How To Suck Honey With Extras [EN]: Chapter 63

70. Earning Money, GO! (3)

I do have them.

‘But I can barely use them.’

The reason I came here in the first place was that this place was the most realistic to arrive on time and because Cruse was active here.

Still, I feigned ignorance once.

“Usually, even if they know, they wouldn’t easily teach, right?”

“It’s a materialistic story, but I admit it too. …It’s a problem that the Tower and the Church are at odds over.”

“Ah, you mean that.”

Indeed, the conflict arising from the differences between the Church and the Tower was one of the episodes where the protagonist had to grab them by the collar and lay them down… no, resolve it well.

“First, I’ll answer that question. I’ll answer sincerely since we’ve been through some hardships together.”

I was gentle, as if mischievous kids were hiding a bad prank.

“I know information about a few other places besides that one.”

“…Really?”

Cruse gripped the hem of her robe tightly.

She’s holding back.

She must still be wary of my intentions.

‘She doesn’t completely trust me. Well, that’s normal.’

We haven’t known each other for long.

How many years did it take even the protagonist to gain Cruse’s trust?

Anyway, it’s better to release it moderately than to hide it clumsily.

“If that’s the case. If what you’re saying is true, Ailen, that information.”

Cruse, without the slightest hesitation.

“I’ll buy the information.”

She proposed a deal.

“A deal?”

Information also has great value, so of course, there’s nothing strange about buying and selling it.

“If it’s the necessary payment, I’ll prepare as much as I can.”

“Payment…”

“Do you think I can’t afford to pay it?”

In addition, this lady has a lot of money.

She’s also the adopted daughter of one of the elders of the White Tower, and she must have accumulated considerable personal assets.

There’s also this reward.

She’s richer than me, at least.

“No. I’m even afraid that Cruse might offer something ridiculous.”

Such a person generously offers me a deal.

Honestly, it’s tempting.

“A deal… Do you think I’ll hand over the information with that?”

“You like money, don’t you?”

“I love it!”

“…You don’t hide it at all.”

Oops, I said it without thinking. How petty.

But it’s true, so there’s nothing I can do.

‘What should I do with this now….’

In fact, there’s nothing I can do with this information.

Because it’s useless.

The only reason I came here was that this place was the easiest.

What about the rest? There’s no hope anymore!

I barely pieced together the text from the original work to find places that were only mentioned, so if I go to other places, I’m likely to die unexpectedly.

Even this time, there was a corner where I almost slipped up.

‘If it’s information I won’t use, it’s better to sell it off….’

The problem isn’t that, but what I get from selling it.

‘What should I ask for?’

Artifact? No. It’s not bad, but it’s not quite right.

I need something more useful and meaningful.

Above all, the opportunity to trade with her is only now.

Is there anything I can get from this opportunity?

“…How is it, Ailen?”

Cruse seriously confirms my intentions once again.

I don’t want to let this opportunity go easily.

‘Ah… come to think of it.’

I glanced at Cruse’s robe and the staff that her slender fingers were wrapped around.

All of that is proof of a magician.

‘What’s in front of me is a rare high-circle magician.’

Then the only information fee I should present here is this!

“Cruse, are you really willing to pay anything in exchange for me telling you the information I’m sure of?”

“Yes? W-Well, if it’s something I can afford. …Wait a minute? What are you trying to ask for?”

“I think it’s a fee that Cruse can fully afford… but it might be a bit strange.”

“…Tell me.”

It seems that Cruse was a little nervous because I was holding back so much, waiting for me to say what I was asking for.

What I’m asking for is this.

The best price, not money or items.

“Teach me magic!”

Be my personal teacher!

* * *

I’ve said it several times, but one of the things I desperately wanted to learn was magic.

But I couldn’t afford to learn it.

In the original work, magic, if you learn it, you can somehow achieve up to 1 circle, no matter how untalented you are.

I don’t even know how to make that 1 circle! Damn original!

If you describe it in detail, even if it’s dozens of pages, will it add up!

Is it all right to draw a circle around your heart with mana [magical energy]!

I can’t do that!

I gave up while shouting that.

But the opportunity came.

‘If I can learn, there’s no one better than her.’

Let’s seize that opportunity!

Clearly, money, items, none of them are a waste.

“……”

Cruse, who heard my request, has no answer.

She stares at me without moving a finger, as if her thoughts have stopped for a moment.

“…Are you crazy?”

That’s the second time I’ve heard that.

“Maybe I’m the most sane and neat person in the whole world?”

“Putting that aside. Is that really all you need? Really?”

“Ah, is it not possible? You shouldn’t teach magic recklessly. Or do you care about origin, race, or ethnicity?”

“It’s not like that. Don’t limit learning! That is the teaching of our White Tower Master. …But it was too unexpected.”

Cruse closed her mouth as if to organize her thoughts for a moment, then lightly touched her forehead with her staff.

She is agonizing.

“But you’re already training in spiritism, aren’t you?”

“There are many things you can’t do with spiritism. Conversely, there are things that are difficult with magic alone. If you learn at least the basics of either, you won’t lose out in life.”

“Indeed…”

She listens seriously, understanding my intentions.

“But why do you have to ask me?”

“It seems I don’t have any talent for magic. So I don’t know how to do this alone.”

“…Talent.”

Cruse’s eyes narrowed at that word.

“I’m not asking you to take me to a great level. I won’t be dissatisfied if I learn at least the basics.”

My problem now is that I can’t see the answer to how to establish those basics, so I’m worried.

Above all, I want to avoid becoming a formal disciple of a magician.

It’s called a disciple, but you have to do chores like a servant for several years and get all kinds of abuse from a grumpy magician.

I don’t have time, and I don’t like being harassed.

But if I learn magic through a deal, the story is different.

The relationship becomes equal enough.

“If that’s okay, I won’t say anything else.”

“You’ll accept.”

“It’s not a big problem. …And save money.”

“Is that your real intention?”

“Hehe. I’m kidding.”

She says that, but I know it’s definitely a lot of trouble.

How annoying is it to teach someone, even if it’s not magic?

Even if she saves a lot of money, I know it’s not something she can easily decide.

And she’s not the type to just teach me roughly and move on.

I can trust this.

“Then the deal is done~.”

It’s quite nice to feel like a minor worry has been resolved.

At least I’ll get to know her better for a while.

Above all, I got a clue to learn the magic I’ve been longing for.

* * *

However, it seems difficult to receive the teachings about the magic I dreamed of right now.

Cruse said she had a report to make after returning to the Magic Tower once.

“Are you reporting now?”

“…Actually, they want me to come back because there’s something they urgently want to ask about what happened here.”

“Ah, that’s a scolding pattern.”

She’s going to get scolded.

Well, she openly subjugated a black magician’s workshop, so she’ll have to answer a few questions accordingly.

Maybe she was prepared for it, so she’s not discouraged, but she seems to be annoyed.

Anyway, it seems she can’t grant what I want right away.

“Hmm, then Cruse. Please come here when you’re done with your business at the Tower.”

I took out a map, spread it out, and pointed to an estate located at the northern end of the kingdom to Cruse.

“Is it here?”

“Yes. I plan to stay here for at least half a year.”

I’ve already thought about the future schedule.

I plan to leave in a few days.

“Okay. Then… I’ll listen to the promised information then.”

“If it’s information, I don’t mind teaching you in advance as a down payment?”

“No. I’ll listen then. I don’t like listening unilaterally first.”

Well, that’s what I wanted.

Maybe I should think more about the location I can tell you.

I can’t make the same mistake as last time.

‘I have to make sure to guide it so that it doesn’t deviate from the original framework….’

Anyway, I promised to meet Cruse again in the future and parted ways.

* * *

Reunion in the near future is a reunion, and what’s important is now.

I have enough money and I’m relieved, so let’s not forget what we need to do in the meantime.

After Cruse leaves the city first, I have about a week left until I plan to leave this place.

‘I want to rest a little more if I could….’

I really want to play, but I can’t guarantee what will happen after that.

In the meantime, I decided to find and receive a suitable request from the guild to save even a penny more for living expenses.

“…Huh? This monster subjugation request in the forest is?”

While receiving the request list from the receptionist, I was puzzled to see several monster subjugation requests in the forest where I had subjugated the black magician’s workshop last time and its vicinity.

Then the guild receptionist immediately explained.

“Yes. It’s related to the black magician’s workshop request that Soland and his party completed. After that, reports came in that some new types of monsters were wandering around.”

“Ah, you’re subjugating that.”

Oh, it seems to be an extension of the aftermath of the black magician’s workshop.

For reference, it seems that the soldiers of the lord’s side thoroughly searched the workshop afterward.

The treasure was passed over as a reward to the meritorious person, but even so, the value of that place does not disappear.

They’ll squeeze out as much as they can, even a single pebble.

Of course, I believed that they would properly handle the aftermath in the process, but it was still not enough.

“For new types of monsters, we decided to give twice the reward of the existing monster market price if you subjugate them.”

“That’s… desperate.”

“There are farmlands nearby. If monsters wander around there, it will cause great damage.”

“Indeed, I understand.”

Anyway, it was true that it was a useful request, so I decided to accept it.

Also, alone.

There’s no reason to go as a group, and there’s something I want to do secretly.

“Ah, right, Ailen. And there was one more thing to tell you.”

The receptionist muttered in a small voice, “Oh my gosh…” and started rummaging through the drawer as if looking for something.

I thought it would be nothing more than a request, but the receptionist took out a mercenary badge and handed it to me.

“Mercenary badge? Huh? It’s mine? Why?”

But I’m keeping my mercenary badge safe, and I haven’t applied for additional issuance?

Are these guys starting to force sales now?

“It’s not a forced sale. Why would we do that?”

“Um, to raise the insufficient budget….”

“Absolutely not!”

But that’s not the case.

But why are you making a flustered face?

I’ll have to be careful when buying something from the guild in the future.

“Considering your past achievements, the opinion that it is right to re-judge Ailen’s rank as A-rank has been accepted.”

“…Application, I never said that?”

“Ailen’s performance has already exceeded the level of B-rank. It’s a natural consideration.”

She smiles and presses the new mercenary badge.

No, it’s embarrassing to hand it over like a grandmother poking her grandson with pocket money.

Don’t poke my hand with the mercenary badge! Take it! I’m taking it!

Anyway, I finally received the new mercenary badge.

If I didn’t receive it, they were about to shove it in my mouth next time.

I fiddled with the mercenary badge and put this outstanding impression into my mouth.

“Wow… it’s A-rank. Wow… I’m happy. Oh my. I’m happy, I’m happy….”

“…Are you really happy?”

“Yes? I’m really happy?”

Just kidding.

Considering what I’m going to do in the future, it’s good to raise my value a little.

Then, as an A-rank mercenary, shall we go and do a lot of requests?