The study was exactly what I expected from a noble's office— walls lined with bookshelves, a massive wooden desk, and a roaring fireplace.
Lord Roland himself sat behind the desk. He was a middle-aged man with greying hair and piercing blue eyes, dressed in elegant but slightly unkempt robes. And yes—there was a distinct odour in the air. Miss Agnes wasn't joking about the hygiene issue. I tried not to breathe too deeply. "So, you're the merchant everyone's been talking about." Lord Roland leaned forward, studying me with an unreadable expression. "Dirk, was it?"
I nodded. "Yes, my Lord."
"I've heard quite a bit about you. A foreign merchant selling unheard-of delicacies... water that replenishes mana... and now, an adventurer who wields powerful fire magic?"
I stiffened slightly. So he already knew.
"I wouldn't call myself an adventurer, my lord," I said carefully. "I'm just a simple merchant."
He chuckled. "Is that so? Then explain how you single-handedly defeated seven armed bandits."
Elvie cleared her throat. "My Lord, I can vouch for Dirk's inexperience in combat. He has never shown any magical ability before this."
Miss Agnes nodded. "I was there as well. Whatever happened during that fight... It was his first time using magic."
Lord Roland's gaze sharpened. "Interesting."
He sat back, drumming his fingers against the desk.
"Regardless, I did not summon you here solely because of the bandit attack. I wanted to discuss business."
My posture relaxed slightly. Business? That was a topic I was more comfortable with.
"Your products have caught the attention of not just my town but also several merchants from the mainland," he continued. "I have nobles asking about your goods, particularly your water and 'mamon.'"
I nodded. "I see. And what does my lord wish to discuss?"
Lord Roland smirked. "A partnership."
"A partnership?" I echoed.
He nodded. "I wish to be the exclusive distributor of your products in my territory. In return, I will provide you with land and protection from anyone who might want to exploit your business."
I could feel Elvie tense beside me. It was a tempting offer, but also a dangerous one.
I glanced at Igor, who subtly shook his head. Don't agree just yet.
Lord Roland noticed my hesitation and leaned forward. "Think carefully, young man. Nobles from the mainland will eventually come knocking. Without proper protection, your business—and your life—could be at risk."
That part, I didn't doubt.
But... was giving a noble complete control over my business really the right move?
I had to choose my next words carefully.
I took a deep breath, carefully considering my next move. Lord Roland's offer was tempting, but something in my gut told me to proceed with caution.
"My Lord, your offer is generous," I said with a polite smile. "However, as a new merchant, I believe it's best for me to expand gradually. If I were to enter an exclusive partnership now, it might limit my ability to grow."
Lord Roland's brow twitched slightly, but he didn't seem angry. "Hmm. Cautious, are you? That's a wise mindset for a business person."
Elvie and Miss Agnes exchanged relieved glances. Igor, who had been watching quietly, gave me an approving nod.
"That being said," I continued, "I would be open to a different kind of arrangement. Perhaps one where I supply limited stock to your noble acquaintances while still maintaining control of my business."
Lord Roland studied me, his fingers tapping against his desk. "A supplier agreement, then?"
I nodded. "Yes, my Lord. I can provide a set amount of goods each month at a fair price, and you may distribute them to your connections. That way, both of us benefit."
There was a brief silence before Lord Roland broke into a chuckle.
"You're a shrewd one, Dirk. Very well, I accept your terms... for now." He smiled, but there was a glint in his eyes that told me he was still testing me. "I will have my steward draw up a contract. In the meantime, I hear you brought another fascinating product with you today."
I grinned, knowing exactly what he was talking about.
"Indeed, my Lord." I reached into my magic backpack and pulled out the small pocket-sized deodorant.
Elvie, Igor, and Miss Agnes watched with curiosity. Lord Roland leaned forward, his eyes narrowing at the strange little bottle in my hand.
"And what, exactly, does that do?" he asked.
I smiled. "My Lord, this is a hygiene product. It helps eliminate unpleasant odours and keeps you smelling fresh throughout the day." You can thank me later, horses.
Lord Roland raised a brow. "Are you implying that I smell bad, Dirk?"
Silence. Everyone stiffened. I swallowed hard. Crap. Think fast!
I quickly shook my head. "Not at all, my Lord! In my country, um, this is a product for everyone. Even warriors and nobles who spend their days outside can benefit from smelling their best."
Damn, I lied big bigtime. I've been told he had terrible body odour. I suppose I do need to bury the corpses sometime.
Lord Roland's expression remained unreadable for a moment... then he burst into laughter.
"Hah! You've got guts, I'll give you that."
Guts? Hell, I can even smell him from where I'm seated.
The tension in the room eased. I smiled as I continued, "If I may demonstrate, my Lord?"
He waved his hand. "Go ahead."
I stepped forward and gently tapped a small amount on the back of his hand. A fresh, cool, citrus-like scent filled the air.
Lord Roland sniffed the area and blinked. "It is recommended to apply to where, um, you've sweat a lot."
He raised his brow at me.
I breathed in really hard.
"By the gods, it smells so good," the lord frowned.
Miss Agnes, Elvie, and Igor leaned in, intrigued.
"This... this is remarkable!" Lord Roland's face lit up. "The scent is so refreshing! And it does not feel sticky or oily on the skin!"
Igor smirked. "I think we just witnessed history."
Miss Agnes, who had been silent for most of the demonstration, leaned closer. "Dirk, if you can mass-produce this, nobles from all over the mainland will fight to buy it."
Lord Roland nodded eagerly. "Yes! I want exclusive rights to sell this as well!"
I chuckled. "Perhaps, my Lord, we can discuss another supply agreement?"
He grinned. "Now that is a discussion I'm looking forward to."
With the business talk settled, Lord Roland suddenly clapped his hands.
"Enough talk! I've heard so much about your goods, Dirk. Let me taste them for myself."
At this, even Igor looked excited.
Elvie turned to me. "Dirk, you up for some cooking?"
I smiled confidently. "Of course."
The butler showed us the way after suggesting that I show them how to cook my products.
The kitchen in the mansion was massive—larger than any I had ever seen in this world. Brick ovens, firewood stoves, shelves lined with spices... It was a chef's paradise.
I rolled up my sleeves and got to work. I secretly took two cans of corned beef from my backpack, three cups of noodles, three Mamon, six hotdogs, and three sachets of coffee mix—simple but perfect.
As I cooked, the kitchen staff watched in awe. They were fascinated by the sizzling hotdogs and the rich aroma of the corned beef frying in its own juices. The moment I mixed the coffee, the entire kitchen smelt heavenly.
"What is that divine aroma?" one of the chefs muttered.
Lord Roland, who had come to watch, was practically drooling. "Hurry up, man! I must taste it!"
I chuckled. "Just a moment, my Lord."
Once everything was plated, I served the meal.
Lord Roland and his wife and daughter took a bite of the corned beef... and froze.
The entire room went silent.
Then—
"BY THE GODS! THIS IS INCREDIBLE!"
He practically shoved another bite into his mouth, his eyes wide in disbelief.
"The flavours! The tenderness! I've never had anything like this!"
He then took a bite of the hotdog, and his expression turned even more dramatic. "WHAT IS THIS SAVORY DELIGHT?!"
The moment Lord Roland took another bite, his eyes rolled back in pure bliss. His wife, Lady Evelyn, covered her mouth in shock, while his daughter, the young Lady Celeste, let out a small squeal of excitement.
"This... this is truly food worthy of royalty!" Lady Evelyn gasped, delicately dabbing the corner of her lips with a silk napkin.
Igor whispered to me, "What do you call a hot dog race? Weiner takes all!"
"Really, Igor?"
"What? It's a good joke."
I rolled my eyes at him and turned my attention to the lord.
"I must have more!" Lord Roland declared, reaching for another bite of the hotdog. He chewed slowly, savouring every bit of the juicy, smoky flavour. "This... Dirk, what did you say this was called again?"
"Hotdog, my Lord," I replied with a grin.
"HOTDOG," he repeated, as if committing the name to memory. "Incredible! The balance of saltiness and smokiness! I have never tasted anything so exquisite!"
Celeste, one of Lord Roland's daughters, turned wide-eyed and poked at her own hotdog with a fork before taking a small bite. The moment the taste hit her tongue, she clapped her hands together. "Father, we must serve this at my birthday banquet!"
Lord Roland nearly choked. "At your banquet?!"
"Yes! I want all my friends to taste this!" She turned to me with pleading eyes. "Sir Dirk, will you please cater my birthday feast?"
I chuckled. "Well... I don't usually do catering, but—"
"Nonsense!" Lord Roland interrupted, pounding the table. "You must! We shall discuss the details immediately!"
Lady Evelyn nodded in agreement. "Indeed, Dirk. Your food is nothing short of extraordinary. It would be a crime to deny our guests this experience."
I glanced at Elvie and Igor, who were both suppressing their laughter at how quickly the noble family had been ensnared by my food.
"Well, I suppose if the Lord and Lady insist..." I said, pretending to hesitate as I fixed my natural-toned tunics with leaf-shaped hemlines.
Lord Roland grinned. "Good man! And how much will it cost to have you supply this for my daughter's banquet?"
I hesitated, calculating the effort and resources. "Considering the number of guests and the exclusivity of my ingredients... How about five hundred gold coins?"
Igor let out a sharp breath. Elvie's eyebrows shot up. Even Agnes, who had been silently observing, almost choked on her drink.
But Lord Roland?
He didn't even flinch.
"Done," he said immediately. "I would pay twice that amount for this experience."
My grin widened. Jackpot.
Elvie and Miss Agnes tried to keep straight faces, but I could tell they were enjoying the spectacle. I smiled as I poured the freshly brewed Dirk's Coffee into a cup and handed it to him. "And now, my Lord, the perfect drink to end your meal."
Lord Roland lifted the cup, inhaled the rich aroma, and took a sip.
He froze again.
"...I think I'm in love."
Igor snorted. "Congratulations, Dirk. You've just won over a noble's stomach."
Lord Roland set his cup down and turned to me, eyes gleaming.
"Dirk... we must discuss your expansion immediately. I felt like I could kill a giant beast after the meal. It's true then, my mana level has gone up."
And just like that, my business empire was about to grow even bigger.
After a successful meeting with Lord Roland, we left the mansion in high spirits. I couldn't help but grin as I thought about everything that had happened. Not only had I introduced Dirk's Coffee and my new Dirk Deodorant, but I had also secured a potential business deal with one of the most influential nobles in town.