Read Novel Full Vol 21 Chapter 3
Vol 21 Chapter 3
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Chapter 3 – Gilmas Makes His Appearance
While I was worrying and thinking about things like where to install the magic cannon on the ship, how to avoid getting in the way of the disaster relief activities, how Count Tontrade is a total bastard, how I’m happy when Felicia cheers up, and huh? Seventeen soldiers are missing… The relief activities ended without any ups and downs, and we arrived at the Southern City.
“What should we do now?”
Camille-san immediately went to the Merchant’s Guild. The rest of us didn’t have anything to do, so we could have just relaxed, but we were bored.
I’ve lived in the Southern City for a long time, so I know a lot of people there.
There’s the innkeeper who took care of me, the craftsman who made the raft, Guido-san and the others who were kind to me on the southeastern island, Enrico-san and the others who protected me, and a few others I can remember… but it’s delicate. Very delicate.
Because I was in a position where I was being targeted, I was cautious and didn’t make any unnecessary contacts, and I didn’t develop a relationship that could be called a friendship. It was really a relationship based solely on work.
The only people I worked hard to maintain a relationship with within the Southern City were Alessia-san and the others and Camille-san, of course. That was because they were all beautiful, and I was attracted to their charm… Fortunately, I was able to successfully recruit them all.
It’s important to keep in touch with people, so there’s nothing wrong with going to say hello, but I don’t know what to do. I don’t even know where many of them are… well, I guess it’ll be okay if I run into them or pass by them.
…For now, I think I’ll visit the southeastern island. To be honest, I’ve spent more time on the southeastern island than the Southern City.
Come to think of it, there’s also the possibility of going upstream to the Cheese Village… The cheese there was delicious, but compared to the cheese on the luxury liner, I don’t feel like going out of my way for it.
“Everyone, I’m curious about what’s happening on the southeastern island, so why don’t we visit?”
Huh? Ines and Felicia look normal, but Marina-san, Carla-san, and Claretta-san look at me with worried expressions. Why is that?
“Wataru, that island is an important island with valuable medicinal herbs and monsters, so it’s managed by the Merchant Guild. I don’t think you’ll be punished, but it’s better to get permission first if you want to go.”
Huh? Is that so? I’m very surprised by Marina-san’s words. What? Really?
“Um, I don’t remember getting any kind of permission…”
I’m pretty sure I didn’t… I wouldn’t forget something this important.
“Wataru, you took jobs from the Merchant’s Guild, right?”
Oh, that’s right, I was accepting requests from the Merchant’s Guild that runs the island, so of course, I had permission.
“I understand. I give up.”
I don’t want to go that far. Oh, but Rimu was born in the forest on that island, right?
“Rimu. Do you want to go to the island where Rimu was born?”
I gently put Rimu down, who was jumping up and down on my head, and asked him. If Rimu wants to go, I’ll take him there, even if the Merchant’s Guild won’t allow it.
“…..I don’t know.”
His answer was slower than usual, so it seemed like he was thinking about it, but he didn’t know.
“Speaking of which, how did you find Rimu?”
When Alessia-san and the others brought Rimu back, I was so engrossed in his cuteness that I didn’t hear the story.
“I found him shaking on a fallen tree, so I brought him back.”
“I-I see.”
Marina-san’s answer was very simple. But I can kind of imagine the situation.
Hmm, I feel like I want to take Rimu back to his birthplace, but he doesn’t remember anything about it and seems unresponsive.
My mother once told me that Wataru was born here, but I didn’t feel any emotion. My mother looked nostalgic, though.
This is the pattern where I get excited, and the difference in the level of enthusiasm between Rimu and me makes me feel uncomfortable.
All right, I’ll leave the southeastern island to chance.
“Marina and the others, do you want to go somewhere?”
Marina-san and the others were adventurers in the Southern City, so there must be people they want to see. If it sounds like fun, it might be good to go with them.
“Us? Well, I’d like to go to the Adventurers’ Guild.”
The Adventurers’ Guild? I was indebted to the Adventurers’ Guild in the Western City, but I didn’t have much to do with them in the Southern City. There was even a slightly embarrassing incident.
“Hmm? Is that all? I have Ines and Felicia… and Rimu and Pent as my bodyguards, so don’t worry about me, okay?”
When I tried to end it with Ines and Felicia, Rimu twitched, and Pent wrapped himself around me.
It seems that Rimu and Pent also thought they were my bodyguards. How unreliable do they think I am? But it’s true.
“What? I don’t have any other plans.”
“Wataru’s food is the best.”
“Thank you for your concern, but we’re not very good at human relations, so there’s no one we want to visit. Oh, but I think I’d like to go to church later.”
Claretta-san smiles and tells me that they’re not good at human relationships.
This is the same thing, right? It’s a pattern where the situation is similar to mine, but the essence is completely different.
The pattern where you’re too popular to get involved with other people. If I sympathize with them and say we’re the same, I’ll be embarrassed later. I know.
But I think it’s true. If it’s a guy, it’s normal not to stay calm around Girasole. If it’s two girls… ah, it’ll be scary if I think about it, so let’s stop.
For now, there doesn’t seem to be any reason to go outside, so let’s relax on the Lutto for a while.
＊＊＊
“Wataru-san!”
I was sipping tea when I heard Camille-san’s voice from outside. The fact that she came back but didn’t come in means that she must be bringing someone with her.
The outside might be fine, but the inside isn’t disguised as a normal magic ship, so I’d better change the interior to disguise it, just in case.
“Wataru, the guildmaster of the Merchant Guild is here.”
“Thank you.”
It seems that while I was changing the interior, Marina-san went to check on the visitor and told me about it.
The guild master. Since Camille-san went to lay the groundwork, it’s definitely the regular shipping route, right?
When I stepped outside after finishing the disguise, I saw Camille-san, who looked a little worried, and the guildmaster of the Merchant’s Guild, whom I hadn’t seen in a long time.
He looked like a kindly old man, but he seemed to be full of energy, and even his old body seemed to have grown larger.
The guild master must have heard about a good business opportunity and rejuvenated himself. I should have gone to greet him without thinking that our relationship was weak.
“Wataru-san, I’m sorry for coming so suddenly. The guild master wants to talk to you.”
“Wataru, it’s been a while.”
The guild master bursts in as if to interrupt Camille-san’s words. He’s full of motivation.
“It’s been a while. There’s no need to talk outside, so please come in.”
I give Gilmas permission to come aboard and invite him in.
“I’m sorry, Wataru-san.”
“No, I understand the situation more or less, so there’s no need to worry.”
Camille-san apologized again, but I understand the strong-willed nature of merchants in this world. He was her old boss, so I guess there was nothing she could do.
“So, what can I do for you?”
I served tea to Gilmas and Camille-san as well, and I had a general idea of what this was about, but I still asked him about his business in case I was wrong.
If I say something like, “I think you mean the regular shipping routes, right?” and he answers with a blank look on his face, I will be embarrassed.
“Yes, I heard about it from Camille. I appreciate you bringing us such an interesting story, and the Merchant’s Guild will cooperate fully.”
Things are moving quickly.
“Well, we appreciate your cooperation, but what about the details of the agreement?”
Normally, this is the point where the fierce negotiations to get the most profit start, right? Well, when the fierce negotiations start, I’ll hide behind Camille-san…
“A minimum amount of negotiation is necessary, but when there’s a good deal like this, there are always people trying to get in on the side. Then we have to decide before someone tries to get in on the side.”
“No, I’m happy to be evaluated, but are you sure it’s okay?”
I’m the kind of person who feels more anxiety than joy when I’m being evaluated. I’m a small-town person at heart.
“Gilmas, you’re rushing things. Wataru-san, there’s nothing to worry about, so please don’t worry.
I guess my worry showed on my face because Camille-san stepped in to help. Thank goodness.
“Um, Camille-san, why are you talking so fast?”
It’s not just yesterday, but today, and it’s only been a few hours since Camille-san left.
“It’s because, as Gilmas said, they’re afraid of being disturbed. I think you experienced it in the Kingdom of Brescia, but the influence of the Castle is huge.”
Well, that’s why the purge began.
“Of course, the upper echelons of various countries, guilds, and so on are paying attention. Once they find out about the Castle’s regular shipping routes, they’ll try to get a piece of the action, even if it means using a little underhanded means. Gilmas came barging in because he wants to make a deal with the God of Commerce-sama before that happens.”
Well, that’s to be expected. Even the Japanese-style boats that can go to the southeastern islands have been targeted and taken to court. The Castle is of a much bigger interest than that. It’s going to be a big deal. I see; that’s why he wants a contract mediated by the God of Commerce-sama.
Even royalty and nobility are reluctant to pick a fight with a god.
“But the Mage-sama is leaving everything to Camille, right? Why are you here?”
“I don’t have to tell you, do I?”
Gilmas said. So it’s obvious that I’m the Mage-sama. However, I don’t approve of it.
“Well, the Mage-sama leaves everything to Camille-san, so as long as Camille-san is satisfied, it’s okay.”
I guess he’s trying to get the deal done quickly because he’s afraid that the negotiations will be overturned by my opinion. That doesn’t bother me at all, so I hope he’s doing his best.
“I am relieved. Then, Camille, let’s work out the details.”
“I understand. We’ve put our demands into one document.”
That’s the Castle’s paper, isn’t it? It’s great that she makes good use of office supplies.
“H-hey, Camille. We’re on good terms, right? I don’t think you’re getting punished for being a little nicer, are you?”
Gilmas panics after reading Camille-san’s documents. I wonder if the content is quite harsh?
“Is it? I think the Merchant’s Guild will also make a good profit.”
“That’s true, but you’re putting all the trouble on us, aren’t you?”
Oh no, it seems that Camille-san has dumped the troublesome part that I’ve dumped on Gilmas.
Considering our relationship, does Gilmas end up in a position like a sub-sub-contractor?
To think that the darkness of modern society can be seen even in another world…
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