frequent contact with people of that station. And, consequently, she had many friends among them. It wasn't as if they had stormed the royal palace to demand an audience with the king; it was a conversation that happened on the side of the road.
"...That sounds exactly like Lowell, doesn't it?"
"Doesn't it? Well, it’s not exactly easy to say no. The question is, what do we do? There’s the risk they might try to sell things in some shady, hidden corner, right?"
"Ah, I see. More than anything, they probably think the Alliance is making a profit by setting up shops during the construction, and there’s also the matter of avoiding trouble..."
Seraria seemed to understand Lowell’s concerns as well.
While a flat-out ban would be the easiest path, for those desperate to forge a connection, it would only be an obstacle to be bypassed. They wouldn't dare criticize us to our faces, but there would inevitably be those who tried to operate in the shadows. If problems were to arise in some unmonitored location, the risk to the VIPs would skyrocket. That, we had to avoid.
"Though, it does mean they’ll be held personally responsible."
"That may be, but if something were to happen because of a situation we, Weed, initiated, it would tarnish our reputation. We have to prevent that."
"So, you’re suggesting we set up a collective marketplace somewhere? Surely we can’t just let them go to their own shops..."
"That’s out of the question due to security concerns. Tell me, you’ve prepared a conference room, haven't you? It has a decent amount of space, right?"
"I have. It’s designed to accommodate not just the members of the great powers, but also those from smaller nations and non-aligned countries, so it holds about five hundred people."
"Then there should be space to serve food and the like, right? Let’s have them set up there. We’ll subject them to inspections, of course. Can you manage that?"
"It’s not impossible, but what about the public application process?"
"Tell Lowell to handle it. Or rather, just have them go through the merchants who expressed interest in selling."
Well, since she was the one who started it, it’s only fair she takes the lead, though I’m sure she has her hands full with the defense plans.
For now, we have no choice but to give it a try.
The preparations were moving forward with certainty.
On the surface, the participating members were flawless.
But Lowell... Lowell always moved to her own rhythm.