SHC59_CHAPTER 59:“Business Negotiations Come After Afternoon Tea" (Part 2)

 

C59 Chapter 59: “Business Negotiations Come After Afternoon Tea" (Part 2)

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The idea of turning a hobby into a business only really hit me just now—right after I received Maria's letter.

The proposed law had already been submitted days ago.

And the version of me that Igor-sama knows? He seems to think I’m a strong-willed artisan, particular and stubborn. To be fair, I do have my artisan moments, but I’m actually more of a pragmatist.

Igor-sama probably thought I was wary of him trying to use me as a craftsman for his own ends. On the flip side, I was on edge about a major noble possibly interfering in a business I hadn’t even started yet.

“No wonder we were talking past each other.”

“Indeed. I apologize for being so suspicious.”

“Don’t worry about it. Honestly, I should have realized—if someone like you gets this cautious, it just shows how badly the nobility has been abusing their power.”

“I mean… I’ve only heard secondhand stories…”

I’d heard some pretty unflattering tales in Professor Romanov’s lectures. They must’ve stuck in my head. He’s probably seen it firsthand. Still, just because I heard about it doesn’t mean I should assume all nobles are like that. That’s just bias. My perspective really is too narrow sometimes.

But anyway, enough self-reflection.

Igor-sama had guessed that I’d refuse to present the hair ornament because of material shortages—and came to offer help even before that noble’s request reached me.

“I figured that once you understood the intent behind the law, you’d be happy to help. Maybe even play along with some word games for fun. I guess the timing was just… unfortunate.”

“Ah… well, you did catch me in, um, that outfit… I might’ve been a little on edge. I’m sorry for that.”

“Then let’s call it even. So let me just ask straight: if I get you the materials, will you help?”

“Of course.”

There’s no reason to say no.is a golden

In fact, this opportunity. I want tsumami-zaiku (folded fabric flowers) to catch on and demand to grow. It’s perfect for that.

Besides, I’ve got other ideas I’d like to patent, so this might earn me a tiny bit of goodwill. Perhaps it could be considered a small favor.

Igor-sama must have caught wind of all the scheming going on in my head because he gave me a sly grin.

“Then it’s settled. I’ll take care of the materials. And I’ll make sure that guy lets the Emperor and Empress know about your household’s involvement—”

Ah. No. That’s not good.

If my parents find out what I can do, they’ll definitely try to exploit it. I quickly shook my head.

“Please don’t mention my family name!”

“Huh? Why not?”

“I’m… kind of estranged from my parents. If they find out I’m doing anything profitable, they’ll try to take it.”

“Wow. That’s… not exactly heartwarming. Sounds like you and that guy have something in common.”

Yikes. Please don’t lump me in with him.

Do any noble families even like each other?

If that guy is the noble’s second son, I guess his family’s just as messed up as mine.

As I was having this little moment of mutual sympathy, Igor-sama tilted his head thoughtfully.

“Then how exactly are you planning to launch this industry?”

“Well… I mean… I haven’t gotten that far yet… But I was thinking I’d start by selling some of my pieces to the nobility and then use that money to train local artisans. Maybe start a company?”

“A company, huh…”

“If we trained local talent, then as the business grew, we could hire locals for office roles too. That way, it would benefit the whole region…”

The more I talked, the more uncertain my voice became. I realized just how difficult that all sounded.

Sure, it had seemed like a great idea when it first popped into my head—but I had no business plan, no funding. What made me think it would work?

I was starting to feel embarrassed when a hand—smaller than an adult’s—gently tapped the top of my head.

I looked up. Igor-sama was smiling warmly, eyes gently narrowed.

“… I like that spirit of yours. Alright. Let’s start by choosing a name for your company. I’ll help spread the word. As for funding? I think we can handle that too.”

“Eh!? But—”

“Come on, when this idea struck you, your first thought was, ‘This is a business opportunity!’ right? If that's the case, you're ready to proceed. My divine blessing will take effect seamlessly.

Apparently, his blessing guides individuals towards opportunities, assists them in identifying them, and helps them ride the wave of fortune when it arises.

So even the reason I was inspired to turn tsumami-zaiku into a business at this moment was probably the result of the blessing he gave that second son. And the letter from Maria that mentioned the Empress—also the work of the divine guidance placed on me.

“What’s that thing called again? The Butterfly Effect? Like how a tiny flap of wings can turn into a storm on the other side of the world. From my perspective, the blessings I gave you both were nothing more than tiny flutters, but they’re starting to ripple across this country.”

“The Butterfly Effect…”

Right, it’s part of chaos theory or something—“If a butterfly flaps its wings in Brazil, it might cause a storm in Texas.”

My best friend from my past life used to say that. I thought it was just some poetic phrase they made up until I found out it was an actual academic term. Surprising, really.

Anyway… turns out “Butterfly Effect” exists in this world too?

Apparently not.

From behind me, I heard the elves whispering:

“Alyosha, do you know what ‘Butterfly Effect’ means?”

“Nope. You, Lala?”

“Never even heard of it.”

Kanade-kun, meanwhile, raised his hand and cheerfully asked, “God-sama, what does that mean?”

“Oh, um… it’s something like, ‘A butterfly flapping its wings here could cause a storm on the other side of the world.’ In short, even tiny, seemingly insignificant things can cause huge, unexpected outcomes.”

“Huh… I don’t get it, but I get that I don’t get it!”

“Good enough. It’s not a big deal. It’s a theory from another world, after all.”

…Wait, what!?

Everyone froze—except for Kanade and Regulus.

“Another world…?”

“Yup. The guy I mentioned earlier apparently has memories from a different world. While we were talking, he brought this up, and I thought, ‘Ah, so that’s what it means.’”

Unbelievable.

So he’s like me—someone with memories from a past life, or maybe someone who reincarnated whole. There really are others like me.

What world was he from?

If he knows the Butterfly Effect, maybe it’s the same one. If so, we could work together. And if he’s Japanese, and if he died around the same time as me… even better.

After some thought, I asked Rottenmeier-san to bring some curry powder from the kitchen.

While she was gone, I wrote out a standard curry recipe in both Japanese and the local language, folded the note into the shape of a blouse, and sealed it inside a sterilized glass vial.

Then I handed it to Igor-sama.

“What’s this?”

“Curry powder. The instructions are on the note. Please give it to that second son. If he really has knowledge from another world, he’ll know what to do with it.”

“Huh… alright. Consider it done.”

“And the name of the company is ‘Effet Papillon’.’” I just decided.”

“What does it mean?”

“It’s another-world language for ‘Butterfly Effect.’” Please pass that on, too.”

“Understood. Now that the deal’s sealed, I’ll go fetch the materials and pass along the message.”

“I’ll be waiting.”

With a final sip of expensive tea, Igor-sama stood, his figure beginning to blur. In a flash of light, he vanished completely.

All that remained was the still-warm teacup—proof that someone divine had just been here.

Eunie: SELL IT!! SELL THE HOLY TEACUP.🤣 ./j

 

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