There Are Many Things Going On

Translated by: ME

Treat me to a Ko-Fi to give me more motivation!!!

Aaaan back to the main story.

*****

「...So this is a tuna mayo sandwich? It is incredibly delicious...」

Simon, of the Campbell Trading Company, had come to the manor for the first time in a while. I served him sandwiches along with some tea. Alongside the tuna, he was presented with classic egg sandwiches—made by mashing boiled eggs and mixing them with mayonnaise—and ham, lettuce, and cheese sandwiches.

As the head of a garment-related trading company in the royal capital, Simon and I had met back when I was still living at my parents' house. Through a strange turn of events, we ended up in a business relationship handling the products I designed.

While he is a gentlemanly chairman who treats even a child with proper respect, in truth, he spends his days in trepidation of Magnolia. He suspects she might grow into a figure even more formidable than his sister-in-law, who is famous for being a "formidable lady" of business.

---

「We plan to launch the patchwork line around autumn. And these are the drawstring bags for this delivery.」

As I stacked them up with a heavy thud, Simon blinked his brown eyes in surprise.

The "Dress Pouches" were originally conceived as a way to raise funds (?) for my escape when I planned to run away from my parents' house. They are drawstring bags that look like dresses when the strings are pulled tight. Due to their cuteness and practicality, they are currently becoming a massive hit in the royal capital. The inspiration came from the "towel dresses" I had seen back on Earth—hand towels tailored to look like little gowns.

Apparently, without me knowing, the drawstring bags had been renamed "Dress Pouches." It was news to me. Admittedly, "pouch" sounds like something people would be more likely to pick up than "drawstring bag" when it comes to sales.

Despite their popularity, the maid Lily and I had only been making them in small quantities on the side... but I was running out of time to do even that, which was becoming a problem.

Around that time, I heard a story about one of the workshops that assists in sourcing materials for the patchwork project. They were struggling with management and were in a difficult position. When I approached them and asked if they could manufacture the dress pouches I designed, they agreed immediately. This made a stable supply possible.

I have entrusted the sales to Simon’s Campbell Trading Company. Because these are my personal products, and because Simon was someone who didn't look down on me as a child and bought them at a fair price in the past, I continue to ask the Campbell Trading Company to handle this specific product even now that I've established the Azenda Trading Company.

Thinking that Azenda, with its port, would be more convenient for export, I did check with a workshop within the Azenda territory about manufacturing for the overseas market, but they turned me down, stating they wanted to specialize only in the production itself.

A long time ago, Azenda was a small nation known as the Principality of Azenda. Surrounded by three major powers and two smaller ones, it had a long history of existing as a buffer state and had been under the rule of various countries in the past. Consequently, many of its people do not like interacting with outsiders.

...I think it's a great chance to expand the business... but forcing them isn't right. I decided to keep things as they were, figuring it was better to leave it to Simon, who is well-versed in distribution.

---

「The sale of fertilizer conducted by the Margrave also seems to be doing wonderful business.」

「...More than that, the Divine Protection of the Ascald Kingdom is what’s truly surprising... I’m quite envious.」

The guardian deity of the Ascald Kingdom is the "Goddess of Flowers." Thanks to her protection, the land is supposedly in a state of perpetual fertility. From the perspective of other nations, it must be incredibly enviable. Though the country is by no means large, it holds significant influence because it is an extremely wealthy nation in many respects.

「And I hear you also excavate rare metals?」

On my fifth birthday, I received an alloy from Claude made by combining "Adamantite" and "Hihi'irokane" as material for my gauntlets.

Both "Adamantite" and "Hihi'irokane" are special metals produced in fantasy worlds. Perhaps in stories or games set in fantasy worlds, "Mithril" or "Orichalcum" are more famous... but regardless, this is the kind of land where such rare metals are produced.

...There are reasons why it reigns as a major power.

「Yes. There are many other things as well... we may be reasonably blessed with mineral resources.」

「...I see.」

Speaking of which, I remembered another material.

「There are also Black Dragons... dragons here, aren't there?」

「What?! You encountered a dragon!」

Simon raised his voice in shock at my casual remark. I tilted my head slightly.

「No, I didn't encounter one personally... my grandfather, some adventurers, and the knights conducted a joint subjugation.」

When I told him it was the first time I had ever seen one, the wind was taken out of Simon's sails.

「I suppose so... even I have never seen one. Powerful monsters and magical beasts like that are usually near the Holy State of Monteorona, so they aren't supposed to come to this side...」

「...Does it really have to do with the presence or absence of magical power in the land or the people?」

...I decided to keep it a secret that Servas and the others had dived deep into the forest to a nest near the Holy State of Monteorona specifically to capture one.

「That is what they say. Unfortunately, I don't know the details... but still, to subjugate a dragon, which is said to be difficult even with magical power... I am glad they returned safely.」

I suppose that’s why he’s called the "Demon General." Simon recalled the inhumanly, ruggedly muscular Margrave. Though the girl before him was his direct flesh and blood, the difference in their appearances was so vast it seemed like a lie.

「Apparently, he grabbed it by the tail, swung it around, and slammed it into a rock...」

「…………」

「Then, everyone went 'bam.' But, the dragon was very delicious!」

The toddler before him offered a lovely, dainty smile. While saying "bam," she made a violent hand gesture, and to top it off, she said it was delicious.

Yes, the dragon tasted similar to the fried crocodile I once ate back on Earth. Contrary to its appearance, it had a light, chicken-like flavor without any gaminess or odor. However, it was more refined than chicken—juicy and extremely, extremely delicious.

The hide—or rather, the hide with scales—obtained at that time all became mine. Since everyone except Servas, who went on the subjugation, looked at it enviously, I heard they were given bonuses. However, when I gave them each a single scale that had fallen off, they were incredibly grateful.

I can guess that it's something very precious. Honestly, it smells like I was handed something outrageous... but it’s too scary to ask, so I’ve decided not to think about it. It’s enough material to make not just gauntlets, but several sets of full-body armor.

Apparently, there are several colors of dragons: red ones are strong against fire, blue water dragons are strong against water... they each have various traits. A Black Dragon, which could be said to combine all colors, supposedly exhibits almighty defensive power.

The safety of this toddler is being protected with ridiculous fortitude. Right now, I have requested the Magic Guild to create a set of special gauntlets, and they are currently in the middle of production.

I kept a few items like fangs and claws for myself, and the rest of the ghastly materials were bought up by Victor, the Adventurer Guild Master, who walked away with a delighted face.

「You... ate a dragon?」

「Yes.」

「…………. That is good to hear.」

He decided not to say anything more. Simon smiled gently and put a piece of tuna sandwich into his mouth. A capable chairman's fake smile is also top-tier.

---

「Magnolia-sama, there is something I would like to consult you about...」

The day after meeting Simon, I went to check in on the handicraft squad to finalize some details regarding the patchwork. When I did, Eric—a boy who used to be a coordinator for the orphanage and, despite just becoming an adult, had become the representative for the general affairs and clerical department of the Azenda Trading Company—bowed his head with a solemn expression.

Apparently, there was an orphan who loved cooking and helped out in the kitchen whenever he had time. As he is set to become an adult next year, he wants to open an eatery. I see, I see.

「Since Magnolia-sama’s cooking is delicious and rare, he says he desperately wants many people to eat it. He is asking for your permission to make it.」

The young man and woman standing behind Eric were likely the ones. They bowed their heads with extremely stiff expressions.

For now, I listened to their story. Naturally, they didn't have much capital. They were on a shoestring budget. It seemed they were trying to take the challenge using the savings from working at an eatery in the capital during their several years of apprenticeship, plus their savings from helping out at the Azenda Trading Company.

During the apprenticeship, the work was mainly menial labor. Recently, the boy had been entrusted with some of the prep work and apparently makes the staff meals. The girl is in a similar situation and also occasionally helps with serving. Even when helping at the Azenda Trading Company, they mainly assisted with making staff meals, sometimes making the entire meal themselves.

They thought that since they could open a business relatively cheaply in New Town, and with the business set to grow even larger, bringing more traffic from other territories and neighboring countries, now while there is momentum would be their chance. Also, while my cooking is rare and delicious, the methods are simple, so they felt they were more than capable of preparing it.

...Hmm. I thought about it, wrinkling my brow like Claude.

「...I have absolutely no problem with you using my recipes... but as for having your own shop, wouldn't it be better to wait a little longer?」

Hearing my words, the two of them looked shocked, as if they had been hurt. They likely expected me to support them without a second thought.

No... I *do* support you, but. I let out a small sigh and looked at the three of them in turn.

「Are the two of you going to run the shop together?」

「...Yes.」

Of the two, the boy answered.

「...And you'll be using the combined money of both of you for the capital, right?」

They both nodded.

「Do you have living expenses for after the shop opens? Will you be able to handle it if something unexpected happens?」

—Joint management is unexpectedly more difficult than one might think. Starting it is easy, but sustaining it successfully is hard. There were many people back on Earth who started companies or businesses with friends or relatives, but a significant percentage of them ended in failure due to disagreements. It’s even more so when money is involved. Whether you're young or old, the same problems occur.

It’s encouraging if you’re allies... but for a person you were so close with to become an enemy is quite mentally taxing.

「It's not like you have a lot of extra cash on hand, right? There are cases where a business goes well right away, but normally, it takes some time to get on track.」

They have seen the success story of the Azenda Trading Company. However, they haven't seen other examples. Especially since the three in front of me are young. On top of that, they are orphans with no connections to rely on; they are in a position where they must live on their own once they become adults.

While momentum and timing are certainly important in life, certainty is also very important. Even more so for a technical profession.

「I think it would be better to first polish your culinary skills somewhere for a few years and acquire various dishes and techniques. You must also save capital to some extent... at least enough to live for a few months. It's better to do it after you've built a network and gained various experiences. It won't be too late then.」

If they were children of an eatery, it might be possible to push through some recklessness (though I still wouldn't recommend it immediately). From management to handling customers, not just cooking—thinking, responding, and getting used to things is necessary.

...I’m not saying this to be mean. No matter how simple my cooking is, it’s not good to lack a foundation if you’re going to act as a professional. In the worst-case scenario, you'd be too inflexible.

While coming from an orphanage in this world puts one in a position to be oppressed, conversely, it can also be said to be a place where there are few opportunities to see the various things in the world, and in a sense, one is raised in a sterile environment. I believe it is better to see, feel, and experience various things first.

It would be a different story if they were in a situation where they absolutely had to do it to survive... but given their current situation, I want them to take the minimum preparation and steps.

I don't know if the two of them are friends, comrades, or perhaps lovers... but life has only just begun.

「Please think about it slowly once more. Whether your current thoughts and plans are really okay for owning your own shop.」

「…………」

「...I’m not saying that opening a shop is a bad thing. However, since a chef is a job that requires skill, I honestly think it will be difficult with only apprenticeship work. ...If you absolutely must open a business... for example, there is the method of renting a stall on your days off and trying out the dishes you want to serve. There might also be a way to rent the shop where you work on its regular closing days to run it for a day. By doing that, you'll come to understand your own skills, the customers' reactions, and a rough estimate of sales. If things go well that way, you can go ahead and actually open your business. I think there is still more you can do to hone your skills so that your shop succeeds. Think about it carefully and do your best.」

For most people, opening a business is a major life event. ...If they were truly in trouble, it would be possible for me to lend a hand or lend money. But that's not it.

(Don't rush, you two!)

「I understand...」

The girl of the two quietly bowed her head. The boy hurriedly bowed his head beside her as well. Along with Eric, I watched the backs of the two as they quietly departed.

「...Magnolia-sama. Thank you very much.」

After a while, Eric thanked me with a complex expression that seemed somewhere between relieved and sad.

---

I left the church. Thinking I’d take a little walk, I headed toward the plaza on foot instead of getting into the carriage.

Today, the cheerful, eccentric guard Gai was accompanying me. Dean was studying, and Lily seemed to be receiving various lectures in preparation for the autumn debut.

「...My Lady, before I knew it, you've stopped using your polite 'desu-masu' speech, haven't you?」

「...You're just noticing now?」

「The suspiciousness of your unknown age was fading, but now you're just a completely suspicious toddler, aren't you?」

「...I'm not suspicious. I'm a brave, hardworking toddler.」

「Normally, toddlers don't work, though.」

「True. Well then, I'll go buy some snacks like a toddler.」

「No... a Marquis's daughter doesn't buy snacks on the street, you know?」

As we talked, I headed toward the stalls in the central plaza. I looked around to see what I should eat.

...Despite what he says, he’s a good guy who goes along with me. Even if he is a weirdo.

---

「Hey! You there. You're from the Margrave's house, aren't you?」

I heard a voice I had heard somewhere before. As I stood there ungracefully biting into a grilled skewer along with Gai, I moved my face and neck with a slow creak.

Standing there with her hands on her hips, in a domineering pose, was the Daughter of Count Mobuno.

(Oh boy...)

*****

Note: Magnolia-sama the business consultant.

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