Chapter 627

Negotiations with Kiri and Riku
Once the trade plans with the Darshe Principality were settled, the next step was trade with the Isles of the Eight Gods.
I wanted to discuss it while Lady Kiri and Lord Riku were still here.
Technically, their jurisdiction covered different seats among the Eight, but even if they just carried the message back, that would be a huge help.

I contacted the temple of the Eight Heavenly Seats right away, and they agreed to meet tomorrow.
I prepared some Parfe Cream Puffs as a gift—everything ready and perfect.
All right then, let’s go!

“Lady Lily, thank you for coming today.”

“Not at all. We didn’t get much chance to talk at the party, so I’m glad we could meet before you return.”

“I’m glad too. From what I’ve seen of the Parfes working in town, it looks like the ones who came to this country are thriving.”

“Yes. They take turns driving the sightseeing Parfe Carriages, and on the Darkday, they spend time with children at the visitor ranch.”

Both the Parfe Carriages and the ranch are still as popular as ever.
A new carriage model is almost finished, so we’ll have a bit more leeway soon.
The ranch, though… well, that one’s still a bit of a handful.

“The visitor ranch, hmm. The Parfes don’t dislike working there?”

“They’re fine. They actually seem to enjoy playing with the children.”

“Hmph, that’s thanks to the Kiblinki Saltas, no doubt. On the Isles of the Eight Gods, they’d be too scared to even face a child.”

Huh, really?
I’d thought they’d be okay around kids at least.
But since it’s Lord Riku—the Seat in charge of monsters—saying so, it must be true.

“Well, if they’re doing it of their own will, then it’s all good. Besides, the sweets made from Parfe milk are delicious.”

“They truly are. When the Parfes get frightened, even the taste of their milk declines.”

“Is that so? I never noticed—since I’ve only ever had milk of this quality.”

“That just means the Parfes have grown comfortable in this environment. So, what brings you to us today?”

“I wanted to ask what kinds of goods I could personally trade with the Isles of the Eight Gods.”

“Trade is handled by another Seat, but… I suppose there’s no harm in talking. The main products we can offer are processed marine goods. You’ve visited the Isles before, Lady Lily, so you know—our landmass isn’t that large. We only produce enough crops for our own consumption.”

“And there are also our island’s traditional crafts. That’s under the Fire Seat’s jurisdiction, but our silk textiles and ceremonial garments are top quality.”

Marine goods and handicrafts, huh.
Not bad at all.
They wouldn’t overlap with Darshe’s exports, so the trade balance would work out nicely.

“And in exchange, the Isles would like… grains, I presume?”

“Indeed. As I mentioned, with so little arable land, food crops are always in short supply. Grains—the staple foods—would be most welcome.”

“Also, we’ve made a request to the Trade Guild as well, but we’d like to obtain more magitech tools. That field is underdeveloped on the Isles.”

“I should be able to arrange some grain supplies through my own network. Not in huge quantities—if we export too much, it’ll affect McFarlane’s domestic market—but I can make it work somehow. As for magic tools… I can’t say for sure right now. My company doesn’t have a magic tool division.”

Hmm, magic tools, huh.
My company’s gotten big enough now—it might be time to expand our product range by opening a magitech department.
I’ll have to think about staffing, but if it’s for transportation, Lumite Company could probably manufacture large-scale magic-powered vehicles for us.
Owning our own large carriers would be a huge advantage in logistics.
Maybe I should talk to Alizée and the others about it when I get back.

What do you think about this chapter?