Chapter 397 - The Shortcut to Getting Along: Interests!
As I opened the doors to the guild, bracing myself, I sensed several thin layers of mana instantly passing through me.
It's likely a mechanism to scout out visitors, but it doesn't feel good. I wonder what they scouted. I want a magic item that can trick those kinds of things.
"We have been expecting you, Yukarid Evilbanshee-sama. This way, please."
Just inside the doors was an elderly woman who was too elegant to be called an old lady. Her crisp black dress and jacket featured the Magic Item Guild crest as a small accent, so it seemed to be a guild uniform. Since Moore, who I was meeting, had told the guild, an escort was apparently arranged. What a polite gesture.
She started leading the way with an elegant stride after I gave a slight nod. Since I’m a bit late, I must have kept this woman waiting. I’ll bring her some kind of gift sometime.
While being mindful of the numerous magic item sensors installed in the guild, I followed her quietly for a bit.
We arrived in front of a room that seemed to be built to block mana. It was a reception room.
It was eerie that I hadn't seen a single other person so far. Between the too-many mana reactions from the magic items and the fact that the walls and ceiling were built to block mana, I couldn't even tell how many people were in the building. I've never experienced a building like this before.
As someone who is always mindful of my surroundings with mana sensing, this feels incredibly stressful.
"Please use the doorbell in the room if you need anything. Well then, I will take my leave."
Ignoring my unrestrained gaze and attitude, the woman walked away with her elegant stride.
Since she was also wearing several magic items, I even suspected she might have changed her appearance or voice. I don't really care what she changed, though.
Alright, let's go in. I didn't charge into enemy territory, so there's no need to be overly concerned about my surroundings.
I knocked twice on the door and pushed it open without waiting for a reply.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
"You're late. I would have left depending on my next appointment."
Moore threw a glance my way and then complained with exasperation.
What an annoying guy. A man should have the gall to overlook a woman being late without a word.
"Oh really. Then let's skip the preamble and get straight to the main point."
I sat down on the sofa opposite him as I spoke.
"Now, where should I start?"
"What's that? Wasn't it a lucrative talk?"
"A talk that might become lucrative. Right, for now, let's talk about the Magic Doll Federation's interests. Does the Intelligence Department know about the interests they're plotting for the future, rather than current ones?"
"There are always interests involved in any transaction. Unless it involves an enormous amount of money or flows to enemy forces, we do not intervene. We could investigate at any time, though."
I see. Interests are mainly rights and benefits obtained by people who hold authority and trading companies colluding. For Moore and the others who work against foreign enemies, it's outside their jurisdiction. However, the Intelligence Department has wide connections, information power, and execution power. They're unexpectedly flexible, as shown by how they teamed up with me, and they'll move if they see it's beneficial.
"I feel like my expectations were slightly off... in the end, it seems it'll depend on you guys. Fine, let's first have a common understanding of their interests."
"I do not see how the Federation's interests lead to the Intelligence Department's profit for now... luckily, I have time today. I know nothing, so please explain from the basics."
"If it's from the basics, it seems better to understand the current interests first."
The Magic Doll Federation's interest structure isn't particularly complex or rare.
As a basic matter, a five percent 'administrative operation fee' for the Federation is added to the price of dolls and related goods sold to the general public. This is their primary and largest source of income for padding their pockets. It's an amount that shouldn't be underestimated.
The dolls themselves are used for student competitions, so they aren't that expensive, costing roughly thirty thousand to a hundred thousand Jist each. On top of that, they need to be equipped with armaments, so I calculate it costs at least fifty thousand Jist per doll.
The competitive population is over a hundred thousand just in Belliza.
Even in the lowest case, five percent of fifty thousand Jist is two thousand five hundred Jist. If a hundred thousand dolls are sold, two hundred fifty million Jist flows to the Federation. In reality, it's likely more than that.
Even if dolls and equipment aren't things you buy and replace often, you can expect replacements and additional purchases to occur with a certain frequency given the large competitive population.
And related goods are wide-ranging, and if you include consumables, the scale of profit becomes even larger.
Related goods, as far as I know, include the bibs dolls wear during matches, and even the cases for transporting them. Beyond those, they even sell cleaners that they claim are 'dedicated' to dolls, though they aren't necessary at all, and even accessories to give the dolls personality. It seems like many books are out as well, and there are likely many goods I don't know about.
Even if the unit price of small items is low, given it's a popular club, the sales volume becomes quite large. Like how dust builds up to form a mountain, it turns into a massive amount of money that shouldn't be underestimated.
For what the Federation calls administrative and operation expenses, the amount is too large. It's nothing but an interest.
Furthermore, matches using the Knights' training grounds will be a massive event as entertainment. I imagine hundreds of millions of Jist will move for that too.
And by changing to matches at the training grounds, there will be a demand for new equipment, and since the number of people who can participate in matches has doubled, additional purchases of dolls will definitely occur. It should be an increase in sales that can be called a special demand.
If you change the rules and stimulate demand, earning money is easy. What a simple business.
Beyond that, there are also membership fees to the Federation. It's a regular income based on the number of schools, so that shouldn't be underestimated either.
That's the current interest structure of the Magic Doll Federation as far as I can tell. At least the part I know.
What happens if magic dolls are added to the gear for the Knights on top of that?
Naturally, even more massive money will move.
If the Federation gets involved by showing the military usefulness of magic dolls and claiming to help their development and spread, they might even be able to add the administrative operation fee to the magic dolls delivered to the Knights. In fact, that's likely their plan. It will take time, but if they get it on track, the money that goes into their pockets will surely change in its number of digits.
I guess the method for kickbacks will be simple kickbacks or by preparing seats for the Federation in some kind of position. Roughly, that's the new interest the Federation is aiming for.
"...The current interests are one thing, but for me, I'm thinking of whether we can take over the new interest connected to the Knights."
"Magic dolls for the Knights... that would involve not just the Federation, but the Knights and the Magic Item Guild as well, right? If you say take over, it means removing the Federation and having you, the Kikyo-kai, and us, the Intelligence Department, take over, but can such a thing be done?"
"That's where you come in to set things up. As an outsider, I can't even create a place for a talk."
"I can manage to arrange a place, but do not expect much from the Intelligence Department's authority. No one would look kindly on us suddenly stepping in. Especially if it's about an interest that was being solidified among those involved."
"That's why I'm planning to give the Knights and the Magic Item Guild a more lucrative talk. I know that's the minimum requirement to take over."
How to take over and connect it to profit. This is the most important point.
If Moore judges Layla's plan as feasible, it might become a reality.
"Then how will you do it?"
Taking over an interest sounds like a big and troublesome talk. Since it's also a sudden talk, Moore still seems skeptical.
"...Belliza is in the middle of a war-time special demand, right? Isn't there room to step in through that? For example, the import of magic minerals."
"From the raw materials for magic dolls? Indeed, the Kikyo-kai was involved in the import and export of magic minerals."
"We handle it through both the front and back. In this case, it's trade as a legitimate business. If it's a legitimate job, it won't be a weakness for you either. Above all, Belliza is currently collecting massive amounts of magic minerals, right? Even putting aside the magic doll talk, it shouldn't be a bad deal."
"That is true, but it cannot be decided by the Kikyo-kai alone. It would be after getting the approval of the Kingdom of Brenerc, right?"
If we handle it on a large scale, even we can't do it without permission. Magic minerals are strategic materials, so they can't be considered a business unless there's permission from the Kingdom, especially if we handle them in large amounts. But.
"No problem. I have a friend who is a Duchess, and the territory the Ducal house newly acquired has several promising mines. If I can introduce a buyer, both the Ducal house and the Kingdom will welcome it."
I've also received a private talk from Rosmerta about whether the Kikyo-kai would handle it as a product.
If the trading partner is Belliza, there's no better sales channel. It's a trading partner the Kingdom can also welcome.
"...No, no matter how many connections you have, this is not a talk you can proceed with on your own. It will be a transaction between nations, not just between a single company or organization."
"Nations or whatever, the ones who actually do it are the subcontractors. Plus, Brenerc is still in the middle of post-war processing, right? If you talk about fine details, the talk will never proceed. Don't you guys need materials urgently for war preparations?"
"That is true. But they are busy with post-war processing, right? If the time required for export from Brenerc is too long, it will not be in time to take over the interests, will it?"
"That's why I'm saying we should settle it on the ground and then push it through to the top."
As a friend of the Duchess and Moore as a high-ranking official of the Intelligence Department, I believe there's a possibility we can push through what we've decided.
Although there are various fine problems, I believe this is a talk worth pushing forward for the parties involved.
I’m not saying this as a joke, and when I looked at Moore with intent in my right eye as if to glare at him, he also seemed to understand my seriousness.
No matter how large the scale of the talk is, it doesn't matter. If someone who decided to do it moves specifically rather than just vaguely thinking about it, it moves closer to reality.
I don't intend to speak of dream-like stories. I decided to make this a reality, I have the connections and the power for it, and I judged it would work if I involved a high-ranking official of the Intelligence Department.
If it doesn't work out, then that's just that. It's more unbearable to miss an opportunity I judged as a chance without doing anything.
"...Depending on the amount and quality, it is true that our country desires magic minerals. If I speak, my superiors will also show interest. Because of that, half-heartedness is not allowed. You must prove that your talk is actually possible."
"I don't think I can persuade your superiors with just words. For now, I'll have the stock we have brought here. I've already arranged for one thousand tons of refined Mithril to be transported by sea from Ligheim on the eastern coast of the continent."
Layla must have stopped at some guild and informed our headquarters through guild-to-guild communication. Once it's conveyed, Vice President Siegrune and General Manager Frederica will move to talk to Rosmerta.
"Refined magic minerals... you are quick to arrange them."
For a major nation, I guess they handle hundreds of thousands of tons of ordinary steel materials for import and export. One thousand tons might seem like a small amount, but for precious magic minerals, it's an amount that shouldn't be underestimated.
The mines acquired by the Overstal Ducal house can produce the same quality magic minerals, and since they can expect quite a lot from the deposits, it's no bluff.
"Think of it as a down payment. Of course, it's not free. If your superiors confirm the transaction after seeing the goods, I'll have the Overstal Ducal house prioritize securing the magic minerals. They'll profit by selling a lot, we'll profit as the intermediaries and transporters, and you guys will profit by getting the materials you need."
Moore grinned.
"We will need to adjust the price. But what profit is there for the Magic Item Guild and the Knights' leadership? They do not profit from that talk alone."
"We can just prepare seats for them in your front company or our front company we'll create in Belliza. As long as it's not a simple bribe where we hand over money, it shouldn't violate Belliza's laws either. Besides, it's much better to team up with the Intelligence Department and us than with the useless Magic Doll Federation."
In terms of interests, this will be enough to win them over. On top of that, the nation of Belliza gets the materials it wants.
The Magic Doll Federation, which just takes a cut, will become completely unnecessary. And even if the talk of the pointless military use of magic dolls disappears, it won't affect the import and export of magic minerals.
Layla's plan to create a talk from the source rather than just taking it over in a small way was very good.
"Fine. I will proceed with the talk on my end, but specifically moving things will be after the ship from Ligheim arrives. In the meantime, you should get a confirmation from the Ducal house. If this talk can really proceed, the Intelligence Department will do its best to persuade the Knights and the Magic Item Guild."
"There's no truth or lie to it. A ship will leave Ligheim within a few days. If you're worried, have your spies look into it."
Rosmerta wouldn't miss such a lucrative business opportunity either. Saying they're busy with post-war processing is an excuse used when they don't want to do something or when they want to make someone indebted.
If we are refused for some reason, I’ll have our underworld way of doing things overlooked for then. Beyond trust and friendship, I have leverage, and we can manage to cover the magic minerals to some extent through imports from Donditch and small southern nations. Overall, there's no problem on our end.
If this talk succeeds, it will be a considerable achievement for our Kikyo-kai.
We will be able to create a base for our interests in Belliza. Even if the war ends in the future, if the interest structure is built, I can expect that both sides will not desire to cut off one of their sales channels even if the scale of import shrinks. We should be able to continue it as a business for a long time. It will become a major source of income.
Above all, it's big to have connections with the Knights' leadership and the Magic Item Guild headquarters.
The Kikyo-kai, which has no foothold in Belliza, can suddenly not just have a foothold but get into the center.
It became a much larger talk than just getting back at the Magic Doll Federation.
"Did you hear that, Lord Nelson? Do you have interest in this talk? If possible, I would like to ask for your cooperation as well. I will wait for you here."
Suddenly, Moore spoke while looking at something far away. From the way he spoke, it sounded like he was an important person, but the name he called wasn't the head of the guild.
"...I know you're eavesdropping, but who is Lord Nelson?"
"You can probably imagine. There is a nominal head of the Magic Item Guild headquarters, but Lord Nelson is the one who actually holds power—to put it simply, he is the younger brother of the previous King. He has now left the Royal family and returned his title, but his influence remains."
What? Isn't he an unexpectedly big shot?
Lord Andal, the Exembra branch head of the Magic Item Guild, was said to be a powerful noble. If the head of a branch far from Belliza is a powerful noble, then the head of the headquarters is naturally even higher. It makes sense that he's either at the very top of the nobility or even of Royal blood. It hit the mark perfectly.
If he's the previous King's brother, he's a considerable big shot. Even if he left the Royal family and returned his title for some reason, his influence is surely massive since he's the ruler of the Magic Item Guild. If we can proceed with the talk while involving such a person, seizing one interest will be easy.
"By the way, why did you say we should talk in the Magic Item Guild's reception room? It wasn't certain I’d have a talk beneficial to the guild."
"Even if the talk was unrelated to the guild, it is not possible that you would not be cautious of eavesdropping. The fact that you joined the talk here means you understood from that point that it was a scheme based on eavesdropping. Besides, the one who called you was Lord Nelson. I would not call someone to a place I knew was being eavesdropped upon to hear their talk."
I wonder. However, Lord Nelson, huh. I wonder what kind of guy he is. If he's the previous King's brother, I guess he's quite an old man.
"I don't recall being called... what's the business?"
"Do not worry, it is nothing strange. He said he wanted to talk with you about magic dolls."
"Magic dolls?"
"Lord Nelson is also a first-class magic item engineer. You have some idea, don't you?"
Oh, that's what it is. If he wants to see my magic doll control skills, I’ll show him as much as he wants.
If he'll cooperate in securing the interests just with that, it's a cheap price.
It became a talk about mundane interests, but funds are necessary to do flashy things later.
To be continued in the next chapter, "A Search for Hobby and Romance."