Bard note:
A little too late, I had to edit this again but couldn’t get to my laptop for a while due to work and other stuff. I will post the next chapter soon after this one, after editing that one too.
For now, enjoy this one!
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Gold workmanship
The next day, after Ed and Georg shared a meal, they visited the lord’s house together.
“It’s been a long time, Raymond” (Georg)
“Well, I did not even expect to see you again. Even so, have you brought the president of the Goldberg Company along?” (Raymond)
Ed looked at him with somewhat distrustful eyes.
“Indeed, we haven’t seen each other for a long time somehow. It seems Mr. Grefenberg is becoming increasingly healthy in his territory.” (Ed)
Ed took corrective action to not let Raymond see his look.
Georg was sighed in his inner mind.
“Well, this time there is a request for both of you. It is convenient that we could all meet up. By the way, it seems you are not with the magician today?” (Georg)
“Ah … she is resting today. More than that, what is your request?” (Raymond)
When I asked about the magician, Anna, Raymond hastily changed the topic. Perhaps she bared hostility again or remembered last time and fell into a depression? Either way it does not matter to me.
“First, I want you to see this.” (Georg)
Excessively digging for information is also annoying, so I cut to the chase. I took out a wooden box, about 15 cm long, 4 cm wide, and 3 cm tall, from my pocket.
“This is…?” (Raymond)
Raymond stared with a puzzled look on his face, but his expression quickly turned into one of surprise. It is because I opened the box.
“This is …! How stunning …” (Raymond)
It was a necklace made of gold, that fascinated Raymond. A gold thin chain had been processed and joined with the other parts, the head part was round and flat like a coin, and was finely decorated. A small ruby was fitted in the center. At first glance it looks extremely detailed, but even then, I think we have saved some considerable effort on it.
“I’m going to prepare something similar to this, I will prepare 5 or 6 carriages of them.”(Georg)
“What…. 5 carriages!?” (Raymond)
“Oh, of course it won’t be limited to necklaces, but earphones, bracelets, rings, gla.s.ses and large placards for decorations will also be included. I brought one carriage as a test this time…. Ed.” (Georg)
“Yes. Yesterday, when I was asked to appraise it as a human being in our business, I was told the price would be about 850 to 1000 gold coins for one carriage.” (Ed)
By the way, the value of gold coins in this world is about 200 of them for a house including a garden. Although there are some differences, it is around 8 to 10 thousand yen for 1 gold coin. One beast-person costs around 2 gold coins.
In other words, it will be between 80 million and 100 million yen for a carriage.
Originally, metal processing technology has not developed so much and gold and silver decorations are only made on large objects. As for gemstones, they largely remain unprocessed. There are almost none on the market. I told him that he shouldn’t take unnecessary risks, though. Human craftsmen seem to dislike refining gems, as scratches are easily made and the labor time increases a lot with their limited concentration span.
On the other hand, dwarfs truly stick to a project once they start one, and they will even forget eating or sleeping, so a supervisor is necessary. There is apparently even a compet.i.tion these days as to whose sculpture pleases me the most.
“800… gold coins…..ah…..” (Raymond)
“That’s the main issue, but fortunately they are worth enough to buy a beastman. I will bring two carriages at a later date, within a month at the latest. So, I would like for the two of you to gather some beast people. I would like a period as long as possible with 200 days from tomorrow, with tomorrow counted as the first day, and the deadline on the 200th day at noon. Until an additional amount comes, I apologize for you only having one carriage to spend, but do it well with that a.s.set. If you do not meet the total of 1000 people, I will only buy them at market price instead. But if more than 1,000 people are gathered, I will give each of you two additional carriages. I like excess better than shortage.” (Georg)
After those words, Raymond opened his eyes wide. In this deal, there are a total of five carriages. Even if we bought 2,000 beast-people normally, it would still vastly remain unspent.
“Furthermore, when the total of two people exceeds 1,500, I will give one carriage more to the man who gathered more. Well, I guess it’s unbelievable, but let’s think about adding one again if it’s over 2000. ” (Georg)
Raymond was now completely out of words.
“The reason I asked two people is because they have different connections and experiences, so I thought the a.s.sets could be gathered more efficiently. And maybe because only one person could not gather that much. Well, I cannot foresee how, but can you do it?” (Georg)
Raymond suffered for a moment there when he saw my bright smile.
“Does this mean that 5 units are prepaid in advance, and the surplus portion is a reward for success?” (Raymond)
He responded hesitantly.
“Oh, yes, it will be that way.” (Georg)
“And are you going to give more to the one who gathered more between me and Goldberg?” (Raymond)
“That’s it. It is only when your two a.s.sets exceed 1500. Oh, and do not interfere with each other, will you?” (Georg)
“Yes, of course … we currently have around 7000 to 8000 beastmen in my country, and less than half of them elves and dwarfs…. is that okay?” (Raymond)
“No problem. But for only one person, those numbers will not gather, will they?” (Georg)
“……..” (Raymond)
Raymond silently thought for a while, then answered:
“I understand. My reputation is involved here, so I will not overlook this opportunity. If I cannot do it together with the Goldberg Company, I can die and be a laughingstock forever.” (Raymond)
He looked up and declared so.
“But this time I will surely be seen by the eyes of the church and other lords. We will have to secretly gather in this city all together after 200 days, and Georg will need to collect the a.s.sets quickly…” (Raymond)
“It is not a problem. Collection is possible, even if you gather 5000. Besides that, Ed has thoroughly confirmed the collection place, and Ed has taken care of it a little. If the church is interfering so showily, please cheat like last time again. If that does not work I will do it. Either way, I’m going to check on a regular basis." (Georg)
“… I got it.” (Raymond)
If possible, we do not want to engage in church, but this time it is absolutely impossible to completely avoid them, but even then, we will not stop.
“Now, any other questions?……There seem to be none. Well, I also have to go back soon. Excuse me if I was impolite. I ask of you earnestly. Do not cause any misunderstandings about each other or try to crush the other……. at that time, I will come hunt you myself.” (Georg)
Ed and Raymond answered my warning with a bitter smile. Originally it is impossible for these two to be hostile to each other. If either one disappears from the town, there is no doubt a corresponding turmoil will arise, and logistics and the economy can be affected if the lord and the company become enemies. They aren’t people who do not understand that.