The Witches' Big Spender
The Witches' Big Spender
010.
For quite a few days, safe and pleasant days have been continuing.
Third's tailoring skills had improved quite a bit, so she transformed almost all the stockpiled leather into windbreaker coats.
Since Second didn't need to go hunting for a while, she was inevitably chopping wood to keep the generator running.
"Hehe, things are going well."
Of course, there was still a long way to go.
There were no defensive structures, and there were not enough walls to block enemies.
So, quietly and carefully, I was overlooking the area from above like a god, wondering if another opportunity would come along.
"Another merchant caravan is here!"
Seeing a group of people loading cargo onto animals at the edge of the area, I shouted in joy since I happened to have piled up goods to sell.
"No, I'm telling you there's such a rumor. That time our raw materials team got done in by a rhinoceros might not have been a coincidence."
"Then you're saying that girl back then is a witch? For someone like that, Luke survived though."
"Huh? No way? But witch? What is this talk about a witch?"
The caravan leader's nickname was familiar. 'Redam.'
"Huh? Those guys from last time!?"
Sure enough, it was the merchant caravan from that 'Redam Settlement' who got hit by the rhinoceros because of me last time. They returned quickly, just as they promised.
I scratched my head sheepishly.
"Hehehe, my apologies. It wasn't a coincidence."
It seemed that because it was a suspicious settlement where only women lived, and they happened to be attacked right when they came here, strange rumors about witches must have spread.
I wondered what kind of prank to play this time, but I paused and decided to think carefully.
'This AI mod isn't quite ordinary.'
Just like how the quest to free Long-term Service Unit 1 popped up randomly last time, there seemed to be an algorithm that restrained excessive exploits.
So for this time, at least, it's a safe trade.
I clicked <Issue Revelation>.
The caravan pulled their pack oxen and came to the spot where they camped last time.
Upon hearing my words, Vivian quickly led Second and Third, carrying a huge armful of the windbreakers they made, to meet them.
"Oh... I wonder what they'll say. I'm curious. This will be fun."
Opening a bag of snacks, I focused on the conversation they would have upon reuniting.
A status popped up saying the caravan leader looked glad to see Vivian, but quickly hid his expression—it seemed the AI had set him up as a veteran character in his own right.
"Oh, you came out. It's nice to meet you. Thank you so much for last time. Excuse my rudeness, I couldn't even ask for your name last time."
"Hello, Caravan Leader-nim. Nice to see you again. I am Vivian. These are my younger sisters."
The caravan leader glanced at the two younger sisters.
However, something about the caravan leader's words and actions felt different from before.
"Hmm... What is it? Why does he seem a bit wary?"
Thinking it was strange, I was touching my nose while eating snacks. Soon, the caravan leader hesitated for a moment and finally asked a question.
I paused at the question the caravan leader asked. It felt like he was being wary because of that.
Vivian displayed [ Smiling and Nodding ].
The caravan leader's character flinched.
"I-Is that so? Ah, no wonder... B-By any chance, what kind of entity is it? Did you meet a decent Outer God?"
"Yes, He is a very benevolent and trustworthy person."
"... I, I see."
The caravan leader displayed [ Blinking Eyes While Processing Information ]. He seemed to feel sorry for the three sisters, yet still didn't let down his guard.
"W-What the? Is this because of me?"
It felt slightly different from standard games.
It seemed necessary to understand how being associated with an Outer God was treated in this world view. It felt like being involved with an Outer God itself was considered a risk factor in this world.
"By the way, did you make good use of the leather we left behind last time?"
"As a matter of fact, our youngest made clothes out of it. Would you be willing to buy them?"
At Vivian's glance, Second and Third brought out the goods.
As about ten leather windbreakers were handed over to the caravan leader, he displayed [ Eyes Wide Open ].
The caravan members gathered around and began inspecting the clothes.
Soon, Vivian displayed [ Smiling and Nodding ].
"C-Caravan Leader? Th-This quality... even at 300 silver coins a piece... we'd still make a profit!"
"Eo-heo-heo... To find such goods in a frontier like this. Your craftsmanship is quite exceptional."
Hearing that, the startled Second displayed [ Covering Mouth with Hands ].
At Second's fuss, the caravan leader displayed [ Stroking Beard ].
At those words, my Vivian paused. She seemed to think I would expect silver coins as tribute.
"No, my daughters. That is all yours."
My main goal was to accumulate a massive amount of points and purchase Vivian as soon as possible.
So now was the time to invest, not to take things away.
I needed to prioritize securing items that were always short in stock while playing games. Taking the silver coins for myself at this point would be a foolish move.
I immediately clicked <Issue Revelation>.
However, Vivian froze again for a moment at my words.
Vivian immediately displayed [ Covering Mouth with Hands ]. And soon after, she also displayed [ Eyes Welling Up with Tears ].
She immediately knelt down on the spot and offered a prayer.
At her sudden, full-throttle prayer, not only her younger sisters but also the caravan flinched in shock.
Yet Vivian paid no mind and kept praying.
I scratched my head.
"Ah, what am I going to do with this dutiful girl? Why is she even praying on the spot?"
No, Vivian. Buy it for yourselves. Okay? Buying what you want IS offering it to me. Don't make me issue a revelation twice.
"Ah... Th-Then... I will accept it with gratitude."
[ Faith Level: 80 ]
Vivian's Faith Level rose again. Vivian wiped her tears and turned back to the caravan. Soon, the three began picking items for themselves.
While the caravan found Vivian's group a bit creepy, they treated them carefully and began showing them the goods.
"Sheesh."
What Vivian picked was a box of medicine. They were of better quality than the herbal medicines they used to pluck from the fields. She displayed [ Hugging the Box Dearly ].
Told to pick something for herself, that Eldest just had to choose household supplies. Seriously, there's no stopping her.
Third displayed [ Eyes Sparkling ] in front of a stack of fabrics and couldn't bear to leave.
Lastly, Second.
After rummaging through the caravan's cargo for a long time, Second stopped in front of a bolt-action rifle.
It was the most expensive item the caravan had. While displaying [ Watching Her Eonni's Reaction ], Second picked up the rifle.
However, thanks to her older sister and younger sister picking thriftily, a bit of silver coins remained. Thinking 'Perfect', I immediately clicked <Issue Revelation>.
When Vivian passed on the revelation, Second's status window changed immediately.
[ Flustered ]
"Wh-Why only for me...? I-It's not like I'm th-thankful or anything, okay?"
After being handed the ammunition box as well, Second was displaying [ Stroking the Rifle Over and Over ].
"Khehehe."
Indeed. Surprisingly, Second was the most fun to treat well and tease.
Meanwhile, finalizing the deal was Vivian's responsibility.
Until the very end, the caravan leader remained cautious while displaying [ Breaking Out in Cold Sweat ]. Even after doing a trade worth three thousand silver coins, the terrified side was actually the caravan.
However, Vivian displayed [ Gentle Smile ].
"It's fine. In fact, this is what He desired."
At her casual composure, the caravan members displayed [ Exchanging Glances ].
"Heeer... Such a young lady..."
"See? I-I told you she's a w-witch."
"Eo-heo!"
You guys might be muttering quietly so they can't hear, but I can see everything in the dialogue window, you know?
Just what kind of existence is an Outer God in this world setting?
"Heoheo. Thanks to you, we cleared out our entire inventory in this frontier. We should be on our way to sell these clothes and turn a profit."
"Then we look forward to working with you in the future. Still, congratulations on meeting a good entity."
Looking at the empty cargo space, the caravan leader displayed [ Looking Dazed ]. His face looked as if he never expected to meet such a big spender in a corner of the frontier.
After exchanging farewells like that, the caravan turned their pack oxen around. However, after taking a few steps, the caravan leader displayed [ Hesitating ] and turned back.
The caravan leader displayed [ Lowering Voice ].
"Oh, this mister is nice."
I had no idea why rumors were spreading about witches, but for now, the Redam caravan taking care of their trade partner seemed decent.
Meanwhile, Vivian herself remained with [ Gentle Smile ].
The caravan leader hesitated for a moment, then carefully added one more word.
At that moment, Vivian's [ Gentle Smile ] disappeared. And [ Eyes Narrowing ] popped up.
"...Please be on your way."
"A-Ah, yes, yes. Well then."
The caravan leader hurriedly turned the pack oxen around. The caravan disappeared beyond the area just like that.
"Oh boy."
You really have to give it up for our dutiful girl.
Chewing the rest of my snacks, I looked at the empty warehouse and the plumped-up supplies with satisfaction.
"Alright. If we keep growing like this..."
Won't we be able to form a merchant caravan ourselves someday? Loading goods onto a few pack oxen, traveling around areas like that, doing business.
Just thinking about it makes me feel full.
It was right then.
Shyuyuyuyuyung—.
"Huh?"
An unfamiliar sound came from the sky. I turned the screen over there.
It was a flying airship resembling a large vehicle.
Third pointed at the sky and displayed [ Mouth Agape ].
"An Imperial airship? Why is that showing up on the screen?"
Since I hadn't taken any contracts or quests, there was no reason for it to come. I thought that since it's an AI mod, maybe it shows passing airships as flavour events.
I grabbed a handful of snacks and decided to comfortably enjoy watching the sky along with the three sisters.
"Huh?"
Wait, it's landing.