Gigolo [Part 3]

But what should we do then We dont stand a chance against the Empire, you know? Carlos fell in despair. As a spy stationed in the Empire, he knew well the disparity in power between the two countries.

A country with many magicians and a country with zero magicians You didnt need to think hard to tell there would be a 100-200 years gap in technology. The Kingdom, which didnt have forces called magicians, was just like a group of cavemen in the eyes of the Empire people.

The Empire people always felt some kind of pride that they were the center of the world. It might sound arrogant from an outsiders perspective, but for minor countries, that way of thinking wasnt necessarily wrong.

The Empire had robbed small countries of their magicians under the pretext of hiring them in exchange for providing food and technology. Not only that, the Empire had also interfered in their politics. Even the Kingdom, the second-greatest power after the Empire, couldnt afford to mess around with the Empire because it needed a regular cotton supply.

Even if the Kingdom really got invaded, it couldnt do anything to defend itself.

By the way, is the company doing alright? I only return to the Kingdom once in a while, but its my first time seeing the store this empty. No customers have come since earlier.

Carlos suddenly regretted asking Joshua about the Kingdoms future. Although Joshua had superior capabilities, he was still young after all.

Even if Joshuas prediction came true, there was nothing a merchant could do. This was a problem the Royal Family, Knight Order, and high-ranking nobles should handle. Merchants only had to do what a merchant ought to do.

Well, its the side effect of not buying cotton from the Empire this year. Even when we say we cant sell what we dont have, many persistent nobles still refuse to believe us. The store in the commoner district is doing well, while here, as you can see

As there was no cotton in the store, the commoners accepted that fact readily and switched to buying hemp underwear instead. Even Emmas popularity among the commoners remained unbudged. The sales in the commoner district didnt differ much from the average.

However, the business in this shopping district branch store was in a slump. Because they didnt have cotton underwear on the counters, unreasonable and annoying complainers surged into the store every day, causing other customers to stay away. Even if they put all the silk underwear, the replacement for cotton, on display, no one was willing to buy them.

Also, Emmas declining popularity at the academy, the school all noble children attended, added another sore spot.

This store might end up in the red for the first time since it was entrusted to Joshua by his father.

Its strange, isnt it~? None of the aristocratic ladies in the Empire wear cotton underwear. Are the Kingdom people more religious?

Huh? Carlos. Tell me more about what you said just now.

Carlos started talking about idle gossip to lighten the grave atmosphere. However, instead of relaxing, Joshuas eyes glinted sharply upon hearing what he said.

Oh? I see. Young Master, too, is already of that age, after all. The Empires women are quite aggressive, you know? If you ask them out over a few drinks, the chance of winning them over successfully will increase

Not that. I mean about underwear.

Joshua glared at Carlos irritatedly.

Hehehe. Young Master is still young, eh? That actually makes me feel relieved. Uh-huh, uh-huh. Theres no way a healthy teenage boy can resist the talk about undies.

Even if he talks about nothing but work and the countrys future, he is still a boy, after all. Carlos suddenly had a vulgar smile on his face.

Readers Corner:

Reader As comment

I laughed imagining the Empires state after losing to the insects.

Theyre too dangerous lmao

Authors reply

A volume about returning to their homeland.

Tailless Whip Scorpion A: Our home is originally in the Empire.

Tailless Whip Scorpion B: I heard you didnt have many good memories there.

Tailless Whip Scorpion C: Artillery? Is that stronger than Over?

The insects are ready to go at it.