Read Novel Full Chapter 333
Chapter 333
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Chapter 333 – Boss
“And so, replacing Baron Olan, the root of all evil, his second son, Ars, will do his best from now on.”
“””Ohhhhhhhhh!”””
The next day at Guinier.
Though the flow of people was gradually increasing, the tavern was still quite empty. When I called out, the owner gladly opened the shop for me, even though it was before noon.
I suppose you could call this a victory celebration.
It was a baffling situation—I was the one who took the job and acted on it, yet I was the one footing the bill. Still, when I brought out drinks to accompany my report, the men with ruffian looks competed to empty their mugs.
AdvertisementPrivacy Settings“Who’d have thought it’d go as far as replacing the lord himself?”
“Damn… I never thought we’d take out a noble…never in a million years…”
“Haha, don’t cry like that. Besides, I messed up one thing—or rather, there was something I couldn’t bring myself to do.”
“Huh? Really?”
“There was a way to discredit Kius and Baron Olan, which would have restored Quad-san’s reputation. But I’m sorry. In the end, my mercy—or rather, my softness—got the better of me, and I couldn’t go that far.”
The plan had existed.
I’d even considered having Kius hold a sign that said, “Sorry for the bad stuff” and forcing him to perform the “dry pork” punishment—kneeling in the center of Domia until he was completely dried out.
No matter the circumstances, though, he didn’t complain once. True to his merchant nature, he even pulled off a masterful performance to deceive Baron Olan. That made treating him like trash impossible.
I’m tired of my own naivety, but there’s nothing I can do about it.
“So what? You spared them all in the end?”
“No. I allowed Barche to die peacefully in a quiet place with his dearest ones. Kius sacrificed everything, including his own life, to protect his family. In exchange, I decided to spare his relatives this time.”
AdvertisementPrivacy Settings“I see… Huh? What about Baron Olan?”
“He’s naked in a dark cave far to the west. He’s experiencing something worse than being a mere animal right now.”
“Wh-what in the world is going on here?” Said Begg-san.
“It’s fine. Even so, I’m satisfied with this outcome. I’m satisfied. I have no regrets left.”
“…?”
What’s this?
This should be great news for Quad-san, but today, his ears and tail are drooping. He’s staring at a stain on the wall and looks like he’s entered some kind of life-finish mode.
This usually noisy dog beastman… Could he not understand his own situation?
“Quad-san? What do you mean, ‘no regrets’? You still owe me money, you know? 150 million Beeke.”
“Huh———……?”
“Now’s not the time to make weird faces and take deep breaths. I lent you that money, not gave it to you. Work your ass off and pay me back properly.”
“Th-that’s a huge deal, isn’t it!?”
“Quad-san. You spent money to free the others, too, right? How much do you have left?”
AdvertisementPrivacy Settings“I don’t even have 20 million Beeke left…”
“Seriously?! Even if you’re starting a business, that’s pretty tight, isn’t it?”
“But what could I do? It was hard to get rice, so I had to buy it at a much higher price. No one would openly sell me a carriage or horses either. Plus, buying those 18 people from the slave traders—Begg-san and the others—cost me around 50 million Beeke, give or take!”
Hearing this, I thought to myself that I could have provided the rice and carriages.
But I decided not to say anything.
It was kind of entertaining to watch.
“Well, whatever. I’ve been bought and paid for, and you’re feeding me decent meals, so I’ll stick around. But shouldn’t you be making some plans for the business soon?”
“That’s true, but I’m pretty much unwelcome anywhere in Domia now, so it’s tough. Loki-san, don’t you know of a good place?”
“Huh? Why not just set up shop wherever you like?”
“Hey, don’t be so nonchalant about it! You’re going to be the next head of the trading company!”
“…Huh?”
“Well, it makes sense! I owe you money, and I’m trying to start a business with it, right?”
AdvertisementPrivacy Settings“I see. In that case, since you’re providing the funds, Loki would naturally be the head of the company.”
“And Begg-san, just between us…”
“?”
“If Loki-san’s the boss, we’re totally set. This guy’s got the best procurement and transport skills around! We’ll never go hungry again!”
“Come to think of it, he did transport us all the way here in one go. Honestly, he blows away A-rank mercenaries and nobles without breaking a sweat. He must be some kind of insane bodyguard!”
“Um… I can totally hear you guys talking here…”
“Right? Loki-san is a total rich guy. He casually carries around super expensive magic tools. He looks scary when he’s angry, but normally, he has a raccoon-like face before bed. You don’t find employers this competent every day.”
“Hey, you guys! Stop just drinking and come over here! You might actually get to eat your fill every day!”
“””Ueeeeee!?”””
“…”
Monsters exist, so this world should have plenty of food. Yet, they want to eat their fill every day.
They’re typical former long-term stockpile slaves. What a pitiful, pathetic wish they’re getting excited about.
AdvertisementPrivacy SettingsStill, as I listened to the drunkard’s overly loose secret talk, I pondered it in my own way.
It wouldn’t be a bad thing at all if there were a trading company wholly owned by me, with a clear connection to me.
Even now, the base’s supply warehouse is overflowing with useless items, and that’s only getting worse with the additional haul from the seven seized Kius Trading Company stores and the royal capital’s secondary residence.
It would be fine if the items were nonperishable, but even with the big eaters on the upper plateau, there’s a limit to how much food they can consume. Ultimately, we’re left with two options: distribute it in Bezart or throw it away. If we can convert it into money to support their livelihoods, then it makes sense.
As for buildings, as long as there’s a large plot of land, a simple stone warehouse can be built at any time.
However, the problem is where to build it.
First, there is no base.
Since there are no customers, opening a store would be pointless.
Lagreath would be the safest place because I have connections with the commercial guild and the old lady. However, it feels like I’m taking sides too much. In Ortran, we could use the vacant store Kius used in Sanur, but it’s cramped and would just be a normal store.
On the other hand, if the shops are scattered, I think it would be troublesome.
AdvertisementPrivacy SettingsRosberia in Freyville is a large town where business seems easy. However, the monster materials are too strong locally and seem slightly weaker. Setting up shop in Waltz, where I felt prices were high, seems like it would make the most sense for business, but what about the connections?
Pros and cons.
No matter where I consider setting up shop, there are good and bad points. Looking back on my journey so far, nothing stands out as a decisive factor.
Hmm, maybe there’s no point in rushing when it’s like this.
If I do this, it’s not just my problem—their lives are on the line, too.
In any case, my plans in Ortran are finished.
My new journey starts tomorrow, so maybe I’ll find a better location or environment along the way.
Three countries border this one. Which path should I take?
“Quad-san, is the area south of Ortran your homeland?”
“Yeah. It’s a region where beastman tribes are scattered about.”
“Are there any Hunter Guilds over there? Or any high-level hunting grounds, like B- or A-rank?”
“No. There are monster habitats, but some tribes hate humans and attack them. Not many outsiders go in there. As far as I can recall, there weren’t any guilds in the Stia Federation back then.”
AdvertisementPrivacy Settings“Hmm…”
As we head south, lush jungle stretches on, dotted with villages where entire tribes live. I’d heard that much, but are there really just villages everywhere?
Quad-san seems to have traveled the continent for a long time, so the information is old, but it should still be useful.
“What? Thinking about your next destination already?”
“Yeah, exactly. I’m wondering whether to head south, east, or northeast.”
“You’d better avoid the northeast. Has the conflict in the Garm region settled down yet?”
“Huh? Conflict?”
As Begg-san’s words raised more questions, Quad-san filled in the details.
“I believe they’re still arguing over whether to side with or oppose the Albert Kingdom, right?”
“Albert… Ah, do you mean Marie?”
“Whoa!? Don’t give off such a scary vibe all of a sudden! You’re gonna scare me!”
“Oh, sorry! So, what’s the deal?”
“The pro-Albert faction and the neutral faction are at odds. It’s probably turned into an internal conflict, splitting them east and west.”
AdvertisementPrivacy Settings“I see. That sounds troublesome. I’d rather not stop there if possible.”
“Personally, I’d absolutely avoid the ‘Hell Desert’ in the east.”
“Me too. It’s an entirely different beast than this wilderness.”
“I’d heard it was a desert region. Are there places to stop along the way? The rare species Barche was carrying seemed to come from there, too.”
“If you go all the way east, there should be people living there. But passing through properly would be incredibly tough.”
“You’d normally just go around that place. There are hardly any water sources, and even the water magic you rely on won’t work properly. I don’t understand why anyone would go there.”
Basically, there aren’t any proper water spirits there to begin with.
I think Riste mentioned something like that before. Is it because it’s a desert, or is there another reason they aren’t there?
“Well, it doesn’t really matter to me. I can fly, and I can store water.”
“Isn’t that kind of cheating?”
“It is cheating, but that’s exactly why our future is secure, right?”
“Yeah! That’s right! Let’s decide on a location already! We’ll sell anything the boss brings in. I’m pretty confident in my appraisal and negotiation skills!”
AdvertisementPrivacy SettingsLeave the cargo hauling and packing to us. If the boss feeds us until we’re stuffed, we’ll work our asses off!”
“Woo-hoo-hoo-hoo!”
“Whoa, hold on! Don’t crowd me like that! Setting up a trading company is one thing, but picking a location isn’t that simple. For now, just help with the reconstruction in Guinier. I’ll talk to the lord, and I’ll cover your living expenses.”
“””Ooooh!”””
What the hell is this mental assault?
The pressure is intense; it’s so overwhelming that I almost fainted.
But, well, it’s true. Quad-san must have a job that gives him bonuses because his Appraisal skill is pretty high at level 6. Having traveled widely, he’s quite knowledgeable about the situation on the continent.
Maybe Begg-san and the others just look scary but are serious at heart. They worked hard without slacking off during transport.
I need to decide on a location quickly and set up a shop where they can excel.
Whether or not these are my companions, I’m still unsure.
But I made this decision, so I’ll take that first step properly.
AdvertisementPrivacy Settings“All right, since I’m the boss now, I’ll drop the formalities! Today’s on me—all you can drink!”
“””Wooooo-hoo!”””
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