Chapter 314 Accidentally Breathing Fire
"Since Aunt and Chloe are here, let me talk a bit about the products from the Sophia Merchant Guild. You'll probably get tired of hearing about it."
"That's true."
"I plan to improve the beauty section as soon as possible, but we're not ready yet. For now, we can only sell existing herbal teas, hand creams, lip creams, and body creams. I intend to prepare basic skincare products as soon as I can, but right now, we can't accept new customers."
"The real social activities will start next spring, so can't you prepare at least a small amount of basic skincare products by then?"
"I can't say anything for sure at this stage. We don't have the system to mass-produce them. The samples of basic skincare products I gave out at the hunting competition were made with a little bit of my magic. But if we're going to sell them as Sophia Merchant Guild products, we need to be able to produce them without needing me as a magician. That's what starting a new industry means."
Elizabeth and Chloe looked at her in surprise.
"Starting an industry?"
Chloe repeated Sara's words. Sara met Chloe's gaze and nodded.
"An industry means creating something that people need to live. The main industry in the Grandchester territory right now is wheat production. Of course, Elma is part of that too."
"I understand that."
"Sophia Merchant Guild has set its sights on Elma in the Grandchester territory, and decided to make Elma brandy and cider from there. So, instead of just transporting and selling Elma in the capital, we can earn a lot more money. In other words, we created new value in the existing Elma production. This is what it means to start an industry."
"Yeah."
"Of course, to provide these products, we need people working on Elma farms, those who make Elma liquor, those who produce Elma brandy, those who create cider, those who transport these products, and people working at Sophia Merchant Guild. These people will now be able to earn money they couldn't before."
"Um... does that include craftsmen who make glass bottles too?"
"Exactly. And those who have new sources of income will start spending that money."
"Does that mean that people who make other things will also benefit from that money?"
"Chloe, you catch on quickly. By the way, it's not just about 'things.' For example, they might spend money going to see a play on their day off or traveling, right? In short, if we start a new industry, the territory becomes richer, and to put it another way, tax revenue increases, which benefits the country too."
"I see, I understand now!"
"Hehe. Make sure to remember this. Future queen."
Chloe's eyes sparkled as she leaned closer to Sara.
"I thought you only cared about the merchant guild making money!"
"Well, I do like making money, but there are ways to earn it."
"So that's why you said it doesn't make sense to create things that only you can make?"
"I know that things I can only make have value, but I don't want to be a craftsman. I'll leave the making to others and focus on selling products to earn money."
"Isn't it true that there are too many things only Sara can make?"
"I admit that. But I think it's important to eventually make it so that others can create them too. For example, this beauty magic I'm using now──only I can do it right now. But I'm trying to analyze the magic and create a potion (serum) that has the same effect. However, this product needs pure magical power, so I have to absorb magic from someone else. That's why it's so expensive, even nobles are shocked."
Hearing this explanation, Elizabeth, who was behind her, shifted slightly. She thought that Sara raised the price of the serum just because the supply couldn't keep up with the demand, and she didn't consider that the cost was that high. She believed it was a typical merchant's reason to earn as much as possible while they could. She never imagined that pure magical power had to be an ingredient.
"Huh? But what about the Spieluhr? You said other merchant guilds can't copy that."
"Oh, the Spieluhr can't be copied because the magic circle is encrypted. It costs a lot to develop, so I plan to keep the technology exclusive for a while, but I might release the theory eventually. Then others might create a Spieluhr with a different approach than Alicia's. There could be cheaper and higher-performance products coming out."
"Is that okay for the Sophia Merchant Guild?"
"Healthy competition in the market is important. Otherwise, products won't evolve."
"Sophia Merchant Guild's products aren't selling anymore, and you're okay with that?"
"Of course I'm not okay with it. It's frustrating, so I think I need to make something even more amazing. That's how products evolve. But if someone can easily make something similar, then they should go ahead and try."
"Is it really possible to make it?"
"Well, it's not easy to beat the maidens or Rihito, that's for sure."
"Isn't that basically impossible?"
"I don't know! The world is a big place."
And so, the 3 boys from Grandchester were stunned by the conversation between the two girls. They understood that industry was important for a noble family, but they didn't have a broad perspective like Sara.
Especially Edward, who until recently believed that "making money is something only lowly merchants do." In fact, many nobles in Avalon think this way. The center of Avalon's industry is agriculture, and for the nobles who own land, income comes naturally from their territories.
In reality, Marquis Grandchester and Robert were not much different in their thinking. They knew that craftsmen produced industrial goods, but they never considered that this could be the center of their territory's industry.
Even when the Sophia Merchant Guild released new products, they only thought about how having a merchant guild that sells valuable products would increase the Grandchester family's value within Avalon. Therefore, they had no perspective on who was actually making those products, and it didn't seem strange to them that Sara was quietly continuing to create on her own.
Again, starting a new industry and developing the market also means creating new stakeholders. For that reason, Sara thought it was urgent to raise the education level of the people, but she also realized that even Rebecca, who was enthusiastic about founding the academy, wasn't thinking that far ahead.
'We need to involve other territories soon.'
"As for drinks like Elma brandy, I originally planned to open a direct store in the royal capital under the Sophia Merchant Guild. However, it seems that supply won't keep up, so it might be delayed. Still, opening a store in the royal capital is essential. We'll need to take orders too."
"Yeah, that makes sense. But if you're going to do business in the royal capital, ypu should improve your relationship with the Commerce Guild. They control the prime land and buildings."
"That's a tough spot. Is there really any benefit to teaming up with the current Commerce Guild?"
"Are you planning to hold onto the wheat without releasing it?"
"The ones struggling without wheat aren't the Sophia Merchant Guild, you know."
"You... seriously."
Marquis Grandchester stared at Sara and slowly exhaled.
"Anyway, please emphasize that there is a supply shortage for drinks just like there is for beauty products. I'll try to sort things out a bit more before the social season. Just so you know, both of these will be impossible without using my magic, so it's a huge personal loss for me."
"I see. Got it."
When Marquis Grandchester nodded, Chloe curiously asked Sara.
"Well, Sara. Based on what you just explained, if you don't have to pay the workers, won't the costs be lower?"
"Hey, Chloe, don't forget that if I use my time for another job with the Sophia Merchant Guild, the guild might make more profit. Or are you saying I should work late into the night like I'm not even 8 years old?"
"Ahaha. That might get someone in trouble."
"I might lose time to arrange the dresses and accessories for you, you know?"
"That's a huge problem. Your time is really valuable, Sara!"
Chloe suddenly said this with a serious face. She was refreshingly true to her own desires.
"Grandfather, I want to connect with the Count Harrington family. Can you help me make that happen?"
"What?"
"Since it's a region famous for wine, we can't overlook it as the Sophia Merchant Guild that sells alcohol."
"Hmm... I can at least send letters to my sister and Count Harrington, but I don't think I can go with you. It would be better to visit them, right?"
"I want to see the vineyards."
"Is Sophia going to visit too?"
"She has to handle the business talks, so I think we'll go together."
"But Robert and Rebecca are busy preparing for their wedding. What should we do?"
Seeing Marquis Grandchester looking troubled, Edward and Elizabeth offered to accompany them.
"Then Liz and I will go with you. I also want to see my aunt after a long time. I was a bit worried since she didn't come to the hunting tournament this year."
"Indeed, we didn't meet Mrs. Elena, could we?"
"Yes. So, I'll head to the capital once, but my business will be done quickly, so I can go to the Harrington territory in a week. If Sara goes with Liz, she should be able to join me there."
"If Sara is going, then I'm going too!"
"Then let's take Chris along as well. Adam will probably stay behind to study, but I'll at least ask him."
"Thank you. Uncle, Aunt, and Chloe."
"I have to be useful sometimes."
Edward looked at Sara with a wry smile, then turned his gaze to Elizabeth and Chloe.
"Make sure to have proper guards with you... Sara might not need them, but just in case."
"Yes. If the guards are with us, I don't think I'll accidentally breathe fire on anyone who attacks!"
Recently, it had been the usual Dragon jokes, but for some reason, Edward turned pale and serious.
"Please do that. It would really help if you could avoid turning the vineyard into a wasteland."
Since the joke fell flat, Sara simply nodded at Edward. There's nothing more embarrassing than explaining a failed joke, so she let it go as if nothing had happened.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Donate me
Support Me with USDC
(ERC20)
Support Me with XLM
(Stellar Lumens)