Atelier Tanaka

Book 4: Chapter 4 (1)

Territory Pioneering 4

Finally our city, Dragon City, is finished.

I thought the next challenge wed face would be bringing in customers but that had already been taken care of. A few days before everything was completed, members of the Twilight Company had started advertising our town and its connection to their leader Gonzalez to the people of Tricklis.

With someone as popular as Gon-chan attached to our brand, bringing in customers was no problem at all. Within just a couple days of our grand opening, the streets were packed with people. I was with everyone that worked so hard to build this city, greeting the citizens of Tricklis as they entered our city.

This makes it all worth it.

It sure does.

The bald macho man and I were appreciating our work.

This is going better than I ever imagined.

I asked Doris to send some people over as well.

Thank you, Ester-san.

Standing between Gonzalez and myself was Ester-chan.

I dont really know how much she contributed, but no matter how big or small someones contributions, at the end of the day they were doing it to help me. Ill find some way to repay her once everything has calmed down. Maybe Ill allow her to give me a blow job someday as a way to say thanks.

I want to try that.

As a man, I want to try saying that at least once before dying.

I am your benefactor, arent I!? This much is only natural!

Even so, you did help me out.

I know that Sophia-chan was in charge of managing the books at her familys restaurant so Ive asked her to start making up a budget and calculating all of our expenses since the first day construction started. The last time I saw her she looked displeased as she was heading off to the office to get started.

Edita hasnt left her room since I agreed to have her write our book. Shes hardly been sleeping and Im starting to have withdrawals from not being able to see my cute Sensei. But those are just the typical actions of an obsessed researcher.

The noble mage returned to the capital in order to finish clearing things up with the rest of the academic society. When he told me hed be leaving I asked the loligon to fly him there. A trip that had taken several days was completed in under one.

And so that just left me here with Gon-chan and Ester-chan.

I-I wonder how much weve made so far!

its going decently so far, but I dont think it will be enough as it is.

There are ten days left until the deadline and weve made ten gold so far. If the entrance fee is ten copper pieces then by simply dividing I could say that weve had ten thousand visitors so far. However, that total of ten gold also includes sales from shops and restaurants so the number of visitors is likely significantly less.

We can make it out of this month with what weve made so far, but it will be impossible to remain profitable in the long run.

The biggest cost that is essential is the retainer fee for the knights. If I were to renew our contract, I would have to pay 100 gold and each month I have to pay another fifty to the government. Thats 150 gold every month that I have to pay.

I could reduce the costs by hiring either fewer people or just finding someone cheaper. And there is still ways in which the town can be improved, so I think focusing on that for the time being is most important.

Besides, I need the current level of staff to continue bringing in everything we need to keep this place running.

In other words, well need to sell around 200 gold worth of goods every month to pay for everything well need.

Its not enough!?

Id like to just enjoy myself and continue building up the town.

There has to be something we can think of.

But what exactly?

As the three of us were left feeling helpless, someone called out to me and Gon-chan.

Leader! Tanaka aniki!

It was a member of the Twilight Company.

It was a younger man in his mid-twenties with his hair styled into an impressive mohawk. He was the same man that had been punched in the face by Christina and the last time I saw him he was bleeding profusely from his nose.

Calm down. Take a breath and tell me whats happening.

Hes gasping for air. He must have ran quite a ways to find us.

Whats going on!?

A group of people arrived just now. Their leader is demanding to speak with a representative of the town.

Who could they be?

Gonzalez titled his head to the side.

Theyre merchants. Surely you must have heard they were coming?

I see.

This is it. This is what we needed.

***

We headed to the same lounge we had used the previous day.

I wonder if this is fitting for a business meeting.

I sat alone in the room for a few minutes before the mohawked young man returned with a man and woman following close behind him. The young man wore a shirt and vest made from high quality fabrics that fit the stereotypical merchant attire from fantasy worlds.

He was incredibly handsome. His gentle features were the most prominent as he entered the room already wearing a welcoming smile on his face. In an anime, he could be the best friend of the protagonist. The friend thats quiet and has every woman throwing themselves at him while still maintaining a strong relationship with subtle homoerotic undertones with the protagonist.

But why is it that every person I meet is so attractive?

This is ruining my self-confidence.

Beside him was a woman of around the same age. She could maybe even be his wife. Her lustrous, blonde hair extended down just past her waist. She wore a robe and her face had simple features.

Her bombshell body was completely unfit for someone with such a plain face. Both her hips and chest were large while her waist was thin. Her body provided a bountiful feast for my eyes.

Thank you for granting us this audience, Baron Tanaka.

Thank you for allowing us to meet with you.

They both bowed deeply before me.

My noble title is in full effect.

Not only was the handsome man bowing to me, but the beautiful woman was doing so as well. It made me feel pretty nice.

It is an absolute honour to meet you. You may call me Hegel and this is my wife Eliza.

I am called Eliza. It is a great pleasure to make your acquaintance.

This must be what they call noble power. Its amazing.

The type of noble that could pick out any girl he likes off of the street and have his way with her while incurring no repercussions. Hed be able to pick out a girl at a vending machine and do whatever he wishes to her before her drink had even been dispensed. But with the newer models that accept electronic payment it might be easier since they wouldnt have to be fumbling around with loose change.

The merchant casually continued speaking without noticing how uncomfortable his nonchalant attitude made me feel.

Theres a strange tingle running down my spine.

My life in this world has been filled with people that bow to me when I feel like I should be the one lowering my head.

We are both here as servants of the Manson Group.

Uh-oh.

I have no idea who or what that is. Its most likely a large corporation that gives those that work for it a sense of pride and accomplishment whenever they mention the name. I shouldve asked the mohawk man to tell me exactly who they were so that Gon-chan and Ester-chan couldve told me more about them.

Lets just assume theyre both higher-ups of a massive company and treat them as such.

At least in this way I should be able to avoid disrespecting them or their company.

I expect these talks to last a while so it would be best to take a seat before starting.

Thank you for coming to see me today. I know it must have been a long journey for you.

Ah, yes, our headquarters may be located in Kalis, but we also operate out of the city of Tricklis. It wasnt much more than a days ride by carriage to get here and for such an amazing opportunity as this, Id consider that a small price to pay.

Oh, of course.

Baron Tanaka, there are a few matters we would appreciate your consultation on.

It was just the beautiful woman, handsome man, and my busamen self left in the lounge.

The mohawk man had informed us earlier that they wished to speak to me alone. Gon-chan left to see what work he could find around town and the lolibitch went to help Sophia-chan.

Im grateful for their cooperation.

Speaking of the mohawk man, he left as soon as these two had introduced themselves. He could have at least brought some tea with him.

Then, I would like to formally welcome you to Dragon City.

Excuse me, Dragon City, was it?

This towns mayor is an actual dragon after all.

A dragon?

Yes, a dragon. A energetic little thing but a dragon nonetheless.

O-Of course.

She looks like she doesnt believe me at all.

But that may actually be a good thing.

It might be best if Im one of the few people that know about her true abilities.

***