Chapter 13 – Fundraising – Part 2

Exactly at the promised time, a person came to me.

Konkon

「Please, this way」
「Thanks a lot」

A woman in her early twenties dressed in a typical medieval European dress was waiting in the room.

A beauty with blonde wavy hair.

Rather than a merchant, she looks like a daughter of a rich noble.
I introduce myself at once.

「I came by Eiri’s introduction, Kamijou Takuma desu」
「Lisbeth Fransol. A lass working as a peddler in the castle town ya. Best regards ni」
「Yes, pleasure to meet you, Lisbeth-san」
「How respectful ya. People close to me in this town call me『Liz』, Takuma-kun can also call me like that if you’d like」
「Ha, haa……」

What is this Kansai-Shikoku mix of dialects?

While thinking that her appearances are mismatch with her dialect,

「Takuma-kun, right now, you were thinking that the way I talk is strange, didn’t you?」
「No, I thought how amazingly unique it is!」
「I just self-destroyed, didn’t I?」

Liz chuckles in amusement.

「Maa, you are free to think whatever you want de. This is merchant habit ya. I travelled to many countries and various dialect mixed in my speech na. Although it may be difficult to listen, please be patient with me na」
「I, I understand」

Although I want to tsukkomi so hard because of her appearance and dialect, let’s move the talk forward.

「This is an article I would like you to examine this time」
「Hou」

We sit on the sofa face-to-face and I show Liz the cards.

Liz receives the cards up with interest.

「The 13 cards in four sets are of the common pattern and the last piece is original. By appearances, a card game yana?」
「That’s right. This is a card game popular in the different world called『Playing Cards』desu」

I tell her that I’m a person from a different world, then I speak about the playing cards.

「A different world nee……」

As expected, the thing about me being from a different world caught Liz’s interest.

「Although your appearances are strange and I heard about a strange ceremony concluded in the castle, it’s quite hard to believe that Takuma-kun is from a different world」
「Then, I will show you a proof」
「Proof?」

I take a smartphone from my pocket and turn on the power.

Though only a little of the battery is left, I have to use it now.

「What’s that ya?」
「It’s a machine from my world called a mobile phone. The main use is to communicate with people over a distance, but……」

I start the camera.
I point the camera at Liz and take a shot.

「Uo!? What that ya, so bright all of a sudden ka!」

I turn the display of the smartphone towards the angry Liz.

Liz very fast opens her eyes.

「T, that’s…… me?」
「Yes. This is a popular Magic item that can record a specific scenery at the specific time in its entirety, called『Smartphone』desu」

Liz is closely examining her picture displayed on the display of the smartphone.

「Are you saying that this is a machine that everybody can use yana?」
「That’s right. This can be used by anybody」
「Fumu……」

Liz shows a pondering behaviour and,

「Yosh, I believe you wa. Indeed, I have never seen or heard about such magic tool. Those playing cards, that smartphone, it’s certainly true that Takuma-kun comes from a country that has a totally different sense of value」

It seems she somehow started to believe me.

We took a breather and I explained Liz the usefulness of the cards, how to play them, and explain her about the targeted customers.

In addition, because it will be easily copied, I suggest registering a trademark with Lisbeth as my only partner.

Liz seemed to be quite interested in the playing cards because she frequently nodded her head while I was explaining.

After that, I let Liz experience the pleasure of playing cards by teaching her the Old Maid, Sevens, and Grand Millionaire.

Being a quick-witted person, Liz was able to quickly learn the rules.

If I didn’t use all my experience, I would get defeated.

Dangerous.

After having fun for a while, Liz says in satisfaction.

「What I demand when I sell a new product is design, usefulness, reasonable price. And the most important of all, originality」

Liz stops playing with the joker in her fingers and leans forward.

「Although the rules of these cards are simple, they are incredibly profound. It’s a lump of originality. If this gets popular in the town, it will sell like hot cakes」

Just what I was looking for. Liz flares up with a laugh,

「I will buy the right of these cards for five White King Gold coins!」
「…… Five White King Gold coins, huh」

White King Gold coin is a super expensive coin seen only in the ultra-high businesses.

Its value is 100 White Gold coins, in other words, 10 million Ells.

In other words, Liz wants to give me 50 million Ells for the playing cards.

It does not reach the 300 million Ells I need.

Therefore, I start talking.

「In fact, Miss Liz. There is a reason I’m trying to sell the playing cards like this」
「Hou. What reason is that te?」

Liz leans forward in interest.

「To tell you the truth, I intend to open a facility called onsen soon and……」

I tell her how I used my skill『Drilling』and came across a hot spring.

And that by using that hot spring I plan to build onsen.

I explain that 300 million is necessary for the construction.

「Fumu, Onsen ka. You have dug up something interesting na」
「You know about it?」
「I’m a merchant who travels all around the world ya. Far from knowing, I even entered one in the east」

Iyaa, that thing could become a habit, Liz said with enchanted eyes.

If she already knows about the splendor of Onsen, the talk can be quick.

「In other words, Takuma-kun. You want me to become your investor ka?」
「As you have guessed」
「What do I get in return na?」
「A portion of the Onsen’s sales. In addition, if I come up with other good articles from different world, I will come to Miss Liz first」
「In other words, a win-win relationship ka」
「Indeed, you are exactly right」

In short, an equity investment.

Setting up a company is hard on the funds unless I have a wealthy individual’s cooperation. I’m willing to cooperate for equity.

With more money, the growth and the value of the company will raise quicker.

But then, this kingdom doesn’t have established the equity investment structure completely yet, so I am not sure if a percentage of the company’s income is a lucrative offer.

「This Onsen, just like the playing cards are targeted towards the common citizens. I plan to attract many customers with an otherworldly Onsen and cooking」

Liz answers after pondering for a while.

「Yes, let’s do it. I will give you 300 million wa」

I lost power in my shoulders after hearing Liz’s answer.

It seems she judged that the reward was worth more than 300 million Ells.

「I have three conditions ya. Takuma-kun will give me part of the profits and also provide me with other ideas for good articles. And……」

What more do you require?

When I put myself on guard, Liz starts laughing teasingly,

「An unlimited privilege to enter the Onsen for a year! I won’t yield on that hen!」

I grasp Liz’s hand firmly.

「Please take care of me from now on!」
「Ou! I also love Onsen, let’s get along ya!」

We have decided to negotiate Liz’s percentage next time.

This way, I was able to raise the funds for the construction.