Chapter 69
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ace
Chapter: 69
Chapter Title: Making Money Like This (2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Up until now, the teacups responsible for the nobles' tea times had all been imports from the East Continent or the colored glass variety.
However, teacups made of colored glass lacked heat resistance, making it hard to drink hot tea from them, and crafting delicate designs was difficult. The imports from the East Continent brimmed with subtle beauty, but many of the engraved patterns felt a bit foreign to the tastes of West Continent folk.
"Would it be possible to buy several of them, by chance?"
"I'm sorry, but only 50 sets were made, so we're limiting it to one per customer."
"Oh no! In that case, could my wife and I get one each, for a total of two sets?"
"Of course."
The ladies weren't the only ones who saw the teacup sets and immediately thought they could turn a profit.
But here too, the limited edition made its appearance!
[Human, you're only making 50 sets? Why? Can't you make more?]
[I want to spread Stonehammer's works to as many people as possible, too. But I don't want to see the value of these art pieces he created drop. People don't treasure even the most beautiful things if they think they can get them anytime.]
[Hmm. Fair enough.]
[Since this is the first release to the world, let's stick to 50 sets. For the ones that take less effort, about 300 each? We'll name each collection, and for the ones Stonehammer really loves, we'll tweak them slightly each year and add the year.]
[In other words, like luxury wine! Hahaha! I love it!]
The premium limited edition sales strategy had been discussed with the dwarf from the start.
'Gotta stimulate their collector's itch. That's how you sell steadily.'
Once Evergreen-branded pottery hit the market, it would undoubtedly cause a frenzy. But how long would the hype last? A year? Two? Or ten?
'I'm not planning to milk it for just a few years.'
Dominic had no intention of letting anyone steal the lead in the luxury pottery market for at least a few decades.
In a world with no concept of copyrights, East Continent artisans might start copying Evergreen's designs as early as the second half of this year.
He had to prepare for the worst-case scenario of spies stealing their techniques.
In the end, constantly producing new limited edition designs was all about maintaining the top spot over rivals for the long haul.
And Dominic's thinking hit the nail on the head.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"Form a line, get in line! At this rate, we can't even open the doors! Please line up over here in order!"
The day had finally come for Evergreen's official trading post to open its doors.
Every major merchant group from the Empire that mattered had sent their people.
But some had been camping out since the night before to hold their spots.
At first, the merchants seemed to be lining up orderly enough, but the moment the trading post staff prepared to open, they surged forward, turning the scene into utter chaos.
'Gotta beat those damn Vincent guys inside!'
'I have to secure some, no matter what! Otherwise, I'm done for!'
'Please, please! It can't sell out before me—get out of the way, all of you!'
These merchants had come staking bonuses at minimum, or their entire merchant group's survival at worst, so none were in the mood to yield.
"I got here first! Move it!"
"You bastard, lying when it's obvious? Hey! How old are you, kid?!"
The commotion was starting to escalate into a full riot.
"Didn't you hear me say line up? Get in line!"
Uncle Kallon, who hadn't left restaurant duties to his staff in ages, led the vigilantes to restore order, but the merchants weren't about to play nice over obvious profits.
"H-Hey! No pushing! Nooo!"
"Hold back! We can't hit the customers!"
Instead, the merchants shoved Uncle Kallon and the vigilantes aside, scrambling to get inside first and causing even more mayhem.
These men from the fishing cooperative—now vigilantes—would've exploded in rage under normal circumstances, but remembering these merchants were Evergreen's big-spending customers, they hesitated and got swept up in the chaos.
They were doing their best to protect the city's image.
Shing-!
"Anyone causing a disturbance or cutting in line will be banned from trading today!"
Ian finally stepped forward, unable to stand it any longer. He drew his rapier and growled low.
"What's this guy on about? Get out of my way! I'm first!"
But there was always one clueless fool who couldn't read the room.
Swish-.
"...Huh?"
The burly merchant, emboldened because even the vigilantes wouldn't touch him, tried to shove Ian aside—just as the rapier danced through the air. Strands of the man's chestnut hair fluttered down lightly.
"Next time, it won't just be your hair."
"Eek!"
Thud.
The man paled and collapsed on the spot.
"A-Ahem! Move to the back. Everyone, step back."
"Y-Yeah. Proper folk wait their turn."
Frightened by Ian's emotionless warning, the merchants slunk back into line.
"The trading post allows entry in groups of 30 at a time, so please keep that in mind!"
A staff member cracked the door open and shouted loudly.
Other employees followed, handing out numbered tickets stamped with seals, one by one.
"Make sure to present the number ticket you receive at the entrance!"
"Hey! How much pottery stock do you have?!"
"Tell us! We came all the way from the capital!"
Merchants with later numbers licked their dry lips anxiously, pleading desperately.
"We have five teacup set designs at the trading post. Four designs have 300 units each, and one design has only 50 units. For the four designs, maximum 30 per customer; for the limited one, maximum five per customer. Opening in 30 minutes!"
"Waaah!"
"Damn it!"
Some merchants' faces fell.
Even 300 each only added up to 1,200 total—barely enough for 40 merchants. The 50-unit one would surely fetch massive markups.
But you had to be within the first 10 numbers for a shot.
"Um... excuse me. How about swapping numbers with me?"
"Pardon?"
"I'll make it worth your while! I desperately need that 50-unit limited set. Please. What do you say?"
"Well..."
"How about this much?"
"Gasp...! Really?"
"You think I'd cheat you? If you're in, I'll write the promissory note right here."
"Deal! Let's do it."
Already, some merchants were approaching those with early numbers.
Merchants with smaller funds but decently early numbers figured it was smarter to snag more of the other goods, even if it meant skipping the 50-unit set.
As the swapping wrapped up, the trading post doors swung open.
"Welcome! This is the Evergreen Trading Post!"
Guided by staff in crisp white shirts, the merchants filed in order.
Dominic sat on the terrace of the central square teahouse, with a clear view of the post, watching contentedly.
"Isn't that guy swapping spots from Anton Merchant Group?"
"He showed up? Anyway, as expected from a knight—sharp eyes."
"...I heard you promised Anton their pottery separately."
Ian was spot on.
As a close partner from the start, Anton had been promised entire collections upfront. In return, Dominic could borrow their manpower and facilities whenever needed.
Like today.
"Why pass up easy money just lining up once ahead... right?"
Of the ten merchants who'd camped overnight for prime spots, five were Dominic's plants!
"...What if you get caught?"
"It's not like they sold spots for cash upfront. No big deal. Besides, those merchants will still buy other stuff. Just not pottery."
Dominic chuckled.
As he said, the trading post sold more than just pottery.
Perfectly roasted coffee beans, rare minerals, desert monster byproducts, Evergreen's signature dried seafood, and even the desert spice mixes Dominic had prepped from the beginning!
'The spice mixes and coffee will build buzz gradually. Tastes become habits, then essentials.'
Coffee and spices might pale next to the smash-hit Stonehammer pottery, but their explosive popularity in Evergreen already guaranteed they'd sell just as well.
Coffee had first caught on with academy students battling heavy workloads and sleep. Variations spread, conquering everyday palates too.
Bars by the central square even served coffee-infused liquor.
Many shops propped up sandwich boards with slogans like 'Coffee by day, beer by night' to lure customers.
The spice mixes were the same.
Some, packaged in fancy bottles, were too pricey for common homes. But others hit reasonable prices.
Sprinkled on meat, fish, stews, or pasta, they unlocked unique flavors. With low prices as their weapon, these mixes invaded every Evergreen household, claiming spots beside the salt as must-have seasonings overnight.
'What if the whole continent catches the trend of stocking one or two mixes?'
Dominic rated coffee and spices as highly as pottery for future potential.
"This isn't the time. I need to get back to experimenting."
"Still no success?"
Ian tilted his head.
Lately, Dominic had gathered spices from desert imports and every variety traded in the Empire, mixing them this way and that like mad.
Compared to his usual confident hands—never slipping once while cooking—it was clear something was off lately.
"I'm trying hard, but it's not clicking. Didn't expect it'd take this long. Sigh. Nothing really satisfies me."
People saw Dominic like this and assumed he was crafting his own spice mix to sell.
Expectations grew accordingly.
'Just how amazing is he planning to make it?'
Oblivious or not, Dominic kept blending turmeric-based mixes today too.
'Did I bite off too much? ...No. I made black bean sauce—can't wimp out on curry. Damn it. Should've checked an ingredients list at least once!'
Despite trying countless curry powders, he endlessly berated his past self for never thinking to read a label.
Yet he couldn't quit, knowing curry's mass appeal all too well.
It spanned South Asia to the Middle East, East Asia, the Anglo sphere, and Europe—rare for a food to win across cultures like that.
'Nail it, and I could even sell to the East Continent.'
Which made quitting impossible.
'But why does it feel endless?'
He couldn't recall the last time he'd napped in the beach hammock after daytime drinks.
Dominic resolved: Just this far, then play and eat.
[Making Money Like This (2)] End