Episode 59: Interlude (A Certain Merchant Guildmaster 6)
Telek Port City.
Within the Afrasia United Kingdom, where information is severely cut off, no one realizes that it is currently the most vibrant city in the country.
Classified as a “town” by ＜Paraiso＞, or rather the ＜The Tree＞ Overseer AI, it is still among the most populous cities in the Afrasia United Kingdom, counting from the top. Although, the United Kingdom itself is utterly decayed and in a terrible state.
“It’s finally recovering…”
While gazing at the city from the office of his newly constructed mansion, built partly to promote employment, the supreme ruler of Telek Port City muttered. Spreading out below him were the bustling main street and the vast ocean beyond. The main street ran straight from the port, and at its end stood a massive five-story mansion. With the construction technology he originally possessed, it was difficult to build anything over three stories, but with the cooperation of ＜Paraiso＞, he was able to create a groundbreaking five-story mansion.
Kullavia Telek recalled the image of ＜Paraiso＞’s white, beautiful sailing ship. It had been over a year already, but it appeared in his mind as if it were yesterday. The country was exhausted from civil war, and the transportation of goods was stagnant. His wealth was dwindling day by day, and bankruptcy was imminent. The situation was so dire that he seriously considered fleeing abroad. What turned the tables in one fell swoop was ＜Paraiso＞’s trading ship.
Its hull was polished pure white, and an impressive bright red affiliation flag (icon) fluttered in the wind. He didn’t understand the mechanics, but he would never forget the sight of it churning the waves while spewing smoke and turning its paddle wheels. They brought many things to Telek Port City.
Kullavia Telek realized that it was economic invasion, but he had no intention of interfering. Of course, he was in dire straits, but more than anything, ＜Paraiso＞’s people had treated him with sincerity. They understood his plight but continued to trade without taking advantage of him. They extended a hand, but they also demanded compensation. He understood that taking the form of a transaction was easier to rely on than gratuitous charity. They always presented options and respected his opinions.
“Maybe we should hold a festival…”
He pondered such things. For example, a ＜Paraiso＞ Arrival Commemoration Festival. In a few months, it would be two years since they first arrived. The residents would not object. He couldn’t predict how they themselves would react, but from their past interactions, he didn’t think they would flatly refuse.
“We haven’t been able to hold a Founding Festival, a Harvest Festival, or a New Year’s Festival…”
Until now, he hadn’t had the余裕 to hold festivals. However, Telek Port City was regaining its vitality, and Iron Town had stabilized. There had been a significant increase in interaction between the two, and it was easy to travel back and forth by hitching a ride on a wagon. Telek Port City, Iron Town, would simultaneously hold a Paraiso Arrival Commemoration Festival. Wouldn’t that be good? We survived. Furthermore, we will develop even further from now on. He would share that with the residents. He couldn’t establish external communication routes, but he didn’t plan to negotiate with the outside world for the time being.
“First, I’ll check with a few people… and then ask the ＜Paraiso＞ ladies.”
After all, it would be lacking if the main players were absent. He definitely wanted them to participate. What if they even had a parade? They were very popular. They would liven things up considerably.
“A festival, is it?”
When he brought up the topic, he saw her surprised face, which was rare, or perhaps for the first time.
“Yes. Thanks to you, this city is bustling with energy. The city when you first arrived and now are like different places. It’s become brighter and more vibrant.”
Just as Zwei’s fleet entered the port, Kullavia Telek brought up the ＜Paraiso＞ Arrival Commemoration Festival. The result was the expression on her face before him.
She seemed to have become much more expressive than she was at first. Perhaps even she, who always appeared calm and composed, had been nervous. The intelligent and beautiful her, like an angel statue, was wonderful, but the current her, who seemed a little more relaxed, was also very attractive.
However, Kullavia Telek had a wife and children, and he didn’t have a lolita complex, so he wasn’t thinking of getting involved with her.
“…”
For a while, the Doll Machine (Zwei) remained silent.
Unbeknownst to him, she was wirelessly inquiring ＜Ringo＞ about “what a town-wide festival is like.” The guildmaster savored the sight of her, who had frozen in place, which was rare.
By the way, since the Doll Machine (Communicator) that they had been using from the very beginning had developed a certain degree of judgment, ＜Ringo＞ had become quite casual in operating them. Sometimes, she even left them in autonomous operation without operating them at all. On those occasions, they often showed openings in their words and actions, unintentionally boosting their popularity. Gap moe has a certain demand in any era. (Or so ＜Ringo＞ understood.)
“…I see. That might not be bad. I think it’s a good time in terms of boosting morale. But to commemorate our arrival… it’s a little embarrassing.”
There was a slight time lag because she searched for words she didn’t usually use, but Kullavia Telek interpreted it favorably, thinking that she was blushing.
Amused, ＜Ringo＞ remained a silent observer.
“If possible, it would be great to have a parade at the climax. I’d really like you guys to participate.”
“I see.”
The Brain Unit installed in Zwei retrieved information about festivals and parades from ＜The Tree＞’s library and calculated the effects they would bring. She also inquired with ＜Ringo＞, but only favorable or mild (lukewarm) emotional values were returned, which was completely useless. The Brain Unit, which had no foundation for feeling emotions, repeated the calculations diligently without the support of a higher intelligence.
“I agree to participate in the parade unless there are any problems. What about the details?”
“Alright. If you ladies are going to participate, I’ll start considering it in earnest from now on. I’ll report and consult with you from time to time.”
“Understood… I’m looking forward to the festival.”
Zwei selected a safe answer from the standard response list and ended the Q&A about the festival.
“Well, let’s leave the fun stuff at that.”
Kullavia Telek judged that the atmosphere had warmed up and decided to move on to the main topic.
“There was some talk about East Gate City before. Has Zwei heard about it?”
“I am aware. It’s something I confirmed from here as well.”
It was about confirming the route to East Gate City and dispatching personnel. Investigating the surrounding situation and the safety of the journey. Information about these things had finally come together.
“Good. For now, we have a certain prospect for the safety of the journey. Well, it seems that the accurate thing to say is that the area has become too desolate and people have disappeared.”
Thus, the guildmaster who led Telek Port City began to tell what he knew.
Currently, the southern region of the Afrasia United Kingdom has become quite stable in terms of security. However, it seems that this is not because the civil war has ended, but because repeated wars, looting, and the rampant activities of bandits have resulted in the abandonment of small villages and towns. If people disappear, bandits and bandit gangs also disappear. After that, it’s a straight path to ruin. Conversely, the area around the Great Lakes near East Gate City is overflowing with people, and security has deteriorated. However, because it is land ruled by powerful clans, they are somehow able to maintain civilization. Still, it is definitely dangerous, so it seems better to take a route to East Gate City without passing through that area.
“If we could use your carriages, it would make the journey much easier. Of course, we need your permission for that.”
The roads are not maintained, of course, but they are still meant for carriages to pass through. If they could use the carriages that ＜Paraiso＞ provided, they thought it would be possible to traverse them. After all, the axles and wheels are made of steel. There is also a mechanism called suspension, so they should be able to drive well even on rough roads.
“Understood. There is also the desire to make contact with Forest Country (Lebresta). We are prepared to provide the necessary supplies.”
“…I might be asking this late, but. Is there something about Forest Country (Lebresta)?”
“About that…”
Zwei was about to reply that she could not disclose the information, but at that moment, the higher intelligence (＜Ringo＞) acquired control.
“If possible, we would like to make contact with that country. If possible, trade.”