Hell Mode: Volume 5, page 29
“So you confirm that clearing it is an impossible feat?”
“It is undoubtedly impossible.”
“So it will remain unconquered?”
“This Allen character will learn the meaning of the term ‘unconquered’ the hard way.”
The man in the highest position of the entire Adventurer’s Guild confirmed with full certainty that the Rank S dungeon, the Tower of Tribulation, was insurmountable.
Side Story 5: Pelomas’s Contract
Pelomas was Allen’s childhood friend with the Merchant Talent who was currently attending a commercial school in the Ratashian capital. Previously, he had taken Allen’s advice and established a trading company named Pelomas Whaling Company. At the moment, his company was headquartered in Granvelle City and mainly did business going between Granvelle City and the capital.
One morning, a government official came to Pelomas out of the blue and asked him to immediately head to the royal palace for a contract. His summons was very sudden, but the official was merely a messenger and did not know much else himself. However, he did seem especially anxious, almost as if this contract might decide the future of the Kingdom of Ratash.
Without ado, Pelomas hurried to the palace along with Raven, Milci, and Rita. These three were former adventurers who had been active in and around Granvelle City but found themselves practically out of work due to Allen annihilating the area’s monster population. Pelomas had then approached them with an introduction from Allen, who was acquainted with them; Raven went, “I suppose this is better than working in the mithril mines,” and agreed. And so they were now all working for Pelomas Whaling Company.
When Pelomas and the others arrived, they were taken to a parlor and given a change of clothes. Their guide asked Raven to remain there rather than join the others at the contract signing. Raven had a rough appearance, and there was a chance of him offending the other party.
Eventually Pelomas found himself in a heavily ornamented room. There was a table in the middle with chairs lining all four sides. Viscount Granvelle and a man with very sparse hair who was the Minister of Commerce sat on one side.
Pelomas was already acquainted with Viscount Granvelle thanks to Allen; in fact, the viscount was the source of much of Pelomas Whaling Company’s business. Pelomas offered him a respectful greeting.
The seat between the viscount and the minister lay unoccupied. The minister indicated that Pelomas was to sit there. Taking his seat, Pelomas still did not know a single detail regarding the all-important contract.
“A-Are you gonna be okay, boss?” Rita asked while shifting uncomfortably in her expensive outfit. She and Milci were both uneasy thinking about how out of place they were in this extravagant room and, indeed, within the atmosphere of the entire palace.
“I, uh, think so?” Pelomas replied in an unsure tone.
“You think so?!”
“Silence!” the commerce minister thundered, the veins on his temple bulging. “Remember where you are!”
It was Pelomas’s first time meeting this nearly balding man, and he felt cowed by the number of subordinates standing behind the minister as well as by all the documents spread out on the table before them.
Just as the young company president began apologizing with teary eyes, there were a few knocks at the door, prompting the minister to leap out of his chair. Seeing Viscount Granvelle also slowly getting to his feet, Pelomas gleaned that whoever it was required that he stand to greet them and so followed suit.
The door opened and several knights marched through. One of them said, “This way, my lord,” before yielding the way to allow an elderly elf and his entourage through.
The minister of commerce gestured toward the empty seats on the other side of the table. “Welcome, welcome. Thank you for your willingness to discuss terms of the contract so soon.”
“Ha ha ha!” the old elf chuckled. It turned out this was Elder Filamehl, the member of the Elder Council in charge of foreign affairs. “Speak nothing of it. I see we have kept all of you waiting for quite some time. Apologies.”
One of the other elves, a diplomatic envoy, pulled out a chair for him. Filamehl sat with a grunt. Only after he was settled did Viscount Granvelle and the minister sit back down. Pelomas followed their lead.
The minister spoke first. “Sitting here with us is one of our merchants whom we have summoned to facilitate the signing of the contract detailing Ratash and Rohzenheim’s official trade agreement. We are currently in the process of selecting more—”
Only now did Pelomas finally understand the situation. He had heard that Ratash and Rohzenheim had established formal diplomatic relations; they were now taking the next step to begin trading. And thanks to listening carefully in commercial school lectures, Pelomas knew exactly how important the elderly elf sitting before him was.
“Selecting more?” Elder Filamehl frowned. “That goes against what we agreed upon.”
The minister looked alarmed. “Huh? M-My deepest apologies. We will hurry the process!” He paled at the thought of the massive amount of money that Ratash would be missing out on should this trade agreement fall through.
Not two days had passed since an elven diplomat showed up at the palace, announcing that Rohzenheim wanted to begin trading as soon as possible. Trade between countries was normally restricted to trading firms approved by both nations, but for some reason, Rohzenheim specified that it only wanted to do business with Pelomas Whaling Company. The minister of commerce had immediately investigated this nobody trader. Needless to say, he was very surprised to learn the company had only been in operation for a year.
However, there was no way around using Pelomas Whaling Company, not when Rohzenheim had named them specifically. As such, the minister had decided to first let Elder Filamehl meet Pelomas before recommending a few handpicked trading firms with established ties to Ratash. Indeed, the documents before him were profiles of such firms that met the royal standards.
“It appears there has been a slight misunderstanding,” Elder Filamehl said. “We have no interest in any other trading firms. Rohzenheim is only interested in signing a trading agreement with Pelomas Whaling Company.”
“What?! That is far too— Pelomas Whaling Company is but a newly established outfit that lacks experience, and President Pelomas himself is still a student!”
International trade normally involved many trading firms. Each firm could focus on handling the goods that it was best suited for, allowing for greater efficiency and higher profits. If a single firm were to take over everything, not only would it generate less profit handling items it was not equipped to, but it could stand to lose a fortune should it fail to react to market fluctuations.
In this particular case, the company president was still a student attending commercial school, and his company was barely a year old. Anyone with a mind could see that trading exclusively with Pelomas Whaling Company was a huge risk with potentially disastrous results for both countries.
“That is no issue. It was Grand Strategist Allen’s request that we form this trade agreement. He informed us that President Pelomas is his good friend. As such, we have no interest in dealing with any other.”
“I...see. So that is...” The minister of commerce shot a look at Viscount Granvelle and realized what was going on.
Viscount Granvelle was also here because Elder Filamehl had specifically requested him as a witness. The minister had believed this was because he was the lord of the realm where Pelomas was from and where Pelomas Whaling Company was based, but apparently the factor connecting everything here was Allen.
The elderly elf turned to Pelomas. “Now, Mister Pelomas. Grand Strategist Allen said he is leaving it up to you whether we go through with this agreement. What do you think?”
The blood drained from the minister’s face. “How can—?!”
“Minister,” Filamehl interrupted. “Let Mister Pelomas speak.”
If Pelomas refused this trade agreement, Ratash would lose an incalculable amount of revenue. The minister would rather accept Pelomas Whaling Company as the sole signatory rather than have the whole deal called off.
Without missing a beat, Pelomas said, “Thank you for choosing my company. We would be more than happy to sign a contract with Rohzenheim.”
“No hesitation, I see.” Filamehl raised an eyebrow.
“Naturally. I am aiming to grow my company as quickly as possible.”
Pelomas was in love with Fiona, the daughter of Chester, the richest merchant in Granvelle City. When he asked Fiona’s father for permission to court her, Pelomas was told that he would have to become a merchant that even Chester would acknowledge before he graduated.
There was only one year left until Pelomas graduated from the merchant school. He had been starting to think it was impossible for him to fulfill the condition in time, but if he succeeded in securing this deal, his firm would see enormous growth, and he would be that much closer to courting Fiona. He recognized this opportunity Allen was giving him.
“Hm. You don’t look anything special, but you’ve got a spine, at least. That said, I’ll have to test you before we actually discuss the terms of the contract.”
“A test, my lord?”
“Rohzenheim does not mind losing a little money in this matter, so the test would be more to allay the worries of your minister of commerce here. We want you to prove that you have the ability to handle this.”
The Elder signaled to his subordinates and they left the room. They returned pushing a cart loaded with several kinds of items, including weapons, armor, musical instruments, and medicine.
“What is this, my lord?”
“These are samples of products Rohzenheim is considering exporting to Ratash. What do you think? Do you see value in selling them?”
“May I use my skills?”
“Of course.”
As the minister of commerce anxiously watched on with Rita and Milci, Pelomas activated Analyze to confirm each item’s name, what it was made of, and what properties it possessed.
“These are all wonderful items. Do you have a specific selling price in mind, my lord?”
During his past two years at school, Pelomas had studied up and memorized everything he could on all kinds of goods, including weapons, armor, medicines, instruments, and even fine art. All of this effort was for the sake of making his love come true.
“Hmm...” Filamehl accepted a document from his subordinate and read from it. “This flute, for example, was made by one of Rohzenheim’s prized craftsmen. We wish to sell it for ten gold.” There were apparently two thousand of them in stock.
Pelomas activated his skill and turned the instrument over and over in his hands, studying it. He then set it down.
Next, he picked up a piece of armor. “This is very light. How much for it?”
“That would be twenty-five gold. We actually have many units of that armor. Around three million, in fact.”
“Th-Three million, my lord? That is quite a lot indeed.”
One of the elven envoys explained that this armor was actually crafted from the carapaces of insect monsters killed during the Demon Lord Army’s assault on one of their major fortresses during the war. Allen’s group had only wanted the magic stones and let the elves have the rest of the materials, which was why the elves had so many of these particular items.
“Which is why we hope you can accept as many as possible,” the Elder finished.
It could be said that Rohzenheim’s main reason for seeking a trade agreement with Ratash was to off-load its stock. A large number of elven cities had suffered significant damage in the war, and the country also had to make condolence payments to the families of those fallen in battle.
“As many as possible... I see,” Pelomas murmured. He then activated his Extra Skill, Libra.
“Wha—?! Pelomas, what are you doing in a place such as this?!”
The sight of a heat haze springing up around Pelomas’s body rattled the minister of commerce. Elder Filamehl and Viscount Granvelle directed their full attention toward Pelomas, wondering what the boy was up to.
After a thoughtful pause, Pelomas declared, “I will purchase your full stock of this armor—no, of all of the goods here.”
The minister choked. “HUH?! Y-You must be out of your mind! All of— Do you know what you are saying?!” He barely held back the urge to pinch himself to awake from this nightmare.
“Minister, please don’t interrupt our negotiations,” the Elder warned.
“My head will fly!” the minister wailed. “Our country will go bankrupt!” He frantically tried to speak reason, but the elves half-heartedly reassured him as they led him a distance away.
At the end of the day, the Kingdom of Ratash was but a small country. Consequently, domestic demand for weapons, armor, and instruments was not very high. Expensive, valuable flutes made by skilled elven artisans might invoke some interest among the royal family and prominent merchant families, but trying to sell off a stock of two thousand was nigh impossible. Similarly, it could take a century to sell three million pieces of armor at twenty-five gold apiece. The responsibility for all this would fall on the Minister of Commerce, the person who green-lit this trade agreement.
Pelomas, however, shared none of the minister’s anxiety. “Elder Filamehl, I wish to buy everything that Rohzenheim is willing to sell, including this armor. On three conditions, that is.”
“Interesting. Let’s hear them.”
“First: allow me to negotiate the price.”
“Of course, of course. Be forewarned—I am a formidable opponent.”
“The second condition is related to payment. I would need a full year to arrange payment for the quantities mentioned.”
“Interesting. So you mean to say you can sell everything within a year?”
The minister of commerce crumpled to his knees hearing this exchange between Pelomas and Filamehl.
“I can,” Pelomas nodded. “There is more than enough demand if we include Giamut and Baukis.”
“Hm? What do you mean by including Giamut and Baukis?”
The truth was Pelomas’s plan was not to simply sell Rohzenheim’s imports within Ratash. His Extra Skill, Libra, told him the worth of goods—not an absolute value, but the appropriate price for each part of the world. Flipped on its head, this meant that it also told him what the demand was in each place.
Specifically, he could get numbers for the global averages as well as narrow them down by continent, country, and even by realm or city. Thanks to his Extra Skill, Pelomas had just confirmed that demand for the elven armor was actually rising in Giamut and Baukis—Giamut needed to replenish its armory after the war with the Demon Lord Army, whereas Baukis had constant demand due to its large population and massive area.
This armor was lightweight and durable, making it suitable for anyone ranging from close-range fighters to scouts. Pelomas had no doubt he could sell all three million pieces in these two countries.
“I will introduce this armor to the market in Ratash, but I expect to sell most of these overseas,” Pelomas concluded.
“I see.” Filamehl stroked his chin thoughtfully. “What is your third condition?”
“I wish for trading rights in Giamut and Baukis. Would you be able to pull some strings for me?”
At the moment, Pelomas Whaling Company only had the authority to trade with Rohzenheim. Pelomas had determined that the Minister of Commerce of Ratash did not have the pull to get him a license to trade in Giamut or Baukis and was therefore now asking Filamehl.
“Oh? You’re asking me to use my connections?”
“It would make things significantly easier. I promise you will see a return on your investment within one year.”
The look in Pelomas’s eyes made Filamehl think he was negotiating with the emperor of Giamut for a split second. This gave him pause. However, he quickly told himself there was no need for the wariness. After all, this trade agreement was a request from Allen, the champion who saved Rohzenheim.
“Very well. Those two do owe me at least this much.”
“Thank you, my lord. I look forward to doing business with you.”
“Indeed. It appears we have ourselves a deal.”
After this meeting, Filamehl secured Pelomas the rights to trade with both Giamut and Baukis within a month, marking a huge turning point in Pelomas Whaling Company’s fate.
Side Story 6: Creating a Fortress City
Not long after Allen’s group headed off for the Rank S dungeon, a large magic ship cruised through Granvelle City airspace. This was Viscount Granvelle’s private ship. The large majority of magic ships were on rent from Baukis. But not this one—Allen had fronted the full ten thousand gold in one lump sum and bought it for the viscount.
Allen had always wanted to repay the viscount somehow, not only for everything that he had done for Allen during his manservant days but even after enrolling at the Academy, especially in the matter of restoring Keel’s house. He did not mind simply handing over the money directly to the viscount, but when he tried thinking of something special that only he could procure, given the connections and prestige he had accumulated in Baukis, the idea of buying a magic ship occurred to him.
When gifting the viscount this ship, Allen had also asked him for a favor. Namely, he asked that the viscount allow the residents of his realm to use the ship too. This would give the people greater mobility and would consequently help promote economic growth within the realm.
Thanks to the viscount agreeing to this condition, the magic ship was currently transporting some knights of the realm and around a hundred households. The craft was heading for Rodin Village, the settlement where Allen’s father served as chief. The households on board were hoping for work there.
Seated in a private room were two pairs of elderly passengers. One couple, Zohan and Jenica, were Allen’s paternal grandparents.
“Is that true? Did that really happen?” Zohan asked incredulously.
“It is true, I assure you!” The Spirit B who was sitting with them replied. “His efforts saved an entire country!”
