Reporting to Marquis Vardmoi
I complete all the clothes over two days and contacted the Trade Guild.
They informed me that, I needed to bring the clothes to Marquis Vardmoi’s place for inspection.
So, I started preparing for that.
As long as the clothes were neatly folded, it seemed unnecessary to put them in a decorative box, so I carefully folded them and packed them into hemp bags.
About 20 outfits fit into one bag.
I kept doing that, and once they were loaded onto the carriage provided by the Trade Guild, the preparations for departure are complete.
We headed to Marquis Varmoid’s residence with Alizée.
After a simple body check at the entrance, we left our luggage with the mansion staff and were escorted to the reception room.
After a while, Marquis Varmoi and his wife arrived.
“Oh, Lily. Thanks for the prompt delivery. My apologies for the rush.”
“No problem. Making several outfits of the same size is not a significant task for me. I received the formal request and payment as well.”
“Hmm. About the payment, was it sufficient?”
“Yes, it was. The fabric amounted to about 550,000 Rubies in total. With pattern fees and such, the material costs were around 600,000 Rubies. The profit may be relatively small, but I can’t charge a large amount to the city orphanage.”
“I see. That’s good.”
Both the Marquis and Marchioness seemed relieved.
Did they think I spent more than the payment?
Well, considering the number of outfits I made, the profit isn’t substantial, but it’s not an issue this time.
However, I wonder why they ordered new clothes at this time.
When I asked, the Marquis, with a troubled expression, explained.
“Do you know of a company called the Jaggant Company?”
“Well, I’ve heard the name a few times. What about it?”
“I used to commission them to gather second-hand clothes for the orphanage. However, recently, they suddenly demanded an increase in the commission fee. The reason they reported was the rise in the second-hand clothing market prices.”
A rise in the second-hand clothing market?
I haven’t heard of it, but maybe Alizée knows?
However, when I asked her, she denied any such thing happening.
“As far as the Trade Guild has investigated, there is no evidence of a rise in the second-hand clothing market. On the contrary, second-hand clothing prices are generally decreasing. Due to you, Lady Lily, selling new clothes at relatively low prices, other clothing merchants have slightly lowered the prices of new clothes as well. As a result, second-hand clothes are flooding the market, causing a downward trend in prices.”
“That’s right. I had my subordinates look into it, and it seems second-hand clothing is generally decreasing in value. Yet, the Jaggant Company insisted on a price increase. They threatened not to hand over the clothes if I don’t agree to their price hike.”
Wow, they’re displaying such a confident attitude toward a noble.
Who exactly is the Jaggant Company?
“Of course, I refused and placed an order with you. The requested amount is the same as the Jaggant Company’s demand, 700,000 Rubies. It’s to show them that with this amount, you can provide brand-new clothes.”
I’ve been unknowingly caught up in some power struggle.
Well, even if I had known, I might have accepted it as a donation to the orphanage.
“They said that if new clothes can be procured for 700,000 Rubies, they’re even willing to give up their position as my official merchants. Lily, there’s no issue with the goods, right?”
“It’s okay. They are all handmade by me.”
“Then, let’s wait a while until the inspection results come out… By the way, have you learned to make Mana Spider Silk clothes yet?”
“Yes. I can’t make complicated ones yet, but I can make simple ones.”
“I see… depending on the situation, we might order Mana Spider Silk dresses during the winter. If you need to practice making clothes, I’d like you to make shirts for me, my wife, and our daughter. We can’t afford a high-priced request, but would you accept it?”
“Yes, I’d be honored to.”
After that, we measured the sizes of the Marquis, Marchioness, and their daughter, Bern, and discussed when to deliver the shirts.
Since the shirts can be delivered through the Trade Guild at any time, there shouldn’t be any problems.
The conversation continued with various work-related topics, and I learned many things.
However, it seems trade diminishes during the winter, and the price of regular Spider Silk is likely to drop.
Still, Mana Spider Silk, being rare, is expected to maintain a high price regardless of the season.
It seems my fabric has become a relatively precious export item.
Yeah, I guess I’ve been only thinking about the immediate future.
Eventually, a servant came to inform us of the inspection results, and it seems they didn’t expect all the clothes to be enchanted.
While it’s normal for me, it appears to be extraordinary for them.
Since I was not demanding an increase in the fee, we decided to proceed with the delivery.
Yeah, I guess I’m still out of touch with the general public.