Why? The Merchant Leader (1)
Finally, the two boozehounds met.
But why does it feel like they're fighting?
Actually, only the lady's growling by herself?
Why...?
They were fine before they met!
The next morning.
The day those two booze-crazed women would meet for the first time. I wished the sun wouldn't rise today.
"Captain."
"Stay still. You're making me nervous."
Marie glared at me, her eyes full of pity, as I paced in front of the lady's door. Normally, I'd pretend to be scared. But not this time. My head was already playing out scenes of the two of them throwing back drinks together.
"They really can't meet!"
From last night, I'd been begging her to stop it, but Marie's response had been consistently deadpan. She looked down at me crouched on the floor with the expression of someone who'd seen it all.
"Have you ever seen the lady give up once she's decided on something?"
"......"
No. And that's what made it such a huge problem. This world suddenly felt terrifying.
Fuck, a reincarnated villainess and a Korean transmigrator stuck in a book?
And both of them go nuts for booze? Wow. What the hell do I do?
"WhatdoIdo whatdoIdo whatdoIdoooo...."
Then the door flew open, shoving me—still crouched there—right in the face.
Roll—thud.
The lady, who'd opened the door and bumped into something, turned to Marie beside her.
"...What's that doing?"
"Who knows. Maybe some new training. Cockroach defense or something."
"Hmm.... Hey, Rio."
With a low hum from her nose, the lady stepped out and called me. But I had no time to care.
"...WhatdoIdoooo...."
"If you don't wanna get fired, move it."
"Yessir!"
But getting fired was even worse. Though she probably wouldn't actually fire me.
Still, ignoring a warning like that meant a few days of "vacation." Unpaid, of course. And during those days, not even a single strand of the lady's hair in sight.
I can't go through that hell again.
Mm-hmm. As I nodded smugly at my lightning-fast reaction, the lady's lips curved into a smile.
"Hurry up and take me to that Dachiso place or whatever."
Her eyes sparkled like a galaxy full of excited stars. To me, though, it looked like a sewer swarming with rats.
"Yesss...."
Dachiso. A name that evoked some specific brand from another country.
One quirky thing: they sold goods cheap, making them super popular with commoners.
From afar, you'd call it an astonishing coincidence. But....
"Coincidences are bullshit."
"What? Bullshit?"
"I'm serious."
"......"
"......"
From my perspective as someone who'd tested the merchant leader, there was no way I could think that. This world-building was so messed up, it was starting to scare me for real.
And besides.
I'd never heard of it before reincarnating.
If a merchant group that famous among commoners existed, it should've reached my ears at least once. Which meant it was something newly inserted after my reincarnation.
I'd already felt the future shifting because of the crown prince, but this place? The ripple effects were bound to be beyond imagination.
"Sigh, how's a coward like me supposed to survive this world...."
"What the hell's this lunatic mumbling?"
"Siiiigh...."
"Sigh."
The adult man and woman sighed as if the ground might cave in or the sky shoot up.
"......"
Marie thought the reason was pretty lame. Watching their synchronized breathing exercises with dead eyes, she finally spoke up at the sight ahead.
"Looks like we're here."
Even without knowing the exact location, Marie could tell because of the endless line of people and their outfits. No telling how long it'd take to get in from the end, but their faces weren't too bad.
"Whoa, for real. I'll take the lead from here."
But Rio didn't head for the line. He went around to the back of the building.
You'd think the back would be sloppier, but it was actually neater than the front. Not fancy or stylish decorations, but decent enough for guests.
Not bad at all?
As Lucresia nodded in satisfaction, Rio's pace slowed. Thinking they'd arrived, she peeked over his shoulder.
Two guards at the entrance. One spotted Lucresia's back and bowed politely.
It was the posture of someone properly trained in etiquette.
"We've been waiting, milady."
"Oh. Not bad."
"...?"
The guard looked puzzled at her reaction but didn't pry—seemed positive, anyway. He fought to keep his shoulders from puffing up with pride.
"Then, allow me to guide you."
No idea when he'd called, but he switched with the other guard, schooled his face, and led the way.
Soon, they reached the reception room.
Knock knock—
"Merchant Leader, your awaited guests have arrived."
And at that moment.
Crash-clatter-bang—! Thud—shatter!
—W-wait a sec!
"......"
The guard glanced back at the three with an awkward smile.
"She's not usually like this. Must be really nervous. Could you excuse it?"
Even then, his tone was impeccably polite.
Lucresia stared blankly before breaking into a grin.
"Oh, yeah. You're nobility, right? Or rather, were."
"......"
His face stiffened for a moment. Then he relaxed and chuckled softly.
"Haha.... As expected, you see right through me, milady. But sorry to ask, could you keep this quiet?"
"For the merchant leader?"
"Yes. She's the type who'd get really stressed about it."
"Mm.... Okay!"
"Pardon..? Wh-what's 'okay' mean?"
"...Ah."
Lucresia realized in that instant: somehow, she'd started using Rio's slang outside too.
A sieve that leaks inside won't hold outside either.
Since when?
Rio had seeped in so naturally after reincarnation. Probably because of the intense emotions from losing him in her past life.
"...It's nothing. Just got it."
"Hm. I see. 'Okay,' huh? Might have to try that sometime."
"Don't."
"Pardon...?"
"Don't use it."
"Ah, y-yes ma'am."
The guard's eyes drooped as he scratched his head. Worry flickered over his face like he'd messed up, but Lucresia stayed silent.
I don't want to hear anyone else using it.
Words she couldn't voice.
And then.
As their conversation dragged on.
Creeeak—
A pale, soft face peeked through the door crack.
"...! Rio!"
Spotting him, she rushed over, her neatly braided purple hair swaying prettily. Lilac scent wafted from the strands, tickling everyone's noses.
And Lucresia, recognizing it as enemy territory, blocked Rio's path.
"Grrr."
"Ah! S-sorry! I was just so excited I lost my head. Forgive my rudeness, milady?"
Then the merchant leader smiled sweetly. Her gentle demeanor radiated a saintly aura, like how a real saint might smile.
"Grrrrr."
The beast couldn't hold back its instincts anymore.
Like a demon repelled by holy power, it bared its fangs and radiated hostility.
"M-milady...?"
Christa seemed startled at first, but then her eyes widened in realization.
And the moment she opened her mouth—
"Ah, milady, don't tell me...!"
"Wouldn't it be better to head inside first?"
The maid behind them—unnoticed until now—cut her off.
Her eyes were saying: Don't say what you realized.
Deep, unfathomable abyss in her gaze.
Christa, with no immunity, shrugged involuntarily.
"Y-yes, ma'am!"
Han Sujung in her past life, Christa Han now. She vowed never to speak it aloud again.
She might've pushed back if it was just kinda scary, but that? You'd vanish without a trace, mouse or bird.
Her curiosity had already evaporated anyway. Curiosity killed the cat, right?
I'm not a cat.
Ignoring the cold sweat on her back, Sujung led Lucresia's group into the reception room. Her strides were brisk, laced with fear.
I stared blankly at the merchant leader's braided purple hair as she strode ahead quickly.
Why the hell was I like this?
Was that really worth getting mad over?
It was just her coming over to greet my guard happily.
Earlier too.
Why did I hate hearing someone else use Rio's slang?
Why did I want to kill that purple-haired bombshell for approaching him?
Why do I want to possess you? Why?