The small wyverns could travel between the Village of the Great Tree and the Goroun Company’s head office in just a few days. One made the trip every week. After arriving at our office, they usually stayed for a day of rest before flying back to the village.
Rumor had it that the Village of the Great Tree was located in the heart of the Forest of Death, far beyond the Dragon's Mountain. It sounded like a tall tale, but if those creatures truly flew from such a place, then they were covering a staggering distance for us. I saw no harm in rewarding their hard work with a bit of rabbit meat.
The Goroun Company had constructed a dedicated shed for them. We had also taken care to lay the necessary groundwork throughout the city, ensuring they wouldn't cause a panic or be targeted by overzealous adventurers. Honestly, I doubted any fool would attack a small wyvern wearing such a fine, distinctive scarf, but the master of our company was nothing if not cautious.
There had been whispers of his retirement for a while, but he was currently so active that such talk had vanished. If anything, he seemed to have rejuvenated. I certainly wouldn't mind knowing his secret.
Oops, I had to hurry. The arrival of a small wyvern meant I would be summoned soon. I needed to finish feeding it its rabbit meat.
"Hahaha, were you waiting for this? Don't eat so fast, now. Slow down."
Ah... what I wouldn't give to keep one as a pet. A small wyvern of my own.
My name is Siderow. I’ve worked for the Goroun Company for sixty years. I’m a veteran of over seventy... which is really just a polite way of saying I’m an old-timer.
Just as I expected—or rather, exactly as scheduled—the summons came. It was time for the meeting. The top executives of the Goroun Company were gathering.
The participants this time included the master of the company, Chairman Michael Goroun; the Next Chairman, Marlon Goroun; the accounting manager, Tito Goroun; and the procurement manager, Randy Goroun.
In addition to those four, the room held the President's Secretary, the Domestic Distribution Manager, the Trade Business Manager, the Shipping Business Manager, the Special Foreign Affairs Manager (who handled the nobility), the Foreign Affairs Manager (for everyone else), the Production Manager, and the Company Security Manager. Finally, there was me, attending in my capacity as the Main Store Manager for the Shashato City head office.
Until recently, the Chairman had managed the store himself, but as his schedule grew more demanding, he had entrusted the role to me.
I already knew the agenda. It was about Big Roof Shashato. While the project offered little in the way of direct profit for the Goroun Company, no one in this room was blind to its strategic value. That was why everyone made a point to attend, no matter how busy they were. Well, I suspected a few were mostly there for the meal that followed... but I suppose that's a fair perk. The food was exceptional, after all.
Young Master Marlon led the proceedings.
"Thank you all for gathering on such short notice. I appreciate it. Now then, let's get straight to the point."
Marlon had been working tirelessly since being entrusted with part of the management for Big Roof Shashato. Consequently, the doubts people once had about his ability to succeed the Chairman had fallen silent.
"We have reached a decision on what to build on the south side of Big Roof Shashato."
A murmur went through the room. We had been briefed on the various suggestions exchanged in letters with the Village Head. Ideas like a Large Public Bath, an Academy, a Training Center, or even a Casino had been on the table.
If I recalled correctly, the very first proposal was an "Aquarium." I had never heard the word before and had tilted my head in confusion. Apparently, it was a facility where one lined up water tanks to display marine life. I had never seen such a thing.
The Village Head’s reasoning was that the city's proximity to the sea would make specimen collection easy. At first, I thought that because the sea was so close, people wouldn't find it particularly novel. However, our market research yielded a shocking result: the city's residents actually knew very little about fish. They understood "fish" and "shellfish" as broad categories, but they couldn't distinguish between specific types.
The Village Head’s goal was to use the displays to educate the public on which seafood was edible and which was toxic. When I learned that, I realized how brilliant it was. Many marine creatures are poisonous and highly dangerous. Because of that risk, many people avoided seafood entirely. Given that Curry Shop Maruura wanted to introduce seafood curry, this was a calculated move to build consumer confidence.
It was a profound strategy. Furthermore, if the names of specific fish became common knowledge, it would be easier for merchants like us to manage procurement and sales. We could tell fishermen exactly what we wanted. Currently, we just bought whatever they brought in, which made it difficult to secure specific ingredients. Even the fishermen were often shooting in the dark, never sure which catch would fetch a high price. This project would dismantle the current system where only a handful of veterans with specialized knowledge held any power.
And because the education was indirect, it wouldn't draw complaints from competitors. It was masterful.
The only issue was the location. Big Roof Shashato was on the north side of the city, while the sea was to the south. The Village Head had worried about the logistics, so we tested the concept with a small tank. It was a nightmare. Keeping the fish alive during transport required more than just seawater; the Village Head mentioned various systems were necessary to sustain them in a tank. I didn't quite grasp the technical details, but Young Master Marlon seemed to understand perfectly.
In the end, the Aquarium project was canceled due to transportation difficulties. However, a new plan was already moving forward to build it near the harbor instead.
So, what had they finally decided on for the south side?
"I'll say this first," Marlon said, his voice dropping an octave. "Everything discussed here is strictly confidential. You are forbidden from mentioning this to your wives, your children, or even your parents."
It was his usual warning, and no one here was foolish enough to leak trade secrets. But today, he seemed particularly intense. I suppose that was because the project was finally set. If the information leaked and we were sabotaged or copied, it would be a disaster for the company. I heard the Village Head was a generous man, but that generosity likely hinged on our continued utility. Cunning and caution were our best tools.
"On the south side of Big Roof Shashato, we will build a 'Station'."
I tilted my head. The Village Head’s ideas often left me bewildered.
"Pardon me, but what exactly is a 'Station'?"
The Production Manager, the youngest of the group, spoke up to clear the air. Marlon had clearly anticipated the question and unfurled a map of Shashato City. A large mark sat on the south side of Big Roof Shashato, with several lines radiating out from it. The lines were color-coded, tracing paths through the main thoroughfares.
"We will run horse-drawn carriages along these specific routes," Marlon explained. "The 'Station' will serve as a hub for the horses to rest, a maintenance yard for the vehicles, and a place for passengers to embark and disembark."
"Is it a freight depot?" the Trade Business Manager asked, since transport fell under his purview. "If so, we already have large depots on the east and west sides of the city."
"No. We aren't moving cargo. We're moving people."
"But we already have passenger carriages at those depots."
"Those are for long-distance travel between cities. These are for transit within the city."
"Transit within the city?"
"Exactly. Carriages will follow a fixed course on a fixed schedule. People can get on or off wherever they like. Our plan involves a circular route running every thirty minutes and round-trip routes running every hour."
"Ah, I see. That explains why the lines are drawn near major landmarks."
Indeed, the routes hit every key facility in the city. One line even passed right by our head office.
"But even with the convenience, would anyone pay to ride such a short distance?" someone asked.
That was a valid point. Carriages were comfortable, but they were expensive. They were a status symbol; some major firms wouldn't even let you in the door if you didn't arrive in one. Those who used them regularly owned their own, and everyone else just walked or hired a carriage from the guild when absolutely necessary. Would there really be a market for this?
Then came the question of the fare.
"What will it cost to ride?" Young Master Randy asked.
Marlon let the question hang in the air for a second before answering. "It will be free."
The room went deathly silent.
Free? Using carriages for free? People would certainly ride them, but how would we cover the costs? Fodder, maintenance, and drivers’ wages all cost a fortune.
Marlon smiled, having expected our shock. "We will fund it through advertising."
The term "advertising fees" was foreign to us. We looked at him blankly.
"We will mount signboards on the exterior and interior of the carriages. For example..." Marlon held up a mock-up. "'Fresh, soft bread. Marlon's Bakery. Located on North Main Street.' That sort of thing."
I saw it then. Publicity. Until now, signs were static—nailed to a shop or painted on a wall. But these would move. The signs on the outside would catch the eyes of everyone on the street, especially when the carriage was stopped. The signs on the inside would have a captive audience of passengers.
"For the initial phase, the Goroun Company and Curry Shop Maruura will occupy the slots. But once other businesses see the results, they’ll be clamoring to pay us for the space."
I nodded. It was a brilliant revenue model. No one in the room disagreed.
But then, the true scale of the plan hit me. If free carriages moved through the city, people would start traveling to areas they previously avoided because of the walk. The flow of people would shift entirely. More importantly, the value of land would change. Property along the carriage routes would skyrocket, while land elsewhere would stagnate.
It was a staggering realization. This wasn't just a transport project; it was a plan to reshape the city itself. The others were coming to the same conclusion.
"As I said at the start," Marlon continued, "this is top secret. While these routes are the initial draft, the Village Head has given the Goroun Company full authority over all future changes, additions, or removals of the lines. Our only requirement is that the hub remains at the south side of Big Roof Shashato."
In other words, we controlled the routes. We held the power to decide which neighborhoods thrived and which withered. We held the city's heartbeat in our hands. This was a fortune far greater than any simple gold transaction. We were already a dominant power, but this would make us untouchable.
It was terrifying. And brilliant. Who could have come up with such a thing? Not Marlon, and likely not even the Chairman. The Goroun Company would execute the plan, but Big Roof Shashato would reap the rewards of becoming the city's central hub.
The Domestic Distribution Manager spoke up, his voice filled with awe. "Did the Village Head really come up with this? I heard he was only in the city for a few days... This is incredible. He truly is the God of Commerce."
I made a mental note to make an offering at the church later.
The meeting transitioned into the practicalities. We needed to secure more land near the south side of Big Roof Shashato before people caught on. We needed drivers, horses, and carriages. We needed to buy up property along the proposed routes, but quietly, so as not to provoke the Magistrate or our competitors.
"The Magistrate has given us a general 'go-ahead,' but he's a sharp man. He might have already realized the implications," someone noted.
"Then we'll have to ensure he gets his share of the benefits," the Chairman added. "But he dislikes blatant bribery. We'll have to be subtle—perhaps some high-end art from the western lands."
The discussion turned toward the long-term. This "Station" system was a gold mine. Once it proved successful in Shashato, others would try to copy it. We needed to decide how far to expand.
"If we try this in other cities, the local nobility might just seize the system for themselves," one manager warned. "In Shashato, the Village Head’s influence protects us, but elsewhere..."
"We should prioritize cities where we have strong ties to the local lords," another suggested.
"And for the cities we can't control, we can sell the 'know-how' to build goodwill. But we shouldn't offer it for free. Let them come to us and beg for it first."
"I agree."
"Now, the most important question," Marlon said. "What about the Royal Capital?"
The Chairman and Marlon shared a look and shook their heads in unison. It was a perfect father-son synchronization. Apparently, the Capital was too much of a hornet's nest for now.
Once the meeting concluded, a magnificent meal was served. Like everything else lately, the recipes were connected to the Village Head. Even as the store manager, I frequently ate with the Chairman, but I never grew tired of the food. In fact, it seemed to get better every time. The Village Head apparently wanted to make these flavors available to everyone. It was a grand vision, but after seeing his plans for the city, I didn't doubt him for a second.
"Store Manager Siderow. A word?"
The Chairman was calling me. "Yes, sir?"
"Regarding your proposal for breeding and rearing small wyverns... it's been approved."
I felt a surge of joy. Finally! I could spend more time with—no, I mean, the increased communication speed would be a massive boon for the company's operations.
"An expert on the subject will be arriving shortly. I’m putting you in charge of hosting them."
"Understood, sir. I’ll make sure everything is ready. Is there anything specific I should prepare?"
"The current shed should suffice for the start. However... this individual is very high-ranking. Please ensure there are absolutely no discourtesies."
"You can count on me, sir."
The Chairman’s posture relaxed, and his formal mask slipped. "Father-in-law... are you sure you can handle this?"
Michael Goroun. He was the Chairman, but he was also my daughter's husband.
"What are you worried about, Michael? I might be an old man now, but in my prime, I never blinked when negotiating with royalty."
"I know, I know. That's why I'm telling you this now—because I don't want you to be blindsided later. The 'expert' coming is the Gate Guardian Dragon."
I froze. "...What?"
"Apparently, he’s curious about Curry Shop Maruura. He's coming to Shashato to 'inspect' the shop and agreed to teach us about wyverns while he's here. He’s quite shy around crowds, so try not to take him anywhere too busy. Oh, and Lord Gucci will be with him. If you get into trouble, talk to Gucci."
"W-Wait just a minute, son-in-law!"
"It'll be fine! He’ll be in human form! It's just like hosting a normal royal!"
"It is not fine! It's nothing like hosting a royal! And what do you mean 'normal royal'? Being a royal makes them anything but normal!"
"I'm counting on you, Father-in-law! I'll be there for the first day to help!"
"Michael! Come back here!"
The Goroun Company was going to be very busy today.
I, Siderow, had spent thirty years at the company dreaming of one day managing a small branch. Then, the young master—Michael—fell in love with my daughter and married her. I was suddenly family, but I didn't want to be a burden, so I took a post in the countryside. I was only recently called back to manage the head office. I thought it was an honorary role to ease me into retirement, but it has turned out to be the most grueling work of my life.