Transmigrating to the World of Thaumaturgy was the Start of Everything Chapter 32: Distinguished Guest, Proposal

Nathan and Amanda sat at the corner, eagerly devouring their breakfast. The two of them had cleaned up remarkably well, their clothes fitting properly, and their faces had lost so of the gaunt desperation of the slums. They all looked well-rested and eager, their faces brightening when they saw him approach the table.

"Morning, Boss!"

Amanda called out cheerfully, waving a piece of bread.

Nathan, more reserved but no less enthusiastic, nodded respectfully.

"Good morning, Sir Elias."

Selina, however, seed to sense sothing amiss in Elias’s posture and deanor as he approached them.

"Are you feeling alright? You look tired."

She asked quietly as he took his seat.

"Just thinking about the day ahead. There’s a lot to prepare for."

Elias replied, offering a reassuring smile.

Amanda, ever practical, leaned forward with interest.

"Are we expecting more custors today, Boss? Yesterday was incredible! I’ve never seen so many people lined up for anything, not even in the slums."

"More than custors. I suspect we’ll be receiving so distinguished visitors today. Representatives from the noble families in Sun City, most likely."

Elias said carefully, taking a bite of bread.

Amanda’s eyes widened.

"Real nobles? Coming to our shop?"

"It’s possible. Our success yesterday didn’t go unnoticed. Word travels fast in a city like Sun City, especially when it involves sothing new and profitable."

Elias confird, not divulging the fact that they had already sent people to spy on them. This ti, however, they would act openly rather than covertly.

Selina frowned slightly.

"Is that good or bad?"

"Both. It represents opportunity, but also danger. The nobility don’t simply observe; they act when sothing disrupts the status quo. They’ll want to understand what makes our shop special, and they’ll likely try to either control it or eliminate it as competition."

Elias explained in a way that they could understand.

The weight of his words settled over the table, tempering the children’s earlier enthusiasm with a healthy dose of caution.

"What do we do if they co?"

Nathan suddenly asked, his voice steady despite his youth.

"We remain professional, courteous, and careful."

Elias instructed and added:

"Rember, we’re running a legitimate business. We have nothing to hide and everything to gain from positive relationships with influential families. But we also don’t reveal more than necessary about our thods or capabilities."

After breakfast, the group made their way through Sun City’s streets toward Mama’s Pastry Shop. The morning air was crisp and clean, carrying the scents of baking bread and brewing tea from various establishnts beginning their daily routines. Street vendors were setting up their stalls, and early custors were already moving about their business.

As they approached their shop, Elias noticed several subtle changes in the surrounding area. More people were lingering nearby than usual, individuals who seed to be observing rather than planning to shop. Their ordinary clothing contrasted with their refined bearing, suggesting they weren’t typical custors from the working districts.

Selina, perceptive as always, noticed his gaze and followed it. She briefly glanced at the people Elias was observing without giving herself away. Once they were inside the shop, she expressed her thoughts.

"Are they people from the noble families?"

Elias was no longer paying the spies any attention as they had arrived in their shop. Hearing Selina’s remark, he agreed.

"Most likely. The aristocrats want to understand what they’re dealing with before making direct contact."

...

Inside the shop, they went through their usual opening routine. Nathan and Amanda arranged the display cases and prepared the serving area, while Selina handled inventory and Elias reviewed their supplies.

Elias added simple tables and chairs to offer services to those who would like to stay and eat in the shop. The space was limited, so it was only offered on a first-co, first-served basis.

On this day, everything progressed normally, with no dramatic scene like Damien’s occurring; it was welcod by Selina, Amanda, and Nathan. As always, the first custors of the day were genuine, working-class individuals who had heard about the shop’s unique offerings and wanted to try them for themselves. Elias served them personally, maintaining his friendly but mysterious persona while carefully observing the watchers outside.

Around mid-morning, the atmosphere shifted noticeably. A well-dressed middle-aged man approached the shop with the asured gait of soone accustod to authority. His clothing was expensive but understated, and his bearing suggested both wealth and nobility.

The man paused at the entrance, surveying the interior with calculating eyes before stepping inside. The other custors seed to instinctively give him space, recognizing his elevated status even without knowing his specific identity.

"Good morning, shopkeeper. I am Reeves, representing Lord Aldric Goldre. Might I have a word with the proprietor?"

The man said, offering a slight bow that managed to be both respectful and condescending, as it wasn’t a full bow shown toward one who was truly respected.

Elias, still wearing his distinctive mask, erged from behind the counter with a deliberate calm posture. The Goldre Family was one of the recognized aristocratic houses from his observations of Sun City’s power structure. They were among the wealthiest rchant families in the region, with extensive trade networks and significant political influence.

"You may speak freely here, Mr. Reeves. What brings the Goldre Family to my humble establishnt?"

Elias replied, his tone devoid of discernible emotion, causing the man before him to narrow his eyes slightly.

But Reeves still smiled amiably, an expression that was clearly practiced and professional rather than genuine.

"Lord Goldre was impressed by reports of your unique products. He wishes to propose a business arrangent that could benefit us both."

"I’m listening."

Elias urged. Before Reeves could reply, Elias gestured to one of the chairs.

"Please have a seat before we discuss further. Selina, temporarily flip the sign to close while I deal with our distinguished guest."

"Okay."

Once they were all seated and unbothered by the stream of custors waiting behind the door, Reeves began to speak.

"The Goldre Trading Company has exclusive contracts with the finest establishnts across three kingdoms. With our distribution network, your pastries could reach tables from here to the Crystal Coast. Lord Goldre is prepared to offer generous terms, 70% of profits to you, with us handling all logistics and expansion costs."

Reeves explained, his tone taking on the cadence of a well-rehearsed sales pitch.

The offer was surprisingly fair, which imdiately raised Elias’s suspicions. In his experience, both in his previous life and from his observations of this world, aristocrats rarely offered genuinely equitable deals without significant hidden costs or ulterior motives.

—He needed to know their true motives before deciding whether to agree to their proposal.

"And in exchange?"

Elias asked, his tone neutral.

"rely priority access to new recipes and a small say in production standards. Quality control, you understand. Oh, and Lord Goldre would very much like to et the genius behind these creations. Perhaps over dinner?"

Reeves replied, his smile widening slightly.

Before Elias could formulate a response, the shop’s door chid again. This ti, a young woman in noble servant’s attire entered, her posture perfect despite her humble dress. Her movents were too precise, too controlled for an ordinary servant; she was clearly soone with extensive professional training.