TLWRO 82

Chapter 82

A Trustworthy Person

Standing in front of the shop, I happily watched the visitors.

Their reactions were always the same.

Though at first they entered with frowns or doubtful expressions, their faces gradually shifted to excitement and joy.

‘So rewarding. My fatigue is gone already.’

Maybe it was because I had drawn on Aylan’s mana yesterday?

I was a little more tired than usual.

As I rubbed my eyes, someone came to stand beside me.

That long shadow—

“You’re here, Alter?”

“…How did you know without even looking?”

“I can just tell. Shall we go?”

I handed him a pamphlet I had set aside for him.

I doubted Alter would bother picking one up for himself.

But—

“No need. I already have one.”

“Oh, so you do intend to enjoy yourself?”

“…The street was noisy beyond reason. I only picked it up to figure out what exactly you were plotting.”

He looked like he didn’t care, yet maybe he was secretly curious.

Smiling inwardly, I moved toward the first section.

Alter glanced back.

“Wait. You’re not opening the pawnshop?”

“No, today I decided to focus entirely on the festival.”

“The festival is meant to promote your shop in the first place. And yet you’re closing it? Isn’t that putting the cart before the horse?”

His brow furrowed.

“Besides, if you don’t open, attention will inevitably shift to that goateed man’s pawnshop instead. What if all the customers swarm there? He’s aggressively pulling them in.”

“I’ve thought this before, but Alter, you do have a knack for business.”

“I’d say it’s a matter anyone could figure out with a little thought.”

“Yes, true. With a little thought, anyone could. But that goateed appraiser… he doesn’t seem to think beyond that.”

He looked at me as if asking what I meant. I winked playfully.

“A pawnshop isn’t like a grocery or general store where you buy and sell quickly. A single appraiser can’t possibly handle an entire festival crowd. So then?”

“…He’ll end up taking customers indiscriminately, leading to oversights or mistakes. Service quality will drop, and people tired of waiting will start complaining one after another.”

“Exactly. Right now, with so many customers, it might look like he’s winning. But soon enough, he’ll realize that aggressive solicitation was his mistake.”

Alter wore a face of dawning comprehension.

‘That appraiser definitely has zero business experience. He’s probably just some fellow who faked appraisals for nobles.’

“Unlike that man, you’re managing customers with the long term in mind.”

“Correct. And you don’t need to open a shop to promote it, you know. The festival still has a long way to go.”

“What do you mean by that—”

“Now, now. Let’s just enjoy the festival first.”

Smiling brightly, I pointed to the first section.

It was hard for me to see with so many people, but Alter was tall, so he seemed to have a clear view.

“Tapestries, paintings, handcrafted works from local artists… but why are there so many people for just an exhibition?”

“Go closer and take a better look.”

I gave him a gentle push on the back, making him flinch.

I was a little surprised too.

‘Wow, solid as a rock. Does he work out? Or is he just born with it? If it’s natural, I’m jealous.’

I sighed inwardly, thinking of how I get exhausted just climbing the temple stairs, while Alter let out a sigh and stepped forward.

Stopping right before the safety rope, at first he looked rather indifferent—until his eyes widened at the displays.

“Mom, look! I’m in this one!”

“Oh my, you are! And heavens, so am I!”

“Over there! Haha, it’s us waving together!”

All around us, people exclaimed in delight and surprise.

Smirking, I glanced at Alter.

“Are they… putting visitors directly into the artwork on the spot?”

“Yes. Amazing, isn’t it?”

What I planned wasn’t just an exhibition.

It was what you might call an interactive, immersive exhibition.

The artisans observed visitors’ clothes and faces, then painted them into the works on the spot.

Guests, already overwhelmed by the massive tapestries and artworks, became engrossed as they searched for their own images within them.

‘This was only possible because I trusted the guild members’ skills.’

“While delivering a visual shock, it also instantly erases any doubts about the quality of products from Grey Street.”

Since everything was being created and drawn right before their eyes.

“And of course, it might lead to purchases.”

To prevent overcrowding, I had set up the sales and hands-on booths at the far end of the street.

It was also a lure—so visitors would walk through the entire festival.

“With something like this right at the start… as you said, there’s no way not to be drawn in.”

“Right? Now let’s see the next part.”

I pulled Alter along to the next section.

Every area of the festival was organically connected.

Follow the guides, and you’d naturally encounter every shop’s products.

“This one’s a puzzle contest. Whoever assembles the Grey Street map fastest wins. Sponsored by the art supply shop owner.”

Of course, it wasn’t just sightseeing.

“Over there is the pea-shooting contest. You blow paint-dipped peas at panels shaped like the street that spin around. Sponsored by Emma, the magic-tool shop owner.”

Each attraction was tied to a game, leading to natural exposure of each shop.

As I explained, I glanced up at Alter studying the event list.

‘I had another intention too… did Alter notice?’

He looked once at the pamphlet, then at the festival-goers, before speaking slowly.

“Rather than promoting individual shops, it seems more like you’re promoting ‘Grey Street’ itself.”

I smiled faintly.

“Correct. The very first impression I wanted to plant in visitors’ minds was ‘pleasantness.’”

I wanted people to see Grey Street as not gloomy or sinister, like the rumors claimed.

“That’s why I stationed so many security staff, unified the promotional materials, and banned distasteful soliciting.”

I wanted to show that, like a theme park, it was a lively, fun, and family-friendly place.

‘Also to ensure safety. Even a minor accident, and Rozanne would seize on it to nitpick.’

“I designed the areas and events so none stood out too much, yet each one’s strengths were showcased. In other words—”

Looking over the sunlit street, I murmured:

“I created a single brand. Grey Street itself.”

If the street’s image changed and its reputation grew, more visitors would come over time.

And naturally, each shop would gain more customers.

But that was only the secondary effect.

What I truly wanted was something else.

I wanted to restore pride to the guild members who had felt deflated over the permit issue.

To show them that our street had capable people. That it was impressive and worthy.

That they had every reason to be confident.

“……”

Alter gazed at me quietly.

Feeling awkward, I cleared my throat and added with a grin:

“And it also firmly defines in people’s minds where Grey Street begins and ends. From now on, someone can’t just open a competing shop right outside and steal business, right?”

His head tilted slightly.

“Listening to you…”

Listening to me?

I leaned in, expectant.

“You weren’t here to enjoy the festival at all. Your purpose was inspection. You brought me along because you wanted an outsider’s evaluation.”

Cough!

I almost choked.

He was right. Since I already knew the whole content, there was no need for me to sightsee.

But I still walked around because I wanted to see people’s reactions and expressions.

Awkwardly, I muttered:

“W-well, that’s true, but… still, it was fun walking together with you.”

‘I wonder if Alter didn’t enjoy it. Was I just dragging him along?’

As I glanced at him nervously, Alter spoke in a low voice.

“You did well.”

“…What?”

“I said, you did well.”

He raised one eyebrow.