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Chapter 18

VOL . 2 CHAPTER 18: MONSTER SUMMONING FLUTE (XL)

After I moved here as the Lord, the mansion has constantly been receiving visitors . From the neighbouring Lords, influential people and even questionable merchants have asked to meet me .

I tried to meet them personally whenever possible, but the latter more often than not is a waste of time . Sometimes I order to chase those merchants away .

Some of them will try to sell you expensive furniture or paintings and sometimes they come up with shady schemes with the promise of quick profits .

Do those shady people come everywhere?

Ive heard that if you replace them, other shady people will come . Theyre looking for nobles who can be easily fooled .

Patrick explained .

Its kinda upsetting that people think that I am easy to fool . Besides, Im the worst type of customer they can get, I dont buy expensive things .

Do I look that gullible? Im going to be firm .

Are you?

I wont buy expensive things .

The staff .

I couldnt say anything back . Sure it helped fill up the large hole, but Im the one who caused it .

Those questionable merchants are here today . They said that they have something Im going to like, but everyone who came said the same thing . Once, after they said something like that, they ended up offering me a perfume .

There is no point in buying smelly water when my friend sent me their favorite perfume without being prompted .

Sometimes I smell good because I dont want the perfume that she sent to become a waste . And not because he would notice or she sent it .

Patrick looked a little grumpy when I said that I was going to deal with the merchant .

I can turn them away quickly? You dont need to bother meeting them .

Its fine that reminds me! Patrick, you can come and see how I firmly refuse him .

They are probably going to offer me something that I dont need anyway . Ill turn them down after listening to their offer for a moment .

A shady-looking merchant was waiting alone in the room when I entered . With his distinctive moustache, he stood up and bowed his head with a grin .

Thank you for meeting me again . Im with Alley Company .

He said, looking at Patrick in the eyes .

There are a lot of people like this . Having a female as the head of the family or female Count is rarely heard here . Therefore, if the nobles a merchant saw are a couple, they would always think the male is the familys head .

When they tried to sell clothing and accessories, theyd always talk to me and some people greet Patrick first or talk about politics only to Patrick . But Im the head of the family .

I quickly nip it in the buds .

Nice to meet you . Im Yumiela Dolknes, the head of the family and the Count . How strange, have we met before?

Recently, Patrick-sama visited the companys building in the royal capital . I thank him for that time .

Theres no hesitation in his answer as he bowed to Patrick .

Ah, hes talking to Patrick, isnt he? My paranoia made me jump to a conclusion and look where it got me, how embarrassing .

I guess this happened when we were staying in the capital . I wondered where he was wandering off sometimes, it turned out he had business with this shady person in their company . I wanted him to bring me along because it looks interesting .

Regardless, I will apologize for being a little hotheaded .

Im sorry, by any chance, do you have any business with Patrick?

No, no, today I brought some products that I think both of you might like . Our company deals with rare artifacts from the dungeon .

It tugged my heartstrings . So far, Ive never had such a fascinating merchant visit me . But the timing was so bad, just after I said Id be more firm .

But I was curious about what kind of things Patrick had purchased for me from this merchant .

Hey, Patrick . What did you get?

I ended up not buying anything . Isnt that right?

Yes . Unfortunately, no transaction happened .

When Patrick asked for affirmation in a prickly tone, the man obediently nodded his head .

That sounds like a lie, Im sure he bought a magical artifact from dungeon drops in secret . The merchants grin is proof no, hes been grinning from the beginning .

The man deepened his smile and whispered .

Did you give it to her yet?

He may think that hes whispering so I cant hear their conversation, but my enhanced hearing can pick it up .

Give it to me? Maybe its a surprise gift for me? I want brass knuckles .

Wait a minute . My predictions are often off so its useless to rejoice in vain . Theres nothing to celebrate and I have no plan to in the future .

But I just pretend that I didnt notice their whisper .

The man laid out his goods on the table between us and started to explain them one by one .

The first one is a bottle of white powder . Im starting to enjoy this, maybe this isnt as bad as I thought .

This is a bottle of sugar that wont be absorbed by the body .

Thats a sugar, huh

It tastes as sweet as regular sugar, without the nutrition .

What do you mean?

Glucose is a quick source of energy, but without nutrition, then its just useless . Its surely a rare item that nobody wants, I dont want it either .

For some reason, Patrick took a bite of it .

Wow, this must be selling like crazy .

But the price is quite expensive our customers are usually nobles daughters and ladies . Of course, we keep our customers identities confidential .

Why did they sell zero-calorie sugar? Is there a trend to starve to death while eating something sweet?

I told him that I have no interest in joining such a perverse trend .

I dont need it .

She doesnt need it .

Patrick gave my small body the once-over look .

Oh, I get it, its diet sugar . In the previous world, it must have been products that were sweetened with amino acids or something .

I dont need it, especially if its something to lose weight . My lightweight is a weakness, so I prefer something that could help me gain weight . If I could keep my current body shape and weight about a ton, my physical attacks would be even more powerful . And the good thing is, I wont get so easily blown away .

The man knew that he wouldnt be able to sell the sugar and move to introduce the next product .

This is a potion of youth .

He presented a bottle with green liquid in it . Im starting to enjoy this, maybe this isnt as bad as I thought .

Eternal youth and immortality are two powers that people have always wanted . It wouldnt be surprising if there were conflicts around the world over these .

When I lean forward to look at the bottle closely, he quickly explains .

The truth is this is a detoxifying potion, when applied to the skin, it rejuvenates the skin . All the wrinkles and saggy skin will disappear . Ah, please note that the effects may vary from person to person .

My excitement deflates once I know it was a dubious cosmetic product .

I was expecting some valuable items from the dungeon but it was a complete disaster . Sugar isnt even a dungeon loot and detoxifying potion isnt that rare .

I dont need it either, I dont feel interested in that kind of thing . Well, thats enough for to

Please wait a minute, we also have weapons for you .

I want to buy a sword with dark attribute and staff that compatible with all attributes if you have any .

The merchant, who was pulling out a dagger, proceeded to put it back in his bag gently . Of course, a self-defence dagger is unnecessary . Its better to strike barehanded .

I already said I wouldnt buy anything and it will be difficult for me if he brought attractive goods, but this is disappointing .

Its different from what I was expecting . I imagined some kind of accessories with advantageous effects in the battle .

Ah there are some situations going on with the accessories .

He answered while throwing a concerned look towards Patrick .

I dont care why he didnt sell any accessories, but its time for him to leave .

However, I saw something that interested me . From his bag full of goods, something in the size of a conch sticking out .

What is this?

Excuse me, this is something that I brought by mistake . Have you ever heard something called monsters summoning flute?

Yes . It helped me a lot in the past .

As the name implies, monsters summoning flute is a tool to attract monsters in the surrounding area . I often use it to help level up .

No way, the one he just took out

Can I help you? Apologies, this is the large version of monster summoning flute . I bought it since it was rare but its no use for me . You need a huge magic stone to operate it, I cant even try to blow it .

Say the price, Ill buy it!

This must be fate or Im that lucky . I have to buy it even if I have to sell everything I own, its all or nothing .

Someone decided to interrupt my unwavering determination .

Yumiela, you cant .

Listen! The bigger its size, the louder it sounds!

So what? I can assure you that you dont need it .

I dont want to go back on my words . I promised I wouldnt buy anything today eh, today? What about tomorrow?

Ok, this will be my strategy: Ill stay true to my words and not buy anything and I could go to the merchants company later to buy it . Its perfect .

Fine . I dont need that flute, this is all for today .

When I get a good supply of weapons, youll be the one Ill visit . I look forward to our business in the future .

After making the next appointment, the merchant left the room looking a little disappointed .

After the door closed, Patrick said .

You also cant buy it when he comes back later .

Oh no, my perfect plan is foiled .

Hiding and sneaking around wont get me anywhere . I have to argue with him head-on and try to convince him .

Lets approach this from the other perspective, how can I get his permission to buy the large flute?

Ryuu looked at the sparkling jewels with keen interest, refusing to leave the scene . When I said I dont need it, he refused to listen . He looked at me with moist upturned eyes alright, fine, Ill buy it .

I get it, that eyes are the key to victory . As I tried not to blink my eyes got slightly teary, I looked at Patrick with my best puppy eyes .

Just this once?

Stop glaring at me .

It didnt work . Also, Im not glaring at him, this is my cute puppy eyes .

Even though Ryuu is a reasonable and good kid, it still didnt help . After using Ryuu as an example, the situation became dire . Children who want to buy candy but arent allowed by their parents are the perfect example .

In that case, lets try to imitate those wilful children .

I stood up and pulled the sofa and table in front of me to the corner of the room .

Hey, what are you doing?

Patrick, who sat still, asked . Alright, hes in the perfect seat for watching my performance .

I laid down in the middle of the room, in the space where the furniture had been removed . As I laid on my back, my limbs were moving all over the place .

No, no, no, I dont wanna! I want it! I wanna buy it!

His expression froze as he looked at me, flapping my limbs on the floor . Theres no light in his eyes, hes really taken aback by what he saw .

You

No, I dont wanna hear it! No, no, no!

Thats okay, I understand that this is a shameful sight .

I rather allow my partner to buy the flute than continue to expose myself to this kind of disgraceful behavior . If I can make Patrick think like that, it will be my win .

This battle of will continued for several minutes . Patrick, who had remained silent for a long time, spoke . Did he finally yield?

Yumiela, is this behavior something that should be witnessed?

Noooo, I want the flute! Let me buy the flute!

Is everyone here already?

Hes supposed to see me but what did he mean about everyone?

And he pointed in the doors direction . The door was open without my knowledge and the servants were peeking from the hallway . Rita and Sara, Damon and other staff, even the cook oji-san was there .

They must have heard the commotion and came to see whats going on . I dont know the right adjective to describe their expression .

I stopped flailing my limbs and stood up as if nothing had happened .

Thank you for your work, Ill take care of this, and you can all go back to your posts .

That was all I said before I closed the door .

I want the earth to swallow me .

Ah cant I buy it? Just this once, please . Ill buy it with my own money

You dont need the flute .

He put his hand on my shoulder to comfort me .

I dont need an extra-large monster summoning flute . Instead, I want a time machine or something that could erase memory .

Ever since that day, the servants attitude, which had been somewhat distant, changed .

And people keep looking at me with a pitiful or vexing expression . The day when we struggle to return to the past may be near .