Volume 2 Chapter 16 (2/2)

“Yes, of course. I think I’ll leave it to them then. Thanks!”

With that, I somehow managed to solve their issues.

But then, I saw Kuina looking enviously at the relieved Elder Dwarf and Ancient Elf.

“Oto-san, just like El-chan and Elf-chan, the Mythological Foxes…”

“We can’t, at least not now. We only have so much DP left, I think it’s better to spend it elsewhere for the moment.”

Almost all of the DP I had gained after the founding of this city was going to be spent on creating the Dwarf Smiths and the High Elves.

So of course, we couldn’t afford to make the Mythological Foxes whose numbers were enough for the moment.

“I understand… how unfortunate.”

When I thought the conversation was over, I heard the sound of the bell installed on the door.

◇

“Enter”

“Yes, my lord.”

The one that came in was Wight. Behind him were a wealthy looking man with good physique and a slender man with a well-trained body.

“This gentleman said that he wanted to talk with you, my lord, no matter what so I led them here.”

As Wight said so, the gentleman lined up beside him.

“I am most honored to meet you. My name is Konanna Krutrudo and I run a small firm back in Eclaba. The purpose of my visit to this splendid city being governed by the great sage Procell-sama is that I have something I wish to talk about with you.”

Just when I thought he radiated the scent of money, he indeed was a merchant. The man standing close beside him probably was his guard.

“What an honor it is. Are you perhaps Krutrudo of the best and largest firm in the commercial city of Eclaba? Certainly, I would listen to whatever it is you wish to talk about. But first, instead of talking standing here standing, why don’t we sit ourselves and relax in the room over there?”

I guided the men to the drawing room I had prepared in this house.

◇

When I gestured for them to sit, the man with good physique… Konanna, did so but only after he gave me his thanks.

“This is a good item. This is my first time to see a chair this fine and comfortable.”

“I’m pleased to know it is to your liking.”

It was made with [Creation]. It was the finest chair in my memories.

If asked, Elder Dwarf was likely to say it was an ergonomic, unbelievably rational, wonderful beauty.

“Many of your furnishings, among other things, are unfamiliar to me. It might be rude of me but where did you come from?”

“In a humble village somewhere across the sea, far to the east.”

“And the name of that place is?”

“A secret. The fruit and swords we sell here at Avalon as our specialties are all from there so excuse me from not sharing any further knowledge.”

It was a line I had prepared beforehand.

Saying the items were brought over from the other side of the sea and were therefore developed there was, by itself, persuasive.

“I see, that’s reasonable. I wouldn’t tell a stranger anything about my secrets to success, after all.”

“Thank you for your understanding.”

“Can you tell me one thing though: I would like to know your reason to build a city composed only of young demi-human girls here in this remote, monster-infested land?”

I was surprised that even though he was a merchant, he wasn’t asking anything directly related to money.

But then again, he could just be looking for anything that could be used as my weakness.

“Yes, I can tell you that. It might not be obvious based on my appearance but I have the blood of demi-humans flowing in me. I was being persecuted as I grew up and by the time I reached adulthood, I immediately left to go on a journey. On my journey, I met with several others that had similar troubles. I then thought I wanted to help them somehow.”

I smiled wryly as I reached the end of my made-up story.

“If demi-humans are going to just be persecuted wherever we go, I decided I would rather build a city outside of any nation’s borders where demi-humans could happily live out their lives. I then gathered candidates for my city. Luckily, everything that my plan needed was here.”

It was a complete and utter lie but it couldn’t be easily dismissed as one.

The merchant’s eyes grew sharper as he tried to see through my real intentions.

“I see, that’s wonderful. You are not just an influential man that has built and is governing a city like this but you are also a man of character.”

I don’t think he seriously believed my story but he didn’t press any further.

“I don’t deserve to be called a man of character. It was simply my ego at work.”

“I see, I see. I shall take note of that distinction. Yesterday, I had the privilege to stay at your inn but, oh my, that hot spring was wonderful. It relieved me of some of my fatigue. And the combination of submerging myself into the hot bath and the ice-cold alcohol made out of the fruit called the apple was simply the best!”

“It pleases me greatly to hear that. But leaving that aside, shall we get into the main purpose of your visit? You did come here to do business, did you not?”

“Yes, indeed.”

The smell of profit emanated from this city. And so, humans were rapidly gathering here. With them doing so, it was only natural for humans like him to come rushing here.

I was rather grateful to them, the humans who would come here bringing their own products to sell, for Avalon lacked a great number of things.

“I’m sorry but let me say this upfront: I will refuse any business that involves selling our products outside of the city and any that will reveal the techniques we use.”

“Wha—”

The merchant was clearly taken aback. Perhaps what I said was his true purpose.

My goal was to gather a lot of people here in my city, not to earn money. No matter how many items we procure or how much of it we could sell was of little consequence to me.

That was why I was perfectly fine with something like selling only one sword to each customer.

“But, if the deal is going to be within this city, you have my utmost cooperation. Now that that’s out of the way, let us discuss the details of your deal.”

And like that, a battle different from ones where swords clashed against swords began.