Chapter 74

"Forgive me. Unfortunately, I cannot put a price on it."

Facing the massive Black Dragon, Ehrich bowed deeply to Leida in apology.

"Huh? Why not? Why is that?"

"I never dreamed it would be in such good condition."

"Good condition? This?"

As Leida carefully examined the dragon, whose wing had been severed and pierced by arrows, Ehrich loudly exclaimed, "No, no, no! There are very few who can defeat a dragon in such pristine condition! Indeed, only a hero could do such a thing."

"Hero, huh?"

"Also, the dragon is too large. I thought it would be much smaller. Given its size, I cannot put a price on it."

"Oh dear, what a dilemma," Ehrich wiped the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief.

"Then what should we do?"

"Auction."

"Auction?"

"Yes. The best option is to auction it off in the capital. It will fetch a much higher price there than if we merchants were to set a price ourselves."

"Will there really be people who would go to such lengths to buy it?"

"Of course! For example, collectors, nobles with excess wealth, and craftsmen who might band together to bid on it. A Black Dragon in such good condition—just imagine how much it could fetch... However—"

"However?"

"Since it's an auction in the capital, it will take some time."

"Oh, that's the problem."

Leida wanted to give the money to the elves as soon as possible. The reconstruction was already underway, but money was still needed. Especially if they were to deepen their friendship with humans in the future.

To be honest, Leida hadn't expected it to be such a big issue. She had thought it would be like buying a regular monster, where the price would be set for each part, such as the wings and claws.

Of course, she had expected a high price for a dragon. However, Ehrich seemed to be trying to set a price for the entire dragon.

"Is there any particular reason you're in a hurry?"

"Well, actually—"

Leida explained to Ehrich about meeting the elves, helping to defeat the Black Dragon that had attacked their village, and trying to convert the dragon into money to fund the village's reconstruction.

"Elves!? ...I've heard they exist, but so, Amrus has started interacting with the elves?"

"Yes, recently."

"Ah, I see. In that case, could you introduce me to the elves? I can lend you the necessary funds for the reconstruction, not all of it, but enough to get by until the auction is over."

"Really?"

Leida was surprised. She didn't know exactly how much it would cost, but rebuilding a village would require a significant amount of money. However, Ehrich smiled and said it was no problem.

"Once the auction is over, the funds I lend you can be easily recovered. Since a dragon will fetch a large sum, there's no issue."

"Ah, I see. But, can you be sure the auction will go well?"

Leida was worried. Even if a dragon would fetch a large sum, there was no guarantee that there would be people who wanted to buy it. She knew there were collectors, but she was still uncertain.

"Leida, wealthy people, especially nobles, have a lot of money. Most of them have strange collecting habits."

"Really? Is that so?"

"Especially nobles, who are full of pride and vanity. If a Black Dragon in such good condition is put up for auction, they will pounce on it like hungry beasts."

As a commoner, Leida couldn't quite understand the hobbies of the nobility. However, if there were people who would buy the dragon, that was fine.

"Then, I'll leave the auction to you."

"Understood. I'll make sure to get a high price for it!"

Ehrich, who was already excited, was undoubtedly a born merchant. He was very reliable.

"I'm glad you're here, Ehrich. You're a great help."

"Not at all, it's beneficial for me too! Besides, I have a hidden agenda to establish connections with the elves."

"Ah, I see."

"Yes. In the future, the elves will need various things, so I hope they will use our guild. It will also add prestige to our guild to say we do business with the elves. It's all advantages."

"Even so, I'm grateful. Then, I'll introduce you to the elves who are in this town."

"Thank you. Oh, I'm looking forward to it! Actually, I've often imagined elves from books I read as a child. I never thought my dream would come true at this age... Life is full of surprises."

Smiling wryly at Ehrich's joy at meeting the elves, Leida was about to take him to the inn where the elves were staying. But then,

"Huh?"

"Leida?"

She stopped, having noticed something.