Chapter 5
◆ The Results
The results were immediate.
Perfume made with Moonlit Flower oil was on a different level—
rich sweetness suited for nighttime, yet not overpowering.
Sheila declared it worthy of noble clientele, even at double the usual price.
The new perfume “Moonlight” would be released later.
With mass production possible, funds grew steadily.
They hired another assistant to expand cultivation, harvesting, oil production, and sales.
After six months, Yoshio’s presence in Acuria was undeniable.
His perfume brand “Yoshio” became a town specialty, with constant regular orders.
“Moonlight” sold at high prices, attracting nobles and wealthy merchants.
All three plots of the flower field were fully operational, producing stable Moonlit Flower harvests.
The new assistant, Rina, a farmer’s daughter skilled with plants, joined Sheila in managing cultivation.
The workshop established a reliable production line—flowers harvested in the morning were distilled the same day and turned into perfume by the next.
Monthly income exceeded 1.5 million G, and his savings approached 10 million G.
◆ Expanding Sales to the Royal Capital
Sheila closed the ledger.
“Master, isn’t it about time we expanded beyond this town?
If we open a sales route to the royal capital, we could reach a much larger market.”
The royal capital was far away, but as a sales frontier, it was promising.
Yoshio decided to send samples with an assistant and try selling at a street stall.
The royal capital Valdia was five days away by carriage.
Acuria couldn’t compare—Valdia was a massive metropolis said to have a population in the hundreds of thousands.
Naturally, perfume demand was enormous.
But competition was fierce, with major brands dominating the market.
So they chose to test the waters with street‑stall sales first.
They had the funds to open a shop immediately, but Yoshio wanted to see customer reactions.
He prepared samples:
Relax – 30 bottles
Moonlight – 10 bottles
Forest – 20 bottles (a fresh, woody scent aimed at male customers)
A total of 80 bottles, packed into wooden crates and entrusted to Rina.
Dario’s party handled escort duty.
Rina and the three guards left for the capital three days earlier.
During that time, Yoshio and Sheila continued regular business and fulfilled pending orders.
■ Five Days Later
In the evening, the inn’s door burst open.
Rina rushed in, breathless.
“I’m back! And it was a huge success!
We sold everything on the first day!”
Her report was excited but detailed.
When she set up the stall in Valdia’s central square, crowds gathered immediately—rare perfumes drew attention fast.
“Moonlight” especially captivated noblewomen, who bought it even after hearing the price.
“As expected of the royal capital,” Yoshio thought.
They decided to increase the next shipment.
They also planned to leave a minimal guard force at the stall and send more samples and escorts to the capital.
By then, the name “Yoshio” would begin spreading through Valdia.
■ The Second Shipment
The following week, they sent the second shipment:
Relax – 50 bottles
Moonlight – 20 bottles
Forest – 30 bottles
White Tea – 20 bottles (a new fragrance capturing the clarity of white tea)
A total of 140 bottles, escorted by four guards.
From then on, they shipped to the capital twice a month.
Within three months, the name “Yoshio” became known in Valdia.
Regular customers began visiting the stall, and wholesalers even approached them for direct deals.
■ Half a Year Later – A Major Decision
Six months later, Yoshio finally decided to open a directly managed shop in the royal capital.
He rented a small storefront in a back street of the commercial district and appointed Sheila as the store manager.
The product lineup was more extensive than in Acuria, and the shop operated strictly by reservation.
The clientele, being from the capital, consisted mostly of upper‑class customers—
noble servants buying on behalf of their masters, or young noblewomen visiting incognito.
The shop’s reputation soared.
Thirty percent of total sales now came from the capital, and monthly revenue approached 2,000,000G.
Chapter 5
◆ Princess Anneliese
One morning, while Yoshio was reviewing the ledger at the inn, a sealed letter arrived.
The wax seal bore the royal crest.
Inside was a request from the princess herself.
The letter was written on fine parchment in elegant handwriting.
The message was simple:
Princess Anneliese had tried Yoshio’s perfume at the royal capital shop and loved it so much that she wished to receive regular deliveries.
Additionally, she requested that Yoshio visit the royal palace to personally explain the perfumes to her.
At the end was the signature of the palace maid in charge, along with the requested meeting date—three days later.
Sheila peeked over his shoulder.
“Chosen by the princess herself… Master, that’s incredible!”
It was a tremendous opportunity.
Becoming a supplier to the royal family would elevate the brand’s prestige immensely.
But Yoshio also needed to be cautious—this was royalty.
A single misstep could cost him dearly.
The perfume quality was not the issue; what mattered was how he behaved and what he said during the audience.
They needed to prepare—proper attire, etiquette, and formal manners.
Yoshio and Sheila studied court etiquette and purchased the finest tuxedo and dress available in the capital.
On the appointed day, they visited the royal palace, walking with confidence despite the noble gazes upon them.
The palace gate was magnificent—white marble pillars lined both sides, and the iron doors were adorned with intricate carvings.
After showing the letter to the gate guards, they were eventually escorted into the courtyard.
Beyond the rose garden, they were led to a reception room.
Every piece of furniture looked worth more than a commoner’s yearly income.
After a few minutes on the leather sofa, the door opened.
A young woman in her early twenties entered, accompanied by two maids.
Her pale blonde hair was loosely tied, and she wore a soft blue dress—elegant without being ostentatious.
Her blue eyes met Yoshio’s and Sheila’s, and she smiled gently.
She didn’t sit.
Instead, she walked toward them.
“So you’re the perfumer behind ‘Yoshio’?
I’m delighted to meet you.
All your perfumes were wonderful, but Moonlight… I simply can’t forget it.”
She was far more approachable than Yoshio had imagined.
Her curiosity for perfume outweighed any stiff formality.
The maids served tea, and Anneliese sat across from them, leaning forward with interest.
“Nice to meet you. I am Aizaki Yoshio, and this is my assistant, Sheila.
Thank you very much for enjoying our perfumes.”
The princess waved her hand lightly.
“No need to be so formal.
I dislike stiff manners.
Come, sit closer.”
She stood and approached them.
“Actually… Prince Leohart of the neighboring kingdom will be visiting soon.
I want to attend the banquet wearing Moonlight.
Do you think he’ll like it?”
Her cheeks flushed slightly.
This was not just diplomacy—there were personal feelings involved.
Prince Leohart, first prince of the neighboring kingdom of Verdia, was known as a handsome and accomplished man.
Though the visit was political, for a young princess, it clearly meant more.
Sheila whispered:
“Master… this is a business opportunity.
You should propose a special banquet blend.”
Yoshio nodded.
“Moonlight suits Your Highness beautifully.
For the banquet, I have prepared a special blend—Gorgeous Moonlight.
I would be honored to provide it.”
Anneliese’s eyes sparkled.
“You’ll make a special blend just for me?
Wonderful!
May I smell it now?”
They needed permission to retrieve the sample from Infinite Storage—magic use was often restricted in palaces.
But Sheila whispered:
“I’ll take it from my magic pocket.”
She produced the finest Gorgeous Moonlight and handed it to the princess.
Anneliese opened the bottle and sprayed a little on her wrist.
She closed her eyes.
“…Oh my.
Deeper than Moonlight, yet not heavy.
Perfect for a banquet.”
She let her maids smell it.
“What do you think?”
One bowed respectfully.
“It is exquisite, Your Highness.
Elegant and radiant.”
Anneliese smiled with satisfaction.
“Then I’ll take one hundred bottles.
And please continue supplying the palace regularly.
I’d like an exclusive contract.”
One hundred bottles—one hundred times the usual order.
At 2,000G per bottle, that was 200,000G.
And an exclusive royal contract meant Yoshio would become Royal Court Perfumer.
It was an extraordinary offer.
But details needed discussion—delivery schedule, payment terms, quality guarantees, and whether exclusivity restricted other sales.
Still, Yoshio bowed.
“Thank you very much.
I look forward to serving you.”
They left the palace.
◆ Exclusive Contract
Leaving the royal palace, Yoshio and Sheila walked silently along the stone-paved street.
Reality finally caught up with them once the noise of the capital returned to their ears.
Sheila covered her mouth with both hands.
“One hundred bottles—one hundred! And an exclusive contract!
Master, do you realize how much our monthly revenue will be now!”
On the carriage ride home, she remained unable to calm down.
Once they returned to Acuria, the two immediately began expanding their production system—
enlarging the Moonlit Flower fields, adding more distillation equipment, and increasing staff.
Rina and the newly hired assistant were barely enough to keep up.
The contract with the princess was completed.
Its contents were as follows:
Monthly delivery of 100 bottles of Moonlit Flower essential oil
2,500G per bottle
Sales outside the royal family require the princess’s permission
Contract duration: one year, renewable upon mutual agreement
Annual revenue would reach 30 million G—over a hundred times the original business.
Commercially, it was a massive success.
But rapid expansion carried risks:
farm management, quality control, manpower—none were guaranteed to keep pace.
Yoshio opened his skill window again.
New entries had appeared, and existing skills had increased in level due to recent activities.
The updated list was:
Updated Skills
Infinite Storage (Medium)
Storage capacity greatly increased—enough to hold the contents of an entire house.
Perfumery (Intermediate)
Improved blending precision; intuitive understanding of new scent combinations.
Business Talent (Intermediate)
Enhanced negotiation ability and market insight.
Appraisal Eye (Beginner)
Able to discern the quality and approximate value of items.
Universal Language Understanding
Can naturally understand and speak all languages of this world.
Additionally, 5 skill points had accumulated—usable for strengthening existing skills or acquiring new ones.
◆ Acuria Institute of Perfumery
With perfume now being produced in large quantities, quality control had become essential.
Yoshio could no longer handle all blending alone.
To maintain consistency—especially for royal deliveries—he needed more trained perfumers.
That meant establishing a school.
A dedicated perfume academy—something that did not yet exist in this world.
Acuria was the ideal location: a port town with active trade and a constant flow of people.
If he spoke with the town’s influential merchants, securing land would be easy.
Funds were plentiful.
The problem was teachers.
Should Yoshio teach himself?
Should he find experienced perfumers?
Or perhaps use skills to summon someone suited for instruction?
He decided to consult Sheila first.
“Sheila, I’m thinking of establishing a school to teach perfumery.”
“It will start small. You and I will teach—
I’ll handle the luxury blends, and you’ll teach the standard blends.
What do you think?”
Sheila thought for a moment.
“I think it’s a great idea.
But… I’m not sure I’m ready to teach standard blends.
I’ve learned a lot from watching you, but I’m still inexperienced.”
Her honesty was admirable, but it meant she couldn’t shoulder the role alone.
She continued:
“What if we hire one or two experienced perfumers as assistant instructors?
In the capital, there must be people who worked in small workshops—
talented but lacking funds or opportunities to go independent."
lt was a solid suggestion.
There were indeed perfumers in the capital considering closing their workshops due to succession issues.
Recruiting them could provide immediate expertise.
A potential school building had already been found:
a vacant two‑story structure on the edge of the commercial district.
It used to be an herb shop, and still had mixing equipment inside.
With some renovation, it could become a classroom.
Sheila raised another point:
“And we’ll need students.
If we offer salaries, people will apply, but ‘perfumer’ isn’t a known profession here.
We have no idea who we’ll attract.”
Yoshio began recruitment in both Acuria and the capital.
He also created illustrated textbooks explaining flower properties and perfume creation.
Requirements were simple:
interest in perfumery and basic literacy.
Salary: 80,000G per month, with deductions for lodging if living on-site.
After one month, twelve applicants appeared.
Four were selected:
Elza – daughter of an herbalist; sharp sense of smell and strong botanical knowledge
Kyle – former adventurer; retired due to injury, seeking work that uses his dexterity
Mina – third daughter of a flower farmer; skilled in handling flowers
Rico – son of a fallen noble family; well‑educated and articulate
Each had quirks, but all showed promise.
The textbook was complete—clear and fully illustrated.
The school was named Acuria Institute of Perfumery.
Four students, two teachers.
A small beginning, but a meaningful one.
■ Opening Day
The four students sat in the classroom, looking up at Yoshio with a mix of excitement and nervousness.
“Welcome, everyone, to the Acuria Institute of Perfumery.”
“For the next month, you will study perfume blending.
After that, you will work in our workshop as apprentice perfumers.”
“We look forward to working with you.”
Elza stood immediately.
“Thank you! I’ve learned a little from my father, but this is my first time studying systematically!”
Kyle bowed curtly.
“Yeah. I’m good with my hands—expect results.”
Mina beamed.
“It feels like a dream to work with flowers!”
Rico spoke calmly.
“I humbly ask for your guidance.”
Their reactions differed, but their motivation was clear.
■ Training
The first week was theory:
flower types, aromatic components, extraction methods, base selection, and blend ratios.
Yoshio and Sheila alternated lectures using the textbook.
Elza took notes eagerly.
Kyle copied diagrams silently.
Mina looked forward to hands‑on practice.
Rico asked precise questions to deepen understanding.
The second week moved to practical training.
They began with basic blends using Moonlit Flower and lavender.
By the third week, each student was tasked with designing an original perfume.
■ Graduation
After one month, the four were assigned to the workshop as apprentice perfumers.
They were still far from Yoshio or Sheila’s level, but they were now reliable hands supporting the “Yoshio” brand.
Perfume production ran at full capacity every day, and flowers were constantly in short supply.
◆ The Warming Device
Winter struck harder than expected.
Flowers were weak against the cold.
A warming system was needed.
This world had no concept of greenhouses.
So—what could be done?
Even though Acuria was relatively warm, temperatures dropped to single digits from December to February.
Moonlit Flower was vulnerable to frost; its leaves were easily damaged.
Current countermeasures were barely effective.
Damaged Moonlit Flower produced lower‑quality essential oil, and compensating for that required using even more flowers—a vicious cycle.
Yoshio organized the possible solutions.
First option: switch to a cold‑resistant species.
But no substitute for Moonlit Flower had been found.
Second option: build a greenhouse.
Glass walls could trap heat, but glass was extremely expensive, and covering an entire structure would cost a fortune—and structural strength was questionable.
Third option: use magic.
Fire magic could warm the soil, or fire‑attribute magic stones could maintain surface temperature.
Cost depended on maintenance, but with creativity, it might be affordable.
Sheila might know something.
Yoshio asked her about magic stones.
Sheila paused her work.
“Magic stones? Fire stones are pretty common.
Small ones from salamander nests show up in the market.
About 500G each.”
She continued:
“Salamander stones store fire‑attribute heat.
If you crush them and bury them in the soil, the ground warms gently.”
“Some farmers use them.
But the heat spreads slowly, so you need a lot to cover an entire field.”
She counted on her fingers.
“For 100 square meters, about fifty stones.
Your Moonlit Flower fields total around 300 square meters…
So about 1,500 stones.
That’s 750,000G.”
It sounded expensive, but Yoshio’s annual revenue was in the tens of millions.
A thousand stones was negligible.
The real concern was how long the heat lasted—and whether stones needed constant replacement throughout winter.
Yoshio decided to refine the 1,500 stones into a single large magic stone.
At the center of the workshop stood a massive floating crystal furnace, glowing with pale blue magical flame.
The flame emitted not heat, but a “life temperature” that stabilized the surrounding climate.
However, magic stones in this world were considered single‑use.
Yoshio wondered:
Could magic stones be recycled?
If he infused spent stones with magic, perhaps they could be reused.
Sheila’s eyes widened.
“That’s actually interesting.
Magic stones turn into plain rocks when empty, but I’ve heard they can be recharged with magic.”
Normally, recharging required a professional mage.
But Yoshio’s mastery of perfumery—layering and manipulating subtle energies—might allow him to infuse magic himself.
He picked up a discarded magic stone.
It still held a faint warmth.
Even an empty stone retained its structure.
He imagined pouring magic into it…
Layering magic like aromatic notes, he wrapped the stone in a thin membrane of energy.
The stone glowed faintly red.
Warmth spread into his palm.
Sheila leaned in.
“You did it!
This might actually work!”
Efficiency still needed testing, but if viable, magic stone costs could drop dramatically.
They needed expert advice.
Yoshio visited the Adventurers’ Guild tavern and approached a mage.
A middle‑aged man with cropped silver hair—Gald the Flame Spear, a veteran.
Three empty mugs sat on his table, but he agreed to talk.
He stroked his beard.
“Recharging magic stones?
Never done it, normally.”
He folded his arms, thinking.
“But the logic checks out.
Magic stones are basically conduits for magic.
Even when drained, they don’t break.”
“Pour magic into an empty vessel, and it fills.
Makes sense.”
He lifted a mug.
“The problem is efficiency.
You can’t just leave them out—they won’t recharge naturally.
And if you shove too much magic in, the stone cracks.
You need control.”
Yoshio’s method was correct in principle, but fine control was needed.
Gald seemed intrigued.
“I’ll help when I’ve got time,” he offered.
His expertise in magic manipulation would be invaluable.
Thus, magic stone recycling became possible, drastically reducing the cost of the warming system.
Moonlit Flower cultivation stabilized, and perfume production increased.
To Yoshio’s delight, his base mana level increased from 1 to 2.
◆ Efficient Essential Oil Extraction Methods
To further increase production, Yoshio began considering a more efficient method of extracting essential oils.
The distillation equipment needed improvement.
Thanks to recycled magic stones, the warming system’s operating cost had dropped to one‑tenth of the original estimate.
Moonlit Flower now grew steadily even in winter, and essential‑oil output had doubled.
However, no matter how much raw material increased, the bottleneck remained the distillation process.
The current distillation device was a simple single‑stage model—boil, cool, separate.
A classical method with clear limitations.
Yoshio identified two possible directions for improvement:
Continuous Distillation System
A circulating pipe system that repeatedly distills and cools.
In theory, production could increase dramatically.
High‑Pressure Steam Distillation
By raising steam temperature and pressure, only low‑boiling aromatic compounds could be extracted efficiently.
Both methods were unheard of in this world.
A dwarven blacksmith might be able to design and prototype such equipment.
It would cost money, but considering “Yoshio” brand’s revenue, it was a worthwhile investment.
■ Consulting the Dwarven Blacksmith
Yoshio traveled half a day by carriage to the mining town of Dork.
There, he visited a workshop called Ironfire Forge, known for its skilled dwarven craftsmen.
The constant sound of metal striking metal echoed through the air.
A short, red‑haired dwarf emerged—stocky build, thick arms, soot‑covered face.
His name was Gord.
Wiping sweat from his brow, Gord grunted:
“What’s this? A lanky fellow coming all the way up here.
Looking to order a weapon?”
But when Yoshio showed him the distillation design, Gord’s eyes changed—
the eyes of a true craftsman.
He traced the diagram with thick fingers, muttering.
“Well now… never seen a structure like this.
Boiling water to squeeze oil out of flowers, huh?”
He pointed at one part of the design.
“This cooling section—can be more efficient.
Make it double‑layered.
Run water through the inner pipe, cool the outer pipe faster.”
Gord immediately began scribbling on the diagram.
He seemed to like the challenge.
“Give me three days. I’ll make a prototype.”
His mind was already assembling the parts.
“Please do. If it works, I’ll order several units.”
Gord grinned.
“Several? Might not be enough.
This is interesting work.”
■ The Prototype
Three days later, Gord contacted Yoshio.
At the forge, a compact prototype sat on the workbench—
iron and copper pipes intertwined, with an evaporation tray at the base.
When tested with Moonlit Flower petals, essential oil dripped out at a speed incomparable to the old device.
The double‑pipe cooling system was extremely effective—
heating and cooling time had been cut to less than half.
However, there were issues:
Continuous operation caused oil residue to build up inside the pipes
Regular cleaning was necessary
The prototype cost 500,000G
Before mass production, Yoshio needed to test the oil quality.
■ Quality and Cost Analysis
Using his Appraisal Eye, Yoshio compared essential oils from the old and new devices.
Results:
Quality difference was minimal
New device produced slightly higher purity, but not enough to affect perfume value
Cost analysis:
Old device: ~15 bottles of essential oil per hour
New device: ~30 bottles per hour
With magic‑stone recycling, operating cost dropped to one‑third of the old device
Gord also promised further improvements—
eventually one device could produce 50 bottles per hour.
If Yoshio installed five units, production would be 15 times the old output.
Investment: 2,500,000G for five units.
Given that one Moonlit Flower plant produced essential oil for ~20 bottles,
the profit per plant would quadruple under the new system.
The conclusion was clear:
Switching to the new device was extremely rational.
Yoshio formally ordered five units.
Gord thumped his chest.
“Leave it to me. Ten days and they’ll be done.”
■ Full Installation
Ten days later, Ironfire Forge delivered the five machines.
Gord personally oversaw installation and fine‑tuned the piping.
His craftsmanship was impeccable.
By the third day of operation, the Moonlit Flower fields looked entirely different.
Tasks that once required several workers were now automated and far more efficient.
Freed personnel could focus on quality control and shipment preparation, raising overall productivity.
The results were immediate:
Apprentice perfumers at Acuria Institute could produce their own brand reliably
Monthly output exceeded 1,200 bottles
Even after royal deliveries, monthly revenue approached 900,000G
Walking through Acuria’s port town, Yoshio noticed people wearing faint traces of his perfumes.
The “Yoshio” scent had become part of the town’s atmosphere.
But increased production brought new challenges—
and Yoshio knew he had more problems to solve.
◆ Reducing Transportation Costs
As perfume sales continued to rise, transportation costs became impossible to ignore.
Cost reduction was necessary here as well.
The problem was simple:
No matter how much production increased, the cost of transporting goods from Acuria to the royal capital was beginning to eat into profits.
A carriage trip took five days one-way, ten days round-trip.
During that time, perfume quality degraded, so high-end products had to be transported with magical cooling—an expensive requirement.
Current transport cost: about 50G per bottle.
Shipping 1,000 bottles meant 50,000G, roughly 5% of total revenue lost to transport alone.
If Yoshio could secure his own transportation method, costs would drop to only labor and fuel.
And if he could transport at room temperature without cooling magic, expenses would fall even further.
Two options were possible:
Organize an in-house transport team
Use scheduled ships on the port’s trade routes
The second option could drastically reduce costs depending on negotiation.
A ship from the royal capital happened to be docked at the port.
It was a good opportunity to speak with the port authority while meeting the envoy.
■ Meeting the Port Authority
Yoshio visited the port office, where a stout middle-aged man greeted him—
Bald, the port master.
Bald pulled out documents.
“Perfume transport, huh?
The regular ship to the capital arrives in three days.
Much faster than a carriage.”
He clicked his abacus.
“For a contract in units of twenty bottles, the shipping fee is 15G per bottle.”
“But since it’s fragile cargo, you’ll need careful packing.
If bottles break due to ship movement, compensation costs extra.”
In other words, with a regular contract of twenty-bottle units, transportation cost would drop to 15G per bottle—
less than one-third of carriage transport.
And since ships didn’t require magical cooling, refrigeration costs would disappear.
However, there were limitations:
Current scheduled ships departed twice per week,
meaning eight departures per month.
Yoshio shipped over 1,000 bottles per month,
so the number of departures was insufficient.
Chartering an entire ship would cost over 1,000,000G per month.
He would need a large-volume contract with a dedicated cargo allocation.
For now, Yoshio decided on a hybrid plan:
Use both land and sea transport while preparing to build a perfume factory in the royal capital.
◆ Establishing a Shop and Workshop in the Capital
The idea of building a factory in the royal capital was the best solution to the transportation problem.
Producing locally meant zero transport cost and no need for cooling magic.
But it required enormous funds and political backing.
First came the initial investment estimate.
Land in the capital cost several times more than in Acuria, and industrial land was even pricier.
Construction, equipment, staffing—at least tens of millions of G.
Next was politics.
Doing business in the capital required royal permission.
The envoy waiting at the port might be connected to this matter.
Yoshio went to confirm whether permission for a perfume factory could be granted.
■ Meeting the Royal Envoys
In the port’s waiting room sat two men:
a dignified older man with graying hair, and a young clerk.
The clerk introduced himself as Leonard, and the older man as Gustav.
Gustav spoke gently:
“Forgive us for calling you here.
We have a request from the royal family.”
He produced a letter sealed with the royal crest.
“Her Highness Princess Anneliese is extremely fond of your perfumes.
Even her maids speak highly of them.”
“Thus, Her Highness wishes for you to establish a store and workshop in the royal capital.”
It was not merely permission—
it was an invitation from the princess herself.
A perfect opportunity.
Gustav continued:
“The land and building will be provided by the royal family.
However, there are conditions.”
He read the terms:
A portion of sales in the capital will be paid as tax
The shop must display the royal warrant
New products must be offered to the royal family first
In short:
“We grant you prestige; in return, give us benefits.”
It was a very favorable deal.
If land and buildings were free, Yoshio saved tens of millions of G.
“I accept. Please convey my gratitude to Her Highness.”
Gustav bowed deeply.
“She will be delighted. We will begin preparations immediately.”
Everything progressed smoothly.
The envoys promised to secure land and a building within a week.
■ Back in Acuria
When Yoshio returned with the news, the workshop erupted.
Sheila’s eyes widened.
“A workshop in the capital!?
Master, when did this happen…?”
She grew excited.
“With the capital’s population, the market will explode!”
But they couldn’t celebrate forever.
They needed staff for the capital workshop, meaning they had to select from academy graduates.
Managing two locations—Acuria and the capital—would require careful coordination.
Yoshio decided:
High-end perfumes → produced in the capital
Standard perfumes → produced in Acuria
Capital staff: Yoshio and Elza
Acuria staff: Sheila, Kyle, Mina, Rico
They would rotate periodically to prevent skill gaps.
New workers were recruited, and the academy continued training.
Within three months, both workshops were running smoothly.
Rotation worked well—capital staff returned to Acuria to teach, then went back again.
Sales soared.
High-end perfumes sold rapidly among nobles in the capital,
while Acuria’s standard perfumes became popular among commoners.
Monthly revenue:
Capital workshop: 400,000G
Acuria workshop: 300,000G
Total: 700,000G
The “Yoshio” brand had become Acuria’s largest industry.
■ A Sudden Letter
One day, a letter arrived from Gustav.
“Please meet me urgently.”
“Is this from the princess?” Sheila wondered.
The following week, Yoshio traveled to the capital alone.
Elza managed the workshop without issue.
At the capital workshop, Gustav greeted him—
but his usual calm demeanor was gone.
He looked troubled.
He lowered his voice.
“Yoshio… we have a problem.”
■ The Problem
Recently, a delegation from a neighboring country visited the capital.
They encountered Yoshio’s perfumes and were captivated.
One delegate bought a large quantity as a gift for his queen.
Others heard about it and began buying as well.
Now, the capital’s inventory was nearly depleted.
Worse, the rumor had spread beyond the border.
Orders were pouring in from nobles and wealthy merchants across multiple countries.
Gustav handed Yoshio a sheet listing the orders—
dozens of names, including nations from the far side of the continent.
“These are only the confirmed orders.
More will surely come.
What will you do?”
Yoshio folded his arms, thinking deeply.
More orders were good—but production could not keep up.
Flower supply was limited.
He could not answer immediately.
“I will give you my decision later.”
Gustav nodded.
“Of course. But please understand—we cannot wait too long.”
■ The Crisis
Walking through the capital, Yoshio saw women wearing his perfumes,
and shops displaying his brand.
The idea that this might spread across the continent felt unreal.
Back at the inn, he organized the issues:
Production capacity
Capital workshop: 400 bottles/month
Increasing requires expanding Moonlit Flower fields.
Manpower
Only six trained perfumers available.
Academy output too slow.
Flower supply
Moonlit Flower is rare and difficult to cultivate.
Alternatives or new methods are needed.
He worked late into the night, unable to find a solution.
■ Emergency Meeting – Acuria Workshop
The next day, Yoshio flew back to Acuria and gathered everyone:
Yoshio, Elza, Sheila, Kyle, Mina, Rico, and the new worker, Liene.
The topic:
“Develop perfumes that do not rely on flowers.”
Sheila spoke first.
“If not flowers… maybe fruits or resins?
I’ve heard of ambergris from whales in eastern islands.”
Elza took notes.
“But that’s hard to obtain. Not available here.”
Kyle crossed his arms.
“Resins might work. Forest trees produce camphor-like scents.”
Liene raised her hand timidly.
“Um… instead of recreating flower scents,
why not try completely new directions?
Citrus, or woody scents for men?”
Ideas flew across the room.
A breakthrough emerged:
They didn’t need to cling to flowers.
Perfume was an art of scent—
any material could be used.
Yoshio stood.
“Citrus fruits—lemon, mandarin, peach.
Everyone, search for every possible scent.
This is your time to create.”
The workshop ignited with energy.
Eight people leapt to their stations, eyes shining.
The exploration lasted three days.
◆ Expectation for Tomorrow
Sheila and Kyle ran to the port, opening every crate of fruit arriving from various regions.
Lemons, oranges, grapefruits, limes, kumquats, summer oranges, pomelos, navel oranges, and even out‑of‑season peaches.
Strong scents, weak scents, sour, sweet—
dozens of citrus fruits lined the workshop tables.
Elza and Liene scoured the capital’s markets, buying large quantities of dried citrus peels.
Dried peel had a different aroma from fresh fruit—deep, almost herbal, like traditional medicine.
It might add new dimensions to their blends.
Mina and Rico ventured into the forest, collecting bark, resin, and leaf sap.
Trees with hinoki‑like freshness, heavy cedarwood tones, and materials that captured the very air of the forest.
By the evening of the third day, eight notebooks lay before Yoshio—
each filled with records and impressions of experimental scents.
That night, Yoshio stayed alone in the workshop, comparing the prototypes.
A refreshing blend based on lemongrass,
a soft, sweet peach fragrance,
a calm hinoki‑based scent.
All completely different from Moonlit Flower, each with its own personality.
■ Presentation
The next morning, everyone gathered for the presentation.
“Thank you, everyone.
Thanks to your efforts, we now have a wide variety of samples.
Let’s discuss how we can develop perfumes from these materials.”
Sheila raised her hand first.
Her notebook was filled with citrus‑peel experiments.
“I focused on dried kumquat peel.
It has a sweet, heavy scent with a faint bitterness—totally different from Moonlit Flower.
I think it could be the base for a perfume aimed at young women.”
Elza stood next.
“Liene and I tried bergamot.
It’s an essential oil extracted from orange peel—elegant and bright.
It works for both men and women.
It could become a new flagship scent for the Yoshio brand.”
Kyle rubbed his nose.
“The resin from one of the forest trees was interesting.
It smelled like smoked pine—deep, almost like tobacco, but not unpleasant.
I think it would suit hunters or craftsmen.”
Mina and Rico exchanged glances before speaking.
Their notebook contained blends of forest materials.
“We mixed three forest ingredients—cedarwood, hinoki, and leaf sap.
It smells like being in the forest.
Simple, but calming.”
Finally, Liene raised her hand timidly.
“Um… mine isn’t very refined yet, but…
I combined lemon and grapefruit, and it became really refreshing.
Maybe good for summer.”
Yoshio nodded.
“Thank you, everyone.
These could be used not only for perfumes, but also for room fragrances or air fresheners.
Some might even work as sleep‑aid scents.”
“Let’s develop them together.
And let’s give the princess a good answer.”
The workshop erupted with excitement.
A new market—fragrance products beyond perfume—might be opening.
Everyone’s eyes shone with possibility.
■ Two Weeks of Creation
The following days were a whirlwind of development.
Sweet scents, forest scents, citrus scents filled the workshop from morning to night.
Numbered tags lined the walls.
Failures piled up, but each failure brought new discoveries.
Two weeks later, six new products were complete:
Amber Drop – sweet, heavy kumquat‑based fragrance
Moonlit Smile – elegant bergamot blend
Pride of the Deep Forest – smoky pine resin scent
Forest of Peace – pure forest aroma
Whisper of Cool Breeze – refreshing lemon & grapefruit
Cradle of Sleep – lavender & hinoki sleep‑aid blend
“Cradle of Sleep” was an unexpected breakthrough.
Just a few drops near a pillow brought the calm of a forest at night.
Sheila once overslept after testing it, waking up saying, “Is it morning already?”
They bottled the six fragrances and headed for the royal capital—
carrying Yoshio’s answer for Gustav.
"Please let me know if there are any mistakes in the translation."
Chapter 4
◆ Assistant Sheila Aria
Marta laughed and patted Yoshio’s shoulder.
Beside her stood a woman with long blonde hair tied up neatly.
Her apron made her look like an apothecary.
“She rattled off everything she needed so fast it surprised me.
And you said you needed an assistant?
Well, I brought just the right person.”
The woman bowed deeply, her voice calm and gentle.
“Nice to meet you. My name is Sheila Aria.
I’ve come to work as your assistant, Yoshio.”
Sheila looked to be around twenty, slender with perfect posture.
Her blonde hair was tied in a single knot behind her head, and her pale blue eyes regarded Yoshio quietly.
She held a thick notebook and a fountain pen.
Marta leaned close to Yoshio’s ear.
“She used to apprentice as an apothecary.
She’s good with plants, sharp with numbers—perfect assistant material.
She’s like a distant granddaughter of mine, so her background is guaranteed.”
Sheila opened her notebook.
“Marta told me you were looking for someone to manage essential oils and keep shipment records.
If you’ll have me, I’d be happy to help.”
It was exactly what Yoshio needed.
Managing essential oil inventory, tracking shipment numbers, sorting labels, arranging transport—
He was reaching the limit of what one person could handle.
And with Marta’s recommendation, Sheila was someone he could trust.
Marta grinned.
“Discuss her pay properly.
And don’t you dare work her to the bone for cheap.”
“Sheila, I’m Aizaki. It’s a pleasure to work with you.”
They discussed wages and divided responsibilities.
Sheila was highly capable, and she began helping immediately.
They settled on 800G per hour—far above the usual 500G day‑labor wage in this world.
Sheila accepted without hesitation.
That very day, Sheila got to work.
She frowned the moment she saw Yoshio’s room at the inn.
Pointing at the pile of essential oil bottles stacked in the corner:
“…If an earthquake hits, this will be a disaster.
We need shelves. There’s a carpenter in the shopping district.”
By evening, a simple wooden shelf stood against the wall, with essential oils neatly arranged by type.
She had also finished a shipment schedule, inventory records, and draft delivery slips.
Marta’s praise had not been exaggerated—Sheila was truly excellent.
The next day, perfume production became a two‑person operation.
Sheila measured the essential oils; Yoshio blended them.
She handled bottling and labeling.
With a proper workflow, production speed nearly doubled.
There was one week left before departure for the port town Acuria.
The 80 bottles for shipment were already secured.
Now they needed 150 bottles for the event.
At this pace, they would finish with time to spare.
One evening, while eating a light meal at a food stall in the central square—
Sheila sat beside him.
“Yoshio… may I ask you something?”
“Of course. Anything.”
She sipped her soup.
“Do you plan to stay based in this town long‑term?”
It sounded casual, but her profile looked unusually serious.
Yoshio set down his spoon.
“No, I don’t mean anything strange.
It’s just… I’ve been hearing rumors about you.
‘The foreigner selling perfume in the central square,’
‘He’s expanding to the port town,’ things like that.”
“Everyone is impressed, but also a little worried.
There are people who leave town and never come back.”
Faces of his regular customers flashed through Yoshio’s mind—
The woman who said her morning wouldn’t start without seeing him,
The guard who bought two bottles every time.
He had built a small but real circle here.
“Thank you for worrying about me.
I’m not planning to leave this town.
This place is my home.”
“I can live off perfume for now, but someday that might change.
That’s why I’m saving money little by little.
As long as people here enjoy the perfumes I make, I’ll stay.”
Sheila blinked, then smiled softly.
“I’m glad. That’s a relief.”
The sunset dyed the central square orange.
The fountain sparkled in the evening light.
The familiar scenery, the familiar time—
For Yoshio, that “ordinary” had become a precious treasure.
Sheila seemed about to say something, then closed her mouth and finished her soup instead.
The faint blush on her cheeks wasn’t just from the sunset, but since she didn’t mention it, Yoshio didn’t press.
Over the next few days, the two worked tirelessly.
By the evening before departure, all 150 bottles were complete.
The rows of small bottles lined across the desk were magnificent—
He imagined how beautiful they would look in the morning sun.
◆ Perfume Flash Sale
The next morning, the carriage arranged by Rina was waiting in front of the inn.
“It’s time.
Blender Aizaki’s perfumes are finally going out into the world.”
The carriage swayed for two days.
The wheat fields along the road gradually gave way to the smell of the sea, and beyond the hills, a wide blue ocean appeared.
The port town of Acuria.
White‑walled buildings lined the sloping streets, and several sailing ships were moored at the harbor.
Sea breeze swept across the stone pavement, carrying a mix of dried fish and fruit—Acuria’s unique scent.
Rina’s shop stood on a main street slightly inland from the port.
A large three‑story building with a sign reading “Rina Fragrance & Sundries.”
Through the glass windows, rows of perfumes and cosmetics glittered.
When Yoshio entered, Rina greeted him with open arms.
“Welcome to Acuria!
You must be tired from the long trip.
Stay on the second floor tonight—tomorrow is the real event.”
Behind the shop, a spacious workbench had been prepared, along with a simple sales counter.
It was Yoshio and Sheila’s temporary storefront.
A handwritten poster on the wall read:
“New Release by Blender Aizaki!”
Rina’s enthusiasm was unmistakable.
The pop‑up shop opened.
Sheila stayed at their booth, while Yoshio began selling the new perfumes at Rina’s main store next door.
The price was set at 1000G—a bit high, but fitting for a premium product.
By evening, Rina rushed into Yoshio’s sales space, breathless.
“This is incredible!
Forty bottles sold on the first day!
My shop is flooded with inquiries about your new perfumes!”
Sheila had also been overwhelmed at the booth.
Crowds gathered around the poster, and people constantly asked for samples.
Questions like “Where can I buy that perfume?” echoed everywhere.
Wiping sweat from his forehead, Yoshio said:
“I didn’t expect this much.
Especially the two‑flower blend—it’s the most popular.
‘Unisex’ seems to be a novelty here.”
“Tomorrow, let’s put out the remaining forty bottles—and anything extra we can produce.”
Once everything sells out, they could explore the surrounding flower fields.
There might be flowers suitable for new perfumes.
◆ Concept for a New Fragrance
Rina widened his eyes.
“Going on a walk… in the middle of business?
Well, merchants are always searching for new seeds of opportunity.
I won’t stop you.”
■ Second Day of the Fair
On the second day, Yoshio sold perfume at full force from morning.
The remaining forty bottles sold out by early afternoon.
On the third and final day, he lined up the extra stock at opening, and within two hours the shelves were empty again.
Total sales over three days: 200 bottles.
Revenue: 200,000G.
A tremendous success.
Sheila had kept meticulous records.
When Yoshio looked at the ledger, the daily sales formed a beautiful rising graph.
■ Asking About Local Flower Fields
That evening, after packing up the last of the goods, Yoshio asked Rina about flower fields in the area.
Rina returned a key to the shelf and said:
“Oh yes, if you go a bit south from here, there’s a hilly region with wildflower clusters.
Besides lavenderna, you should find chamomile, roses, and wild briar.”
“But I’ve heard rumors that monsters have been appearing there recently.
Be careful.”
“Monsters?
It would be ideal if I could hire a guard.”
Rina touched his chin thoughtfully.
“A guard…
This town has an Adventurers’ Guild.
Go out the street, turn right, and at the end you’ll see a red‑roofed building.”
“For a one‑day escort request, they’ll take it for a few silver coins.
If it’s just low‑rank monsters, even beginner adventurers are enough.”
■ Monsters in This World
Monsters—something that didn’t exist in modern Japan, but here, they were part of daily life.
Some were wild animals that had grown aggressive, others were creatures mutated by magic.
Their types varied widely.
◆ Request to Adventurers
The next morning, before heading out, Yoshio visited the Adventurers’ Guild.
Inside, it looked like a tavern combined with a reception hall.
Adventurers in leather armor lounged around, and several young men crowded in front of the quest board.
A receptionist noticed Yoshio and approached with a bright smile.
“Welcome. Are you here to place a request?”
“I’d like to hire two or three guards.
I’m heading to the hill region.”
She wrote on a form as she spoke.
“The hill region, understood.
Goblins have been sighted there recently, so escorts are required.”
“For a one‑day trip, two guards is the usual.
Three would cost eight silver coins.”
Eight silver coins—8000G.
Considering the travel time, it was a reasonable price.
When the receptionist posted the request on the board, three adventurers immediately stepped forward.
They looked to be around twenty, forming a party together.
Leather chest armor, swords, and shortbows—standard beginner gear.
One of them stepped forward, bowing his short red hair.
“I’m Dario.
The three of us will take the job.
We’ve done flower‑picking escorts in the hills before.”
The receptionist added that all three were D‑rank adventurers—not highly experienced, but known for reliable work.
Dario, the leader, had a sturdy build, and his sword was well maintained.
He looked between Yoshio and Sheila.
“Just the two of you going?
It’s a dangerous time for flower gathering.
Hiring guards is the right call.”
As Yoshio paid the fee at the counter, something behind the receptionist caught his eye—a row of small bottles.
“What are those?”
The receptionist replied:
“These are potions.
Stamina recovery, mana recovery, and healing recovery.
Adventurers always carry them.”
Yoshio purchased one of each.
◆ Skill Check
Yoshio suddenly remembered his skills.
They had all been level 1 at the beginning—but what were they now?
He focused inward.
When he arrived in this world, he had been granted several skills, including one that allowed him to check his status.
Closing his eyes, a translucent window appeared.
【Yoshio Aizaki】
Basic Status
Lv. 7
・Base Stamina: 7/100
・Base Mana: 7/100
Skill List
・Creativity Lv.5
・Fragrance Blending Lv.5
・Perfumer’s Sense Lv.4
・Perfume Creation Lv.4
・Infinite Storage (Small) Lv.2
・Appraisal Lv.2
・Healing Ability Lv.1
・Calculation Lv.2
・Memory Lv.2
His Perfumer’s Sense and Perfume Creation had increased.
Daily practice had pushed the levels upward.
Infinite Storage had also expanded slightly; when he probed the space, he felt it was larger than before.
Level 7.
He wasn’t sure if that was high or low, but it seemed he was finally moving past the “beginner” stage.
Many of these skills were clearly tied to Creativity.
Calculation, memory, and healing ability were still developing.
The mechanics of skills were becoming clearer.
Fragrance Blending and Perfume Creation gained experience through hands‑on work.
Sense and Appraisal increased with frequent use.
Meanwhile, Calculation and Memory seemed to grow through daily life rather than skill experience—thus they had no level indicator.
In other words, there was no convenient skill that instantly made him smarter.
Still, Fragrance Blending Lv.5 was significant.
He could now distinguish subtle differences in essential oils more clearly.
Perfume Creation Lv.4 allowed him to produce multiple perfumes simultaneously—up to five bottles at once.
That was a huge help.
Then he realized something:
He had no combat skills.
Up until now, he had survived purely through perfume and craftsmanship.
But if he planned to enter areas with monsters, he needed at least minimal protection.
He decided to add Combat Enhancement and Defense Enhancement.
Both started at Lv.1.
It wasn’t much, but it would make him better than a complete novice.
Next, he visited the weapon shop attached to the guild and bought two swords—one for himself and one for Sheila.
Iron one‑handed swords, 2500G each, totaling 5000G.
The blades were about 60 centimeters long, stored in leather sheaths.
When he handed one to Sheila, she looked troubled.
She accepted the sword with both hands.
“I’ve never used one… but even with guards, it’s better to have it.”
He also requested adventurer registration at the guild.
He would start at E‑rank.
◆ Encounter with Goblins
Yoshio and Sheila met up with Dario’s party, and the five of them headed toward the hilly region.
Beyond the town stretched wheat fields, and soon they entered gentle grass-covered hills.
The wind shifted—from sea breeze to the scent of grass and soil.
After about an hour of walking, they found the wildflower clusters Rina had mentioned.
Lavenderna’s purple blanketed the hills, with chamomile’s white flowers beyond, and further still, rose bushes.
But at the same time, something moved in the shadows of the rocks along the slope.
Distracted by the flowers’ fragrance, Yoshio only noticed the presence when it shifted.
He placed a hand on his sword.
Dario quickly stepped in front of him, drawing his blade.
The archer behind him aimed over Yoshio’s shoulder toward the rocks.
Sheila also reached for her sword, but Yoshio stopped her and stepped forward himself.
“Goblins. Two of them hiding.”
Tension filled the air as two goblins emerged from the rocks.
Green skin, pointed noses, ragged bandit-like clothing.
Each held a club and glared at Yoshio’s group with clear hostility.
Dario lowered his stance.
“Two? Easy. I’ll take the front—stay back.”
The archer released an arrow.
A sharp whistle, then the arrow pierced the first goblin’s shoulder.
It screamed and staggered, and Dario rushed in, slashing its torso.
Blood splattered across the grass.
The remaining goblin roared and charged, but the archer’s second shot struck its temple.
It collapsed instantly.
The entire fight lasted no more than thirty seconds.
Dario wiped his blade with a cloth and shrugged.
“Told you. Barely a warm‑up.”
The hills returned to silence.
Wind rustled the lavender stalks, spreading their sweet scent.
It was perfect weather for flower gathering.
They safely collected various flowers and began the return trip.
The way back was peaceful.
They gathered lavenderna, chamomile, roses, wild briar, and several small white flowers Yoshio didn’t recognize.
Thanks to Infinite Storage, the load was minimal.
Dario’s party handled the goblin corpses.
They arrived back in Acuria at sunset.
At the guild, Yoshio completed the escort request paperwork and paid the silver coins.
Dario and his companions left in high spirits.
◆ The Original Moonlit Fragrance
Back at the inn, Sheila helped sort the collected flowers.
They spread them across the desk and separated them by type.
Among them, Sheila pointed at the small white blossoms.
She lifted one petal.
“I’ve never seen this flower before.
The scent is… sweet, with a hint of spice.
What could it be?”
Yoshio used his Appraisal skill.
Information surfaced in his mind.
“Original Moonlit Flower.
An extremely rare species containing the foundational aromatic components of modern moonlit‑flower perfume.”
Moonlit‑flower perfume—one of the signature fragrances of modern perfumery.
And this was its original wild ancestor.
If he could extract essential oil from it, he might create a perfume truly unique to this world.
If he could cultivate Moonlit Flower, his perfumes would reach an entirely new level.
Sheila’s eyes sparkled.
“Is it really that amazing?
If we can grow it, I’d love to try.”
Moonlit Flower normally preferred warm, almost tropical climates.
But the fact that this white blossom grew naturally in the hills meant it might be possible to cultivate it here with the right conditions.
The challenge was the cultivation method—
Should they grow it from seeds?
Transplant the entire plant?
What soil did it need?
How much drainage?
How much sunlight?
The next day, Sheila began researching.
She studied botanical encyclopedias and agricultural manuals, and even visited local florists for information.
Within a few days, she had compiled her findings.
◆ Flower Cultivation
She spread out her notes.
“Based on what I found, it needs a sunny location with good drainage.
But the soil must be mixed with fertilizer, or the roots weaken.
Also, the seeds are tiny—they can easily blow away in the wind.”
Comparing her research with Yoshio’s appraisal, the best location seemed to be a sunny vacant lot south of town.
The problem was securing and maintaining the land—either owning a field or renting one.
Either way, it required money.
They searched for land with good sunlight and access to water from the nearby river.
After walking around town, they found a suitable plot on a small hill just outside the south gate.
It had once been an orchard, with three stone‑walled sections.
South‑facing, good airflow, and water could be drawn easily from a nearby stream.
The real‑estate broker was located near the port.
Inside the shop marked “Morris Trading Company,” a stout middle‑aged man greeted them.
He dropped into a chair.
“Welcome. Looking for land?”
After hearing Yoshio’s request, Morris stroked his beard and flipped through a ledger.
He opened a page.
“Oh, that place. Good sunlight, yes.
But the stone walls are old—you’ll need repairs.
And if you want a water channel, that’s extra.”
“Monthly rent is 3,000G.
Annual contract is 36,000G—one month discount.
Which will it be?”
“Monthly contract, please.
And can you arrange a water‑channel worker?”
He nodded.
“A stonemason nearby can do it.
2,500G including labor.”
“So total 5,500G.
Annual contract would be 35,500G.
Pay now?”
Annual was cheaper, but monthly gave flexibility.
If cultivation succeeded, perfume material costs would drop dramatically.
It was a reasonable investment.
◆ Flower Cultivation
The next week, the stonemason completed the water channel.
A branch from the stream flowed through the stone walls, supplying water to the plots.
Repairs were finished, and the land was ready.
They had collected Moonlit Flower seeds—tiny white grains that rolled across Yoshio’s palm.
Sheila picked one up.
“It’s amazing that something this small becomes that flower.”
They planted each seed carefully.
After about a week, sprouts appeared.
A month later, white buds formed across the first plot.
Daily observation paid off.
A few days later, the first flower bloomed—its rich sweet fragrance drifting on the wind.
“You did it, Master!
Moonlit Flower has grown!”
The blossom was fist‑sized, its white petals glistening with morning dew.
The scent was overwhelming—sweet, exotic, almost sensual.
The plants were still small, but someday the entire plot might be covered in Moonlit Flowers.
They sowed seeds in the remaining two plots.
Germination rate was about 80%, with Moonlit Flower making up around 60%.
Lavenderna and chamomile also took root.
A stable cultivation base was forming.
◆ Expanding Sales Routes to the Royal Capital
Extracting Moonlit Flower oil required care—too much heat would ruin the scent.
Low‑temperature distillation was essential.
The inn room was too limited.
Sheila peered into the distiller.
“It smells wonderful… but the yield is tiny.
Only a few milliliters per flower.”
Moonlit Flower produced very little oil—excellent for luxury perfume, but difficult for mass production.
The next day, Yoshio returned to Morris Trading Company and rented a small vacant lot next to the inn for an essential‑oil workshop.
Annual contract: 48,000G.
his meant two ongoing expenses—5,500G monthly for the field and 48,000G yearly for the workshop—but he accepted it as investment.
He opened his skill window and upgraded Infinite Storage (Small) to Infinite Storage (Medium) for 5,000G.
Storage capacity increased dramatically.
He also purchased a “Essential Oil Refining Equipment Set” for 20,000G—
a compact professional distiller, cooler, and fractionation apparatus he could summon from storage.
It took two weeks to set up the workshop and establish a daily cycle between the flower field and distillation.
"Please let me know if there are any mistakes in the translation."
Isekai Merchant
I am Yoshio Aizaki, an essayist who loves isekai reincarnation manga and anime.
I, too, have written an isekai novel. It shares many similarities with other works in the genre,
but thanks to the power of AI, the writing process was astonishingly fast.
Now then—let us reincarnate into another world.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
◆The Plains of Another World
◆Skill Settings
◆To the First Town
◆Meeting the Traveling Merchant Dario
◆Conversation with Marco the Shopkeeper
◆The Red Pillow Inn
Chapter 2
◆The Next Morning, Back to Work with Dario
◆Meeting Malta
◆Basics of Perfume Making
◆Presenting the Conditions
◆Required Materials and Preparations
◆Negotiations with Toma
◆First Distillation
◆Completion of the Base Essence
◆Purchasing Alcohol and the Return Trip
◆Encounter with a Monster
◆A Merchant’s Decision to Choose the Escape Route
◆Safe Return
Chapter 3
◆Completion of the Perfume and Label Design
◆Printing the Labels
◆First Sales at Dario’s Shop
◆First Successful Sale
◆Mass Production of the Homemade Perfume
◆Malta’s Advice
◆A New Perfume
◆Malta’s Evaluation
◆Elma the Herb Merchant
◆A New Step Forward
◆The Rina Trading Company
Chapter 4
◆Assistant Sheila Aria
◆Perfume Flash Sale
◆Concept for a New Fragrance
◆Request to Adventurers
◆Skill Check
◆Encounter with Goblins
◆The Original Moonlit Fragrance
◆Flower Cultivation
◆Expanding Sales Routes to the Royal Capital
Chapter 5
◆Princess Anneliese
◆Exclusive Contract
◆Aclea Institute of Perfumery
◆The Warming Device
◆Efficient Essential Oil Extraction Methods
◆Reducing Transportation Costs
◆Establishing a Shop and Workshop in the Capital
◆Expectation for Tomorrow
Chapter 6
◆ Potions
◆ The Old Mage, Galdos
◆ Infusing Perfumes and Potions with Magic
◆ “Rejuvenation, you say?”
◆ Royal Palace Trials of the Healing Potion
◆ Beauty Potion
◆ Effects of the Beauty Potion
Chapter 7
◆ Disposal of Flowers
◆ Magic‑Powered Papermaking Device
◆ Recycling
◆ Adjusting Magic Output
◆ Wyvern
◆ Rock Lizards
◆ Refining Mithril
◆ The Completed Potion
Chapter 8
◆ Rank Promotion Exam
◆ Exam Day
◆ Aerial Transport
◆ The Device for Making Paper from Grain Husks
◆ Royal Audience
◆ The Paper Guild
Chapter 9
◆ Establishing Schools
◆ Movable‑Type Printing
◆ Spread of the Abacus
◆ Issuing Banknotes and Establishing a Bank
◆ Opening the 100G Paper Shop
◆ Establishing Corporations
◆ The City of Arts
◆ An Endless Otherworld
◆ Afterword
Chapter 1
◆ The Plains of Another World
Voice of the Heavens: Welcome to another world.
This is a lush, green plain.
First, please tell us your information:
Name
Gender
Race
Age
Occupation
Yoshio, male, human, 20 years old, merchant.
As if nodding in acknowledgment, the air trembled slightly.
A faint circle of light appeared at Yoshio’s feet, then vanished.
Yoshio, male, human, 20 years old, merchant. Understood.
The light converged and silence returned.
Only the sound of the wind brushing through the grass reached his ears.
The next step awaited him.
◆ Skill Settings
Next, we will configure your skills.
You may create any skills you like.
Multiple selections are possible—add as many as you wish.
A translucent window unfolded before him.
Lv.1
Basic Stamina 1/100
Basic Mana 1/100
Skills: None
Create Skill
It seemed he could operate the window by touching it with his fingertips.
Only the “Create Skill” option floated alone in the interface.
The sky was a clear blue, and the distant mountain ridge was faintly hazy.
He appeared to be standing on a grassy roadside; a packed dirt path stretched left and right.
Far to the right, the outline of a small town surrounded by stone walls could be seen.
Merchant skills…?
Perhaps calculation ability, memory, and creativity would be good.
Three items were added to the window, each with a short description beside it.
Voice of the Heavens: “Calculation Ability,” “Memory,” and “Creativity,” correct?
A practical skill set well suited for a merchant.
Would you like to add more?
There still seemed to be room in the skill slots.
The lower right corner of the window displayed: Remaining Skill Slots: 7.
A faint bell rang from the direction of the town, carried by the wind across the plains.
Perhaps it signaled noon.
The sun was high overhead, and shadows were short.
Before taking his first step in this world, adding a few more cards to his hand wouldn’t hurt.
Let’s add Healing Ability as well.
The rest can be added when needed.
Would you like to enable the automatic skill addition feature?
Yes.
Understood. Remaining skill slots will be reserved.
Voice of the Heavens:
Skill List: Calculation Ability, Memory, Creativity, Healing Ability.
This completes your settings.
Please enjoy your life in this world.
If you need anything, simply call upon me.
The particles of light scattered and dissolved into the air, and the window faded away.
Suddenly, the world felt sharper—its resolution raised a level.
The scent of grass, the dusty taste of the wind, the unevenness of the ground beneath his feet—
his five senses had fully settled into this body.
◆ To the First Town
The town he had glimpsed earlier now stood clearly under the sunlight.
Two-story buildings of wood and stone lined the streets, and a windmill turned slowly at the center.
Heading there seemed the most reasonable choice.
A merchant with empty hands could only rely on skill and quick thinking.
First, though—he was hungry.
And he had no money.
What is the currency of this country?
In response to his call, information flowed smoothly into his mind.
As if he had known it all along, the knowledge settled naturally.
The currency of this world is G.
1G equals 1 yen, 100G equals 100 yen.
A simple system identical to Japanese yen.
Your current funds are 0G.
…To be frank, a merchant with zero on hand is in quite a difficult situation.
His stomach growled loudly in protest.
He had only just arrived, but his body was honest.
The town was about twenty minutes away on foot.
No travelers selling food were in sight, nor were there any fruit-bearing trees.
The roadside grass looked edible in theory, but that was a last resort.
He glanced to the right side of the road.
Among the stones, something metallic reflected the sunlight—a coin.
Let’s pick that up.
Yoshio crouched and picked up the coin with his fingertips.
Half-buried in dirt, but clearly stamped with 100G.
A fortunate find.
Congratulations. You have obtained 100G.
…The reason it was dropped is unknown, but this road sees a fair amount of traffic.
You may find more lost items in the future.
With 100G, he could at least buy food in town.
But it wasn’t enough for lodging or purchasing goods for trade.
Looking toward the town gate, he saw several people coming and going.
A single wagon—likely belonging to a traveling merchant—was parked nearby.
If he could find a way to earn money there, it would be ideal.
But first, he needed to deal with his empty stomach.
◆ Meeting the Traveling Merchant Dario
He approached the gate and called out to the merchant.
Do you need an assistant?
The merchant was sorting wooden crates beside his wagon.
A stout man in his forties, sweat beading on his brow as he repacked goods into leather bags.
He paused and looked up when Yoshio spoke.
Hmm? An assistant?
He eyed Yoshio up and down.
No luggage, no weapon—just a lone young man.
He scratched his chin, thinking.
…Never seen you before. Where’d you come from?
His gaze was pure appraisal.
Not hostile—just calculating, like a true merchant.
If you can carry goods and manage ledgers, I won’t say no.
But I only serve cheap meals.
If that’s fine, help me until tomorrow morning.
Daily pay is 500G.
Not a fortune, but with meals included, it was a good deal.
Yoshio accepted.
Understood. I’ll help.
I’m Yoshio.
Nice to meet you.
Oh, I’m Dario. Good to have you, Yoshio.
Dario grinned and pulled out a chunk of dried meat.
Was just about to eat lunch.
Go ahead and have some.
You’ll get the rest once we finish loading.
The dried meat was salty and tough, but to an empty stomach it was a feast.
Yoshio helped with the remaining crates.
Inside were bundles of herbs and dried plants—goods for wholesale to the next town.
The work was steady, but manageable for two people.
Without looking back, Dario muttered:
You said you’re a merchant. Planning to stay in this town for a while?
If so, make connections in the market.
You can’t open a shop around here without an introduction.
Understood. I’ll greet everyone once we finish.
They worked until sunset.
As promised, Yoshio received 500G, along with dried meat and bread.
Dario pointed toward the plaza.
That big tent over there is Marco’s stall.
Come here tomorrow when the second morning bell rings.
Don’t be late.
He waved and headed toward the inn.
◆ Conversation with Marco the Shopkeeper
The plaza buzzed with evening activity.
Residents gathered after work, and smoke rose from food stalls grilling meat.
Marco’s tent stood firmly at the center.
A plump man in his mid-thirties was tidying up in front of it.
He noticed Yoshio and looked up.
Oh? Haven’t seen you before. Need something?
Marco, nice to meet you.
I’m Yoshio.
I’m helping Dario.
What do you sell here?
Marco smiled and gestured inside the tent.
I run a general goods shop.
Dried foods, daily necessities, small medicines—things like that.
Best selection in town, they say.
The items were indeed varied:
salted fish, hemp bags, soap, insect-repellent ointment, leather flasks.
All essentials for travelers and locals.
If you’re helping Dario, you’ll be here for a while?
If so, let me know if you want to buy stock.
I can sell at wholesale prices—much better profit than retail.
Though you’ll have to pay a stall fee.
The sunset made Marco’s round face even redder.
More people were gathering; night was approaching.
Thank you.
I’ll be back.
I still need to learn about this town, so I’ll find an inn and rest.
Tomorrow, I’ll finally get started.
Marco pointed down the street.
Go straight and turn left—you’ll find the Red Pillow Inn.
Meals are decent, and it’s about 200G a night.
Not a bad place.
Yoshio thanked him and headed toward the inn.
◆ The Red Pillow Inn
He found it quickly—a small two-story wooden inn with a sign showing a red pillow.
Inside, a plump woman—likely the landlady—was stirring a pot behind the counter.
Oh my, a guest? Staying for the night?
She smiled warmly.
Several customers were eating stew in the dining hall.
Yoshio had 600G.
Considering dinner and lodging, staying here was wise.
How much is the room?
Can I stay for 100G?
Of course!
Exactly 100G.
Dinner is an extra 30G.
Today’s stew is venison—turned out quite well.
He paid 130G.
She handed him a wooden key and directed him upstairs.
The room was simple but clean, with a bed, blanket, desk, and chair.
Not bad at all.
Dinner was delicious—the venison stew rich and hearty.
He finished it quickly.
Fatigue washed over him.
Perhaps the strain of the transfer was catching up.
Tomorrow morning, he had to meet Dario before the second bell.
The first night in this world passed quietly.
Chapter 2
◆ The Next Morning, Back to Work with Dario
Morning. I slept well.
After having breakfast for 30G, I decided to go see Dario.
Sunlight streamed through the window, and birdsong filled the town. When I went downstairs, a few guests were already eating breakfast.
The innkeeper served bread, cheese, and a thin soup. Simple, but that’s what you get for 30G.
“If you’re staying again tonight, same price. What’ll it be?”
Yoshio thought while chewing his bread.
If he planned to do business in this town for a while, he needed a base.
He paid an additional 100G and extended his stay.
He now had 340G left. His wallet was truly starting to scream.
The morning air felt pleasant as he left the inn.
Passing through the square and heading toward the cart, he found Dario already there, loading cargo.
“Oh, right on time. Good, good.”
“Today we’re heading to the neighboring town, Verde. Half a day one-way.”
He pointed at the cart. There was more cargo than yesterday.
“So, you said you’re a merchant, right? If you find anything worth selling along the way, you can pick it up.
But put it on the cart—no carrying things by hand. Show me your merchant’s eye.”
“Understood. I’ll pay you 500G for the day, after the job.”
“If I find good goods, I’ll buy them.”
Dario snorted with a laugh.
“Full of business spirit, aren’t you? Fine, do as you like.
But if you neglect the cargo, I won’t forgive you.”
Yoshio bought some small items and daily necessities in town.
The two left the town and headed east along the road.
The stone pavement soon turned to dirt, and as the trees grew thicker, the air became cool and damp.
The cart wheels occasionally bounced over stones, and Yoshio held them steady each time.
Dario guided the horse up front, occasionally talking to Yoshio.
Suddenly, he glanced to the roadside.
“Hey, over there. See it?”
In the shade off the road, clusters of low shrubs with purple flowers were growing.
“That’s lavenderna. It only grows around here.
The petals are used for perfume. In town, one bundle sells for 200G.
If it’s growing wild, you can take whole bundles—but don’t uproot them.”
A sweet scent drifted on the wind.
Dario looked uninterested, but he had said Yoshio could pick things up.
This was clearly a test.
If it’s free to harvest, I should fill a basket.
Dario switched the reins to one hand and looked back.
“Where’s your basket… ah, fine. Take whatever you can carry by hand.
But don’t wander too far—we’re leaving soon.”
Yoshio grabbed an empty wooden box and a basket from the cart and ran to the lavenderna patch.
The purple flowers grew densely at the tips of the branches, and picking them carefully kept them pristine.
Before long, half the box was filled with purple blossoms.
The scent was strong enough to cling to his hands.
When Yoshio returned, Dario’s eyes widened.
“Whoa, you picked that much? You left the roots, right?”
He checked the box.
“…Huh. The flowers are in good condition. Hardly crushed. Not bad.”
He looked genuinely impressed.
He seemed to wonder whether Yoshio had a plan to sell them, but didn’t ask—an unspoken rule not to intrude on another merchant’s business.
The horse neighed softly, and the cart began moving again.
If I boil the lavenderna down and make perfume, I could make a profit.
Dario glanced sideways at him.
“Perfume, huh. If you hit it big, it’s worth a lot… but you’ll need a distiller and proper equipment.
There’s a blacksmith in Verde, but whether he’ll lend you anything is another matter.”
The cart continued through the forest path. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, birds fluttering overhead.
After a pause:
“Well, find your own connections. I’ve got an acquaintance—Marta, an apothecary.
She runs a shop in Verde. Knows a lot about fragrances. I can introduce you… but it won’t be free.”
He didn’t say whether he wanted money or a favor.
The forest path opened up, and the stone walls of Verde shimmered in the distance.
“Please introduce me to Marta.
If I can make perfume, I can do business with you.”
Dario smirked.
“Quick to decide, aren’t you? Fine, I’ll introduce you.
But there’s a condition. If you manage to make perfume, the first batch goes to me.
Perfume is a luxury item for nobles in Verde—one bottle can fetch 10,000G.
I’m not asking for exclusivity, but I want priority.”
The gates of Verde approached.
The town was larger than the previous one, with two gatekeepers.
Dario waved, and they let him through easily.
He pointed to a blue-roofed house.
“That’s Marta’s place. ‘Marta Apothecary.’ She’s usually there after noon.
We’ll drop off the cargo at the guild warehouse first—you’ll have time.”
Even without meeting her yet, an apothecary skilled in fragrances would be a valuable ally.
It felt wrong to visit empty-handed.
Should I bring lavenderna as a gift?
Then learn how to make perfume, and look for a distiller with my day’s wages.
After helping unload the cargo, Dario handed him 500G.
“And Marta’s shop is straight down this road, then left.
Do your best.”
Dario left with his cart.
Yoshio selected a few bundles of lavenderna and headed to Marta’s shop.
◆ Meeting Marta
A small shop with a blue roof. Bundles of dried herbs hung by the door.
The wooden sign read “Marta Apothecary.”
He knocked, and a voice answered.
“Yes, yes, wait a moment.”
A small elderly woman with neatly tied white hair appeared.
Her posture was straight, but her eyes carried the weight of long years.
She looked at Yoshio and the lavenderna.
“…Oh? Lavenderna. Nice color. So, what do you want from me?”
“I want to make perfume from lavenderna. Could you teach me how?”
Marta lifted a bundle, sniffed it, and closed her eyes.
After a moment, she lowered it.
“Perfume, huh. You’re a beginner, aren’t you?”
Her words were sharp, but she didn’t seem intent on turning him away.
“Come in. This isn’t a conversation for the doorway.”
The shop was dim, filled with hanging herbs.
Glass instruments lined the workbench, and shelves held jars of liquids.
Marta sat down, the chair creaking.
◆ Basics of Perfume Making
“Perfume is made by dissolving flower essential oil in alcohol.
To extract essential oil, you need a distiller.
Managing the heat and cooling temperature is everything—mess it up, and the flowers are ruined.”
She stared straight at Yoshio.
“You’re asking me to teach you, but you don’t have equipment or helpers, do you?
If you’re treating me like a handyman, get out.”
“I’ll buy a distiller and alcohol. If I make perfume from lavenderna, I’ll give you some.”
She exhal
◆ Presenting the Conditions
"Mind you, while you can buy alcohol at any local liquor store, a still won’t be that easy. A regular blacksmith can't forge one. It requires a fractionating column. I could lend you mine, but..."
Marta raised a single finger.
"I have conditions. First, you bring the finished perfume straight to me before anyone else. I’ll be the one checking the quality.
Second, if this business actually gets off the ground, you route all your regular essential oil procurement through me.
There's a limit to how many wild herbs you can pick by yourself, isn't there?"
In short, the terms were similar to Dario's, but this partner offered far more specialized expertise. A master of perfume making, and a guaranteed slot in the distribution channel. It was not a bad trade.She retrieved a small vial from the back shelf and placed it on the desk. The amber liquid shimmered as it caught the light."This is the essential oil. Extracted straight from Lavendana. Commit it to memory by scent; this is the final form of what you're aiming for.""So, Lavendana perfume has a refreshing scent, doesn't it?"
◆ Required Materials and Preparations
"How many Lavendana flowers do I need to make this much?"Marta twirled the small vial of essential oil with her fingertips.
"Let’s see... For this amount, you’d need roughly five bundles of Lavendana. But remember, they must be picked after the flowers have fully bloomed. If you pick them while they're still buds, they won't have enough essential oil components.
"There was still some Lavendana left in the cart. Since it had been picked just this morning, it should be fresh enough.Marta glanced at Yoshio's face."That look tells me you have something in mind.
Do you already have them?""...Well, if you have them, that makes things easy. You can use my still. But someone else is using it right now, so you'll have to wait until evening.
Until then, you've got things to do, don't you?"Marta stood up and grabbed a ring of keys hanging on the wall.
"There's a general store on the west side of this town. Look for a sign that says 'Toma's Shop.
' You'll need a distillation flask, a condenser tube, and a cloth bag to strain the residue after distillation.
Gather them all. The price should be... well, around 800G."800G? He was a little short on funds.Should I try to negotiate a discount?
She shrugged her shoulders in disbelief."Negotiating is fine and all, but Toma is a stubborn man. If you want to bargain, you'd better bring some materials worthy of it.
He's a man who'll agree to a barter, too.
"Yoshio thanked Marta and left the shop.
◆ Negotiating with Toma
A few bundles of Lavendana still remained in his possession. Heading toward the west street, "Toma's Shop" was easily spotted.
It was a shop with a narrow storefront; upon entering, shelves were stacked all the way to the ceiling, cramped with a dense array of merchandise.
A middle-aged man leaning his elbows on the counter gave Yoshio a sullen look as he walked in.
"Welcome. ...What are you looking for?"Toma, the shopkeeper, had a square face and thick eyebrows—the very image of a seasoned merchant.
When Yoshio explained that he was looking for consumables for a still, Toma brought out a complete set of flasks from the back.
A condenser tube and a cloth bag; just as Marta had said, the total came to 800G."Could you give me a small discount?
I can give you this Lavendana to make up for the shortfall."Toma glanced at the Lavendana.
◆ The First Distillation
When Yoshio returned to Marta's shop to drop off the parts for the still, the previous customer had just left.
The old woman opened the lid of the still to inspect the inside, then turned back toward Yoshio.
"It's about evening. Are you ready?"Marta took charge of tending the fire for the still and began instructing Yoshio on the procedure.
Water and Lavendana were placed inside the flask, and heat was applied from below.Before long, vapor began to rise, cooling down as it passed through the condenser tube.
Drip, drip... clear droplets fell into the cloth bag."Don't rush it. Let it cool slowly. ...Yes, just like that.
"Yoshio was deeply moved by the precious droplets of Lavendana.
◆ Completion of the Base Essence
The raw extract of his very first perfume.
As she caught the liquid dripping from the cloth bag with a small dish, Marta nodded with satisfaction.
"Good color. Perfectly clear. This is your essential oil."
The essential oil collected in the small dish was a mere fraction. From five whole bundles of Lavendana, only this much remained. Converted into perfume, it would amount to just a few drops.
Even so, for Yoshio, this was his very first creation.
He let a single drop fall onto the back of his hand and caught the scent; an aroma incomparably more concentrated than the morning's fresh bouquet instantly filled his senses.
As he carefully transferred the essential oil into a small vial, Marta spoke up.
"From here, you’ll dilute it with alcohol to turn it into perfume, but leave that for tomorrow. For today, wash the still and pack it up."
Marta deftly put out the fire under the still and began washing the components in a bucket filled with water.
"Come back again tomorrow. Just buy the cheapest alcohol at the liquor store—the kind used for making fruit brandy will do just fine. ...And another thing."
The old woman looked back at Yoshio."
The scent changes once the essential oil cools down, so apply a little to your wrist or somewhere before the day ends. Memorizing how your own perfume turns out is an important part of the craft, too."
"Understood."
"I will go pick more Lavendana tomorrow. I look forward to working with you again."Without stopping her hands from cleaning, Marta replied,"Aye, I'll be waiting."
◆ Purchasing Alcohol and the Return Trip
By the time he left Marta’s shop, the sun had completely set.The magic stones of the streetlamps cast a faint, gentle glow along the night paths of Verde, creating an enchanting atmosphere.
The liquor store was easily found, and he purchased fifty grams of the fruit-brandy alcohol.
While there were inns available here in Verde, considering his remaining funds, it was wiser to retrace his steps and return to the first town.
Though travelling the paths at night felt a bit unsettling, the moonlight was in his favor.
Yoshio stepped out onto the highway and began his walk.
After walking for a while, a rustling sound echoed from the bushes ahead. It was not the wind. It was the distinct presence of something moving.
◆ Encounter with a Monster
A low growl echoed from the moonlit grass. Two shadows, each about the size of a dog, crept sluggishly out onto the highway.
Their fangs glinted sharply, reflecting the moonlight. With their grey fur and crimson eyes, they could be wild hounds, or perhaps some kind of monster.
This is bad. Are they wolves?
Even if he tried to run, wolves would easily outrun him.What should I do?
The two beasts kept their postures low, gradually closing the distance. One was smaller, while the other was a size larger—likely a parent and its cub. Perhaps driven by hunger, saliva dripped from between their bared fangs.
Yoshio set his luggage down on the ground; he could move better empty-handed. Under the moonlight, he intensely watched the beasts' movements. The smaller one was the first to move. It dashed forward to flank him from the side, while simultaneously, the larger one charged straight at him from the front.
The larger beast leaped, its sharp claws flashing in the moonlight. If he rolled to the side immediately, he might be able to dodge it, but if he lost his balance, there would be no second chance. There was not a single soul along the highway; he could expect no help.
◆ A Merchant’s Decision to Choose the Escape Route
I still have food in my tunic.
On pure instinct, he scattered the food.
Yoshio thrust his hand into his waist pouch, grabbed the remaining bread and dried meat, and flung them across the ground.
For a split second, the beasts' attention shifted. The smaller one twitched its nose and pounced on the dried meat, while the larger one also turned its head toward the scent.
Taking advantage of the distraction, Yoshio backed away to open up some distance.
Completely engrossed in the food on the ground, the beasts showed no sign of pursuing him.After watching them closely for a while, the parent and cub finished eating and slunk back into the bushes.
He held his breath until they had completely vanished from sight, only then finally letting out a deep, heavy sigh.His life was saved, but he had lost every bit of his traveling rations.
All he had left was fifty grams of alcohol and a few loose coins. With no way to even secure tomorrow's breakfast, he had no choice but to trudge along the moonlit highway.
No breakfast tomorrow, then. Guess I’ll just have to walk on an empty stomach. But at least I haven't lost my way.I still have water.
I can endure this for a bit.Besides, I need Grandma Marta to help me finish making that perfume.
Clutching his empty stomach and relying solely on the moonlight, he walked for several hours until a familiar fork in the road finally came into view.
A turn here, and the first town would be just a short distance away. He would likely reach it before dawn.
A thought suddenly crossed Yoshio's mind. Those beasts had remarkably clean fur for wild hounds.
Their crimson eyes might have been a trait unique to monsters. This world possessed skills like taming and summoning.
If there were a way to domesticate them, they could serve as guards, or even hunting partners in the future.
But for now, his empty belly and fifty grams of alcohol were his only reality.
Until he finished the perfume and actually made some money, such thoughts were nothing but pipe dreams.
◆ Safe Return
long, the town’s outer walls loomed out of the darkness. A night-watch guard stood by, holding a flickering torch aloft.
Yoshio approached the gate with unsteady steps and paid the 10G entry fee to the guard.The walk back to the inn felt agonizingly long, but the very moment he pushed open the door of the Red Pillow Inn, the sight of the landlady's sleepy face and the warm glow of the lamps brought him a profound sense of relief.
Tomorrow morning, first thing, he would head to Marta's place to finish the perfume.
That would be the true beginning of everything.
"I'm home. I somehow managed to make it back."
"Good night."Half-asleep, the landlady let out a yawn, mumbled a faint "Yeah, yeah, welcome back," and handed over the room key.
The moment he stepped into his room, Yoshio collapsed onto the bed. Both his hunger and his exhaustion had reached their absolute limits.
Chapter 3
◆ Completion of the Perfume and Label Design
The next morning, Yoshio woke to sunlight streaming through the window. His body felt a bit sluggish, but not enough to stop him.
When he went downstairs, the innkeeper served bread and soup for breakfast. He had lost last night’s food, so being able to replenish here was a relief.
After finishing his meal, he filled his water flask and left the inn. The morning air was still cold, and dew glistened on the cobblestones.
When he arrived at Marta’s shop, the elderly woman was already preparing to open for the day.
The moment she saw him:
“You’re late! The sun’s already up. Come in.”
Yesterday’s perfume base was sitting right where he had left it.
“Thank you again for today.”
Marta handed him the finished small bottle.
“Here, smell it.”
Yoshio opened the lid and checked the scent.
“The floral aroma spreads softly…
I think this will sell well.”
“Marta, I’d like to divide it into smaller bottles. Could you sell me some?
I’ll give you one of the finished bottles.”
She pulled small bottles from the shelf.
“Ten bottles for 200G. …You don’t miss a thing, do you.”
Yoshio bought the bottles and handed one to Marta. Nine remained.
She sprayed a bit on her wrist and narrowed her eyes.
“Not bad. No—honestly, it’s excellent. Better than what the perfume shops around here make.”
“But there’s one problem. The label.
If customers don’t know who made it, they won’t buy it.”
It was a fair point. In this world, products without brand assurance were rarely trusted.
Hands on her hips, she continued:
“If you’re selling under your name, you need a sign.
There’s a print shop called Ink Workshop Bertini on East Street.
With 200G for paper and ink, you can probably print your name and a flower illustration.”
“Marta, could you lend me a little money?
I’ll repay you with the profits from the lavender perfume business.”
She stared sharply at him. Silence hung for a moment before she sighed deeply.
“…You’re asking an old woman you met yesterday to lend you money?”
She rattled open a drawer and pulled out several copper coins.
“300G. Interest is thirty percent of your profit.
If you can’t repay it, you’ll never buy essential oil through me again. Understood?”
“And another thing—
I’ve been the perfume matriarch around here for many years.
I’ve seen dozens of amateurs stumble in business.
So let me tell you one thing.”
“Don’t start big.
Sell three bottles first and see the reaction.
If it doesn’t work, then it doesn’t work.
If it does, continue.
That’s how business works.”
“Yes, I understand.
I’ll pay the thirty percent interest properly.
I’ll judge whether to continue after selling three bottles.”
“Well then, I’ll go make the labels.”
She waved her hand dismissively.
“Go on, go. Bring them back once the labels are done.”
◆ Printing the Labels
After receiving 300G from Marta, Yoshio headed toward East Street.
He quickly found Ink Workshop Bertini.
The signboard letters were vividly printed, and the shop was filled with the distinctive smell of ink.
The shop owner, Bertini, was a thin man wearing glasses. He glanced at Yoshio as he entered.
“Looking to print something?”
Yoshio explained that he wanted to create labels for his perfume.
The contents would be: Lavenderna Perfume, his name, and an illustration of the Lavenderna flower.
He asked to have just five labels printed first.
Bertini began selecting paper and ink.
“Palm-sized labels, huh.
20G per sheet, so 100G for five.
They’ll take half a day to dry—come back in the evening.”
After Yoshio paid upfront, Bertini immediately began carving the printing block.
The pleasant sound of the carving knife shaving wood echoed through the shop.
◆ First Sales at Dario’s Shop
Today, Yoshio decided to help Dario and earn his daily wage.
There was still time in the morning, and with debt owed to Marta, he wanted to earn as much as possible.
He walked through the central square and headed toward South Street.
When he arrived at Dario’s produce shop, regular customers were already lining up.
An elderly woman, two young women—Dario was busy wrapping vegetables.
He looked up.
“Oh, you came! I got a huge load of onions today. Mind helping me peel them?
150G an hour—how about it?”
It was a good offer. Peeling onions didn’t require strength, and he could earn a few hours’ worth before noon.
Behind the shop, wooden crates were filled with onions.
Working under the sun meant sweating, but the perfume’s scent wouldn’t be an issue.
In fact, the fresh lavenderna fragrance helped neutralize the onion smell, and the young women kept glancing at Yoshio.
“Would you like some perfume, miss? It’s lavenderna perfume.”
Without stopping his hands, Yoshio casually spoke.
One of the young women twitched in reaction.
“Perfume? That’s rare in this town. Can I see it?”
Yoshio took out a small sample bottle from his pocket, sprayed his wrist, and offered it to her.
She brought his wrist close to her face.
“Wow… it smells wonderful. Fresh and not overwhelming.”
Her friend leaned in.
“Hey, let me smell it too!”
The second woman was also captivated, squealing with excitement.
Dario peeked out from the back, half amused.
“Hey now, don’t disrupt business too much… but yeah, it does smell good.”
The women clutched their purses.
“Where can we buy this?”
“I’m planning to sell it. This is just a sample.
Tomorrow, I’ll release it as a premium perfume with labels.”
Their eyes sparkled.
“Premium… how much?”
“I want one! Where should we go tomorrow?”
Their enthusiasm exceeded expectations.
Perfume wasn’t a daily necessity for them—it was a luxury, but not impossibly expensive.
Marta had said few shops in town sold perfume, and she was right.
Dario, carrying onions, overheard.
“So you really are a merchant. No wonder you were so interested in flower prices yesterday.”
One woman tugged her friend’s sleeve.
“Did you hear? It’s coming out tomorrow! We have to go!”
Her friend nodded.
“I’ll go first thing in the morning. Where will you be selling it?”
The two asked if he could sell it here at the produce shop when they came for groceries.
Dario looked troubled but not displeased—extra customers were good for business.
“Dario, I’d like to sell the perfume here tomorrow. Is that alright?”
He scratched his head.
“Well… as long as you don’t get in the way.
If my customers buy it while shopping, that’s not bad.
Just don’t take over the storefront—I still need space for vegetables.”
The women clapped their hands.
“Great! We’ll be here tomorrow!”
Excited, one asked:
“What’s your name?”
He needed a name for the label anyway.
Yoshio introduced himself properly.
“My name is Aizaki Yoshio. Nice to meet you.
I’m thinking 500G per bottle.”
The women exchanged looks.
“500G… a bit pricey, but that’s normal for perfume.”
Counting on her fingers:
“It’s barely within my monthly allowance… but I’m buying it. Definitely.”
Dario nodded, impressed.
“500G, huh. Enough to buy five loaves of bread… well, never mind that.”
500G was exactly the mid-range price Marta had advised.
Too cheap would raise suspicion; too expensive would scare buyers.
Judging from the women’s reactions, it was a good price.
When the onion peeling was done, Dario paid him 150G.
By evening, the labels would be ready.
The plan to sell perfume here tomorrow was set.
Yoshio felt a warm surge of excitement—everything was coming together.
Early Morning – Labels and Final Check
He woke early the next morning.
He picked up the labels, attached them to the bottles, and hurried to show Marta.
Morning mist still lingered as he walked quickly to Ink Workshop Bertini.
The “Lavenderna Perfume” text and flower illustration were beautifully printed.
He received five labels—one was for Marta.
Before he could knock on Marta’s door, her voice called out:
“It’s open. Come in.”
Inside, Marta was already seated at her workbench.
He handed her a bottle. She glanced at the label, then opened the lid to check the scent.
She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply.
“…It’s calmer than yesterday. Perfume settles better after resting.”
She placed the bottle down, stood, and faced Yoshio.
“The label looks good.
Well then—today’s your debut as a salesman.”
“One bottle is for you, Marta.
If I sell the remaining four, I’ll earn 2000G and repay my debt.”
She raised an eyebrow.
“Only four? Those girls are already lining up this morning—you won’t have enough.”
“…But fine. That’s how it is at the start.”
“The debt was 300G.
When you sell them, give me the thirty percent interest—90G.”
The rest of the profit would be Yoshio’s.
He had promised to sell at least three bottles.
Four felt a bit tight, but he had no more perfume to spare.
◆ First Successful Sales
The clock tower in the central square chimed eight in the morning.
When Yoshio hurried to Dario’s shop on South Street, two women were already standing in front of it.
One was the same young woman from yesterday, and the other seemed to be a friend she had brought along.
Word of mouth was not to be underestimated.
The moment they spotted Yoshio:
“There he is! Yoshio, we’ve been waiting for you!”
He quickly took out the lavenderna perfume and sold it to the women.
“Thank you for your purchase.”
He planned to order more labels and repay Marta’s loan afterward.
The two women handed over 500G each without hesitation.
One decided instantly, not even giving her friend a chance to speak.
The second woman complained, “Hey, no fair! I wanted to buy it first!”
Yoshio handed the perfume to each of them politely and saw them off with a smile.
Another customer who had been watching said, “Sell one to me too!”
Yoshio ran straight to Bertini’s workshop on East Street and ordered additional labels.
Then he rushed to Marta’s shop.
Marta counted the money.
“Principal 300G, interest 90G. All right.”
“…So, what are you going to do about the remaining five bottles?”
After subtracting the label cost, interest, principal, and the cost of bottles and equipment, there was still no profit left from the 2000G he had earned.
The new labels would be ready tomorrow evening.
But he needed to buy essential oil from Marta to make more perfume.
Marta shook a small bottle of essential oil.
“I still have some base oil left. Enough for two bottles—50G.
This time, why don’t you dilute it yourself?”
Yoshio decided to make the next batch on his own.
◆ Mass Production of Homemade Perfume
Yoshio bought more bottles and began filling them.
Marta pointed at the tools as she explained the steps:
“Essential oil one part, alcohol nine.
Pour slowly with the bottle tilted downward—if you rush, it’ll splash.”
Yoshio carefully poured the liquids.
Watching the lavenderna essential oil dissolve into the alcohol felt strangely mystical.
Finally, using the blending technique he had learned from Marta, he adjusted the scent and attached labels to the small bottles.
Five bottles completed.
For a first attempt, it was an excellent start.
However, considering the cost of materials, equipment, and labels, there was still no pure profit.
He had reached the stage where his skills as a merchant would be tested—
Should he scale up production, raise the price, or find a different sales strategy?
As the sun set over South Street, Dario called out while closing his shop.
After finishing his sales tally:
“Business was booming today. Your perfume doubled the customer traffic.
I’m counting on you again tomorrow.”
Yoshio went out to pick more lavenderna flowers.
For now, he would focus on steady business—building trust and selling high‑quality perfume.
Mass production would have to wait until he had more capital.
The next morning, he lined up the perfume bottles at Dario’s shop again.
The rumor had spread even further—three women and even one man showed up.
Apparently, he had realized the floral scent helped mask sweat.
He sold perfume to all three women, leaving only two bottles.
By afternoon, everything was sold out.
He picked up the new labels in the evening and prepared to sell again the next day.
A cycle was forming—produce, label, sell, repeat.
And then, Yoshio began supplying perfume to Dario as well.Dario often traveled to nearby towns selling various goods.By honoring his promise—“If you manage to make perfume, I’ll be your first wholesale buyer”—
Yoshio repaid the favor.
◆ Marta’s Advice
One evening, while Yoshio was reporting his sales to Marta, the elderly woman lifted her eyes from a letter she had been reading.
She beckoned him closer.
“Come here a moment. I’ve got something interesting.”
“A merchant named Rina from the neighboring town seems to have taken an interest in our perfume.
She sent a letter asking if we could supply it wholesale.”
Wholesale—meaning distributing the perfume to other towns.
Sales would increase dramatically, but issues like quality control and transportation would also arise.
A turning point had arrived.
Marta looked at him with a testing gaze.
“So? What will you do? It’s your perfume. You decide.”
“The lavenderna fields are still blooming, so I can make more for now…
But someday, I won’t be able to harvest them anymore.”
“Maybe I should try making perfume from other flowers too.”
Marta tapped her chin thoughtfully.
“Good thinking. Lavender is strong, sure, but people get bored with just one scent.”
“Lavender isn’t the only flower around here.
There’s rosemary growing in clusters in the western hills, and water lilies blooming in the southern wetlands.”
She pulled a thick botanical encyclopedia from the shelf.
Flipping through the pages:
“Rosemary makes a sharp, masculine scent.
Water lily is sweet—good for nighttime perfume.
Both can produce essential oil.”
“But listen—if the flower changes, the blend ratio changes too.
What I taught you was the lavender recipe.
For the others, you’ll have to experiment on your own.”
Developing new perfumes—
It would expand his product line and test his skills as a perfumer.
The wholesale offer was tempting, but Yoshio decided he needed to strengthen his foundation first.
He would continue selling lavenderna steadily while researching new fragrances.
Once things were stable, he could respond to Rina’s request.
A solid, realistic path was beginning to take shape.
◆ Developing New Perfumes
Yoshio immediately set out to gather rosemary and water lily flowers.
The next day, after finishing his morning perfume sales, he headed toward the western hills.
Rosemary thrived in dry conditions, growing naturally among rocks and rough terrain.
About an hour’s walk from town, he found a large patch.
The rosemary leaves spread low across the ground, thick and vibrant green, with clusters of small flowers blooming beneath them.
Touching the leaves gave a sharp, tingling sensation.
He picked the leaf tips and placed them into his basket.
On the way back, he detoured south to the wetlands.
White water lilies floated as if rising from the surface of the water.
His feet sank into the mud as he harvested the flowers along with their stems, collecting several leaves as well.
By the time he returned to town near sunset, he had filled two baskets with flowers and leaves.
Back at the inn, he began extracting essential oils.
First was rosemary.
When he placed the leaves into the distiller and applied steam, a bluish liquid began to drip.
Next was water lily.
Its sweet fragrance filled the distillation room.
Two new perfume bases now sat on the table.
From here on, it was the perfumer’s true craft.
He diluted both the rosemary and water lily oils and checked their scents.
“Hmm, these smell good.”
He then tried blending rosemary with lavenderna.
And lavenderna with water lily.
Adjusting the ratios, he worked to create the optimal fragrance.
After much trial and error, four perfumes took shape:
Pure Rosemary: A masculine scent with a sharp, refreshing leaf aroma.
Rosemary + Lavenderna: The sharpness softened, becoming calmer and more balanced.
Water Lily + Lavenderna: Water lily’s sweetness was too strong, but lavenderna mellowed it. Adding a tiny amount of leaf-derived oil gave it depth.
Lavenderna + Rosemary Blend: Sweetness and freshness coexisted—an entirely new type of perfume.
Lavenderna + Water Lily: The flowers complemented each other, resulting in a soft, elegant fragrance.
He lined up the four bottles and compared them.
All were good, but he especially liked the two‑flower blend and the lavenderna × water lily combination.
“I should ask Marta’s opinion.”
◆ Marta’s Evaluation
After finishing the next morning’s perfume sales, Yoshio visited Marta and lined up the four bottles on her workbench.
She opened each lid and sniffed.
“You… made four in one night? You’re reckless.”
Her hand stopped at the two‑flower blend.
She sniffed it again.
“This one’s interesting. Men and women could both use it.
It’s your best hit.”
“This one could be mass‑produced.”
“We should design a label and turn it into a proper product.”
He decided the label would include the title Blender: Aizaki Yoshio.
Marta folded her arms.
“Blender, huh? Good title.
A name adds prestige to the product.”
“Next is establishing a production system.
To make all four types in parallel, you’ll need a lot of essential oil.”
He relied entirely on Marta for supply, but her production capacity had limits.
As if reading his thoughts, Marta said:
“You want more flower suppliers, right?
I know I can’t keep up alone.”
“There’s an herb merchant named Elma on West Street.
She cultivates flowers too—she should be willing to sell to you.”
“But negotiate the price yourself.
If you tell her I sent you, she won’t turn you away.”
◆ Elma the Herb Merchant
A new supply route—Yoshio’s business network was slowly expanding.
His funds were not abundant, but with perfume selling steadily, he had room to negotiate.
After placing another label order with Bertini, he headed to West Street.
“Elma, I’d like to request flower harvesting.
Specifically rosemary and water lily.”
A woman peeked out from behind the counter.
“Oh, you’re Marta’s apprentice? I’ve heard about you.”
She stood up and pulled a botanical catalog from the shelf.
“Rosemary and water lily, huh? How much do you need? Regular supply? Or irregular?”
Elma looked to be in her mid‑twenties, wearing a green apron stained with soil.
Behind the herb shop, Yoshio could see a glass greenhouse.
She clicked her abacus.
◆ A New Step Forward
That evening, Marta once again asked Yoshio about his reply to Rina.
Sitting deep in her chair, she said:
“Now then. About the wholesale offer—if we don’t send a reply soon, it’ll be rude.
What do you want to do?”
With four varieties completed, Yoshio finally had products he could proudly present.
But his foundation was still fragile.
The choice was his.
Business waits for no one.
Yoshio decided to accept the offer.
Marta smiled faintly.
“Good eyes. You remind me of myself when I was young.”
“I’ll write the reply.
You start mass‑producing the new perfumes.
We need a decent stock before Rina arrives, or it won’t look professional.”
That night, Yoshio began working in earnest.
Ten bottles of each of the four perfumes—forty in total.
This was the minimum lot he wanted to show Rina.
He could only make about five bottles per night, so it would take eight days of work.
During that time, he continued selling the regular lavenderna perfume.
His regular female customers came every morning without fail—some even said their day couldn’t begin until they saw Yoshio’s face.
On the evening of the eighth day, he finished labeling the final two bottles.
Forty‑two bottles in total.
Small perfume bottles lined the desk from end to end.
Bathed in the morning light, the sight was magnificent.
He also delivered a sample bottle to Elma.
He named the perfumes:
Rosemary Clear
Water Lily White
Lavenderna Blue
Lavenderna Rose
Lavenderna Water Lily
Each perfume now had its own name.
And the label read:
Blender: Aizaki Yoshio
◆ Rina Trading Company
The next morning, while Yoshio was having breakfast on the first floor of the inn, an unfamiliar carriage stopped outside on the street.
“That’s a carriage I haven’t seen before.”
It was finely crafted, with the emblem of a trading company engraved on its side.
The coachman opened the door, and a thin man in his mid‑thirties stepped out.
He wore a well‑tailored navy coat and carried a silver pocket watch—clearly a merchant.
A single attendant followed behind him, carrying luggage.
The man looked around, spotted the inn’s sign, and walked straight inside.
He climbed the stairs, saw Yoshio in the dining hall, and stopped with a polished merchant’s smile.
He extended his right hand.
“Pleasure to meet you. I’m Rina of Rina Trading Company.
Are you Aizaki Yoshio? I’ve come with a letter from Marta.”
He had arrived two days earlier than expected.
Perhaps the letter had no date, or perhaps Rina was simply impatient.
Either way, a major business partner now stood before him.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Aizaki. The perfumes are ready—please wait a moment.”
Yoshio went upstairs and brought down forty bottles for Rina to inspect.
Rina held each bottle up to the light, checking the color and scent.
“Oh… four varieties. And all of them are high quality.
I like that the label includes your name and the title ‘Blender.’ It shows the craftsman behind the product.”
His eyes sharpened with each bottle he examined.
He wasn’t leading a trading company for nothing—he checked bubbles, clarity, and scent with meticulous care.
After placing down the last bottle:
“I’ll be direct. I want to purchase all four varieties.
Twenty bottles each—eighty total.
In my town, we can sell two hundred bottles a month.”
“For price, how about 600G per bottle?
Frankly, that’s cheap for this quality.”
Six hundred G—higher than Yoshio’s usual retail price of 500G.
It was gratifying to be valued so highly.
At that rate, monthly sales would reach 120,000G.
Rina mentioned he could sell them for over 1000G each in his own town.
Rina took a contract from his bag.
“And one more thing.
Next month, I plan to hold a perfume fair in my town.
Would you like to participate?”
Yoshio agreed to the contract and to joining the event.
He would cover the participation fee, and during the event, his perfumes would be sold at Rina’s store.
“I’d like to confirm—when will the perfume event take place?
I need to adjust my inventory accordingly.”
Rina signed the contract as he answered:
“Three weeks from now.
Three days at the central market of Acuria, the port town.
On the first day, we distribute samples.
Sales begin in earnest on the second day.”
Three weeks—enough time, but not enough to relax.
At five bottles per day, he needed every moment.
Elma’s flower supply would be stabilizing around then, so the timing wasn’t bad.
If he missed this opportunity, the next big business chance might be far off.
Rina paused his writing.
“As for inventory, if you arrive the day before, you can use my warehouse.
I’ll also arrange lodging.
Travel and accommodation costs are on us.”
“And I’d like you to stand at the booth during the event.
Having the craftsman present makes a huge difference in customer interest.”
That meant Yoshio would stay in Acuria during the event.
Leaving town was nerve‑racking, but the business opportunity was enormous.
He reviewed the contract terms, signed, and exchanged signatures with Rina.
“Understood. I’ve signed.
If the people of your town enjoy my perfumes, nothing would make me happier.
I look forward to working with you.”
They shook hands.
“Likewise. I expect great things from you.”
Rina boarded his carriage and departed with his attendant.
When the hoofbeats faded, quiet returned to the inn’s dining hall.
Yoshio was left with a copy of the contract—and three weeks of intense planning.
First priority was clear:
Finish the eighty bottles for shipment by next week.
At the same time, he needed inventory for the event.
Eighty bottles wouldn’t be enough for three days of sales.
He needed at least 150 bottles.
That meant more than double the usual amount of essential oil.
The next day, Yoshio threw himself into work.
Morning sales, afternoon production, and nighttime coordination with Marta and Elma for flower supply.
His workload increased day by day.
Three days later, Marta approached him in the central square.
In a low voice:
“Is that story true?
You’re really going to the port town event?”
“It’s true. Tomorrow I’ll be selling perfume at the event.
I can’t handle everything alone.
I need an assistant…
Do you know anyone suitable?”
"Please let me know if there are any mistakes in the translation."