No Such Thing as a Free Lunch
“You’ve worked hard.”
Richel spoke the moment Albert stepped out of the Merchant Guild.
“It’s nothing. I was going to have to deal with them eventually anyway.”
The Flower Merchant Group had been struggling to grow properly because of the Merchant Guild’s interference. It was the perfect time to row while the tide was in, yet the Guild kept slamming on the brakes. Apro’s obstruction in particular had been especially troublesome.
“You’ve removed the obstacle. Now we can rake it in, right?”
“Rake it in?”
“Yeah. What, still not enough?”
“Of course it’s not enough!”
“Huh?”
“I’ll make sure you’re sitting on a mountain of money, not just raking it in.”
The way she said it sounded like she was declaring, “I’ll take responsibility for your retirement!” Her sparkling eyes carried a deep, personal ambition along with the clear message that she would handle his future. It gave Albert an odd feeling.
Albert didn’t know it, but Richel had already decided on the names “Ali” for their son and “Rive” for their daughter. Naturally, Albert had no idea about any of that. He simply thought Richel’s passion made her sound like she had won the retirement lottery.
‘If I can just get a good grip on one merchant group, I’ll be able to live comfortably without worrying about money in my old age, right?’
She has exceptional talent. In the other world, she might have held a high position at a major corporation.
No need to worry about money!
Of course. It would take time to grow the merchant group, but he could afford to wait. Looking at Richel, he could feel the fierce passion in her eyes and the unyielding resolve never to stop until she reached her dream. Her decisiveness was something one wouldn’t expect from a woman. She had the finest qualities a merchant could possess.
Even her greed for money was intense. Some might call greed and desire ugly, but they were the driving force that pushed people forward. Richel had plenty of it.
“So what are you going to do with those?”
“Naturally, I’ll collect the original cost.”
“You’re buying them at half price?”
“Merchants buy cheap and sell expensive. It’ll be a bit of a hassle to sort and clean them up, but that’s all.”
She could sell them at a high enough price to make the hassle worthwhile.
“That greasy old man won’t be able to interfere anymore, so we can move freely now.”
Apro had fallen. When someone in the same industry went down, it became an opportunity for others to rise. It might seem heartless to profit from another’s misfortune, but in this business, it was simply how things worked.
“Turning someone else’s crisis into an opportunity! That’s my motto!”
“Hah, that’s exactly it. A merchant needs that kind of spirit.”
Albert nodded and extended his hand toward her. Richel smiled brightly and reached out to shake it, but just before their hands met, Albert flipped his palm upward.
“We’re not close enough to shake hands yet.”
“……Then?”
“Please make the deposit.”
“A-a deposit?”
“Yeah. I solved this whole mess, and I even spent my own money buying those goods. So, on top of the 500,000 gold, add my labor fee. Since it’s us, I’ll only charge 700,000 gold total.”
“……You’re charging money for this?”
“Of course. Why wouldn’t I?”
Albert looked at her as if the question itself was strange. Richel was dumbfounded.
“I’m the merchant group that signed an exclusive contract with the Legrian family! This much should be free!”
“I’m already giving you a discount. If it were anyone else, I wouldn’t have gotten involved at all.”
“Still!”
“Money matters should be settled properly. You’re a merchant, after all. You gained a lot from me stepping in. Including those goods.”
“That’s……”
Richel never expected him to demand payment here.
‘Is it all because he’s handsome? Well, it is, but…… still, he could at least do this much for free, the cheapskate!’
“Tch……”
“Staring at me like that won’t work~ Please make the deposit~”
“Why are you using honorifics now?”
“Because I’m a laborer waiting for his pay?”
“……Fine! I’ll pay! But I don’t have that much money right now, so later……”
It was odd for a merchant group to lack funds, but Richel had been investing in various things. On top of that, Apro’s constant interference had prevented her from selling goods properly. The group didn’t have 700,000 gold on hand yet.
At her promise to pay later, Albert grinned mischievously.
“Interest……”
“Albert!”
“Got it.”
“Haa……”
Richel sighed, looking exhausted.
“So what will you do now? The merchant group……”
“No, there’s somewhere I need to stop by.”
“Somewhere you need to stop by?”
“The library.”
“The library?”
“I heard there’s a pretty big library in Landolf Territory. I’m thinking of going there.”
“Why? Did the librarian offend you…… so you’re going to beat them up……?”
“Do I look like some kind of thug? Do I seem like the type who goes around hitting anyone?”
“……”
“Why aren’t you answering?”
“Ohohoho, then why are you going?”
“There’s only one reason to go to a library. To read books.”
“Eh?”
Richel looked genuinely surprised. She had apparently thought of him as a simple brute who used his fists before his words. Given how often he had shown that side in front of her, her reaction was understandable, even if Albert didn’t accept it.
That’s surprising.
‘I’m going for your sake. You don’t want me to go?’
A-ahaha! It was a joke!
“Anyway, I’m heading to the library. Make sure you send the deposit. Ah, and once I’m done, I’ll stop by the merchant group for a bit.”
Albert waved lightly and walked away. Richel watched his retreating back with lingering eyes.
‘Tch, we could’ve at least had a meal together……’
Richel knew why Albert had demanded money from her. It was to prevent her from relying on him for everything. If he had helped for free this time, she would have asked for the same favor again whenever trouble arose. With his abilities, he could solve any difficult situation.
Even his mind was sharper than she had expected. She had thought he was only strong, but he had used a strategy similar to Apro’s—spreading rumors to trap his opponent so they couldn’t move. She never imagined he would turn Apro’s own method against him in that situation.
‘Apro spread rumors based on lies, but Albert used the truth.’
Thanks to that, the seasoned merchant Apro had been unable to put up any real resistance. Albert wasn’t just strong—he was clever, decisive, and capable of executing his plans.
‘Enough to make someone want to depend on him.’
Dependence and support were different. If she relied on his shadow, she would lose the strength to move forward on her own. If he had helped without asking for anything in return, she would have done the same again next time.
‘She wouldn’t even try to overcome it herself.’
She knew how dangerous that was. Albert had deliberately taken payment to prevent that outcome.
‘As expected…… Albert, such deep intentions……’
It was worthy of respect.
“Richel, where should we move this now?”
The worker who had finished loading the goods called out to her.
“Ah, we’re heading back to the merchant group.”
Richel gave a brief order and walked toward the carriage, glancing back once at Albert’s distant figure.
‘But…… was there something going on at the library today? Hmm…… Well, it doesn’t matter. Albert isn’t the type to cause trouble without reason.’
He wouldn’t start any commotion. Not if he had a plan.
“Richel.”
“I know, I’m coming now.”
Richel quickened her pace. From now on, she had more than enough to handle just by solving the tasks in front of her. There was no time to waste the opportunity she had been given.
By the way, why did you take the money?
‘Why else? I spent my money and moved myself. Shouldn’t I get paid for my labor?’
It was only natural. Contrary to Richel’s thoughts, Albert simply believed that since he had spent his own money and taken action, he deserved compensation. Dependence? Support? He hadn’t thought about any of that.
“I can’t stand unpaid labor.”
With that, Albert walked toward the library. Along the way, the smell of meat skewers from a street stall caught his attention. A sweet and savory aroma tickled his nose.
“Oh, that smells good.”
“Customer! Come on over!!”
“How much for one skewer?”
“100 silver each!”
“Hoo……”
Silver. One of the currencies used in this world, a unit below gold. Gold was made of gold, silver of silver. Nobles mostly used gold, while commoners primarily used silver.
‘No real reason to use it on our side.’
In Legrian Territory, most purchases were bulk, so there was rarely any need for silver. They mostly used gold.
“One, please.”
“Ahaha, thank you!”
After handing over the gold, the vendor gave him the change. The meat skewer wasn’t bad. Five large chunks of meat were skewered on a wooden stick, coated in seasoning and grilled to a golden brown.
‘Smells nice.’
Analyzing.
It appears to be made from a type of meat similar to venison.
The seasoning…… I lack sufficient information to identify it precisely, but it seems similar to gochujang-based seasoning from the other world.
They have something similar to gochujang here as well.
‘Yeah.’
The aroma was fragrant. The seasoning was well-made, making the red color especially appetizing.
‘There’s a slightly charred part in the middle, but that’s part of the charm of street stall meat.’
Albert took a bite. The savory taste of the meat spread along with the seasoning, melting smoothly in his mouth. The sweet yet spicy flavor was excellent—far better than expected from a street stall.
“This is really good? And it’s only 100 silver? Back home, something like this would be 4,000 to 5,000 won.”
Great value. If a stall like this existed in the other world, he would have lined up for it. Of course, once the K-patch was applied, the cheap 100-silver skewer would instantly jump to 6,000–8,000 won.
“Huh? Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Oh, I was just surprised.”
“Surprised?”
“Yes, most people who eat this say it’s too spicy and make a fuss……”
“Too spicy? At this level?”
It was a little spicy, but not enough to call it truly hot. A pleasant spiciness? Not even that.
“It could be a bit hotter.”
“W-wait, hotter than this!?”
The man looked genuinely shocked. It was understandable—most people who ate this meat would roll on the floor screaming that it was spicy and beg for water. Yet……
‘He wants it hotter……? What? Is his sense of taste broken? Maybe I made it milder today by accident?’
“That can’t be right.”
The man dipped his finger in the sauce and tasted it. The moment it touched his tongue, fire exploded in his mouth. He immediately grabbed the water jug beside him and chugged it down.
“Kuh…… H-hot!? You’re saying this isn’t spicy!?”
“What, it’s only this much.”
Albert smiled and casually popped the remaining meat into his mouth, chewing leisurely without breaking a sweat. His expression showed no sign of holding back.
“A-amazing……”
“This level doesn’t count as spicy.”
Well, this level wouldn’t satisfy Albert.
At the very least, it needs to be fire chicken level.
‘Obviously. Koreans always want spicy flavors.’
Perhaps because he had lived in the other world for so long, his taste buds had completely become those of a Korean. It couldn’t be helped. Unlike this world, the food culture of the other world had developed to an unimaginable degree.
Well, not everyone liked spicy food, but Albert preferred a tingling, spicy sensation on his tongue.
“Tch.”
Albert finished the skewer cleanly. The aftertaste was a little disappointing, but considering the price of 100 silver, it was quite good. A generous portion.
“By the way, where’s the library around here?”
“Ah, you’re looking for the library? Just follow this road straight ahead and you’ll see a big intersection. Turn right there.”
“Oh, got it.”
After a quick exchange of greetings, Albert followed the man’s directions and found the library. It was a white building that looked to be at least three stories tall.
Hurry! Hurry and go inside!
Books! Books!
Requesting information!
Seeing the library, the System grew excited. It seemed to be brimming with anticipation at finally being able to obtain information.
ヾ(｡>﹏<｡)ﾉﾞ
Hurry! Hurry!!
“I know, I’m going.”
Albert chuckled at the System’s urging and tried to enter the library. Just then, a knight in white armor blocked his path. Albert looked up at the man stopping him. On the knight’s chest was an emblem of a sun and wings engraved in gold.
It was a symbol Albert knew well.
‘That’s…… the Sun Temple?’
The emblem of the Sun Temple. Then this knight was a “Holy Knight.”
“What is it?”
When Albert asked why he was being stopped, the man looked down at him indifferently and spoke.
“The library is currently off-limits.”
Haa?