New chapter of Control Engineer is out! (2/2 chapters)

 

 

Magical Iron (4): Business Negotiation

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

Friday afternoon.

On my way back from university, I boarded the horse-drawn railway and came directly to the Royal Capital Branch of the Liones Trading Company, located in the eastern district. When I requested a meeting with Uncle Duncan, I was told he had gone to the royal palace but would return soon by four o’clock so I waited in the reception room.

It is about four o’clock now.

Geh!

I involuntarily stood up from the sofa.

A few seconds later, the door opened, and the person I had sensed entered the room, just as I had perceived.

“Leon. It has been a while, has it not?” (Henrietta)

Unusually, she smiled warmly at me.

“Yes. Kaa-sama, it has been a while. Conan-niisan as well.” (Leon)

“Oh. You look well.” (Conan)

They had come together as mother and son.

Afterward, I gave a polite nod to Duncan-oji, who entered behind them.

“Well then, please have a seat. So, did you hear that we were visiting the royal capital and came because of that?” (Henrietta)

“No, I did not hear of it. I was surprised.” (Leon)

“Oh, I see.” (Henrietta)

“Leon. It is Friday today, yet is it acceptable for you to be away from the university?” (Conan)

“Ah, Nii-san. Well, I took the qualification examination, and I was granted an exemption from the third-period course. There is no problem.” (Leon)

“Ho. It has only been three months, has it not? As expected of you, Leon. You have already obtained one of those credits, have you?” (Conan)

“Haa, well.” (Leon)

“Leon. Would it not be better to say it clearly that you have obtained eight credits?” (Duncan)

“Is that true, Branch Manager? That is impressive. At this rate, you might graduate next year, might you not?” (Conan)

Conan-niisan’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Ah, no, Conan-niisan. I merely took the easier subjects…” (Leon)

“There is no need to be so modest, is there? Right, Vice Chairwoman?” (Duncan)

Kaa-sama was not smiling.

“Praising Leon should be done when he raises achievements through what he has learned.” (Henrietta)

“K-kaa-sama!” (Conan)

“Do not misunderstand, Conan. I am certain that the day will come before long. Therefore, I do not wish for Leon to feel satisfied with something like examinations, which are merely within the range of what teachers can conceive.” (Henrietta)

“Ah, ahh. I understand well how great the Vice Chairwoman’s expectations are. Right, Conan?” (Duncan)

“Yes, Oji-san.” (Conan)

A subtle atmosphere drifted through the room.

“Be that as it may. Leon, why have you come here today?” (Henrietta)

Kaa-sama appeared perfectly calm.

“Ah, yes. I came to conduct a business negotiation with Duncan-san.” (Leon)

“Eh?” (Duncan)

Oji-san turned to Nicola-san, who was standing behind, but when she shook her head, indicating she had not heard anything, he turned back toward me.

“When you say a business negotiation?” (Duncan)

“Yes. Please wait just a moment.” (Leon)

The number is… No. 71.

≪Storage – 0071: Retrieve≫

From the bag I had placed beside me, I took out the prototype and set it on the table of the sofa set.

“An iron?” (Duncan)

“It is an iron, yes…” (Leon)

“Wait a moment that!” (Henrietta)

Kaa0sama pointed not at the iron, but at the bag.

“May I see it?” (Henrietta)

I handed over the bag, and she rummaged through the inside.

“What is the matter, Vice Chairwoman?” (Duncan)

“Hmm. It looked like magical bag, but it was not.” (Henrietta)

Her piercing gaze came flying toward me, sharp enough to immobilize.

“A magical bag?” (Conan)

Nii-san’s brows rose sharply.

“Haha, Kaa-sama’s eyes cannot be deceived.” (Leon)

I spread my hands to show everyone.

≪Storage – 0072: Retrieve≫

An ironing board appeared atop my hand.

“This is not a magic trick, is it, Leon?” (Conan)

“It is storage magic art.” (Leon)

“Haaa, I wonder if Leon is actually studying properly.” (Henrietta)

“No, Kaa-sama… Vice Chairwoman, that is amazing, is it not?” (Duncan)

“Is that so?” (Henrietta)

As always, Kaa-sama’s evaluation of magic art was low.

“Ah, I interrupted your explanation. Is this iron the item for the business negotiation?” (Henrietta)

“Yes. Ah, will Kaa-sama be the one to hear me out?” (Leon)

“Yes, Leon’s creations always have good reputations.” (Henrietta)

Kaa-sama raised her chin slightly, and Nii-san nodded.

“Until just now, I went to the royal palace. The delivery of 30 magical floodlights for theatrical use at the National Theatre has been decided.” (Conan)

“Congratulations on that.” (Leon)

That was the matter I had heard about in October. For a public project, it seemed rather fast. Perhaps the involvement of the Crown Princess had an effect.

“Haha, half of it is thanks to you, Leon.” (Conan)

“The profit corresponding to the magic stone portion will be calculated and transferred into your account according to the contract ratio.” (Henrietta)

“Yes.” (Leon)

Hmm. That may turn into a considerable income.

“To return to the topic, this is an iron equipped with a new function. I will now demonstrate it.” (Leon)

All three nodded.

“This here is a relatively thin fabric used for blouses. I will fold it. It seems to be warmed up now. It should be fine. I will press the iron.” (Leon)

After applying firm pressure, I set the iron upright. Then I spread the fabric to show everyone.

“Ah, the crease has been firmly set in.” (Conan)

“Um, among you, is there anyone who personally uses an iron?” (Leon)

Nicola-san raised her hand lightly.

“I also use one.” (Henrietta)

“Eh, Kaa-sama as well?” (Leon)

“How rude. Though I do not use it for clothing but rather for fabric in handicrafts.” (Henrietta)

I see. So, it was for her hobby rather than housework.

Of course, I did not say that aloud. Beside me, Conan-nii-san’s lips twitched faintly.

“Nicola-san. Do you think this crease can be removed?” (Leon)

“No, that would take quite some effort. The fabric is thin. In such cases, one must either soak it in water or use a spray bottle to moisten it.” (Nicola)

“Indeed. As you can see, when you use an ordinary iron in the normal way, a crease like this does not easily disappear.” (Leon)

Kaa-sama nodded in agreement.

I folded the fabric again, making another crease.

“However…” (Leon)

I touched the magic stone as if twisting it. With a shhh sound, steam began to spray out.

“Steam?” (Henrietta)

“It is steam.” (Leon)

While the steam was emitting, I applied the iron again. After a moment, I twisted in the opposite direction, and the steam ceased. Continuing to iron, I went back and forth a few times, then set the iron aside.

Lifting the fabric, I showed it to everyone.

“The crease…” (Duncan)

“Is gone. No, not completely gone, but it is evident that it has almost disappeared.” (Conan)

“Yes. Even though it had been such a firm crease.” (Duncan)

“It is not only about creases. It means that wrinkles gathered on the fabric can also be smoothed out with this. May I try it myself?” (Henrietta)

“Yes. Please be careful, as the steam is hot.” (Leon)

“I understand.” (Henrietta)

Kaa-sama took a handkerchief from her own jacket and spread it on the ironing board. She touched the magic stone of the iron as if twisting it, and steam spouted forth. Then, following exactly what I had done, she ironed the handkerchief and lifted it up.

“Hmm. The steam is coming out not from the iron itself but from the activation symbol. Hmm… This is good.” (Henrietta)

Ohh.

I also showed it to Duncan-san and Conan-niisan, and both nodded in agreement.

“Our opinions are unanimous.” (Henrietta)

“Yes.” (Leon)

“And about this patent?” (Henrietta)

“Yes. It is currently being prepared for filing. According to the research conducted at the Intellectual Property Guild, no publicly known precedent was found.” (Leon)

“Understood. Then…” (Henrietta)

The business negotiation began, and it was decided that half of the patent rights would be transferred to the Liones Trading Company, and half would remain with me. Furthermore, once the patent registration was completed, it was agreed that it would be best to collaborate with existing iron manufacturing companies, and the company would begin exploring that avenue.

 

—

 

During the discussion, tea was served. As always, the tea here was excellent.

“Um, Conan-niisan.” (Leon)

“Hmm?” (Conan)

“Being summoned by the royal palace must be a great honor. Also, I mean no disrespect, but should it not have been Tou-sama who came?” (Leon)

Tou-sama was the head of the trading company.

Since it is a matter involving the royal palace…

“Ah…” (Conan)

Nii-san made a somewhat awkward face and glanced at Tou-sama. She did not react.

“The Head… Tou-sama is a little ill.” (Conan)

“Illness!” (Leon)

“No, no, it is nothing serious.” (Conan)

“A cold.” (Henrietta)

“A cold!” (Leon)

“Until the day before our departure from Emilia, your father was scheduled to come, but he developed a fever. Therefore, Conan came in his place. Of course, a doctor was consulted, and in a few days. By now, I believe he has already recovered.” (Henrietta)

“Haa. I am glad to hear that. Ah, though perhaps not ‘glad’ in that sense.” (Leon)

“Fufufu. I shall tell him that Leon was looking healthy.” (Henrietta)

 

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