episode_0069

“Baron Steele. Is what the Count just said true?”

“Yes. I run a blacksmith shop. Using my abilities as a warlock, I went to a blacksmith shop where skeletons were constantly creating things.”

“Huh… … .”

The nobles who remained in the room responded with great surprise that they were running a blacksmith shop that was operating non-stop using skeletons.

“That… … . It’s a bit weird to say this, but is that price really possible?”

“It is possible because the labor costs that inevitably arise when making things through a blacksmith are eliminated.”

“Ah! Yes. personnel expenses. I can’t ignore that either.”

“In fact, the value of the items I sell is determined by the amount of iron needed to make them and the time needed to process them. The fact that costs increase over time can be thought of as the cost of fuel required for processing.”

“Now that you say that, I clearly understand why the price is cheap.”

The nobles nodded, saying they understood why it was cheap. However, some people looked a little suspicious.

“How about the quality? In fact, the quality of iron products varies greatly depending on the skill of the blacksmith.”

When one of them brought up the topic of quality, other nobles seemed to agree. This is because it was natural that the quality of items of the same price would vary depending on the skill of the blacksmith. Although they may not have directly used low-quality products, it was clear that they had received reports of related information.

“We are confident about quality. I think it would be above average even for the entire continent. The quality is high enough to satisfy Count Carbon. Just because the price is cheap doesn’t mean the quality is cheap.”

“I don’t think the Count praised you for nothing. By any chance, what should I do to purchase something?”

He showed pride in quality, even mentioning Count Carbon, and the nobles nodded. And, there were people who wanted to purchase the product as is. Not everyone, but some people who need items right away have come forward quite actively.

“There are two ways. The first is to come directly or send an operating merchant to come to my location or our affiliated stores and purchase products. The second is to attract Smithskeleton’s affiliated stores to your territory.”

The method of selling the product had been decided in advance. Either by visiting us directly or by attracting our franchisees. In fact, it was close to encouraging the attraction of franchises.

It was impossible for nobles to visit in person, and shipping through a merchant would incur shipping fees, so they decided to attract franchises. It was natural for me to have an increase in regular business partners rather than one-off business partners.

In addition, there were special conditions attached to attracting franchises, so it was even more advantageous for me.

“For your information, there are conditions when attracting franchises. What I am saying is that you have to send the blacksmiths in that territory to me. Of course, we will also provide corresponding benefits.”

“Do you mean blacksmiths? No, they are the territory’s important human resources, so why…? … .”

“For blacksmiths. It is clear that if I attract my own franchise, the livelihood of blacksmiths will be threatened. It’s nearly impossible for ordinary blacksmiths to compete with me. Would it be possible to compete if I made tens or hundreds of pieces a day and sold them for 5,000 meds while blacksmiths only make a few pieces a week and sell them for 230,000 meds?”

“… … It would be impossible.”

“Yes. That’s why I’m asking you to send them to me. Aren’t you glad that unemployment occurs in your territory?”

It was natural for the lords to hope that the residents of the territory would somehow engage in production activities and pay taxes. No matter how important the blacksmith was as a human resource, they were not nobles who would embrace those who had become unemployed due to competition.

“Then what are the benefits I mentioned earlier? I believe that if you bring in key human resources, there will be corresponding benefits.”

“Depending on the number of blacksmiths sent to me, I plan to provide a certain amount of items free of charge, like taxes, in the form of a contribution. If the existing blacksmith made something worth 30,000 med in lieu of taxes, I also give the product worth 30,000 med for free. For reference, the conditions are the same as Count Carbon’s.”

“Umm… … .”

The nobles looked deeply troubled by my words. It was clear that he was worried about whether it was necessary to do business with me, even handing over the blacksmith, the territory’s main human resource.

However, one person quietly approached among the nobles. He was a nobleman introduced by Count Carbone as Baron Saal Farmer.

“What if there is no blacksmith in the territory? Our territory currently has no blacksmith. I stayed there until the year before last, but due to an unfortunate accident while I had no children and no disciples… … .”

“In that case, it would be better to attract a franchise. You don’t have to worry about those who will be left behind if there are no blacksmiths. Instead, please note that we cannot provide it for free as we do not have a blacksmith.”

Baron Farmer, who said there was no blacksmith in the estate, nodded with a bright expression.

And, the other nobles who looked at Baron Palmer like that seemed to realize something. It seemed like a bit of a trick, but I was able to quickly figure out what it was. It seemed like they were planning to attract franchises by lying that they didn’t have a blacksmith. In hindsight, it was a loss, but for now, it was clear that he wanted to hold on to the blacksmith somehow.

It goes without saying, but as someone who brings together blacksmiths to conduct research and development, I couldn’t look at that aspect favorably. That’s why we nailed it in advance.

“Dan! Please note that if you attract a franchise by saying that you do not have a blacksmith even though you have one, the contract may be terminated.”

Perhaps they thought they had seized the opportunity, but I could see the bright faces of the nobles turning glum in real time. As I was looking at it, a frog came to mind, perhaps because of a memory from my past life, but I couldn’t quite remember what it was.

Anyway, after preventing the trickery, there was only one person who still had a positive view of attracting franchises, Baron Farmer. As if there really wasn’t a blacksmith in the territory, he seemed anxious to open a franchise store right away.

“There are a few days until the Territory War ends, so please think about it carefully before speaking.”

After telling the others to think about it, I moved on to see Baron Farmer looking at me. The purpose was to tell the story in more detail.

“First of all, once you attract a franchise, you can operate it directly or through a merchant in your territory. Basically, we will deliver the goods every month, and then we will receive the next order each time. If you have an urgent order, you must send it separately.”

“Are you saying that when you receive the item, you will order next month’s supply? Then, you must have the insight to predict the items you will need.”

“That’s right. However, even if it is in stock, it will sell out at some point due to the low price, so you don’t need to worry too much.”

“Well, if you need something urgently, you said it is possible to order it in person, so I will make a contract.”

Baron Farmer seemed to think there was nothing wrong with him and said that he would sign a contract right away. Although there was no contract ready right away, it was not difficult to sign a contract. This is because most nobles always had butlers with them.

Butlers were often more knowledgeable than nobles. Since there were nobles who did not know letters, it was common for butlers to be more knowledgeable than nobles. It was because of the nobles’ mindset that it was enough to rely on those who knew letters. And, it was the same for Baron Farmer. He called one of the butlers he had brought with him and had him write up a contract.

The butler who received the order wrote down the contents of the contract on paper. Of course, it wasn’t just me and Baron Farmer staying still. We revised the contract by agreeing to modify, add, or remove various provisions. After writing the contract for a while, I ended up with a pretty neat contract.

We created a clean contract that left no one at a loss and had no toxic clauses, so we signed and shook hands as if there was nothing more to see. And, he immediately started talking about the things he needed.

“Our territory is focused on agriculture. To be honest, even if there is nothing else in the territory, most of the territory is fertile farmland, so it can’t be helped… … . So we need quite a bit of iron farming equipment. Things like hoes, sickles, shovels, and plows.”

Baron Palmer began listing the items he needed one by one and determining their quantity. And, when I checked his order, I couldn’t help but be quite surprised. Because there was really a lot of it.

“Is that really a lot?”

“There is no blacksmith in the territory, so there are quite a few items needed. Since the blacksmith disappeared two years ago, there has been a constant shortage of iron items. I’m trying to get it from nearby territories, but since the nearby territories are nobles, I can’t get the amount I need… … .”

Perhaps because he was worried that he would say no because of the large amount, Baron Farmer told him that his situation was not good. Even while providing food to Viscount Deputy, he even said that he planned to ask for a blacksmith from the opposing territory if he won the territory war.

He chuckled at the appearance of trying to attract franchises somehow.

“Don’t worry. It’s a lot, but it’s not impossible.”

“Really! Thank you!”

Baron Farmer sighed with relief, as if he was very fortunate, and seemed to be relieved of his worries.

“If you secure a space to use as a franchise store and contact us, we will bring the requested items.”

“If I want to start operating a franchise as soon as possible, I need to send one of my butlers right away.”

Perhaps he was so happy that the various problems arising from the absence of a blacksmith were solved, Baron Farmer actually sent one of his butlers back to his domain. He gave instructions to attach several guards and bring them back to create a place to run the franchise.

It was a sight that made me think that the execution ability was truly amazing. As I watched one of the butlers running out in a huff, Baron Farmer smiled happily and made a loud noise, drawing my attention.

“Baron Steele. If you’re not tired, how about having some refreshments with us? Viscount Deputy prepared some pretty good quality refreshments.”

“Of course.”

Since there was nothing else to do unless other nobles came to see if they wanted to attract franchises, I nodded willingly. This is because Baron Farmer gave off the air that he wanted to become closer to me in some way. There was nothing wrong with establishing a friendship with a nobleman who was willing to attract franchises.

However, sharing refreshments had to be postponed until later. This is because one of the butlers of Viscount Defuty’s family hurriedly rushed over and delivered a piece of news.