France Corporation (2)
The workers from the factory followed us out. Heading toward the carriage waiting nearby, I spoke to them.
"Everyone, please board the carriage!"
At my words, the workers nodded one by one and began to climb inside.
Franche asked, "Are we taking them to the building we purchased now?"
"Yes, My Lady. We will set up their lodging and workshop there."
"Then it will take some time. We need to show results quickly, though." Franche rested her chin on her hand, lost in thought.
"You need not worry about that. In truth, Andrea will be the one creating the actual designs. It won't take long."
"Is that so? Then we will have plenty to show my father and the information broker." Only then did Franche offer a sigh of relief and a soft smile.
The core of Frida Clothing Store was Andrea. The other workers merely followed their direction; they possessed no unique talent of their own.
"Let us go, then." I escorted Franche into the carriage and climbed in after her.
With a signal to start, the carriage jolted and began to roll toward our destination. Looking exhausted, Franche immediately leaned back and closed her eyes.
Kazar, who was already seated inside, spoke up. "By the way, why did you bring me along this time? I didn't actually do anything."
"What do you mean you didn't do anything? You escorted Lady Franche."
"How was that escorting? You beat up all the guards by yourself..." Kazar pouted, tapping her feet. She seemed disappointed that she hadn't had a chance to show off her magic.
"I stayed up all night to come here, and yet I did absolutely nothing. I should have just slept. I'm dying of exhaustion."
"A time will come when you'll be forced to work even if you don't want to, so just wait until then. It's a task only a mage can do."
Now that we had purchased several plots of land, once the business took off and the money started rolling in, I would begin building it. With Franche at the center and Kazar as the figurehead. If that succeeded, Franche would become an unrivaled power in the Empire.
"And when is that? When do I get to show off my magical prowess?"
"It might take some time. We've only just begun."
"Ugh... What am I supposed to do while waiting until then?"
"You have to teach Lady Franche magic."
"Ah, right."
Franche needed magical ability in addition to her business acumen. After all, those were the two things I had targeted from the very beginning.
"But listen. Now that the business has officially launched, when are you going to have her learn magic? You said you're going to keep expanding the business, which means she'll have less and less free time. There won't be any time left for magic lessons."
She had a point. But forcing her to run a business by day and study magic by night would inevitably lead to burnout. I leaned my head back, lost in thought. How should I handle this...?
I could run the business in her stead. It would be simple enough to just use Franche's name. However, doing so would prevent her from developing her own management skills, and I wouldn't be able to keep a close eye on her.
"It is indeed a dilemma."
"Right? So, what are you going to do?"
"Hmm. There is a way, but there's a catch."
"What catch?"
"I won't be able to watch over Lady Franche."
Kazar knit her brows and tilted her head. "Watch over her? Watch over what?"
"I need to be by her side, overseeing everything."
"...Is Lady Franche your daughter or something?" Kazar grimaced, looking at me as if she had just witnessed something deeply disturbing. She shook her head and continued, "She's not a child. Why do you need to oversee everything? She's perfectly capable of taking care of herself."
You don't know anything. On the very day she brought me to the estate, Franche had been forced to kneel and bow her head to the floor before the Duke. But I couldn't tell Kazar that...
"There is a reason for everything."
"A reason? Like what?"
"I cannot tell you."
"...Are you mocking me?"
"I am entirely serious."
Sooner or later, Eden and Laza would come looking for her again. While the meritocratic Duke might be reasoned with, those two despised Franche to the core; there would be no talking to them. They would undoubtedly find fault with everything she did.
"You look like you have a lot on your mind."
"Of course I do."
"Because of the time constraint?"
"Yes."
How should I structure her future schedule? Was it too greedy of me to try and cultivate both her magical prowess and her business acumen at the same time?
"Ah."
"What is it?"
"I just thought of a way."
"What is it?"
I locked eyes with Kazar.
"You will become Lady Franche's assistant."
"...Excuse me?"
This method would allow Franche to develop her business skills while simultaneously learning magic. She would only handle the crucial matters necessary for her growth, and use her remaining time to study magic. I would take care of all the minor, tedious tasks. That way, she could secure enough rest while cultivating both abilities. The only issue was Kazar's time...
"Well? What do you think?"
"Whether it's fine or not, I don't even know what you're asking me to do."
"Exactly what I said. You'll be Lady Franche's assistant."
"You don't mean assisting her with the business, do you?"
"I do."
Kazar grimaced, looking utterly bewildered.
"I fail to see the connection between assisting with a business and teaching magic."
"I call it assisting, but you'll simply be teaching her magic whenever she has free time. I'll even set up a laboratory for you there."
"Then what about her rest? She's going to be exhausted from running a business."
"Don't worry, I will make sure she gets plenty of rest. You just need to focus on your assigned duties."
"...Fine, then. Since you always seem to have everything figured out, I won't waste my breath worrying."
Kazar let out a wide yawn, leaned back against the seat, and closed her eyes. I glanced to my side and saw that Franche was already fast asleep.
They must be exhausted.
It was only natural. They had been traveling since dawn without a wink of sleep. Yet, here I was, perfectly alert. The body of a Sword Master was truly something else...
Time passed, and by the time the sun had fully risen, we arrived at our destination. I gently shook Franche's shoulder.
"My Lady. We have arrived."
"Mmm, ugh..."
Franche woke up, rubbing her eyes with her hair slightly disheveled. Next, I shook Kazar.
"Wake up. We're here."
Snap! Kazar's eyes flew open, and she whipped her head around to glare at me.
"Already? It feels like I barely closed my eyes."
"It doesn't take that long to get here from there."
I leaped down from the carriage first and offered my hand to help Franche descend. Kazar hopped down in one fluid motion, clearly accustomed to it.
Franche looked up at the structure. "So, this is the place."
A tall building standing nearly eight stories high with spacious floors. This would be more than enough to serve as both a workshop and living quarters.
"Then, I shall go and prepare everything."
Franche nodded, and I walked over to the other merchant carriages to guide the workers.
"Everyone, step down! We have arrived!"
The workers began to disembark one by one. I led them inside the building and showed them around.
"You will be living and working in this building from now on. Please divide the workshop and lodging spaces among yourselves."
One of the workers asked, "Will we be doing everything here? Is there no private life or anything like that?"
"Most of the facilities necessary for daily life are provided. If you wish to have your own private space, you are welcome to rent a house once you receive your wages."
Only then did the workers nod in understanding. From their hushed murmurs, it seemed some planned to save up and move out later, while others preferred communal living.
I clapped my hands to gather their attention and spoke in a loud voice. "Well then, everyone! Get some rest today, and I will return tomorrow to explain your duties!"
The workers responded enthusiastically and began choosing their rooms, seemingly dividing the floors by gender.
That takes care of that. I went to find Andrea separately.
"Andrea."
"You know my name?"
"Of course. You were the reason I went to that factory in the first place."
Andrea stared at me blankly. I spoke to them.
"I have a favor to ask of you."
"What is it?"
"I want you to make a dress. Pour your absolute best into it, exactly the way you want to design it."
"A dress?"
"Yes. A dress for Lady Franche to wear."
Andrea's eyes widened instantly. It seemed they had finally realized who we were. Talk about being incredibly slow on the uptake.
"Could it be... are you the ones from yesterday?"
"Yes."
After wearing a look of sheer shock for a moment, Andrea nodded with a solemn, determined expression.
"So that is my first assignment?"
"Indeed. I would like you to start as soon as possible, but there's no need to overexert yourself."
"Hmm. It won't be overexertion. I'll get straight to work after I get some sleep. Do we have enough materials?"
Ah, right. The materials...
"Tell me everything you need right now. I will have it all procured by lunchtime."
"Alright, then..."
Andrea pulled out a notepad and began scribbling furiously with a pen. Once the pen stopped, rip. They tore the page out and handed it to me.
"I've written down all the materials needed for garment production here. Everything from the basics to the specific fabrics for the dress. If you buy these in bulk, we won't run out anytime soon."
I nodded, scanning the paper. It listed various fabrics, needles, threads, and other supplies.
It would be best to leave this to Seldas.
Having Seldas around really was incredibly convenient for things like this.
"Very well. I will have these materials purchased in bulk."
"Thank you. I look forward to working with you."
"Likewise."
With that, I stepped out of the building, which was now brimming with newfound hope.
"Now that our first task is complete, let's head back."
"Ugh, then I'm going straight home."
"Sure. Good work."
Kazar stumbled back into her carriage. Soon, the merchant carriage set off, carrying her back to her house.
"Let us return as well, My Lady."
"Very well."
We boarded our carriage and returned to the estate. I picked Franche up in my arms and carried her back into her room through the open window.
"I shall now head out to meet Seldas."
"The information broker? Why?"
"I must procure the materials needed for our business."
"...You must return the moment you are finished."
"I am well aware. I shall be back shortly."
"Alright. I will take a short nap in the meantime."
I nodded and immediately made my way to the information guild. It was early morning. Seldas would likely be awake by now.
I entered the tavern, met the receptionist, and was promptly escorted to the back room to see Seldas.
"I am here on Lady Franche's orders."
"...What is it this time?"
I handed him the paper I had received from Andrea.
"I need you to procure all the materials listed here. I want them by lunchtime. The payment will be settled during my next visit."
"...You intend to use the Dark Guild's manpower for something like this again?"
"I will pay you handsomely this time, so stop complaining and just take the request."
Seldas clicked his tongue and replied.
"Fine. It's not impossible, so I'll have my men move as quickly as possible. Is that all?"
I gave a brief nod and turned to leave, but Seldas stopped me. "Wait."
"What is it?"
"There's something I've been wondering about."
Seldas leaned his forearms on the desk and continued.
"That young lady used to frequent my information guild quite often. So, I know her well. She was a foolish, easy target, ripe for the picking. But at some point, she changed so drastically it's as if she became an entirely different person."
What is he suddenly rambling about?
"To be precise, it started right after you appeared. In truth, aren't you the one pulling all the strings behind her actions? Jin Barenberg, the First Prince of a fallen kingdom. Tell me... is your goal to rebuild your lost nation?"