Helping with Adventurer Party Management - Chapter 247

To gain negotiation power, it’s crucial to create alternative options.

“Go call Anne,” I say.

After a while, Anne comes in after being called by Sara.

As Anne sits down with a slightly puzzled expression, I get straight to the point. “Anne, how would you feel about earning enough to run your own theater company?”

“Tell me more!” she exclaims, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she nearly jumps out of her seat.

In fact, she grabs my shoulders with surprising strength.

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I explain the difficulties I face in negotiating with luxury workshops and the current lack of sales channels to reach the nobility. As a countermeasure, I propose that, at least for a few select products, we establish our own system for selling directly to the nobility. I want to use Anne’s skills and connections to make this possible.

In other words, I suggest that our manufacturing-focused company create a subsidiary that handles sales.

“It’s going to be a tough job. You can use your old connections and, if necessary, hire salespeople. Talk to me if you need funds. As for payment, I’ll give you 20% of the profits.”

“40%,” Anne says, raising four fingers.

“We’re covering the expenses. 40% is too steep. I can stretch to 25%.”

“Do you know how much I’ll be spending on cosmetics, costumes, and accessories? I need at least 35%,” she shoots back.

“You’re going to leave all the paperwork and customer support to us after the sale, right? I’ll give you 27%.”

“Don’t be stupid! Of course, I’ll be the one dealing with complaints and customer feedback. You handle the paperwork, and I’ll settle for 33%.”

“First of all, let’s get some results first. Stick with 30%, and we’ll talk if the sales take off.”

When I say that, Anne gives me a beaming smile and adds, “Put that in writing, will you?”

“Naturally,” I reply.

I quickly write out two copies of the agreement on parchment. Anne takes one, rolls it up, and tucks it into her cleavage with a mischievous grin.

“You know, Kenji, you’re turning into quite a handsome man!” She then hugs me tightly, kisses my cheek, and immediately stands up, ready to get to work.

“Well, I’m going to be busy!”

“Well then, it’s going to get busy!” she declares, lifting her long skirt as she dashes out of the workshop, leaving behind a stunned me and a clearly displeased Sara.

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After Anne leaves, Sara seems off. Even when she pours tea, the cup lands on the desk with a dull thud. It’s a cheap, thick mug, so there isn’t any danger of it breaking, but the tea nearly splashes onto my documents, which is a bit worrying.

I figure her bad mood is about the whole thing with Anne.

“That’s just Anne’s way of greeting people. You don’t need to be upset about it,” I say.

“…Yeah, I know… but! Did she really have to put the contract in her cleavage? And pulling at her clothes like that, making sure it was visible on purpose…”

“Yeah, I guess that’s true.”

Sometimes, when a storm is coming, it’s best to just keep your head down and wait for it to pass.

“Right? Right? Honestly…” Sara mutters, though she tugs at her own shirt a little, glancing down at her chest.

So I ask, “So, Sara, would you like to try wearing an outfit like hers?”

“What? There’s no way I’d wear something so shameless!” she snaps, her face turning bright red.