How To Suck Honey With Extras [EN]: Chapter 123

135. It’s Just Business (7)

It’s been a little over a month since I started staying in the Palzente Duchy.

Life here is perfect.

‘The deals are going smoothly… and I’m getting byproducts from them, so there’s no problem.’

My assets are growing rapidly, and I’m gradually building up my strength by reaping the rewards.

Everything is going smoothly.

So, what should I do here in the future?

Around that time, Mr. Mallo from the Pilleros Merchant Company suggested a withdrawal.

“Mr. Ailen, shouldn’t we be withdrawing soon?”

Since the deal has been successfully concluded, there’s nothing more to do, so wouldn’t we be returning?

It’s a natural suggestion.

I wanted to agree and say it was perfect timing.

Because I was going to bring it up first anyway.

“It would be good to withdraw. Mr. Mallo, please instruct them to prepare for departure. But.”

I smiled lightly.

“Only you guys are going back.”

“Yes? What do you mean?”

“I’m sorry, but I’m planning to stay in the Duchy a little longer for the time being.”

They are sent back once.

However, only I am left here.

I’ll stay here; you guys go home first.

“What is the reason? I don’t think it’s a very good idea.”

Mr. Mallo said worriedly.

It’s understandable.

It’s quiet here now, but the battle on the distant battlefield is said to have become even more intense.

The Duchy’s army, having reorganized, has reportedly attempted several counterattacks against Marquis Celond’s territorial army.

They seem to have achieved some success, making it even more fierce.

If they can hold out, there will be no problem, but if they are pushed back, Marquis Celond’s army will rush here in an instant.

It would be wise to get out around this point.

But that’s if it were normal circumstances.

“I will stay for future deals. There are many things to discuss directly.”

Anyway, I will stay here.

“I’m sorry to Mr. Mallo and the others. I would like to ask you to prepare the next product.”

“…The next product.”

“First of all, the necessary list is written in this letter, so you only need to show it to Mr. Lowell as soon as you return.”

In fact, I had already hinted at it to him before leaving, so he will move immediately.

From the beginning, I was planning to stay here for quite a while.

Preparations have already been made.

‘More than anything, it’s better to send everyone back once. I can’t guarantee their safety afterward.’

In the end, it’s all an excuse.

The reason for bothering to send them back is to isolate them from being caught up in the events that will happen later.

‘Soon it will be a situation that goes beyond the middle of Volume 4.’

It won’t be a situation where I’m just watching the fire across the river [remaining uninvolved].

Clearly, the mastermind will use direct means.

One of the things that will happen in the latter half of the original Volume 4’s development.

The mastermind will resort to means that should not be used to break the Palzente Duchy’s front line.

They will detonate the worst bomb.

‘Was it probably the summoning of demons?’

Marquis Celond tried to use the demon summoning technique; I don’t know where he got it.

As a result, as many as ten intermediate demons will be summoned and run rampant.

In other words, the main bosses of Volume 4 are ten intermediate demons.

‘It’s a different level from the lowest-ranked demons I faced as a taste test.’

They will be caught up in it, regardless of whether they are enemies or allies, and will cause considerable damage.

Of course, the protagonist will eventually solve it, so it will somehow work out.

I believe that.

‘But when that happens, I can’t guarantee their safety, even if I’m alone.’

So, let’s send them back once.

I expect that by the time they return with the new product as requested, most of the problems will be almost resolved.

Even though I look like this, I care about my people.

‘It’s okay if I’m the only one who fails, but I shouldn’t drag others in.’

At least, let’s not forget that common sense.

Mr. Mallo seems to understand now that he can’t break my stubbornness, so he has a lot to say, but he soon accepts it without complaint.

“…I understand. But Mr. Ailen? Even if we come back, it will take at least two months.”

“That’s right.”

Setting aside the sailing period, the period for preparing the goods will take quite a while.

At least that much, and in reality, it will take longer.

Maybe by then, all the problems will be solved enough.

“What are you planning to do here during that time? You’re not planning to be without a plan, are you?”

“Of course, I already have a plan.”

“…What exactly are you going to do?”

“Hehehe. There’s something.”

I deliberately created an atmosphere as if it were meaningful.

I won’t tell you.

It’s not because I hate him, but because the time has come to interfere in matters related to the original work.

‘If I’ve earned, I have to return that much.’

Now I will join the story of Volume 4.

However, only in areas where the protagonist’s eyes do not reach.

* * *

Therefore, the most urgent thing to do first was.

‘Nelvis Mel Palzentaania. The exclusion of that idiot.’

The existence of Nelvis, the traitor of the Archduke’s family, was annoying.

Continuing to claim resentment would be a bit narrow-minded, so let’s be frank.

For the future, it was necessary to stop him.

Originally, Nelvis was around the middle of Volume 4.

So, originally, all his true intentions should have been revealed and isolated before the protagonist Sylvester went to war.

But such a person is still running rampant.

‘If he was different from the original work I know, I wouldn’t care.’

Judging from the circumstances and actions, he must be communicating with the enemies as in the original work.

He will continue to leak information.

It would be good to take measures in case he causes an accident if left alone.

‘Killing him is a rash act, and if I make a mistake, it will only cause unnecessary misunderstandings.’

More than anything, the idea of killing him out of the blue is a wrong idea.

Let’s reflect.

Killing is the most foolish plan.

Then what should I do?

The answer is simple.

Just report it, including the evidence.

‘And the freshest way to get evidence is to arrest them on the spot. Hehehehehehehe.’

It’s troublesome because I have to move myself, but it doesn’t matter.

When it comes to messing with someone I hate, I enjoy working hard.

It’s a truly ironic human nature.

And I can’t be an exception to such habits.

* * *

Nelvis Mel Palzentaania has two ways of communicating with Marquis Celond’s side.

One is regular communication using a communication artifact [magical device].

And the other is a rendezvous to exchange information at regular intervals.

In particular, it seems like he hands over a large amount of information during the rendezvous, so it’s a perfect opportunity.

A sure hit is needed.

Let’s aim for the rendezvous.

If I do well, I can catch the other side’s spy and offer them up, which will help them too.

It would be difficult for me if the Palzente Duchy doesn’t win as in the original work.

‘The person who is desperate has to work hard.’

And unlike the protagonist, I can’t fight, and I don’t want to, so let’s be kind in other ways.

With that in mind, I started looking for his rendezvous location.

Fortunately, there’s no need to wander around like an amateur detective.

More than anything, the reason he was directly destroyed by Sylvester was because his rendezvous location was discovered.

Of course, there is a description of the scene.

‘Let’s see… was it a half-ruined tavern on the outskirts of the city? Was it written that they meet there often?’

While scanning the text engraved in my head, I found a store that matched the description.

“…It really feels like it’s going to collapse.”

The sign is half torn off, and there are holes in the roof.

Are they doing business in a place like this?

Curious, I went inside and there really was someone.

As soon as I entered, the owner, who was sitting at the counter as if half-asleep, asked.

“What’s your order?”

“Something to drink… and something to chew on. Bring me something appropriate.”

I handed over a silver coin and ordered roughly.

This order has no meaning.

I just roughly imitated the protagonist’s actions in the original work.

For reference, I ordered roughly because I really didn’t know what to order.

Soon, something similar to wine came out, along with some kind of unidentified nuts stir-fried with jerky.

After smelling the alcohol, the quality was completely insane, and I thought it would be better for me to make the snacks myself.

I want to believe it’s like this because of the food problem. Is it usually like this?

‘I won’t die if I eat this, right?’

I have some resistance to poison.

But was that included in food poisoning? I’m confused.

After a conflict, I just pretended to drink.

“But hey there, I don’t think I’ve seen you around before?”

“…I’m a mercenary.”

In response to the store owner’s question, I took out a mercenary badge from my pocket, held it up slightly to cover my name, and shook it.

I’m Ailen, a mercenary.

I don’t think I’ve ever done anything that a mercenary would do, but I’m a mercenary for now.

“Ah… did you come to make a fortune because of the war? You’re having a hard time too.”

“The owner must be having a hard time too. Business isn’t good in this situation, is it?”

“Ugh… that’s right. Certainly, the number of customers has decreased this year. Well, what does it matter since the Archduke will take care of it!”

Listening to him laughing loudly and saying that he has no worries, it seems that he has a lot of trust in the Archduke’s family.

Well, it’s thanks to the Archduke’s ‘secret’ that this place is kept alive and maintained.

Of course, it’s natural for the territorial people to follow.

If there is no Archduke’s family, this territory will collapse in less than a year.

“We’re both having a hard time.”

I answered roughly and assessed the atmosphere.

‘The store owner is an extra… so that’s not him.’

In the original work, the owner was just an ordinary person, right?

Then…

While I was thinking for a moment, someone came in.

A man who wrapped his body in a coat like me.

‘Bingo~.’

His name doesn’t come out, but there is a spy that the protagonist contacted and caught in the original work.

Then he must have at least a minimum of importance.

It’s a convenient ability after all.

‘But just in case, should I refrain from hitting him first… I don’t want to catch the wrong person.’

Judgment is needed.

Then of course there is a way.

You don’t know if the other person is suspicious or not?

Here is Ailen’s lecture.

There is a way to identify suspicious people.

I left him alone without touching him while he was drinking.

I don’t touch him first.

Instead, I just watch and observe appropriately.

After a while, the man named Nilen gets up.

Maybe he’s going to the bathroom. Even spies have to pee.

And I also chuckled and quietly got up and went out of the store.

And entered the alleyway.

As expected.

Sreuk.

Something like a blade was pointed at my neck.

It was Nilen who had just gone out who took my back and held the blade.

His footwork is amazing.

I could barely hear the sound.

“…Who are you?”

“Oh? You noticed?”

“You, what business are you watching… Ugh?!”

Nilen was shocked while giving a warning.

Because I, who he had barely secured, had disappeared.

It’s a simple tactic.

And the point where I reappeared is naturally behind Nilen’s back.

“That’s about the kind of business. I’ll have you arrested on suspicion of being a spy.”

From behind him, I quickly created and gathered spirit water and shot it out.

If it’s me now, I can create a water cannon that can blow away a human being in less than a second.

There’s no way he can avoid it.

“Keuak!!”

Nilen couldn’t withstand the rushing water pressure and screamed and was thrown into a corner of the alleyway.

‘It’s quite simple?’

His skills are surprisingly nothing.

At best, he’s an Aura Practitioner [someone who can use their life energy to enhance their physical abilities].

Well, since his specialty is spying, combat power isn’t important.

“Seeing as you grabbed me from behind without saying a word, you must have a lot of things that prick your conscience?”

A way to tell if the other person is suspicious or not.

Just send a few meaningful glances.

If he has something that bothers him, he will try to silence you with a high probability.

That’s the sad habit of villains.