Chapter 20 - Episode 20: Let's Have a Big Business Deal ①
Since a source of funds in the form of a lapis lazuli vein had been found, the next step was to secure a sales channel to convert it into a substantial amount of money.
Therefore, the day after receiving the report from the survey team, Noein loaded raw lapis lazuli onto a wagon and departed for Retovik to seek the help of the Miles Company. His companions this time were Matilda, Radley, and Edgar.
Arriving in Retovik shortly after noon, Noein said,
"Well then, first, let's go to a shop that isn't the Miles Company, somewhere that deals in precious metals and gemstones."
"Aren't we going to the Miles Company from the start?"
"Before that, I want to know the current exact market price for raw lapis lazuli. That's why I want to go gather information. I'll enter a suitable shop, look at some accessories, and try to find out through small talk."
"...Does that mean there is a possibility that the head of the Miles Company might deceive us, since we are not knowledgeable about minerals, Noein-sama?"
"Sharp as always, Matilda. Exactly."
To Radley and Edgar, who didn't seem to grasp the point even after hearing the conversation between the two, Noein explained the meaning of what Matilda had said.
"In other words, if we don't know the current market price of raw lapis lazuli accurately beforehand, we might be cheated into selling it to the Miles Company at an unfairly low price."
"Eh... would a major company really do such a thing?"
"I don't think they'd easily deceive us since we've built a decent relationship with that company through fur trading up until now, but the amount involved in this business deal is just that large. It's scary to discuss it while we have no information. It's better to be overly cautious."
Noein answered the surprised Edgar with a fearless smirk on his face. He swallowed the words that one must think of all business partners as enemies trying to deceive them.
.....
"Welcome. What are you looking for today?"
"Hello. Actually, I'm thinking of giving a gift to a female acquaintance. Perhaps some kind of ornament."
Having entered a luxury goods store for information gathering, Noein gave a random reason for his visit when approached by a man who appeared to be the owner.
Since he had let the others wait at a distance and entered alone, and since he was dressed not in his usual noble attire but in clothes that made him look like a slightly wealthy commoner at best, it seemed he wasn't recognized as the "Knight Bachelor of the Forest."
"I see, understood. Do you have any requests regarding the design or color of the ornament?"
"She mentioned that she likes blue, so if there's something using a blue gemstone..."
"In that case, let me show you a few items."
As he spoke, the owner took out about three products and placed them on the counter.
One was a pair of earrings with an impressive, transparent blue gemstone. It was likely a sapphire.
Another was a ring set with a stone that mixed several colors, centered around blue, with green and yellow. This was likely an opal.
The last one placed was a necklace with a deep blue stone, polished into a circle and set in the center, that seemed to pull one in. This was undoubtedly lapis lazuli. Even in his memories of when his late mother had shown it to him, the gemstone had certainly looked like this.
"This necklace is very beautiful. What gemstone is it?"
"This is lapis lazuli. It is also called the 'gemstone that invites good luck.'"
A direct hit.
"If I may ask, is the recipient someone you have feelings for?"
"Ahaha, embarrassingly, that is actually the case. This is my first gift."
Noein answered with a smile that made him look like nothing more than a fresh-faced, handsome young man to anyone watching. If Yuri had seen this face, he probably would have delivered a scathing retort like, "What's with that fake-looking face?"
The owner, not suspecting for a moment that Noein was lying, said with a smile, "In that case, a lapis lazuli necklace would be the perfect item."
"How much is this necklace?"
"This one is 800 Rebro."
"I see... it's expensive for such a small stone."
"Because it is a rare item... there is high demand not only as a gemstone, but also as a pigment. Are you familiar with 'The Blue of the Mother Sea'?"
"Ah, I think I've heard of it."
I actually know it perfectly, he thought inwardly, while speaking with a face that looked as if he had just remembered the term.
"When this raw lapis lazuli is processed into powder, it becomes that pigment. Since it is rare and expensive, I hear it is a longed-for pigment for painters."
"That's an interesting story... does that mean it's quite expensive even at the raw stone stage before processing?"
"Yes, indeed. If one wished to buy it, I suppose it would be nearly 2000 Rebro per kilogram. It might even be more than that."
"That much..."
"The raw stones are also a deep blue and mysterious, so they are popular as objects in their own right."
After that, he continued to talk casually while pretending to be interested in the products, and left the shop after stating, "It seems to slightly exceed my budget, so I will come back to buy it after I prepare the money." He apologized in his heart, thinking, I don't think I'll ever come back, so I'm sorry.
Then, he reunited with Matilda and the others at the plaza he had designated as the meeting place.
"I'm back. I managed to hear the price of the raw stones. That was the selling price, but if I consider the wholesale price based on that, I don't think we'll fail too badly in the business deal."
"As expected of Noein-sama."
"Thank you, Matilda. Next is the Miles Company. We'll have to handle this skillfully."
.....
Since President Benedict didn't usually come out personally for the regular fur buy-backs, it had been a while since he had met him.
He was shown to the same reception room as last time. Today, Matilda stood behind Noein, and Radley and Edgar also accompanied him to the reception room to carry the raw lapis lazuli.
"Knight Bachelor Arqvist, it has been a long time. I understand that you have some kind of special consultation for us today."
"It's been a while, Benedict-san. Sorry for taking your time."
"No, no, it is an honor to be able to lend my strength to none other than your excellency Arqvist. May I hear the contents of your consultation immediately?"
"Yes, actually, I was wondering if I could ask the Miles Company to handle the trade of this."
As Noein gave a signal with his eyes, Radley and Edgar placed a heavy mass wrapped in cloth on the table. The high-quality wooden table didn't budge even when the mass was placed upon it.
The two opened the cloth and revealed the contents.
"This is... raw lapis lazuli, isn't it?"
As expected of the top of a major company to tell at a glance, Noein appraised Benedict inwardly.
Because a raw stone of considerable size of a rare gemstone had appeared, even he widened his eyes slightly.
"Where on earth did this... I see, the Lestio Mountains?"
"That's correct. The other day, while surveying the foot of the Lestio Mountains bordering the Arqvist territory, I found a place that seemed to be a lapis lazuli vein. I am an amateur regarding mines, so the amount that can be mined is an unknown quantity, but..."
Hearing Noein's story, Benedict involuntarily let out a "fuuu" sigh.
As far as Noein had read in books in the past, places where lapis lazuli could be mined were particularly few even among the mines within the Kingdom of Lordberg. The discovery of a vein in the mountains of the neighboring territory must be an astonishing story for Benedict as well. It was no wonder he exhaled.
"Ah, excuse me. So, for today, is the talk about wanting to sell this raw stone for the time being?"
"Yes, for the time being. And if possible, I am thinking that I would like to sell the raw lapis lazuli mined in my territory exclusively to the Miles Company from now on."
At Noein's proposal, Benedict this time widened his eyes fully and showed his surprise.