Chapter 44

The trade goods in are divided into specialty goods and general goods.

As you can guess from the names, general goods can be commonly found anywhere, while specialty goods can only be obtained in specific regions.

And coffee was a specialty good that could only be obtained in Moderia.

Describing the map of in words is difficult, but to give a rough idea, it's similar to a crescent moon shape with irregular lines added.

Among them, Apennia is a place that juts out like a fang at the left end of the crescent, while Moderia is located south of the Siberia Empire.

The roads in this world are filled with dangerous bandits and monsters, and transportation is inconvenient, so traveling from Apennia to Moderia is not an easy task.

This is why Halifa thrives on transit trade.

Halifa enjoyed immense wealth by monopolizing trade between the East and the West.

However, Halifa was too far from Fasa.

With the mercenary company just getting on its feet, I couldn't go on a trading trip that took weeks just to get some coffee to slightly improve work efficiency.

That's why Leon couldn't help but feel great joy when he learned that a fixed trade route existed between Halifa and Fasa.

***

At this point, I had to admit that I had greatly underestimated the people here.

The people here were so persistent that they would not hesitate to sail for weeks if it meant making money.

I don't think I went to Halifa very often when I was playing as a merchant because it was too far.

Slightly reflecting on my own laziness, I watched Randolfo make coffee.

Randolfo was grinding coffee beans, which he had obtained from somewhere, in a mortar.

To get coffee in Fasa, he was truly a man of extraordinary skill.

“You managed to get coffee in Fasa. I can’t believe it was already here.”

“As it happens, one of the merchant ships that returned this time was carrying coffee.”

“Oh, is there someone who already recognized the value of coffee?”

“No. It wasn't brought in for trade, but it’s a personal hobby of someone who used to travel to Halifa.”

“For him to bring it in personally, coffee must have really suited his taste.”

“Indeed. He was adamant about not selling it, but I managed to negotiate and get it.”

What?

What kind of magic did you use?

“What kind of negotiation did you do?”

“To put it simply, we agreed to establish a limited liability company to invest in coffee imports.”

“……”

A slight shiver ran down my spine as Randolfo said it with a bright smile.

Why on earth would you establish a company just to import coffee?

What if it fails?

In the first place, coffee probably isn't even a popular drink in Halifa, is it?

When I said that, Randolfo shook his head.

“Well, don’t worry too much. This kind of thing happens often in Fasa, and even if it fails, the Signori Family will bear the cost. And I believe in Lord Gryph’s foresight.”

“……We must make this business succeed at all costs.”

I decided to help the coffee business by mobilizing all the knowledge I had.

Randolfo said it simply, but it really wasn't such a simple matter.

It's true that I'm shameless enough to try to get investment money from someone I've just met.

But it seemed unlikely that I could safely walk around Fasa after ruining the Signori Family's business.

In this world, a merchant is not just an adventurer, but a word synonymous with an outlaw.

Even if the Signori Family's outlaw colors have faded since they settled in Fasa, it's unlikely they've forgotten their essence.

If things go wrong, they could just… whack.

And it would be different if the mercenary business was on track, but it's still in its early stages.

If the coffee import business fails here, my image as a ‘young and ambitious entrepreneur’ will be damaged.

I absolutely cannot let that happen.

“Alright, the preparation is done.”

Randolfo mixed the finely ground coffee powder with water and then boiled it.

He had had coffee a few times in Halifa, so he remembered the process.

As the savory smell spread through the kitchen, murmurs of admiration spread among the gathered mercenary officers.

“Ooh. The smell is much better than what Commander Gryph made.”

“Shut up, Rhom. Can't you read the room?”

“Ah, why do you always pick on me.”

“Because you're being obnoxious.”

A short blow from Eleonor hit Rhom in the side, and he crouched down, trembling.

“Alright, it’s done.”

Randolfo poured the finished coffee.

Seeing the dark brown liquid flowing from the pot, the expressions on the faces of the mercenary officers turned sour.

“Uh, is it really okay to drink this?”

“The color is lighter than last time, but still.”

“Last time, it was because Lord Gryph roasted the coffee beans too much. This time, I deliberately roasted them lightly, so the bitterness will be less.”

“Really? But still…”

Even with Randolfo’s explanation, the mercenary officers all reacted with disbelief.

It seemed the coffee I had made left quite a trauma.

For them, I had something prepared in advance.

“Here, if you mix this in, the bitterness will be less.”

“This is, water and milk.”

That’s right.

Americano and Caffè Latte.

Even if Randolfo had made it as little bitter as possible, it could still be unfamiliar to people who didn't know the aroma and taste of coffee.

These two elements would ease accessibility.

Of course, the best things would be sugar and ice, but those are hard to get right now, so this is the best I can do for now.

“How is it? You can drink this much, right?”

“Oh, this is much better, isn''t it?”

“You're right. It's very savory and smooth.”

“No, but then it loses its original flavor……”

Although Randolfo, the coffee purist, grumbled, the coffee mixed with water or milk received a much better reaction than the one closer to the original concentrate.

Still, it was more of a ‘Hmm? This is just drinkable,’ rather than ‘Ooh, this drink is amazing!’, but it was a great improvement compared to the first time.

I also took a sip of the coffee Randolfo made and was satisfied.

The flavor filled my mouth.

How could there be such a difference in taste?

What on earth was it that I made?

When I put down the cup, Randolfo was waiting for my evaluation.

“How is it?”

“We must appoint Randolfo as the mercenary company’s barista.”

“Barista?”

“It means a coffee expert.”

At that, Randolfo's expression turned serious.

“I refuse. I have too much work as it is, so I decline any additional duties.”

“……”

Did I give him too much work?

“Anyway, how about it, Randolfo? This way, even people unfamiliar with coffee can easily approach it, don't you think?”

Randolfo the coffee purist closed his eyes, and Randolfo the merchant opened his.

Randolfo the merchant calculated on an abacus in his head and then grinned.

“That's right. Lord Gryph truly has foresight. This way, even people who have never had coffee can quickly become familiar with it. Perhaps coffee will soon become popular in Fasa as well. Mother will be pleased too, I think.”

“Your mother?”

Suddenly, something came to mind.

“By any chance, is the person you decided to start a joint venture with Matriarch Costanza?”

“That’s right. Mother was once dispatched to work in Halifa. It’s not a common thing for a woman.”

“Ah, so that’s why she has a hobby of drinking coffee.”

Now I see, the Signori Family was a family of baristas with a deep heritage.

This gave me one more reason to make the coffee business succeed.

It’s always good to be on the investor's good side.

“From now on, I will concentrate the fleet on the sea route to Halifa. Then the number of ships returning safely will also increase.”

“Is that alright?”

“Of course.”

Isn't it an abuse of authority?

No.

I have the discretion to decide the priority, which area to hunt pirates in first.

There might be one or two people in the government who question it, but I can handle that much.

In the first place, people won't complain as long as profits are guaranteed.

“By any chance, how are you thinking of starting the business?”

“First, I’m thinking of opening a shop in Fasa city. That’s generally how you start a new business in Fasa. The problem is that the beverage called coffee is still unfamiliar, but won't time solve that?”

“Really? Then would you like to hear my idea?”

I my eyes lit up.

***

A few weeks later, a foreign beverage began to trend in Fasa.

At first, coffee failed to attract the interest of Fasa's citizens due to its unfamiliar aroma and bitter taste.

But when the newly established Signori Family coffee joint investment company began to act aggressively, the atmosphere quickly changed.

“Come and try a cup of coffee before you go!”

“It’s a new drink! It’s free!”

The coffee company not only handed out coffee in front of its newly opened shop in the middle of the city but also set up stalls in the square in front of the city hall and held large-scale tasting events.

Now, the aroma of coffee that filled the entire city every morning became a familiar thing to the citizens of Fasa.

In addition to that, a new rumor began to circulate.

“Did you hear that rumor? About that drink called coffee.”

“That bitter-tasting tea? Isn't it not very good?”

“Ahem, this person. Coffee is not just for drinking for its taste. You savor it while feeling the aroma.”

“No, if that's the case, you can just drink flower tea. Do you really have to pay expensive money to drink it?”

“Haven't you seen the mercenary company people carrying coffee around every day? They say it’s because drinking coffee makes you smarter.”

“I heard it also helps with digestion and is good for stamina. Ahem.”

“?”

Starting with the efficacy of coffee.

“I’m sick and tired of drinking steeped flowers all the time. Compared to that, how wonderful is the rich aroma of coffee?”

“A traditional drink is of course healthier than coffee. If not, why would it be a tradition?”

“What did you say? A duel! Follow me to the yard!”

“You think I'll be scared?”

To the heated debate of pros and cons.

“They say Matriarch Costanza of the Signori Family’s business succeeded thanks to drinking coffee. Her life is nothing short of a legend.”

“I heard that at the last government committee meeting, they served coffee instead of wine to the committee members.”

“Mayor Rapacio also starts his morning by drinking coffee, they say.”

“I heard the Corsini Family is also trying to import coffee beans separately.”

To the point where the names of Fasa's prominent figures were mentioned.

The last one, in particular, was the final blow.

Most people admire the upper class.

Because their lives are perceived as more brilliant and valuable.

Therefore, when it was said that the figures belonging to Fasa’s upper class enjoyed coffee, public opinion naturally turned favorable, and the number of people jumping on the bandwagon increased.

Not only were the cafes filled with people, but cafes began to pop up all over the city.

People without money would even pool their money to buy one cup of coffee and dilute it with a large amount of water to drink.

Of course, the Corsini Family, whose name was used out of the blue, was furious, but no one cared.

Aren't rumors that circulate among people generally baseless anyway?

“Haha! It’s a huge success, a huge success! We did it!”

As the coffee business succeeded, Randolfo cheered.

When Randolfo announced he was starting a coffee business, the reaction of the people of Fasa was very indifferent, if not pessimistic.

It was even difficult to find new investors.

Usually, when a new business starts, investors gather, but this time, even with the name of the Signori Family, they couldn't find investors.

─ Coffee? What is that?

─ Hmm, I know of it, but I’m not sure if it will sell. I wonder if it has any value…….

─ I know Matriarch Costanza is great, but isn't she overdoing it?

Potential investors and business competitors mocked the Signori Family while pretending to be worried.

As a result, the company’s investors were only three: Leon, Matriarch Costanza, and another person.

Of course, the three of them were confident of success, so they didn't care about people's reactions.

But Randolfo, who had felt aggrieved by it, reacted passionately.

“It feels so good to have knocked those arrogant bastards down a peg! This is all thanks to Lord Gryph.”

“Not at all. It wouldn't have succeeded without Mr. Randolfo’s support.”

Naturally, it was Leon Gryph who had manipulated public opinion from behind the scenes.

It was due to Leon’s trait.

Not the Descendant of a Demon trait, but his background.

Leon was originally a modern person.

And the modern era is a paradise of advertising and marketing. (It is also a hell for consumers.)

Sellers knew that consumers would buy products if they were given a reasonable enough reason.

Therefore, marketing was focused on creating that reason to buy.

Naturally, Leon, who grew up in the modern era, couldn't help but have a different understanding of marketing methods.

He just had to copy what he saw and grew up with.

Although he was not a professional, so it was clumsy and amateurish, the spicy flavor of modern capitalism was more than enough to overwhelm the people of Fasa, who were only equipped with early capitalism.

Of course, not everyone thought positively of this trend.

“Who did you say?”

“Bishop Malone of Fasa. The bishop has been criticizing Lord Gryph to everyone he meets lately. Did you know?”

Upon hearing this for the first time, Leon furrowed his brow.

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