Chapter 65: In the Midst of Stealth Marketing
Today, I find myself in Naruadeid, a nation renowned for its commerce. For a moment, I considered building a traditional Japanese house in the forest, but even if I managed to create tatami mats, maintaining them would be a hassle. A wooden floor would suffice, but since I need to write, I’d have to set up a table and chairs.
After much deliberation, I decided to visit this country, rumored to have the most advanced innovations in this world. Indeed, the houses here have large windows and an air of sophistication.
Rows of round glass panes fill the windows. Apparently, they blow glass and stretch it like flasks, connecting the flat bases to create a smooth surface. The clarity of this glass is superior to anything I’ve seen elsewhere.
In Kanum and other countries, the glass is a pale green, riddled with bubbles. Can you picture the retro glass floats sold as souvenirs at seaside shops in Japan? They’re also quite thick.
The small island floats in the bay between the Lower Jaw Peninsula—officially known as the Talia Peninsula—and the neighboring Cavil Peninsula. It welcomes merchants from any nation, declaring itself a neutral city. In reality, the power of kings and lords is nearly nonexistent, with wealthy merchants vying for control.
While there’s no conflict through force, the competition among merchants backed by powerful nations is said to be quite ruthless.
I see colored glassware not found in Kanum, large stone-set rings, and luxurious silk. Goods arrive by ship, are priced, and then shipped out again.
Wandering merchants still exist, but the majority are settled in the city. They sometimes come here to purchase goods, but due to the involvement of branches and agents, communication is often done through letters, making literacy almost essential for merchants.
Without a system to trust others, it’s safer to procure and sell goods oneself. However, with the establishment of the Merchant Guild, trust in currency exchange has improved. There are also state-issued currencies, but their reliability varies by country.
Of course, the Spirit’s Branch is present, along with temples dedicated to other revered spirits. The Spirit of Gold, Hashim, and the Sea Spirit, Seikai, reflect the maritime focus of this commercial nation. Naturally, these two are powerful enough to be called gods.
Intricate carvings adorn document boxes, and vibrant dresses catch my eye. As for the dresses, I’m not entirely sure, but I prefer the mermaid style that accentuates the waist and thigh line over the poofy, doll-like designs.
I have no idea what they’re used for, but they look retro and stylish. Just looking at them is enjoyable, but I’m here to browse high-quality wool, woolen fabrics, dyes, threads, silk, and linen.
Some shops won’t show their best items unless a proper deal is struck, while others only display samples. Many shops require a minimum quantity to even consider a transaction, so I can’t let my guard down.
I also bought a glass with a red hue and gold patterns, which looked stunning, though it was surprisingly expensive.
As I walk on the cobblestone streets, I see buildings crowded together on this small, mountainous island. The cobblestone area seems to cover more ground than the earth itself.
For lunch, I stopped at a random restaurant and ordered spaghetti with long-arm shrimp. They served white wine without me asking—was this a substitute for water?
The terrace seats are still a bit chilly, but they offer a panoramic view of the port, making them popular. I inquired about availability, but was told they were fully booked for reservations—seats reserved by merchants for business discussions, making it impossible to sit there even on another day.
The long-arm shrimp is split in half and grilled over charcoal. The savory aroma whets my appetite, and the shrimp itself is sweet. Yeah, I’ll have to try replicating this next time.
Looking around, I notice someone dipping what looks like biscuits into a cup. Is that the hard biscotti that people dip in coffee? They have coffee here! I thought to order some, but the cup contained sweet liquor instead.
After my meal, I decided to check out the local medicinal offerings to gauge the level of healthcare here. Ah, cacao! It’s ground and mixed with various spices and flavorings to create a potion for longevity.
“I imagine it must be incredibly bitter without sugar… Good medicine is often hard to swallow, right?”
“Among certain noble classes, it seems they enjoy it with sugar, milk, and vanilla. That’s likely to drive the price up even further,” the shopkeeper cheerfully replied, suggesting I should buy now before prices rise.
A single gram of cacao costs about two mon. Even if I spend a silver coin, I’d only get seventy-five pieces, while a sailor’s daily wage is just one copper coin. And since I’m in Naruadeid, prices are high here, increasing the further I get from this place.
Should I go to the production area to buy directly? But according to the [Appraisal], it seems to require fermentation and drying, which is quite labor-intensive. Alright, I’ll buy some.
So, I made my purchase. I also grabbed vanilla beans, yellow mustard, brown mustard, and turmeric. While I have some of these in my pantry, it’s good to know the flavor differences.
“Excuse me, sir, the one with black hair.”
“…”
When I turned around, a refined gentleman stood before me.
“Oh, this is beautiful.”
“…What is it?”
Is this a matter for a fist to the solar plexus? A business proposition?
“No, my apologies. May I ask where you acquired that bag?”
“Oh, this? It’s a bag recently registered by the Ajeel Adventurer’s Guild. It’s quite convenient.”
“I see, Ajeel is a bit far, isn’t it?”
It’s not that far, but the mountains are impassable. There are high peaks that retain snow even in summer.
“Wouldn’t it be quicker to request the specifications and have it made here rather than getting the bag itself?”
“Indeed, that makes sense.”
I’ve actually had this conversation about ten times already. Out of those, only one or two seem to have the guts and resources to make the trip to Ajeel.
If only merchants would come here, surely the restrooms would become more widespread… I booked a lodging just to see the furnishings and architecture of this island, but the restroom was just a pot.
Hurry up and spread the word!