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“Word has spread about the glass pens, and we’ve been approached not only by influential nobles but by all sorts of wealthy individuals as well. They’re desperate to get their hands on these writing instruments—as beautiful as jewels, yet rarer than any gem.”

Hearing this from Khalil, the Head of Trade and Distribution, with a cheerful smile, Ekaterina made a fist pump in her mind, thinking, “Yes!”

.

After finishing her conversation with Graham, Ekaterina returned to her room, took off her travel clothes, changed into something more comfortable—though still within the bounds of a duchess’s dignity—and rested for a while.
Then, she visited Aleksei’s office and made the following request.

“Everyone, please call it a day and rest up from your travels. I have something I’d like to discuss with Lord Khalil. Please rest while I speak with him. Overworking is bad for your health.”

Since Ekaterina was always worried about people working too hard, Aleksei and the others gave a wry smile.
“Since the urgent reports are finished, let’s do as you wish,” Aleksei said, and Ekaterina rejoiced inwardly that her timing had been spot on.

And so, the conversation at the beginning of this chapter began.

“What kind of wealthy people are you referring to, aside from the influential nobility?”
“As for our clients this time, first and foremost are high-ranking priests from popular temples. The High Priest of the Temple of the Sun, for example, was the very first to reach out to us.”

I see. The Sun Temple, where my brother took me during our tour of the imperial capital—they really did seem to have a ton of money.
Unlike the gods of the Mountain Temple in Jurnova, the Sun God rarely descends upon the temple. Because of that, the priests seem to do pretty much as they please. The Temple of the Sun gave the impression of being a tourist attraction, an art museum—or rather, a theme park.

“The High Priest has a real eye for beauty. He’s also a patron of many artists. It’s said that the Temple of Music is the patron of musicians, while the Temple of the Sun is the patron of painters and sculptors.”
“Come to think of it, I heard they were creating a massive mural that boldly uses the Celestial Azure as a pigment.”

When I think of the High Priest of the Sun Temple, I picture a white-haired, white-bearded old man who looks exactly like a fantasy priest—but so he has that side to him, too?
Even though he already has a mountain of World Heritage-level artworks, like the sculptures from the Astra Empire era that my brother and I got to see—which are over a thousand years old—he’s still commissioning new ones. It’s amazing. He’s just like the Pope who commissioned Michelangelo to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.

He must be spending a fortune, but if he can create a treasure for humanity like that “Creation of the World” ceiling painting, tourists from all over the world will keep flocking here for centuries to come, so he’ll more than recoup his investment. Even if not, he’s raising the artistic standards of the empire, so you can’t exactly call it a waste of money. Updating attractions is a necessary investment for a theme park to draw in visitors.

Oh, maybe after seeing Lev’s work, they’ll become fans and even take him on as a patron.

“He did also mention that he wanted to meet with the beautiful Duke Siblings as well.”

Wait a sec…
No, no, that’s not—just as I was about to say that, the corporate slave inside Ekaterina kicked in. She said with a straight face:

“Lord Khalil. I don’t think we should take up Brother’s time, but if it were me… might I be of some use by attending negotiations for major deals or the like?”

I never did sales in my past life, but as a working professional, I’ll manage to handle some entertainment duties!
When the young lady volunteered to handle the entertainment, Khalil shook his head, looking flustered—a rare sight for him.

“I can’t possibly ask you to do so, milady. The High Priest merely said he’d like to show you his art collection…”

However, Khalil cut himself off and, like Ekaterina, adopted a serious expression.

“…But if you are interested in the High Priest’s collection, I would be honored to arrange a viewing for you. I will accompany you myself.”
“Of course, that would be lovely.”

You can’t resist your merchant’s instincts, can you, Khalil…?
Having Khalil with me puts my mind at ease, and to secure that big project for the Temple of the Sun, I’ll praise that grandpa’s collection with a smile that’s the best I can muster!

Khalil cleared his throat.

“Let’s get back to the topic at hand. Speaking of the wealthy, there are also the merchants from the major trading houses. However, while they certainly have their own desire for ownership, it seems they’re here to assess the goods with the aim of handling them themselves as merchandise.”
“That is…”

Ekatarina’s eyes widened at those unexpected words.
Ugh…I’m not sure I want the pens to enter the market like that. We still can’t produce enough, and it doesn’t seem like there’d be any benefit other than those merchants taking the middleman’s cut. Support from our commercial division will be more than enough.

Khalil smiled.

“As things stand, there’s no need to ask them to handle our products. However, once the artisans at the Murano workshop—other than Lev—have mastered the glass pen-making process and our production system is in place, I think it would be wise to consider marketing them to royalty and nobility in other countries. Major trading houses all have their own connections in various countries. If they can help us sell to royal courts in countries where Jurnova has no existing sales channels, it might be worth considering a partnership.”
“So that’s how it is…!”

I see!
Currently, glass pens are positioned as luxury writing instruments for the elite, with prices set at astronomical levels. It’s unclear how many customers are willing to pay that price for a writing instrument… There’s no doubt we should target not only domestic customers but also celebrities in other countries.
However, when it comes to royal families and palaces, in most countries, the royal purveyor likely has a firm grip on the market. Considering the effort and cost of breaking into that market, it would actually be more reasonable to go through a trading company that already has established channels, even if it means paying a middleman’s commission.
So that’s it!

“As expected of you, Lord Khalil!”

Her eyes sparkling, Ekaterina exclaimed in a cheerful voice.

“It never occurred to me that each trading company would have its own distribution channels. I had simply assumed we’d eventually have to switch to a cheaper version of the glass pen… I’d like to ask the members of the trading companies to serve as our experts and build a relationship with them in preparation for the day to come. I’ve learned so much!”
“…That is an honor. However, I am always amazed by your insight, Lady Ekaterina. I am once again deeply impressed.”

After a wry smile, Khalil composed his expression.

“Lev is a wonderful craftsman. Upon hearing the request from His Imperial Majesty’s envoy, he immediately grasped a concrete vision. And he works quickly. He was eager to show Her Majesty the Empress the glass pen as soon as you returned, my lady.”
“Oh my! Yes, Lev is truly an exceptional craftsman. I’m sure he’s made something wonderful!”

Just as I expected from Lev!
I’m so excited to see your new creation!