Isekai Merchant Chapter 8

Chapter 8
◆ Rank Promotion Exam
Yoshio opened the envelope and checked its contents.
The letter was brief.
It was handwritten by Guildmaster Baldos, stating:
“Lord Yoshio,
As of today, you are granted eligibility to take the rank promotion exam.
This will be a special advancement test from E‑rank directly to C‑rank.
The exam consists of a practical assessment and an interview.
The schedule will be announced soon—prepare accordingly.
This recommendation was unanimously approved by all guild staff.”
A recommendation letter was enclosed, bearing signatures from the receptionist Melissa and Leon’s escort party.
Tomas had even written a long endorsement praising Yoshio’s “achievement in magic‑stone recycling technology.”
C‑rank meant joining the ranks of mid‑level adventurers.
It opened the door to a far wider range of requests, including personal commissions and even government contracts.
As identification, it carried significant social credibility.
Not much time had passed since Yoshio arrived in this world, yet he had already achieved stable production of beauty potions, subdued a wyvern, and discovered magic‑stone reuse.
Each achievement might seem modest alone, but together they formed a solid foundation—and now the results were returning to him.
Although he had only recently become E‑rank,
he sent back a reply accepting the promotion exam.
The next morning, when he delivered his answer to the guild, Melissa greeted him with a bright smile.
Her efficiency was as sharp as ever.
Processing documents, she said:
“Your exam is in three days.
The practical test will be held at the training grounds behind the guild.
Your examiner is B‑rank adventurer Wolf.
The content will be mock combat and situational judgment.”
Three days of preparation.
He needed to check his equipment, maintain his condition, and—more importantly—prove he had the adaptability expected of a C‑rank adventurer.
Mock battles were traditionally kept secret until the day of the exam.
When Yoshio informed Gardos, he was told to take a break from advisory work until the exam was over.
Business was going well, so he needn’t worry.
On the evening of the second day, Yoshio found himself walking toward the outskirts of the capital—the hill where he had first appeared in this world.
Back then, he had no idea where he was.
Now, he had a home, people he could rely on, and a world still waiting to be explored.
The night wind brushed his cheek.
Tomorrow was the exam.
He checked his current level.
When he focused, a translucent window appeared before him.

【Status】
Name: Yoshio
Race: Human
Age: 22
Occupation: Merchant Lv.10, Adventurer (E‑rank)
Level: 28
Base Vitality: 20/100
Base Magic: 30/100
Skills:
Creativity Lv.7
Fragrance Mixing Lv.7
Perfumer’s Sense Lv.7
Perfume Creation Lv.6
Infinite Storage (Large) Lv.5
Appraisal Lv.5
Healing Power Lv.3
Calculation Lv.3
Memory Lv.3
Magic Manipulation Lv.5
Subjugation Magic Lv.5
Magic‑Stone Infusion Lv.5
Fire Magic Aptitude Lv.1
Appliance Creation Lv.1
Craft Lv.5
Titles:
Royal Merchant
Magic‑Stone Technician
Master of the Wyvern
HP: 320/320
MP: 580/580
Level 28—within this world’s standards, that was the threshold of a mid‑tier adventurer.
His magic manipulation and magic‑stone infusion skills had grown significantly, strengthening both combat and production abilities.
His high MP reflected the many magic‑related skills he possessed.
His occupations displayed Merchant Lv.10 and Adventurer Lv.28.
The wyvern subjugation had clearly contributed.
But he had no combat skills related to swordsmanship.
If the exam required sword fighting, he might fail.
He would have to rely on magic.
Crafting weapons was possible, but wielding them effectively was another matter.
If he chose a magic‑focused fighting style, he needed a clear strategy.
Magic shots, body enhancement for mobility, or using subjugation magic to summon support—each approach would change the flow of the exam.
Back at the inn, he sat at his desk and planned.
Melissa had said Wolf was a B‑rank warrior.
Direct melee combat was out of the question.
But relying solely on magic might fail the adaptability portion.
As night deepened, an idea surfaced:
If he could use Craft to create improvised magic‑enhanced traps or defensive tools, that would count as valid tactics.
With refined magic control, he could respond to sudden situations.
The next morning, he trained early in the grasslands outside the capital.
One day remained.
He expanded his trap repertoire using Craft.
He trained magic control.
He practiced body enhancement for speed.
There was much to do.
Standing in the grasslands, he used Craft to manipulate the soil—raising stone spikes, forming hardened earth walls.
Simple traps, but effective with timing and placement.
Next, body enhancement.
Focusing magic into his legs, he ran—three times faster than usual.
But stopping was difficult; he nearly tripped.
He repeated it until his body learned the sensation.
By sunset, he had over ten usable trap variations:
pitfalls, magic‑shot launchers, magic nets, sticky floors for immobilization.
At night, he practiced fine magic control—extending thin threads of magic from his fingertips and manipulating them freely.
If mastered, he could reach distant targets.
And so, the morning of the exam arrived.

◆ Exam Day
At the guild reception counter, Melissa greeted him.
“Good morning, Yoshio. The exam grounds are ready. Do your best.”
“I will. Thank you,” he replied, then headed to the testing area.
Behind the guild, the training grounds had been expanded to nearly twice their usual size.
A circular arena of packed earth was enclosed by wooden fencing, and a small crowd had gathered—promotion exams were apparently a popular form of entertainment.
Standing at the center of the arena was a single man.
A large, rugged figure with an unkempt beard, a greatsword strapped to his back.
“So you’re Yoshio. I’ve heard the rumors—apparently you’ve been doing some flashy things for an E‑rank.”
Wolf’s tone was casual, but his eyes were not smiling.
He looked Yoshio over as if weighing him.
Cracking his neck, he said:
“Rules are simple. Fight me and survive. The match ends when you surrender or can’t continue.
Use whatever you want—weapons, magic, anything.
Just no killing. The healer’s standing by.”
A white‑robed healer waited at the edge of the arena.
Wolf drew his greatsword, resting it on his shoulder. The blade glinted dully in the sunlight.
He took his stance.
“Come whenever you’re ready.”
Yoshio raised his hand and fired the magic bullets he had practiced the day before—weak enough not to injure.
Compressed mana formed into three glowing white projectiles that shot toward Wolf.
Wolf deflected the first with the flat of his blade.
“Whoa.”
He dodged the second with a smooth sidestep, then stomped the ground to cancel the third with a shockwave.
Even with reduced power, a B‑rank adventurer’s reaction speed was on another level.
Wolf smirked.
“You’re holding back? Kind of you, but in an exam, that’ll cost you points.”
Before he finished speaking, Wolf closed the distance.
One step cut the gap in half—his footwork was monstrous.
His greatsword swept sideways, the wind pressure alone kicking up dust.
Yoshio reacted instantly—Craft skill.
He raised a stone wall from the ground and simultaneously created a pitfall beneath Wolf.
The greatsword smashed through the wall with a heavy crack, and Yoshio leapt aside.
The wall shattered in one blow, but that moment was enough.
Mana surged through the ground, collapsing the earth beneath Wolf’s feet.
Wolf lost his footing.
“What—!?”
He jammed his greatsword into the ground to stop himself from falling, supporting his weight with one arm while pulling the blade free with the other.
His legs were buried up to the knees, restricting his movement.
But Wolf’s expression changed.
The playful look vanished, replaced by a feral grin.
He kicked off the ground with brute force.
“Now this is fun!”
Wolf burst out of the pit, kicking up a cloud of dust.
His speed was far greater than before—he was using full body enhancement.
Mana began to gather around his greatsword.
Yoshio used his final trump card: the magic net.
A shimmering net of mana unfolded in midair and dropped over Wolf, wrapping around him as he charged.
The net constricted, binding his limbs and torso.
His greatsword halted mid‑swing, and Wolf struggled inside the glowing mesh.
“Damn it… can’t move!”
For several seconds, he fought against the net.
The mesh began to tear under his strength—he would break free soon.
But a few seconds were all Yoshio needed.
He kept his distance, ready to act again.
The net finally snapped, and Wolf staggered free, breathing heavily.
He lowered his greatsword and laughed.
“That’s enough. You pass.”
A murmur rippled through the spectators.
The healer sighed, disappointed he hadn’t been needed.
Wolf extended a hand.
“Your judgment and adaptability are C‑rank or higher.
Never seen a magic net like that.”
Yoshio passed the exam—and promptly collapsed to his knees.
Wolf looked down at him.
“Hey, you alright?”
The tension had snapped.
Continuous magic control and Craft use had drained far more stamina and mental strength than expected.
His hands trembled slightly.
Melissa rushed over.
“Yoshio! Are you okay?”
He waved her off weakly.
“I’m fine. Just out of energy. I’ll recover with a bit of rest.”
Wolf strode away, and the spectators dispersed.
Only Yoshio and Melissa remained in the training grounds.
She handed him a water flask.
“Here. And… congratulations. Passing into C‑rank is incredible.
Almost no one advances this quickly.”
A sip of water eased his fatigue.
He looked up at the sky—clouds drifting slowly.
Since being thrown into this world, he had come a long way.
The road ahead was still long, but he was moving forward.
“Thank you, Melissa. You’ve helped me so much.
I wouldn’t have passed this fast without your support.
I really mean it.”
Melissa’s cheeks flushed.
“I—I only did my job at the counter… but hearing that makes me very happy.”
She hugged her stack of documents to her chest, flustered.
Clearing her throat, she said:
“A‑anyway… we need to complete the formal registration.
Please come to the reception desk.
I’ll issue your new guild card and explain the C‑rank request list.”
They returned to the guild.
Melissa processed the paperwork swiftly, and soon Yoshio received his new guild card.
Silver‑trimmed—far more refined than his old E‑rank card.
Near the bulletin board, Leon and his party were waiting.
Leena clapped softly, and Tomas hurried over, excited.
“The magic net—you must register that spell!
It’s academically fascinating!”
“I recreated the technique we used to capture the wyvern,” Yoshio explained.
Tomas scribbled notes rapidly.
“So it was based on that!
Your mana weaving has a unique pattern—this could be formalized!”
Melissa smiled gently.
“Congratulations, Yoshio. You’re officially C‑rank now.”
Leon crossed his arms.
“C‑rank means you can take escort missions.
How about joining our party?
It’s time to think seriously about it.”
Leon had suggested this before, but C‑rank was a requirement.
Now Yoshio was eligible.
Their party had three C‑ranks and one D‑rank—a balanced, reliable team.
Melissa added:
“We can register your party here as well.
The guild will handle reward distribution and contribution tracking.”
A new path opened before him.
He could continue solo, or walk alongside trusted companions.
But he still had plenty of merchant work to handle.
For now, he decided to postpone joining a party.

◆ Aerial Transport
The next morning, Yoshio visited the leatherworker’s workshop, where an elderly dwarf craftsman greeted him.
His name was Gorg.
With thick fingers hardened by years of smithing, Gorg laid out sample after sample of finely crafted leather.
As he spread the wyvern‑scale leather, he asked:
“So, wyvern‑hide saddle, huh? What’s the rider’s build?”
“The wyvern will be used for aerial transport between towns.
Most of my workers are women, so I’d like it to be suitable for both men and women.”
Gorg stroked his beard.
“For aerial transport, the saddle needs to be comfortable for long hours—no sore hips or lower back.
And you’ll need a wind shield.”
He pulled out a stack of blueprints from a shelf.
He had experience crafting saddles for large bird‑type beasts, and he traced the diagrams with practiced ease.
After calculating the estimate, he said:
“Saddle body, wind shield, reins, and safety harness—comes to 25 gold coins.
Materials are wyvern leather and an iron frame.
I can finish it in ten days.”
It was a reasonable price.
But Yoshio had another idea:
Could he use his Craft skill to create a partial storage compartment?
Even if the exterior and leatherwork required a craftsman’s hand, if Yoshio could craft the internal frame and magic‑conducting structure, the compartment could maintain temperature and pressure—ideal for transporting goods.
He proposed the idea to Gorg:
“I want to attach storage compartments to the sides or rear of the saddle.
I’ll use my Craft skill to create the internal magic mechanism that keeps the temperature and pressure stable.
Could you build the exterior to match that?”
Gorg’s eyes widened.
“Controlling the internal environment with magic?
Never heard of a storage box like that.”
His craftsman spirit ignited.
He stood up and began rummaging through tools on the workbench.
Excited, he muttered:
“So you’re planning to embed a magic circuit inside the compartment.
If it keeps the interior stable regardless of outside temperature, then even long‑distance flights won’t spoil the goods.
That’s revolutionary!”
Their discussion grew heated.
Gorg listed structural requirements, and Yoshio described the magical mechanisms he could reproduce with Craft.
After several rounds of adjustments, they agreed on a division of labor:
Yoshio would craft the internal frame and magic circuit, while Gorg would handle the exterior leatherwork and safety harness.
Gorg extended his hand.
“This is a damn interesting job.
Gets my craftsman’s blood pumping.
I’ll have the best saddle ready in ten days.”

◆ The Device for Making Paper from Grain Husks
Yoshio visited the industrial district’s test workshop to check on the progress of the device that would turn barley and wheat husks into paper.
When he arrived, Alan was waiting at the entrance.
He still had dark circles under his eyes, but his expression was full of energy.
With a tired smile, he said:
“Good timing. Come take a look.”
The device installed at the back of the workshop had been significantly improved since the previous design.
It now had a hopper for inserting grain husks, a drying chamber to remove moisture, a grinding unit to loosen the fibers, and a press section to form the pulp—an entire production flow.
The first prototype sheet lay on the workbench.
Alan picked it up.
“The strength still needs work, but it’s definitely paper.
The problem is removing impurities—one out of three batches gets clogged when the fibers tangle.”
He pointed to each part of the device, explaining in detail.
The magic‑powered drying mechanism seemed to be working better than expected, and his voice carried confidence.
Two young assistants worked silently on adjustments.
Lowering his voice, Alan continued:
“To tell you the truth, I brought this idea to the upper members of the Merchant Guild…
They’re interested, but they’re hesitant to invest until it’s fully practical.
They said, ‘We can just buy paper from other countries.’”
Yoshio asked:
“Would mass‑producing paper cause a conflict of interests?”
Alan grimaced.
“Exactly. There’s a Paper Guild—they’ve got their eyes on us.
Paper exists in this world, but it’s a luxury.
Parchment and wooden tablets are the norm, and the Paper Guild practically monopolizes supply.
If a newcomer floods the market with cheap husk‑paper, their vested interests take a hit.”
Alan leaned closer and whispered:
“They even came to me directly and told me, ‘Don’t cause trouble.’”
The Paper Guild’s influence ran deep in the capital’s commercial world.
They supplied paper to nobles and government offices—making them a troublesome enemy.
Alan shrugged.
“So right now, I can’t move openly.
We’re making prototypes in secret, but mass production is a whole different story.”
A clash with entrenched power.
Money and reputation alone wouldn’t solve this.
Yoshio said, surprised:
“I’ve already explained paper mass production to the king.
These vested interests are holding back the nation’s future.
I’ll report this to His Majesty.”
Alan blinked.
“To the king!?
Well, that’s the most effective route, but… you have connections like that?”
Thanks to the wyvern offering, Yoshio had access to the royal palace—Alan’s surprise was understandable.
Alan frowned thoughtfully.
“But the Paper Guild isn’t stupid.
They’ve probably already bribed someone in the palace.
Rumor says even ministers are on their payroll.”
Even so, going through official channels was the best move.
If the king issued a decree, the Paper Guild couldn’t interfere.
The challenge was securing an audience—but going through Prince Leonard would make it easier.
Alan looked Yoshio straight in the eyes.
“If you’re really going to do this, bring the actual device.
Seeing is believing.”
He began packing prototype sheets into a leather bag.
Whether husk‑paper would change the nation’s future depended on Yoshio’s next move.
Yoshio outlined his plan:
“First, finish the device.
Then calculate costs.
If we can build ten units, paper will circulate nationwide.
I’ll submit a formal petition to the palace.”
Alan nodded firmly.
“That’s the right approach.
Finish the device, build a track record, then submit the petition.”
A petition could be delivered to the king through the ministers—more natural than approaching the prince directly.
And with real numbers and a working device, the argument would be far more convincing.
Alan clenched his fist.
“Alright. I’ll finish the device.
I’ll also estimate parts for ten units—just make sure you secure the funds.”
Once the plan was set, Alan moved quickly.
He issued instructions to his assistants and began final adjustments.
Yoshio left the workshop, already calculating costs in his head.
One device’s construction cost, parts for ten units, labor, transport…
It would likely require around 500 gold coins.
With profits from the magic‑stone business and payments from Gardos, it wasn’t impossible—but it was a major investment.
Walking through the evening streets, Yoshio renewed his resolve as a merchant.
This was an investment—into the future of this world.
The paper‑making device was completed, cost calculations were finished, and Yoshio compiled the materials and demand projections into a formal petition to submit to the royal palace.

◆ Royal Audience
The petition was submitted to a royal administrator through Gardos’s introduction.
A few days later, a reply arrived. The message was simple:
“His Majesty wishes to hear the matter personally.
Present yourself in the audience chamber three days from now, in the morning.”

Audience Day
Three days later, Yoshio donned formal attire and passed through the great doors of the royal palace.
The audience chamber was far grander than the one he had visited when meeting the prince.
Civil officials and military officers stood on both sides of the throne, and royal guards lined the walls.
The air was heavy.
From the throne, the king spoke:
“So, you are the petitioner.”
“I have had an audience before, Your Majesty.”
The king, with a beard streaked with white, looked down at Yoshio with sharp eyes—an aura befitting the ruler of a nation.
Yoshio bowed and began:
“The device for producing paper from grain husks has been completed.
By manufacturing ten units, paper can be distributed throughout the kingdom.
This will advance domestic industry and culture.
Furthermore, widespread access to paper will raise literacy rates, improve education, and strengthen the nation.”
The king leaned forward, intrigued.
“Paper from husks… The Paper Guild would faint if they heard this.”
A faint smile touched his lips, while the surrounding officials murmured.
A minister stepped forward.
“Your Majesty, please reconsider. The Paper Guild has already submitted a complaint, claiming that new entrants will disrupt the market. If we approve this too easily—”
The king silenced him with a gesture.
“Enough. It is discourteous to voice objections before the petitioner.”
The minister reluctantly stepped back.
The king returned his gaze to Yoshio.
“Speak in detail.
What is the cost?
How long does each device last?
Is the supply of raw materials stable?
And this claim of improving literacy—how long until results appear?”
Rapid‑fire questions—but they showed genuine interest.
A scribe was already writing down every word.
Yoshio answered:
“We will bear the cost of manufacturing the devices.
We request permission to sell paper and will pay taxes from the profits.
With maintenance, each device should last around ten years.
As for literacy—among commoners, it is nearly zero.
With paper, we can create textbooks and establish educational institutions—schools.
Gather students and teach reading, writing, and arithmetic.”
A long silence.
“…Schools.”
The atmosphere shifted.
The noble-born officials exchanged uneasy glances.
The concept of “schools” was not common in this world.
Private tutors and small academies existed, but no state-run educational institutions.
A minister burst out:
“Educating commoners? That would undermine noble privilege!”
The king shot him a cold look.
“I said silence.”
The minister paled and fell quiet.
The king’s eyes returned to Yoshio.
In a calm voice, he asked:
“You said you would pay taxes from your profits.
Is that merely a merchant’s calculation…
or is it for the sake of this kingdom?
Which is it?”
A decisive question.
The king’s judgment hinged on the answer.
The chamber grew tense.
Yoshio replied:
“We already earn sufficient profit.
If the people’s lives improve, the nation prospers.
It is for the good of the kingdom.”
Another long silence—then the king nodded deeply.
“…Very well. I approve it.”
The chamber erupted in murmurs.
The minister stared at the king in disbelief.
The king continued:
“You are permitted to manufacture ten devices and sell paper.
However, there are conditions.”
He raised one finger.
“First: the establishment of these ‘schools’ must wait until I personally authorize it.
I will handle the political groundwork so the bureaucrats do not interfere.”
It was both a warning and a promise of royal backing.
Then the second condition:
“Second: minimize conflict with the Paper Guild.
They, too, are subjects of this kingdom.
Seek coexistence, not destruction.
If you cannot do that, I will revoke my approval.”
A ruling both generous and stern.
The king was no soft ruler—Yoshio would need political finesse as well.

◆ The Paper Guild
After leaving the royal palace, Yoshio headed to the Paper Guild.
The guild occupied a prominent stone building in the center of the capital, with a sign reading “Guardians of Paper and Knowledge.”
Inside, a neat reception area and a corridor stretched toward the back.
The receptionist looked at him coldly.
“Who might you be?
Non‑members require an introduction letter.”
There was no hint of welcome.
It was an unannounced visit, so her reaction was understandable.
But Yoshio had the king’s approval—there was no reason to back down.
“I have received His Majesty’s permission regarding paper sales.
I am here to speak with the Paper Guild’s leadership.”
Her expression changed instantly.
“P‑please wait a moment…”
She hurried into the back.
When she returned, she guided Yoshio to a reception room on the second floor.
After a few minutes, the door opened.
A stout middle‑aged man entered, wearing a fine coat and a gold brooch.
Several jeweled rings glittered on his fingers.
A thin, nervous man followed behind him.
The stout man sat down.
“I am Markus, Guildmaster.
I hear His Majesty has granted approval.
Explain the matter.”
His voice was calm, but his eyes were not smiling.
The thin man behind him trembled slightly—perhaps already aware of the situation, or fearing the worst.
Yoshio spoke:
“We have received royal permission to sell paper.I have come to discuss cooperation—
I would like the Paper Guild to handle our paper as well, so we may share profits.”
Markus raised an eyebrow.
“Handle it…?”
It was clearly unexpected.
He had assumed Yoshio came to challenge them.
The thin man looked equally confused.
Markus asked cautiously:
“You are not here to destroy us?”
His tone softened slightly.
He was still wary, but willing to listen.
“I have no intention of hostility.
Paper production and sales will expand more quickly if multiple merchants participate.
We will even lend you the manufacturing devices.”
Markus shifted in his seat.
“Lend us the devices?
You would hand over your own business tools?
Are you sane?”
Suspicion deepened.
It was natural—no merchant gives away their advantage without reason.
Markus clasped his ring‑covered hands, studying Yoshio closely.
“Then what are your conditions?
Surely you are not speaking out of goodwill.”
The negotiation had begun.
Every word mattered now.
Yoshio answered:
“Parchment cannot meet demand.
Paper is effectively a noble privilege.
At current production levels, commoners will never have access.
But with cheap paper circulating, the guild will gain enormous profits.
We both benefit.”
Markus fell silent for a moment.
“…A noble privilege, huh.
You strike at the heart of the matter.”
He lowered his voice.
“But if cheap paper spreads, nobles will buy that instead.
Our sales will drop.
That is obvious.”
He had hit the core issue.
This was the decisive moment.
The thin man still trembled, waiting for Markus’s judgment.
Yoshio replied:
“Compare noble consumption with commoner consumption.
Even if nobles continue buying parchment, the commoners’ demand will be ten times—no, a hundred times greater.”
Markus’s eyes widened.
“A hundred times…”
It didn’t take long for him to grasp the meaning.
Nobles used paper only for letters, contracts, and ledgers—limited quantities.
But if paper reached the entire population, demand would explode:
textbooks, trade records, daily notes, business documents—an endless market.
Markus wiped sweat from his brow.
“So we have been selling scraps to nobles…
while ignoring a massive market right under our noses.”
It was half disbelief, half awe.
A man who had led the guild for forty years had finally seen the blind spot.
Markus slowly stood and extended his hand.
“We will consider the matter seriously.
Let us discuss the details.”
“Thank you.”
They spent two hours negotiating.
Markus proved surprisingly flexible—
the phrase “enormous profits” had clearly struck home.
They agreed on leasing fees for the devices, joint procurement of materials, and price segmentation for different types of paper.
 

"Please let me know if there are any mistakes in the translation."

Isekai Merchant Chapter 7

Chapter 7
◆ Disposal of Flowers
In the production of perfume, the disposal of flowers had grown into a massive burden.
The disposal cost included transportation fees, labor, and depreciation.
Yoshio had been wondering whether there was any way to reduce those expenses.
And in this world, paper was extremely expensive.
That was when he began to consider whether the discarded flowers could be repurposed.
Behind the workshop, mountains of flower remnants from perfume production were piled up—stems, leaves, scraps of petals, and faded blossoms.
Until now, they had been loaded onto wagons and taken to a disposal site, where they were burned or buried.
Each trip required two wagons, and the combined transport and labor cost exceeded one hundred G.
Yoshio stared at the pile, deep in thought. There was an abundance of discarded flowers, and they were moist and fibrous.
Modern paper was made from wood pulp—but what if he could use these flower remnants instead?
Paper in this world was costly. Parchment and wooden tablets were common, while plant‑based paper was a luxury only nobles and wealthy merchants could afford.
If he could create inexpensive paper from flowers, it would open a new business opportunity.
The problem was the manufacturing method. Yoshio had no knowledge of papermaking.
But this world had magic.
Could he use magic to break down the flower fibers, beat them, and stretch them thin and evenly?
The next day, Yoshio visited Gardos again.
“Master Gardos, I want to make paper from discarded flowers. Do you know any good method?”
Gardos frowned.
“Paper from flowers? Never heard of such a thing.”
The old mage asked Yoshio for a detailed explanation.
After hearing Yoshio’s rough idea—moist fibrous flower waste, loosened and spread evenly with magic—Gardos fell silent for a moment.
“…In theory, it isn’t impossible. Wind magic could unravel the fibers, and water magic could maintain moisture while compressing them.
Essentially, magical papermaking. But there’s a problem.”
Gardos raised one finger.
“Simultaneous control of wind and water. You’d need to continuously channel two attributes of magic with delicate precision. I can do it, but mass production is impossible.”
Then his eyes sharpened.
“…Wait. You infused magic into those perfumes, didn’t you? What if you made a device that applies magic in the same way?
Embed magic stones and automate the process. No need for skilled craftsmen—mass production becomes feasible.”
A magic‑powered papermaking machine.
In modern terms, something like a magic‑driven pulp processor.
If realized, flower disposal costs would drop to zero, and a new market for cheap paper would open.
Yoshio leaned forward at Gardos’s proposal.
“That’s it! Please—will you help me develop it?”
Gardos snorted.
“Hmph, you bite quickly. Very well. I was getting bored anyway.”

◆ Magic‑Powered Papermaking Device
And so, the joint development of the magic‑powered papermaking device began.
Yoshio had experience with magic infusion, and Gardos possessed the theoretical knowledge to control dual‑attribute magic.
It was a good division of roles.
A week later, the first prototype was installed in the workshop.
It was a wooden box about one meter tall, with two magic stones embedded inside and an opening at the top for inserting flower remnants.
Its power source was a magic stone charged by Yoshio, giving it a runtime of about three hours.
In the experiment, the discarded flowers were first soaked in water to soften the fibers.
Then wind and water magic were channeled into the mixture simultaneously.
From the bottom of the box, thin sheet‑like material peeled off.
The thickness was far from uniform, but it was undeniably paper.
Gardos muttered, “Hmm… it works.”
But problems soon appeared.
If the wind magic was too strong, the fibers tore apart; too weak, and they wouldn’t loosen.
Too much water caused the paper to swell, while too little left the fibers tangled.
Finding the optimal balance required trial and error.
Yoshio and Gardos stayed at the workshop for several days, improving the prototype.
Two weeks later, they finally completed a papermaking device they were satisfied with.
When flower petals were fed into it, thin, sturdy sheets of washi‑like paper emerged at a steady pace.
The mechanism operated automatically, powered by a magical tool that supplied a constant flow of magic.
This magical tool was also developed jointly by the two of them.
It was Gardos’s idea: by sandwiching a magic‑infused metal plate between the supply magic stones, the output magic remained stable.
“It worked better than I expected.”
“It really did! I can’t believe it turned out this well… Gardos, you’re a genius!”
Yoshio praised him with shining eyes.
Gardos cleared his throat and looked away, though the slight upward curl of his lips betrayed him.
“Genius is overstating it. But… it’s not a bad piece of work.”
The completed device exceeded expectations.
From inserting the flower waste to producing sheets of paper took about thirty minutes.
Each batch yielded around twenty sheets.
The quality resembled washi—lighter and sturdier than parchment—and the cost was estimated to be less than one‑tenth.
When they tested writing on the paper, the ink adhered well.
It was perfectly suitable for documents, ledgers, and memo sheets.
The workshop immediately began using it for estimates and delivery forms.
Soon, Gustav from the Merchant Guild rushed over after hearing about the new paper.
He picked up a sheet.
“This… cheaper and lighter than parchment. And you can produce it in large quantities? Lord Yoshio, you’ve created something extraordinary!”

◆ Recycling
“We will sell this high‑quality paper to the royal palace and noble households.
And since we are already working on methods for mass production, we plan to eventually make paper available to common citizens as well.”
Gustav could barely contain his excitement.
“If paper reaches the common folk, commerce will be transformed! Contracts, invoices, inventory records—every document will be on paper. For a merchant, this is the greatest news imaginable!”
He was already drawing up business plans in his mind, firing off rapid‑fire questions about wholesale pricing and distribution routes.
Meanwhile, rumors of the paper reached the royal palace.
When Princess Martina held a sample in her hands, she marveled at its thinness and durability, and immediately reported it to the king.
A few days later, an official letter arrived from the palace.
The king himself wished to hear a direct explanation regarding the paper’s quality and its potential for mass production.
This time, not only Yoshio but also Gardos was summoned.
The meeting took place not in the audience chamber but in a reception room.
The king, a man in his mid‑fifties, had an imposing presence but was clearly reasonable.
Beside him stood the Minister of Finance.
The king placed the test sheet on the table.
“This was made from flowers?”
Yoshio bowed slightly.
“What we are currently considering is mass production of paper.
A manufacturing device powered by magic stones that provide stable magical output.
As for materials, we are exploring whether paper can be made from the husks of barley, wheat, or rice.
Grain husks are discarded in enormous quantities.
If we can recycle them, it would serve two purposes at once.”
The king leaned forward.
“Recycle?”
Beside him, the Minister of Finance narrowed his eyes behind his glasses.
The concept of “recycling” did not exist in this world.
Waste was burned, buried, or simply thrown away.
The idea of collecting discarded material and reusing it as a resource clearly shocked the two statesmen.
In a low voice, the minister said:
“Grain husks are discarded in vast amounts in rural villages.
If they can be turned into paper… the cost of raw materials would be nearly zero.”
He touched his chin thoughtfully.
“The annual barley harvest across the kingdom reaches several million sacks.
The husks alone would be considerable. …Now, regarding the manufacturing device and magic stones.”
The king turned his gaze to Gardos.
The old mage bowed and spoke.
“If we improve the current device, it can be adapted for grain husks as well.
However, since husks have tougher fibers than flowers, the wind magic will need to be strengthened.
If granted two weeks, we can produce a prototype.”
The king nodded, satisfied.
“Very well. I will provide the necessary funds and personnel. Proceed.”

◆ Adjusting Magic Output
After leaving the royal palace, Yoshio consulted Gardos.
He wanted to develop a device that could extract a controlled, constant amount of magic from a magic stone.
If the device could display the magic output and allow adjustment with a dial, infusing magic into potions would become much easier.
It would also allow other workers—not just Yoshio—to handle the process.
And it would be useful for papermaking as well.
Gardos scratched his forehead.
“What goes on in that head of yours? One idea after another…”
His tone was exasperated, but his eyes were smiling.
He leaned back deeply in his chair, tapping the desk with his fingers as he thought.
“Extracting and controlling magic, huh. Essentially a faucet.
Install a valve on the magic flowing out of the magic stone, and adjust the amount with a dial.
The theory is simple—the precision is the problem.”
Until now, magic stones had only two states: use or use up.
No device existed that could maintain a controlled, intermediate output.
Even Gardos himself infused magic by touching the stone directly and adjusting the amount by feel.
“But you made a magic‑infusion device before, didn’t you?
If we apply the magic‑supply mechanism from that… it might work.”
The device Yoshio had previously created for infusing magic into perfume had a mechanism that drew a fixed amount of magic from a magic stone.
However, it had no adjustment function—it simply released a constant flow.
If they added a flow‑control mechanism, it could become the prototype of a magic‑output regulator.
“But there’s a problem,” Gardos added.
“The parts for the adjustment mechanism require mithril silver—high magic conductivity. And we don’t have any.”
“Where can we get mithril silver?”
Gardos folded his arms.
“The northern mining town, Nordis. It’s the only place where mithril ore is found.
And only a handful of craftsmen can refine it.”
Nordis was a mountainous town about five days by wagon from the capital, known for its blacksmiths and mining industry.
However, rumors said monsters had begun appearing around the town recently, disrupting logistics.
The Merchant Guild’s bulletin board had been filled with escort requests.
“There’s one more issue,” Gardos continued.
“On the road to Nordis, there have been sightings of wyverns in the mountain pass.
The Adventurers’ Guild should have posted a subjugation request.”
Wyverns—winged dragons the size of a wagon—were dangerous monsters known for attacking trade caravans with fiery breath from the air.
Even a B‑rank adventurer party struggled against them.
Traveling without an escort would be tantamount to suicide.

◆ Wyvern
“A wyvern, huh… Do we have any hunters? I’d like to hire one as an escort.”
Yoshio turned to Silky, the maid in Gardos’s household.
The tall, silver‑haired maid bowed quietly.
“If it’s a hunter you need, I know of someone.
An adventurer who once stayed at this estate mentioned he was looking for escort work toward Nordis.”
Silky continued in her calm tone.
“His name is Leon. A B‑rank swordsman, leader of the party Fangs of Dawn.
Four members—two frontliners and two in the rear.
They’re based in this city, so if you post the request through the guild, they should accept.”
Gardos stood up.
“Leon, huh. That guy’s reliable.”
The next day, Yoshio officially posted the escort request at the Adventurers’ Guild.
“Round‑trip escort to Nordis. Reward: 500 G per person per day.”
By midday, a response arrived—Fangs of Dawn accepted. Departure was set for the next morning.

Departure
The following morning, four adventurers gathered in front of the workshop.
A red‑haired young man extended his hand.
“So you’re the client? I’m Leon. Good to work with you.”
Yoshio called out mentally: Is there a way to tame a wyvern?
The familiar voice answered inside his consciousness.
Heaven’s Voice, calm and matter‑of‑fact:
“Wyverns are intelligent and highly sensitive to power hierarchy.
If you demonstrate overwhelming strength or make them acknowledge you as a superior, they may submit.
Possible methods include:
Confront directly and intimidate with magic.
Disable their flight by targeting wings or legs with magic‑infused attacks.
Weaken them with magic‑infused bait or potions, then apply a subjugation spell.
Negotiate with the leader of the flock and join under its banner.
In all cases, you must be capable of neutralizing a wyvern alone.”
In other words, whether escorts were necessary depended entirely on Yoshio.
If he subdued the wyvern himself, the escort would be pointless—though the party would still expect payment.
Yoshio asked Leon to add an archer and a mage to the escort team, and to attach magic stones to the arrowheads.
He also requested a large net and ropes.
Leon tilted his head.
“Magic stones on arrows? Strange request… but fine. If it improves our odds, I won’t complain. I’ll get the net and ropes too.”
Three days later, an elven archer named Leena and a young mage named Tomas joined the party.
Both were B‑rank and highly capable.
Small magic stones were tied to the arrowheads—when struck with magic, they would explode on impact.
The net and ropes were loaded onto the wagon, and the six‑person group departed the capital.

Encounter in the Canyon
The northern road grew more mountainous, and by the fourth day, they entered a canyon flanked by steep cliffs.
The wagon driver suddenly pulled the reins.
“Sir! Look!”
A massive shadow circled above the cliff.
Its wingspan exceeded ten meters.
A red‑black scaled wyvern glared down at them with golden eyes.
Leon drew his sword.
“It’s here! Everyone, take positions!”
Yoshio instructed the group to watch the sky carefully and, when the wyvern approached, to infuse magic into the stones and aim for the wings.
The party moved the wagon into the shelter of a rock outcrop and formed a defensive line.
Leon and the other frontliner guarded the front, while Leena and Tomas watched the sky from the rear.
The wyvern circled lower and lower, evaluating its prey.
Its roar shook the air, and the horses panicked.
Leena drew her bowstring tight.
“It’s coming closer… just a bit more.”
The moment the wyvern entered a dive, Leena released her arrow.
Tomas infused magic into the stone, and the arrow shone white as it struck the wing joint.
A burst of light.
Part of the wing membrane burned away, and the wyvern faltered mid‑air.
But it was far from a fatal blow.
Its enraged roar echoed through the canyon, flames swirling in its throat.
“Brace yourselves! It’s going to breathe!”
A torrent of fire blasted toward the wagon.
Thanks to the rock cover, they avoided a direct hit, but the heat wave sent the horses into a frenzy.
The wyvern’s slowed wing movements made this the perfect moment to throw the net.
Leon shouted, and the two frontliners hurled the net.
The damaged wing prevented the wyvern from dodging.
The net tangled around it, and Yoshio rushed forward, channeling magic into the ropes.
Where the rope touched, the wyvern’s body convulsed.
It thrashed its tail, but the combined restraint of net and rope immobilized its wings and legs.
Its mouth was bound, leaving it only muffled growls.
Leon panted.
“You’re kidding… we actually caught it.”
Leena lowered her bow.
“I can’t believe it. We were supposed to weaken it first, then capture it with the net…”
The wyvern continued struggling, the ropes creaking ominously.
If this continued, they might snap.
Yoshio recalled the knowledge from the summoned voice.
If he wanted to establish dominance, now was the moment.
He unleashed a subjugation spell.
Magic burst from his palm, enveloping the wyvern.
Golden light crawled across its massive body, sinking into each scale.
The wyvern’s eyes widened—fear and confusion flickering in its golden pupils.
Its tail stopped thrashing, its wings drooped.
After several seconds of silence, it released a low rumbling roar and bowed its head to the ground.
Submission.
When the light faded, the once‑raging wyvern lay still, eyes closed, completely docile.
A subjugation mark appeared on its forehead.
Leon froze, sword in hand.
“…What?”
Tomas adjusted his glasses repeatedly.
“That was… a subjugation spell, right? You subdued a wyvern alone?”
Leena’s long ears twitched.
“Impossible. Normally it takes multiple casters performing a ritual.”
Leon shook his head.
“Hold on—wait. We’re the escorts, right? Did we even do anything?”
“Your cooperation made this possible. Thank you.
Since the wyvern is now subdued, you may remove the net and ropes.”
Leon snorted as he untangled the net.
“Cooperation, huh… well, let’s say we earned our pay.”
Freed from the ropes, the wyvern slowly lifted its head and looked at Yoshio.
Its ferocity had vanished—replaced by a dog‑like obedience.
It nudged Yoshio’s hand with its snout, letting out a soft, affectionate rumble.
Leena stepped back.
“No way! That wyvern is acting cute!”
Tomas scribbled notes with trembling hands.
“This is… academically priceless…”
The net and ropes could now serve as a means of transport.
If they tethered the wyvern to the wagon, they might even fly to Nordis.
A five‑day journey on foot could become a one‑day flight.
The group boarded the wagon again, but traveling with a massive wyvern overhead shocked everyone they passed.
Merchants on the road collapsed in fear, and innkeepers stared slack‑jawed from windows.
Yoshio had once dreamed of subduing a wolf—but never imagined he would tame a wyvern.
Once they reached Nordis, they would begin mining mithril silver.

◆ Rock Lizards
By the evening of the next day, the town of Nordis came into view.
Stone buildings clung to the mountainside, and white smoke rose constantly from countless chimneys.
At the town’s entrance stood an iron gate shaped like a blacksmith’s hammer.
But as they approached, signs of trouble became obvious.
Part of the outer wall had collapsed and was left half‑repaired.
Twice the usual number of armed guards stood at the gate, tension thick in the air.
Yoshio stepped down from the wagon.
“Looks like the rumors were true—monster attacks have been ongoing.”
One guard raised his spear at the sight of the wyvern, but upon noticing the subjugation mark, he hurriedly lowered his weapon.
Inside the town, miners rushed about, and shouts mixed with angry arguments spilled out from the tavern.
It seemed a monster nest had formed deep inside the mining tunnels, halting operations.
After securing lodging, they visited a blacksmith workshop called Silver Pit.
A white‑bearded dwarf emerged from the back—he introduced himself as the only craftsman capable of refining mithril.
He pointed a thick finger at Yoshio.
“You want mithril? You’ll need more than a handful. What’s it for?”
Yoshio explained that it was for a device to regulate magic extraction from magic stones.
The dwarf narrowed his eyes.
“A magic‑output regulator? Never heard of such a thing.”
But despite his confusion, the craftsman—Dorg—was clearly intrigued.
“Well, whatever. Sounds interesting. How much do you need?”
They needed about five kilograms of refined mithril silver.
According to Gardos’s estimate, that would be enough.
Dorg calculated the cost and replied:
“Ten thousand G, including refining.”
He stroked his beard.
“But there’s a problem. The mine’s blocked. A bunch of Rock Lizards have taken up residence deep inside the tunnels.
Several miners have been injured.
Clear them out, and I’ll waive the refining fee.”
Rock Lizards—large lizard‑type monsters that camouflage as stone.
Their tough scales made them difficult to cut, and they moved in packs.
The narrow tunnels made fighting them even harder.
Leon chimed in.
“So this is an additional request, huh?”
He shrugged.
“Honestly, they’re a pain. Hard scales, they swarm, and in tight tunnels they can’t use breath attacks—but neither can we. We’ll have to chip away at them.”
Leena raised a finger.
“But magic‑stone arrows might work. If the magic pierces their scales, we can finish them quickly.”
Tomas nodded.
“My fire magic can be focused in narrow spaces. If it’s one at a time, I can handle it.”
The four adventurers began planning with practiced ease.
Frontliners would pin down one target while the rear attacked with magic and magic‑stone arrows.
Simple but reliable.
The problem was the numbers.
Dorg had said there were at least ten.

To the Mine Tunnel
The next morning, fully equipped, the group stood at the mine entrance.
The torchlit tunnel grew darker the deeper they went, damp air clinging to their skin.
After a dozen steps, a section of the wall shifted slightly.
Leon whispered:
“Stop. Three rocks ahead just moved.”
Leena readied her bow with a magic‑stone arrow.
Magic flowed into the bow, forming a pale blue glow.
They waited until the Rock Lizards fully revealed themselves.
Silence tightened the air.
Shadows writhed with each flicker of the torches.
Three lumps of “rock” slowly peeled away from the wall.
Beneath them emerged gray lizards about two meters long.
Vertical yellow eyes locked onto the group, emitting a grating hiss.
The other two separated from the wall and crept forward.
Leon opened his right hand silently—don’t shoot yet.
He waited for the moment all three were fully exposed.
One Rock Lizard raised its head in a threat display.
A small patch of soft skin appeared at its throat.
Leena whispered:
“Now.”
Leena and Yoshio released their arrows simultaneously.
Twin streaks of light tore through the tunnel, striking the lead Rock Lizard’s throat and torso.
Scales burst apart, fluids splattering.
It died before it could even scream.
The remaining two charged with enraged roars.
Tomas began chanting.
Leon lunged from the side, driving his sword deep into one lizard’s neck gap.
The other was engulfed by Tomas’s fireball and fled deeper into the tunnel ablaze.
Leon twisted his blade, carving through the vulnerable spot.
Blood sprayed across the tunnel walls as the second lizard collapsed.
Just then, a rumbling vibration echoed from deeper inside.
The rest had heard their comrades’ death cries.
Leena nocked another arrow.
“There’s more coming. Five or six.”
Tomas wiped sweat from his brow.
“The tunnel narrows ahead. Only two can stand side by side.”
The ceiling lowered as they advanced, the floor turning into exposed bedrock.
Leon wiped his sword clean and took the lead.
Something shifted in the darkness beyond the torchlight.
He halted.
“Ambush. Around the bend.”
Tomas prepared another fire spell.
Leena retied the magic stone to her arrow.
Yoshio infused magic into the next shot.
They had to thin the numbers with the next strike—otherwise the narrow tunnel would become chaos.
The moment Tomas’s chant echoed, Yoshio fired.
His shot pierced one Rock Lizard’s head, dropping it instantly.
“Leena, Leon—go!”
Leena’s magic‑stone arrows followed.
One struck a lizard’s flank; the other missed and embedded in the ceiling.
Tomas’s fireball hit another behind the fallen one, sending it thrashing in flames.
The remaining three were overwhelmed by Leon and the other frontliner.
In the cramped tunnel, the Rock Lizards couldn’t maneuver.
One had its wing‑like limbs severed, and the last was crushed under Leon’s boot.
Silence returned.
The air reeked of burnt flesh and blood.
Leon steadied his breathing.
“Confirmed. All ten.”
Tomas slumped against the wall.
“I’m completely out of magic…”
Leena peered into her quiver.
“Only two arrows left. The trip back is going to be scary.”

◆ Refining Mithril
They had fulfilled their promise to Dorg.
All that remained was to refine the mithril silver and bring it back to the capital.
But when they returned to Dorg’s workshop, the old dwarf shook his head.
“To refine mithril, I need three magic stones burning in the furnace.
With all the monster trouble lately, my stockpile’s run dry.”
“Do you have any used magic stones?
I can infuse magic into them.”
Dorg’s eyes widened.
“Infuse magic… into a magic stone?
Never heard of such a thing.”
Still skeptical, he rummaged through the back of the workshop and returned with five spent magic stones.
Each was completely drained of magic—transparent and useless.
Normally they would be discarded or crushed into fertilizer.
He lined them up on the counter.
“These are worthless as they are. Do whatever you want.”
Five empty magic stones sat before Yoshio.
According to the summoned knowledge, if he infused magic while converting its attribute, they could be reused as elemental magic stones.
But there was one issue:
Dorg’s refining furnace required fire‑attribute magic stones.
Yoshio had no affinity for fire magic.
However, he did possess a fire spirit stone.
If used as a catalyst, it might allow him to generate fire‑attribute magic.
Dorg folded his arms.
“If you can pull this off, it’ll be impressive.
If you fail, I won’t complain. Go on—try it.”
Yoshio placed the five empty magic stones and the fire spirit stone on the workbench.
The spirit stone glowed faintly red.
Following the summoned knowledge, he first drew magic from the fire spirit stone.
Red light gathered at his fingertips.
Using it as a catalyst, he poured magic into the empty stones.
The spirit stone acted as a filter, giving the infused magic the nature of fire.
The first stone began to glow red.
Then the second, the third—each a success.
During the fourth, the magic wavered, but Yoshio refocused and completed the infusion.
Dorg leaned forward.
“Hey… you’re actually doing it.
And the purity—this is incredible.”
All five stones were fully charged.
They now functioned perfectly as fire‑attribute magic stones.
Dorg held one up to the light.
“This is remarkable.
Even a magic‑stone craftsman couldn’t achieve purity like this.
All right—just as promised, I’ll refine your mithril.
It’ll be ready by tomorrow morning.”
When Yoshio reported to the others, Tomas’s hands trembled with excitement.
Reusing magic stones was an academically groundbreaking discovery.
He begged to include it in his guild report, but the decision was Yoshio’s to make.

◆ The Completed Potion
The next morning, after receiving the refined mithril silver, Yoshio and the adventurers mounted the wyvern and began the journey home.
As the sunrise lit the mountains of Nordis, Dorg delivered the promised five kilograms of mithril silver.
The silvery‑white metal gleamed with a weight far greater than its appearance suggested.
Attaching the wagon and cargo to the wyvern took half a day, but the subdued wyvern obeyed every instruction quietly.
They fitted a simple harness made from nets and ropes to its wings and placed a wooden board on its back as a makeshift saddle.
Leon and the others were skeptical—until the wyvern lifted off smoothly, prompting cheers.
Leena gazed down from the sky.
“I’ve never seen a view like this…”
The wyvern beat its wings powerfully, soaring over the mountain range toward the capital.
Below stretched vast forests, winding rivers, and scattered villages.
A five‑day journey on foot was reduced to half a day.
The wind was cold, but the flight was comfortable.
By late afternoon, the southern gate of the capital came into view.
They landed in the grasslands outside the walls, and although the gate guards rushed over with weapons drawn, they froze in astonishment upon seeing the wyvern’s subjugation mark.
Leon stepped onto the ground and groaned.
“I’m never taking an escort job like this again. My heart won’t survive it.”
After reporting to the guild and settling the payment, Yoshio delivered the mithril silver to the Gardos Company.
Six days remained.
With the blueprints and magic stones ready, only the assembly of the regulation device was left.
The magic‑output regulator was completed.
It took trial and error, but the final device exceeded expectations.
Using it, Yoshio trained the workshop workers in infusing magic into beauty potions.
Thanks to the device, anyone could now produce high‑quality beauty potions with ease.
Each time magic flowed through the mithril silver, it pulsed with a silver glow, smoothly handling the extraction and conversion of magic from the stones.
The prototype had nearly gone out of control several times, but adjustments stabilized its operation.
The final device was a one‑meter‑tall cylinder with a slot at the top for inserting magic stones and a dial on the side to adjust output.
The workers were hesitant at first, but since the device automatically regulated the magic flow, every potion came out with identical quality regardless of who operated it.
Yoshio held a finished potion up to the light.
“Excellent. Uniform magic concentration, no inconsistencies. This can be sold as a luxury product.”
Beauty potion sales began at the planned price, and orders flooded in from the first day.
Noblewomen and daughters of wealthy merchants rushed to buy them, and the Gardos storefront was soon covered wall‑to‑wall with reservation lists.
As promised, Gardos continued paying Yoshio twenty percent of the profits.
He also formally requested Yoshio to join the company as an advisor.
On the evening of the ninth day, Yoshio returned to his rented house.
A sealed envelope from the guild lay on his desk.
Inside was a short message—and a letter of recommendation signed by the guildmaster.
  

"Please let me know if there are any mistakes in the translation."

Isekai Merchant Chapter 6

Chapter 6 
◆ Potions
Among the books he had borrowed from Marta, one particular passage caught Yoshio's attention. 
It was a description regarding potions. 
He decided that once he reached the royal capital, he would investigate the matter further.During the journey to the capital, inside the swaying carriage, Yoshio found himself reflecting on Marta’s texts.The thick, leather-bound volume contained not only the history of perfume but also records concerning potions and magical elixirs. 
One specific passage had stuck obstinately in his mind.
"Scent and magical energy are two sides of the same coin. It is said that the perfumers of old infused fragrances with mana to create medicinal scents capable of healing wounds."
While no concrete recipes were provided, the concept of making a scent function magically was fascinating in itself.
If such a thing were possible, it would give rise to a product entirely distinct from standard luxury perfumes.A fragrance that healed wounds, or a scent that recovered fatigue. 
There would surely be a high demand among adventurers and the knight order.Upon arriving at the royal capital, Yoshio first gave a presentation of his six new creations to Gustav.Gustav, applying a drop of "Amber Drops" to his wrist, narrowed his eyes in admiration. 
"With this, we can easily sell it even without the actual flowers," 
he assured him, giving his stamp of approval.He also agreed to the production increase, allowing Yoshio to breathe a sigh of relief, knowing they could now meet the incoming orders.
As soon as the business meeting concluded, Yoshio headed straight to the capital's Grand Library.He needed to find corroborating evidence for the passage he had discovered in Marta's book. 
Ransacking the shelves of pharmacy and magic one after another, he began searching for literature regarding "Scent and Magic."Through his research, he learned that by infusing magical energy into potions, both the scent and the mana would effectively manifest their powers.He then sought counsel from a mage in the capital.
The written records were indeed correct. 
Mixing specific fragrant herbs into a potion and pouring magical energy into it would amplify its effectiveness.
However, the text also noted that the process of infusing mana required both master-level blending techniques and a natural aptitude for magic. Individuals possessing both qualities were exceedingly rare.

◆ The Old Mage, Galdos
The following day, Yoshio visited the Mages' Guild in the royal capital.
The interior of the heavy, stone-built structure was dimly lit, filled with a distinct ambiance reminiscent of burning incense.
After explaining his situation at the reception desk, he was shown into a back room. Following a short wait, an old, white-haired mage appeared.His name was Galdos. 
He was said to be a grand mage serving as an advisor to the guild.In a raspy voice, Galdos spoke.
"So, you wish to imbue scents with magical energy? What a peculiar notion for a youth to conceive."
Galdos stared at Yoshio as if sizing him up, then pulled an ancient book from a desk drawer.
"These are the records of those once known as 'Aromatherapeutic Healers.' They were a group who utilized fragrance as a medium for healing and enhancement. The very last of them passed away over a century ago."
Opening the volume, it revealed detailed illustrations of intricate magic circles alongside various aromatic blends. 
Galdos continued his explanation while turning the pages.
"The theory remains, but there is no one left who can put it into practice. Controlling both magical energy and scent simultaneously requires talent in both fields."
"...Though, I cannot say whether you possess such an aptitude."
"I would like to give it a try. My olfaction level is 4, and my magic level is 2—but actions speak louder than words. There is nothing to do but practice."
Galdos raised an eyebrow.
"Ho, an olfaction level of 4? That is quite impressive. In that case, you may well give it a try."
Galdos guided Yoshio to a laboratory in the back. In the center of the spacious, stone-walled room stood a workbench lined with glassware and bundles of fragrant herbs.
It appeared that the equipment used over a century ago had been preserved exactly as it was.First, Galdos taught him the basics. 
One must add the herbs while channeling magical energy into the potion. 
The flow of mana had to be thin and delicate, like drawing a thread from the palm of one's hand.If it were too strong, the vessel would shatter; if it were too weak, it would have no effect.Demonstrating the process with a simple recovery potion, a faint light flowed from the old mage's hand, causing the liquid to glow softly."Now, show me what you can do.

◆ Infusing Perfumes and Potions with Magic
A potion and a bundle of fragrant herbs were placed before Yoshio. 
He would begin with the basics: adding Lavender-na, an herb with analgesic properties, into a rudimentary healing potion.
The practice was conducted with a clear scenario in mind—making a small cut on the back of his hand and applying the potion to it.
He picked up the potion. He channeled his mana. 
Then, he would add the lavender herb and blend them. He had to control all three elements simultaneously.
"So, I just need to restrict the intensity of my magic... while adding the herbs, correct?"
Channeling his magical energy into the potion with the delicate precision of spinning a fine thread from his palm, he added the Lavender-na. 
Then, he began to blend.The moment the thread of mana touched the potion, the liquid trembled slightly. 
Calibrating the strength was incredibly difficult.It felt precarious, as if the slightest excess of force would shatter the container. 
While maintaining that delicate balance, he prepared the Lavender-na, adding the pieces to the mix without letting his hands stop moving.After a few seconds of focused effort, the potion emitted a faint, pale blue glow.It was a success. 
Though the color of the light was weak compared to Galdos's demonstration, magic had undeniably taken root within it.
He tested a small amount of the mixture on the minor scratch he had prepared for the experiment. 
A soothing, warm sensation spread across the area, and the mark began to fade. 
It worked conspicuously faster than a standard potion.Galdos narrowed his eyes.
"...To succeed on your very first attempt."
The old mage could not hide his astonishment. 
It had taken a mere few minutes from hearing the theory to putting it into practice. 
Normally, this was a process that would take at least a week to master.
"Your mana control is unrefined, but your instincts are excellent. 
The rest comes down to the combinations of herbs. Some pairings clash, while others yield results beyond imagination.""There is nothing for it but trial and error.
"For the next three days, Yoshio spent his time in the guild's laboratory.
As he experimented with various combinations of fragrant herbs and potions, he was steadily taking his first steps as an Aromatherapeutic Healer.
He checked his magic level, driven by a desire to see the quantifiable effects on his creations.Upon reviewing his status, he found that his magic level had risen to 3. 
The three days of intensive training had evidently paid off.Combined with his olfaction level of 4, it was concrete proof that his dual mastery of perfume blending and mana control was progressing steadily.
Next, Yoshio decided to compare the efficacy of his newly crafted potion against a standard perfume.First, the potion. 
The lavender-infused mixture meant for recovery demonstrated approximately 1.5 times the effectiveness of a normal potion.
While there was still ample room for improvement, his direction was undoubtedly correct.Next, the perfume. 
When he inhaled his existing Tuberose perfume, its stabilizing effect on his mind felt no different from its usual usage.
In other words, standard perfume carried no magical energy; it simply smelled pleasant. 
What would happen if he used his skills as an Aromatherapeutic Healer to infuse it with mana?As an experiment, he channeled magic into the Tuberose perfume. 
A pale blue light enveloped the liquid inside the bottle.Though its appearance remained unchanged, the difference was unmistakable upon taking a sniff. 
The moment the scent reached his senses, the magic permeated his body, providing not only mental stability but also a faint surge of vitality.This was an entirely different result. 
A perfume crafted by an Aromatherapeutic Healer exerted both olfactory appeal and magical potency at the same time.
It was more portable than a potion and much simpler to use. 
There was no question that it would be in high demand among adventurers and travelers alike.For now, he had confirmed that magic could indeed be transferred into perfume.The following day, 
he resolved to seek an audience at the royal palace.

◆ “Rejuvenation, you say?”
The next morning, Yoshio, having dressed himself neatly, headed to the royal palace. Both his new perfumes and the techniques of the incense healer were achievements worthy of reporting to the royal family.
When he gave his name at the gate, he was immediately allowed through—apparently the palace had already been informed of his visit.
He was guided not to the audience chamber but to the princess’s private room. It seemed she preferred to hear his report in a relaxed setting rather than a formal one.
Upon entering, Princess Martina greeted him with a warm smile. A maid prepared tea, then quietly withdrew, leaving the two alone.
“It has been a while, Lord Yoshio. You look well, I’m glad. So then—what sort of surprise have you brought me today?”
Her eyes sparkled with curiosity. Just like during his previous visit, when she discovered his innate talent for scent, she was clearly expecting another new revelation.
“In addition to the matter of selling perfume to the neighboring kingdom, I’ve brought prototypes of new fragrances, as well as trial versions of perfumes infused with magic.”
The princess leaned forward.
“Oh my, magic‑infused perfume?”
Yoshio opened the box he had brought. Inside were three small bottles: Amber Droplet, Moonlit Smile, and a lavender‑based magical perfume. He also included the ancient incense‑healer manuscript he had borrowed from Gardos.
Martina first applied the two new perfumes to her wrist and tested their scents. A rich fragrance based on kumquat, and a refined bergamot after‑scent.
Both were so different from existing floral perfumes that her eyes widened.
“These are wonderful. To think such fragrances can be made without flowers… And this one?”
She reached for the third bottle and, instead of her wrist, dropped a single bead onto her handkerchief. Her expression changed instantly. She looked at Yoshio with a mixture of astonishment and admiration.
“This… this is no ordinary perfume. It feels as though something is seeping deep into my body. Not only mental calm—there’s vitality as well.”
She picked up the ancient manuscript and flipped through the pages. After reading the section on incense healers, she looked back at Yoshio.
“Lord Yoshio, this is an extraordinary invention. If this technique spreads, it could even influence our nation’s military strength.”
“I’m honored by your praise. I would like permission to sell it domestically. For now, the magic that can be infused into perfume seems limited to mental stabilization and fatigue recovery.”
“And also—this.”
He took out another glass bottle, identical in size to the perfume bottles. Inside was a clear liquid.
The princess held it up to the light.
“And what might this be?”
The transparent liquid looked like plain water. But since Yoshio had brought it, it was clearly another invention.

Martina showed no sign of caution—only pure curiosity.

“This is a healing potion. It works on injuries and illnesses. It also appears to have effects on beauty, health, and rejuvenation.”
Her eyes widened.
“Rejuvenation!?”
The word “rejuvenation” made her reaction jump an entire level. For a woman, it might be a word with more magic than actual magic.
She hurried to compose herself, trying to restore her royal dignity, but the flush on her cheeks could not be hidden.
“…My apologies. And—how strong is its effect?”
Her voice was calm, but she gripped the bottle tightly. She was clearly eager.
Even a princess in her mid‑twenties was not immune to the allure of beauty and youth.
“It is still in the testing stage, so to confirm its effectiveness, I would like many men and women to use it and share their impressions.”
The princess grew serious.
“So you mean… test subjects are required.”
Yoshio could practically see her mind spinning at high speed. After a few seconds of silence, she smiled brightly.
“We shall have the palace maids cooperate. There are about twenty of them. They all adore cosmetics and beauty. And also…”
She hesitated slightly.
“I would… that is… may I volunteer as one of the test subjects as well?”
Her final words were barely above a whisper. The pride of royalty and the honest feelings of a woman were clearly at odds within her.
She had offered her maids—she couldn’t very well leave herself out. A very human motivation.
“Understood. I will prepare ten test bottles. Please have everyone in the palace use them for about a month. Effects differ from person to person, so I will confirm them in interviews afterward.”

The princess could not hide her delight.
“One month, yes. Very well. I shall certainly attend the interviews myself.”

◆ Royal Palace Trials of the Healing Potion
And so, the royal palace’s trial of the healing potion began. The following week, Yoshio delivered ten bottles of the potion to the palace, just as promised.
He explained the usage to the head maid, asking that it be tested on cuts, minor ailments, and skin troubles.
Each bottle contained one hundred milliliters; using it once a day—either by sprinkling it on the body or drinking it—would bring out its effects.
The head maid was skeptical, but she obeyed without complaint, saying, “It is Her Highness’s order, after all.”
Meanwhile, Princess Martina had spoken to the king regarding domestic sales of the incense‑healer perfumes and the potion.
With the royal family’s official endorsement, distribution within the kingdom was expected to accelerate rapidly.
However, due to concerns about potential military applications, Yoshio was required to report the quantities sold and the destinations of use.
This was within his expectations.
Negotiations for export to the neighboring kingdom were also progressing steadily under Gustav’s guidance, and a diplomatic mission was soon to depart.
Yoshio’s business in this other world continued to expand smoothly.
The healing potion became so popular within the palace that the supply ran out and needed replenishment.
Princess Martina herself visited the Gustav Company’s office.
Yoshio and the princess met in the reception room.
“Your Highness, it is a pleasure to see you. What brings you here today?”
The princess hid her mouth behind her fan.
“A pleasure to see you as well, Lord Yoshio… I shall be direct. I would like to request additional healing potions.”
She sat down on the sofa and lowered her voice.
“They have become quite the sensation among the maids.
Cuts have healed without leaving a trace, long‑standing headaches have vanished, skin has regained its luster… They are all calling it a miracle.
Even I—my stiff shoulders feel completely relieved.”
Her complexion was clearly better than before. The dark circles under her eyes had disappeared.
Ten bottles shared among twenty people over a month—apparently the effects were genuine.
“And… now we come to the main matter.”
Martina straightened her posture, placed her fan on her lap, and looked directly at Yoshio.
“His Majesty is very interested. He wonders if it could be used for soldier training or expeditions. And… he wishes to secure it exclusively before other nations learn of it.”
The air in the reception room tightened slightly. This was a matter on a different level than perfume or trade.
Yoshio smiled at the princess leaning forward.
“Of course. Since the healing potion comes with Princess Martina’s recommendation, I will do everything in my power to meet the request. How many bottles will you require?”
The princess exhaled softly, relieved.
“Thank you. His Majesty wishes to begin with one hundred bottles. And he is also considering establishing a system for continuous supply.”
One hundred bottles—manageable with current production, though securing stable raw materials would become a challenge if supply continued.
Magically infused potions required more effort than ordinary mixtures, and the procurement routes for herbs were limited.
“And… one more thing.”
Martina lowered her voice further. She gestured for the attendant outside the door to leave, making the room private.
“It was I who brought this matter to His Majesty’s attention… but I also have a personal request.”
Her fingers traced the edge of her fan unconsciously. She hesitated, unsure whether to speak, but eventually made up her mind.
“That healing potion… its effects on the skin are remarkable, are they not? I was wondering if you could create a version… specifically for beauty.
Without telling His Majesty.”

◆ Beauty Potion
Yoshio began developing a variation of the healing potion—one specialized for beauty. By narrowing its intended effects, the goal was to amplify its potency even further.
It was not something he could accomplish alone. He needed Gardos’s knowledge and cooperation.
Yoshio accepted Princess Martina’s request, but creating a beauty‑focused potion was beyond what he could handle by himself.
He informed her, “It will take time to develop, but I will certainly report back,” and decided to prioritize delivering the one hundred bottles first.
The next day, Yoshio and Martina visited the Magician’s Guild together.
Gardos was startled by the sudden visit—especially with the princess accompanying Yoshio—but he led them to the reception room and served tea.
“…So, what business brings you here? And with Her Highness, no less.”
Yoshio explained the situation: the development of a beauty‑specialized version of the healing potion, and the idea of boosting its effectiveness by focusing its application.
Gardos listened with his arms crossed, then let out a low groan when Yoshio finished.
“The logic makes sense. If you take a universal remedy for wounds and illness and narrow it down to beauty, the ingredients would concentrate and the effects would likely skyrocket. But…”
The old mage shot Yoshio a sharp look.
“Specializing means stripping away unnecessary effects. If you misjudge the balance, it could become poison.
And the very concept of infusing magic into beauty is outside my expertise. What exactly defines ‘beautiful skin’?”
“Clear skin. Luster, firmness, translucence, cellular activation, breakdown and removal of waste, tightening of pores. I want to target effects that maintain skin beauty.
Applying it as a potion would be easiest. Creating lotions or creams is beyond me—but a potion is simply an adaptation of a universal remedy.”
“How about it? Can you do it?” Yoshio asked, arms folded.
Gardos stroked his beard.
“Hm… you’re quite specific. Abandoning universality to specialize in skin, eh? Not a bad idea. And if it’s in potion form, my knowledge of mixtures will be useful.”
He stood up and pulled an old book from a shelf. The leather cover was faded, but the contents were well preserved.
“A document from an incense healer one hundred fifty years ago. There are a few records on beauty here. Read.”
Yoshio opened the pages. Written in ancient script were descriptions of herbs that promoted skin regeneration: white lotus and moon dew grass.
These two herbs were to be dissolved into a potion, then activated with magic before being applied to the skin.
The theory was to accelerate cellular metabolism, expel waste, and draw out the skin’s natural beauty.
But there were warnings as well: if the magic was too strong, the skin would not withstand it and inflammation would occur.
“In short, it depends on your skill. Make one trial bottle first. White lotus can be bought at the capital’s herb shops. Moon dew grass… is a bit troublesome.”
Martina’s eyes sparkled.
“Moon dew grass is available in the royal greenhouse!”
So both white lotus and moon dew grass could be obtained. They would need to be distilled, mixed, and infused with magic.
Then test subjects would try it, and the effects would be evaluated. Easy to say—far harder to execute.
Yoshio decided to consult the workers at his workshop first.

◆ Effects of the Beauty Potion
A few days later, Yoshio returned to the workshop. He gathered Sheila, Finn, and Belk, and revealed the new development plan.
The idea of a beauty potion—an entirely unexplored field—brought three very different reactions.
Sheila said, “Infusing magic into the skin… I’ve never even imagined such a thing.”
Finn replied, “Leave the distillation to me. I’m familiar with extracting essential oils from plants.”
Belk laughed heartily. “If you need test subjects, the women in the workshop will jump at the chance. My wife’s eyes lit up the moment she heard ‘new cosmetics.’”
Belk’s booming laughter eased the atmosphere, and the team immediately began gathering materials.
Gardos provided them with white lotus rhizomes and moon dew grass petals, while Finn prepared the distillation apparatus.
The women of the workshop volunteered on their own, and more than twenty test subjects were quickly assembled.
Two weeks later, the first prototype was completed—a clear liquid with a faintly sweet fragrance.
Finn had carefully extracted the components of white lotus and moon dew grass, and Yoshio infused it with magic to finish it.
It looked beautiful, but its effects were still unknown.
The first test subject was Sheila. The moment she nervously rubbed it onto the inside of her arm, her skin glowed faintly.
The next morning, Sheila’s skin was astonishingly smooth.
With results like this, the beauty potion’s effectiveness was beyond doubt.
Yoshio decided to have Princess Martina try it and hear her impressions before moving on to mass production.
The label bore its simple name: Beauty Potion.
Carrying the first bottle, Yoshio headed to the palace. When he handed it directly to Martina, she cupped the small vial in both hands as if it were a treasure.
“Oh my… this is it. May I try it immediately?”
Without waiting for an answer, Martina called a maid and disappeared into her bedroom.
When she returned, Yoshio involuntarily drew a sharp breath.
Her skin was smooth like porcelain, with a translucence that made her look ten years younger.
“…Lord Yoshio. When I looked in the mirror, I nearly cried.”
It wasn’t exaggeration—she spoke from the heart. Her eyes were faintly moist.
The princess’s personal maids also tried the potion afterward, and every one of them praised it.
“My skin feels reborn.”
“I can’t live without this anymore.”
They were already hopelessly captivated by the beauty potion.
Thus, mass production of the beauty potion was decided.
Its cost per bottle was higher than that of the healing potion, but demand was guaranteed—and with the princess as the ultimate advertisement, success was assured.
Yoshio’s workshop had gained yet another powerful pillar.
 

"Please let me know if there are any mistakes in the translation."