Chapter 42

"Genius Spirit Mage?"

Shelley Rambujack, the daughter of a noble family. According to Yuki, she is a genius who has achieved Adventurer Rank A at just 16 years old by wielding powerful spirit magic.

I understood a lot from that. "Wielding spirit magic" — in other words, "attacking with spirits." That's not good in the game Mefion.

Indeed, at the beginning, using powerful spirits for attacks is useful. However, as the game progresses, the so-called "faster to punch" phenomenon occurs. Specifically, as a result of one's status and various skills improving, one can deliver a more cost-effective attack than using spirits. Therefore, in the late game, spirits are hard to use for anything other than possession. That was my opinion. I wonder how it is in this world. Still, a 16-year-old genius spirit mage who has achieved Adventurer Rank A... I have a feeling this will be interesting.

"By the way, I haven't heard Yuki's age yet."

Sylvia suddenly remembered and said.

"Well, I'm 19 years old. What about you two?"

"I'm 17 years old."

"I'm 16 years old."

Yuki made a face as if to say, "No way." I get it, though.

"You're the oldest."

"Big sister!"

"…In the dark elf theory, I'm still young. About 16 years old."

Sylvia's deliberate use of the word "oldest" made Yuki's expression freeze. What's this dark elf theory? Is it something like jumping twice as high and spinning three times faster to get 12 million power?

……Hey, am I the only one being naturally ignored?

I started to feel a bit sad. Maybe I should summon Angolmois...

"―Are you calling me, my Second?"

"Please keep me company."

"As you wish. Then, let me tell you the story of when I destroyed the great earth spirit, the Gnome—"

"What are you doing!?"

What are you... What are you doing!?

"Did you really destroy it?"

"Indeed. One night, it plotted to overthrow me and become the ruler of the spirits. It rebelled against me."

"I see."

So there are such conflicts in the spirit world. Maybe it can't be helped.

"And it not only attacked me in my sleep but also dirtied my nightgown with earth and cracked my favorite cup! I couldn't forgive it."

……Huh?

"I scolded it for not knowing shame, but it ignored me. It attacked me, saying it didn't care. I was so enraged that I struck it with a bolt of death and turned it into ashes in an instant!"

Angolmois laughed with a "Kaka" sound. No, no, no...

"Are you okay?"

"Hmm? Oh, don't worry. I entrusted the next generation of earth spirits to its daughter."

"That's not what I meant..."

Are we connected or something? We can't communicate at all...

As I sighed, feeling the lack of connection, there was a knock on the door.

"Second, the First Test members, I have come to escort you."

It was Forest, the butler of the Rambujack family.

"A carriage is waiting downstairs. When you are ready—"

He gave a long, formal greeting and left. He's polite, but a bit long-winded.

"(Angolmois, can you become manner mode? Can you?)"

"(As you wish.)"

Based on the knowledge I gained from the connection, I gave Angolmois instructions.

Then, Angolmois "Bachi!" discharged electricity, transformed into red-black lightning, and wrapped around my body.

"(Now others can't see me.)"

I can communicate telepathically but have no physical form. I decided to call this state "Manner Mode" from now on.

"Alright, everyone ready? Let's go~"

After making the necessary preparations, we headed to where Forest was waiting outside.

Casually, as I reached for the doorknob to open the door—

Barii!!

"Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow!?"

"Se, Second! What happened!?"

Ow, ow, ow!! What is this!?

"(…Hmm. It's the static electricity? That kind of thing.)"

This, this, damn...! It's not just static electricity! Damn it!

"(Hahaha, I'm sorry! Forgive me, my Se—)"

Banishment!

"…Can someone open the door for me?"

"O, okay?"

Yuki complied, looking confused.

"I'll explain later…"

Dragging my still numb body, I headed to the meeting with the duke.

In the carriage, when I explained what happened, the three of them smiled wryly. Even Eco had that look, which was quite a shock. I vowed never to use Manner Mode again.

"Hahaha! Is that so, is that so?"

The meeting, and then dinner.

Barrel Rambujack, the duke sitting across from me, nodded with a full smile, observing my expression.

In his mid-40s, a well-built man, not too fat or too thin, with a perfect martial posture, leaving no room for error. But in his eyes burned a very intellectual flame. A man who excelled in both mind and body.

Such a seasoned warrior, or a seasoned merchant, was going out of his way to be humble towards me.

It was a true "reception."

He must want mithril alloy that much. I was being treated so excessively that it was almost embarrassing.

"How is the taste? This is a stew made with mushrooms from Renyado, and it's a favorite of my children."

The duke spoke cheerfully, but it was starting to get annoying.

I just smiled and nodded. The duke did most of the talking. Sylvia and Yuki only responded with a few words when spoken to, and Eco ate continuously.

"The First Test team members are all in their teens, I hear. My daughter Shelley is 16 years old. She's a bit of a tomboy, but please be kind to her at tomorrow's dinner."

The dinner ended without incident.

The duke stood up and said this, offering a handshake. Then, he began to guide us out, saying he would see us again tomorrow.

I stopped to ask one last question.

"Oh, Second. What's the matter?"

The duke called out, concerned.

He was perfect, completely humble. He had status, honor, strength, and pride. Yet, why go to such lengths? I couldn't suppress my curiosity.

"Lord Barrel, why do you consider this transaction so important?"

The duke's face remained cheerful, but his eyes narrowed sharply. I could feel Yuki, standing next to me, suddenly become more alert.

"…Only when the people are prosperous can the soldiers be strong and serve the country. That is my belief."

Hmm. It's like the idea of a wealthy and strong nation.

"Strong, lightweight, and durable. The weapons and armor industry using mithril alloy greatly contributes to national strength. This must be done in Renyado, the center of commerce in the Castal Kingdom."

"Meaning, everything is for the country?"

"No. For the people, for the soldiers, for the country. My business must encompass all three."

The duke said that even one of them cannot be missing.

…It's a lofty "commitment." Especially the distinction between the people and the soldiers. In this case, the soldiers are not limited to those belonging to the kingdom but include adventurers and other "fighters."

The people and the soldiers—beginners and advanced.

Barrel Rambujack, he understands this world well. The difference between the weak and the strong.

If that's the case, he wouldn't do anything foolish with a strong person like me.

This transaction seems like a good bet.

"I see, I understand. I look forward to tomorrow's meeting."

"Thank you! I appreciate the time today."

We parted with smiles.

Thus, the first day's schedule ended.

The next day.

We were in a carriage, heading to the commercial city of Renyado early in the morning.

Sylvia and Eco, who seemed to have had a hard time waking up, were leaning on each other and sound asleep.

"Yuki, what do you plan to do with the transaction?"

"Continuously supplying it won't meet the master's expectations. Therefore, the most intelligent method would be to sign short-term contracts for a certain amount of mithril alloy to be supplied within a certain period."

"I see. By the way, how long would it take to supply 30 billion CL worth of mithril alloy?"

"Please wait a moment."

When I asked, Yuki started calculating, looking at the memo I gave her.

Based on the amount of mithril dropped by the Mithril Golem, the boss of the Prolin dungeon, and assuming five runs per day, she calculated the daily production of mithril alloy and then divided 30 billion CL by the market price.

"About 20 days… What?"

"What?"

Yuki was surprised by her own words. Of course, I was surprised too.

30 billion CL in three weeks. That means 10 billion CL per week, and about 1.4 billion CL per day.

Amazing. Is mithril alloy that valuable in this world?

…No, if I think about it calmly, it makes sense. The drop rate of mithril from regular golems in Prolin is 6.25%, and the amount is about 1/20th of what drops from the Mithril Golem. Since it hasn't been cleared yet, it's bound to be rare.

"Unusual."

"…No, the unusual ones are us, doing five runs a day."

Where did we get such an unconventional skill set? Yuki sent me a cold stare. I returned a bright smile. Yuki, who let out a fake sigh and twitched her ear, looked a bit cute.

"Right, we should also consider the possibility of the value of mithril alloy dropping."

"Yes. For a transaction of 30 billion CL, a period of 2 to 3 months would be appropriate."

Ah, right. 30 billion in three weeks is "without a single day off." We should leave room for weekends and occasional breaks.

"Got it. I'll leave the meeting to you in that direction."

"Yes, I'll take care of it."

I entrusted the detailed negotiations to Yuki. If I did it, I might make a mistake like before. Sylvia also agreed, saying it was better, but I didn't want to hear it from her.

…While thinking about these things, I dozed off without realizing it.

"Master, we can see it now."

I woke up to Yuki's voice.

Looking out the small window as she suggested, I saw the bustling scenery of the large commercial city of Renyado, which looked like a thriving capital.

The main street was filled with stalls, and people were bustling about, all busy with their business.

It was a "real" scene—proof that people were truly living there—unlike anything in Mefion.

"I hope it succeeds."

Yuki said.

I nodded and looked away from the scenery outside.

I felt like an alien among them and couldn't bear to look.

"…? …! We're here!?"

"Ugh!?"

Eco, who had just woken up, jumped up excitedly at the sight outside. Her head then hit Sylvia's solar plexus, giving her the worst wake-up call.

It was peaceful. Very peaceful.

I wished this peaceful daily life would continue for a long time. I leaned on my elbow and watched them absentmindedly.

But my wish was shattered that very evening.

Thank you for reading.