Chapter 298. Completion of trade ships (6) It has been one month since full-fledged intercontinental trade began.
After the first voyage, the ship loaded with goods returned home.
On that day, the port was said to be a chaos itself, with merchants and spectators looking at the goods they loaded and unloading.
You did well not to go.
And I was receiving a report from the Sangho branch.
In front of me, the current branch manager, Jelsen, is laying down and reporting.
“Hmm so. Are these the things you brought in this time?”
“That's right! hey! To think that all the ships that went out on a voyage returned safely. The performance of the ship developed by Mr. Arell is truly amazing.”
He displayed the samples of the goods he had brought in and said proudly and excitedly.
“Indeed, this means that Arel-nim's eyes are recognized even beyond the continent.”
“It’s become a useless rhetoric.
Mmm.”
I picked up a cloth bag that was smooth to the touch.
Unlike other fabrics, it feels very smooth to the touch.
“What is silk?”
It's just silk.
“Oh oh! Did you know? Also, Arell. He is knowledgeable and savvy...
That's why he said it was useless praise.
It's silk... I never thought this would be one of the first trade items brought in.
It is from the eastern continent.
Basically, there are two major trade routes that have been identified at the present time.
East and South Seas.
There are paths that go in two directions.
If you go east, it seems to arrive at the eastern continent, and if you go south, you arrive at the continent located in the south.
I opened the map and checked the location of each continent.
“...First of all, the continent we live on is here. Did I mention there are three other continents across the sea?”
“Yes, it is known that it is.”
Zelsen nodded.
First of all, since he is a merchant working in the port branch, he seems to know some basic geography.
“It is said that it was discovered 150 years ago by a merchant and adventurer named Sepelken of the Kingdom of Felsen, who was famous for his exploration.”
Of course, in this day and age, there is no definitive map of the world.
First of all, there is a map of the continent where the countries including the Ernesian kingdom and the Merman Empire where we live are located to some extent.
However, the location and appearance of continents that exist across the sea are still painted black except for some ports.
It is an age of exploration and pioneering.
It's really the era of the sea!
But the reality is different.
“But this hasn’t progressed at all since 150 years ago, right?”
The problem is that the world map I'm looking at now hasn't been updated at all from 150 years ago.
Originally, in this era, brave people who dream of exploration should roll up their sleeves.
The reality is that it's not so rosy.
“Is it difficult to explore across the sea?”
“Isn’t it? With conventional navigation techniques, it is almost impossible to reach it unless it is a route that has already been pioneered, unless it is a miracle.”
Jensel said this with a wry smile.
Currently, the continent we live in does not have a land route that connects to other continents.
Therefore, there is no answer to intercontinental trade unless it is through the sea unconditionally.
First of all, common sense is known.
Even the only available route was 150 years ago. It was possible because an adventurer from a merchant risked his life to uncover it.
And that was not possible, so I had to confirm the existence of the continent and return home.
“Yes, and his descendant Geothal used that route to trade.”
“. Ancestors and descendants are completely different.”
Is it true that there is no descendant of the same ancestor?
When I was so sarcastic, Jelsen made a strange face.
“How about that…
” “Huh?”
“Actually, I heard from the former owner of the store, but her ancestors also said that the first opportunity was for business.”
okay?”
“Well, in the end, since the pioneering was successful, it seemed to have changed to making a name for itself by wrapping it up like this. That will be publicity.”
The story behind the adventurer that many young people long for is extremely dirty and realistic.
Well, the conclusion is, first of all, let's be satisfied with the fact that the first trade ended safely.
The boat came back intact.
Sailors said that it was the first time they had such a comfortable voyage, and even though they had been there on their own, they said they couldn't believe it.
Tonight, it is said that they plan to hold a drinking party to commemorate their safe return.
Well, first of all, should I send you a moderately good drink to celebrate?
There are also new products that we have just started developing.
I don't have that kind of humanity.
But now I have something else to worry about.
“The problem is the trade goods... I stroked the silk and scanned the other trade goods with my eyes.
Hmm.... This is not a bit.
Did you notice that my eyes are a little uncomfortable?
Jelsen asked, looking a little uneasy.
“Arel-nim, are there any problems with the trade goods?”
“No, that's not it. Obviously, these are things that other ordinary nobles would like.”
Items brought in from the East would certainly be able to become fashionable among nobles if they were modified to some extent.
The crops brought in from the south must also be valuable as a favorite item.
but.
It's not that I'm sulky.
‘I can't see the angle of the cola tree at this rate.'
According to the report of the merchant who negotiated with the trading country of the continent, these are all items that can be traded immediately.
That means they don't have anything more than this.
The bottom line is to find the luxury items I want... or to broaden my repertoire beyond that.
‘I have to find another route.'
The size of that continent is still unknown, but there is no way there could be just one country.
That said, it is natural that there will be encounters with other countries, new products, if you return by a different route.
The problem is that it's not that simple.
‘Originally, explorers have to work hard to find it...
but that's difficult here.
With the existing navigation techniques, it is almost impossible to open new routes unless you are truly born by monsters, pirates, and wild currents.
“Hey Zelsen.”
“yep!”
I put my chin on my chin and pondered for a while, and when I called, Zelsen, who had been waiting quietly, trembled and answered.
“Do you think it will be possible to explore new routes?”
“…Do you want to open up a new trading port?”
“Yeah, I guess I need to.”
It takes too long to wait for the kola tree to come in like this.
Human life span is short.
So, if you want to find it, you have no choice but to actively pioneer it in the end.
It's east. I don't care much right now.
Looking at the silk and other items, I have a rough idea of what they might contain.
Aim south.
It is a continent in the south!
When I asked if I could, Jelsen seriously bowed her head and began to examine.
“…In principle, I have no choice but to answer that it is impossible. With that iron wire, it would be possible.”
“I guess so.”
The reason I dared to develop that ship of steel was to use it for that purpose.
However, there is one major difficulty with this method.
Knowing that, Zelsen also answered, but his face was shadowed.
Because I can't give you the answer I'm looking for.
“The question is, who is exploring? Who the hell would risk their lives to go out over that sea?”
Like the explorers who were active 150 years ago, unless they are motivated by either greed for money or knowledge, they will not dare to venture out to sea.
You have to risk your life.
It is impossible without such a spirit that it is okay to die.
Even if it is possible to sail safely with my ship and the equipment I developed, there is a possibility.
If you don't have that kind of determination, you can't make it work.
‘This is the only thing I can't force... Chit...
It's different from other jobs.
No matter how much I do, I can't put someone into a world where they might die for my own greed.
No matter how much I was, I didn't abandon my humanity enough to eat something stained with someone's blood.
You can work overtime.
But don't kill it.
There's a saying that true leaders make their subordinates happy, but don't kill or save in a hurry.
who did it
grow.
“If things don’t go well, there is a way to push things forward. Shall we find out at our company?”
“....hmm. no don't do that Once this is put on hold It won't be solved by force.”
I begged him not to.
If I don't say it firmly, I'll do useless things if I move as I notice.
Even if you do stupid things, I'll do it, so don't be too intrusive.
Even if you poop, I poop!
“Let's keep things related to exploration a secret between us.”
“All right.”
Jelsen, who was not unaware of the importance of secrecy, nodded several times in response.
“So, Seina?”
“yes! What is it?”
I looked at Seina, who was in charge of the escort today, in the returning carriage and seriously asked.
“If we went on a long-distance expedition by boat, wouldn’t you stop it?”
Shall we go on a group exploration trip?
Are you going to explore the unknown amicably?
I asked half-jokingly.
The conversation I had with Zelsen earlier had been on my mind.
You can't force someone to limb, so if that doesn't work, shouldn't I do some exploring myself?
Arell's adventure begins now.
I seriously wanted to consider changing my class from a lord to an explorer.
“No.”
Seina said firmly.
“I don’t know about anything else, but I sincerely discourage you from sailing on a boat. This is Asha, Dia, and anyone else will say the same thing. I vouch for it.”
Even Seina, who usually spoke softly, spoke her opinion firmly and coolly, befitting an older sister-in-law.
Actually, I expected it.
“Is it really that dangerous?”
In fact, if I go, it will be a completely comfortable and safe trip, but those who don't know will desperately stop it.
To that extent, sailing is an adventure that cannot be accomplished without risking one's life.
“Even if it is not a boat, long-distance travel is not easy. People around my grandfather's age almost died several times before settling in Ernesia Kingdom. And I heard that many of my fellow tribesmen were also sacrificed. It's not really dangerous.”
“yes.”
I understand.
Seina's grandfather was right.
Traveling is enjoyable, and it happens only in modern civilizations where there is some degree of security and development.
Traveling here is no play.
It's a life-and-death battle.
“Well, I'm not serious either.
Why would I do such a difficult and troublesome thing in the first place?”
“ah? Well, I don't think Arel-sama wouldn't do that.”
“right? Why would you leave your house behind?”
There’s no way I can leave when the second city division will be completed soon, right?
I already had a lot of adventures in the distant past.
The spirit as a burning frontier no longer exists for me.
The glory of pioneering will be handed over to others.
“Come to think of it, it's an adventure. Doesn’t Arel-sama have a place to go even if that’s not the case?”
Seina smirked and said something.
“huh?”
“Shouldn’t we go on a honeymoon with Pena-sama soon?”
Did he just say that as a joke?
This guy from the old days! It's still a long way?
Haven't even announced it yet.
Come to think of it, I have to think about that too.
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