Read Novel Full Chapter 81, The Buyer
Chapter 81, The Buyer
Translator: Barnnn
“How’s the bath feel?”
“Kekyo!”
“Nice! Do you prefer being in soil or water?”
“Kyo-kyo…”
“Hmm, not sure, huh.”
“Kekyo.”
“How often do you need healing magic?”
“Kekyo kekyo kekyo kekyo!”
“Still no idea.”
“Kekyoo…”
“Can you answer with your leaves? Once a day? Twice? Three times? Oh — three times, huh?”
“Kekyo!”
Perched atop the table in a small wooden tub was a Mandragora, happily soaking, while Ize knelt beside it, utterly absorbed in conversation.
The scene was bizarre, undeniably so — but there was something oddly heartwarming about it too.
“Is that a Mystic Beast?” Hal asked.
“No, it should technically be a Mystic Plant,” Fieda said.
“So… what do we do with this information?”
“There’s no way we can report it. But even so…”
After the first Mandragora unexpectedly revived, Ize had rushed to cast healing magic on the remaining three — but had no luck. The only difference she could think of was that the first one had received an extra round of magic before going into the Magic Bag. But at this point, they could only guess.
“What’s it like inside the Magic Bag?”
“Kekyoooo…”
“Oh, sleepy feeling?”
“Kekyo.”
“I see. If there are times I can’t let you out, would you be okay staying in there?”
“Kekyo! Kekyo?”
“Hmm? What about your leaves?”
“Ke-ke-kyo.”
“Leaves, right.”
“Ke, ke, ke, kyo.”
“Four leaves… one, two, three, four?”
“Kekyo, kyon.”
“Out of the bath… and in the Magic Bag?”
“Kekyo!”
“Ah! So you can only stay in the Magic Bag for up to four days?”
“Kekyo! Kekyo!”
“Oooooh!”
The Mandragora furiously wobbled its leaves in excitement. Ize clapped enthusiastically in return.
A perfect rapport — one person and one plant, communicating flawlessly.
“…Anyway, Ivern or the Guild should reach out soon. Until then, we’ll make decisions bit by bit — including what to do about this one,” Fieda said.
“Got it,” Hal replied.
“Understood,” Ize nodded.
“Kekyo!”
“…That’s a good response. I’m beat. I’m going to bed.”
“Good night.”
“Sleep well.”
“Kekyoo.”
With slightly unsteady steps, Fieda retreated to the small bedroom. The remaining two — and one plant — watched him go.
When the door clicked shut, Ize and Hal exchanged a look and immediately burst into stifled giggles.
“Fieda’s totally wrecked.”
“That’s because you bullied him,” Ize said.
“He’s the one who tried to draw a line. Sometimes you’ve got to push people past it.”
“And what was up with that last bit you threw at ME, anyway?”
Ize held up three fingers and wiggled them exaggeratedly — just like Hal had earlier.
Hal grinned and confessed without shame, mirroring the wiggling.
“I just didn’t have a third point planned.”
“Then why not stop at two?”
“Three just felt right.”
“…Seriously?”
“Kyooo.”
At that moment, the Mandragora clambered out of the tub, shaking off droplets as it went. Ize carefully patted each leaf dry, then wrapped its little body in a towel. It chattered away contentedly — its cheerful demeanor was impossibly endearing.
“Huh, interesting…” Hal muttered.
“What is?”
“The water.”
“…This?”
“It hasn’t even been twenty minutes, but the Sugar Mandragora’s essence is already seeping out into it.”
“Essence?”
“Yeah. Its leaves are good for detoxifying, but the body seems to act like a nutritional booster. That water probably has the effects of an energy or sports drink now.”
“A sports drink… Hal, give it a try.”
“Not a chance. I’m not drinking Mandragora broth.”
“Pity.”
“Don’t look at me like that, Ize.”
“Very well. Next time, then.”
“There will be no next time!”
Hal shrank back as Ize gave him a small, regretful shake of the head, as if resigned to his refusal. In her arms, the Mandragora swayed, perfectly content.
“Let’s give it a name tomorrow. I’m too tired tonight.”
“Understood. Good night.”
“Aye, ‘night.”
“Kekyon.”
Ize slid under the blankets, and the Mandragora snuggled in beside her.
[Aren’t you supposed to sleep in soil?]
The absurdity of the sight made Hal’s head swim. He cleared his mind and let sleep take him.
◆
They received Ivern’s message after two more days of Dungeon exploration.
They’d spent the day exploring the forty-ninth floor — the Mandragora’s homeland — to gather further data on its ecology. Just in case they ended up sharing information with the Guild, it was best to eliminate as many uncertainties as possible.
They also asked the revived Mandragora whether it wanted to stay in the Dungeon. It answered with unshakable enthusiasm: it wanted to come with them. Ize had been over the moon, cradling it like treasure as she gently tucked it back into the Magic Bag.
Hal was convinced it was just in it for the three daily hits of healing magic, but he kept that theory to himself. No need to ruin the moment for Ize.
The newly-christened Mandragora had been named “Sato” — Japanese for sugar.
It was laughably simple, but Hal was just glad she didn’t name it “Mand” or “Gora.”
“First we had the horses — Hiro and Take. I’m going with a four-letter theme for pets,” Ize mused aloud. “Wait, Hal, you’re missing one letter to quality–”
The karate chop landed squarely on her head before she even finished the sentence.
While those two scuffled, Fieda calmly read through Ivern’s letter. Then, with a sigh, he seized both of them by the scruff and plopped them down on their respective beds.
“Ivern managed to reach someone high up in the Guild — someone not closely aligned with the nobility. He also requested the information be passed on to one particular A-rank adventurer who’s in need of a Sugar Mandragora.”
“There’s more than one ‘top’ in the Guild?” Ize asked.
“This city’s big. There are different heads in charge of defense, Dungeon resource management, and coordination with other branches. The one he reached handles the Potion distribution.”
“Makes sense. Potions are essential to adventurers, not just nobles.”
“Exactly. Detoxifying agents are useful against Cockatrices, Medusas, Basilisks — even Dragons. Ivern’s got a good eye for strategy.”
He always had. Ivern didn’t just make decisions based on rank or status — he understood people. No doubt that’s what led him to this particular contact.
“What about the A-rank adventurer?” Hal asked.
“Right. That part’s interesting…”
Fieda glanced at Ize.
“Hmm?” she blinked.
“It’s Odelya’s brother.”
“The one she said was superhuman?”
“That’s him.”
“She said he’s enormous, right?” Hal asked.
“Apparently,” Ize replied.
“He got to A-rank in record time, didn’t he? I’ve heard of him — Wardon.”
“Wardon…”
“If an A-rank adventurer is desperate for detox Potions, something must be up.”
“Could be. Ivern says he’s made multiple requests to the Potion division. There’s a chance he’ll be present at the Guild when we deliver the report.”
“Let’s hope he’s not the overbearing type.”
“We’ll find out soon enough.”
“Got it. Sato, let’s do our best to protect everyone, okay?”
“Kekyon!”
They might be questioned as early as tomorrow, when they visit the Guild to cash in today’s loot.
Ize and Sato nodded with matching enthusiasm, full of determination.
Of course, neither of them was particularly useful in negotiations. But at least their spirits were high.
◆
The next day, the three of them were ushered into a private room at the Guild almost as soon as they arrived. They waited in silence for the official to appear.
Then came the sound — heavy, pounding footsteps echoing through the floor, followed by a thunderous voice.
Fieda immediately sprang to his feet, placing himself between the door and his two companions. He spread his stance wide and pulled Hal and Ize behind him like a shield.
A second later–
BANG!
The door slammed open with a force that rattled its hinges. A towering figure burst into the room, large enough to scrape the ceiling.
“I’ve been waiting for you guys!”
The voice boomed like thunder, shaking the very air.
Instinctively, Ize reached forward and grabbed a fistful of Fieda’s shirt.
Hal moved closer and placed a steadying hand on her back, helping to ground her trembling frame.
“…And you are?” Fieda asked coolly.
“I’m Wardon,” the giant replied.
“Mister Wardon, sir! I told you to wait outside!” snapped a second man, entering in a flurry behind him. “I said I’d speak with them first, remember?”
“I said I’d come in with you, didn’t I?” Wardon grumbled.
“Coming in is one thing. Taking over the meeting is another! Sit down. You’re going to scare the guests, and that’s the last thing we need!”
“Scare them? Hah… yeah. You’re right. They’re terrified. Sorry about that.”
With a sheepish grin, the giant finally eased back. The Guild officer turned toward the group, flustered.
“My apologies for that… outburst. I’ll have someone bring tea.” He leaned out the doorway and called down the hall before returning. “Again, my apologies. Please, take a seat.”
Hal and Ize nodded and sat, while Fieda remained standing a moment longer, eyes still on Wardon.
“You two all right?” he asked, glancing back.
“We’re fine,” Hal answered.
“Yes, thank you,” Ize added.
Wardon squinted at them, then grinned broadly. “Wait a sec… I know those faces.”
“Ah…”
“From the city gates, right?”
They leaned around Fieda to take their seats as the man leaned in, curious. Fieda tensed again — but relaxed when he saw both Hal and Ize visibly exhale.
“Oh, you remembered me!” Wardon said. “Hah! So you’re those kids from the queue!”
“You know each other?” asked the Guild official.
“We met while lining up to enter Jasted,” Hal explained. “He gave us a ton of advice about adventuring while we waited. I never got to thank him properly — so thank you, again. I’m Hal, D-rank adventurer.”
“And I’m Ize, also D-rank. We didn’t get a chance to exchange names last time, so I’m glad we met again. This is our teammate Fieda — he’s C-rank.”
“Mm-hmm, I’m Fieda,” he said with a nod. “Good to meet you.”
“Like I said, I’m Wardon — A-rank adventurer.” He thumped his chest proudly. “And this is…”
“Duris,” the Guild official interjected smoothly. “I’m with the Potion Oversight Division. Mister Ivern passed along your information, and we’ve been expecting you.”
He spread several documents across the table just as a staffer arrived with a tray. The tea was set down with care, out of the way of the paperwork.
“These are the standard forms used when dealing in rare materials. They’re formatted according to the Merchants’ Guild’s official guidelines, so they’re valid at any trade branch across the continent.”
[Valid at any trade branch…?] Ize tilted her head, puzzled. She’d assumed they’d simply be selling the item directly to the Guild. Apparently not.
Hal looked equally confused and spoke up.
“Wait — so the Guild isn’t buying the material directly?”
“In this case, no,” Duris replied. “This form is primarily for sellers who want to present certified goods to third parties. Many people who acquire rare items prefer to sell it elsewhere, after we’ve verified its authenticity.”
“Oh, right,” Wardon added. “They want the Guild’s stamp of approval so they can parade it in front of some noble or jack up the price for some desperate buyer.”
The contempt in his voice was unmistakable.
Fieda exchanged a glance with Ize and Hal, then turned back to Duris.
“We won’t be needing that form. We have no interest in dealing with nobles.”
“Understood.” Duris calmly removed the papers. “In that case, we’ll proceed with this version instead — proof of sale. Given the potential value, we’ll need a formal record of payment transfer. Do any of you have a registered Guild account? It would speed up the process.”
“All three of us do,” Fieda said. “Please split the payment equally.”
“All three? That’s excellent. Very well — I’ll prepare the payment documentation accordingly.”
Each of them was handed a new form. They read through the items carefully, checking for anything suspicious. Once all conditions were confirmed, they’d sign.
“Now then,” Duris said, clasping his hands. “Shall we–”
“Time to see the Sugar Mandragoras!” Wardon declared, slamming his palms down on his knees with such force the papers on the table fluttered into the air.
Startled, Ize could only sit and blink as the documents danced around them, watching their slow descent.