Chapter 30
Chapter 30
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 30
Chapter Title: What to Choose
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"It's probably due to the sudden rise in temperature. This year has been unexpectedly..."
"Escort him."
The Emperor rose urgently from his seat and spoke to his attendant.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"What in the world is going on here?"
"Y-Your Majesty!"
The representatives of the merchant group panicked at the Emperor's sudden arrival and hastily paid their respects. But the Emperor was in no position to accept their greetings leisurely.
"Explain. What exactly is happening?"
The man standing beside him spoke to the Emperor, his tension plain for anyone to see.
"Well, the summer has been unusually hot, so the temperature rose..."
"Just tell me if there's a solution."
"There's no way to restore oil that's already spoiled. We'll probably have to purchase new stock..."
"Then what about the sales scheduled for next week?!"
The Emperor finally lost his patience and shouted. But he already knew there was no alternative unless they went back to Inda to import more.
"I-I'm sorry!"
"If apologies could solve everything, the world would be a much easier place, wouldn't it?"
The Emperor's grim expression held not a trace of humor, and he looked ready to explode at any moment.
As no one dared speak up and they all just exchanged wary glances, a man burst into the room, flinging the door open.
"M-Merchant Guild Master!"
"What is it? If it's not urgent, come back later! Can't you see His Majesty is here?!"
The man at the back scolded his subordinate with a scowl, and the subordinate fumbled for words, unsure what to do.
"It's about the oil..."
The Emperor turned to the man behind him at those words.
"What is it? Speak."
The man, who never dreamed the Emperor would address him directly, ignored the cold sweat trickling down his back and forced himself to reply.
"More and more nobles are coming in, complaining about the poor quality. Today alone, some said it smelled off or gave them stomachaches after eating and demanded refunds..."
"Hah, they were desperate to buy it up before, and now they want refunds?"
The Emperor let out a hollow laugh, picked up an oil bottle from the table in front of him, popped the lid without hesitation, and brought it to his nose.
A sour stench filled the merchant room.
Even someone ignorant about oil could tell. It was unmistakably spoiled, unfit to sell as a product.
"How long would it take to ship out, import more, and then sell?"
"At least four months. The round trip takes about three, but winter seas are notoriously treacherous..."
Unable to contain his rage any longer, the Emperor hurled the bottle in his hand to the floor. It shattered with a sharp crack.
"Dispatch ships immediately. And inform the nobles that delivery will arrive in four months."
"Yes, understood."
"You lot, figure out how to extend the shelf life of the merchandise. Got it?"
"Y-Yes!"
With that, the Emperor strode out as if he had nothing more to say. But the place didn't quiet down.
"I paid top price for this, and you're saying there's no proper handling?!"
"I've sent my servants for days with no response, so I came myself! Where's the Merchant Guild Master? I came to see his face today!"
Having arrived early in the morning frenzy, the merchant group's opening was delayed, and the Emperor clutched his head at the voices of nobles lined up waiting.
"...What a mess."
He grimaced at the chaotic scene and boarded his carriage. He had to resolve this damned issue quickly.
"How can it spoil within a week of purchase? Doesn't that mean there's a problem on your end?!"
The workers inside the increasingly rowdy merchant group were dying inside. They hadn't chosen the product themselves, yet here they were bearing the full blame.
On top of that, the Emperor had witnessed the mess and walked away unfazed. It felt like he was pinning all the fault on them.
"Everyone, please calm down. The shelf life hadn't expired, but the sudden weather change after purchase isn't our fault!"
"You should have warned us about that beforehand! I wouldn't have bought a hundred bottles!"
The Merchant Guild Master realized today was a lost cause amid the surging crowd.
Clearly, these people would keep coming until the issue was resolved.
"Argh, look, file a petition with the Imperial Palace! We can't operate with crowds like this. Please leave!"
Following the Guild Master's orders, the staff pushed the nobles out. The nobles struggled desperately, but it was no use.
Finally succeeding in shoving them all outside, the staff locked the merchant group's doors.
"Damn it!"
"An Imperial Palace-run operation treating us like this..."
They clutched the oil bottles they'd bought, as if thrusting evidence forward. They'd hoped nobles coming in person would prompt proper handling, but that too fell flat.
That was when it happened. Amid the nobles standing there fuming, a sly voice slipped in naturally.
"Aigoo, of course the oil spoils if you keep it in these bottles at room temperature."
"Who are you?!"
Viscount Hogun shouted at the man who picked up a bottle from the ground and clicked his tongue. But the man continued, examining the bottle from all angles.
"Hey, this thing's all flash and no substance. Perfect for soaking up sunlight. Exactly the kind of bottle that spoils oil fast. No wonder if you display it outside..."
"Exactly! It's outrageous!"
Viscount Hogun nodded, feeling a kinship with someone who finally spoke sense. The man, sniffing the oil's color and scent expertly, agreed.
"Something this temperature-sensitive gets ruined because you leave it in sunlight, use weird bottles, and can't even meet the shelf life."
"Those damn bastards!"
Viscount Hogun kicked the ground in frustration.
"So, how much did you buy to make such a fuss?"
"Dran Oil. Nobles from the provinces asked me to get it. I boasted I'd deliver by week's end, but now it's impossible! Can't buy more even if I had the money!"
"How much do you have left?"
As Viscount Hogun rummaged in his pocket, inwardly annoyed at the nosy passerby commoner,
"A hundred silver could buy one bottle. Right, Merchant Guild Master?"
"What?"
The Viscount's eyes widened at the price—a tenth of what he'd paid.
And the person cloaked against the wall nodded at the man's words and approached.
"Exactly. That's more than enough for top-quality Dran Oil."
As she lowered her hood, dazzling red hair cascaded down. Esther extended her hand to the Viscount with a smile.
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Esther Elpis of the Elpis Merchant Group. You seem to be in quite a bind—shall I help?"
"You're really sure we can get the oil?"
"Of course. Our merchant group's motto is trust with customers, milord. No need to worry. We can draw up a contract if you like."
Esther exchanged a grin with Oilie as the gullible noble followed, saying it was fine to just take a look.
This man's reputation preceded him, even among merchant groups.
Viscount Hogun, who loved bragging about being ahead of others or trying new things first, and had been scammed multiple times by trusting rumors and stares—earning him the nickname "sucker."
Esther knew how much attention his actions drew. That's why she'd targeted him from the start.
"We're here. Please come in."
Guiding Viscount Hogun to the basement entrance, Esther paused as a chill wafted up, making the Viscount hesitate.
"This isn't some shady deal, is it?"
"Heavens, we're a fully licensed merchant group. No worries. Or would you prefer to come back later?"
Esther barely suppressed a laugh at Oilie's sly quip and chimed in.
"But I can't guarantee it'll still be here next time."
"Lead the way!"
Esther, arriving first, flung open the basement door, and Carter approached her.
"Ah, Guild Master."
"Carter, we have a customer. I thought I'd show the goods first."
At her words, Carter produced a newspaper-wrapped bottle from behind him, as if waiting.
"Here you go."
"Thanks."
Esther took the bottle and held it out to Viscount Hogun.
"Dran Oil."
"What kind of bottle is..."
Viscount Hogun scowled at the plainly wrapped bottle, displeased, but Oilie snatched the bottle from the Viscount's servant without ceremony.
"Compare them yourself. What to choose is up to the customer."
"Hmph."
As Viscount Hogun took the bottle to inspect it, someone lightly knocked on the basement door. Esther smiled faintly at the awaited signal.
"Come in."
Dana entered, met Esther's eyes, and awkwardly began her act with a grin.
"Oh, Carter asked for food to test the oil's quality, but I didn't know we had a guest. Should've prepared something for you too..."
"I'm fine. Viscount, perfect timing for a taste test—want to try?"
Carter offered the plate as if yielding, but it wasn't really for him.
"You made this with it?"
Blissfully unaware, Viscount Hogun showed interest in the food. Esther seized the moment.
"Yes, all our group members love cooking with this oil."
"Everyone in the group uses this pricey stuff?"
Dana offered a fork to the stunned Viscount.
"Would you like to try?"
"...Sure."
Viscount Hogun skeptically speared the food and popped it in his mouth. As he chewed, his face lit up with delight.
"This...!"
"How is it?"
Esther asked despite knowing from his expression.
Viscount Hogun chewed a bit more before swallowing.
From his eyes, Esther was certain. He'd fallen right into her plan—it was a success.
"So, how much can I buy?"
The Viscount asked urgently, no longer hiding his eagerness.
"We limit per customer to a hundred bottles."
"Exactly what I need. When do we draw up the contract?"
"Let's head upstairs now."
Esther secretly exchanged approving glances with her group members, praising each other's efforts.