Dream Life

February 3.

I am now in the Imperial Capital Plymouth with my brother Dan Jakes.

To gather information so that Master Zach can strike measures after receiving information from Viscount Radford that commercial and sorcerer guilds are starting to move.

But I'm not going to end this just by gathering information. If I can handle it, I want to clean it up before Master Zach arrives.

Of course, I'm not going to force it. Because if things get stubborn because of my failures, I'll unnecessarily annoy Master Zach's hand.

The inn we are staying in is on the north side of Teito, in what is called the commercial district.

The imperial capital is divided into palaces, aristocratic districts, commercial districts and industrial districts. The Imperial capital is a large city surrounded by walls spanning thirty kilometres (Kimmel), with a population of more than 200,000 inhabitants alone and 500,000 inhabitants, including surrounding towns and villages.

In the heart of the city is the Imperial Palace.

The Imperial Palace is a castle surrounded by walls and moats of Kimmel on one side, with a palace named Sky Palace.

Around the Imperial Palace is the aristocratic district, with the mansions of the nobles and the headquarters of the Imperial Army.

The army headquarters are on the north side of the palace, and the aristocratic city is built to surround the east, west and south of the palace.

There will also be walls around this army headquarters and the aristocratic district, and the Imperial Palace will be protected by triple walls.

The walls make it impossible to come and go freely, and the general public cannot enter the aristocratic district without special permission.

The commercial district is on the north side of the city. The north gate of Plymouth is connected by a large street called Central Street, which stretches from the north gate to the south by a boulevard called Triumph. Triumph is a large street about twenty meters wide with lots of shops lined up.

One of this destination, the Commercial Guild, is in the middle of its commercial district, in a first-class location facing Triumph. The shops around are also large buildings on three floors, but the commercial guild building is an international one, which I quickly found out.

Apparently, another destination, the Mage Guild, is on the southeast side of the commercial guild, near the aristocratic district. I haven't been there yet, but I'm going later.

My brother and I were on our way to the Robbins Chamber of Commerce ahead of us, looking at the commercial guild building in the rain that began to fall yesterday.

The Robbins Chamber of Commerce is a food specialist who bought a cold (gelato) method from Zach at last year's Dwarf Festival and is also a merchant for the Marquis Seawell family.

This time I intend to gather information on the commercial guild based at the Robbins Chamber of Commerce.

There was a flashy sign with the logo “β (B) ρ (R)" and the Robbins Chamber of Commerce building was quickly found. By the way, BR was the initial of Bart Robbins, the chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, and Zach gave him the design, laughing, "I guess if I made a sign like this, it would stand out".

Anything seems to have the original world gelato logo on it, and the letters “BR” and “30” combine. Thirty seems to mean "it tastes different even if you eat it every day for thirty days”.

Are you making money, the building is more splendid than you thought, so much so that you stopped and looked up.

It's inconspicuous because I'm not dressed as an adventurer today, but it was so bright and fashionable in the store that the long sword my brother had felt out of place. This also seems to take into account Master Zach's opinion.

The sweet aroma of milk and fruit tickles my nose as I go inside.

"Welcome," a young woman called out.

They still sell gelato here, and they seemed to think they were the customers who came for it.

"I'm from the village of Rasmore, my name is Sharon Jakes and Dan Jakes. On behalf of Zacharias Lockhart, I have come to greet the President of the Chamber of Commerce."

The woman seemed to have stuck around for a moment, but as soon as I gave her Master Zach's name, she knew.

I say, "Excuse me," I bow my head, and I say, "Here you go," and they lead me to the reception room in the back.

"I'll call you right away, please wait for me."

Mr. Burt ran right in. Mr. Burt is about forty years old and he's always laughing at Nico, but he's not laughing because he's in a hurry today.

I say, "Sorry to keep you waiting," I bow my head, but I'm afraid the other way around because this one came without contacting me.

"No, this is the one who suddenly arrived without contacting me, and I apologize for the inconvenience."

"No, I don't consider it annoying or anything, as I'm taking care of the Lockhart family."

You remembered something from what I said so far, the movement stopped. And he celebrated my engagement by saying "Congratulations on your engagement".

All I could do was say "thank you," all of a sudden, but I'm happy that I was blessed and my cheeks are about to loosen.

But I can't waste my time, I retighten my mind.

"I asked you today to give me some information about commercial guilds. Viscount Radford asked me if the upper echelons of the commercial guild would set up anything against the Lockhart family. We are ordered to gather information from your hall, and from Zacharias. Can you tell me what you know?"

Mr. Burt also got a serious look and started talking after he said "I'll tell you everything I know".

"First of all, I would like to say that the information I have is a lot of hearsay and contains speculation. I'm also a guilder, but I don't have that much power..."

"I don't mind. However, it would be helpful if you could tell me how certain it is."

"Okay. Let me now explain the current situation…"

That's what I started talking about the commercial guild.

"... Branch manager, but I say Virus Spencer, president of the Chamber of Commerce of Spencer. He runs a trader and is a merchant in the House of the Duke of Ingolslop. That Mr. Spencer is exploring information about the Lockhart family, and he has appeared before me many times. I was particularly interested in Dear Zacharias and Theophilus…"

To sum up, it seems that Branch Manager Spencer is looking into the personalities, preferences, and day-to-day behavior of Dear Zach and Theo.

As Zach thinks, it seems that he intends to introduce Lady Zach and Theo to the noble lady.

He also examines the financial situation of the Lockhart family, the number of ministers and future policies. If the financial situation is tight, they're trying to accommodate the funds and push in those whose breath is hanging on them if ministers don't seem to be enough.

"...... I have asked you definitely what other people are about the Lady Zacharias. I'm not sure what the purpose is about this. Is it a fabric stone to use some tangled hands, or are you trying to explore weaknesses..."

I've somehow figured out what the Branch Manager is after, but I need to ask him what kind of person he was before that.

"I'd like to ask you about the Spencer Branch Manager?

"Ask me anything I can understand."

"To what extent will the Branch Manager be concerned about Aurelia's intentions?

In response to my question, Mr. Burt said, "I can't grasp your intentions."

"That was a bad way to put it. What I would like to ask is whether the Branch Manager cares about the headquarters of the commercial guild, or about their impact on commerce. More simply, as a politician or as a merchant."

"That's a difficult question," Mr. Burt said, opening his mouth after being silent for about ten seconds.

"This is my impression, but I think you probably care about Aurelia's headquarters, but you're also moving as a merchant"

"What is the basis for that?

"The Spencer Chamber of Commerce is a trader. We make money, especially by selling Lax and Sartooth products coming in from Aurelia in the Imperial City. At present, the product via Aurelia is thin because the Aulera street is not functioning. Besides, the ship to Aurelia cannot replenish supplies along the way, as Luke's port is not available. So, for that matter, you can't load the goods. This means that transport costs are soaring and profits are decreasing. As Mr Spencer, you should want to do something about this situation. HQ should also be in trouble in this situation, so I think Mr. Spencer's thoughts coincide with those of HQ"

The Spencer Chamber of Commerce had benefited from sending supplies from the North to the Empire through Aurella and supplies from the Empire to the North.

However, due to the paralysis of the streets, Aurelia's functioning as a commercial city has been greatly diminished, and the Spencer Chamber of Commerce, which uses it as a base, has suffered greatly.

"So the Spencer Branch Manager wants to end the current war early, just like the idea of a commercial guild."

"Exactly, but that doesn't connect to this one."

Mr. Burt is right, there is no connection between ending the war and taking the Lockhart family to his side.

(What would Master Zach think? Master Zach always said that when interests are complicated, you should write them on paper and sort them out. By doing so, you can see what you didn't see...)

I sort out my current relationship in the notebook I brought.

First, it will be written as the Lockhart family in the center and arranged alongside the Commercial Guild Headquarters, the Branch Manager, the Crown Prince, the Crown Prince and the Neutral.

(The Commercial Alliance Headquarters and Branch Manager are equals. What is the relationship between the Crown Prince and the Branch Manager? This is an arrow from the Branch Manager to the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince clashes with the Crown Prince... the Neutrality and the Lockhart family connect... What is the relationship between the Neutrality and the Commercial Alliance?... I don't know where it is. The Duke of Ezarrington has been moved, so it's got to have something to do with it... can't you tell me if I ask Mr. Burt this?

Though I thought so, I asked him once.

"Do you have any information about the relationship between the Spencer Branch Manager and the Chancellor, the Duke of Ezarrington?

Was it a question you didn't envisage, Mr. Burt looks in trouble again?

"That's another difficult question...... The Duke of Ezarrington has simplified traffic in the city of Ezarrington to facilitate traffic on Central and Langton streets. At that time, we heard that they were in conflict with merchants who used shipping as their business. Your Excellency the Chancellor is more difficult..."

That's what I said and cut the word once.

"His Excellency the Chancellor is opposed to a war with the Kingdom of Lax. Not only that, but you are trying to create a good relationship with the Union of Urban States, including Aurelia. In this respect alone, it is in the interest of the commercial guild, but on the other hand, we also think that it will sharpen the power of the commercial guild within the Empire so that it can be freely commercialized. In this respect, we can say that there are fierce conflicts."

"I mean, does it feel like the relationship between the Chancellor and the Commercial Guild is uneven?"

"You will. So I was wondering if it wouldn't be a simple schematic."

I put a question mark between the neutrals and the commercial guild.

"I'd like you to tell me one more thing, is there anyone at odds with an individual branch manager?

Was this question easy or the answer will be right back.

"Do you call it a conflict, someone who is clearly after the cauldron"

"What's that? ♪ And when I hear,

"I'm Danny Clark. I am the lord of Clark clothing stores. Even when I say clothing stores, I am a major player in the business of dealing extensively with the aristocrats and also delivering His Majesty the Emperor's meals. Teito alone has five stores and more than ten branches within the Empire. We are often told that Mr. Clark is aiming for the next branch manager's seat…"

According to Mr. Burt's story, Mr. Clark is aiming for the seat of the next branch manager, expelling the current branch manager, who waves his tail to Aurelia's headquarters, and insisting that he should be the top priority for imperial merchants.

Clark clothing stores need not be concerned about the headquarters' intentions as they will be completed within the Empire, both processing and selling materials, including sourcing. Conversely, we can expect special needs due to the war, such as cloaks and knightly clothes, which seems to be a position in favour of the war against Lukes.

"... Mr. Clark is not Lord Ingolthrop among the Crown Princes, he is cordial with Lord Gabiston. As you know, the eldest daughter of Lord Gabiston is Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess. In other words, Mr. Clark has entered Lord Gabiston, who will be the next emperor's father-in-law, and is not very close to Mr. Spencer, who is supporting the current emperor's father-in-law, Lord Ingolslop."

It's getting more and more complicated.

Write Mr. Clark's name in the notebook and place a mark indicating that he is in a conflict relationship with the Branch Manager.

After that, I heard a lot about it, but at the Plymouth branch of the commercial guild, I wasn't sure who was thinking what.

When I finished collecting information and wanted to move around, Mr. Burt also told me that I needed to talk to you.

"It's not a big deal," he laughed as I looked strange,

"When everyone in the Lockhart family gets to the Imperial Capital, let me show you around. Not as good as Viscount Radford, but I'll take you to all the recommended shops and sights of the Imperial Capital."

"I'm looking forward to that. Thank you then," he said, after the Robbins Chamber of Commerce.

After leaving the store, I protest against my brother, who barely spoke.

"I can't talk to Master Zach, so think about your brother for a second. I know you can't replace Master Zach."

When I said that, my brother scratched his head and apologized, "I'm sorry,"

"I'm sorry, but I can't keep up with you. Might be able to gather rumors somewhere..."

Sometimes I thought it was unreliable to be in the woods, but not in the city at all.

That being said, there's only two of us, so we just have to do something about it.

"Well, I'm going to the Mage Guild, so your brother's going to the Blacksmith Guild and asking Mr. Gunter to help. But not if it crumbles at the banquet. I have a lot to do tomorrow."

"Oh, I know. Strive..."

I stabbed the nail once, but all the Dwarves will crush me......