Once we were back at the dungeon entrance, I let Maguro and the carriage out of the subspace.
âNow, letâs get going. Can you guys help me with the preparation?â
âSure, butâŠwhy not just teleport us all directly to Perdis?â
Tendo asked me, wondering.
âHmm, sure I could. But then again, we are not particularly in a hurry, so I thought maybe weâd just take our time traveling back.â
âHaha, youâre right. It would be nice to take it easy.â
âNow you get it.â
I laughed as I fed Maguro and petted it.
When Maguro had finished eating, we boarded the carriage and set off for the royal capital of Perdis.
Although the number of people accompanying us had increased, there was no problem at all because my carriage was equipped with a door that led to the subspace.
And so, our leisurely journey began.
ïœ
Itâll take a little over a week from here to the royal capital of Perdis.
Thereâs nothing else to do on the way, so Iâll take it slow while making sure everyone keep up with their training.
Iâll have to be careful not to neglect my equipment and training, too.
Now, the question is what to do after we get to Perdis.
Iâll need to look into the magic circle for our return back home, but I canât spend all my time on just that as well.
So, what should I do�
When I asked Tendo and the others, they said they were going to look for knights and strong adventurers in Perdis to train with.
âWeâve learned from this battle that weâre still not strong enough. We need to become stronger.â
Well, Iâm glad that theyâre overflowing with motivation.
Iâm sure theyâll become strong enough to defeat the Demon King in the near future.
âGreat, Iâm looking forward to it. In the meantime, youâre welcome to use my mansion as your base.â
âThank you, that would be very helpful.â
Itâs no use having such a large mansion if itâs not being used.
Hmm, so I guess weâll be acting separately.
Accompanying them in that endeavor kinda feels wrong.
If Tendo and the others are trying to become stronger in their own way, it would be better not to interfere.
PerhapsâŠI think it would be interesting to try to create a trading company.
The quality of the potions, weapons, and magic tools I make is high if I do say so myself.
And more importantly, if I develop products based on ideas from my original world, I can imagine them dominating the market.
The problem is manpowerâŠbut I could just use slaves for this.
By using slaves, not with bad intentions obviously.
Iâve never had a good impression of slavery, but like in the case of Ephyr, I can help those who are unfortunate and doomed by buying them.
So I would like to do the same thing this time, buy people who have become slaves for unjust reasons.
I would like to be able to treat them in a civilized manner, pay them wages, and allow them the opportunity to buy themselves out when they save up enough money.
They could also choose to remain as employees if they wished, in this way, I will have no need to worry about shortage of staff.
Naturally, criminal slaves are a no no.
I proceeded to tell everyone about the idea as soon as I could.
âWow, I think itâs a very good idea, Haruto!â
âExactly. I think itâs great that you can save people who are in the same situation I was.â
âYeah, when I heard slaves, I was a little taken aback, but I think itâs a great idea.â
âThatâs right! âWeâll help you with the product development as well, if thatâs okay with you!â
Said, Finne, Ephyr, Tendo and Asakura.
The others seemed to be of the same opinion.
I breathed a sigh of relief.
âThank you all, Iâm glad you approve.â
After that, we continued our journey, talking about the store, training, all while taking it easy, and arrived back in the Kingdom of Perdis within a week as planned.
ïœ
When I arrived at the capital, the first thing I did was to go to the royal castle to meet with King Dillan.
It would have been fine to go back to the mansion, but I wanted to give him another report on what happened in Glicente and discuss the establishment of a trading company.
As we approached the castle, we got off the carriage and were walking towards it when the gatekeeper spotted Iris and me and called out to us.
âPrincess, Master Haruto, and even the hero.â
By the way, I am acquainted with this gatekeeper, Thomas.
As I visited the castle many times, we got to know each other well enough to make small talk.
âMr. Thomas, is Dillan around right now?â
âHis Majesty should be in the castle today.â
âThank you, may we come in?â
âOf course you may.â
With that, Thomas opened the gate for us.
When we went through the gate, we were not met by the usual guiding soldiers, but by Zebastian, sir Dillanâs butler.
âItâs been a while, Lady Iris, Master Haruto. This way, please. His Majesty is waiting for you.â
ââŠHow did you know we were coming back?â
âWe received a report that you had entered the capital. After that, I felt your presence approaching, so I came up to greet you.â
âŠMakes sense.
His older brother, Sebastian, who now works as a butler in my mansion, is pretty strong, close to level 100âŠand the younger brother, Zebas, is not bad himself.
We started walking with Zebastian leading the way, and soon we arrived at the guest room.
âItâs Zebas. Iâve brought Lady Iris, Master Haruto and the heroes.â
âCome in.â
When Zebastian called out, sir Dillanâs voice came from the other side of the door.
Inside were Sir Dillan and Lady Amalia, the queen.
âItâs been a while. Iris and Haruto.â
âWeâre back, Mom, Dad!â
âYeah, Iâm also glad to see that both Sir Dillan and Lady Amalia are doing well.â
After a brief greeting, I decided to introduce my new companions.
âSir Dillan, this is my new companion, Kusel.â
Kusel got down on one knee and gave her greetings.
âMy name is Kusel, I used to be the deputy knight captain of the Glicente Kingdom. Iâm currently working with Haruto as an adventurer.â
âI see. Iâve heard about you from Haruto. Please take care of him.â
Dillan said to Kusel gently.
âAndââ
Zero stepped forward in response to my words.
âI am âGran Kalamiras, The Smelting Dragonâ, ruler of the Nargadia Labyrinth. I have been given a new name by Master Haruto, and now go by âZero Kalamiras, The Smelting Dragonâ. Pleased to make your acquaintance. Human king.â
As expected of Zero.
Even when introducing himself to the king, he crossed his arms and kept his arrogant attitude.
âŠWell, saying âpleased to make your acquaintanceâ was probably his own way of showing courtesy.
But Dillan didnât say anything about it, rather his mouth was kinda frozen in place.
âHaruto, by Smelting Dragon Gran Kalamiras, you donât meanâŠâ
âHmm? What do you know about Zero, Dillan?â
âItâs the name of a dragon from the age of the gods! I believe heâs well known as the primordial dragon, the dragon progenitor that made even the gods tremble with fear. Although his existence hadnât been confirmed, he is considered to be a calamity class disasterâŠIâve heard rumors of a dragon sleeping at the lowest floor of the Nargadia labyrinth, but I never thought it would be the Smelting Dragon Gran Kalamiras!â
âOh, is that soâŠanyway, on a different note, Iâm creating a trading company.â
âOh really, you areâhey, donât you change the subject! Thatâs a calamity class disaster standing in front of me!â
Dillan shouted like he just blew a gasket, which made me wonder if it was really something worth making such a fuss about.
âI wouldnât worry about that, since heâs already under my command.â
âRight. Moreover, there is also Behemoth whom you summoned, and currently under your command as well.â
As Iris said nonchalantly following my words, Dillanâs eyes widened as if they were going to pop out.
ââŠWhat? Behemoth? Iris, you mean the one from the folklore and fairy tales?â
âThatâs right! Amazing right! Haruto is so cool!â
âUh, yeah, sure. Amazing.â
Dillan was not sure how to respond, but he said something like that.
Lady Amalia, on the other hand, didnât seem to be fazed as she kept smiling and simply said, âOh myâ. In a way, she might be the most amazing person in the room.
Dillan was stunned for a while, but then he shook his head and looked at me.
âAhem! So? You want to establish a trading company?â
âI mean, money is no object, so I just thought it would be fun.â
âI seeâŠmeaning, this is why you came here today?â
âYeah. I came to report my return and to ask for the requirements to establish the trading company.â
Dillanâs face became serious as I answered.
âI see. Specifically, how far have you gone in preparations?â
âWellâŠthe merchandise is pretty much decided. Iâm planning to use slaves as employees, as for a good spot, thatâs the challenge Iâm currently facing, so I will appreciate some recommendations. Also, if I could get the necessary permit for setting up the trading company, that would be great too.â
Dillan placed his hand on his chin and asked.
âHmm, slavesâŠhow are you going to treat them?â
âIâm going to pay them fair wages, and adopt a policy where they can buy their freedom once theyâve saved up enough. Of course, if they wish, they could remain as employeesâŠsome of them may have been enslaved for unjust reasons, and Iâm hoping that this could also save them.â
Dillan was pondering while Lady Amalia next to him expressed her approval by saying âoh my, thatâs quite goodâ.
âWellâŠsince itâs Haruto, I donât have to worry about you buying up criminal slaves. All right, Iâll allow the establishment of your trading company. Do you have a particular location in mind?â
âLetâs seeâŠIâd like to avoid the aristocrat district because some goods will be available to the general public. However, I do want to sell goods aimed at the nobles as well, so I would like to find a place where both nobles and commoners can easily visit.â
âAll right, Iâll look for a place with those conditions. Do you have a budget in mind?â
âNone, Iâll leave the decision to you.â
Dillan nodded his head and turned to Zebastian.
âI understand. Iâll get working on it right away.â
Zebastian, who understood his intention from just that, bowed and left the room.
âNow you just need to register the trading company. Iâll take care of that, meanwhile, Haruto will serve as the representative, correct?â
âThat would do for now.â
âFor now?â
Dillan looked at me curiously.
âYeah. Itâs possible Iâll get someone else to serve as the representative later.â
âAll right. Finally, whatâs the name of your trading company?â
âNameâŠI hadnât decided yet. What should I do.â
Hmmm, yet another naming taskâŠ
Seeing my reaction, Dillan took advantage flippantly.
âHmmm, my official duties for the day are over and now, I have some private time. Let me also help you pick out a name.â
âThanksâŠall right then, can each of you come up with a potential name for the trading company?â
Everyone in the room started to think of a name for the trading company.
âHow about the Perdis Trading Company?â
Dillan suggestedâŠ
âWouldnât it be difficult to open a store in another country with that name? Also, people might think itâs a state-run chamber of commerce.â
When I dismissed the idea, Amalia clapped her hands as if to say, Iâve got a good idea!
âThen how about Haruto Trading Company?â
ââŠThatâs a little embarrassing, so Iâm going to dismiss it.â
It is usually embarrassing to have your own name as a chamber of commerce. If it is Yuki Trading Company, it might be worth consideringâŠnah, I better dismiss it.
After that, a number of potential names came up, but none of them seemed to fit.
Once you get into such whirlpool of thoughts, itâs damn near impossible to get out of itâŠ
Chamber of commerce, store, business, enterpriseâŠ
Oh, Iâve got a good one!
ââŠHow about Ashtaroth Trading Company?â
âAshtarothâŠwhat does that mean again? Some kind of deity I believe?â
Asakura reacted to my words.
âOh, yes, thatâs right. I donât remember which deity it is exactly, but I thought it sounded good.â
Tendo chuckled when he heard my random reason.
âWow, thatâs just so typical of you, Haruto. But it sounds good, right?â
âIâll take that as a compliment, though it does bother me that itâs so typical of meâŠso, what do you guys think?â
I asked, and they all nodded.
âSounds good to me!â
âYeah. I think itâs a good name!â
Iris, Finne, and everyone else seemed to be in agreement.
âThen, itâs settledâŠDillan, how soon do you think we can get a good location? Iâm thinking of going to the slave traders tomorrow.â
âLet me seeâŠI think itâll take about three days.â
âAll right, Iâll be counting on you then.â
After that, while we were talking about what had happened at Glicente and other trivial matters, I realized that the sun had completely set.
I had to go back to the mansion, so I thanked Dillan and Amalia and left the royal castle.
ïœ
The mansion I hadnât seen in a long time hadnât changed at all from beforeâŠno wait, the whole place seemed to have been cleaned up?
âIâm back.â
âââWelcome back, Master Haruto.âââ
I opened the front door and walked in to be greeted by Sebastian, the butler, and the maids Lyla and Mia.
âLong time no see, Sebastian. I went to the castle and found your brother in good health. Itâs been a while since Iâve seen Lyla and Mia too. Thank you all for taking care of the mansion while I was gone. I really appreciate it.â
âThose words are more than we deserve.â
All three bowed their heads in reverence and humility, but it must have been difficult to keep a house of this size tidy.
âOh right, Iâd like to introduce you three to our newest members.â
I urged Kusel and Zero to come forward.
âIâm Kusel, former Deputy Knight Captain of the Kingdom of Glicente. Iâm now an adventurer. Nice to meet you.â
Sebas and the others reacted slightly to the word Glicente, but quickly bowed their heads.
âIâm Zero, under my lordâs command. Pleasure.â
And when Zero greeted them, they froze for a moment, but quickly returned to their composure and bowed their heads.
Right, I should have known anyone as good as these three, should realize how strong Zero isâŠ
Well, I guess I can explain to them about Zero at dinner.
So, after sorting out our luggage, we had dinner.
We talked about what weâve been up to since we left, and enjoyed the reaction of Sebas and the others when they found out about Zeroâs true identity. When dinner was over, I explained to Sebastian about my intention to start a trading company.
ââSo, thatâs the plan.â
âOh, that sounds interesting. But what about the employeesâ quarters?â
Sebastian asked.
âMy initial thoughts were, since weâll be starting with just a few, they could stay here, but when the number increases, there wonât be nearly enough rooms. So, I think itâs best to secure lodgings as soon as possible.â
âI understand. Iâll start looking for good potential lodgings.â
âThanks a lot.â
When the business becomes profitable and sustainable, it can serve as the financier to cultivate my classmates.
By now, they should have just about cleared the Nargadia labyrinth.
I hope they will at least grow strong enough to defeat the Demon KingâŠ
As we talked about this, the night was drawing to a close.