111 # 106 Collaboration agreement and Verdore village.txt (1/2)

We'll have some time before Yuna returns. In the meantime, I'll leave the cooking of the asari to Hal-san and I'll discuss it with Ruin-san and the others. Mainly about trading the materials I've saved up so far and the future.

''Tact-kun, you've made a clan too.

'Yes. They said I needed it if I was going to open a store.

When I say that, Ruin-san and the others give me a subtle look.

''Tact-kun... you were seriously planning to run a store by yourself...''

That's right.

”Huh.

There was a sigh from all of us. Would it be that bad?

You know... there's no way you could run a restaurant by yourself.

Can't you...

I can't!

He assured me.

''If you can combine strategy and production, then I wouldn't split up the combat and production jobs in the first place...''

Come to think of it... when did this happen... and it's all about Mr. Moch!

I had been working part-time and having adventures so often that before I knew it, I assumed that I could do both. The image of Mochi-san smiling back and forth in my mind passed through my mind. Geez!

'So what is Mr Tact going to do?　Do I try to force it both ways? Or do you prefer the shop or the adventure?

Ah...what to do. Princess Henri-sama and Liese-sama are expected to shop, but if we're going to prioritize it, it's going to be an adventure... and Lily and the others will choose this one.

''I don't plan on doing the shop every day myself, is that not good enough?

It's not a bad idea, but it's a waste of time.

Too good to be true?

Yeah. It would be a shame to leave such a solid store in the dust.

'I understand that, but... what can I do?'

”Mr. Tact, why don't we make a partnership agreement with the clan?

A partnership agreement? What's that?

”Did they not tell you?　They say when a number of clans work together, they become a guild.

Yes. I'm told that's what happens when the clans get together. So, a partnership agreement is necessary for them to get together?

If you sign a partnership agreement with us, we can run the store for you. But we will have to ask you to share your recipes with us, if you don't want to.

That's okay.

All of us are pouting. Hmm? You're going to run the shop, right? Well, I'd really appreciate it if you could...

Are you sure?　It's your restaurant, Tact, and the food is your idea, right?

Uh... this shop isn't mine, it's on loan from an NPC.

Is it Mr. Moch?

'Yes. I was told that I was free to do what I wanted whether or not to open a restaurant, so I would like to leave it to them if I could, since it's just the way things are now. I don't make difficult food, either.

I reply and the production workers discuss it.

'Sister Ruin it's hard to be dazzled by you, Tact.

'Don't tell me... mew. It's hard for me too.

But if we can work with Tact-kun, we'll be on the winning side.　Sister Ruin.

'Yes. Our strategy is on its own, and we've gathered so much material... there's no way we can't work together. If it's Takuto-kun's shop, there should be a lot of players coming in. That's why I offered to talk to him...

'I'm the pressure. Mr. Tact said it would be easy, but is it true?

”...it's certainly dangerous to underestimate the level of ease you have, Tact.

'It might be dangerous, though. It's a tasty story over here, and we can't be linked to other production jobs, can we?

Yeah.

It looks like Ruin and the others have finished their meeting.

'Tact, you're sure you want to work together?

Yes, sir.

Then we can make a partnership agreement. I'm sorry, but I need to set some ground rules. Do you have a minute?

I'm fine.

First of all, we decided to split the sales of the store 50/50. I will provide the restaurant, and Lwin and others will pay for the ingredients. The price of the food was decided by Mr. Lwin. To be honest, I have no idea how much my food is going to cost.

Lwin and his team will be in charge of the shop on weekday evenings and weekends, and I will work on weekday afternoons when I have more time.

The buying and selling of materials would continue as before, but I would give priority to Mr. Lwin and his friends, and they would give priority to my requests.

And for Mr. Lewin and his friends, the important thing is Hephaistos. Let's call him.

'Hephaistos. Luin-san would like to talk to you. I've got some new weapon materials, come over here for a minute.

When I say that, Hephaistos rushes up and appears.

'Where is the new weapon material!

I guess that's what I'm most interested in.

'I'm sorry, but could you let me talk about me first?'

'Oh!　I'm sorry!　Um, so what is it you're talking about?

I talk to Hephaistos about clan coordination. Then Hephaistos agrees.

'Hephaistos, you have an exclusive blacksmithing contract with Mr. Tact, don't you?

'Yes, sir!　Yes.

That means I can't take on anyone but Mr. Tact, right?

That's right. And in return, I am paid by Mr. Tact for my services.

Yeah. That's what it should be. But Ruin-san seems to have an agenda.

''I wonder what would happen if Tact-kun received a request for blacksmithing and asked you to do it?

In that case, it shouldn't be a problem, since Mr. Tact would have to make the request to me.

I see. Mr. Lewin, I've been thinking.

”Well, Mr. Tact. ”Well, Mr. Tact, if you don't mind, I'll give you a hand with the ore and stuff, and you can borrow Mr. Hephaistos.

This isn't my call to make.

What do you think?　Let Hephaistos decide.

If I could make a lot of weapons, I would. But I'm Takuto-san's personal blacksmith. I'll give priority to your request, but is that OK with you?

That's nice of you to say.

'It's not a problem. You're the master blacksmith, of course.

Then it's nice to meet you.

Yeah, me too.

Hephaistos' business was going to be returned to me as it was. According to Mr. Lewin, Hephaistos is one of my friends, so it's only natural, he says.

Then I will use the money earned by Hephaistos for Hephaistos. This is my own decision.

I called up Lily and the others to talk about cooperation, and when I told them about it, they said they wanted to have an adventure, so they agreed to cooperate. We decided not to appraise the grilled clams because she wanted to.

Lily and the others seem to enjoy it, and I don't think it's a problem.

We've also decided to set the rules firmly and work with Ruin-san and the rest of the 'Ruin Business Association'.

That being said...

That's a great name...

'It's not my decision to make!

'Sister Ruin couldn't come up with a good name, so it was a unanimous decision!

Shh...

Uh-oh. That's Luin-san's fault.

Since we're done talking, I show Hephaistos the magic crystal.

''This is mana crystallized, isn't it? I can feel a slight amount of magic power. I think you can make weapons with this alone, but there are only a few of them. I suppose it could be used to strengthen the glass sword, though.