Hogwarts: My Yorozuya has no taboos!

Chapter 74 Diagon Alley Merchant Guild

Ever since Ares was expelled from Hogwarts in his fifth year, he has been making a living by hanging around Diagon Alley.

With his quick wit and increasingly refined spellcasting skills, he quickly made a name for himself here. He helped many people, only charging a token fee, and these mostly kind-hearted Diagon Alley shop owners naturally reciprocated by taking good care of this little boy with a somewhat pitiful background and experiences.

For example, after Ares neatly organized the bookshelves, the owner of Flourish and Blotts would always lend him a few rare magic books from his family collection that could never be found on the market.

After Ares helped her successfully transport a large quantity of clothing to the designated location, Madam Malkin would also smile and give him two suitable robes.

Vizsek, the magic supplies shopkeeper, was a big fan of Ares because potions were among his sales.

Potions are among the most in-demand, yet also the most troublesome, of all magic-related items.

In the magical world, apart from a limited number of magical potions that have been mass-produced, the vast majority of magical potions can only be brewed by wizards based on their individual potion-making skills. Wizards who can brew precious magical potions are invariably highly sought after and command exorbitant prices.

Ares is the only wizard Vizek can find who can brew almost any potion and charges a reasonable price.

Even Ollivander, who was very unhappy that Ares hadn't kept the sick mantle he'd sold him, soon realized Ares's "valuable" qualities.

Although Ollivanders Wands is renowned and practically the official wand shop designated by the Ministry of Magic, its profits are not as high as one might imagine. For Ollivanders, the real money-making business comes from custom-made wands ordered by high-status wizards.

It's well known that wealthy people often have some quirky little habits.

They love to be different and love to hype up things that are expensive but difficult to use—they would specify the core and shaft material for Ollivander's wand.

Ares is the only one who can get his hands on those things, and he's very tight-lipped.

So—

When they learned that Ares had invited them to a party at the Leaky Cauldron, most of them immediately dropped what they were doing and came. A few who had urgent business also put their plans aside and rushed to the party, out of respect for Ares's status as the new recipient of the Order of Merlin, First Class.

The small bar, bathed in sunlight, was packed with people.

As Ares narrated, the initial curiosity in people's eyes disappeared, replaced by a gleaming light!

"...I think you should understand now, this is a big deal!"

Ares used a low table as a stage and spoke to everyone.

"But we can't be sure how the sales will be right now—for the first batch, Tom, I plan to get 200 cases of Butterbeer from you."

Fosco, you have 50 tubs of ice cream here;

For students, school supplies are the biggest expense. So, Jishu Stationery Store, you need to give me at least 2000 quill pens, 200 pounds of parchment... and some regular ink and color-changing ink as well;

At least 50 bundles of hard-to-pull fireworks will be needed, and this will be provided by the Bouncing and Playful Magical Joke Shop;

Mrs. Malkin, I want all the trendy wizard robes and innerwear... especially for girls, girls this age love to dress up. Then, let me think... oh, Flourish and Blotts.

Yes, that's right, I want some books... Oh, not the serious books for studying, there are plenty of those in the Hogwarts library, I want some... uh, unserious books.

You ask me how unserious I am... Well, you know Gilderoy Lockhart, right? By that standard, young wizards this age love to read fabricated legends and biographies!

.....

Finally, the Quidditch shop...yes, we definitely need some...I know your stuff is expensive, but we should at least get a couple of Nimbus 2000s—are you worried the students won't have enough money and will break your stuff?

Just kidding, you probably don't know, at least a quarter of the students at Hogwarts are from wealthy families!

Ares accepted the butterbeer that old Tom eagerly offered him and took a few gulps to quench his thirst. Then, he looked solemnly at everyone.

"Everyone, you are all professionals. You should understand that the key is not the profit of a single item, but rather establishing effective sales channels. Therefore, the prices of all products must not be the same as those in your store, understand? We must offer the greatest possible discounts to the young wizards. A steady, long-term approach is key; providing convenience to others is providing convenience to ourselves... Also, we absolutely must not use inferior products!"

"We understand the reasoning, Mr. Delfino!"

Patchi, who sells crucibles, raises his hand, looking somewhat aggrieved.

"And we all know this is a good thing for us and for the young wizards... But you... cough, you just said that all the goods don't require a single nut as a deposit, which is... for us..."

Many people nodded hesitantly.

"When it comes to establishing business channels, you have to spare no expense, understand, Patchy!"

Ares said with a stern face.

"This is a crucial moment. We need to make the school administrators see that this business is mutually beneficial and a win-win situation before it can be implemented... Besides, my reputation is there, so what do you have to worry about?"

"This is no small sum, Mr. Delfino... How often do you plan to settle accounts with us?"

Even Wieseker seemed hesitant.

"My current plan is to restock once a month. If business is booming, I will also restock once a month."

Ares said he noticed many people still looked hesitant. After a moment's thought, he rummaged in his pocket for a while and pulled out a coin that gleamed with gold.

"Order of Merlin, First Class!"

Patchi gasped in amazement.

"Ahem, that's right—"

Ares was pleased with the awe people showed towards the coin; he flicked the medal between his fingers like a coin.

"If you're afraid of losing everything, I can leave this medal with you as collateral."

"I can make an agreement with all of you. If there's a real loss... you can auction it off to make up for your losses. How about that?"

They even used the Order of Merlin as collateral?

The people staring at Ares were filled with shock.

The Order of Merlin, First Class, is a symbol of honor and strength!

For a wizard, obtaining such a medal would not only instantly make them a guest of honor among the elite of the entire European magical world, but even after their death, their descendants could still obtain the protection of those in power through this medal.

This is definitely a family heirloom!

The shopkeepers in Diagon Alley no longer hesitated; they were all eager to get started and rolled up their sleeves, ready to make a big splash.

"Since everyone has made up their minds—"

Ares, his expression brightening, jumped off the table, raised his glass to everyone, and

"Everyone, let's raise a glass and celebrate the founding of the Diagon Alley Chamber of Commerce today!"