LIGHTNOVELSTORY Chapter 71 - Episode 71: Ultimately, Everything is Perfect
Episode 71: Ultimately, Everything is Perfect
The busty merchant girl Namba stood on the high ground of Zaus Town.
“Wow~ What a splendid city this is~. So this is Mr. Zaus’s territory, huh?”
“The residents work autonomously here. There are over ten registered businesses every day at the Demon Duke’s Castle. That’s how much it’s developed.”
“Well, ten businesses every day… But, uh, isn’t this… the slave district?”
“We’ve abolished that. Humans here don’t enter into master-servant contracts.”
“Huh? Since when!?”
“Five years ago. Since I inherited the title. When my father, Gozack, ruled, it was a much darker and dirtier place. It’s developed remarkably in these five years. All thanks to individuals willingly enjoying their work.”
“W-Enjoying work?”
“Yeah. Happiness is justice.”
“H-Happiness is justice…? Wow. What a wonderful phrase.”
For now, should I give her a job? If there are benefits, the work should become enjoyable.
“Oh, it’s Mr. Zaus!”
“Wow, it’s really Mr. Zaus!”
“Wow! Mr. Zaus!”
“Hey! Mr. Zaus!”
Oh boy. I stand out too much without a disguise.
“Wow, they admire you so much. You’re quite popular among the residents.”
“We’re just mutually benefiting each other. It’s a matter of profit and loss.”
“P-Profit and loss… But still, they’re bowing so respectfully. They seem genuinely happy.”
“Well, I am the ruler after all. Showing that attitude benefits me.”
Even if they dislike me, showing such respectful gestures is the best option for living in this city. Even if they’re not genuinely worshiping me.
“Well… it may not seem like it…”
“That doesn’t matter. Let’s go to the mayor’s house.”
We visited the mayor’s house. He’s an eighty-year-old man who’s been in charge of this place since it was a slave district.
Even though Zaus Town has developed so much, it’s thanks to his leadership that the residents are united. Although Zaus Town is a large city, the political center is the Demon Duke’s Castle, so an elderly man like him is suitable for the job.
“Oh! You’re starting a Commercial Guild!?”
“Yeah. It’s directly under the Demon Duke’s Castle.”
“T-That’s enviable! There are 52 Commercial Guilds in Zaus Town, but their operations are all unstable. If it’s under Mr. Zaus’ direct control, it’ll become a solid guild. All the Commercial Guilds will come under your wing.”
Namba is astonished.
“52!? In just one city, there are 52 Commercial Guilds!?”
“Yes. Small guilds have around ten members, and larger ones have over a hundred. So, in this city, there are 52 organizations like that.”
“Even in Kasegi Country, there are only 48. I never thought there would be a country that exceeds that. …Wow, Zaus Town. What an amazing city.”
Well, it’s because there’s a high degree of freedom here. Taxation from guilds is nearly 40% lower than in other countries. Since there are no specific qualifications, the threshold for starting a guild is low. So, anyone can start a guild. However, as a result, there are many small guilds started by amateurs. Every year, small guilds are born and some go bankrupt. Even in Zaus Town, without business sense, it’s difficult to survive.
“But still, Mr. Zaus. What does it mean to start a Commercial Guild?”
Hmm, it’s a simple story.
“I want you to be the guild master.”
“Eeeeh!? W-What are you talking about!? I’m supposed to be doing diplomatic work, aren’t I!?”
“Of course, diplomacy too.”
I want her to mainly handle the administrative work that Stasa and Mishiri are doing. After the invasion of the Demon Lord’s territory, trade will begin between that place and the Demon Duke’s territory. We’ll mainly support the development of that place, but the amount of administrative work is too much. Right now, Stasa is working tirelessly day and night. Mishiri is supporting her, and they seem to be working hard together. If they collapse, it’ll be a huge loss. If we can establish a Commercial Guild and delegate diplomatic work to it, their workload will significantly decrease.
I explained the situation to the mayor.
“So, I want to open a guild tavern. Do you know a good place?”
“Of course, sir. Let me show you the best location.”
We were guided to the center of Zaus Town. There happened to be a large vacant building.
“This is the busiest area. It’s convenient to go anywhere in the city, and it’s well-connected with all the guilds. If you renovate the building, it can be turned into a tavern.”
It’s a splendid three-story building. The location is excellent, and there seem to be no issues.
“How about it, Namba? Isn’t this place good enough?”
“Wow~! Being able to do business in such a prime location feels like a dream!”
Hmm. With this reaction, there’s no reason to refuse.
“So, will you join the diplomatic team?”
“Well, you see… With such a prime location, the cost of land alone wouldn’t be trivial, right?”
“Mayor, how much is this place?”
“Yes. Including the building and land, it’s 500,000 cozons.”
“What!? 500,000 cozons!! Th-That’s too expensive!! If I had that kind of money, I’d open a guild tavern in Kasegi Country!”
Hmm. 500,000 cozons would be 5 billion yen in Japanese currency. It’s certainly a high amount, but…
“Why are you surprised? I’m the one buying this, you know?”
“W-What do you mean?”
“You’ll just be my subordinate working here. Building the guild is part of the initial investment.”
“Haha. My dear, rest assured. That price is for ordinary people. If it’s Mr. Zaus buying it, of course, it’s free.”
“Free…? Oh, I see. This is Mr. Zaus’s territory, after all.”
No, no.
“Don’t jump to conclusions. If I’m buying it, then I’ll pay for it.”
“What!?”
“Even the mayor is surprised. It’s inconceivable to receive it for free.”
“B-But, Mr. Zaus, this land originally belongs to you. We, the residents, are just borrowing it. It’s only registered in my name in Zaus Town. It’s unheard of for Mr. Zaus to buy it.”
“Well, even if you say that. I won’t take it for free.”
“What!?”
“If I use my power, it’ll undermine the residents’ motivation to work. Simply taking away what was once theirs with my discretion would create a city where people lose hope for their future.”
“Oh… You’re so kind.”
“No, don’t misunderstand. I don’t care about you. I’m only thinking about developing my city. It’s not like I’m considering the mayor here.”
Well then, shall we settle the payment? I believe I have 500,000 cozons in my interdimensional storage box…
“Ah, here it is. 500,000 cozons. Each bag contains 100,000 cozons in gold coins, so five bags make 500,000 cozons.”
“W-Wow! Mr. Zaus, you’re so generous.”
“As expected of Mr. Zaus.”
“It’s easier to make quick decisions in situations like this.”
Now then…
“So, since this building is now mine, I’ll give it to you.”
“G-Give it to me…?”
“It’s yours to use freely. You can renovate it. Make it a Commercial Guild. How about naming it… ‘Namba’s Commercial Guild’?”
“W-Wait a minute!?”
“What’s the problem?”
“It’s not about being dissatisfied!”
“Oh, I see. You need funds for renovation. And then, there’s the cost of hiring employees. Alright, I’ll arrange everything—”
“Wait a moment!”
“What now? Are you so dissatisfied?”
“No, it’s the opposite!! How much of a saint are you!!”
“Huh? I didn’t mean to be kind to you at all.”
“Exactly! You’re doing everything for me! It’s too scary!!”
Scary?? I didn’t intend to tell a ghost story, though??