Who Is the World’s Strongest Appraiser? ~Living in Another World With Satisfying Meals~

Production Guild, Great Panic

“Um, everyone, are you okay?”

In front of him, a guild staff (and a senior class at that) who was voraciously devouring cucumbers, Yuuri asked with a troubled expression. However, there was no response. Standing beside Yuuri were his companion and chaperone, Yak, and the merchant, Haros. The two of them looked as if they wanted to say something, watching everyone continue to eat cucumbers.

What was happening was mayonnaise.

Haros had recommended Yuuri to register mayonnaise with the Production Guild. Following his advice, Yuuri, Haros, and Yak, had come to the Production Guild. Haros, being one of the top merchants in the capital, had requested for senior members to come over from the beginning, but he wished to call the guild master. It was indeed a fact that tension ran through the Production Guild at that point, wondering if the product recommended by the skilled merchant Haros was of such quality. However, Yuuri is unaware of this.

And now, Yuuri and the others were escorted to the guild master’s office. Along with a couple of senior members. And now, in front of them, Yuuri was tasting mayonnaise (though it was from yesterday, it had mostly stayed the same) with cucumbers. The guild master and two senior members, along with the guild master’s secretary, were also present.

That’s fine. It’s totally fine. It’s the job of the Production Guild to verify the products. It’s also their job to carefully assess the quality and determine if it’s worth registering. Therefore, Yuuri brought the mayonnaise for tasting, as instructed by Haros, along with cucumbers. He chose cucumbers because there were leftovers in the refrigerator. Also, he thought they were easier to eat than other vegetables. Just slice them into sticks, and you can simply nibble on them.

The problem was that they were too absorbed, not paying the slightest attention to her. The four of them were eating cucumbers with mayonnaise with a fervent expression. It might be more accurate to say they were devouring them. It’s a bit scary.

“…Haros-san, um, this…”

“For now, shall we wait until the cucumbers are gone?”

“Sigh…”

Haros smiled. This person had already experienced the shock of mayonnaise last night, hence the reaction. Also, he probably knew this would happen. That’s why he insisted on coming to the guild master’s office rather than the reception counter. He had insisted on accompanying them because Yuuri, without thinking, took out the mayonnaise at the reception counter, started a tasting session, and prevented a commotion.

As Yuuri, clueless, twisted his head in incomprehension, Yak patted his shoulder. Still as oblivious as ever, Yuuri, who didn’t realize he was causing trouble, has a deep relationship with Yak and Ali. That’s why Yak silently implored him with his gaze, “Can you stay quiet?” It seemed he could understand that much, as Yuuri nodded obediently.

And so, the tasting session continued until all the cucumbers were gone. Still caught up in the excitement, the guild master looked at Yuuri.

“…So, this is mayonnaise, and you want to register its recipe with the Production Guild, right?”

“Yes. Honestly, I don’t really understand why mayonnaise is so important, but Haros-san and everyone in the clan say so.”

“…You don’t understand?”

“Yes, I don’t understand.”

“…I see.”

The guild master’s shoulders slumped as he said this with a smile. The two senior members were patting his shoulders from both sides. The secretary gave the guild master a reassuring look and left, saying she would bring more tea. Beside the clueless Yuuri, Haros and Yak exchanged glances and shrugged. They had anticipated Yuuri’s reaction.

“For now, here’s the recipe. It’s just the basic recipe, but I’ve added some variations as well.”

“…This paper?”

“Oh, that’s my personal property.”

Yuuri chuckled, but the notebook he casually offered was causing quite a stir. It was made from paper that couldn’t be produced with the papermaking technology of this world. Yak didn’t seem to mind, but Haros’s eyes gleamed. From a merchant’s perspective, he couldn’t overlook it. However, he remained calm enough not to intervene at this point.

The Production Guild members began to discuss the paper material rather than the content of the recipe. Yuuri remained oblivious as ever. Yak seemed uninterested, sipping the tea he was offered. Haros, understanding the shock of the guild members, watched with supportive eyes.

“Guild master, can we agree to register this recipe for now?”

“…Of course. I’ll inform the restaurants immediately. You’ll receive ten percent of the recipe’s sales price.”

“Yes.”

“For recipes like these, each sheet is sold for 100 gold. So, you’ll receive 10 gold for each sheet sold.”

“Yes. Should I come to collect it?”

“We keep the money in the Production Guild’s treasury, so just come to collect it whenever you happen to be around.”

“Understood.”

It’s like patents and royalties? Yuuri thought casually, agreeing to the explanation. Or rather, he hadn’t thought his recipe would become a commodity, so he had a vague idea of receiving extra income. The easygoing girly boy remained unfazed, as usual.

As the conversation seemed to be coming to an end, Yuuri nodded. However, he was tapped on the back of the head by Yak, and he turned his head.

“…Yak? Was there something else?”

“They told me to register hair scrunchies and hairpins too, right? And also, to wholesale the materials.”

“Oh, right. I forgot about that.”

Seeing Yuuri chuckle, Yak thought, “It’s good that I came along.” Yuuri is a good person, but she’s unbelievably airheaded. He doesn’t sweat the small stuff. That’s why he occasionally messes up like this. However, that’s because he doesn’t see much value in things like hair scrunchies and hairpins.

“Scrunchies? Hairpin? What are those?”

“These are them. This scrunchies is a decorative item for tying hair, and a hairpin is used to hold a small amount of hair.”

Saying so, Yuuri took out several scrunchies and hairpins from his school bag. Additionally, he also brought hair elastics and black hairpins that were not available in this world as materials. The hair elastics were in bundles and seemed never-ending when cut. The hairpins were stored in a case and also seemed inexhaustible. Yuuri, who had become a walking cheat due to becoming magical items, shattered common sense in every way with his possessions.

“As for the materials, I use these hair elastics and plain hairpins. As for the fabric, I get scraps from a clothing store.”

“…Where did you get these hair elastics and hairpins from?”

“They’re items from my hometown. Since they’ve become magical items, I can provide an unlimited supply.”

“”Unlimited?!””

The Production Guild members exclaimed. Though it seemed unbelievable, Yak and Haros looked into the distance, as if to say, “It’s possible.” Yuuri’s possessions shattered common sense to pieces. Yak thought they would collapse if they found that even the paper in the notebook Yuuri was using had an unlimited supply. Therefore, for the peace of mind of both parties, they remained silent. Regarding the paper, Ali had also strongly advised Yuuri not to disclose too much.

Haros looked at the scrunchies and hairpins with great interest. He seemed eager to handle them as merchandise. However, since Yuuri intended to wholesale his products to clothing stores, he didn’t budge at all. The girly boy was a boy who kept his promises.

“Um, Guild Master…”

“Just call me Gilmas. What is it?”

“Ali asked me to mention this, but could I wholesale these hair elastics and hairpins to you, register the recipe, and then redistribute the production of scrunchies and hairpins to others?”

“…What?”

The guild members shook their heads, perhaps not understanding the meaning behind Yuuri’s words. And Yuuri continued to explain in detail.

Yuuri proposed registering the recipe with the Production Guild, wholesaling the hair elastics and hairpins, and then reselling them to housewives and others. Then, the housewives who made scrunchies and hairpins would sell them to the Production Guild, and wholesale them to various stores. That was the idea.

To Yuuri, it felt like a side job. Such a concept didn’t exist in this world. However, Yuuri had heard a girl to whom he gave a scrunchie say, “Grandma would work really hard if there were jobs like this.” Elderly women who couldn’t work publicly due to their age, and housewives who couldn’t work outside because they had young children, would be delighted to earn extra money. That’s what Yuuri thought after hearing the girl’s comment and asked Ali about it.

Such a system hadn’t existed before, but scrunchies and hairpins were relatively easy items to make if you could sew. Moreover, the demand was so high that Yuuri, who made them casually as a hobby, was running out of stock. It was a matter that needed to be addressed promptly. Yuuri didn’t mind, but the owners of clothing stores were feeling the pressure from the shortage.

“…So, you’re saying you’re running out of stock just making them yourself?”

“It seems so. I’ll continue to make them, but it would be easier if others could help too.”

“In that case, let the Production Guild handle it. Then, how much should we buy the hair elastics and hairpins for, and how much should they be sold for?”

“As for me, since I have no initial costs, I don’t need much money.”

“But that’s not possible.”

“In exchange, I’d like the selling price to be lowered when selling to others.”

The guild members were puzzled by Yuuri’s humble attitude as he bowed his head. Such a peculiar customer was a first for them. Despite coming with unique recipes and materials that could potentially lead to a new business, he seemed too young and innocent. No, his statements were just too airheaded.

In the end, since it couldn’t be free, the hairpins would be bought for 5 gold each, and the hair elastics would be wholesaled for 10 gold per 10 centimeters. And respecting Yuuri’s wishes, they would sell them to whoever needed them at the same price. Once the scrunchies were made, they would be purchased based on their quality and then wholesaled to shops.

By doing this, those who knew the recipe might start making them themselves. Initially, it seemed like sales might drop, but at the same time, individual skill levels would vary. It wasn’t just about sewing skills but also the choice of fabric. In that case, there would be a demand for products made by others, and business would thrive.

With such considerations in mind, the discussion on this topic ended quietly. As they were leaving, Haros asked Yuuri if he could wholesale scrunchies and hairpins to him in the future if he had spare time. That was typical of a shrewd merchant. Even with just scraps of fabric, if the skill was there, they could produce excellent items.

And so, the boy who caused panic in the Production Guild returned home, absentmindedly thinking about the lunch menu for the day.