Volume 1 Chapter 13 Becoming A Template Means This
Randy returned to the reception room, completely lacking the energy he had before. After all, Elizabeth and her parents had seen him acting so poorly. It was no wonder he felt like slumping his shoulders.
What relieved Randy was that Elizabeth and the Marquis couple seemed to have completely reconciled.
He quietly sighed in relief as he watched the 3 of them enjoying the coffee that Rita had brought, chatting happily.
"──dolph... Sir Randolph?"
"Oh, uh, yes. I'm sorry, I was lost in thought for a moment."
Realizing someone was speaking to him, Randy shifted his focus back to the front.
In front of him, the Marquis couple smiled gently.
"First of all, I want to thank you for helping our daughter."
As the Marquis couple bowed their heads, Randy and his father, Alan, hurriedly responded, "Oh, please, raise your heads." Lucian laughed, saying that compared to his daughter's life, a bow or 2 was nothing.
It seemed that the Marquis was a man of principle, which Randy found reassuring, but dealing with such a fragile noble made his heart race.
Thanks to Elizabeth's mediation, they finally moved on to the main event for Randy: the business discussion.
"Your Excellency Marquis, the main reason we contacted you was to inform you of Miss Elizabeth's survival."
Randy began, then looked at the Marquis seriously as he added, "However..."
"There were some suspicious points, but since she was exiled from the kingdom and is now under our protection, Miss Elizabeth has become a resident of our territory. Therefore, we cannot return her to you without proper procedures."
"That makes sense."
Lucian nodded, and Randy switched the topic, saying
"For the time being, we would like you to understand that we will employ Miss Elizabeth as a civil servant in this territory."
As Randy bowed his head, Lucian said he had already heard the details from Alan and Elizabeth, and even expressed his gratitude, bowing his head again.
Of course, Randy had expected that Elizabeth would have talked about being a civil servant to Lucian and the others. However, it wouldn't make sense for Randy not to mention that he had heard it from Elizabeth.
Randy, who was being straightforward, and Lucian, who was expressing gratitude, both kept bowing their heads until they were prompted to look up again by Elizabeth's intervention.
From there, they chatted about Elizabeth's usual behavior and how well she was working as a civil servant, while Randy waited for the right moment to speak.
"Actually, there's something I would like you to see, Your Excellency."
Randy said as he presented a sample that Elizabeth had been holding just moments ago.
"What is this? It's a small carriage that Liza had."
Lucian frowned, and Randy encouraged him to press down on the carriage from above. As Lucian followed Randy's prompt and pressed down on the carriage's cargo area...
"Hm? There's a difference in how it bends."
...He furrowed his brows and lifted the carriage. The issue wasn't the way it swayed; it was that Lucian's application of force varied, and the leaf springs attached to each independent wheel simply absorbed the force.
"How was the carriage you rode to get here?"
"Oh! It was quite comfortable."
Thus began the presentation of the improved suspension system. The Marquis and his wife had experienced it firsthand, so they were very engaged, and the conversation progressed smoothly. Above all, Randy's statement──
"I don't want to use Miss Elizabeth as a tool."
──was the final blow.
As expected from a Marquis who led a large merchant guild, it was easy to imagine the concentrated orders that this technological innovation would bring.
Additionally, Randy mentioning that he had hired Elizabeth, which the Marquis already knew, was significant.
A man's words, when he stands by his principles, carry weight.
"I feel bad making her do something like a civil servant, more like an engineer."
"No, Liza seems to enjoy it, and it's a good experience for her."
The pleasant conversation finally reached the main topic.
"We understand that you want to sell us this technology."
The narrowed eyes of the Marquis were undoubtedly those of a man who had been through many tough situations. These tough situations weren't just battles like those Randy and his friends faced. In business negotiations or politics, there are many battles worthy of the term.
Now, that man was speaking to Randy as an equal.
A high noble, a seasoned politician, and the head of a large merchant guild. This man was talking to the son of a poor viscount from the outskirts on equal terms.
In this surprising situation, Marchioness Flora and Elizabeth exchanged looks of astonishment as they compared Randy and the Marquis.
"Randolph, or should I call you Mr. Randolph? What amount are you considering?"
"As for this technology, I have no intention of charging you, Your Excellency."
Randy's firm statement caused Eleonora to peek in from the side, exclaiming, "Huh?" When she quickly switched to looking at Elizabeth, it seemed she had been restrained.
In contrast to Elizabeth, Lucian narrowed his eyes even further, as if appraising the situation.
"There's nothing more expensive than something free... I always think that."
"You are right. However, for this technology, I will not seek monetary compensation."
Randy took a deep breath and continued.
"However, as a trade, it would help if you could send a few technicians. Of course, we will take care of their salaries afterward."
"Engineers?"
"Yes."
Nodding, Randy explained that they needed engineers to shape what Elizabeth created. This was the biggest investment for the future.
Establishing connections with skilled technicians was worth much more than getting immediate money right now.
"...Do you think I would send you a mere boy who is only an engineer by name?"
"Then, I will just sell something even more amazing to someone else. Perhaps to your rival, Your Excellency."
Randy showed no signs of guilt, and Lucian's eyes narrowed even further. The atmosphere in the reception room became tense.
"Using my daughter, huh?"
"I'm sorry, but she is currently a civil servant in our household."
Elizabeth felt anxious.
Marchioness Flora, who appeared calm, kept glancing at Elizabeth.
Alan, her father, wore a gentle smile, as if to say, "Whatever happens, happens."
Keith, the steward, stood silently by the door.
The tension and anxiety of everyone were blown away by Lucian's hearty laughter, "Hahaha!"
"Indeed, nothing is more expensive than free. Very well. While I can't provide you with my best craftsman, I will send you a skilled engineer who will meet your satisfaction."
"Thank you very much."
As Randy bowed his head, Elizabeth finally let out a big sigh, as if the tension had been cut.
In front of everyone, Randy and Lucian shook hands firmly.
"Your Excellency, I apologize for my impudence."
"Don't worry about it. You had a spirit that didn't seem like it was your first business negotiation."
Lucian smiled cheerfully, and Randy returned the smile, saying, "Thank you."
(I can't say it. I can't say that in my past life, I was burdened with my boss's unreasonable demands and did business negotiations all the time.)
Randy had a distant look in his eyes but kept a smile on his face as he concluded the business deal. They had decided to exchange technology and send a technician in return. With that settled, Randy and the others were free to leave.
"Well then, since it's a rare chance for a family gathering..."
As Randy stood up to leave, Alan, the supervisor, also stood up and said, "Please take your time until dinner."
Just as Randy was about to put his hand on the door, Lucian called out to him.
"Randolph."
Lucian stopped Randy.
"You mentioned earlier that you have something even more amazing in mind. What kind of thing are you thinking about?"
When Randy turned around, he saw Lucian's smile, which couldn't hide his curiosity.
"Well... this technology still has room for improvement, and we already have refrigerators, so perhaps a box that can freeze food for preservation..."
(What else is there... Toys would be a classic choice. Oh, there were also beauty serums.)
"...And, I'm still conceptualizing, but a new scented oil for washing hair, and something that makes skin smooth──."
"Sir Randolph~, when do you expect that to be ready~?"
Marchioness Flora leaned forward, and for the first time, Randy realized how strong women's desires for beauty were in any world. With an intensity that could be called obsession, Marchioness Flora smiled and asked, "When will it be ready?" Randy gave a wry smile and looked to Lucian for help... but Lucian averted his gaze.
(Oh, he ran away.)
Randy cursed inwardly, but Marchioness Flora wouldn't wait.
"When will it be ready~?"
"I-I will start working on it as soon as possible."
With his voice trembling, Randy heard Marchioness Flora cheerfully say, "Please do."
Randy somehow got Marchioness Flora to agree, and as he hurried out of the reception room, he let out a big sigh while walking down the hallway.
"Randy..."
"Old man, don't say anything."
In front of the downcast Randy, his father Alan only sighed softly and didn't say anything more. Just...
"You need to make some for Grace (mother) and Clarice (sister) too."
"I know that."
"And also..."
Just as Alan was about to speak, a few maids came rushing down the hallway at full speed.
"Hey, don't run in the mansion──."
"Young master, I heard earlier that you're making a tool to make skin smooth?"
"Where did you hear that──."
Randy, who had blurted that out, quickly shut his mouth, but it was too late. Next to him, Alan wore a wry smile, which made Randy feel oddly annoyed.
"So it's true! I'm looking forward to it!"
"My hands are really chapped."
"In the cold, I get white flakes."
As the maids shared their skin troubles, Randy quietly muttered, "The royal road is amazing," but no one heard his words.
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