Chapter 32

Predator Merchant Company (2)

An arrogant bearing and dazzling clothes studded with all manner of jewels. Everything about the man screamed, “I’m a man of distinction!”

“Ahem! I am Viscount Dunar of the Kingdom of Denar.”

A noble.

Free cities had no absolute rulers such as monarchs or territorial lords. But the kingdoms were different. Nobles ran every kingdom on the continent, including the Kingdom of Battenberg, to which House Whitewolf belonged.

In other words, if I could sway the nobles, I could sway an entire kingdom.

I gave one of my staff a subtle look. Taking the hint, he retrieved a specially stored cut of meat from the wagon and discreetly offered it to Viscount Dunar.

“What is this?”

“It comes from a monster called a Rex...”

The staff member began explaining the Rex in detail.

The Rex was the monster from which I had obtained Promote Metabolism[D]. It had adjusted its metabolic needs by allowing its muscles to degenerate to an extreme degree. As a result, it had a thicker layer of fat than other monsters, and its meat was simply exquisite. Having tasted it myself, I could say it was far and away the best monster meat.

That was why I hadn’t sold any Rex meat to the people of Frecce.

“This is the finest of the fine.”

I intended to sell it at a premium to nobles from other kingdoms, spreading word of it into their high-society circles.

High society—the place where a kingdom’s refined culture was born and shared. As a noble myself, I was qualified to enter Battenberg’s high society. Gaining entry to those circles in other kingdoms, however, was difficult.

“We don’t normally offer this for sale, but...”

The staff member glanced at me before continuing.

“Lord Adrian specifically asked that we give it to you as a special favor, my lord.”

“A special favor...?”

“Yes. Just for you.”

The viscount’s lips twitched. Nobles, entitled lot that they were, loved the word “special.” Most of the nobles I’d encountered in the allied army had been like that.

The allied army was a coalition of all the kingdoms and cities on the continent, so I could confidently claim to have seen every noble on the continent. And regardless of their kingdom of origin, every last one of them had a powerful sense of entitlement. The tendency was particularly strong among lower-ranking nobles such as barons and viscounts.

“Aha! Oh, you really are too kind! Hahahaha!”

Sure enough, Viscount Dunar was extremely pleased by the word “special.”

Even a viscount was still a noble. He mingled with other nobles and could naturally spread the word among them. Once word of mouth began to spread, it took on a life of its own. And once alive, a rumor grew flesh and swelled as it pleased.

For instance, word that someone named A had farted in the street might turn into a story about him shitting in the street by the time it reached the next village. Word that someone named B had caught a cold might become news that he was at death’s door in the village beyond.

The astonishing miracle of something no bigger than a needle turning into a club. That was the sort of miracle word of mouth could work...

“Thank you! I’ll try it, and if it’s good, I’ll be sure to recommend it to others.”

The moment we made our debut in the high society of other kingdoms, the name Predator Merchant Company would become an uncontrollable wildfire, spreading across the entire continent.

* * *

There were several other free cities on the continent besides Frecce. Free cities developed around specific industries, such as mining, agriculture, or livestock farming. Frecce’s specialty was commerce, so it had more trading companies than the other free cities.

“Hmm...”

Adlan was one of the company owners operating there. His primary wares were grapes and wine from the Kingdom of Veneci. As luxuries sold only to the middle class and above, they were not in particularly high demand. Combined with the recent economic downturn, that had caused his sales to plummet compared to last year.

He was already irritated enough, but lately something else had been getting on his nerves.

“Predator Merchant Company...”

The company had begun doing business in Frecce’s central square a few days earlier.

At first, he had wondered what sort of sorry excuse for a trading company it was. Predator—a creature that hunted and devoured others. Wasn’t that an absolutely lousy name?

But lousy as the name was, the impact it had made was anything but.

“Predator here. Predator there.”

By now, there wasn’t a soul in Frecce who hadn’t heard of Predator Merchant Company. It was sweeping up practically every customer in the city, just like the predator it was named after.

“Word has been spreading among the nobles lately too, hasn’t it?”

That meant it would soon reach high society. Once it did, the company would have nothing but smooth sailing ahead.

After all, high society brought cultured nobles together, including the greatest thinkers and literary figures of the age. In other words, it gathered the key nobles who led each kingdom. The benefits of associating with such people were limitless.

One could find new business partners, investors, and patrons in each kingdom. A merchant’s credibility and reputation would grow, bringing more customers and business opportunities. Above all, one could gain privileged access to information available only in those circles, learning about political, economic, and cultural trends ahead of everyone else and seizing the advantage.

And that wasn’t all. Connections with the privileged could secure favorable assistance with legal and administrative procedures. Greater political influence could tip commercial decisions in one’s favor, and there were tax benefits to be had as well.

And though it was exceedingly rare, one could rise in the world by marrying into a noble family.

All of those benefits were available in the meeting ground called high society. For a merchant, gaining entry was a dream come true. That was why Adlan, too, had tried every way he could to get in.

“Those insufferable noble bastards.”

Naturally, every attempt had failed. He hadn’t even been allowed to linger at the entrance.

“They think they’re so much better than everyone else.”

In particular, the central social circles where a kingdom’s power was concentrated were something he couldn’t even dare dream of entering.

Yet a trading company founded only a few days ago—a mere upstart run by some wastrel—was outstripping decades of Adlan’s efforts.

“I don’t like this... I really don’t like this...”

There was simply no way he could like it. And there was no way he could sit idly by.

“How dare he throw his weight around on my home turf?”

Adlan had run his company in Frecce for decades and was an officer of the merchants’ guild. The guild wielded tremendous power in Frecce. He could get rid of a newly established trading company whenever he liked.

Until now, he had merely watched its antics, but...

“I won’t stand for this any longer.”

Adlan steeled his resolve. It was just as he rose from his seat that it happened.

JINGLE.

The shop door opened, and a customer entered.

“... Welcome.”

Suppressing his anger for the moment, he welcomed the customer inside. Judging by the visitor’s clothes, he was fairly wealthy.

No, he was a noble.

Adlan hurriedly straightened his clothes.

He had been calling nobles insufferable only moments ago, but they were the privileged class that led the kingdoms. In short, they were a source of money. Even merchants based in free cities had no choice but to keep them happy.

Adlan put on an ingratiating smile. Then he noticed what the noble was holding.

'That’s...'

Meat sold by Predator Merchant Company.

Just as his temper began to sour again...

“Predator Merchant Company recommended your shop.”

What was that unexpected remark coming out of the noble’s mouth?

* * *

As a free city, Frecce had no absolute ruler such as a monarch or territorial lord. Since all its citizens were free, one might assume that they had easier lives than people living under a lord. In reality, that was not the case at all.

What was that saying? In mountains without ogres, the troll was king. Without an absolute ruler in the city, a handful of wealthy merchant magnates often acted as de facto lords. Ultimately, the merchants’ guild exercised authority no different from a lord’s. There might be no formal ranks, but a social hierarchy certainly existed.

In that sense, the merchants’ guild held absolute power in free cities, especially Frecce. Of course, I knew that perfectly well. I still had all my memories and experience from my previous life, when I had conducted not only special warfare missions but also intelligence and espionage operations, including compiling, gathering, and distributing intelligence. I knew free cities inside out and had expected the merchants’ guild to give an outsider trouble almost as a matter of course.

Even so, I had deliberately come to the free city of Frecce rather than staying in Battenberg. I had already thought of a way to coax and appease the merchants’ guilds.

Wine, cheese, and fruit to accompany the meat. Butter, salt, and pepper to enhance its flavor. Even the various household utensils needed for cooking.

I instructed my staff to recommend those things naturally to our customers and casually point out the companies that sold them. They carried out my instructions promptly.

“Pair your Dermexus hind leg with a Veneci wine, and tonight’s dinner will be the finest meal of your life.”

“Haha! You certainly have a way with words. But where would I find Veneci wine...?”

“You could try Adlan Trading Company, over there in the central square.”

“I see! Thank you very much!”

“Excuse me, could you recommend something for me too?”

“Ah! Nothing goes better with Alacron belly steak than cheese from Reprica. I guarantee it will be the best thing you’ve ever tasted.”

“Steak with cheese! What a wonderful idea!”

“You should be able to find Reprica cheese at Larak Trading Company, on the outskirts of Frecce.”

“Ohoho! Thank you so much!”

They weren’t merely prompt—they were executing my instructions perfectly.

'They’re doing well.'

It seemed Seraphia had sent me some very capable people.

I was going to all this trouble because the merchants’ guild was not a force I could ignore in Frecce. With its immense financial resources, its influence extended beyond Frecce to all the free cities. Making an enemy of it would cause considerable trouble. It would be a major obstacle to my plan to make Predator Merchant Company the greatest trading company on the continent.

But what if I made them my allies instead?

Rather than hindering me, they could be an unparalleled source of strength. If anyone tried to make trouble over the monster meat, they would be the first to rise to Predator Merchant Company’s defense.

In a free city without an absolute ruler such as a monarch or lord, public opinion was power. Making them my allies would give me an overwhelming advantage in any battle for public opinion.

And I had nothing to lose in winning them over. All I had to do was casually promote their businesses, and they would think of me as a partner—or something more.

'First, I’ll get the merchants of the free cities firmly on my side.'

That would be no different from planting informants everywhere. Then I would gradually expand the network until it stretched across the entire continent.

Though your beginnings are humble, your future shall be great. Just as the Territory Quest said, I needed to proceed one step at a time.

Though, in truth...

“Lord Adrian! We’ve received a group order for forty servings!”

Even the beginnings weren’t all that humble.

* * *

The noble said Predator Merchant Company had sent him.

“Pardon...? They recommended us?”

“Hmm? Oh, yes. Predator Merchant Company recommended your wine.”

“Excuse me...? Predator Merchant Company recommended our wine?”

“Indeed. They said pairing the meat with a Veneci wine would give me the happiest evening in the world.”

Adlan tilted his head despite himself. He had no idea what was going on, but...

“Could you recommend a wine that goes with this meat? I’d like to have the best possible dinner tonight.”

“If you want the finest dinner... this is just the thing.”

Adlan took out a bottle of wine stored deep inside a cupboard.

“It’s made by fermenting fine Veneci grapes with their skins intact, giving it a rich flavor. The perfect choice for an exquisite dinner.”

Its price alone was a staggering 1,210 gold—enough to cover a middle-class family’s living expenses for roughly half a year.

“Hmm... A little expensive.”

It was a price that would give even a noble pause. The man was visibly weighing the decision, but he didn’t deliberate for long.

“Well, Predator Merchant Company recommended you, so it must be worth it. If it means having the finest dinner, then very well! I’ll take it.”

The noble cheerfully purchased the wine, without Adlan having to spend hours coaxing, cajoling, and catering to his whims.

“Hahaha! I’ll visit again!”

Instead, the noble left with a smile. And the moment he was gone...

JINGLE.

The shop door opened again, and another customer entered.

“Predator Merchant Company recommended you.”

Again. This customer had come on Predator Merchant Company’s recommendation too. So had the next, and the one after that. It kept happening. Customers who bought monster meat from Predator Merchant Company invariably stopped by Adlan’s shop.

“I hear your wine is excellent...”

“Predator Merchant Company sent me too...”

An endless stream of customers poured into Adlan’s shop, and sales grew exponentially. He kept breaking every sales record since the company’s founding. At this rate, it was only a matter of time before he was sitting on a fortune.

Before he knew it...

“Welcome, welcome! We have plenty of Veneci wines that pair perfectly with Predator Merchant Company’s monster meat!”

In Adlan’s mind, Predator Merchant Company had ceased to be a competitor and become a business partner—and a benefactor.

* * *

Once we had the merchants’ guild behind us, nothing stood in our way. No one in Frecce tried to make trouble for Predator Merchant Company.

As a result...

“This is unbelievable...!”

“We sold it all...!!”

In less than five days, we sold every scrap of meat from our hunts.

And as a result of that...

◆You have cleared the Territory Quest [Though Your Beginnings Are Humble, Your Future Shall Be Great!]!

A message announcing that I had cleared the Territory Quest filled my vision.

◆You have gained 48,200 quest experience!

◆You have leveled up!

◆You have leveled up!

Enough experience to gain two levels in one go. Quest experience really was overwhelmingly greater than what I earned from hunting monsters.

'No bonus reward this time.'

I’d secretly been hoping for one. Apparently, the system didn’t just hand them out indiscriminately.

Still, experience wasn’t the main reward this time.

◆「Management Mode」 has been unlocked as a reward!