Otoko Nara Ikkokuichijou no Aruji o Mezasa Nakya, ne? Vol 1 Chapter 113

Year 7443, Month 12, Day 15

Every month on the 15th is the day I do maintenance on the armor of the knight group. The largest crack I've seen up until now was a cut mark in a shield. The kite shield and buckler shields aren't the usual shape of a flat board but rather when manufacturing them they end up with the center of them about 10 cm higher than the outer edges almost like a light pyramid shape but the outer edges end up being weak to cuts. Well it should still be better than a wooden board so I don't think they should have anything to complain about but Enbert who's in charge of producing the armor asks Arnold who's in charge of forging to produce a metal outer frame to strengthen the outer edges of the shield.

However, if it's training then they use a wooden sword so there's rarely large cuts to it but as expected it differs when it comes to live combat. There was a large cut on the kite shield of a knight who came back from the conflict. It seems it was cut from the upper area of the shield and there's a cut in it about 10 cm long. There's no way to return something like this to normal. I can make it look the way it originally did but the part I repaired will end up getting weaker, in the first place I can't repair the outer metal frame.

I couldn't do anything other than honestly say, "I can't do anything other than fix the appearance of damage this large, there's no other choice than to have the knight groups exclusive blacksmith create a new outer metal frame." I felt bad for him when he was making a disappointed face but this is something I had already expected so I'm glad I said it from the start. Without it turning into any major problem, I repaired the small cuts and gashes on the surface of the armor and shields brought in and left the knight group.

Furthermore, when I left the knight group, I apologized as it was related to my convenience but around next month I said it's possible I'd have to shift the repair date. Just, at the same time I also said around the spring of next year we'll be opening the headquarters of Greed Company about midway on Bell Road and after that we'll be doing repairs there at anytime and they were pleased. Since we're going to have the proper number of people, tools, and materials we can do a more mainstream level of repairs and it's big help to me to have it out of my hands.

............

After that, I walked towards the headquarters of Greed Company when I just purchased the other day, and went to check how things looked. It seems they're still continuing business as a general goods store but since it's necessary for them to sell out by March of next year, I suggested that they do a total inventory sale and I'm having them do that. Of course, I've already secured a full set of pots and other necessities for the squire family that is expected to be moving in here. After seeing me enter the store Yotlen deeply lowered her head and said.

"Greed-sama, we were really saved. Thank you very much."

"Ah, don't worry about it anymore. I just purchased it normally after all, from here on out, there was definitely a need to hire people as well. Rather than that, how are the sales?"

"Thanks to you it's selling quite a bit. If it's like this then we should be able to get rid of all of it by March."

"That's great. Also, what's going on with the signboard?"

"Yes, I tried asking the carpenter about it. It seems that they probably can make it with no problem."

Weeks back I asked to search for a place where we can orde

r a signboard.

"I see, then how much is it?"

"300,000 Z (30 silver coins) is how much they estimated it at it seems."

Well, I guess about there sounds right.

"Hmn. I understand. I'll come again at the end of the month so tell that carpenter's place to prepare a proof of sales. I'll pay the money at that time." 

"Yes, I understand."

"After that is..Ah, a dwelling right. I said it before but there's no need to hurry but once you have the means to borrow a place let me know. I'll rent it as a dorm for the company."

The Yolten family lost her husband that was the head of the family in an epidemic during the spring of this year, since the license of his company was white no one could inherit it and they were only allowed to finish getting rid of the remaining stock. Since she has 9 year old and 7 year old daughters and a 4 year old son she was troubled with money. She needed 3,000,000 Z (3 gold coins) to pay the taxes for a Free Person at the end of the year, which is this month but she didn't have that much savings. She intended to sell her house and make some money but since it's in a considerably good location there was no way to find a quicker buyer on it. There's not many people who would jump at getting involved with a place like this right away like me. If you just switch to above one road over the market price drops quite a bit after all, and since that's cheaper to both buy or rent as long as you don't have any attachment to being on the main street then it's cheaper.

Since it couldn't be helped I asked Girean Company to be the agent but the agent's commission was deferred payment as well. Since advance payment is one of the fundamental of business on Orth, that aspect of Girean Company is considerably conscientious. Since they were in debt to Girean Company on both the agent's commission and the taxes for a Free Person, the Dog-People race of Girean Company was that threatening towards Yotlen.

Since I had heard most of the details from Sub-Baron Logflat as long as there was no problem with the location and outer appearance I intended to buy it right away from the start. The average agency commission for a real estate agent is 20% the price of the contract. If I were to haggle on it then Yotlen's portion would be reduced by that much. Every year she needs to pay 3 gold coins in taxes including her daughters and in a short while longer her youngest son will be included in the taxes as well. If it comes to that then it's 4 gold coins per year. If she could continue doing business then she might have been able to do something about it but in the case of a white license things don't go that way. It would have been possible to sell the house and use that to apply for a new license but it would have taken time to get approved and since the store itself would have disappeared the scale of the business would have dropped quite a bit.

It was clear that sooner or later she wouldn't be able to support their living.

"Thank you very much. If it was just like that then I wouldn't have had any choice other than to sell myself. I'm grateful for Greed-sama for not hiring just me but my two daughters as well."

I'm paying the mother Yatlen 200,000 Z a month and her two daughters 90,000 Z and 70,000 Z a month to hire them. In total that comes out to 4,320,000 Z per year. She can somehow be able to pay the yearly taxes of 3,000,000 Z and get by I'm sure. In order for her to go on living in Rombertia with just those wages and her three kids she would have to live quite thrifty but for the most part she has a.s.sets of over 30,000,000 Z as well so I doubt they'll be troubled in their lifestyle for the time being.

I wave my hand towards her while,

"Really it's fine if you don't worry about it. I was just searching for a headquarters for my company as well and it was necessary to hire someone to clean the storefront and workshop after all."

I said that and left the company headquarters that already belongs to me. I'm sure it would be difficult for the squire family that comes from Bakuddo to act sociable and take care of the storefront after all, even if they were finally able to get used to it, it would be about time for them to shift with a different squire family. And the squire families of Bakuddo are still restricted to the soldiers of Bakuddo. It's necessary for them to properly maintain that they have time to keep training as well. The fact that I would need to hire exclusive employees for the company was in my calculations from the start.

..............

Year 7443, Month 12, Day 24

Today is Sat.u.r.day. After our cooperation training in the morning, I gave everyone a towel as a present at lunch. It's normal for the average person on Orth to use something like a thin hand-towel as a towel. Since something like a towel with fur standing out from it is considered a super luxury item everyone was delighted over it. Particularly Zulu and Angela seemed quite happy. It's not all that big like the ones used in a hot spring ryokan in the rustic countryside but it's ability to absorb water can't even be compared with a hand-towel.

It's a good that you can always have a clean towel to use if you just dip it in boiling hot water and then try it off. Since I have the drying spell I didn't feel much need for a towel but for people who can't use wind magic or fire magic they can't use the drying spell so it seems they end up wiping with a thick cloth.

By the way I've already prepared Christmas presents for all of the reincarnated people. Ralpha gave everyone socks the same as usual and Bel gave out shirts that would work as underwear. Including me we three always give out just practical items. Gwine gave the girls a hair accessory and the guys something like a good-luck bracelet that we can stick on our arms. Toris said "presents are best as things that disappear" and gave out slightly high-cla.s.s sweets to everyone.

..........

Year 7443, Month 12, Day 26

After returning from the dungeon and brother and the others were at Boil Manor. I reported to him that I managed to secure a headquarters for the company while we ate together and he said that tomorrow when they make deliveries to the knight group he wants to see it right away. Well just like last year starting tomorrow I intended to make the next 10 days a holiday for the New Years so I have plenty of time. Since this time we have Gwine who is familiar with the capital I thought everyone would head off to the capital but it seems that's not the case. They're supposedly going to take it easy in Baldukk. However, since the story of the headquarters I purchased for my company came out it seems they'll come take a look with the feel of curious onlookers.

..........

Year 7443, Month 12, Day 27

Including the carriage I bought from Gwine and the two carriages of Bakuddo, our three carriages were heading towards capital in the morning. Just like usual we safely completed making deliveries and after taking orders for next time we all started moving towards the headquarters for Greed Company. I've already explained things about Yotlen to brother and the others. Since we suddenly rode up with two war horses and three carriages Yotlen's daughters were surprised with their eyes wide while they were cleaning. I hop off my horse and asked if their mother was around.

"Since she said she was going to clean the workshop she's changing in the back."

and the eldest daughter Anna responded. Hmn, then that's good timing.

"I see, then after this we'll go to the workshop as well so have her wait for a bit. Let's go together."

I said that and,

"Will you let us on the carriage?"

and the cat ears of the second daughter Hanna started twitching as she was happy.

"Yeah, it's fine." 

I said that and smiled at Hanna. The older sister Anna seemed disappointed. It must be her turn to look after the store. Well, in a short while I'm sure they'll have to deal with trips riding on the carriage between here and the workshop to the point where they'll get sick of it so forgive me on it for now.

I turn around to brother and the others who were waiting and,

"This is the headquarters I just bought this month."

I hold my chest held high proudly while saying.

"It seems you found a good place."

Brother smiled while saying that.
Gwine is surprised as she talked to Ralpha.

"This place. It's called Bell Road and it's a good location for a shop. It's probably extremely expensive."

After hearing that Ralpha raised her face to look at the outer appearance of the store once more. Your mouth is open.
Bel,

"He~ It seems like it will become a lovely store."

and said that exchanged glances with Angela.

Just like that we were all being noisy in front of the store when Yotlen seems to have finished changing and came out. I introduce her to everyone and then started showing brother and the others from Bakuddo around inside of the store. After nodding satisfied brother,

"Next time..when we make deliveries in the spring I'll bring along a family of squires. For the most part I've thought of a candidate for it. Since it's the first time and I'm sure it's no good if they aren't reasonably skilled. It's probably Ryogu."

Dianne huh? If it's her then she can use all elemental magic and has been producing rubber products for several years. It's a good choice.

"Yeah, isn't that a good choice? I have nothing to complain about in regards to her skill and if she gains the experience of spending some time in the capital while she's young it might be useful from here on out as well..Rozural and Wendy, Enba, Lumis, Dianne and huh? What about Sonia?"

Rozural and Wendy are Dianne's parents and the head of the Ryogu family is Rozural. Enba and Lumis are Rozural's parents. Dianne's little sister Sonia succeeded after Myun as the maid at our house.

"As expected Sonia is impossible. That's why it's just Rozural, Wendy, and Dianne. I'll switch them out every years."

Well that sounds about right.

"If it's just three people then I think they can live with no problem."

Then let's start heading towards the workshop.

We all start moving again towards the workshop. We let Yotlen and the cheerful Hanna on the carriage and brother and I brought horses close together as we continued talking on the way.

During the time they're living in the capital, the squires will all have to register as employees of Greed Company. It's a counter-measure to the taxes though. There's quite a few things we need to decide on.

.............

The workshop has gotten so clean that I almost couldn't recognize it. Of course, since the cleaning is still continuing it hasn't completely finished yet. But, the dirty interior covered in dust that I saw at the start of this month had completely changed. I'm really surprised and,

"Wow~ It's changed quite a bit~"

I said that and looked at Hanna.

"Yeah! We're giving it our best to clean it!"

Hanna says it boasting proudly of the job she's done but I can't imagine that a 7 year old girl would be much of a force for cleaning it from that condition. I'm sure it's mostly the achievement of your mother. It's fine though. Since it's true that Hanna is helping out as well, her childish boasting is quite cute.

"I see. You're doing a good job. How admirable."

Toris says that while lifting up Hanna from the carriage and lowering her on the ground.

Brother and the squires were taking a look around the workshop lead by Yotlen as they check the water circulation and judged that there's no problem.

"Yeah, if it's this then there shouldn't be any problem with the repairs."
"That's right. As long as we have the materials we could even make things here."
"It's plenty wide as well, it's also nice that a river is right next to it."
"Since it's old it's quite dirty but the building itself seems to be pretty steady."
"I want to try living in the capital as well."
"Try asking Farne-sama about it. But you, since you're clumsy aren't you bad are working with rubber?"

Including my brother they're all noisily talking. It seems that Yotlen and Hanna are starting to clean.

After looking around for a while we all left the workshop. Since it's a bit early for dinner, brother and the orders returned to their inn first. During that time just as I had instructed Yotlen to, with the proof of sale from the carpenter in hand I went to pay the charge on the signboard. Today after we all finish eating dinner we're returning to Baldukk.