MTLNOVEL Chapter 186
Chapter 186. The Bumpy Family And The Swindler’s Technique
The luxurious mansion of Dodol Messara, Mayor of Hanshon.
It’s an opulent residence, far too grand for someone with the title of mayor.
The word “extravagant” suits it perfectly.
Above all, the mansion isn’t even located in Hanshon Village but in the city-state of Sevites.
Even the title of “Mayor” feels misplaced. Currently, Hanshon Village should be busy recovering from the Goblin Hazard.
So why is this Mayor living in another town?
I smiled warmly and proposed an idea to Dodol.
“Mayor Messara, I would like you to purchase these 300 national-treasure-class vanity mirrors and allocate the profits to the restoration of Hanshon Village.”
“Ah… I see.”
By emphasizing his honorary position as Mayor, I made it impossible for him to back out of the deal. No, this isn’t even a deal anymore. This is a fundraising strategy for the restoration efforts.
And as a merchant, I can highlight the benefits to him without reservation.
If this were an ordinary business negotiation, emphasizing the other party’s profit would be unthinkable. Normally, it would be nothing short of a scam.
Normally, that is.
“How about it? That’s why I propose this as a bulk transaction.”
“Well… hmm…”
The face of the Mayor transformed this negotiation into something entirely different, though he remained oblivious.
“If you make a decision today, I’ll reduce the price to a mere 3.5 million per mirror, though it pains me greatly.”
“W-What?”
“Look at this magnificent mirror! Not a single distortion, not a single smudge! Have you ever seen such a mirror before!?”
“N-No…”
“Exactly! Even royalty and nobility would envy this! And I’m offering it for just 3.5 million each!”
Despite my dramatic gestures, Dodol stared at the ordinary mirror—something you’d find in any discount store—intently, as if searching for answers in his own foolish reflection.
“With this deal, the Graha Company will secure a profit of 1.5 billion yen! Don’t you think this will greatly contribute to the village’s restoration?”
“Hm? Oh… Yes, of course.”
Hah! It’s written all over your face—you have no intention of giving even a single yen to the village!
“Profits… 1.5 billion…”
“Yes. What do you think?”
“Well… For the sake of the village… Hmm. Perhaps such an amount is justified…”
He struggled to maintain a calm demeanor, but his forced smile only irritated me.
“Excellent. Let’s proceed, then.”
“Y-Yes.”
“So, with the price per mirror at 3.5 million—”
“Wait a moment!”
Dodol, sweating profusely, raised his head.
“How much would that total?”
Can’t even do simple math, can you?
“…It comes to 10.5 billion yen.”
“W-What!? Ten billion!?”
“Ten. Point. Five. Billion. Yen.”
I deliberately repeated it, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
“Are you insane!? No one can prepare that kind of money! Even major corporations don’t handle sums like that in a single transaction!”
Well, of course. Even Cherina’s Veliero Company wouldn’t have a single deal worth ten billion.
“What are you saying? If the price per mirror were 4 million, it would have been 12 billion yen. You’re already saving 1.5 billion yen. Without Hanshon Village’s needs, I wouldn’t have offered such a discount… Or are you still dissatisfied after saving 1.5 billion yen?”
“No… I mean… But still!”
A unit price reduction of 500,000 yen sounds small, but when the total is framed as 1.5 billion yen, it feels monumental. This technique manipulates perception, much like a scammer whispering, “It’s just the price of a cup of coffee per day” to lure someone into a loan.
“The Graha Company stands to make a colossal profit. Earlier, I suggested 500 million per mirror, but selling at even higher prices is entirely possible. You could sell at double the purchase price.”
“D-Double? Double… of ten billion…?”
Dodol muttered, his face turning pale. He was probably doing some sloppy mental math, thinking, “If I sell one for six million, that’s nearly double, right?”
Letting him imagine freely was optimal. The deeper his dreams, the harder to escape.
Besides, I kept emphasizing the restoration of Hanshon Village while cleverly redirecting the focus to Graha Company’s profits. I led him to believe he could pocket the entire amount.
What a scumbag.
“Indeed. The Graha Company has connections not only with this nation’s elite but also with royals and nobles from neighboring countries. With such an exquisite product, imagine the profits.”
I wasn’t lying.
From my research, considering the company’s clients, they could easily fetch 7 million yen per mirror.
If it were a single piece, that is.
Even if it were 100 pieces, the profit would still be substantial.
But Dodol didn’t grasp the fundamental rule: rarity defines value.
Still, with only 300 units globally, the mirrors would retain high rarity.
If this were a gacha game, they’d rank as “Legendary” or “SSR,” shining rainbow colors.
Yet, the Graha Company had the expertise to market these rare items while preserving their rarity—that was the catch.
“B-But… For restoration… I understand, but… There’s no way I have that kind of cash on hand.”
“Of course. I understand.”
“…What?”
My calm response made Dodol scowl as he met my gaze.
“What if I told you all the funds could be borrowed?”
“W-What did you say?”
“What if you could secure 10.5 billion yen immediately?”
“Hah… Haha… Impossible. That’s an amount equivalent to a national budget, and you’re talking cash?”
“To be precise, there’s no actual cash transaction involved.”
“…What?”
“You would arrange a bond with a trading company. The nominal value: 10.5 billion yen.”
“But I don’t have that cash…”
“The moment the bond is issued, all 300 mirrors will be delivered to you, Mayor Messara.”
“…What?”
“However, the cash recipient for the bond would be me.”
“Wait, what does that mean?”
“The cash transaction would occur between me and the trading company. You won’t have to lift a finger.”
“Then why am I taking out the bond in the first place!?”
“Ah, no need to worry. When the bond is drafted, a sales contract for the mirrors will also be drawn up.”
“Wait, wait! I don’t understand!”
This guy’s hopelessly dense.
“The deal will involve me, you, and the trading company simultaneously.”
“What do you mean?”
“My transaction with you involves delivering 300 mirrors in exchange for cash. But since you lack the cash—”
“Y-Yes. It’s not that I don’t have it, but…”
I ignored his feeble excuse. His pride was irrelevant.
“You would arrange a loan with the trading company, and they’d draft a loan agreement for you. Follow so far?”
“Er… Yes, I think so.”
The flow of the conversation was now locked in, and the fool didn’t even realize it.
“Once I deliver the 300 mirrors to you, I would simultaneously arrange a bond with the trading company.”
“…What?”
“I would issue a bond to the trading company, effectively substituting myself for you as the recipient of the loan.”
“Er…? So…?”
“In essence, I’d be the one receiving the payment for the mirrors.”
“Uh… Huh?”
Seems he still didn’t get it.
Well, no matter.
“All transactions will take place at the Public Trade Office. If there are any discrepancies, their staff can verify them.”
“I-I see.”
“I would receive payment for the mirrors through the trading company’s loan to you. In the end, 300 mirrors would be delivered to your hands.”
“Oh! I get it now! That’s why cash isn’t necessary!”
“Brilliant deduction, Mayor Messara.”
“…But wouldn’t you lose profit that way?”
“What are you saying? I’d simply have the company repay me over time through the Public Trade Office. Unlike you, I don’t need immediate cash.”
“I see…”
“The company even proposed a low-interest rate as their contribution to Hanshon Village’s recovery.”
“What?”
“You might not believe it, but they’re offering an annual rate of just 5%.”
“Whaaat!?”
“All contracts will be finalized at the Public Trade Office, ensuring complete transparency.”
“Oh…”
“Of course, if the mirrors sell quickly, the loan can be repaid sooner, reducing interest costs.”
“Is… Is that true?”
“Absolutely. I swear on the gods… However.”
“Hm?”
“The contract must be signed today.”
Now, let’s wrap this up.