What if something happened to your business in the modern world? There were laws to protect you. But what about this medieval fantasy world? Only fists mattered.
As Liser walked into the building, he saw a shop with items arranged around glass tables. From magic tools to various household goods, everything was displayed neatly. He scanned the surroundings and noticed a few customers here and there.
In the middle section he saw soap, shampoo, and many other washing products.
Damn… was this Rozia a soap maker in her past life? Liser thought inwardly.
He also saw fine salt and wines arranged neatly inside cabinets.
After observing the shop, he could only say one thing.
Too old-fashioned.
Still, he didn't care much. His investment was Rozia, not this shop.
They went upstairs to a relatively modest office. Liser took a seat first, and the others followed. Looking impatient, he asked,
"What happened? What's the matter with Rozia?"
Looking at Liser's cold gaze, which didn't belong to someone his age, Sliver wondered if this was something all upper nobles possessed.
"Your Highness, there are rumors circulating."
Liser's eyes flashed coldly.
"Oh? What rumor is this?"
"Your Highness, people are saying our products are poison. They claim our goods are made with wicked magic and other nonsense. Fine salt and wine sales are still stable, but the washing product sales have dropped significantly."
Sliver reported the truth of the situation.
Liser scoffed.
This old trick of slandering rumors. He had seen it all before.
"Don't worry. Now that I'm here, this won't be a problem anymore."
Seeing Liser's confident demeanor, Sliver felt somewhat relieved. This problem had been giving him a headache, but now that the Fourth Prince was involved, it might finally be solved.
As they continued their conversation, the door was knocked twice. After confirming, Sliver allowed the person to enter.
It was Rozia.
"Your Highness, sorry for being late."
Rozia bowed apologetically. Seeing her slightly breathless state, Liser waved his hand and gestured for her to sit.
After she sat down, the discussion continued.
"Your Highness, you may have already been informed of the situation. Let me give you a brief account."
Rozia explained the story.
The Commerce Guild, which controlled the sale of various products and alcohols , had been hit. Especially alcohol, which had been their main product.
After Rozia launched several versions of refined alcohol, she captured both the high-end and mid-level markets. The most lucrative part of the market had been lost to her.
Hearing this, Liser fell into thought.
This was a world of magic, but there was no internet. The only reliable way to spread rumors was through gossip.
"What should we do? This is clearly a matter of influence," Rozia said with a troubled expression.
After a brief silence, Liser spoke.
"No worries. I have a way."
He then told them about the plan.
Upon hearing it, Rozia became ecstatic.
"How did I not think of this?"
Sliver, however, looked doubtful.
"Will this really work, Your Highness?"
Seeing Sliver's concern, Rozia said excitedly,
"Of course it will work. It's a cunning strategy. Let them see what true business is."
She grinned.
Some Days Later — A
Inside a building on the second floor, a fat burly man sat with a sales report. His face was full of joy.
"Hahaha!"
A shrill laugh echoed through the room.
"Hmph. Those kids only got this far with that much force. Yet they showed such arrogance. I expected better."
On the report were the numbers showing Boba Trading Company's new product sales plummeting.
The men beside him spoke in unison.
"The master is wise. Those damn kids and that bastard Sliver won't be able to hold on much longer. Soon they'll come kneeling before us."
Greedy smiles appeared on their faces.
These were minor businessmen gathered by the Commerce Guild Master. Together they had planned this vicious scheme to seize Rozia's profitable business.
One of the men snorted.
"We even gave them a chance and offered rewards. That ungrateful bitch didn't even flinch and dared to speak back."
"They can go crying to the town's disciplinary guard if they want."
The men laughed loudly.
The Guild Master waved his hand casually.
"No problem. Viscount Orlond is backing us. Even if there's a complaint, the law will ignore it."
Everyone burst into laughter again.
But in the corner of the room, several businessmen's eyes flickered with cunning light.
"All of you will get your share. Don't worry," the Guild Master said confidently.
In a Tavern in the Upper Commoner District
"Hey, have you heard about the recent incident with Boba products?"
A fox beastman leaned toward a wolf beastman.
The wolf man chugged his beer and replied,
"What about them? People say their products are made with witchcraft and might poison you."
The fox man leaned forward.
"No, no. The new news. They're releasing some kind of campaign. If you buy Boba products, you might win ten gold yuns."
Pfft!
The wolf man spat a mouthful of wine directly onto the fox man's face.
The fox man stared silently.
Control yourself… it's all for the money.
"Sorry… but what you said can't be true, right?"
"It is true. The old Rukas family bought new clothes for their kids. Only one person will win the big reward. The event lasts two weeks."
The wolf man looked tempted. But remembering the rumors, he hesitated.
"But aren't the products poisonous?"
The fox man laughed.
"My friend, you truly don't know. Baron Alnove praised their wine during his eldest son's birthday. He even said his family uses Boba products."
Hearing that, the last doubt in the wolf man's heart vanished.
If nobles were using it, what reason did commoners have to worry?
And with rewards involved, the temptation was too strong.
After finishing his drink, he hurried to Boba Trading Shop.
A long line of customers stretched outside.
"I won! I won!"
The wolf man asked a passerby,
"What happened inside?"
"The man just won five ling of meat."
(1 ling = 0.5 kg)
The wolf man was shocked and quickly joined the line.
Meanwhile, the fox man found another customer and repeated the same story.
Temptation spread quickly.
This happened across taverns throughout the capital of Jiran, while a deeper scheme was quietly being set in motion inside the Commerce Guild.