Chapter 95
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 95
Chapter Title: A Merchant in Paradise
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Let's not bother arguing. That's a tiring style.
I'm not confident in bargaining to begin with.
But I am confident when it comes to smashing demon beast or monster skulls.
The moment the artifact activated, a completely different world unfolded before us.
A clear sky.
A cool breeze.
An endless sandy beach stretching out, paired with a beautiful sea.
But the most startling thing was the sensation at my toes.
"Huh."
Aurora's incredulous expression cracked her leisurely smile just a bit.
"When Melissa called me, I thought, what scheme is this girl cooking up now..."
Revolutionary, wasn't it?
And yet? Only releasing 30 of them?
She was a merchant.
As such, she had experience handling goods from all sorts of angles.
Among them were various illusion-based artifacts, but their flaw was the near-impossibility of fine-tuning.
Something felt off, unpleasant.
Commonly called the uncanny valley. When something mimics a person too closely at first, it doesn't feel off.
But as it gets closer and closer, suddenly revulsion hits hard.
Many illusion artifacts fell into that trap.
Not to mention they'd never been used for this purpose.
But this space? None of that here. The glyph in the sky openly signaling this wasn't reality. The translucent boxes and text in view.
She wandered blankly to the water's edge and dipped her feet in.
The cold sensation tingled through her entire body.
It was nearly identical to reality, yet all the inconvenient parts had been smoothed away or erased.
Things impossible by physical laws here? Possible.
"Ah. I get it now."
The reason she felt no uncanny valley. Simple.
It had blown right past uncanny valley into a mountain of pure delight.
Just as people don't feel revulsion staring at another person.
This alien space was so meticulously crafted that her brain instinctively accepted it as real.
She immediately tested other things.
Summoned tools, conjured food and ate it.
Then read the instructions and dove into the water without hesitation, swimming freely.
No need to hold her breath.
The water here didn't hinder breathing at all.
Unfamiliar fish. Familiar ones too.
Floating on the surface: a massive luxury ship like a grand hotel.
"Ha... hahaha."
For the first time in ages, genuine interest sparked in her.
Replicating just one element might be feasible.
But this? Countless elements woven together seamlessly.
Even she, no expert in magic or magitech, could see the gap was vast.
"I smell money. The kind you absolutely don't want stolen by the main house."
She hadn't expected this level.
Truth be told, the reason she'd rushed here in half a day was nothing major.
Knowing Melissa's situation somewhat, she'd come to check on her and take a vacation in Cascadia.
But lo and behold. The territory stabilized, and in the square? A ridiculously ostentatious Melissa statue.
Something no merchant would do—but it let her move first, before the main house sniffed it out.
Planetaria Trading Company was hers, but the main house had eyes everywhere inside.
They'd naturally seen Melissa's request too.
The moment she realized, she nearly lost it to scheming relatives using her hidden loyalists in the company.
"Time to purge the company top to bottom."
Estimate done. No need to linger—head out and seal the deal.
But...
"Just... a bit longer?"
Uncharacteristically, she succumbed to the space's comfort and peace, leisurely donning a swimsuit, conjuring a sunbed, and reclining on it.
An outfit she'd rarely wear anywhere, but with no one around, it emboldened her.
After I gave her a casual rundown on usage, she activated the artifact wordlessly and closed her eyes.
About two hours later, when I checked back, she still wore that same expression.
"Saw plenty, Young Master."
"What did you think?"
In response to my question, she pulled documents from her magic bag and shredded them all.
"Truthfully, I planned to haggle and lowball a bit."
She flashed a charming, sly smile.
"You're a golden goose, Young Master. Never cut the belly. Let's contract. Everything as you wish: secretly, fairly, diplomatically, no legal issues. Perfect sales."
Her blue eyes sparkled.
"At first, I was half-doubting. Melissa... she kinda..."
"Trash-talked a lot?"
"Yes."
"She looks the type."
"But you have tech like this."
"Not that impressive."
Humility noted.
Aurora swiftly pivoted to business.
"Can this be mass-produced?"
"Nothing stopping it, but commercial value? Still cautious."
Breakthrough, sure—but this world's psychology is beyond me.
"Guess that's my test to ace."
Her smile deepened, grasping my meaning.
"I'll accept most terms. No regrets. I always honor deals involving money."
"Melissa's friend, so I trust you."
She produced a crisp contract and handed it over.
"As requested, we'll take the items and sell via our company in the Empire. How to proceed?"
"Proceed how?"
"Yes. You might know—it's hot in the Empire right now. Only 30 units, so demand will skyrocket..."
"Handle it your way. Fairly, if possible."
She paused briefly, then beamed radiantly.
"Yes. We'll take some fair profit. Just 1% commission on sales."
A mere 1%.
Meaning she eyed secondary gains from the item itself.
"That okay?"
"Can't fill up on the first drink. Consider it a bribe for good relations."
Whether that's truly all? Time will tell.
Aurora jumped straight into action.
Advertising across multiple channels.
Buy enough from Planetaria Trading Company? Get a special lottery ticket.
Then, among ticket holders, draw winners and sell to them.
Price: a whopping 300 million cel.
Higher than expected, but no real thrill.
"We're filthy rich anyway."
"Yeah. Need cash? Just say."
Luna strutted proudly, gems glittering between her fingers.
Our standards, though. Other nobles?
Not steep for major Empire nobles.
"Heaven-born merchant, alright. Marketing genius."
Already self-advertising too.
Of course, she capped ticket acquisition.
One person grabbing tons? Fine. But sweeping all? Must prevent.
Groups? Limit per designated rep.
She set rules for all the noise.
Empire in frenzy over tickets now.
More buzz than the Queen of Twilight fiasco.
Why? Simple.
Queen of Twilight auctions hit trillions—pie in the sky. But 300 million cel artifact? Different story.
To a 10-billion-cel tycoon, 2 trillion gapes jaws. But 300 million temptation? Maybe I'll snag one.
Yet she kept sourcing secret. Hyped the 30 as premium exclusives.
Planetaria's Aurora declared to the continent:
We alone know the maker. Buy through us!
Planetaria goods flew off shelves.
Whether useful? Irrelevant.
Buyers wanted tickets first, goods second.
Empire chaos drew foreign eyes sneaking in.
Nations ordered bulk from Empire branches, grabbing tickets. Prideful nobles sparked.
"See? Total merchant. Feed a lead, she'll suck it dry. Trade light, then stop. Get close? She'll bankrupt your house."
Melissa's words, relaying my Aurora chat.
One mystery: How's mid-tier Planetaria securing such volume?
Scale screams major league.
Whatever. Their business.
Planetaria secured all stock, delivered on time. Hundreds of tickets scattered Empire-wide.
Magelords wanting research. Users hooked after trials.
And.
Post-draw period, all tickets distributed.
Aurora returned.
"Here. Portion of sales profit."
Lavren guaranteed check.
"Sold already?"
"No. Profits from ticket sales. You'll like it."
Ticket revenue, surely.
"Priced for noble spending and client wealth. Sold beyond expectations."
The check? Screamed billions.
Cascadia territory, once withering? Unbelievable.
"Impressive maneuvering."
"Thanks. Normally no split needed, but... my sincerity. Pass your test, Young Master?"
"Yes. Satisfied."
Showcasing her skills, apparently.
"Then, next deal?"
"More?"
"Yes. Thinking of a Planetaria branch in Cascadia territory."
Her ask: site and permit.