Ch.92Fur Trade (2)

In this era, fur is undoubtedly one of the best commodities with guaranteed supply and demand.

The main reason fur is considered such a valuable commodity is that, in a world where cotton cultivation has not yet been commercialized, it remains the best generally available cold-weather protection.

During harsh winters, countless poor people freezing to death from nothing but the cold is a common occurrence. Even for those not in such dire straits, wrapping oneself in fur for outdoor activities in winter is absolutely essential.

Even the poorest person needs fur, however cheap, to survive winter—not necessarily to stay warm, but at least to avoid freezing to death.

The cold in this world, influenced by mysterious phenomena, feels distinctly different from that of an ordinary world. When winter comes, countless people who cannot afford fur perish from the cold.

Therefore, fur has steady demand from the poorest of the poor to the monarchs who rule the secular world. Beyond its basic warming properties, fur has various other uses.

The hide, once stripped of fur, is moderately tough yet flexible, making it useful in fields requiring durability and elasticity—shoes, belts, sword handles, various necessities, finishing materials, and even armor.

Additionally, the fur of animals with beautiful coats, such as foxes and martens, holds value as a luxury item. It’s said that the most common luxury in this era is clothing made from high-quality fur.

However, in this world with many fantasy elements, there’s another definite demand for fur…

Specifically, the hides and furs of monsters (hostile life forms) like magical beasts are highly valued for defensive equipment.

Furs with defensive properties, such as the semi-magical fur of wolf beasts called “Wolrang,” are often used to make protective coats for nobles or ceremonial cloaks for elite soldiers and knights.

Some cloaks retain magical properties that can be reproduced through magical processing, and equipment made from such fur easily surpasses the durability of mediocre metal armor.

Of course, even ordinary furs without such high-grade properties are in considerable demand, making fur our most suitable source of income should we need additional funds.

Originally, with over 30 hunters going out to hunt, we were already collecting a substantial amount of fur. Additionally, we recently confiscated a significant quantity from that fur peddler we punished.

It would be accurate to say we have enough piled up for our village of 140 people to use lavishly with plenty left over. Moreover, it’s not surprising that the surrounding unexplored areas are teeming with wild animals to hunt.

In other words, there’s no better product to sell right now.

Because of this, Charlotte and I have been discussing the fur trade for some time. Following our recent visit to the territory’s capital, we managed to establish a sales channel—or rather, a market.

Specifically, supplying fur to the knights’ order through our connections.

While everyone in human society needs fur and leather in this era, military groups require particularly large quantities.

From materials for tents and sleeping bags used during encampments, to cloaks that provide not just style but warmth and back protection, to leather straps as excellent fastening materials, and even coverings for wooden shields.

In other words, until the advent of synthetic fibers—products of chemical engineering—fur and leather are indispensable in fields requiring “tough and durable fabric or similar materials,” especially in the military.

Once continuous consumption begins, leather and fur, being consumables, must be continuously supplied. I’ve successfully established a “line” to provide this supply through my connections.

However, even with a market established, handling the details is a separate issue. Particularly matters like pricing and the quality of fur to be supplied require additional discussion.

“Charlotte, may I ask this of you?”

“M-me…?”

“Yes. I’ll assign Corin to accompany you. I’m counting on you. There’s no one else I can entrust with such an important task…!”

In the current situation, where we need to establish fur sales channels and recruit personnel, I decided to dispatch my two most trusted associates to resolve these issues.

While we’ve already made a verbal agreement to supply fur to the knights’ order, it’s obviously necessary to manage the details and formalize the contract.

How much fur, and what kind, will we supply? How will pricing be structured, how will transportation be handled, and what contingencies exist if delivery cannot be made due to emergencies?

Knowing better than anyone that sending inadequate personnel would be useless, I expressed my intention to dispatch trustworthy key personnel to successfully complete this transaction.

Of course, there was no alternative but to send Charlotte, who currently handles most of our territory’s administration.

“W-wait a moment, please. Lord Alzar, if I’m gone, the territory’s administration…”

“I’m still here, and we have Formal Priestess Joanna. If necessary, we can also ask Gretel.”

Of course, I’m not suggesting sending Charlotte, our territory’s administrative manager, away immediately without any contingency plan.

Since problems would arise if she, who oversees the territory’s affairs, suddenly disappeared, the plan is to transfer some important tasks over time.

Additionally, we have sufficient people to fill in for her.

The temple sometimes handles administrative duties for poor territories that cannot afford to hire administrative officials. Priestess Joanna, who oversees a temple, should be capable of basic administrative work.

I’ve also been consistently learning administration from her during my free time and can perform basic duties. If necessary, we can even request help from Gretel, the prodigious genius who became an intermediate witch from reading a single book.

Well, the administrative work for a village-sized territory isn’t particularly complex anyway.

“If you put it that way…”

After I calmly explained the current situation, Charlotte, who had initially clearly opposed the idea, changed her mind once she saw I had a definite plan.

Realizing that I wasn’t pushing my opinion out of stubbornness but for clear reasons, she eventually accepted the task I proposed.

※ ※ ※

And so, events have led to the present.

“Travel safely, Sir Corin, Administrative Officer Charlotte.”

“Yes, I will follow your orders.”

“…I will certainly complete the mission.”

At the village outskirts stood Sir Corin Lanster, serving as both escort and guarantor of status; Administrative Officer Charlotte Mainster, who would handle this task; and four supporting staff with one cart pulled by a pack horse.

The three business objectives I aimed to achieve with this considerable investment were:

First, to determine the details of the fur sales contract mentioned earlier; second, to recruit suitable residents who have been somewhat vetted through her; and third, to recruit additional administrative officers to handle various minor tasks in the village.

While the current affairs in the territory can be sufficiently managed by Charlotte alone, this doesn’t mean it isn’t burdensome for her.

Moreover, according to current plans, our territory intends to recruit approximately 50 additional personnel. At that scale, it would be unreasonable for one person to manage everything, no matter how capable.

Therefore, her mission is to recruit decent talents to assist Charlotte with the increasing workload.

An organization that faces problems just because Charlotte is temporarily absent has many issues. The immediate solution is to overcome this burden by expanding our workforce.

Thus, the two departed for the territory’s capital, where the knights’ headquarters is located, with my send-off.

Not long after these two key personnel left on their important mission, some good news was delivered by Pierre, my servant who was temporarily serving as assistant in Corin’s absence:

“Lord Alzar, Lady Gretel says she has something to tell you.”

“What is it?”

“Yes. She says the ‘weapon’ you requested has been completed…”

“…Oh!”

The good news was that the “personal weapon” I had directly commissioned from Gretel had finally been completed.