Chapter 28

"…Mayor, what did you just say?"

"I said, I want you to pretend that the talk about setting up a branch never happened."

Karen said this firmly, glaring at Gabus.

I haven't known her for long, but this is a face I've never seen before.

Gabus's eyes narrowed at her words.

"Hmm. Who was it that came all the way to the capital to beg, 'Please set up a branch here'?"

"That was..."

"The only ones who reached out to this town, which has been turned down by many adventurer guilds, are we, the 'Plunderers of the Labyrinth.' Do you understand that?"

Gabus spread his arms wide and raised his voice so everyone in the room could hear.

"Why many adventurer guilds don't set up branches in this town. It's simple. There's no value in it. The distance from major cities, the cost of transporting personnel and materials, securing communication with the center. None of it makes financial sense, especially in such a remote area."

Gabus smiled mockingly.

He was clearly making fun of the town's residents.

I couldn't help but feel irritated.

"Wait, Gabus. I heard that the forest is home to rare monsters, herbs, and minerals. Isn't that enough reason to set up a branch?"

This information came from Ria and the others.

They also mentioned that it's surprising there's no adventurer guild in Ninorich.

"Hmm. Indeed, the vast forest to the east of the town is said to be home to rare monsters and materials."

"Right? And many adventurers come to this town. The adventurers here prove that this town has value. Isn't it unnatural that there's no adventurer guild here?"

"Many... you say? Hehehe... Haha... Ahahaha! How ignorant... Please don't make me laugh. Truly, ignorance is bliss."

Gabus burst into laughter at my words.

"Let me enlighten you, you ignorant one. Do you understand? There are at most 40 to 50 adventurers in this town. And they are all weak adventurers who couldn't make it in the center. They come to this remote area where there's less competition to make a modest living."

Gabus looked at the adventurers in the room with pity.

Ria clenched her fists but didn't strike, perhaps out of consideration for my shop, or to wait for the right moment to strike.

"Yet, for some reason, the mayor of this town believes it has value for adventurers. In a remote town like this? It's ridiculous, pitiful, and laughable."

"..."

Gabus's mockery made Karen bow her head and tremble.

He snorted and turned his gaze back to me.

"Do you understand, shop owner? We see no meaning, value, or significance in setting up a branch in this town. However..."

He paused and leaned in closer.

Another sudden approach.

"If you can give us the exclusive right to sell the matches you... make, we might consider setting up a branch here."

"Lord Gabus, I already said we refuse that offer—"

"Be quiet, Mayor. I'm talking to the shop owner—this alchemist."

"..."

Karen fell silent and looked at me.

Her eyes seemed to be trying to say something.

"Well, alchemist, what will you do? The future of this town depends on your decision."

I had become an alchemist by default.

"Can I have a moment to think about it?"

"Of course not. I don't have time to waste. I want your answer now."

"..."

Let's take a moment to organize the situation.

I think.

If we consider the timeline, the talk about setting up a branch in Ninorich must have come up before I started my business here.

The condition to not set up other guilds in the town is to monopolize the benefits from the forest.

Even without the matches, there is a good reason to set up an adventurer guild in Ninorich.

"Hmm."

Considering Gabus's character, I delve deeper into my thoughts.

He tries to impose his will and make unreasonable demands.

This is just like my greedy former boss from my previous job.

If that's the case, I can predict what kind of person Gabus is and how he thinks.

Initially, he probably tried to make unreasonable demands to set up a branch and monopolize the benefits in a remote town.

Then, he learned about the matches I possess.

Matches are valuable in this world. Very valuable.

This is proven by their sales.

So, the greedy Gabus thought:

Use the promise of setting up a branch to monopolize the rights to the matches.

If he was looking for me, it's natural that he knows I'm close to Karen and well-liked by the townspeople.

Knowing this, Gabus tried to use the town's future as leverage to monopolize the matches.

What a greedy person.

Then, the answer is clear.

"Well, what will you do? Will you continue to sell matches in a desolate town with no future, or will you give us, the 'Plunderers of the Labyrinth,' the exclusive right to sell them and secure a fortune and the development of your town? I'm sure, if you have a normal mind, there's no need to hesitate."

Gabus waited for my answer.

I looked at him and smiled broadly.

He smiled back, somewhat forced.

Then I said—

"Of course, I refuse."

Gabus's eyes widened in surprise.

It was quite a sight.

"Are you serious?"

"Yes, I'm serious. If I agree to your demands, there will be no reason to set up an adventurer guild in this town."

"Shiro..."

Karen looked surprised but also relieved.

"No reason? A town like this, which has no reason to have an adventurer guild, is talking back to us, the 'Plunderers of the Labyrinth'?"

"What? I'm asking you, was there ever a reason?"

I made a puzzled face and asked back.

"If you don't mind, can you tell me what the reason was?"

"Up to this point, you've been so clueless. Do you understand? If we set up a branch, adventurers affiliated with the 'Plunderers of the Labyrinth' will come to this town—"

"What's different from now?"

"Ha. The 'Plunderers of the Labyrinth' is one of the largest adventurer guilds in this country. They are of a different caliber from the weak adventurers who have been sent to this town. They have more money, and the amount of money they bring to this town will be on a different scale."

"Wait, but aren't the adventurers who come to remote areas weak?"

"Hey! I heard that with my own ears. 'Weak adventurers.'"

Ria chimed in with my statement.

The other adventurers nodded in agreement.

"Originally, it's strange. If there's no profit to be made, why are you trying to set up a branch here?"

Neska asked a straightforward question.

Gabus panicked at the unexpected criticism.

"That, that's because of our goodwill—"

"......Lies. You just want Shiro's matches."

"A notorious guild like the 'Plunderers of the Labyrinth' talking about goodwill? Ha, save it for your dreams, old man."

"Shut up, you weak adventurers!"

"What did you say, you!"

Ria cracked her knuckles and looked ready to punch.

I quickly intervened.

"Wait, Ria! No violence. Violence is bad."

"But..."

"Besides, I've made my decision, and this talk was meaningless from the start, right, Gabus?"

I leaned in closer to Gabus.

The third sudden approach of the day.

"Even if I give you the exclusive right, you mentioned tax exemptions and covering construction costs, right? Ultimately, the decision lies with the mayor, Karen. After all, it depends on the town's finances. Since Karen has refused, there's no point in continuing this discussion."

I said this with a smile, and Gabus looked regretful.

He had been so focused on the matches that he overlooked the details.

"...If the town can't cover the costs, we are willing to lend you the money."

"Then you'll exploit us, right?"

"Exploitation is a harsh word. We would offer a reasonable interest rate—"

"We don't need your loans."

Karen said this firmly.

Gabus clicked his tongue in response.

A tongue click.

Sending such a person as a negotiator, the 'Plunderers of the Labyrinth' must be lacking in talent.

Or perhaps they've been getting their way by exploiting weaknesses.

In any case,

"We've reached a conclusion. Gabus, the exit is that way."

I pointed to the door, and Aina quickly opened it.

Though she didn't say anything, her puffed cheeks showed her anger.

"Wait. How about a personal contract between you and the 'Plunderers of the Labyrinth'? We'll buy it at your price!"

"I'm sorry, but I plan to continue my business on a small scale. Especially in this promising town of Ninorich."

I said this with a bit of flair,

"Shiro..."

"Shiro-nii..."

"Anchan... you..."

"......Shiro, well said."

Everyone's reactions were positive.

"If you wish, we can use our guild's influence to help you open a shop in the capital. We can also gather materials for you. Will you still refuse the contract?"

"No, I'm not good at negotiations. I only do business with people I trust. I don't trust you, Gabus. Please leave. I have customers waiting."

"Come on, anchan, you're getting in the way of my business. Go back to the capital."

Ria grabbed Gabus by the collar,

"Wait—"

"Here."

She threw him out and slammed the door.

Gabus pounded on the door for a while but eventually gave up.

"Shiro, I'm sorry."

Karen bowed.

I waved my hands.

"Don't worry about it. Actually, you must have had a tough time. Did that guy do anything strange to you?"

"...He touched my chest a little."

"Aina, bring something hard and pointy. Something that could finish him off."

"Anchan, I'll help too."

"Shiro-nii, is this okay?"

Aina brought a knife from the shelf.

One of the popular items among the ladies.

"Girl, do mine too."

"Okay!"

"......Both of you, don't do anything foolish. It's best to ignore fools."

"Okay."

Just as this little drama ended, the door opened unexpectedly.

I thought Gabus had come back, but it was the female adventurer I had seen before.

"Excuse me. I heard the mayor is here."

The female adventurer looked around the room.

She seemed unsure of who the mayor was.

"I'm the mayor... Who are you?"

The female adventurer straightened and bowed.

"I am Nai Mirage, a messenger from the adventurer guild 'Apostles of the Silver Moon.'"

Ria whistled and whispered to me,

"The largest guild in this country."

"I'm Karen Schwajo, the mayor of Ninorich. What brings a messenger from the 'Apostles of the Silver Moon' to my town?"

"Please don't be alarmed. It's a simple matter. I'm here to ask if we can set up a branch of the 'Apostles of the Silver Moon' in this town."

After a moment of silence,

"Whaaat!?"

Everyone in the room was surprised.