Chapter 33

In the morning, as I was leaving the inn, I ran into Yararai, a slender, muscular elf dressed in Native American attire.

"Good morning. Going somewhere?"

I raised my hand in greeting.

"Commercial Guild, checking for hunting requests."

"Yeah, I heard you say that. Is it profitable?"

"I can make it profitable."

I see, he must be skilled.

"Akira, where are you going?"

Yararai's voice had little inflection.

"Just going to look at the sea while having breakfast. After that, it's the Veriello Company."

"Company?"

"I'm getting hired by them for a limited time."

"I see."

"Alright then."

I raised my hand casually and moved on. I was heading to a high point on the way to the usual lighthouse. Under the clear, cloudless sky, I had come to eat breakfast while looking down at the port, but for some reason, Yararai followed me. When I sat down, he also sat on the rock next to me.

"…What?"

"Having breakfast. I'd like to buy some if possible."

Ah, I see.

I haven't mentioned my abilities, but I know Hagg buys katsu sandwiches from me.

"Sandwiches okay?"

"…Leave it to you."

I bought two tomato sandwiches and two katsu sandwiches, and handed a set to Yararai. I received the exact amount of money and put it in the container via the bag, which reduced my cash a bit.

Remaining balance: 9,506,450 yen.

What, the calculation is wrong?

This is fine. You'll understand later.

I really wanted to serve coffee too, but I refrained from taking hot water out of the bag to avoid suspicion. I don't know the specifications of the real air tools.

"What's this?"

"Ah, pull here to open it. Take it out and eat it. This thin, transparent film is not edible."

"…This, Palpera tree sap… no, it's different."

Yararai is staring intently at the plastic, but I'll collect it later, okay?

I'll burn it and dispose of it. Ah, I won't worry about dioxins. Burning a lifetime's worth of plastic won't affect this world.

It would be more dangerous if animals ate it.

More importantly, the information that something similar to plastic can be made from tree sap can't be missed.

"Hey, what's Palpera?"

"A tree that elves cherish. Humans, can't touch it."

I see. If I can't get it, it doesn't matter.

Wait, if Yararai had judged me as a Palpera user, I would have been an enemy of the elves, right?

This world is sometimes violent, so I could have been turned into a shish kebab with that thick estoc right away.

All misunderstandings are resolved! I swear by the old man's name!

Yararai took a bite of the tomato sandwich. He's as bold as Hagg.

"Delicious."

"Glad to hear that."

"Can you sell me some tomorrow?"

"Sure, no problem."

We chatted intermittently while having breakfast. Both Yararai and I ate quickly. I rarely had the luxury of eating leisurely during my dark salaryman days.

After finishing, Yararai took out a kiseru.

"Oh, you use it too?"

"Tobacco, originated by elves."

"Is that so?"

He held the kiseru and muttered something softly. At the same time, a thin purple smoke rose from the tip of the kiseru.

"Huh? What did you just do?"

"Elemental logic. I'm not very good at it. I used fire from a nearby house. The spirit was close, so it worked."

I didn't quite get it.

"Is that… not magic, but logic?"

"Human's specialty is air logic. Elemental logic is only used by elves."

I understood something I didn't know.

It seems to be a type of logic. To me, it's all just a mysterious phenomenon.

"Since it's here, can you light mine too?"

I put a cigarette in my mouth, and he lit it with logic.

"Convenient."

"Sometimes the spirit is capricious and doesn't lend its power."

"The lack of certainty is a weakness, but considering the law of conservation of energy, creating heat energy from nothing is impressive."

"…"

He frowned silently. It didn't seem to resonate with him. I wonder what energy the cleaning air tools use.

"Mr. Akira? Good morning."

While we were exhaling purple smoke, we were greeted from behind again this morning.

"Hey."

"…I'm going."

Yararai nodded to Chelina and walked away.

"That was an elf, right?"

"He's staying at the same inn. We happened to meet."

"Could he be Yararai the Black Needle?"

"Do you know him?"

"Fairly well-known if you're well-informed."

"Really, what kind of person is he?"

"An ancient elf from the Deep Forest who travels the world with a single, oversized black estoc instead of a bow and elemental logic… that's the gist of it."

"Ah, so that wicked iron needle is not normal."

Weapons thicker than iron pipes are scary.

"Elves are said to mostly use bows and spirits. They prefer light weapons like sabers and rapiers for close combat. Besides, elves rarely come into human living areas."

"I see. He's an odd one."

"Recently, a single elf hunted a stray buffalo, and it was known to be Yararai."

"Wow…"

With Hagg, Yararai, Chelina, the Pig King, and the Creepy Baron, my surroundings are full of odd people.

"Ah, right, Chelina."

"Yes?"

"What's your relationship with the Baron? And what do you want from me?"

Chelina, who had been soft-spoken until then, stiffened.

"I'm a man who can't read the air. I can't understand other people's feelings at all. I want to act on your feelings, but I can't. So, I'm asking. What do you want from me?"

Chelina's body didn't move an inch.

I was worried it was like time had frozen, but her red hair was gently swaying in the sea breeze, so it didn't seem to be due to some magical reason.

A long silence.

I waited patiently without looking away.

I can't read the air, but I know this isn't a time to leave it alone.

"I… want to establish a business relationship with the Baron. However, the Baron is not interested in business but in me."

She sighed.

"I, or rather the Veriello Company, is not interested in titles. What we need is not power… although the various tax exemptions and exclusive rights granted to the Baron are very attractive."

I silently urged her to continue.

"I have proposed business many times, but it always ends in a deadlock. I don't think further discussions will be constructive."

She stopped speaking, but when she saw I was urging her with my gaze, she continued with a puzzled expression.

"Anyway, I think there's no point in continuing to deal with the Baron…"

I folded my arms and chewed on her words.

"Hey, where are your feelings in all this?"

"Huh? I… want to end the talks…"

"No, that's not what I'm asking. I want to know if you like or dislike the Baron. Start with that."

"…Huh?"

She was surprised after a moment.

"Feelings… mine?"

"Finally got it. Your actions are inconsistent because your feelings are unclear. First, clarify your feelings."

Chelina's red eyes widened in shock. She must have realized it.

Another long silence.

This time, she looked down, paced back and forth, and shook her head, showing signs of unease. So, I decided to wait while smoking.

Just as I finished smoking, she stood in front of me.

I was already sitting, so I had to look up. Her large chest was a distraction.

"I have no intention of dating the Baron. However, as a merchant, I want to be on very good terms with him."

"Got it."

I stood up, threw the cigarette on the ground, and stomped it out.

"An ambiguous attitude is bad for the other person too. Make it clear to him soon."

Without waiting for Chelina's response, I started walking towards the company.