Chapter 6

The next day, after leaving the inn, I thought about what to do next.

Becoming a merchant or an adventurer, I still think being a merchant where I can make better use of my skills is the better choice. The money that decreases day by day is quite terrifying. I have to find a way to earn some. I realize now that only those who have some leeway can afford to think about what to do next.

"Let's go to the market stalls for now."

Worst case, I can read and write. I could consider becoming an apprentice to some merchant.

The market street seemed to be the most lively in the morning, bustling with many people since a while ago. Negotiations were taking place in various spots.

"These are the dishes used by the nobles of Artemis. They are made by the Cremia Workshop, which is exclusively for the nobility. The dragons depicted on them are magnificent, aren't they?"

"Indeed, they are beautiful."

Right in front of me, a negotiation was taking place at a market stall. The one looking at the cup and saucer was a young girl.

Her beautiful blue hair, cut into a bob that didn't reach her shoulders, was neatly styled. She had large, beautiful blue eyes and a well-defined face. She was about 140 cm tall and looked to be in her early teens. Her energetic eyes made her a lively and beautiful young girl.

The girl was nodding as she looked at the cup.

"Is this cup genuine?"

"No."

It seems it wasn't made by the Cremia Workshop. It would be difficult to get genuine noble goods from such a market stall.

"I'll buy this—"

"Wait a moment. Sir, is this really from the Cremia Workshop?"

The old man's face slightly twisted at my sudden interruption.

"What? Of course it's genuine! I'm selling it for 50,000G, which is a steal compared to the usual 100,000G."

"Is that so? From the look of my clothes, you can tell I'm a noble, and from Artemis at that. I know about the Cremia Workshop because I use their products regularly. However, I've never seen this pattern before. Who made it?"

It was all a bluff. I didn't know about the Cremia Workshop, and I couldn't really tell the difference in the dishes. I could only tell if they were somewhat good. But I learned from yesterday's failure that bluffing is important in business.

The old man visibly panicked when he heard this.

"Ugh, why would a noble be here... Hmm, I've forgotten who made it."

He clearly avoided my gaze.

"Well, it's understandable to forget after keeping it for a long time. But it's definitely not made by a famous painter. Miss, why don't you pass on this one?"

To be honest, saying it's a fake outright would be confrontational. I suggested she reconsider indirectly.

"Right, sorry, sir."

The girl seemed to understand what I meant and decided not to buy it.

"No, it's fine. I should have remembered, so it's my fault."

The old man seemed to notice that I was trying to help and backed off gracefully.

I led the girl away from the market stall.

Once we were a safe distance away, the girl spoke.

"Thank you! I didn't expect it to be a fake! I was lucky to have a noble who knows the real thing right next to me."

She thanked me with a radiant smile.

"Sorry, but the noble part was a bluff. It is a fake, though."

"What!? You're kidding! I believed you so easily... So how did you know it was a fake? Or is it actually genuine?"

She was an honest girl who believed everything.

"No, I knew it was a fake because of a skill. I don't have detailed knowledge about it."

Hearing this, the girl tilted her head. Indeed, this explanation was quite vague.

"Maybe you have the 'Appraisal' skill?"

"No, it's different."

I hesitated about whether to tell her about my skill. Many people don't believe, and skills are not something to talk about freely.

"Is it okay to talk about your skill?"

"Yes."

Since Metis said it was fine, I started to explain about 'Divine Understanding.' She believed me immediately, being an honest person.

After listening, she was excited and trembling.

"What an amazing skill! With such a skill, you have a huge advantage in business! I'm not good at appraising, but I'm good at selling! With your appraisal skills and my sales skills, we could become the best trading company in the empire! Let's work together!"

She extended her hand with sparkling eyes. I already trusted her a little, as she believed in my skill without any doubt. She was trustworthy, and my instincts told me so without needing to ask Metis.

"Thank you, I appreciate it."

I took her hand. Thus, I decided to work with her.

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