Kousuke, having finished his discussion with Floria, called Schmidt and Dales to the management layer.
Although Kousuke mentioned it wasn’t urgent, both of them appeared at the management layer the very next day.
Schmidt and Dales are in charge of their respective departments, so it should be difficult for them to make time easily. However, they seemed to have prioritized Kousuke’s summons.
“I’m sorry. You didn’t really need to hurry here…”
Kousuke said this provisionally, but Schmidt and Dales shook their heads in unison, as if they had planned it.
“We cannot afford to do that.”
“Indeed. Since you have called us, it is only natural to hurry as much as possible.”
As Schmidt and Dales said this, Kousuke let out a sigh.
While Kousuke was happy that the two of them hurried to come, it was very bad for their work as supervisors to be postponed because of it.
Even though Wahid and the others had retired and their influence had been reduced, it would be meaningless if the supervisors didn’t change.
However, he understood very well that he could not suddenly break their current relationship.
This was not just because of their personal relationships, but because it was necessary to show that Kousuke still had influence externally.
Especially now that they were expanding the Crown Branch worldwide, Kousuke’s presence was essential.
Riku and the supervisors were working hard, but the signboard that the Avatar was directly involved was indispensable for negotiations.
Kousuke also understood that if they took down that signboard at this timing, the expansion of the Crown might stop.
Therefore, Kousuke decided to proceed with the topic he wanted to discuss, settling for just a sigh.
“I want to reduce my influence a little… but well, that’s fine for now. More importantly, I wanted to ask you something.”
Kousuke said this and then tilted his head.
“Huh? Is what I want to ask you related to this?”
Kousuke then continued with “Oh well” and told Schmidt and Dales about his conversation with Floria.
“So, that’s why I wanted to know how the magic tools I made are being handled currently.”
When Kousuke said this, Dales was the first to react.
Schmidt understood selling very well, but his understanding of making things was delayed.
This was only natural, as they had specialized departments for this reason.
“I was worried about that too, so I’ve made sure to establish research labs within the Crown at the very least.”
Dales said this, and Kousuke nodded with relief for the time being.
However, he frowned at Dales’s next words.
“However, for items circulating generally, things made by Kousuke have unfortunately become the standard. It seems that some are even circulating with the entire magic circle copied.”
“Ah… I knew it.”
Kousuke, whose expectation had come true in a bad way, touched his temple with his index finger.
“It’s fine with big organizations like the Crown, but is the problem with individually owned shops?”
When Kousuke asked this, Dales nodded vigorously.
“That’s right. For individuals, it’s impossible to spend the time to improve every single tool. What Kousuke made is perfect for selling as a general-purpose item.”
In response to Dales’s answer, Kousuke sighed deeply.
As Dales said, magic tool shops run by individuals often create and sell unique magic tools, but this is limited to their respective areas of expertise.
For general-purpose items that everyone wants, it is not uncommon to simply copy them and put them on sale.
In fact, it was the norm in this world.
Otherwise, it would be nearly impossible for an individual to research every tool and put it on the market.
Kousuke had no intention of blaming them for this.
Since this was not a world where patents were developed, he considered being copied to be a natural occurrence.
Rather, if one did not want to be copied, it was the minimum common sense for a magic tool craftsman to hide the magic circles properly and not expose them.
What Kousuke was concerned about was that even though the magic circles were made public, they stopped at that point without further development or improvement.
However, there was little he could do about individuals.
“Well, for individuals, it can’t be helped. There are limits to what they can do… More importantly, how about the major magic tool shops?”
In the world, there are not only Crown but also major magic tool shops that develop and sell their own magic tools.
The problem is when these major companies sell Kousuke’s magic tools without any modification.
In response to Kousuke’s question, Dales crossed his arms and shook his head with a troubled expression.
“Although they seem to be conducting their own research, it doesn’t seem to be going well. It’s evident from the fact that they are sold alongside general-purpose items.”
“Is that what’s happening?”
Kousuke replied, and he and Dales put their hands on their heads in exasperation.
It was here that Schmidt, who had been listening with a tilted head, finally interjected.
“I believe that simply means that the tools Kousuke made are excellent, but is there any problem?”
From a merchant’s perspective, it is extremely ideal for a product to be popular and sell continuously.
This is because there are no research and development costs or other expenses associated with creating new items.
Of course, there is a drive to constantly create new things to outdo competitors, but since the Crown can sell Kousuke’s products as the original (?), it’s not a big problem.
…or so Schmidt is thinking.
This is a difference in perspective between those who sell and those who make products, and neither is wrong.
“Schmidt. Just because the guild’s operations are deteriorating doesn’t mean you can simply cut development research costs. That guild has no future. It is destined to decline.”
Dales said this to Schmidt, shaking his head.
If one simply continues to make the same things they made in the past, there are no research and development costs required.
This allows for cost savings, but ultimately, the organization is destined to disappear, and Kousuke completely agreed with this sentiment.
“From a broader perspective, if we don’t create completely new things and continue to use the same things, there can be no progress in civilization. Especially with tools, don’t you think it’s important to continue making them with an eye towards new things?”
“That’s true, I understand.”
Being told by Kousuke and Dales, Schmidt nodded in agreement.
“I don’t mind Kousuke’s magic tools being used as general-purpose items, but I think it’s quite problematic if they are used indefinitely.”
Thinking ahead, Kousuke’s concerns were not misplaced.
At Kousuke’s words, Schmidt and Dales fell silent, contemplating.
They understood what Kousuke meant, but from the Crown’s perspective, it would be troublesome if Kousuke’s magic tools stopped selling.
Of course, Kousuke’s creations did not account for all of the magic tool sales, but many of them were still flagship products.
Looking ahead, they could understand Kousuke’s intentions well.
However, for Schmidt and Dales, their true feelings were that they could not easily let go of them.
This is a discussion with the two individuals who are actually involved in production and sales.
It is impossible to suddenly withdraw Kousuke’s magic tools.
While some are not very popular, removing the popular ones would have too great an influence.
Of course, Kousuke has no intention of doing any of that.
