How To Suck Honey With Extras [EN]: Chapter 74

74. The More to Sell, the Better (1)

For large-scale trade involving substantial quantities of goods, sea routes are generally preferred over land routes whenever feasible.

For instance, reaching the Palgent Duchy by sea takes approximately eight days.

While a land route exists, the terrain is so treacherous that traversing it requires three months.

Consequently, maritime transport is the optimal choice for moving large volumes of merchandise.

However, it’s equally fraught with peril.

Unpredictable weather patterns.

Violent waves.

And a host of sea monsters.

Yet, merchants cannot afford to be paralyzed by fear if they wish to make a living.

Through experience and skill, they learn to navigate the treacherous seas and press onward.

“…Are we about a third of the way there?”

The captain, in charge of the Pilleros Merchant Company’s trade ship, sighed as he reviewed the remaining route.

So far, this voyage had been relatively smooth.

The sky was clear, and the sea was calm.

He was somewhat concerned about monsters, but none in this area posed an insurmountable threat.

‘Still, there’s an unsettling feeling.’

His gut instinct made him uneasy, a feeling he couldn’t ignore.

In the past, such feelings had preceded sudden weather changes or the emergence of previously unseen sea monsters.

Something felt amiss.

“Stay alert! Don’t let your guard down!”

He cautioned the sailors, who seemed to have grown complacent due to the tranquil voyage, and was about to resume calculating the route.

Thump!

The trumpet blared.

A signal to announce an urgent situation.

Verbal communication could be too slow.

Pre-arranged signals allowed for quicker responses.

Two trumpet blasts meant a monster; three meant running aground.

What did one blast signify?

“A ship is approaching!”

The lookout, using a telescope, confirmed the approaching vessel.

‘It’s large. Judging by its appearance, it’s not a merchant ship?’

It looked suspicious.

Encounters between merchant ships heading in the same direction were common.

But this ship exuded a different aura.

‘It’s approaching directly.’

Even when traveling the same route, ships of this size typically maintained a safe distance.

Accidental collisions due to currents were a risk.

Yet, this ship was closing in as if disregarding such concerns.

The intent was clear.

‘Damn it! I knew I had a bad feeling!’

Pirates were the first thing that came to mind.

However, something felt off about the idea of them being simple pirates.

The ship appeared surprisingly well-maintained.

Pirates rarely had the resources to keep their vessels in such condition.

It was a subtle incongruity that only experienced sailors would notice.

‘Regardless, we can’t let them get close.’

He made a decision and issued an immediate order.

“Change course. Maintain as much distance as possible.”

“Are they pirates?”

“Likely. Prepare yourselves.”

Their only option was to steer clear while arming themselves.

Many mercenaries with naval combat experience were on board.

The sailors were also quite capable, which would be helpful.

But a direct confrontation would inevitably result in damage.

‘I still have a bad feeling.’

Just as the captain braced himself,

Boom!

A sound emanated from the approaching ship.

For a moment, he wondered if lightning had struck.

Whoosh!

A wave erupted from the stern on the ship’s right side, as if something had fallen into the water.

“W-what was that?”

“I’ve heard of it.”

The captain clenched his fist, his eyes wide.

“Some countries possess weapons that use a strange, explosive substance to launch iron projectiles.”

But something was amiss.

Only one nation was known to possess such technology.

‘Could it be?’

He was shocked by the potential identity of the ship.

If it was true, mercenaries wouldn’t stand a chance.

Should he prepare for the worst?

As he contemplated this, ready for another explosion,

Rumble!

Lightning struck from the sky.

The intense bolt hit the enemy ship directly, engulfing it, and the ship sank instantly.

“Hurry, get us out of here!”

There was no time to ponder the event.

The captain issued orders to leave the area as quickly as possible, watching the sinking ship through a telescope.

‘That lightning… what was that?’

Regardless of the sea’s unpredictable nature, this felt unnatural.

It seemed like a deliberate attack.

But they lacked the means to generate such power.

What had truly happened?

The captain tried to appear calm to avoid alarming the crew, but his doubts lingered.

‘I don’t know who it was, but I’m grateful.’

* * *

Meanwhile, a blonde girl sighed deeply in the sky nearby, observing the sinking enemy ship’s bow.

Cruse muttered to herself.

“…This is troublesome. That’s not why I came here.”

Despite it being a deal, she hadn’t anticipated being asked to follow the ship and protect it.

‘Was it… a business arrangement?’

Cruse pondered, trying to understand Aileen’s intentions.

‘Do they usually do this kind of thing?’

To her, commerce was simply the exchange of goods.

‘Business is scary.’

She couldn’t believe it could involve such conflicts.

Cruse sighed, weary of the situation.

An ordinary merchant would likely argue that this was an exceptional circumstance.

Having confirmed that the unidentified ship was incapacitated, as requested,

Cruse turned to leave.

“…Let’s go back.”

She had fulfilled her part of the agreement.

There was no need to linger.

More importantly,

‘They’ll notice and react if I stay any longer.’

Cruse glanced at the damaged ship.

It was rendered unsalvageable by her magic.

A disaster for those aboard.

Yet, there were no fatalities.

People were jumping from the wreckage, but none were dead.

‘I didn’t intend to spare them…’

She hadn’t planned to kill them outright, merely to disable the ship.

It wasn’t out of consideration.

Those who attacked others’ property were no better than thieves, and deserved no mercy.

Therefore, the explanation was simple.

They were skilled enough to survive the attack.

‘Aura……’

She had seen it clearly.

The bodies of those on deck when the lightning struck were shielded by blue mana.

Even a reclusive wizard knew that such a sight was uncommon.

‘…I only accepted this because the boy insisted, but it would be unwise to draw more attention than necessary.’

Before being detected, Cruse quickly departed.

A ship chartered by the Pilleros Merchant Company was nearby, providing a means of return.

‘Now that I think about it, I might have made a deal with a troublesome person.’

She could have refused, but why hadn’t she?

Of course, it wasn’t without compensation.

She would receive additional information and payment based on the outcome.

Still, she had accepted because Aileen had been persistent and seemingly desperate.

She hadn’t realized it until recently.

It was difficult to refuse someone who pleaded earnestly.

‘Am I, unexpectedly, someone who can’t say no?’

Sighing at her perceived weakness, Cruse hurried back.

* * *

After sending the produced potions to the Pilleros Merchant Company’s ship with a wave, I checked my accumulated influence points while preparing for my next task.

Your actions create influence.

Acquired Influence Points: 22pt

Remaining Influence Points: 128pt

Did this happen while I was working as a street vendor?

Then, another notification appeared.

Your actions create indirect influence.

Acquired Influence Points: 19pt

Remaining Influence Points: 147pt

…What’s this? Indirect?

‘It’s not surprising that this is popping up now……’

This time, the amount was significant.

Typically, I only earn 2-3 points when selling potions in the short term.

So what caused this?

‘The 100,000 potions I sent to the duchy are still at sea.’

That would contribute to influence, but it’s not time yet.

Influence is generated when the effect is felt, when an event occurs, large or small.

Then what does this mean?

‘…Ah. That’s it. That crazy lich finally did something.’

There’s no other explanation.

Crazy Lich. Kmels Alfrens

That lich must have kidnapped the black magicians as I instructed.

‘Influence is generated even with this……’

Indirect change.

Since the target is a secret organization led by a villain, the influence likely occurred the moment they were targeted.

‘Well, this will prevent that lich from coming back.’

He’s a villain, but he keeps his word.

At least until the main story dealing with his arc, I won’t hear that name.

I’m curious about what happened, but I’ll avoid that situation if possible.

That’s wise.

Then forget about it……

‘I got additional points, so should I strengthen my abilities further?’

Recently, I’ve focused on strengthening existing abilities unless there’s a specific one I want to acquire.

Sometimes it’s best to appreciate what you have.

There was an ability I wanted to upgrade if I had enough points.

Would you like to upgrade the ability ‘Mana Affinity’?

Let’s upgrade it without hesitation.

The ability of mana affinity has been upgraded.

It has been changed to extreme sensitivity.

Consumption Influence Points: 31pt

Remaining Influence Points: 116pt

Everything is proceeding smoothly.

What’s the effect?

Aileen – Supporting Role B

Ability Acquisition List (Separately Opened)

Stamina: 107

Agility: 34

Willpower: 40

Mana: 240

Spirit Power: 208

My mana and spirit power have increased significantly.

And since there are points left, additionally.

Spirit Affinity

Consumption Influence Points: 21pt

Remaining Influence Points: 95pt

I decided to learn this as well.

This would provide a bonus to spiritism, albeit a small one.

I don’t expect a significant effect with the remaining points, but it will help.

‘For now, I’m going to invest as much as possible in spirit power.’

Unless there’s an ability I desperately need, it’s wise to invest in spiritism.

Because I have a personal goal.

I summoned Undine and observed her closely.

“Undine? Any changes? Are you about to grow taller? Is your voice different?”

Since my spirit power has increased, Undine’s output should also have increased.

But there’s no noticeable change.

Undine spun around five times, examining herself, and shouted.

-No change!

“…There isn’t.”

It’s a little disappointing.

I slowly licked my lips.

I’m aiming for evolution to an intermediate spirit.

The timing is early, but thanks to my increased stats, their abilities already exceed the level of a low-level spirit.

It wouldn’t be surprising if they evolved soon.

‘After all, simply strengthening your abilities a little doesn’t make you intermediate……’

The growth difficulty of spiritism increases significantly from the intermediate level.

Spiritists will be frustrated from the intermediate level!

It’s best to assume that spirit evolution won’t be easily achieved.

Well, let’s not rush it.

That mindset could hinder evolution.

After closing the status window and dismissing Undine, I sighed.

Thump!

Someone knocked on the inn door.

The only people who knock like that are messengers from the Pilleros Merchant Company.

I opened the door slightly and asked.

“What’s going on?”

“…This is it.”

Perhaps the message was too complex for a simple verbal delivery; a piece of parchment was pushed through the crack.

It’s not a love letter. Why are they being so secretive?

So what’s happening?

Is it the review of my next business idea?

Hoping for a positive response, I unfolded the parchment and blinked.

Fortunately, thanks to learning language-related abilities and practicing writing, I can read the letter.

“Huh?”

According to the letter,

I need to pack for a few days of travel.

“…It’s work again.”

Come on. Work, Aileen.

You’re not giving me a break.

I think I’m going on more business trips than I did in my previous life.