Lord Baby Runs A Romance Fantasy With Cash [EN]: Chapter 91

☆ Chapter 92 ☆

The cool air felt refreshing as whatever had been blocking my view disappeared.

The Captain stared at my face, momentarily speechless.

I could only sense the heat in his eyes intensifying in a strange way.

“The hood, too.”

His voice was low and husky.

‘Seeing my face should be enough, why the hood too?’

Even with that thought, I obediently took off the deeply pulled-down hood.

150,000 worth of suckers… no, customers, of course.

With a rustle, the hood came down, and my hair was disheveled.

I roughly swept my hair back and looked at the Captain.

I couldn’t read his expression. It was as if he had deliberately erased it.

“…….”

“…….”

It was embarrassing to reveal my face with a ‘ta-da!’ only to be met with silence.

I scratched my cheek. My short bob brushed against my cheek.

“Am I that pretty? Enough to leave you speechless like this?”

The silence deepened.

The mountain bandit’s gaze was very blatant. It was the look one gives to someone in the terminal stages of ‘axe to grind’ disease [someone looking for a fight or holding a grudge].

“Just kidding.”

“Ha ha! The Guild Master makes jokes as if they were the truth!”

‘No, when did I ever say anything like it was the truth!’

I glared at the mountain bandit with a sulky face.

‘If they saw my real appearance, they’d be shocked!’

Hmm.

But I think they’d be shocked in a different way.

Because I’m a ten-year-old baby.

“Our Captain may look like that, but his standards are higher than the peak of Mount Tiren [a fictional, very high mountain]. No matter how beautiful a woman is, he doesn’t even bat an eye.”

I said it was a joke, mister!

Why are you trying to convince me!

It was when the mountain bandit was laughing heartily, “Keo he he he he!”

That the Captain quietly opened his mouth.

His gaze was still fixed on me.

“I did.”

“Yes?”

The mountain bandit behind him asked back with a dumbfounded face.

“Just now.”

The eyes looking at me were so deep it felt like I was being sucked in.

‘What is it.’

I tilted my head.

The person who doesn’t bat an eye even at a great beauty is now saying he blinked at me?

Unfortunately, unlike the mountain bandit’s expectations, I didn’t have an ‘axe to grind’.

“Are you hitting on me right now? To make the negotiations more favorable?”

“I was just stating a fact, but did it look that way?”

“Yeah. But it won’t work.”

The Captain raised one eyebrow.

“I know a lot of handsome men.”

First of all, there are four great beauties at home.

“You seem to appreciate appearances quite a bit.”

“It’s just that my standards are high because of my environment.”

“Environment?”

“Originally, many handsome men follow a young woman with a lot of money and ability.”

I gestured to Azul.

Azul, who received my gaze, gave a shy smile.

As someone who inherited the blood of a water spirit, Azul was a pure and refreshing beauty.

“Handsome, you say.”

The Captain’s gaze as he looked at Azul flickered darkly.

‘Even if he’s the Captain of Echesis, he can’t help but be jealous of handsome men.’

“Is that your type?”

“Even if I didn’t have a type, isn’t Azul handsome enough?”

Even if you’re jealous, you have to admit what you have to admit.

I shrugged at the silent Captain.

“So, stop with the useless flirting and let’s get straight to the negotiations.”

“……Alright.”

“First of all, I want to see the condition of the 150,000 Shireen flowers I promised before deciding on the price.”

Having secured the quantity just by taking off my mask once, I no longer felt rushed.

“So you’re going to test me with that.”

“Isn’t it natural to check the time it takes to complete the request and the condition of the flowers before deciding on the price? I have to decide on the price after seeing the goods.”

“That’s the way of a merchant. The law of mercenaries is different. The time required and the condition of the requested item depend on the price of the request.”

“Merchants also agree to changes in quality depending on the price. But you have to earn trust in the quality you provide first.”

I put my elbow on the tea table and smiled slyly.

“What if I expect high quality and pay a high price, but you don’t have the ability to meet that quality?”

It was a kind of provocation.

Only 5 years since its foundation.

Nevertheless, the Echesis Mercenary Corps was undoubtedly ranked number one.

Who would doubt that they lack the ability to complete the request?

As expected, the mountain bandit behind me was about to say something with a flushed face.

But the Captain’s answer was faster than that.

“That makes sense.”

‘As expected.’

He doesn’t even flinch at this kind of provocation.

“Then?”

“Proving that ability would be a priority.”

He grinned.

It was a statement of great confidence. And it was quite reliable.

“My condition is as I said in advance. Never clash with the Spirit Beast Acterakken.”

Honestly, I know how difficult this request is.

It would be easier to lure Acterakken out and fight it, while others collect Shireen flowers.

Moving in the Spirit Beast’s territory without being noticed by the Spirit Beast was more difficult than holding out against the Spirit Beast.

“Can you do it?”

“I wouldn’t have asked to meet if it was something I couldn’t do.”

“Good. I’ll look forward to it.”

“But with these conditions, I’ll have to extend the supply period of Black Gold.”

The period originally proposed by Echesis was 3 years.

“To what extent?”

“5 years.”

I pondered for a moment.

5 years is not an excessive period. Besides, I can set the price of Black Gold.

Because I have a monopoly.

“Then let’s make the supply of Shireen flowers 5 years as well. We both want goods, so there’s no need for cash to be exchanged.”

“You’re saying you’ll pay the request fee with Black Gold?”

“Yes. Isn’t that better for you too?”

It was also beneficial to me as it reduced the need for money laundering.

“Then, how much Black Gold to pay will be determined after you bring 150,000 flowers, as you said.”

“Okay.”

“Then I’ll have to see you again then.”

Oh, is that how it works?

“You only need to check the goods, so there’s no need to meet in person.”

“I think it’s important to talk face-to-face for trust.”

Don’t lie!

The Captain of Echesis is famous for not showing himself to clients!

“Oh, I have an additional condition I’d like to add. It seems unreasonable to set the Shireen flower delivery price all at once at the next meeting.”

Is the next meeting confirmed?

“It’s a whopping 5 years. There are many variables in Shireen flower collection because of Acterakken. It’s much more reasonable to decide each time than to decide the price at once.”

“Hmm, if you’re not careful, you might lose out?”

The price could go up, but it could also plummet.

The Spirit Beast may fall asleep again.

“It’s natural for the price to change depending on the difficulty of the request.”

“Then I agree too.”

“I want to negotiate that with the Guild Master directly.”

“……You mean you want us to meet and negotiate every time for every request?”

“That’s right.”

“I’ll delegate full authority to my agent. Azul will do a good job.”

“Not as good as you.”

I paused for a moment and met the Captain’s eyes.

It wasn’t anything particularly important, but he seemed determined not to back down.

“……Okay. But I’ll set the time. You’re so busy.”

“You’re a precious person, so I have to accommodate you.”

“Then it seems like we’ve confirmed everything we need to today. It goes without saying that you have to keep the confidentiality agreement well.”

“It goes without saying that we keep our clients’ secrets.”

“Okay. You seem to have quite a few secrets too, so let’s work well together.”

I smiled and held out my hand.

The Captain stared at my hand for a moment before taking it.

It was a very warm and firm hand.

[Quest Complete: Emergency! Procure Materials!]

[8000 Cash Gacha Ticket has been awarded as a reward.]

[You have not only successfully completed the transaction without losing a single penny, but you have also obtained 150,000 Shireen flowers for free!]

[Additional rewards will be given.]

‘Good, I’ve completed the quest with this.’

Having to meet and negotiate the price every time was a hassle, but the Captain of Echesis seemed like someone I could talk to.

The mountain bandit, who had been blankly watching what we were doing, clicked his tongue.

“What……. Is this your first time meeting? It’s progressing as smoothly as flowing water without any noise.”

“To really have no noise, you have to bring 150,000 flowers first.”

I said that and took a sip of tea.

The warm heat spread inside my body, and the tension melted away.

Looking across, the Captain was staring at me as I drank tea without taking his eyes off me.

‘Is he exploring my identity?’

Because he has an ordinary impression, I get a strange sense of déjà vu when I keep looking at him.

“By the way…… Have we met somewhere before?”

I realized my mistake only after asking.

I’m in disguise right now.

Even if we’ve met before, he wouldn’t know for sure.

But.

“Yes.”

Isn’t the Captain of Echesis nodding?

“We’ve met.”

I stared at him intently and soon realized.

‘What, is he a player?’

In romance fantasy clichés, the male lead or sub-male lead is usually a great nobleman hiding his identity and pretending to be an information merchant rather than the leader of a mercenary group.

Well, even if he has an ordinary impression, he has flawless, smooth skin and neat and clean features.

Besides, the clothes he’s wearing don’t have a single wrinkle or stain.

This kind of man is secretly popular.

‘It seems like he’s been trying to seduce me with his popularity since earlier.’

“Are you trying to win my favor to get a higher request price? Or is it a trick to get information about me?”

He chuckled.

“Who knows.”

“It won’t work on me.”

I said that and got up from my seat.

The negotiations were over, and I had finished my tea, so it was time to go back.

“I’m busy, so I’ll be going now.”

He didn’t answer.

It wasn’t like I needed an answer, so I opened the door and crossed the threshold.

I was about to make a smooth exit一.

My body staggered because I couldn’t properly gauge the stairs right in front of me.

Ugh, I’m going to fall!

It was that moment.

“Care一.”

Along with a low voice, a firm arm wrapped around my waist.

A firm body was felt behind my back, and an unfamiliar scent wafted over me.

The Captain, who had come up at some point, hugged my waist as I fell.

His strength was so great that my feet left the ground.

Thanks to that, I was completely embraced by him.

When I raised my head, my eyes met his immediately.

“一ful.”

A whispering voice.

There was nothing special about the brown eyes.

But something flickering inside made my throat tighten and dry.

“T, thank you.”

Perhaps because of that, my voice came out a little low.

I cleared my throat once and said.

“Can you let me down now?”

Only then did the Captain let me out of his arms. Very slowly, slowly.

‘Whew, I can’t adapt to this height right away after sitting down and getting up. I wonder if I should practice adapting since I have to keep coming to negotiate in the future.’

I was going to make a cool exit, but it was awkward.

“Come to think of it, I don’t even know my partner’s name. What’s your name?”

At my words, the Captain looked at me with a strange face.

“……Echen.”

No matter how I looked at it, it was a fake name that had just been taken from Echesis.

I expected him not to tell me his real name, but he should at least show some sincerity in making up a fake name.

“What about you?”

“I’m…… Surah.”

……It wasn’t something I could say.

“Then please take care of me, Echen.”

“I look forward to working with you too, Surah.”

I left the mercenary group’s hideout like that.

Making sure not to fall this time.

* * *

“Why on earth did you do that, Captain?”

As soon as the Guild Master’s party disappeared, Baren, who had the appearance of a mountain bandit, slammed the wall and said.

“What.”

“What? What do you mean, what! Are you going to pretend you don’t know? You weren’t the same as usual at all!”

“How was I.”

“150,000 Shireen flowers just for taking off a mask once. How much Black Gold is that!”

“I wanted to see it.”

“Even if you pay that price?”

“Yeah.”

Baren was frustrated.

“Then am I going to work for free?”

“If you’re not satisfied, the door to leave is always open.”

At Echen’s words, Baren closed his mouth.

Echen was always like this.

There were many who followed him because of his martial prowess, but he never gave his heart completely to anyone.

He doesn’t even give his side, let alone hold on.

The only thing he cherishes is flowers.

He spends a crazy amount of effort to keep a bouquet of flowers that he seems to have picked at random from withering and looks at it every day.

“Ahem, well, it seems like it’s not free since it will help to find out the identity of the Ansur Guild Master.”

Baren, who had taken a step back, shouted as if he was frustrated again.

“But why do you want to meet every time for every request? We’re busy too!”

“She’s pretty.”

“Huh?”

Baren picked his ear with his thick little finger.

I think I heard something wrong.

But there was no change in Echen’s expression.

“I don’t know how happy I am that she looks like that in your eyes.”

Baren’s face rotted.

What is this annoying statement like ‘I’m the only one who knows her charm’.

“Stop making those jokes. I was so embarrassed earlier.”

Baren shuddered as if he had goosebumps.

“Why did a person who looked at women more indifferently than a roadside stone make such a move today? It was hard for me to hold back from popping my eyes out.”

“I wanted the move to work.”