Published: January 13, 2026
The commercial guild's on-site inspection was successfully completed. The result, of course, was a great success. Although the commercial guild's inspectors were firing up their business spirit, it was energy heading in a positive direction.
After finishing the talks and future business negotiations, the next day, Apollo and the others were shown around Seato Village again. They were amazed when shown the lake where the apcaluru lived. Then, Apollo and the group left the village and headed home.
They had actually wanted to see the dungeon as well, but said they couldn’t afford to miss a big business opportunity and hurried back.
Personally, I wanted to surprise them by showing the adventurers’ rest area we built in front of the dungeon, but that will have to wait until next time.
For now, it was a good achievement to have earned the qualification to trade with the commercial guild, which influences the countries. I was worried about Bell Rango Trading Company being treated unfairly, with other trading companies and countries halting transactions, but instead, it turned into a grand slam home run.
With the commercial guild's inspectors paying attention, other nobles probably won’t be able to easily cause trouble.
“Yeah, that’s great. It turned out differently than I thought, but the result is fine,” I said, and Bell and Rango, who were at the celebration, nodded in agreement.
“Really. Now our Bell Rango Trading Company should be treated on par with the Mary Trading Company. After all, we’ve obtained the highest trading rights with the commercial guild,” Bell said.
“And since we’re a new trading company that just started, other companies probably won’t be able to ignore us easily going forward,” Rango added in agreement.
Since the meeting yesterday ended, the two suddenly seemed more relaxed. Even now, they had come to the lord’s manor office since morning and were happily discussing future prospects.
“...Are you two okay coming to see me together like this?”
“We’re fine. We’ve placed some restrictions now. The employees have at least reached apprentice level. We can manage to keep the shop running...”
Bell answered with a smile, but then fell silent when she heard a knock on the door.
When I looked over, Kamushin silently nodded and opened the door. There stood a young man from Bell Rango Trading Company, brought by Til. I think he was one of the few with valuable traveling merchant experience.
The young man bowed his head in front of the door, not hiding his dissatisfaction, then glared at Bell and Rango.
“Chairman.”
Hearing that, Bell and Rango’s faces tensed.
“Uh, did the work get stalled after all?”
“Was it bad?”
When the two spoke simultaneously, the youth frowned and reported the problem.
“The adventurers have been holding demonstrations, and other villagers are complaining.”
“What?”
“Just because of restricting for one day?”
Bell and Rango blinked in surprise and asked again. Sighing, the youth put his hands on his hips and shook his head.
“Every month, new adventurers come to Seato Village after hearing rumors. Because of the restrictions, items sell out early in the morning, and by before noon, purchases of demonic beast materials and ores are finished. The new adventurers don’t know this, so they’re all expressing dissatisfaction.”
“What!? More new adventurers!?”
“They even came the day before yesterday.”
“The number is increasing every month. It’s not strange. Rather, it should have been expected,” the three said in that exchange before falling silent. The scene was clearly Bell and Rango getting scolded by a subordinate.
Looks like we got too optimistic.
Thinking that and laughing, I waved a hand.
“Don’t worry about me. You two should get back to the shop. Good luck.”
When I said that, the youth looked at me for some reason.
“We’re also running short on the armor and weapons Lord Van creates... When will you be able to deliver them? By the way, greatswords, straight swords, katanas, and spears are already sold out.”