Chapter 43

The carriage arrived at a large mansion in the center of Renyado.

We were led to a luxurious guest room and were soon called for lunch. With no need to worry about the inn or the food anymore, I decided to just enjoy whatever was given to me.

Lunch was a buffet. The numerous dishes spread across the dining table were all of high quality, and it was clear that no effort had been spared in preparing even a single dish. I muttered, "Do they really go this far?" to which Yuki said, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, "They are demonstrating their wealth."

Sylvia, who appeared calm, was fidgeting. As the second daughter of a knight and a low-ranking member of the Third Knight Regiment, she was not used to such occasions.

On the other hand, Eko was literally jumping around, devouring the food. Her strength lies in eating well and sleeping well, and she follows her own path in a good way.

After lunch, it was time for the meeting.

When Yuki and I entered the meeting room, about twenty men with faces that seemed capable of handling any job, including the butler Forest, were gathered. It was quite a sight to see everyone take their seats at once after I sat down.

The meeting began.

However, I left everything to Yuki, nodding as if I understood everything. In reality, I didn't understand a thing. What's a sell hedge? Are there people from a securities company here? Is there even such a company in this fantasy world? Cast a spell and make a contract with me? I have no idea...

"Then, let's proceed in this direction."

"Ah, it was a very productive meeting. I hope it goes well."

"We are honored to have been able to attend. This contract should be fine as it is."

"I am relieved that the content is so good. I look forward to the future."

"Thank you."

While I was nodding absentmindedly, the meeting seemed to have come to a conclusion. Yuki and I bowed and left the room together.

Yuki was quietly pleased that the plan had gone according to schedule. In other words, it was a "300 billion CL transaction, for a period of two months."

"Thank you. Well done!"

"No, the contract hasn't been finalized yet."

I was so happy that I patted Yuki on the head. Yuki, as usual, spoke coldly while her pointed ears turned red and twitched.

"After a short break, there will be a dinner with the baron's family and other dignitaries."

She said this as if to change the subject and walked ahead of me. I followed, thinking how much I owed Yuki.

---

At the dinner.

The hall was filled with many people, probably the families of those who attended the meeting earlier.

"Hahaha! Second-kun! Hahaha!"

The baron, after declaring "Tonight is a night of no formalities!" and drinking a glass of wine, seemed to be acting strangely. He continued to praise us four in front of the crowd, nodding in satisfaction. He must be very happy to get mithril alloy. Eventually, he could only call my name or laugh.

"Barrel-sama, please rest here."

Forest led the baron to a chair. Ah, this happens often...

"Oh, Sylvia-san, you're Noire's..."

"Y-You know my father...!?"

"Yes, I've been taking care of him."

"I am honored!"

Sylvia was talking to the baroness. It seems their parents knew each other.

Yuki was having a serious conversation with some elite men. I remember she was determined to "steal their know-how" before the dinner.

Eko was being fed by the maids.

"......"

I'm standing out. What should I do?

I thought about joining Eko, but then...

"Excuse me, could I have a word with you?"

I turned around to see a girl standing there, the epitome of a young lady, with curly pigtails and a frilly dress. She was about 150 cm tall, with a small chest. Her bangs were fluffy and her eyes were large and slanted. She would have been perfect if she had blonde hair, but unfortunately, she had brown hair.

"Sherry?"

"Yes, that's me."

Sherry Lambajack, the baron's daughter. I remembered her standing next to the baron with a sullen face at the beginning of the dinner. I hadn't paid much attention since I knew her brother Helius was absent, but this must be his sister Sherry.

"You should feel honored that I'm speaking to you."

"O-Okay."

She said this so casually. Is she serious?

"Don't get too full of yourself, though!"

"I'm not."

"What's with that attitude! It's annoying!"

"..."

What should I do?

"Hmph. Follow me!"

She said this and turned her back on me, walking away.

I didn't want to follow her, so I didn't.

...

"Hey, you! Follow me properly!"

After about a minute, Sherry came back, her face red with anger, and grabbed my hand, dragging me away. Had she been talking to herself for a while? Hmm, she's kind of cute...

She led me to an empty balcony. This balcony was so spacious that you could easily play basketball. As expected of a baron's family.

"You're a spirit mage, right?"

As soon as we arrived, Sherry asked.

"No, I'm not."

"Not?!"

"No."

"Oh...?"

She looked confused. Did I tease her too much?

"But I do use spirits."

"Still not a spirit mage! What are you, then?!"

Sherry looked indignant. I somehow felt she wasn't a bad person.

"Listen! Don't get too full of yourself just because my father likes you!"

"I'm not."

This was the second time I denied her in three minutes.

"Look at your tone! I'm an A-rank adventurer! Show some respect!"

"I am too."

"Hmph. You four are A-rank as a group, but I'm A-rank on my own!"

"Alone? Ah... Huh."

...She's a loner, isn't she?

It's no wonder, given her attitude.

"What's with that warm look?"

"If you have any problems, you can talk to me, okay?"

"Shut up! It's none of your business!"

"Ouch!?"

She hit me!

"What are you doing?!"

"It's because you don't know your place."

Sherry said, with a haughty look, "It's the natural result." What does she want? I'm getting annoyed...

"Why did you call me here? For a fight?"

"That's rude! I'm here to show you the difference in rank!"

"Rank difference?"

"Yes. Rank difference!"

She looked up at me with a confident smile.

...Oh? I see, I see. I get it now.

"I see. So, how are you going to show me this 'rank difference'?"

"Hehe, you'll see soon enough. Let's see how long your confidence lasts."

Sherry walked a few steps away from me and said,

"Watch my spirit and be amazed!"

She then activated "Spirit Summoning."

A large summoning circle appeared between us, and from its center, a beautiful brown-skinned woman, like a dark elf, appeared.

"---You called, Master?"

"Yes! Terra! Introduce yourself to this annoying man!"

"As you wish."

The brown-skinned spirit named Terra bowed politely and introduced herself.

"I am Terra, also known as No-Me-Des. I am the Great Earth Spirit."

"Nice to meet you, I'm Second."

"Nice to meet you, Second-sama."

We shook hands.

"Hey! I didn't tell you to get friendly! Introduce yourself!"

"Ah, I'm sorry, Master."

Terra seemed generally fluffy and laid-back. Her apology, even while bowing, lacked any real remorse, adding to her mysterious fluffiness.

Still... thinking about what's to come, it's quite amusing. The Great Earth Spirit is indeed rare, with an initial strength of 32,000. Hmm, the "rank difference" will be quite clear.

"Hey, what are you laughing at! Why don't you show your spirit too? I mean, after the Great Earth Spirit, whatever you show will be a joke!"

It will be a joke...

I imagined Sherry's huge reaction and smiled as I prepared to activate "Spirit Summoning." Then,

"If you insist. Then, come out---"

"Second-sama! Eko has eaten too much and passed out!"

"What!?"

I snapped back to reality at Sylvia's interruption. This was a big deal. I rushed over.

Sherry's angry shout, "Wait a minute!" followed me, but I ignored it. I would deal with her later.

---

Looking back, from this chaotic encounter, my peaceful Proline plan began to crumble.

Thank you for reading.