Chapter 202
202 . Pandemonium 1
The result of therescue operationof the Count's daughter, Caelia de Sylvette, was reported at the next [Society] 's tea party . And as a result of the battle, Caelia-chan successfully made contact with the prey... I mean, with the capture target . Praises and achievement points for the six members who assisted her were announced .
Also, to commemorate [Society] 's first operation and first victory, it was announced that everyone would get access to the latest cosmetics and makeup tools .
Yeah, those who witnessed the makeup improvement... . No, [Evolution] of the eight people, including Mitchan, who have already purchased the new cosmetics ahead of time, rushed to the eight people after they realized the reason and immediately begun to question them...
The eight people have improved their skills several times higher than the poor techniques I taught them after they studied their newly acquired knowledge with their whole family .
It can't be helped, can it!? I've only had one and a half hours of training with all the girls of the same year before graduating from high school! Other than that, I only got the chance to watch Colette-chan and Caelia-chan getting their makeup done . ...damn!
Well, anyway, that's why I'm taking orders from everyone . I bet the beauty staff oneesan will be overjoyed...
The eight girls will teach everyone about makeup techniques .
Usually, they would've been rivals that compete to marry into wealthy families, but now they're all united as the members of the [Society] to fight against other daughters . Now, due to the matter this time, everyone should've known that they're more advantageous than others . Umu-umu .
And next is to hand over the [Portrait] that was previously requested to everyone . Of course, the portraits are framed, so it would be quite heavy for those who order a lot, but there's no problem because there's no one who walked here alone . I'm sure everyone came here by carriage with the escorts .
Everyone is making merry as they look at their portraits .
Compared to the paintings of their prim expression they have at home, they looked more natural, charming, and lively in those portraits . It's not as if the portraits were strangely modified, it's their own appearance, but with excellent processing techniques, they look like an angel in those portraits .
And those who saw Colette-chan's and Caelia-chan's makeup before seems to be convinced, that they can become the same as their own figure in those portraits if they master the makeup technology .
Their figures in those portraits are their true form that they should be, and their present form is only a temporary form .
Yeah, girls must be confident in themselves!
"...Mitsuha-san, the Royal Palace, and other nobles pressured me to [Sell the cosmetics]..." (Rephilia)
When I went to visit the Rephilia Trade, Rephilia said that in low spirits .
Yeah, I don't sell cosmetics in the Rephilia Trade . I don't have a lot of channels to buy them from, and if the cosmetics aren't suited for the skin, that is, depending on the constitution and physical condition of the user, it might be bad for them .
It would be terrible if the noble ladies have trouble with their skin because of the cosmetics . I'm afraid if it became a situation where I can't give them some kind of follow-up or detailed guidance .
So I won't sell anything that needs careful attention like that .
"Requests and demands from the Queen, the Princesses, and the nobility ladies are completely beyond limits that they're almost, no, they're completely threatening... "(Rephilia)
Rephilia is weeping with teary eyes .
Hmmm, but in order to secure the influence and superiority, as well as the safety of the [Society], a monopoly on cosmetics is necessary .
But, if a group of women monopolizes the [Method to be beautiful], whose effect has been proven, blood may really rain if it went poorly...
This might be a bit troublesome...
Thus, I went and discussed it with everyone in the [Society] .
Yeah, it would be best to ask the locals of this world!
And everyone's opinion is...
"How about selling something that several ranks lower than ours or something basic? And then, let them figure everything by themselves without us teaching them any technical things... . So, those who are enthusiastic about studying it and having a good sense will be able to achieve some results . That way, other people wouldn't be able to complain since there are some of such examples" (?)
Yeah, I guess that could be the common ground . As expected of the daughters of senior nobles, they're thinking properly .
They actually want to keep the cosmetics to be exclusive for themselves . Still, as expected, they probably know the difference in power and influence and that the other parties won't stay silent .
...well, I guess it's natural if you were in the other party's position . If it went poorly, they might hire someone to steal, bribe the maids, or threaten to take your family member as a hostage...
And if there's a slight difference in the cosmetics' quality, the rest is to keep the others away with the overwhelming difference in technical skills . They can only say that because of their strong confidence . It's a sign of faith and trust that you can only assume because you believe in your own strength and the unity of your peers .
Alright, [Society] is invincible! Fuhahahaha!!!
...Then, let's look for the skin-friendly type as much as possible, make sure to write down the crucial points in the manual, and make it clear that they may use it at their own risk . Also, let's not increase the number of items too much and focus on the products of the same type .
And if we received even one complaint, I guess I can say [I have stopped selling cosmetics because there are complaints about the products] . But it's not like I want to sell them until I get a complaint .
...I don't know what will happen to the complainant after that, though .
...wait a minute .
Isn't it a little bad?
It's fine to sell cheap items . That part is fine .
But would it be okay if they made it as a fait accompli that as long as they keep throwing threats towards Rephilia Trade, it would be doing whatever they told?
Would it be okay if, in the future, they think that if they threaten us, we will hear to whatever they say?
Of course, that would be bad...
Alright, let's think for a moment .
"Eh..." (?)
There's an uncle about 40 years old, with his eyes wide open and half-opened mouth .
This is a small haberdashery in the commoners' district of the Royal capital .
This is not a specialty store of cosmetics such as makeups and face powders, but a small store, similar to a general store that sells combs, hair clips, accessories, etc .
And it is about to collapse... or rather, it was a shop that was in the countdown phase .
The owner is an earnest and honest gentleman, but his good-natured personality seems to have pulled his foot as a merchant .
And this store which already had no way out has caught my attention .
"Y-you want us to be handling the cosmetics of the Y-Yamano Viscounty?" (?)
As expected, no matter how small the store is, they knew about the products of Yamano Viscounty...
And I nodded to his question .
[We were preparing to handle cosmetics from the Yamano Viscounty, but due to a series of threatening acts, the contract has been annulled from the viscounty's side in consideration of the safety of the Rephilia Trade . As a result, sales of cosmetics have been discontinued . Also, the list of those who have demanded Rephilia Trade to sell the cosmetics has was handed over to the viscounty's side, so that they will be able to deal with it later . ]
One day, there was a piece of paper at the entrance to the Rephilia trade .
The information spread throughout the royal capital in an instant . There were unsightly disputes, shifting blames and responsibilities against each other .
And three days later ...
[We have started handling cosmetics from the Yamano Viscounty]
A small paper of announcement was placed at the front of a minor, unnamed store .
And...
[Complete order system . For home delivery only . Limited sales volume . And for security reasons, we cannot sell to those who have threatened the Rephilia Trade, the resellers, and the related parties . Also, since this is a direct instruction from the Yamano Viscount Family, we would not be able to deal with complaints, no matter what you say to our shop . Our apologies]
The price is not something that ordinary people can buy . So the main target is noble or wealthy merchants .
And if someone meddles with the store, the cosmetics of the Yamano Viscounty will never be sold again .
That seemed to be well understood by everyone .