The Precocious Merchant Trained for Her Dreams

"Are you saying you'll really do anything?"

"Of course. As long as it's within my power, I will grant whatever you wish."

At Sierra's confident reply, I asked the question she might have already anticipated.

"Even if that includes your body?"

"...I knew you would say that."

Blushing deeply, Sierra sank back into her seat and avoided my gaze.

"As the head of a merchant group, my body and my life are always on the bargaining table. Still, to hear someone actually ask for it... it's quite unpleasant."

"I was merely asking."

"But if it were possible, you'd demand my body without hesitation, wouldn't you?"

"I won't deny it. Haha, was I that transparent?"

"You brought up private parts and slavery in front of a complete stranger. Of course I felt you had some ulterior motive."

Sighing deeply, Sierra tapped her fingers on the table, lost in thought. I didn't disturb her. I simply closed my eyes slightly and enjoyed the silence, watching her ponder.

"...No matter how desperate I am, my virginity seems far too valuable to trade for a single pouch."

"Then I have an additional proposal. Would you like to hear it?"

"A proposal?"

Sierra looked at me with skeptical eyes but ultimately nodded. At her slight gesture, I reached into my pouch and emptied its contents onto the table with a clatter—all items I had acquired from the Beastman Village.

"Oh..."

Fangs and bones of magical beasts, hardened and processed insect carapaces, and rare herbs that could only be found deep within the jungle. Sierra examined them one by one, then looked up at me with intrigued eyes.

"You must have gone quite deep. I heard rumors that you encountered the Beastkin."

"Well, yes. I actually met them."

"You actually met them?"

The mild curiosity in Sierra's eyes instantly flared into burning desire the moment the Beastkin were mentioned. Staring at me with blazing intensity, she clapped her hands lightly and smiled.

"Is your proposal to introduce me to Beastkin goods?"

"You can dream a little bigger than that."

At my reply, Sierra's eyes widened even further. If we scaled it up, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠there was only one possibility: trade between humans and the Beastkin. In Hormia, relations with the Beastkin had been severed long ago. If someone could reconnect that broken bridge, the profits would be unimaginable.

"...Are you certain about this?"

"It's already been discussed with the leader of the Beastman Village. She asked me to introduce her to a trustworthy human."

"Hmm..."

Sierra closed her eyes again and tapped the table. The long-lost trade with the Beastkin and the highly useful expansion pouch on one side; her own body and virginity on the other. Watching her weigh the options, I decided to tip the scales in her favor.

"I'm not necessarily asking for your virginity, Lady Sierra."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Let's make a bet with a simple contract. Simply taking you to bed would be far too boring, wouldn't you agree?"

"To think of 'entertainment' while trying to defile a woman in her prime... You truly are wicked."

Ignoring Sierra's sharp criticism, I began writing down a few terms on a piece of paper on the table.

"For fifteen days, allow me to touch your body however I wish during designated hours. I will preserve your virginity, and I won't cause any physical harm or permanent damage."

"If I play along as your toy for fifteen days, will you deliver everything you promised?"

"We'll add a few conditions. A contract requires mutual trust, after all."

"Then, if you use my body as you please or act unpredictably without consulting me first, how about we reduce the contract period by one day?"

From Sierra's perspective, this was an essential clause. If she gave me free rein over her body for fifteen days, I could lock her in a secret room and play with every single inch of her—excluding her virginity—and she wouldn't be able to resist under the contract.

"Let's add that. In return, if Lady Sierra unilaterally refuses a request made after consultation, the contract will be extended by one day. We'll also add that I won't make any unreasonable demands."

"...What qualifies as an 'unreasonable demand'?"

"Isn't that something we should discuss as we go?"

"...You are an incredibly insidious man. I feel ashamed for feeling even a brief moment of gratitude toward you."

Sierra's condemnation only fueled my excitement. How thrilling would it be to play with such a proud, haughty woman? I felt a bit sorry for Undine, Tsuruka, and Eruka, but an opportunity this appetizing was impossible to resist.

The two of us put our heads together over the table, revising and refining the clauses. Many terms were torn apart and reshaped by Sierra's meticulous nitpicking, but I stood my ground, successfully preserving or modifying the clauses I wanted. Once we had a draft that satisfied both of us, Sierra pulled a sheet of paper from her breast pocket.

"This is a contract purchased from Crafton. If we write the terms and seal it with our blood, it magically enforces penalties upon whoever violates it."

I clapped lightly in admiration at Sierra's proud display.

Below that, the scope of "mutual consent" was detailed, but I skimmed through it and handed it back to Sierra. After reading the contract thoroughly, Sierra found no further faults, placed it on the table with a soft thud, and pushed it toward me.

"Shall we sign first?"

Shrugging, I drew my dagger, pricked my thumb, and pressed a bloody thumbprint at the very bottom. Sierra immediately took the contract and my dagger, drew her own blood, and pressed her thumbprint beside mine.

With those words, the contract rolled itself up, transforming into a neat scroll. After promising to provide me with a copy, Sierra stood up and glared at me.

"How vulgar and pathetic. Enjoy your final fifteen days of happiness while you can."

"Didn't you agree to these terms?"

"I only did it because I knew you'd refuse any other terms. Once this contract is over, you're finished."

"Haha, are you going to kill me?"

"We'll see. Get up. It's time for dinner."

Glaring at me haughtily, Sierra walked out the door. Feeling a bit puzzled, I caught up with her and asked.

"Dinner? Doesn't the contract start tomorrow?"

"Hmph. You did help me, so the least I can do is buy you a meal. Stop talking and follow me."

"Good grief, if I knew he was this kind of person, I wouldn't have booked a table..." Sierra muttered, clicking her tongue as she led the way. Yohan, who had been waiting while leaning against the wall, rushed over the moment he saw us step out of the room and began fussing over Sierra.

"Yohan, I'm fine, so please step back...!"

"But, My Lady..."

Yohan glared at me as if to say, With a bastard like him? I gave him a casual wave. Deciding to let them have a moment to talk, I gently nudged past the glaring Yohan, stood in front of Sierra, and spoke.

"I have some luggage to unpack and preparations to make, so I'll head out first."

"Ah, right. You've only just returned. I forgot for a moment. My apologies."

After a brief exchange of farewells, I overtook the silent pair and hurried toward the stairs. Leaning against the corner, I strained my ears, and their voices immediately drifted over.

"My Lady, having dinner alone with such an insidious bastard...!"

"We have a binding contract, so he won't be able to lay a finger on me. Yohan, you must be exhausted from the fight earlier. Go and get some rest."

"Ugh... I am so sorry. For losing so miserably..."

At Yohan's dejected groan, Sierra let out a soft chuckle and spoke in a warm, gentle voice.

"You just have to win next time, right? I know how hard you work, Yohan."

"...No matter what happens, I will protect you, My Lady. I swear it before God...!"

"Fufu, you truly are the man I chose. I'm counting on you, Yohan."

"Please watch over me, My Lady. I will become stronger...!"

Sensing their conversation was wrapping up, I peeked around the corner. Smiling warmly at each other, they looked like a pair of young lovers. Although their words and actions suggested they weren't in a romantic relationship yet, watching them gave me a wicked sense of anticipation. I had hit the jackpot.

Step, step.

Savoring the sweet scene between the two, I walked down to the first-floor counter. I approached a middle-aged woman standing politely in front of the key rack.

"I'd like to book a room."

"Ah, you're the gentleman who went upstairs with the young lady earlier, right? The guard already booked a room for you. Here is your key."

Clink.

It seemed Yohan hadn't just been standing around after being kicked out; he had actually done some work. Staying at an inn on Sierra's dime was a sweet deal. Taking the key, I headed straight to my room to get ready. After a quick wash, I put on a neat shirt—since I was dining with a noble lady, after all—and left the inn.

When I arrived at the plaza we agreed to meet at, Sierra was easily spotted even from a distance.

Standing in front of the fountain in a red velvet dress, Sierra let her cascading brown hair fall over her shoulders. As she tucked a strand behind her ear, the glimpse of her gold earrings made her haughty demeanor look even more alluring.

"Why are you here so early?"

I stepped in front of the idle Sierra, blocking the sun. Looking up at me from within my shadow due to our height difference, Sierra smirked and let out a soft snort.

"A question instead of an apology—how typical of you. I simply had some time to spare, so I came early."

"Shall we go?" Sierra said, leading the way. I caught up to her side and gently took her delicate hand, which was swaying with her stride.

"W-What?!"

Startled, Sierra tried to pull her hand away, but I applied a bit of pressure to keep it locked in mine. Smiling at her glaring face, I explained.

"Since you're treating me, the least I can do is escort you properly, right?"

"To think you'd care about such manners... You really are inconsistent."

Squeeze.

I gave her hand, which was colder than expected, a gentle squeeze and looked at her. Blushing as she stared at our joined hands, Sierra frowned slightly, muttered that I could do as I pleased, and quickened her pace.

Click, clack, click, clack.

"We're here. I assume you know basic table manners?"

Stopping in front of a restaurant that looked incredibly luxurious, Sierra asked with a smirk. If I say no, will she teach me? When I shrugged, Sierra snorted as if she had expected nothing less and opened the door.

"Well, I figured. They won't kick you out, so just eat however you like."

The moment we stepped inside, a man who appeared to be the manager rushed over. Upon hearing Sierra's name, he called over a server to guide us to our table. As I followed the server while holding Sierra's hand, she finally shook herself free and walked behind me.

"Well then, please ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠enjoy your meal."

"Thank you."

The space Sierra had reserved was a fairly spacious private room. She examined the dishes already laid out on the table and picked up her utensils. I followed her lead and began to eat.

Fitting for its expensive appearance, the food was delicious. It had been quite a while since I fell into this world, and a high-class meal like this was a rare treat. There's no need to worry about others' eyes in a private room anyway, yet she tried to intimidate me. Amused by the sly Sierra, I chewed on a piece of meat when she set her utensils down and asked a question.

"By the way, how did you encounter the Beastkin?"

"I was exploring the jungle on a quest when I ran into them."

"Don't tell me... you were the one who took the Dalburumi Flower quest?"

"? Yes, that's right."

Sierra stared at me with an impressed expression before quickly clearing her throat, regaining her composure, and speaking coolly.

"I heard it was such an old quest that the guild couldn't even cancel it—a notorious dead-end. And you actually completed it? You certainly have talent."

"I might not look like much, but I'm quite capable."

"Your outside is fine. It's your inside that's rotten..."

Clatter.

As if she had been dying to say that, Sierra smirked and popped a piece of sliced meat into her mouth. Thanks to her insatiable curiosity, our conversation flowed without a single ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠dull moment.

However, because I had demanded her body upon our very first meeting and even bound her to a contract, her favorability toward me seemed to hit a wall every time it started to rise.

For instance, even while praising me—

"You stepped up and wiped out a horde of goblins attacking a merchant caravan? Impressive. Was the caravan leader a woman too?"

"You single-handedly annihilated a bandit group that kidnapped a merchant leader? Ridiculous. Just like your insidious demands..."

Sierra's way of speaking reminded me of Gordon Ramsay, whom I used to watch back on Earth. Honestly, her words felt more like adorable pouting than actual malice, so I wasn't offended at all. In fact, it was highly entertaining. Since she reacted like this to everything I said, I grew curious about what she would say next.

"Hahaha, you are incredibly entertaining, Lady Sierra."

"You certainly have a thick skin, praising someone who's mocking you."

"To be honest, every time you react like that, my expectations for what's to come only grow."

"Oh... A twisted desire indeed... You really are something else."

"Would you like to cancel the contract right now?"

"Haa... What do you take me for? As long as my virginity is preserved, I can handle a contract like this as many times as it ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠takes."

"Are you saving your virginity for an arranged marriage, or for someone you love?"

"...I don't wish to answer that."

Swish.

Ending the topic there, Sierra raised her wine glass and swirled it gently. When I raised my glass toward her, she chuckled, murmuring, "You certainly have some nerve," and clinked her glass against mine.

Gulp, gulp.

"Phew..."

With each glass, Sierra's eyes grew increasingly unfocused. Yet, even in her relaxed state, her gaze remained sharp with caution toward me. I set my glass down and finished my meal.

"When you hold the position of merchant head as a woman, you hear a lot of talk from those around you."

"Mercenaries deal with plenty of that too."

"Fufu. Those old geezers always say, 'What's the point of a woman running around? Just get married, manage the household ledger, or help with paperwork.' They act as if it's genuine advice."

"Old geezers are a problem everywhere, it seems."

"Haha, indeed... Honestly, the only reason I'm trying so hard to recover that pouch is because the elders in the merchant group have been badgering me constantly."

"Is it really that important of an item?"

"Well, they use it as an excuse. 'If you can't even find the heirloom left by the previous head, what can you possibly accomplish?' Fucking old bastards..."

Sighing deeply, Sierra pushed her plates aside and rested her arms on the table. Resting her face on her arms as if collapsing, she glanced at me and let out another heavy sigh.

"I thought you were a decent man... I still can't believe this..."

"Haha, any man would try to make a move on an attractive woman."

"That wasn't making a move, it was madness. And me for accepting it... I'm a crazy bitch too..."

Spitting out words heavy with emotion, Sierra stared at her wine glass with a melancholic gaze.

"I accepted it partly out of spite. Thinking of those nagging old bastards—fine, let's see what they say when I actually bring it back."

"Even if you succeed that way, it will only leave you feeling empty."

"...I must be drunk. You're finished eating, right? I'll head out first."

"I'll walk you back."

"No need. I already called someone earlier. I'll be going now."

With those words, Sierra left the room without looking back. Staring at the empty room that felt like a beach after a sudden wave, I swirled my glass and looked at the remaining wine.

"Sigh..."

Sierra seemed to live every moment of her life to the absolute fullest. That was precisely why, after signing this ridiculous contract with me, she looked so utterly drained, as if hit by a sudden wave of burnout. She was probably experiencing a harsh reality check—wondering if she really had to go this far for the sake of those ungrateful old geezers who would never acknowledge her anyway.

I had been the same way back on Earth. Desperately trying to secure a full-time position—taking the initiative to finish tasks I wasn't even assigned, doing others' work, preparing everything in advance. But the harder I worked, the more those preparations became my sole responsibility, leaving me more exhausted with each passing day.

"This is actually good..."

Gulp.

I downed the last sip and set the glass down. Teaching Miss Sierra, who is struggling with a reality check, a new kind of pleasure in life wouldn't be such a bad idea. "I'd better put some effort into this," I muttered softly, standing up and leaving the room.

"Have a safe trip back—"

Passing by the staff who didn't try to stop me—as the bill had already been settled—I stepped out of the restaurant. My stomach was comfortably full, and I had nothing else to do. I decided to buy some items necessary for Sierra's training. Just like the gel I had used with Rachel in the past, many of the goods imported from Crafton were remarkably similar to Earth's adult toys.

"Welcome—"

I approached a carriage near the plaza painted with scenes of Crafton. Stepping inside, I was greeted by various lights and a colorful array of goods hanging on display.

"What kind of items are you—"

"I know what I'm looking for. I'll let you know when I'm ready to buy."

"Understood—"

I grabbed some slime gel, rubber condoms, a magic stone vibrator, a signal-detecting bikini that tightened around the wearer, and even ribbed condoms. I also picked up a disposable recording orb. After gathering a whole assortment of miscellaneous items, I presented them to the clerk standing nearby.

Seeing the unexpectedly large purchase, the clerk beamed with a wide grin, carefully wrapped and bagged the items, and handed them to me with a polite bow.

"Thank you very much—"

To think all of this cost less than two silver coins. I handed over two silver coins, letting him keep the change as a tip, and stepped out of the carriage.

"Haa..."

Night had fallen, and the air was quite chilly. I needed to plan a curriculum and schedule for Sierra's training. Forcing my wine-heavy eyelids open, I made my way back to the inn. As the bag swayed in my hand, the heavy clatter of the items inside filled me with a sense of reassurance.

I can't wait to see what that haughty lady will think as her body is slowly broken in. Picturing Sierra's voluptuous breasts, I ignored the growing stiffness in my crotch and quickened my pace.