Parallel (A Virtual Gamer's Story) [Vol.1 - Vol.4 Complete]

Chapter 72: Dirge of the Emperor

Meilfour.

2nd Ryzul, 1092.

A few days passed since the discovery of the underground laboratory, and Kashi had spent the entire time confined to the lab, eagerly exploring its secrets. Not even Miote could pull him out with treasure and gold found in another room.

No, it appeared the daeben had been sucked into one of those moods which haunt craftsmen of every ilk, and until he satisfied his yearnings, nothing would tear him from his work. Luckily, though consumed by his work, Kashi still had enough of his own mind to issue out requests, some of which were very strange.

Miote, upon the daeben's request, traveled to Meilfour to meet - and if they did not have one, set up - its trading council. The Chesch did as asked, pleased with the change of pace. He obtained from each of them a list of materials they needed for their respective trades as the church had taken anything that might have furthered the arts, and the monsters that roamed the land were too powerful for men who had not fought a real battle in quite some time.

Miote promised the Hopeful Maggots' assistance in obtaining these items, but in return, volunteers had to join in the hunt. They readily agreed as they had many young men and women eager to brave the wilds, and it seemed most had been trained directly or indirectly by the good old bartender.

As per Kashi's request (and much to the merchant's chagrin), he also provided them with capital procured from the now christened 'Deserun' meaning 'Rune of the desert' (Kashi named it himself, a fact Miote made sure to point out whenever someone asked after the peculiar name.) Being the merchant he was, he negotiated a deal for the capital.

In return for their investment, the Hopeful Maggots would own a 15% stake in the shops. Secondly, no external investors could buy into their enterprises without the guild's knowledge. Finally, and most importantly, the Hopeful Maggots would permanently hold the second-highest stake.

The council eagerly agreed. They could not fathom a situation where any other person would want into their enterprises anyhow. However, credit must not be taken from the golden merchant. Not all were so easily fooled. Some in the council were incredibly long-sighted and challenged the chesch's proposal. But Miote, well versed in the art of negotiations, blessed with a silver tongue reminiscent of the dwarves, and possessing high charisma and charm was able to win even the most bull-headed of them all.

Miote was also charged with negotiating a deal in which the merchants would help mass-produce then sell some of the merchandise the daeben would provide in the coming weeks. This was where Miote realized a dreadful fact. Kashi, wise as he was, and always viewing a larger picture than the rest, was quite simply... a terrible merchant. Imagine, he dared to ask for a 70-30 split... in favor of the merchants!

The daeben failed to realize how much of a dangerous precedent that was.

Miote almost asked for an 80-20 split in the guild's favor, but then understood that the daeben was trying to earn goodwill and not money per se from these people. But, before all, he was a merchant, and profit always comes first to a merchant. So, he switched to a 60-40 split in favor of the guild, and they were accountable for their own materials (meaning any the guild brought would be bought as per the market price - with a partnership discount, of course). This way, he gained the goodwill of the merchants of Meilfour but maintained the guild's economic superiority.

Miote could not help but laugh at his own vehemence. This was supposed to be a spy job, but he was thoroughly enjoying himself parading as a merchant. Well, it wasn't like Kashi was really doing anything of real interest for now, and as long as he was here, Suzuki, the other assignment and the most difficult one wasn't.