Chapter 409: Master of Commerce
Since Soleil had a moment to spare, I received my report in his office. Apparently, there’s a business meeting coming up after this. With Auro, Kiel, Cain, and Abel handling the island’s affairs, it seems they have quite a bit of free time, but Soleil is busy with negotiations every day.
“The dyeing process is going smoothly. Right now, we’re limiting the number of pieces we sell and only offering them to the king, queen, and high-ranking priests. It’s all about creating that ‘special feeling,'” Soleil explained.
It seems that orders are pouring in, insisting on immediate fulfillment. The threads are already on a waiting list for a year. As for the textiles, the prices are frighteningly high.
“It must be due to the water used for washing. I don’t think anyone can dye as vividly as we do on this island,” Auro said with a smile.
The Spirits must be helping out quite a bit.
The wool dyed purple from the dye extracted from the shell I found has apparently been turned into a cloak for some king’s coronation.
“There’s no beauty like it,” Soleil sighed dreamily.
“It’ll be passed down through generations. It’s great that the color doesn’t fade, but from a business perspective, it would be better if the color faded in about two years,” Kiel chimed in with a silly remark.
Faramia silently poured more tea. In front of Soleil’s office desk, there’s a set of sofa and a low table, but since we were pulling out documents, it was more convenient to stand around the desk.
Low tables and sofas really aren’t suited for paperwork. Leaning over like that can’t be good for the back.
Before I knew it, a side table had been placed next to me, with a tray of tea on it. The desk is large, but since we’re spreading out documents, it’s probably a precaution to prevent spills.
While the blue dye is impressive, colors in this world tend to be muted and cloudy, showing a brief brilliance before fading or changing.
Adventurers, who thrive on being noticeable, often gather vibrant-colored gear, but it’s understood that it won’t last long. Sometimes, the Spirits that accompany them dye their gear in their own colors.
Perhaps that’s why beauty here can be influenced by the color of one’s eyes or hair. Thanks to the Spirits, there are various colors available. Amidst the dull hues, there are greens, blues, bright reds, golds, and silvers.
“I heard that if we give a little flair to the Spirit Lamp sales with the Shipping Guild’s guild master, the Indigo Stones will be prioritized for us,” Soleil said with a mischievous grin.
In the sale of blue textiles, Naruadeid’s Merchant Guild is involved, and it seems Soleil is subtly pitting the two guild masters against each other.
“The tomatoes from the outlying areas are amazing, and that’s without considering business. Even in places suffering from drought, the tomatoes have thrived. This time, we sold them cheaply to the nearby villages and towns affected by the drought. It’s a loss, but we didn’t need permission, right?”
“Yeah, that’s fine.”
With little rain and poor harvests, we chose drought-resistant tomatoes since the land was relinquished by the lord. Pumpkins, tomatoes, and sweet potatoes are strong in such conditions, but we were pushing tomatoes at the moment.
Considering the locals, pumpkins or sweet potatoes might have been better since they fill the belly more.
I thought it would start raining normally soon, but just to be safe, I secretly asked the Spirits to cast a growth charm on the seedlings.
I asked Pal about it, and we tilled deeper than usual, added organic matter, and spread straw around the seedlings to improve water retention. It was the locals who did the labor, not me.
In the end, even when it rained, it was just a drizzle, and the ground dried up quickly. Apparently, rain is scarce here, but it’s extreme. I should go check on the situation later.
“This time it’s a loss, but from next time, we’ll be in the black. It’s like we launched a highly effective advertisement. Orders are coming in for the island’s seedlings too,” Soleil said, looking lively.
“Please think about the residents’ well-being,” I thought, but it seems he’s cleverly balancing relief measures while planning for profit.
“It’s great to hear that vegetables are spreading so well,” I said, noting that it’s not just about expansion but also the potential for profit.
“Oh, right. Here’s a souvenir.”
“Noooooo!!!” Soleil shouted as I tried to place a wooden box on his desk.
“If it gets scratched, I’ll die! Just put it on me instead!” Soleil cried, covering the desk with her body.
“Well, I don’t have a hobby of piling things on people…”
Oh, right, the desk was delivered by the Earth Folk.
No wonder it looked so impressive. — Just kidding, I had been so accustomed to the pieces I saw at the Black Iron Pit that I didn’t notice. Humans really do get used to things!
“How about laying glass on the tabletop?”
“Ugh. The craftsmanship of the Earth Folk is stunning, but the texture is also the best…”
Please stop rubbing your cheek against it while crying.