A Returner’s Magic Should Be Special - Chapter 56

Episode 56. Evernation (8)

Fine cloth woven into an elegant outfit—a meeting unforeseen, yet only now did he notice the fabric was quite good quality.
Aeyuran spoke.
“Whoever you are, it will be impossible for you to resolve the food shortage for all these Vagrants.”
“The way you speak, it’s almost as if I shouldn’t solve it at all. If I were you, I’d be asking how to fix the problem while celebrating. You’re far too transparent.”
Romantica pointed out sharply.
“And another thing—you’re incredibly rude. Interrupting during a conversation; which nation’s etiquette is that? Before asserting your own authority, shouldn’t you respect others’ first? Or are you not even aware of that? Did being a knight prevent you from learning?”
Though her tone was cutting, every word struck true. Aeyuran could only grit his teeth; there was nothing more he could do.
Dezir Armang whispered quietly to Romantica.
“Romantica, what role did you have in the Shadow World?”
“You ask quickly enough.”
Romantica gave a wink, then spoke.
“I’m a merchant. And I’ll solve this territory’s problems the merchant’s way.”

* * *

“Is this… real?”
In the forest near the territory.
Dezir Armang stood transfixed. It was true for everyone who had come with him as well.
Eyes wide. Mouths agape, showing no sign of closing.
“Wow, wow, wow—”
Lined up throughout the forest were Carriages. And not small ones, but massive Carriages.
There were forty of them. The sight filled the entire forest.
“This… this can’t be real. What is this…?”
Leaving Aeyuran muttering in a daze, Dezir Armang’s group moved forward.
Those managing the Carriages wore uniforms. The moment they saw Romantica, they bowed respectfully.
Romantica began to explain to Dezir Armang and Azest.
“It’s the Merchant Company I lead. We primarily dealt in clothing, though I’ve changed our business direction significantly now.”
Romantica approached one of the Carriages and showed them its interior. It was packed full of Food Supplies.
Wheat to start with—the variety was extensive.
“I obtained information that Vagrants were gathering in Evernation’s territory. Given their numbers, I judged that Evernation couldn’t possibly support them all. Naturally, I thought Food Supplies would be the most valuable commodity.”
Under Romantica’s excellent merchant’s acumen, her Merchant Company was thriving in its prime.
Her instinct proved correct once again. So she liquidated all available assets at the Merchant Company’s disposal and purchased Food Supplies.
“And I went all-in.”
Bold and almost recklessly aggressive. Perhaps this very aggressive approach to operations had allowed the Merchant Company to grow this large.
Gather information, analyze it, reach a conclusion, then pour everything into it without hesitation.
What matters most is instinct.
And Romantica’s instinct had brought the best possible outcome in this moment.
“There was a point where bandits nearly took everything, but fortunately I stopped them. I even understand now why you kept pushing me to reach 3rd Circle.”
Romantica gave Dezir Armang a thumbs-up as if to say he was the best, then turned to Azest.
“So, Azest, how long do you think we can hold out with this much?”
Their gaze turned to Azest, who was reviewing a ledger. Azest compared the quantity of Food Supplies with the territory’s total food consumption.
“…This quantity should be enough to survive the winter.”
Combined with the territory’s existing stores, they might actually make it through winter safely.
The food situation had improved dramatically. In fact, they might not need to worry about food shortages at all.
Color returned to Dezir Armang’s face.
“You’re amazing. Truly amazing, Romantica.”
“Aren’t I? Go on, praise me more.”
“Of course I should. You deserve it. You’ve done something truly great. I’m really grateful to you, Romantica.”
“I… if you praise me like that… it’s not that much. Don’t make such a big deal of it. Even without all that, I’ll give you the Food Supplies.”
“Romantica, surely you’re not meaning to give all this quantity away for free?”
Emil, the lieutenant who led the Merchant Company, spoke.
“Hm? Ah, can’t I?”
“If you do that, our Merchant Company will go bankrupt…”
Sensing the desperation in his gaze, Romantica felt an inexplicable guilt wash over her.
She’d forgotten for a moment, but in this Shadow World, she was the head of a Merchant Company—one that people had entrusted her with their livelihoods to lead. If she simply handed over the Food Supplies for nothing, everyone who’d followed her would end up on the streets.

-Sub Quest triggered! Trade with the Evernation Territory.
Through shrewd business acumen, the Merchant Company has acquired Food Supplies—enough to sustain the Evernation Territory through the winter.
However, having exhausted every last coin the Company possessed, surrendering the Food Supplies without compensation would bankrupt them entirely.
You must complete a reasonable trade that the Company can accept. Failure to do so will result in an uprising within the ranks.

“…….”
Dezir Armang and Romantica’s eyes met. After a moment, Romantica moved swiftly to salvage the situation.
“Huh? Ah, yes. That’s right, isn’t it? We can’t give it away for nothing. Of course. We need to make a trade.”
Dezir Armang offered a solution.
“I’ll lend your Company the name of Evernation, with payment due in half a year.”
He was lending them a name.
“In other words, the Company you lead will become one operating under the Evernation Territory.”
“You’re offering us a Brand. Not bad at all.”
Evan’s voice rose in exclamation.
“W-wait, wait just a moment. Master, you’re just lending us the name of some fallen noble house. We’re supposed to hand over all this Food Supplies just for that? How does that make any sense?”
At the bewildered tone, Romantica and Dezir Armang exchanged knowing smiles.
Romantica spoke up.
“True, it would be a tremendous loss in the immediate term. But the name Evernation still carries enormous prestige. You said it yourself before, didn’t you? Evernation is a house so famous that there’s scarcely a soul who hasn’t heard of it.”
“Well, that may be so, but…….”
“When you borrow the name of a prestigious house, your credibility shoots up immediately. Why do you think noble houses exist in the first place? And besides, you said Evernation profits by lending knights to neighboring territories—just slapping the Evernation name on your goods would scare off most bandits, wouldn’t it?”
For all that it had declined, the name Evernation still commanded respect.
“Within five years, you’ll have built a Company several times larger than what you have now. If you’re borrowing the Evernation name, providing some Food Supplies is pocket change.”
Evan stood speechless, jaw hanging open at the grand vision. Romantica turned her gaze toward Dezir Armang.
“Our Company will be employed as Evernation’s exclusive trading outfit. We’re to be treated with the same status as the Territory’s subjects. Does that work?”
Dezir Armang bowed toward Romantica with theatrical exaggeration.
“Welcome to Evernation Territory, Romantica.”
Finding nothing objectionable in this, Romantica covered her mouth and mimicked a noblewoman’s manner.
“Hehe. I look forward to working with you, Strategist.”

-Quest Clear! You have completed the trade on terms the Company finds acceptable.
Through the trade with the Company, the Territory’s Food Supply situation improves dramatically.

-Vagrant Problem progress increased significantly. (Progress: 71%)

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