ITK C382: Showtime

My name is Pazussi, the guildmaster of the Leatherworkers Guild.

The economy is not looking good these days due to a powerful business rival selling their products through Pandemonium under the brand name Noujou.
Their products are so good that all the upper-class demons have become their regulars.

They no longer bat an eyelash on our products.

I mean, when selling goods in the capital, you must belong to the corresponding craftsmen’s guild and disclose your personal information. Noujou doesn’t do this at all and keeps everything a mystery.

We know not their production methods, their workshop’s location, or the craftsman’s identity.

I want to protest that they’re letting their products go unchallenged on our turf, but we don’t know their whereabouts.
Instead, we directed our protests to Pandemonium, the company that handles their products. Alas…

“Noujou’s workshop is not located in the capital. Isn’t it a condition for joining the guilds to have a workshop in the city?”

They dodged the question.

“We have a contract with Noujou’s workshop in a place far away and import their products. Therefore, we are not violating your guild’s code.”

And another excuse.
We did everything we could to find out ourselves, but no evidence proved Noujou’s products were manufactured here.

Such a thing is unheard of.

Highly skilled craftsmen open their own workshops in the capital without exception. This allows them to make a name for themselves and become leading creators.
The craftsmen outside the city fall behind, so importing their goods is out of the question. Therefore, the guild doesn’t have any countermeasures prepared.

What’s more, Noujou’s products aren’t limited to leather goods.
They also sell tableware, glassware, and woodwork, so there is a wide range of occupations besides ours that are affected.

They started out as a mere fashion brand, you know.

Pandemonium says they only have limited stocks, so there should be no impact on the industry.

Well, jokes on them, there is an impact.
The opposite party is so overwhelmed by the quality of the products that even our rich regulars are now saying, “We’re willing to wait years till we get our hands on Noujou items!” completely turning their backs on us.

We can’t go on like this.
If we can’t make our products better than Noujou’s, or at least close to it in quality somehow, it’s over for our craftsmen.

However, we can’t suddenly change the techniques we had worked so hard to uphold and preserve, so we are faced with the question of what to do.

It was then that I received news from Pandemonium—they’re holding an expo.

Expo…
It sounds nostalgic.

During Lord Baal’s reign, he used to hold them all the time.
I don’t think we’ve had one ever in Lord Zedan’s reign.

Well, I don’t see why we should refrain from participating.
Let’s display our best work and get our customers back, shall we?

Huh? That’s not it?
We’re not participating, we’re invited!

What?! An expo conducted by Noujou’s craftsmen only?
The Noujou wrapped in mystery all this time?!

So, we can find out the manufacturing process and the secret of high quality by attending?

I hate to admit it, but I feel like I’m losing out by taking up such an offer brazenly…
But for those of us who are currently unable to produce a product that comes close to Noujou’s, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn about the enemy.

I guess we’ll accept the offer.

For craftsmen, technology is something that must be kept confidential. Let’s see how they like getting theirs stolen after carelessly sharing it with the public!

---

It seems the expo starts today, and I’m not the only one here to observe.

The guild masters from the sewing guild, masonry guild, potter’s guild, and many other guilds had gathered together to form a distinguished group.
We have been united by a common enemy.

Noujou has released all sorts of products like it’s nobody’s business, after all.

I was wondering where the expo would be held. To my surprise, it’s on the city outskirts.
They must have taken the trouble to set up the venue in the suburbs.

How inefficient… Can’t they just rent a vacant house in the city or something?
As I grumbled about the time it was going to take to travel, we were escorted by Pandemonium’s coaches.

The expo hall came into view.
And I was surprised.

“This is the venue?!”

Isn’t this a city?!
I’ve never heard of a city located out here!

It’s on a moor in the middle of nowhere, halfway outside the capital.
The other guildmasters are just as stunned, but the guide tells us something even more surprising.

“This city-like venue was completed in three days by Noujou’s staff.”
“What?!”

How is that possible?!
We may be in different industries, but a craftsman like me can tell that it’d take the entire carpenters’ and masons’ guilds a year to build such an urban area.

“It’s true, sir. You all know that this area was just a field until a few days ago, yes?”

Yeah, but…

No, this isn’t the time to be concerned. This is just the tip of the iceberg of surprises!

We’re about to witness Noujou’s technology, one that many have desired to know more about!

“The venue is divided into pavilions according to theme. From here on, everyone is welcome to visit the pavilions in any order they like.”

As soon as the guide told us, we all went our ways.
Our goal is to go to the pavilion that corresponds to our job.

At the entrance, there’s a sign that says “XX Pavilion” to help us.

“Is this it? Wait, no! What is this pavilion showcasing? Huh? What are those gooey beans? Sorry, I made a mistake! I’ll be taking my leave! No, wait! It’s really a mistake! A mistake! Noooooooooo!!!”

The fool. The masonry guildmaster made a brilliant mistake by entering the wrong pavilion.
But I wonder what that “Natto Pavilion” offers?
I’m very curious, but I can’t bring myself to go there.

There’s only one thing I should aim for.

---

Here we are.

This has got to be the place since it’s got “Leather Pavilion” written at the building’s entrance.
Inside it should contain Noujou’s leatherwork secrets.

Let us go inside and secure our guild’s future!

“Welcome!”

I was greeted as soon as I entered the building.
What a pretty girl. Is she the guide here?

“Thank you for coming to the Leather Pavilion! I’m your companion, Humanized Automata #37!”
“O-Okay…”

And what a strange name she has.
But a guide would be great.
I need to take advantage of everything available and steal as much knowledge as I can here!

I won’t miss even the tiniest detail… Hm?
I almost missed something about this girl.

“Lass, those clothes you have…”
“Yes?”

Isn’t she wearing first-class leather?

“My, what great eyes you have, sir! At this expo, each companion who guides you through the pavilions is provided with specific uniforms.”

Uniforms?!

“Our uniforms are, of course, made of leather, in keeping with the theme of the Leather Pavilion! It was designed by Lady Batemy, using tanned leather provided by the farm. In fact, she designed and tailored all our uniforms.”

One person designed multiple uniforms?!
I’m surprised she managed to finish everything, considering this venue was built in just three days!

…No. That’s not what I’m supposed to be surprised about.
I’m the leatherworkers guildmaster, so I should be more concerned about the leather used…

And her uniform’s material…

“Hydrolex… Kirisaki deer… O-python… Dinogator… Bisontres! These are all very high-quality leather materials from monsters ranked three stars and higher! All patchworked!”
“Wonderful observation, sir! You must be one of the capital’s guildmasters!”

I would never have conceived of making a uniform out of such high-class materials.
This expo may be far more than I ever imagined…!

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