First Business

Devin made his way to the bustling building of the High Wave Business Company, while Alex went ahead to gather the latest information. Being a renowned merchant, it was no surprise that the establishment was filled with a flurry of activities.

Approaching one of the busy workers, Devin inquired about Harrington's whereabouts. The worker pointed out a man giving instructions on the side, confirming that it was an acquaintance. He was relieved to have found him easily.

"Good day, manager. I would like to see Mr. Harrington," Devin politely greeted.

Initially confused, the manager quickly recollected his memory. "I remember you! Thanks for your help the other day. Mr. Harrington has given instructions for you to be allowed to see him anytime, but unfortunately, he is not available at the moment," the manager explained.

Eager to meet with Harrington, Devin asked, "When can I expect him to be back?"

The manager shrugged, unable to provide a definite answer. "I'm not sure of his exact return time. It could be either a long or short absence. However, if you're not in a hurry, you could wait for him," the manager suggested.

Deciding to make the most of his time, Devin took a stroll around the bustling stall to distract himself while waiting for Harrington's return.

As he explored, Devin couldn't help but notice the diverse range of processed seafood and sea salt displayed within the store. The sea salt was particularly intriguing to him. It seemed that Sun Haven's seasalt had the potential for a thriving market. Inspiration struck as he considered the possibility of infusing different spices into the sea salt, making it unique and appealing to customers.

Devin's excitement grew as he envisioned the endless opportunities this could bring to the village. He made a mental note to explore this idea further and recognized it as another avenue for Sun Haven to flourish.

While awaiting Harrington's return, Devin's optimism soared. He believed that Sun Haven Village had the potential to thrive in various industries, and he was determined to seize every opportunity that came their way.

Harrington finally returned, but his expression was grim, giving away his troubled state.

"Sorry, my friend, for keeping you waiting," Harrington apologized.

Devin immediately noticed his friend's haggard appearance and concern crept into his voice. "Is everything alright? You look worn out," he asked.

"It's a family matter, nothing for you to worry about. So, why have you come to my humble abode?" Harrington replied, attempting to lighten the mood with a touch of humor.

Deciding to respect Harrington's privacy, Devin changed the subject. "If this is humble, then small merchants like me have no hope," he playfully quipped.

Harrington chuckled at the retort. "I actually wanted to invite you out, but when I got your message, I figured something urgent had come up."

"Yes, there was an emergency back in the village," Devin explained.

Concern evident in his voice, Harrington inquired, "I hope everything is alright?"

"It was a serious issue and the main reason for my visit to Serene City. Sun Haven Village, where I am from, got plagued by a dark aura. The village chief sought assistance from both the pharmacist guild and the Adventurer guild, but unfortunately, no one was willing to help a poor village like ours. My brother and I took matters into our own hands. Having encountered similar situations during my travels, I had a prescription for a cure. However, at that time, I didn't possess the knowledge to make the potion. It was thanks to Ethan that I became a certified pharmacist, and together we created a cure that cleared the dark aura. The villagers were suffering greatly, with dark markings all over their bodies and a draining of their vitality. It was a distressing sight, but thanks to the potion, they have all recovered," Devin explained, hoping to capture Harrington's attention with the severity of the situation.

Curiosity sparked in Harrington's eyes, although he quickly composed himself.

"Bingo, a big fish hooked," Devin thought to himself, feeling a sense of satisfaction.

Harrington, intrigued by the severity of the situation, further inquired, "Are you absolutely certain that they were exhibiting the same symptoms?"

"Yes, you can inquire about it. There's no secret. The task should still be posted in both guilds," Devin suggested.

Relieved, Harrington expressed, "I'm glad you were able to find a cure for the villagers."

Devin nodded, sharing his gratitude, "Me too. As a token of their appreciation, they've granted me ownership of the island. Despite being a poor village, the people there are genuinely good."

Harrington's voice held a note of understanding as he added, "You're fortunate that these islands aren't under the jurisdiction of the kingdom. They possess rich historical significance, some of them existing long before the establishment of the kingdom. Gaining full autonomy is no small feat. It's just unfortunate that these islands often go unnoticed due to their impoverished state."

"Indeed, which is why I've brought something for you. Development requires funds, and I'm in need of financial support. I thought, as my friend, it'd be better to strike a deal with you rather than taking it elsewhere," Devin explained with a hopeful tone.

Harrington laughed at the proposition, but made no promises or commitments. Curious, he examined the stack of papers Devin had brought out from his bag. He touched the bright white surface, visibly impressed. Harrington then took his pen and tested the paper's absorbent quality by writing on it.

"This paper is not bad at all. The brightness and quality seem quite good," Harrington commented.

Devin couldn't hide his excitement. "It's more than just 'not bad.' It surpasses what's currently in the market in terms of appearance, width, and absorbency rate," he insisted, causing Harrington to chuckle.

Devin decided to share a secret with his trusted friend. "This paper is made in my village. I'm telling you this because I trust you. I would like to exclusively do business with you. So, what's your offer?"

Harrington's mind raced as he contemplated the opportunity that lay before him. It would be a lie to say he wasn't interested. The paper's superior quality had caught his attention. Despite their friendship, he knew he had to go through the routine and seek the best benefit for his business.

"How about 500 sheets for 300 copper coins?" Harrington proposed.

Devin shook his head, firm in his stance. "Harrington, my friend, that's not a fair offer. This paper requires more materials and manpower, and its quality surpasses what's currently available. I propose 1 silver coin," Devin countered.

Harrington raised an eyebrow. "Devin, you're not being fair either. If you want this paper to capture the market, it shouldn't be too expensive. If it becomes a luxury item only affordable to the nobility, it won't sell," he advised.

Devin understood Harrington's point, but he still needed to make a high initial offer. He hoped that even if it was eventually negotiated down, the final price would still fall within his acceptable range.

Harrington considered Devin's plea and tried to find a middle ground. "How about this, for the sake of our acquaintance, I won't deceive you. What if we settle on 400 copper coins? You know, I will incur additional costs when shipping the paper to the mainland," he proposed.

Devin, firm in his position, countered, "My bottom line is 500. I have an entire village relying on me."

Harrington sighed. "Fine, because I consider you my friend, I would be willing to take this loss," he conceded.

Devin knew that no true businessman would willingly take a loss, even for friendship's sake. If the deal wasn't profitable, Harrington would never agree to it.

"I've brought 300 bundles with me. Once we sign the contract, the rest will be supplied to you every week," Devin explained.

Harrington, concerned about the limited supply, responded, "Devin, you need to increase your manpower. 300 bundles per week is too small. I also need to know the exact number of bundles you can deliver on a weekly basis."

Quickly calculating the potential production capacity, Devin responded, "With an increase in manpower, we should be able to produce within the range of 8,000 to 10,000 bundles per week."

Harrington nodded, satisfied with the response. "That sounds acceptable, but if demand increases, you will need to further increase your production," he cautioned.

Without wasting any time, Harrington drafted a contract specifying the price of the paper stack and his exclusivity as the seller of the paper produced by Sun Haven Village. Devin carefully reviewed and signed the contract. In return, Harrington handed over 15 gold coins as the initial payment.

Devin accompanied Harrington and his staff to the pier, where they unloaded the goods. Devin introduced Gary, who would be in charge of overseeing the transaction on behalf of Devin, to Harrington and his staff. This way, they could recognize each other and ensure a smooth process. Devin had already spoken to Gary about training others in sailing, in order to prepare for future shipments and potential expansion.

Devin quickly wrote a letter to the village chief, instructing him on the next steps. He emphasized the need to increase the number of workers and start paying them for their work in order to improve efficiency. He also suggested dividing them into different departments to streamline their operations. Additionally, Devin wanted the villagers to be compensated for their efforts in seashell picking as a way to motivate them. However, he left the execution of these instructions to the discretion of the village chief, as he had other pressing matters to attend to.

Devin's gut feeling continued to gnaw at him, making him believe that something irreparable was on the horizon. A guard whispered a message into Harrington's ear, causing his expression to change. Sensing the urgency, Harrington bid farewell to Devin and hastily left the port.