Magical Tool Master Dahlia Never Compromises ~ Starting Today: Life as a Freelancer ~

"...Why isn't this a dream about my first date with my wife?"

After waking up from a long nightmare, Ivano sighed and shook his head slightly.

In his dream, he looked at his experiences before coming to the capital like an outsider.

It has been many years since he had this dream. Even in his dreams, he couldn't remember his family's faces. He was dumbfounded by his own ruthlessness.

However, he did not lose his composure after having a nightmare like he did when he first arrived in the capital.

At that time, his uncle handled the funeral affairs of his family on his behalf as he was deeply shocked.

After the funeral quietly ended, his uncle gave him some money and suggested that he go to the capital.

It was indeed difficult for him to live in this town, which was full of sympathetic and curious looks, hurtful rumors, and memories of his deceased family.

Then he fled the town as the blood-red sunset turned to night.

But he did not hit rock bottom, nor did he give up on himself.

Because when he left town, he was accompanied by his then-lover, now his wife.

When his lover said she wanted to leave with him, he refused because he knew he would suffer in the future.

However, no matter how many times he told her, "You have family and a job here, you don't have to leave with me if I lose everything," she wouldn't listen.

Ivano planned to leave without telling her, but she was already waiting at the stables with a lot of bags.

Just when he was so surprised that he couldn't speak, she shouted, "I'll be your family!" and put the engagement bracelet in his hand without waiting for his reply.

It was a bracelet with a blue moonstone set on a silver background. To Ivano, it was still the most beautiful bracelet in the world.

"Mr. Mercadante, we've arrived at our destination."

"Thanks."

Ivano heard the groom's reminder, buttoned the first button of his shirt and tied his blue tie.

It was hot walking in the bright sun in his dark blue three-piece suit, but he still dressed neatly without any slackness.

He carefully wiped the sweat from his forehead and neck with a handkerchief and calmly pushed open the door of the Orlando Chamber of Commerce.

"Hello, I'm Ivano from the Roseti Chamber of Commerce. I'm here to place an order and pick up the goods."

He walked towards the Chamber of Commerce counter and greeted them in a louder voice.

The noise around him immediately became quieter, and some people even stole glances at him.

Some people in the Orlando Chamber of Commerce have met Ivano.

However, the reason why the atmosphere became awkward was probably because of the name "Rosetti Chamber of Commerce".

“…Please wait a moment.”

The lady at the counter didn't seem to be Tobias's wife as rumored.

The young woman nodded to Ivano and walked into the office.

"Mr. Ivano...?"

Hearing a familiar voice, Ivano adjusted his expression and turned around. That person was Tobias.

Ivano hadn't seen him for a long time. He had lost some weight and looked a little pale.

"Long time no see, Mr. Tobias."

"Long time no see. Um... you're helping out at the Roseti Merchant Guild, so what about the work at the Merchant Guild?"

"I resigned and joined the Roseti Chamber of Commerce. I'm incredibly busy every day."

Strictly speaking, he had not yet left the Merchant Guild, but he said so deliberately.

He had unknowingly found himself on the same side as Dahlia, and even wanted to teach her ex-fiancé a lesson.

"President Dalia is also very busy, but she is very happy every day."

He put on the best smile he could, his evil nature clearly on display.

"Is that so..."

Ivano braced himself, thinking that Tobias might say something or start asking questions.

Unexpectedly, the man only replied with a short sentence, and for some reason he looked relieved.

"She's... doing well, right?"

"Yes, very good."

Ivano couldn't fathom the meaning behind the other person's words, so he answered truthfully. The man lowered his eyes and moved his lips.

"……That's good."

Ivano ignored his barely audible whisper.

He and Dalia had already separated. Ivano did not intend to tell Dalia about this and add to her psychological burden.

"Sir, I'm from the Roseti Chamber of Commerce. Sorry for the wait. Please come this way."

"Thanks."

Under everyone's gaze, Ivano walked into the reception room.

Waiting for him in the reception room was the Chamber of Commerce President Ireneo.

Ireneo seemed to have lost some weight, and like Ivano, he had dark circles under his eyes, which was quite unsettling. He stared at him with those dark, drooping eyes that resembled the previous president's, making him feel like a commodity being scrutinized.

"Welcome, Mr. Ivano. I'm sorry for causing you trouble these past few days."

"No, I've joined the Roseti Merchants Guild, not the Merchant Guild. Guild President Dahlia said they've completely severed ties, so it's no problem for me at all."

Ireneo asked Ivano to sit on the sofa, and the clerk brought him some tea.

As the clerk walked out of the reception room, Ireneo placed the silver magic seal box on the table.

"This is the 'Fairy Crystal' that President Rossetti wants."

"Thank you. It's so beautiful... The president will be very happy."

Ivano opened the magic box and saw colorful crystals.

He had heard Dahlia talk about the appearance of fairy crystals, and it was actually more beautiful than he had imagined.

The colorful light keeps rolling and sparkling in the crystal-like crystals.

After processing, it should be possible to make jewelry that is better than gems.

"This is our order. Sorry, the quantity is a bit low. If there's anything you can't get, please let me know."

"...No, we'll try our best to find it. Black Slime Powder might take some time."

Ireneo frowned for a few seconds, then quickly adjusted his expression.

"Excuse me. I have indeed received the 'Fairy Crystal'."

Ivano signed the fairy crystal receipt in slightly larger characters and handed it back to the man.

"Please confirm."

"Okay, is it... Mercadante, sir?"

Irenaeus pronounced his name and looked at him in confusion.

"Yes, my name is Ivano Mercadanti."

"Excuse me, did you change your last name because you became someone's adopted son?"

"No, I just changed back to my original last name. My original last name is Mercadanti, and my father is Oris Mercadanti."

Ivano finished speaking in one breath, and Ireneo opened his eyes wide.

"Mr. Ivano, you are from the Mercadanti Chamber of Commerce..."

"Yes, I was just mentioning it. I didn't expect you to remember it. What an honor. I'm the son of the president of the Mercadanti Chamber of Commerce, the same chamber of commerce from which your father, renowned for his foresight, was the first to withdraw."

“…Hmm!”

As soon as he finished speaking, Irenaeus was shocked.

Ivano raised the corners of his mouth, feeling a twisted sense of satisfaction in his heart.

That was sixteen years ago.

The chamber of commerce of which his father served as guarantor went bankrupt, leaving the Mercadanti Chamber of Commerce with huge debts.

After the news spread, several chambers of commerce immediately terminated their dealings with the Mercadanti Chamber of Commerce. This acted like a fuse, causing the Mercadanti Chamber of Commerce to lose other business opportunities one after another, forcing his father into a desperate situation.

The first three chambers of commerce to terminate the transaction were the Orlando Chamber of Commerce.

It was perfectly normal for the Chamber of Commerce to sever ties with a faltering trading partner. Ivano held no grudge against them.

But he still remembers the names and order of the chambers of commerce that terminated the transactions.

Ireneo was probably less than 20 years old at the time and still an apprentice, so Ivano had no grudge against him. They were both novices in business at the time.

"I apologize for bringing up the past so suddenly. Rest assured, the Mercadante Chamber of Commerce has left no trace of trouble. I'm just glad you still remember my father's name."

The man immediately suppressed his surprised expression and replied:

"Yes, I also remember that your grandfather was very smart and capable..."

Ireneo is worthy of being the president of a large chamber of commerce, and he is unwilling to be frightened unilaterally.

He clasped his hands together and looked at Ivano with his dark eyes.

"Mr. Ivano, are you more like your grandfather or your father?"

Even after hearing the pointed question, Ivano tried to maintain his expression.

His grandfather was a notoriously ruthless character, privately known as the "Cold-blooded Chamber of Commerce President."

Although his father was respected as the "President of the Ren De Chamber of Commerce", he was too gentle and generous.

After inheriting the chamber of commerce that my grandfather had spent a generation nurturing, my father lost everything by guaranteeing a colleague in need.

Ivano was just a young boy at the time and could do nothing, so he fled his hometown.

Although he abandoned the surname Mercadanti, he had suffered a lot in the past sixteen years.

Whenever he helps others do business as a member of the association, he always imagines what he would do if he were in their shoes.

He had left Gabriela, who had taken such good care of him, and had returned to his business life. He would not run away again.

Although scarred and broken, he still has the dignity of a businessman.

The name he carried again did not belong to his grandfather or his father, but only to himself.

"My wife says I look like neither. And don't they usually say a son resembles his mother?"

Ireneo's mother used to stay at the Orlando Chamber of Commerce, but she has disappeared recently. It must be the influence of a certain noble. Ivano hinted at this, but the man in front of him still maintained a businesslike smile.

“People say I look like my father.”

"Really? I envy you for being praised for your 'foresight'."

If Irenaeus had foresight, he would not have hurt Dahlia or let her leave.

This result was a good thing for Dahlia, but the Orlando Chamber of Commerce suffered an unknown amount of losses.

Ireneo raised one eyebrow slightly.

It seemed that Ivano's words to stab him back had some effect.

"I hope we can have a pleasant cooperation and a smooth business."

"Yes, it's a pleasant cooperation and the business is going smoothly."

After they finished their standard greetings, they extended their hands and shook hands politely with each other.

Both parties' palms were sweating a lot, which was inexplicably funny.

The person in charge of business in the Roseti Chamber of Commerce is not Dahlia, but Ivano.

He only hopes that the two chambers of commerce will prosper, and it would be nice if they could compete with each other somewhere.

The two businessmen wore smiles on their faces, trying to gauge each other's intentions and predict each other's moves.

This time, Ivano finally stepped onto the commercial stage as he wished, and was fortunately accompanied by the Golden Goddess.

He won't lose, and he won't back down.