Chapter 537

On the Topic of Invited Guests
For now, I’ll set aside the matter of the new tameable monster candidate.
I can always go when I have the time.
Personally, I would like to go, but from now on, I probably won’t be able to go wandering off without a reason.
I should show a little restraint.

“So, is that the end of this business with the talk about monsters?”

“Yes, that’s all. Was there something else you wanted to ask, Master?”

“No, nothing in particular. I was merely thinking—if you’ve asked Lily, then it must be something an ordinary tamer couldn’t handle.”

“Yes, I’ve heard they couldn’t even get close without being threatened.”

“With Tarachnathos by Lily’s side, it won’t be possible for them to threaten her. And with Kiblinki Saltas present, communication should be possible as well. Quite simple to figure out.”

“Please don’t put it like that. Anyway, changing the subject—what about the guest list?”

“The guests? I believe that hasn’t been decided yet.”

“What? Is that true, Lily?”

“Yes. Marquis Vardmoi said to wait—he’ll be the one to choose.”

From what Modalfas told me, normally you send out invitations about a season in advance.
But my promotion celebration party is only about a month and a half away.
And since Marquis Vardmoi told me not to decide on my own… what’s going on here?

“Hm. Even if it’s decided that I will be invited, where exactly will they send my invitation?”

“No idea. This time I really can’t read how it’s going to go.”

“It’s no wonder you can’t, Lily. You’ve never played at being a noble. But this is a celebration for the birth of a Platinum-Rank Merchant—a grand merchant. Who you invite, and who you don’t, will greatly affect future relations.”

“It changes things that much?”

“Of course. Not inviting someone is basically declaring, ‘I have no intention of dealing with you.’ Even if you’ve had Marquis Vardmoi’s backing until now, you’ll have to stand on your own from here. What’s that man plotting, leaving this for last?”

Wow… I hadn’t realized it was that serious.
I really didn’t think much of it.
I figured I’d just send them to the nobles I get along with.
Guess I can’t think like that anymore.

“If I were to send invitations, what kind of nobles would it be?”

“First of all, the Duke will no doubt be invited. And when you meet him, do not give the bow of fealty.”

“Huh? Why not?”

“Show that you intend to deal with him as an equal business partner. I never bowed to the Duke myself. Not even to that foolish predecessor of his.”

Ah… so it starts from there.
This is going to be a pain.

“Next, every marquis within the McFarlane Duke will be invited. Even Marquis Vardmoi can’t afford to snub them—doing so would deepen hostilities.”

“Marqueses… how many are there in McFarlane?”

“Hmm? Four or five, I believe. Some are marquieses in name only, with actual influence closer to that of a count.”

“There are that many?”

“Before the party, you’ll need to memorize all their names. If possible, also learn about their specialty products. If you fall short, that butler of yours or Alizée will cover for you.”

Yeah, that’s something I’ll have to get used to.
I’m still terrible at sales talk.
I rely on Alizée for most of the business front.

“There will also be a good number of counts invited, and some viscount houses with momentum will be as well. Baronies… hmm, I’m not so sure. The scale of dealings might not match.”

“Even silver-rank merchants can do business with the royal family, after all.”

“For marquis rank, yes—even a silver-rank merchant could deal with them. But for viscounts and barons, a copper-rank beginner is more fitting. Then of course, there are friendly business partners and associates.”

“Like the Lumite company people?”

“They’ll certainly be invited. They’ve received technical assistance from you, and if they didn’t send a congratulatory bouquet, people would question the company’s integrity.”

… Yeah, I’m definitely in a complicated position now.
I really would have preferred to keep things simpler.
But with how far my reach has spread, that’s just not possible anymore.

What do you think about this chapter?