How To Suck Honey With Extras [EN]: Chapter 147

162. My Duty is a Merchant! (5)

He was probably referring to the spirits’ hawking [selling goods loudly] during the day.

“That’s right.”

“A valid point.”

Other merchant guilds voiced similar opinions, nitpicking like Dulls [referring to someone known for being overly critical], as if in agreement.

‘They’ve colluded, they’ve colluded.’

Collusion! An excellent way to fix things.

I like that too.

“Moreover, trading with the Duchy so early… I must ask why you’re monopolizing the information.”

“Could there be collusion?”

“If so, that’s against the ethics of a merchant!”

Complaints poured in, one after another.

“Hmm… ethics.”

I deliberately waited for them to vent their grievances completely, then leaned forward slightly, rested my chin in my hand, and tapped the table leisurely.

It’s presumptuous, but I’m allowed to be.

“In short, you all seem to have quite a bit to say about me using spirit magic or starting trade here advantageously.”

“It must be clarified. And shouldn’t we cooperate to distribute opportunities more equally?”

“Equal opportunities? Such as?”

“First, Aileon, was it? You don’t seem to be formally affiliated with the Phelleros Merchant Guild.”

‘Huh? Me?’

“Then wouldn’t it be unnatural to continue trading only with the Phelleros Merchant Guild?”

“Ah…”

In other words, they want me to supply them with the items I’m trading exclusively with Phelleros.

They want me to break the monopoly.

“We can offer you good terms as well.”

I’ve never seen anyone who says that not try to rip you off.

The company I worked for back on Earth promised a raise after two years upon joining, you know?

But they never gave it, even after five years.

How petty. Really.

On top of that, they started making all sorts of absurd demands, like prohibiting spirit magic for solicitation.

‘What should I do?’

I could overturn everything with force and somehow gloss over it, but that’s too uncivilized.

I sighed lightly and decided to address each of their issues one by one.

“First, let me address your suspicions. Is that alright?”

“Go ahead.”

“Regarding the Phelleros Merchant Guild’s information monopoly, that is unfounded.”

“…Impossible.”

“The Phelleros Merchant Guild has been trading with the Duchy for a while. They’ve sold potions and supplied various goods before. I was able to trade because of Lowell’s arrangement, who was already promoting it.”

“But wasn’t the timing too perfect?”

“As for that, rumors about the Duchy have been circulating for some time. So, let me ask you instead: Why didn’t your merchant guilds send ships here?”

“…That’s…”

“Anyone in this business knows that a country at war is a good place to trade.”

They were silent because they realized they hesitated out of self-preservation.

“…Indeed, due to some unfortunate accidents, sending ships here was somewhat delayed.”

“That’s right.”

Everyone subtly avoids the topic.

Well, they probably thought this wouldn’t be a valid point either.

They’re just throwing everything they can think of and hoping something sticks.

“But spirit magic! Using spirit magic for such trivial matters is…”

“There’s no law prohibiting it.”

“But the Spirit Guild should have forbidden such things!”

“I’m not affiliated with the guild. You can complain to them, but you won’t get an answer.”

More likely, they’ll say, ‘Aileon? Who’s that nobody?’

Besides, I don’t have to worry about the Spirit Guild anymore.

I have backing now, and I’ve gained money and power.

Would they easily harm me if they received a complaint?

At least not right now.

It would be troublesome if the Guild Master decided to take action, but that’s unlikely.

More importantly, it would be a loss for them if they did.

‘If they send some mediocre lackey, that’s what I want.’

I could devour their clumsy malice and gain even more benefits.

I’m getting the hang of it.

Therefore, the Spirit Guild’s check that they’re expecting is no longer meaningful.

Well, if I keep living as I please, I’ll eventually clash with them, but by then, our protagonist will probably be there to judge them.

“…Tch.”

They seemed frustrated and anxious, grinding their teeth as I confidently pushed back.

I sighed lightly.

“Of course, this is just my opinion, and I can’t guarantee what kind of judgment will actually be made.”

“Th-then!”

They perked up as if seizing an opportunity, but their expressions crumpled at my next words.

“Then how about we withdraw altogether?”

“…What?”

Why are you making such startled rabbit eyes?

You said you were bothered by us, right?

Then we should leave. Sob. Sob.

“If there’s going to be trouble, I can’t just stand by. My life is precious too. So, I’ll withdraw from here as soon as this discussion ends.”

The point is, I have nothing to lose no matter the outcome of this discussion.

Since I’ve already been promised a considerable amount of benefits from the Grand Duke, I don’t need to be greedy.

I could withdraw once, come back in about a year, and slowly start building the business again.

‘That might be better, considering the preparation time.’

The Faltania Duchy will back me up even if I shamelessly come back later.

I trust their loyalty.

In the end, it’s about bluffing.

Just showing them that I’m ready to flip the table and run away is enough.

Naturally, they blinked as if thinking, ‘This isn’t right?’ and lowered their voices in embarrassment.

“…W-wait. Aileon, was it? Aren’t you jumping to conclusions too quickly?”

“I think it’s a prudent decision. You all know what happened in Felpuk, right?”

What if I even bring up a real-life example?

“…No, I mean, what we’re saying is…”

“So, we’re leaving?”

“Be a little more careful…”

“Malo, start packing right away. I’ll take responsibility. Come on, let’s go home!”

Just as I was about to quietly leave, displaying the beautiful virtue of concession,

“Wait!”

In the end, the one who was more desperate stood up first.

“You’re taking it too hastily. You’re too impatient. Shouldn’t we hear the rest of the story? …Don’t you think?”

He asked as if seeking agreement, and the other merchants also nodded in agreement, though reluctantly.

“Hmm? From the context earlier, you seemed quite uncomfortable with us.”

“How could that be! What we want to say is this! We want to share our difficulties and get along well.”

The reason they suddenly changed their attitude is that they calculated that our departure would not be beneficial at all.

In fact, we are currently treated almost like benefactors here.

It’s thanks to the good rumors that have spread.

But what would happen if I eloped [secretly run away to get married]?

A merchant they were grateful for disappears, and suddenly, strange people come and try to sell them things?

Naturally, suspicious eyes would arise.

If they’re not careful, rumors might spread that they drove us out.

That’s probably what they’re worried about.

It’s about time to stop here.

I reluctantly returned to my seat, pretending to listen to their persuasion.

From now on, we need to have a proper, constructive negotiation, not just listen to their nitpicking.

“So, what are you all planning to do after this meeting?”

* * *

The meeting, from my personal perspective, yielded truly impeccable results.

At first, they wanted to restrict our activities in any way possible, but when we consistently insisted that we would rather withdraw than concede even a little, they eventually agreed to a certain set of rules, stating that they would not interfere with our trading.

Instead, I only had to promise that I wouldn’t increase the number of items I was currently trading for the next few months.

That’s how it ended.

“Is this good enough?”

Malo praised me as if there was nothing to criticize.

“You were excellent, Mr. Aileon.”

“They were just being unreasonable anyway. There’s nothing excellent about it.”

The result probably wouldn’t have been different even if I had sent only Malo.

However, I didn’t achieve my goal of finding a conspicuous merchant.

That’s a bit disappointing.

“Ah, and. We’re leaving here soon anyway. Please make sure to tell that to the others.”

“…Yes?”

Don’t make that ‘what nonsense are you talking about’ face, Malo.

“I said it earlier, didn’t I? I told you to start preparing to pack.”

“Wasn’t that a joke?”

Have you ever seen me joke?

Oh, you’ve probably seen it a lot.

“In the first place, how long do you think the amount of goods we brought will last?”

“Ah…”

“Honestly, it won’t even last a month, right? If we sell like today. Right?”

From the start, I have no intention of staying in the Falgent Duchy for a long time.

They seem to be mistaken that I’ll be staying here for years, but that’s absurd!

I admit that I’ve been singing about being a merchant, but I don’t really want to settle down in one place yet.

‘Anyway, I should be leaving soon, right?’

Episode 4 has already passed.

Once I finish confirming everything, I’m planning to set the next schedule and leave.

“Above all, I want to go back to the Selvas Kingdom. I’m planning to send an agent later to continue trading.”

“I see… Well, Mr. Aileon must be missing his hometown.”

“…Haha. Let’s just say that.”

I glossed over Malo’s words, pretending to agree.

Hometown? Hah! I don’t miss it!

‘More than that, what I’m worried about now is… Sylvester still hasn’t left the Duchy, has he?’

In fact, one of the main reasons I haven’t left here and am still staying is that.

For some reason, Sylvester is still staying here.

And he seems to be still active.

I haven’t seen our protagonist’s face since defeating Elute.

‘What the heck is he doing?’

I admit that the protagonist is a bit busy, but isn’t this too much?

I was slightly questioning the protagonist’s workload.

‘It’s probably a sign.’

And I have no intention of taking it lightly.

Because wherever the protagonist is, incidents and accidents always happen.

* * *

That night.

The plains where the Falgent Duchy and the Celond Marquisate border.

On that land, where fierce battles had been repeated several times, about ten soldiers were moving in groups.

“It’s eerie…”

Falgent Duchy soldier Wool shuddered, feeling a strange chill.

“Don’t talk nonsense. We’re on a mission.”

It was Knight Telondel who scolded him, leading their mission.

At the superior’s rebuke, Wool shrank back and paid attention again.

Their current mission is to search this plain.

Until recently, this was where the soldiers of Falgent Duchy and Celond Marquisate shed blood and killed each other mercilessly.

The smell of blood was so strong that even the beasts were reluctant to come here, even now that the fighting had stopped.

But even they couldn’t turn away from this place.

During the day, they had to find the bodies of their comrades, and at night, they had to search, wary of the enemy using this ominous environment.

It’s common sense to launch surprise attacks or suspicious maneuvers in the quiet gaps.

Their mission is to guard against that in advance.