Chapter 516

Preparing for Promotion
“Well then, if you’re going to be promoted to Platinum-Rank Merchant, there’s some preparation to be done.”

“Preparation?”

Why is Marquis Vardmoi talking about preparations?
This is about me, isn’t it?

“Even if you become a Platinum-Rank Merchant, you’ve essentially been one of my subordinates… or I suppose it’s more accurate to say ‘you used to be.’ Once you’re officially promoted, our authority will be practically equal.”

“Hmm… is it really that significant?”

“Yes, it is. Which means preparation is necessary. First, we’ll need to organize a promotion celebration party.”

“A party too?”

“There are currently no Platinum-Rank Merchants in the McFarlane Dukedom. Not even in the former kingdom did we have any. That’s how remarkable this is.”

Hmm… I still can’t quite picture it.
How should I even react to this?

“Well, I’ll take care of the party preparations. Nobles will have to be invited too.”

“Even nobles?”

“There are a few Gold-Rank Merchants, but even they maintain close ties with the nobility. As a Platinum-Rank Merchant, even more nobles will want to build connections. Of course, we can’t only invite our allies, but I’ll handle the arrangements. Leave it to me.”

“Understood. I’ll leave the party arrangements to you. Is there anything else to prepare?”

“Right, housing preparations are needed too. It’s been odd enough that a Silver-Rank Merchant like you was living above a modest shop. A Platinum-Rank Merchant living above a store is out of the question. There’s a suitable mansion in Vardmoi, so you should get ready to move there.”

So I’ll be living in a mansion… traveling is going to be a hassle.
Wait a second—

“I don’t even have enough staff to maintain a mansion, though?”

“Then we’ll have to rely on Lady Plum. For both increased security and to prevent spies from sneaking in, her subordinates would be the best option. May we count on you?”

“Very well. With just a letter from me, I can assemble enough staff to maintain a mansion. But what about a head servant? Should I assign someone from my subordinates?”

“That would be ideal. After all, servants from McFarlane and Darshe likely have different methods.”

“Understood. I’ll summon my former chief steward. He’s someone trustworthy.”

“Thank you kindly. Now, Priscilla, do you have any requests?”

“Let’s see… First, we need to expand the business. Lily’s original business was ‘Spider’s Cotton Cloud,’ essentially a clothing store, but now the Saltas Company is far larger. However, the Saltas Company has no official headquarters and operates only in territories where you’ve stationed the Kiblinki Saltas. As a Platinum-Rank Merchant, you should have a headquarters in Vardmoi.”

That makes sense.
As she said, the Saltas Company doesn’t have a headquarters.
All the financial records circulate back to me and I review them, but they’re stored at the Trade Guild.
Having Alizée has made this system work, but apparently, that’s no longer acceptable.

“Do you have a candidate location for the headquarters?”

“Yes. There’s a suitable property available. We’ll use that for the Saltas Company headquarters.”

“Very well. I’ll leave staffing for that to you too.”

“Of course. The Trade Guild will handle recruitment responsibly.”

This is getting huge… well, I suppose it should be.

“Also, Lily, Alizée can’t handle everything by herself anymore. I’ll be assigning a few assistants to help her, so you’ll need to help choose them.”

“Huh? I’m involved too?”

“Of course. Alizée and I will pick candidates, but a Platinum-Rank Merchant should be directly involved in choosing their own staff.”

“Understood. Anything else?”

“Let’s see… we’ll provide a place for you to live and work, arrange servants and employees… The last issue is your personal business.”

“Personal business?”

“The matter of the Parfes. You haven’t formally decided how to handle them yet, have you?”

Oh, right.
Since Marquis Vardmoi is here, it’s best to decide now.

What do you think about this chapter?