It’s natural for noblemen or knights who live in that mansion, which is their current residence, not to visit the merchant but instead summon them.
However, our noble is a fallen one, we’re coming to the business meeting on our own because we were the ones making the offer.
That’s why the other party has been loud since a while ago.
「 Hmm, a seasoned merchant like me has never seen anything like these before. I heard that you fled the country without anything, but this is a surprise 」
The head of this company, a man named Perostav, is sitting comfortably on the sofa across the desk.
He looks like someone in his forties, wearing a wig that you can tell at first glance that it’s not his natural hair, an entertaining look.
He looks at the items we prepared and at the three of us sitting on the other side of the table.
I get the impression that he’ll price it quite high.
I mean, don’t look at my Euphy and Nia with those licking gazes.
He’s looking with a grin.
He’s also staring hard at Chris who’s standing behind us, sure, have fun.
「 Well, I hope these are pleasing to your eyes 」
「 Indeed. I’ve never seen patterned clothing this good. I would like to know how they’re able to weave it so precisely. However, the size isn’t so user-friendly. Why not bring in a bigger cloth? Also, the quality of this paper is great. However, this is not usable when it’s so small. No matter how you think about it, the size… This plate, it’s small, but it’s a passing grade. I see that. Also… 」
When asked about his thoughts about the products on the desk, he starts blabbering.
I’m not sure if he’s praising or demeaning as he’s being vague.
I almost want to tell him to stop nitpicking if he thinks it’s good.
All the items I brought were from the 100 yen store.
The collection includes a dozen items including animal print hand towels, small dish plates, origami paper with Japanese patterns, and handicraft fabrics.
The lineup is focused on appearance rather than functionality.
So, he keeps on repeating the word “small” when describing it.
That’s how it is.
These are some of the stuff Euphy and I bought when we went to Japan and she approved.
I wondered about stationery, but unfortunately, the literacy rate isn’t that high in this world, so I decided to pass on it this time because I don’t think there will be much demand.
If you refer to Nia, an orphan, she can understand the letters around her, such as the signs in the town, but when it comes to writing letters and such, she finds it difficult.
She learned how to read and write from Euphy during the trip, so she’s already good at it, in fact, she can digest the hiragana drills with stationery printed and a white cat on her hand.
Remembering Nia’s efforts as she sits next to me, it seems that Perostav has finally finished his product review.
「 I heard that the Adiciltons were a martial family according to the rumors, but I had no idea that they could make something like this. To think that there are other values apart from fighting…
This guy’s a natural agitator, what a massive dick.
I know that he won’t try to pick a fight with the Adiciltons if they know, but since he’s a merchant of the Marquis who rules this territory, he thinks that we can’t our hands on him.
Well, I’m not in a position to punish a rude person because they pissed me off.
「 Yes. We’ll bring these items regularly in the future so would you like to buy them from us? 」
「 Hmm, business… How much can you unload? 」
「 It depends on how many you buy, but around fifty or so per week should be enough
「 I see? That’s quite the amount… 」
Perostav grinned.
Seems like he’s seeing the profits.
「 But, the problem is the wholesale price, how much do you intend to sell these? 」
「 About five coppers per item, assuming that you’re taking all for wholesale 」
「 Five? That’s a little expensive… If it were two, I’d take it 」
「 Two? That’s going to be a little harsh 」
If we’re converting the price of copper coin to Japanese yen, that would almost be 20000 yen.
Although the exact amount is a little more, a gold coin is worth around 200,000 yen, so it’s worth 1/100th of that amount.
Wholesaling for two copper coins would be a whopping 1900% profit margin-wise, but even so, it’s a little too much of a haggle.
Well, that’s the start of price negotiations, so let’s continue.
Let’s raise it up to three copper coins at least.
「 How about four? I’m offering a low price from the start as a token of friendship, however, two won’t be profitable at all 」
「 No, two 」
「 How about three? 」
「 I said two, didn’t I? 」
This guy’s serious?
He doesn’t intend to negotiate at all.
Usually, you’d sound a bit swaying.
Even though the profit margin is high for two copper coins, that’s a bit demotivating.
「 So you won’t accept anything but two copper coins? 」
「 Don’t make me say it again. Our Prostav family is the only merchant allowed to deal directly with the Marquis. Without your connection to them, you won’t even have the opportunity to negotiate. You may be a former noble family, but you’re mistaken to think that you can negotiate 」
His grins feel so disgusting.
I thought for a moment about kicking him and pretending that it slipped off as an accident, and as an apology for the loss of hair, I would give some agitating recovery magic while actually using magic to grow the hair follicles until it dies out.
Oh no, I shouldn’t.
Let’s calm down.
While I was losing my composure, I could hear something rubbing together in my ears.
I look at Euphy, whose thighs are shaking, her fist clenched tightly, and her cheeks twitching.
Oh shit, don’t get Euphy-san angrier than this.
She said that she wouldn’t talk since negotiation isn’t for her, but any more than this and her hands will be the one moving.
Okay, let’s end this.
I mean, I don’t want to talk to him either.
Let’s go, bye.
I’m really annoyed too.
「 Seems like there’s no room for negotiation. I’m afraid that we didn’t come to an agreement this time, we’ll be taking our leave. I apologize for taking up your time 」
I bow my head lightly and he grins and makes a stern face.
「 If you’re not convinced, talk to other merchants. Still, are you sure? If you’re going to handle that volume over a long period, not just one transaction, you’ll need a large trading area like ours. Do you think there’s a merchant that can do that in this town? 」
「 So you say, but since you say that you won’t negotiate, we have no choice. I’ll consider other avenues, so if you’d excuse me 」
I stood up and he turned his palm towards me.
「 Wait,. if you want to negotiate that much, then you should take the opportunity. If you lend me these girls tonight, I may consider it. 」
「 Haha, that’s a funny joke. I’ll pretend I didn’t hear it so please don’t say that again. Next time I hear you say something like that to my precious girls, I’m afraid that you’ll lose at least one of your arms 」
When I lowered my tone on his quite underhanded line, Perostav suddenly turned blue.
「 W-Wha…you dare threaten… 」
It wasn’t because of my threat that he reacted that way.
Euphy’s gripping the hilt of her sword, ready to pull it out at any moment, and Nia’s glaring at him as she sits.
As for Chris, he already bared his teeth, ready to pull out his sword too.
I guess he only saw three girls accompanying me that’s why he had that underestimating attitude.
He was dealing with the situation in his spare time, so he’s freaked out because there’s nobody here to protect him.
「 Hey, put those down. Man, I’m sorry. As you may already know, our group is quite fearsome in combat, so their hands often move before their mouths. Please forgive the girls, they’re only acting on reflex to protect themselves. Now, if you’ll excuse us.. 」
We left the room while feeling an intense glare from Prostav from behind.
I couldn’t hold back as soon as we left the shop that I shouted right there.
「 Kaaaaa! What the hell is with that shitface? 」