Different World Business Symbol Chapter 17

「U-n、what should I do？」

Haruto was troubled seeing the three letters。Crossing his arms, he wrinkled his brows。It’s the wind that really worries him。

「Haruto-san、I finished was.h.i.+ng my body。Next is Haruto-san……are you still worried？What on Earth is it？」

Roa asked Haruto who had been suffering for an hour。

「Well、it’s a letter from Eugene, Adonis, and Branch……please read it。」

Roa received the three letters from Haruto and started reading it。

The letter from Eugene is an invitation to a buffet party。The letter from Branch is an invitation to a wine-tasting party。The letter from Adonis is an invitation to a magic tool exhibition。

「Uwa~、This is a bit……。The content seems suspicious。The intention to pull Haruto-san to their camp is obvious。」

Roa frowned。

However、there was a temperature difference between the three letters。

The letter from Eugene is『Of course you’ll come！』in a sort of half-forcing you way. The letter from Branch is『I would appreciate it if you come。』but the pressure is felt。Adonis is『I want you to come if you have free time。』it was a pa.s.sive thing。

「Eugene-san wants to entirely hold Haruto-san。We have a connection to Branch to some extent……so if possible, Eugene-san is trying to steal away Haruto-san。On the other hand, Adonis seems to want to build a relations.h.i.+p。」

「A man who is famous sure have it tough！」

「But both of you are men……」

He laughed bitterly。

「So then、what do you think we should do？」

「For now, who is the person closest to Haruto-san’s political intentions？」

When Roa says so、Haruto answers a little worried。

「I see……is it Branch？It would be better if the prices of olives don’t go up。」

「Then it’s determined that we will go to Branch-san’s place。」

When Roa says so、Haruto made a scowl。

「What to do with Eugene？It’s a relations.h.i.+p where we’re tied firmly with that guy through debt。」

「Is it not okay if you go to Eugene-san’s place？」

「No、I’d feel bad if I went to both。」

Haruto remembered the story of the bat in Aesop’s fables。

In the old days、birds and animals are fighting。The bat a.s.serts that it’s a bird when the birds have the advantage、then argued that it’s an animal when the beasts benefited。In the end, the birds and animals reconciled. The bat who hasn’t chosen any sides until the end was removed from either side。

「It wouldn’t be fun, but I would not complain to such a thing。In fact, many merchants do not belong to any camp。Instead, it’s more unusual if they belong to one side。It’s okay unless you make a clear betrayal。」

Roa affirms。All three people are not children。And their profession is a merchant。They only partic.i.p.ate in state affairs since it’s necessary、they’re not interested in politics any more than that。

「Then it’s okay if we go to all three？」

「Rather if you went to only one person、it’s better if you didn’t go at all。」

Roa is confident。Although a little worried about some things, Haruto has little understanding of the feeling of being popular。

If you go to formal events then you need decent clothes。Haruto and Roa naturally do not have those things and so have to purchase it。Haruto tried to finish it with cheap clothes、but was stopped by Roa。

「People who understand can tell it’s cheap at a glance。If you do not buy proper clothes, you’ll be looked down on。」

Haruto was convinced of it。Although human value is not something you can wear、since you don’t know the inside of a person, it’s natural to judge by appearance。

Which is why we went to a famous clothing store in Claris。From that place there is a large gla.s.s mirror、that’s why I know that this shop is high cla.s.s。

Haruto is not familiar with formalwear and threw the matter of choice at the clerk。As a clerk of a high-end shop, he didn’t change his expression at all while choosing clothes and gave it to Haruto。

Because I won’t know until I wear it, he tried on the clothes。

「It suits you、Haruto-san。」

「Really？」

Wearing fas.h.i.+onable clothes and looking at himself reflected on the mirror、Haruto put on a wry face。Not bad。But whether it suits him is another matter。Oh well、there is no problem if he looked the part。

「Well then、I’ll take this。」

「Yes、that’ll be 120 thousand Doria。」

Recently、Haruto’s paralysis about money is very fierce、he bought it without thinking about anything in particular。

As they left the store、Roa turned to Haruto。

「Well then、now we’ll go to buy a dress。」

「N？Will you also attend？」

Roa is shy。He felt like a buffet party is not suitable。

「At the party、many people will often bring women as their partners。Some will also hire women。」

Haruto is not familiar with the circ.u.mstances in Claris, and can only agree。

In reality、what Roa said is only half-true and half-wrong。First of all, there are no people who would hire women。At the same time, rather than partners as a companion、it’s correct to say partners. This partner, of course, refers to a marriage partner or a fiancee。Roa is thinking of burying the moat。

The two people headed to a dress shop at once。

The atmosphere of this shop is the same。Roa picked up a red dress and a blue dress after being troubled。

「It would be nice if it suits the body。」

She looks happy。Because the dress is what adult women would wear、when a child wears it, it would be hard to wear by all means。But Roa was wearing the dress properly。Because the height and breast had a rapid growth recently。The chest size is approaching C。

「Haruto-san？What’s wrong？」

Haruto who was indulging at how the dress suits Roa returned to his senses seeing Roa look back at him。

「You、perhaps you’ve worn a dress before？」

Roa dressed perfectly in that dress。Just because the body grew、it usually doesn’t mean they can dress up properly。And it seems that she’s familiar with choosing the dress。

「E~(yes)、because my house was rich。And my grandfather is a big congressman。I attended parties several times。」

Roa was more upper cla.s.s than Haruto thought。Listening to Roa’s circ.u.mstances, he thought that at most they’ll be a member of the Chamber of Commerce。

「I see……、why don’t you teach me manners later？」

「E~(yes)、alright。Oh well、the buffet party is not something where you have to worry so much about ettiquette。」

Roa laughed and said that。

「Now then、next is shoes。」

He noticed after being told so。Although the thing that Haruto is wearing now is easy to walk in、it’s not suitable to wear to the party。

「The most crucial element to a buffet party is shoes。Because you’ll be walking around。If possible it should be easy to walk around in、high-cla.s.s items sounds good。People with eyes will look at the shoes more than the clothes。」

Roa says so proudly。Haruto nodded as if he understood。

「Let’s go buy shoes right away。Please wear it from today so that you’ll get used to it。」

Roa said bossily。

It was the day of the buffet party。

「Haruto-san、are you sure you haven’t forgotten anything？」

「Ah、I’m fine。」

They head for the venue。

The venue is big、many people were talking to each other while having a meal。

「Oh、Asuma！You came！」

Eugene came running the moment he found Haruto.

「Many merchants are partic.i.p.ating in this party。Making connections with people is important。Do it firmly。Of course enjoy the party too。」

With Eugene saying so、he moved his line of sight to Roa standing beside Haruto。

「Etto~(um)……are you sure……。」

「I’m Roa Samaras。I got Haruto-san to release it。」

Roa smiled、briefly bowing。They are quite alike。

「I see、so it’s Roa Samaras。I am sorry。Still, it’s released……e~。」

Eugene looked at Haruto while grinning。Haruto does not know why Eugene is making such a smile so he tilted his head unconsciously。

「Even so, getting it on with a former slave……。Speaking of Samaras……By any chance…。」

Eugene murmured。Because it was in a small voice、it didn’t reach Haruto and Roa’s ears。

「Oi、Roa Samaras。Did you mean……」

「Are you Asuma by any chance？」

At the same time as Eugene was about to speak, a big man called out to Haruto。

「This is Malthus-san。Thank you for inviting me to such a party。……Was I interrupting？」

The man said that while smiling and Eugene answered while waving a hand。

「No、we just finished talking just now。Then I’ll let you go。Please enjoy the party by all means。」

Eugene left after that。

「h.e.l.lo。My name is……」

Haruto started talking with the man。When Haruto was talking with the man、it also gathered many people who want to come and speak to Haruto。

It was two hours later that Haruto and Roa was released。

「Well~、that was amazing……。」

「It was the first time in my life since I was born。I feel like a 90-year-old man。」

Actually、some women were also trying to speak with Haruto, but Roa repulsed and glared at them。

「Now then, I’m sure there’s a gla.s.s of wine and dishes on your left？」

「Yes、that’s right。It’s after this. As the meals are arranged in order from the appetizers, please take them in order。」

Haruto eats the food as taught by Roa。

「N！Delicious。It seems to be expensive。」

「I agree。」

Roa says so while drinking wine。Haruto picked up the wine gla.s.s from Roa in a hurry。

「Mu！」

「Mu！That’s not it。Did you forget that when you were drunk, you had a terrible time？」

Haruto drinks the wine he got from Roa。It tastes slightly different from what he drank when he was in Undine。

「Delicious。」

Haruto wondered if he could change the wine. If he got drunk, he might not be able to talk to people, and they have to hold their own。

This buffet party, for Haruto, is a meaningful thing。

A week later、it’s the day of the magic tool exhibition。

「Will you also come？」

「U~n(well)、I’m not interested in it that much。I’m looking after the shop。」

「I see。」

Haruto left Roa and visited the venue。

When he arrived at the venue、Haruto found Adonis and gave a greeting。

「For inviting me today、thank you very much。」

Haruto briefly bowed and greeted。

「Asuma-san！I thought you would come。This is the doc.u.mentation。Please go through it once。」

Adonis handed a bunch of paper to Haruto。

Haruto left Adonis while scanning through the material at the wall。The history of the magic tool、simple mechanisms and the like are written。

Before Haruto reached the exhibition hall、he has investigated a bit about the magic。

There seem to be three types of magic in the first place。One is the natural magic。Next is the Divine Art, and magic tools which seem to be made by bestowing magic。

Natural magic is made with the soul and mental power as an energy source. There is no physical effect, but it can show hallucinations or read thoughts. Divine Art used their faith in G.o.d as an energy source. It can heal and make a barrier against evil。Magic using magic stone……in other words, using the magical power stored inside stones as a power source、it can create flame or wind. It can also be used in strengthening an object。However、since its attack power is not high despite using a huge amount of energy、it seems that it’s not suitable for war。

Incidentally、it seems that the Empire’s First Emperor ordered things such as prayers and curses to be categorized as magic。It would be just like Superman if he can make not only sweets but also magic. (T/N: Sorry, I really don’t get what they’re talking about on this one.)

The talk deviated。The magic from this three categories seems to be something that can be used with a magic tool。

Haruto knows about it to a degree。Haruto flipped through the doc.u.ment、reading only the interesting places。

When Haruto is turning over a page、『Lightning-causing device』, he found a statement like that。It’s probably about electricity。If he has electricity, he can manufacture caustic soda and did not have to rely on primitive caustic soda found from seaweed ash。

Within that time、the exhibition begins。Haruto closes the materials and turns around to look at the magic tools。Scholars and merchants who came to see the magic tool did not forget to greet the technicians。Some of them he got to know at the buffet party。He understood that what Roa said is true, so Haruto is a bit relieved。

There were interesting magic tools, but the bottom line is that the『Lightning-causing device』is not there。While searching and doing one lap, Haruto decided to ask Adonis。

「Wolfstan-san、this『Lightning-causing device』, do you have it？I’d like to see it.」

Haruto says so. Adonis laughed while being troubled。

「I’m sorry、it’s not in the exhibition, but it shouldn’t be a big deal？Because the Empire’s engineers made something like that halfway。I’m saying that lightning is dangerous if you touch it。」

If dangerous current flows、it can produce enough caustic soda. He doesn’t know if it’s profitable, but it would be worth a try。

「How can I get it？There is something that I want to try for a bit。」

Haruto asked for it, and Adonis looked at him strangely。

「Oh dear、there’s no problem……。But it will take time since it’s not something that you can make easily。」

It seems that it will take one year to prepare。Since the one asking is Haruto、he has no complaints。Haruto thanked Adonis。Adonis can have ties with Haruto、so he was happy。

Two more weeks pa.s.sed。It’s the day of the wine-tasting party。

「Haruto-san！Me too……」

「No！You are weak against alcohol。」

Haruto obstructs Roa’s words。Roa puffed up her cheeks。

「Haruto-san just say what you want……you are cunning！」

「I understand。I will buy wine on my way home。It’s okay to be drunk when you’re inside the house。」

When Haruto says so、Roa smiled happily。

「It’s a promise。」

About the venue of the tasting party、he greeted Branch。

「Today you invited me to such a society、thank you very much。」

When Haruto lowers his head、Branch gave a questionnaire form to Haruto。

「Asuma-san！I’m glad you came。Please write on this paper if you like the wine。After that、we are exhibiting products gathered all over the world at the back。Please check it if you like。」

Haruto gave out his greetings early、and drunk wine immediately。Each wine has a slightly different taste、it’s quite tasty。When reading the description、it’s 100 years old. There was a thing that says a single one is 200K. Haruto did not care。Because it’s free anyway。

Being a little drunk he looked around。There were some people whom he met at the buffet party and at the exhibition。There is also a drunk atmosphere、so Haruto is quite close to them。

Drinking wine to some extent and after finis.h.i.+ng writing on the questionnaire、Haruto went to see the products that were gathered all over the world。A lot are spices and perfumes and some silk are also exhibited。When he think again、this party might have an element of Branch boasting。

While watching、he found something pretty good。Coconut oil and palm oil as well as castor oil。Coconut is from the tropical Asia while the raw materials of palm oil and castor bean for castor oil is found native in Africa。In a city-state coalition with the same climate as the Mediterranean coast, even if you search for it, you won’t find it。Depending on the price、he would like to purchase it if it’s cheap。

Just right then, Branch happens to pa.s.s through。Haruto asked about purchasing it。

「That coconut oil, palm oil, and also castor oil, is it possible to purchase it？」

「Coconut oil is impossible. Palm oil and castor oil can be purchased。」

Both seem to be about 2000 Doria per 1 liter。The price is about twice the price of olives。Probably because not much is being produced。But if you combine palm oil and castor oil with olive oil、the quality gets better。He should consider it。

「Is coconut oil no good？」

When Haruto said it again、Branch nods and answers。

「Because we don’t produce it here in the West。Trade with the East is dependent on the mood of the desert people……。Stable supply is impossible。」

There’s no choice but to withdraw if he was told that。There’s only one that he can’t get, so he thought that it’s already rather good。

He was chatting with the merchants and time flew away in the blink of an eye。Haruto bought a bottle that costs 20,000 Doria a bottle and went home。

「I’m home。I came back just now。」

Haruto said so while opening the door and entering the shop c.u.m home and heard a strange sound。Haruto wondered as he entered the room。

「Ha-Haruto-san！！Welcome home！！」

Somehow、Roa seemed to be in a hurry。Haruto thought that it was suspicious but for the time being, he showed the wine to Roa。

「Look, it’s the promised wine。」

「T-thank you very much。」

Roa says so thankfully, and pulled at it。Haruto intentionally asked。

「Are you hiding something？」

「N-no, it’s not that kind of thing！！」

Roa’s eyes who deny it are swimming。If you look closely、she seemed to mind the closet behind her。

「Is there something in the closet？」

At that point, Roa trembled。She’s a bad liar。

Haruto approaches the closet。If you look closely、a green cloth was caught outside。Haruto and Roa did not have any green clothes。

「U-um, Haruto-san！Why don’t we drink the wine？I have cheese！」

Ignoring the poor deception of Roa、Haruto opened the closet。

「……。」

Haruto was taken aback as soon as he saw who was inside。

「H-h.e.l.lo……。」

There was a beautiful girl with brown skin inside。

Balance in October

Income: ~14,900,000（Soap: 29,800 pieces）

Expenses: Total……11,790,000

1,200,000（slave maintenance cost） 100,000（shop rent & maintenance fee） 60,000（four carriage rental fee） 7,000,000（olive oil 1,000 casks） 900,000（seaweed ash 900） 240,000（clothes cost） 300,0000（mercenaries） 10,000（salt） 10,000（salary） 480,000（sales tax） 1,490,000（income tax）

Income － Expenses ＝ 3,110,000

Liabilities: 20,000,000

Balance: 5,620,000

Real Property: (-14,380,000)

Other Property: 45 slaves

Staff

Accounting officer and slave director: Roa Samaras

Mercenaries: Rusk & Pudding

Warehouse 1（warehouse attached to the store）: soap, 20 pieces

Warehouse 2（warehouse attached to slave accomodation）:

17 pots 20 olive casks 15 seaweed ash casks