Someday Will I Be The Greatest Alchemist?

The day after rescheduling, I came back to the Lodge.

I guided Lord Simon and the others to the bowling alley and explained how the game works.

After that, I explained the other games in the game room aside from mahjong. It looks like these men had only played mahjong from the moment they got here until now.

Then in the conference room of the Lodge, I had a business meeting with Lord Simon, Margrave Volton, and Earl Rockford.

Incidentally, Earl Packard went to my mansion to meet with Elizabeth and Charlotte.

「Regarding the bowling alley, I have nothing to say as it is nearing completion in Volton.」

「Would a bowling alley be impossible for the Rockford Earldom? We do not have much land left. Well, it could be made in the castle, but only we would be able to play.」

「The Royal Capital most certainly has no space to build a bowling alley. However, it might be possible to build it at a private estate in the nobles district. I shall confer with His Majesty at the Royal Castle.」

The bowling alley in Volton was almost complete, so there was no remarks from Margrave Volton. Earl Rockford spoke about how it really must have been impossible with their space issue, and Lord Simon might possibly make a request of certain nobles, but he must first consult with His Majesty.

I must also make a lot of bowling balls and pins for the bowling alleys, so I was so glad that I didn’t have to make it here and there.

「Next up is table tennis. It would be perfect for commoners’ amusement as its instruments were simple. It would be interesting to construct a building exclusively for it in the recently enlarge land.」

「If it’s table tennis then it might be viable as it could be played in a room that isn’t too spacious. I’d like you to sell me a few for a trial run.」

「Fumu, it may spread among the commoners even in the Royal Capital if it’s table tennis.」

Table tennis had earned favorable impressions from Margrave Volton, Earl Rockford, and Lord Simon respectively.

「Billiards and darts, was it? Those are great to play while drinking.」

「Yeah, you’re right. Those are adult games. It would be fun to bring those out at a store that sells liquor, wouldn’t it?」

「Right. That would be coveted in bars.」

Billiards and darts were also looked upon favorably.

「Playing cards look just as interesting as mahjong. Black jack and power, huh. It seems like it would be nice to gamble with.」

「It seems like there are games that even children can play, and adults could ruin themselves with gambling.」

「The paintings are marvelous, and multiple games could be played with just one deck.」

From gambling games like poker and blackjack, to happy games like sevens, tycoon, concentration, and old maid, with just one deck, so many games could be played.

「There it is, the clincher, mahjong. This can be enjoyed casually and doesn’t take that much space. Let’s sell this.」

「Yup, the scoring combinations and points are a bit complicated, but these just need to be memorized. It is genuinely fun.」

「Indeed. Let’s sell a huge amount in the Royal Capital. It would be interesting to divide it as for commoners’ and for nobles’ use.」

These three had played mahjong all night, so I knew they were in hook, line and sinker.

It was then that I forgot to ask something important.

「Umm, would it be alright to sell these by way of the Papeck Company like always?」

「About that. Bowling is already being spearheaded by the Papeck Company. That sugoroku game thing, wasn’t it being sold by Earl Rockford’s company? Since we’re discussing it, why don’t you launch your own company at the Royal Capital, Iruma-dono?」

「Eh? A company?」

The words that came from Lord Simon left me dumbfounded.

「I also talked to Papeck about this. It is of no exaggeration to say that the Papeck Company has built up its business as the largest company in the Kingdomー no, in the continent. As such, it has been amassing more and more jealousy.」

「Well, how to say this. In a situation where the Papeck Company takes all, to put it concisely, the other companies affiliated with nobles have been interfering with them. Now, if the inventor Iruma-dono were to establish his own company, no one would complain.」

「Umm, rather, wouldn’t it be better if I just stopped selling?」

「「「Don’t be absurd!」」」

「Hih!」

It was already troublesome, so I thought it would be better if I just stop selling, but that earned me some really terrifying looks.

「Let’s open up a shop at the capital, and you can place samples of billiards, darts, and table tennis there. Playing cards and mahjong will positively sell, as such, you must arrange large quantities beforehand.」

「That’s right. My territory will also want a decent amount of playing card decks and mahjong sets.」

「Indeed. You may leave the selection of the store’s location to me.」

「U-um, has it been decided that I would establish a company?」

「「「Of course.」」」

「………………」

I’m supposed to be an artisan though……

「You need not fret. Iruma-dono, as long as you are able to deliver the product, the management of the shop could be left to someone else.」

「……that would increase my workload even more though.」

It looks like I have to change jobs to a merchant.

***