Chapter 96

A few days later, in the afternoon .

Kazura had taken Zirconia with him to visit an upscale commercial district in Isteria .

The two of them were dressed differently than usual, in simple, plain, commoner clothes .

They wore a cloak on their shoulders and held a sack in their hands, looking like travelers .

Zirconia ties her hair into a single knot at the back of her neck and disguises herself, if only for comfort .

Her face is cracked as she usually travels to military-related facilities, but she rarely comes face to face with civilians .

A different outfit or hairstyle will give a completely different impression, so even if youve seen Zirconias face once or twice before, theres little danger of your face is exposed .

This is a trick that is possible only in this world where mass media has not yet been developed .

This is the general store . When I visited here before, they bought some items from me before .

Even though you have such a magnificent store, it is fraudulently bypassing the laws

Last night, Kazura told Nelson and Zirconia that an old woman in the grocery store had bought an ocarina and a red gemstone from him .

He wanted to explain that she was someone who had the resources to sell even the most unusual items without starting a rumor, but after hearing the explanation, Nelson said he wanted to find out about the other persons character before offering them a deal .

The original plan that Kazura and Zirconia had made was to give the name of the Isteria family first and offer to negotiate with them .

But before that, Nelson said, they needed to see how the old lady would respond if they offered the same kind of negotiations like last time with her identity hidden .

If the old lady responded in the same way as last time, then she would have only that much of a head start .

If she didnt have enough intelligence to either disclose some information ahead of Kazura or offer some goodies to us, considering the possibility that Kazura might be getting information elsewhere, she wouldnt be able to use it, although it wouldnt be very useful .

Incidentally, Ive also told Nelson and that Kazura visited Isteria with Valetta and the others before .

They asked me how I came to visit the store, so I answered, and Zirconia looked very surprised when I told her that I had encountered Liese and the others in the process .

Nelson remembered Eiras reaction when she had come face to face with Kazura before, and nodded in agreement, So thats what happened?

No, we still dont know if shes committing fraud on a regular basis .

Thats true, but theres no doubt that this is a shop that is making a profit by running a scam . Im not too keen on taking advantage of someone like this

Thats true, but you should use whatever you can at this point . You should meditate on a few things .

When Kazura said that to Zirconia, whose expression was cloudy, Zirconia showed a momentary puzzled expression .

But soon, she chuckled happily .

Hm? Whats wrong?

Huh, its nothing . Kazura-san is right, we dont have time to pay attention to the details, right? But

Zirconia said, and put a hand on her back hip, hidden by her cloak .

Be careful when negotiating, just in case . I dont think there is any, but there is a chance that the other party may try to intimidate you roughly . Its the kind of place that runs a scam, so it wouldnt be surprising if they had a bouncer or two on hand .

Just in case, Zirconia has a dagger tucked under her cloak .

If the negotiations dont go as well as they should, and a disturbing stream of bouncers come out of the woodwork, she said she would be the one to deal with them .

Nelson tells me that not many people can compete with her with weapons, but Id like to avoid a tumultuous turn of events if I can .

The reason why Zirconia, not Isaac or Havel, is accompanying him is simply that shes much more skilled than them .

Since her number of experience in actual battles is incomparable to the others, she is said to be able to deal with things on the spur of the moment .

On top of that, she also believes that her companions would be less wary of their opponents if they were female rather than male .

I understand . But even if that happens, lets think about running away rather than fighting back . It would be terrible to get injured doing this .

Yes . Well, if theres a commotion, the private soldiers waiting in hiding are supposed to rush in, so well be okay first . I think so . Unless were being held, hostage .

With that, Zirconia smiled softly and walked into the store .

Hello . I have something for you to buy .

Kazura walked into the shop and went to the back and called out to the old lady who was sitting on the ledger as she had done on his previous visit .

Yes, welcome oh, you are, I believe

The old woman looked up and raised her eyebrows in surprise when she saw Kazuras face .

Yes, Im the one who sold some jewelry for you the other day . Ive come here with some more things Id like you to buy for me

All right, all right . Ill buy from you outright, you can count on me . Is this your sister, by the way?

Zirconia, who had been running her eyes around the store, smiled at the old woman who gave her a snarky look .

This is my wife and she forced me to bring her along .

Well, you have a very pretty wife . Regardless of your appearance?

Yeah, thats right, thanks, so lets talk about jewelry .

Wait a minute .

The old lady said, and took the sign that had been placed in the corner of the store that read Preparing and placed it at the entrance of the store .

There we go . Lets talk in the back room, just to be sure .

As the old woman walked into the back of the building, Zirconia stopped Kazura from following her .

Well, Ill go first . Please dont ever leave my side .

With the caution of that, Zirconia followed the old woman into the back of the room .

Kazura followed Zirconia through the door .

You guys, I think we can call it a day,

There were six girls in the back room .

They ranged in age from about six years old to their mid-teens .

The girls sat on the floor with needles and knives in their hands, working on leather goods such as shoes and gloves .

A long table was set up in the room, and a fireplace was also set up .

Yes, but

At the old ladys words, one of the girls raised her voice as if she was confused .

The other girls also turned their anxious eyes to the old woman .

Hmm? Oh, dont worry about it, Ill give you your wages for today .

The old woman took out a cloth bag from her pocket and handed it to a girl who was close at hand .

The girl immediately opened the bag and checked the money inside .

Its still past noon, why dont you go down to the river to pick up those round stones I taught you about? You can take the basket there with you .

Yes, thank you . Lets go, everyone?

The girls bowed to the old lady and left, taking the basket that had been left in the room .

Sit down at any of those chairs over there . Lets see, lets get you some tea .

The old lady waited for the girls to leave and then recommended a chair to Kazura and Zirconia .

No, I have some urgent business to attend to after this . I would like to begin the transaction immediately .

Oh, okay . Well, Lets get this started .

When Zirconia quickly declined the tea, the old woman sat down in her chair without seeming particularly bothered .

Following the old lady, Kazura and Zirconia sat down in their chairs .

Well, what did you bring me today?

Ive got some of the same kind of jewelry I sold you last time . . . By the way, who were the girls just now?

Kazura asks while taking out a small bag of cloth from the Sack .

They have a day job of running errands for me . Kids are much more affordable to hire .

As she said this, the old woman picked up the sachet and took out a piece of jewelry and placed it in her hand .

Ho, this is another fine piece of jewelry .

Looking at the jewels on her palm, the old woman nodded with satisfaction .

This time, Kazura brought the gems with him: lapis lazuli, turquoise, and red crystal cut into a perfect circle .

Unlike the items he sold the old lady last time, they were darker in color and not as transparent as the ones he had sold her .

Okay, Ill buy them for 6,000 al each, 18,000 al for three .

What the fuck what?

Its 6,000 Al . Its too scarce to offer anything but a rough sum, but its not a bad sum .

The old woman smiled at Kazura, who was rolling her eyes and smiled at her .

Zirconia, who was sitting next to her, listened intently to the two of them without any particular change in expression .

Um, that clear pink gemstone I brought last time wasnt 2,500 al, I believe

Im sorry, I bought it a lot then . Ill buy this time at a fair price . And of course, well continue to do so .

The old lady, who replied without seeming to be offended, gives Kazura a snide look .

Why didnt you fluff it on me again this time? If you could sell it for that high, you could have ripped me off again .

Of course its because I want to continue to make money . Even if you get fooled again, if you find out later and go elsewhere, it will be the last time . . It seems you have the wherewithal to continue to get the jewelry . We thought it would be better for both of us to make a profit .

But Im still getting ripped off .

Ill show you the books . Give me a minute .

When Kazura gave her a doubtful look, the old lady quickly stood up and went back to the store .

Well Mrs . Zirconia, it looks like she could use it .

Yes . It doesnt seem to be enough to just cheat and make a profit . Im concerned about the number of transactions you can make at one time and the sales channels

Sure, Im wondering where theyre selling out to who on earth is buying them?

As they were having this conversation, an old lady came back with a book in her hand .

Ive kept you waiting, heres the selling price of the jewels you bought last time .

The old woman sat down in a chair and opened the ledger and held it out to them .

The ledger, bound in leather paper, was filled with the names and prices of the items they had sold and bought .

Zirconia traced her finger over the pink obsidian section of the ledger .

I wonder if its this one . The selling price is at

What, 35,000 Al?

Yes, 35,000 Al . I swear, I had a hard time selling it for that price .

The old woman sighed with a look of relief as Kazura looked at the price and stared at her eyes .

You sold it for fourteen times the amount you bought from me? Thats highway robbery, isnt it?

It was a bit of a struggle to come up with a price because Ive never seen this kind of jewelry before either . Im glad I was able to sell it for a good price .

The old woman said, then pulled the ledger back to herself and turned her attention to Kazura .

So, from now on, no more lies in our dealings with you . And the amount of money I made you lose in the last transaction I guess, 7,500 Al, right here and now . Ill make it up to you . In return, youll continue to bring all of those jewels to me in the future . Lets make this work for both of us, shall we?

Well, thank you, but who did you sell it to? Who can pay out this much money

Wait .

When Kazura asked, the old woman interrupted him .

I dont ask you anything . You wont ask me anything either . If you cant do that, then theres no deal .

Oh, no, actually, thats what Im talking about .

Ill tell you from here . As a matter of fact

Clair! Shes not here!

When Zirconia was about to cut to the chase on behalf of Kazura, a womans voice rang out from the entrance of the store .

Hmm, wait a minute . Dont come out .

The old woman Claire left it at that, and got up from her seat and walked out to the shop .

It sounds like things are going much better than I expected . Buying and selling an item of such an amount of money and then selling it for such a large sum of money, that person is quite skilled . Umm, what happened?

No, I just heard a voice

Zirconia is staring at the door that Claire has left slightly open, with a snorting expression on her face .

When Kazura also turned his attention to the door, the sound of the woman who had come to the store and Claires conversation could be heard faintly echoing through the doorway .

The two of them listened and listened closely to the conversation .

If it isnt the miss . Its been a long time .

Its been a while . Ive been so busy lately . Howre you doing?

Its the same here . Its good to see you, Eira .

Miss Claire, its been a long time .

At the name Eira that was heard, Kazura and Zirconia looked at each other .

Eirathat means

Oh, um, Mr . Kazura, you told me not to come out, and Im going over there now .

No, but Im in the store right now because

Zirconia quickly grabbed Kazuras arm as she sat up from her chair and made him sit back down .

Her expression showed a bit of impatience .

You look much more tired, is something wrong?

That stupid merchant was so insistent . He insists on seeing you over and over again, and when he has a chance, he touches melike the other day, he almost got me . You know how they tried to take you out of the house at night? I dont know what they would have done to me if they had taken me like that . I really wish that guy would have died .

Well, lets just say thanks for your help . Are you going to trade in the stuff he gave you today?

Yeah . Id like you to buy this for me, but how much is it worth?

Oh, lets see, youve got some good stuff here .

That erotic old man is always first-rate at giving gifts . Thats the only thing I admire about him .

Have at it . Ill add a little color to the mix this time, too . . By the way, have you cleared up the identity of that man you mentioned before?

Probably a Clayrats leader . Commoner in status, I guess .

Oh, Crayrats . Youve got a good personality, and he is pretty rich, right? Just what you need for a marriage proposal . You gonna settle for that guy?

Yes, I think he likes me a lot and Id like to go out with him tonight . He seems to have a girlfriend in his home country, and hell probably go home sooner or later if I shouldnt let him go . Right?

Oh, Master Liese, does that mean youre going to have a night visit with Lord Kazura?

Seriously?

The tremendous content of the conversation that could be heard, caused Kazura to freeze with a shocked expression on his face .

Next to her, Zirconias expression was tense .

I see, I had the feeling that something was strangely pressing on me lately, but thats what it was about?

He isnt the same person like you! Where do you think youre going? Please sit down for now!

Kazura got up from her chair and left the room, dragging Zirconia clinging to her arm .

Yes, no matter how influential you are, if you make it a pre-existing fact against the lords daughter, youll have to marry her . The first move is winning, the first move is winning .

Oh, my, youve grown up, havent you?

Claire chuckles with a dumbfounded expression at Lieses confident answer to Eiras question .

Liese has been coming to this shop for years and has always been very straightforward with Claire .

The first time Liese visited the shop, Claire saw through Lieses nature as soon as they met and pointed it out to her and they have been exchanging this kind of tone ever since .

There arent many good properties like that . Ah, Im starting to feel nervous . I wonder if I can do well

What, you didnt have time to prepare?

I hear from my daughter who has experience with it from time to time, but I only know enough about it when it comes up in chit-chat . I hope youll be nice to her, Kazura-sama .

Why dont you ask Eira to show you how to do it? Youve had a guy or two .

What? Are you sure youre a virgin at your age?

Claire gave a surprised look to Eira, who was awkwardly keeping her mouth shut .

Ive never even been in a relationship with anyone

Oh, well . Well, to each his or her own . You can buy a pendant like the one you showed me the other day for a pretty penny . You can keep it for as much as you can get it .

Yeah, Ill have you falling all over yourself and giving me a ton of money, so you can count on me .

Ha, haha .

Eira, who had been laughing hollowly at Lieses dialogue, suddenly turned her attention to the gap in the door at the back of the store and froze .

Hmm, Eira, whats the matter . .

Liese choked on her words as she noticed Eiras complexion and followed her gaze to the door .

Hey,

A smiling Kazura peeked through the doorway, a smug smile on his face .

Hey! I told you not to come here! . hmm? Do you guys know each other?

Claire, who had yelled at Kazura, tilted her head curiously when she noticed Liese and the others .