Chapter 57

"Was it me who broke it?"

"The magical device stopped working even though it wasn't burned. I heard it was you who broke it."

I used Dispel.

Magical devices that use magic power naturally break down.

"I just followed the army's request. But I understand you have complaints. I will inform the lieutenant who gave the order."

"Don't do unnecessary things!"

What?

"Then don't say unnecessary things. I don't have time like you do."

"What!?"

"Time is finite. If you have time to say such trivial things, you must be quite idle. I can't imagine a merchant who values time so much."

Well, he probably wants to shift the blame to us a bit.

"You bastard!"

"What?"

What is with this guy?

"Zieg, calm down."

"Adolf, calm down. Didn't I tell you beforehand that we wouldn't be discussing this today?"

Leonor and Rubecht try to calm us down.

"Hmph! Watch your words!"

You should be the one to watch your words...

You were criticizing the army, weren't you?

"So, what are the specific details?"

Since this merchant is a waste of time, I'll ask Rubecht.

"First, the restoration of the warehouse. I don't think I need to explain, but since it's brick, please deliver the bricks. There are some usable ones left, so 300 should be enough."

300, huh...

Well, that's about right.

"Understood. What about the repair of the magical devices?"

"Two extraction machines and one disassembly machine."

Huh?

"Those are expensive machines... Why are they in the warehouse?"

"That's something you don't need to know."

I asked Rubecht, but Adolf answered.

But regarding this, Adolf is right.

It's none of our business.

"That's true... Is that all for the request?"

"Yes. The rest will be a separate request."

Civilian...

Well, it's probably due to our lack of trust.

"What's the deadline?"

"Immediately. Without the warehouse and the machines, we can't do business."

I really hate fools.

"What do you mean by 'immediately'? Within 10 seconds? By the end of today? Or within a week? When you ask for a deadline, give a specific date. It's a waste of time."

"You bastard...! What's with that attitude!?"

That's what I'd say.

"You shut up. You're not making any sense."

"What a guy! Just as I expected from the Alchemists' Guild... I know a councilor, and I can have you shut down."

Councilor...

There's no way a local councilor has that kind of power.

Is he underestimating the Alchemists' Guild?

"Are you saying this, my disciple Leonor von Rechert?"

I call Leonor by her full name and look at her.

"My house is higher in rank than Adele's or mine, so I think it's better to go to my house."

So, the branch chief is from a high-ranking noble family.

"Damn! A noble...!"

Merchants hate nobles.

Well, they have power and only hinder business, so it's natural.

I'm glad I brought Leonor.

"Mr. Rubecht, what's the deadline?"

With the annoying Adolf quiet, I continue the conversation.

"I would like to receive all the bricks within a month. However, we will come to collect them every day as the restoration work will be carried out concurrently."

We don't need 300 bricks to start the work.

"Understood. Please come to the branch to collect them. I also have other jobs with shorter deadlines."

Of course, the Waterstone.

"I understand. I will come every evening. If you can't prepare the bricks for delivery, please call me."

It would be a waste of time otherwise.

"Understood. What about the repair of the extraction and disassembly machines?"

"Regarding that..."

Rubecht glances at Adolf.

"Hmph! As soon as possible. We incur a loss for each day of delay."

"Understood. What do you think, Zieg?"

Rubecht asks me.

"I can't say for sure without seeing them... If they're not burned, it shouldn't take too long."

"Alright... Then, shall we go see them now?"

"Alright. Next, the cost..."

Now, it's time for a serious negotiation.

"First, the bricks. 150,000 El. With the emergency request surcharge, it's 200,000 El."

Well, that's about right.

Bricks are cheap because they're easy to make.

"Understood. I know the repair of the extraction and disassembly machines will be an estimate. How much will it cost?"

Let's see...

"I can't say for sure without seeing them, but 500,000 El per unit, so 1,500,000 El for three."

"I see..."

"Hey, can't you make it a bit cheaper?"

Adolf speaks up.

He's not shouting like before.

It seems he's given up on trying to intimidate us into giving better terms.

"That's difficult. The guild has set prices, and while there can be some adjustments, they can't change much."

If you're reasonable, I'll be reasonable too.

"We're the victims here."

I don't care.

"Please discuss the compensation with the town. We are a government agency and have set rules."

Let the town resolve the issues that arise in the town.

"What about that?"

Adolf asks Rubecht.

"In this case, we don't recognize any fault on your side, so we will cover half the cost."

He's claiming there's no fault at all.

It's not that long since the fire, yet he knows so well.

Well, he probably used his connections with the councilor.

"Hmm... The bricks are one thing, but can't you do something about the extraction and disassembly machines? Even with half the cost, 750,000 El is too high."

Is that so?

It's pretty cheap.

"Privately, it would cost more than double and take over a month to repair."

They don't have the skills.

"But... It's not new equipment, and it seems better to replace it."

Ah... I see.

You do this often...

"We have a buyback program. In such cases, the Alchemists' Guild buys them back."

"Really? How much?"

See?

"How old are they?"

"The extraction machines are 10 and 8 years old. The disassembly machine is 6 years old."

They're quite old.

Well, that makes sense.

"2,000,000 El, 2,500,000 El, and 3,500,000 El, respectively."

"Too low! They cost three times as much!"

This guy is so transparent.

He acts angry when he's pretending.

"That's the set price. For the difference, please use the government's compensation system."

"Is that possible?"

He knows it is.

"Is it possible?"

I turn to Rubecht.

"Yes. There is indeed such a compensation system."

"Then, let's do that. The repair will take time, so I'll buy new machines this time."

Sure, sure.

"Understood. However, we need to prepare the documents and inspect the machines, so please give us a few days."

Rubecht proceeds calmly, like a government official.

"Understood. I'll wait that long. That's all. I have another appointment, so I'll take my leave."

Adolf stands up and quickly leaves the room.

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