Chapter 95
Chapter 95
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 95
Chapter Title: Magic Beast Hide Trading Caravans
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Clop-clop-
The lonely sound of hooves echoed along the narrow path, mirroring its rider's desolate heart. Having witnessed Kyle and Lenia's engagement ceremony, she had concluded there was no longer any place for her. In a fit of impulse, she decided to head to the capital.
"You jerk! You better treat her right!"
Even alone, Hilia kept cursing Kyle without tiring. She grumbled about how that woman wasn't even that pretty! But she soon fell silent. Truth be told, she knew they looked quite similar.
If not her looks, then where? Pondering deeply as she rode, Hilia finally realized why she had lost out to Lenia.
"It's power! You jerk! I'm a duke's daughter!"
She felt like stomping the ground in regret at the thought that if she had revealed her identity as the duke's daughter right then, Kyle might have called off the engagement and come running to her. She never even considered that Kyle already knew who she was.
How could she, usually so sharp-minded, have failed to think of that at the time? Lost in such random thoughts as she rode, she absentmindedly glanced up at the sky.
"It's night already..."
The sun had dipped below the horizon, and darkness was settling in. It was already her second night of solitary camping. But just then, small fields came into view.
"Where there are fields, there must be a village."
And sure enough, a small village soon appeared, just as she thought. The village chief rushed out in a panic at Hilia's arrival. Anyone riding a horse—a warhorse, no less—and clad in armor had to be at least nobility.
But contrary to his expectations, Hilia had come alone, without even a single servant or soldier.
What? She's by herself?
Seeing her alone, the village chief racked his brains furiously. At this hour of night, riding such an expensive, finely equipped horse straight to this remote village in the territory's corner—it was like a pumpkin rolling right into his lap, peeling itself, and jumping into the pot.
Oblivious to the chief's scheming, Hilia rummaged in her pouch, eager for a quick bath and bed, and pulled out a few silvers.
"I'd like to stay the night here. Even a small house would do—just give me one."
The chief's back bent at a perfect ninety degrees.
"Of course, milady! Please take our house—it's the largest and cleanest in the village. You'll love it!"
The chief offered Hilia his own home, even preparing hot water for her bath. He was just about to serve drug-laced food when, from outside where he was spying on her, he peeked through the window as she removed her helmet—and gasped.
Good heavens! In all his life, the chief had never seen such a beautiful woman. Not that he, a mere rural villager despite his title, had seen many women to begin with. He rushed back to where dinner was being prepared.
"Jimmy! Is the drug in yet?"
"Yes, Chief! Two drops even—she'll be dead before long after eating!"
Smack!
He smacked the grinning young man on the back of the head. The villager looked up innocently, aggrieved, and the chief scowled fiercely.
"Redo the meal! Swap the drug!"
Moments later, at the sound of voices outside, Hilia hastily donned her helmet and opened the door. There stood the chief's wife, holding food. It was just plain stew and roasted chicken, but better than travel rations, so Hilia gladly pressed a few more silvers into her hand.
The naive noble lady never imagined what might be in the food—she simply devoured it with relish.
"Mmm... so sleepy..."
The drug took effect swiftly. Scarcely had she finished eating when drowsiness overtook her. Before Hilia could sense anything amiss, she fell into a deep slumber. Quietly, the chief's door creaked open.
"Hahaha! Jackpot! Jackpot!"
Seeing Hilia fast asleep, the chief whooped in triumph. His wife, who hadn't seen her face, eyed him suspiciously... but her eyes soon widened too.
"Good lord!"
"See? Told you—top of the top shelf!"
"Where'd a girl like this come from?"
"Some naive noble lady, probably!"
They hurriedly bound the unconscious Hilia and tried to drag her to the shed. It would have ended well for them, if not for the fully armed mercenaries who suddenly stormed the village.
These brutish professional killers battered aside every villager in their path and beelined straight for the chief's house. And then...
Bam!
"Where's that lady who came in earlier, you thieving scum?"
The mercenaries burst through the door in an instant. The Landsknechts Kyle had assigned to Hilia—just in case—grabbed the chief by the collar and growled.
"I'm Howard of the Howard Trading Company. Pleased to meet you, milord."
"I'm Crom of the Crom Trading Company! At your service, milord!"
Turning regular livestock into magic beasts for breeding had brought new prosperity to the territory. They were raking in so much coin that even stray dogs might be carrying silvers.
Trading partners? After selling magic beast hides to a few passing caravans, they started showing up with sacks of money. As merchants flocked in, I met them one by one, eager for the hides. I had my own agenda, so I didn't see them all at once.
"So, you want to buy hides?"
"Yes, milord."
"What reason do I have to trade with your caravan?"
"Our company..."
He touted his caravan's size and past successful deals. I drew a line through his name on the paper. A merchant lacking manners like that?
"Hmm... I see. I'll let you know the results later. Next."
He seemed to sense something off in my dry tone, but what could he do? A noble told him to leave. The merchant shuffled out.
[Milord, the next merchant is here.]
"Send him in."
The next one entered, doffed his hat, and bowed.
"I'm Hans of the Hans Trading Company, milord."
Hans—a cheap-sounding name, but common here, comprising about thirty percent of free commoner and slave names. Aware of it, he smiled warmly.
"I'm a former slave. Freed after merits in the company, I earned enough to start my own."
"Hmm... I see."
As I moved to cross out his name, he spoke cautiously.
"Milord, forgive my impertinence, but... I have a word in private..."
I paused my pen.
"You're permitted to approach. What is it?"
At my approval, Hans hurried forward. No guards, maids, or servants nearby—I'd dismissed them earlier. He smoothly withdrew something from his bosom.
"A token of my sincerity, milord."
Not a weapon, but a hefty pouch. I pocketed it casually and slid a paper toward him.
"Write down your offer per hide and leave."
This wasn't about the bribe—how much could it be, anyway? Pocket change. Trusting a caravan's reputation alone, without desperation, would just lead to trouble.
I wanted a caravan specializing in magic beast hides, even if smaller—one whose survival hinged on them.
After collecting papers and selecting winners, commotion erupted outside the hall. A soldier rushed in and bowed.
"Milord! The rejected merchants wish an audience!"
They couldn't accept their failure, it seemed.
"Let them in."
At my command, the doors opened, and the failed merchants entered en masse. They managed expressions befitting a noble's presence, but their resentment seeped through.
"We greet the territory's lord."
"What is it?"
The frontmost, apparent leader, looked up at my question.
"We weren't even given a chance to compete. Might we know why?"
I chuckled softly.
"Simple. Do you plan to make magic beast hides your main trade? Or just one of many goods?"
"Well..."
The merchant fell silent, grasping my point.
"Exactly. I'm seeking a caravan to specialize in them."
"...So you weren't looking for a partner, but a puppet."
"Frankly, yes. Barring you from competing was mercy to your pride. Go."
Most left at my dismissal, but a few lingered. Not mere merchants, but nobles with bought titles, wielding money's power.
"I'm Baroness Cassia, Viscount Lucas."
The self-introduced Baroness Cassia was a woman—sharp-featured, prickly, and irritable-looking.
If she were an Earth part-timer, I'd have quit on sight. Face-reading said ultimate complainer. Frowning, I said,
"I told you to leave."
"You seek puppets, but do you think such small caravans can handle bulk hide trades?"
"Everyone wants magic beast hides. Aren't you proving that?"
Baroness Cassia's eyes narrowed, glinting slyly.
"Not that. In this era of poor security, I wonder if they can protect and trade those hides properly. Heh..."
She spun on her heel and stormed out—terribly rude. If a man, I'd have challenged him to a duel and turned him to pulp.
When she mentioned security woes, I sensed faint killing intent. Her face screamed it, and she unnerved me. Types like her do anything for profit.
"We'll set the hide prices now."
I decided to wrap up the magic beast hide deals first. I'm firmly in the driver's seat, but still—gotta see who offers the most.