3. Back to Mond (12)
From Noble mtl dot com
When I finally left the dorm, it was around the time the sun rose in the sky. It was about time to comfort Lumine, wake up Fissle and Oz, and feed them breakfast. I moved on with the intention of finishing the remaining work at Mond within today.
The first wild boar meat, which had been aged for several days until rigor mortis was relieved, was slowly being released from the spring village. And since the quality of food ingredients was determined by their freshness, I needed to get to Saemmul Village as quickly as possible.
Once it goes into my ‘backpack’, its freshness remains the same. There was a calculation that if we stayed in Saemmul Village for a few days, made a schedule, and received supplies, we would be able to receive enough wild boar meat from Saemmul Village that had been backlogged.
In addition, if I spent all my money to purchase additional Mond specialty products, those would be the products I would have to sell in the second Liyue commercial trip. The main dish is wild boar meat from Saemmul Village, along with special products from Mond, with which exchanges have been cut off for a long time due to the wind demon dragon. These were enough items to attract attention in Liyue. Also, even if it wasn’t, I had an idea to make it that way.
At first glance, it wasn’t a bad plan. However, there was one blind spot in this plan. That is, while I went to Saemmul Village to do some work, there had to be another person in charge to arrange for Mond’s special products and proceed with the contract.
First of all, Lumine, the person I trusted the most on the Tivart continent, was unsuitable to be in charge. Lumine was busy dealing with the Wind Demon Dragon right away. Lumine had just realized that if the Wind Demon Dragon situation was not resolved quickly, the time she would have to spend away from me would increase. So just this morning, Lumine was showing even more enthusiasm and determination to solve the Wind Demon Dragon situation, and it was the most urgent problem. So Lumine was excluded.
The next trustworthy person was Fissle. Although I haven’t been with Fisl for a long time, Fissle’s personality and the relationships we have built over the years have bound Fissle and me into a strong relationship of trust. If the other person was Fissul, I could trust and feel at ease no matter how much he entrusted. However, Fissl had a decisive drawback, which was that he was dark about the world.
In fact, this problem also applies to Lumine. A merchant has always had to be knowledgeable about the world. I had to understand how the market worked and gain insight into which products would bring the best profits. However, Lumine had only recently landed on the continent of Tivat, and Fisl also did not seem to be very interested in such matters. Rather, Fissle, who loved novels, was more knowledgeable about mythology and history than such issues.
Of course, Paimon and Oz, who could be said to be their partners, were bright and trustworthy people even in the situation on the Tivat continent. Nevertheless, if Lumine or Fissle, who were supposed to proceed with the contract, were not well-versed in the world, there was a possibility that the contract would end in failure.
This was the early stage of the business. Right now, every penny was precious. Maybe later, but right now it was difficult to take that risk.
So now I needed someone who met two requirements.
First, be trustworthy. At least it was enough to trust that he would not betray. It wouldn’t be easy to find someone worth doing since it’s a job worth hundreds of millions of dollars, but considering the various issues, someone who could take on this job was definitely needed.
Second, you must have extensive knowledge about the Tivat continent. At the very least, it was necessary to have enough knowledge to read the latest situation or market trends. Also, a mathematical brain was needed to figure out which product would make more profit. Regardless, even on the continent of Tivat, there was an overabundance of demand for people who were smart and well-versed in math. So, it was almost impossible to suddenly find someone like that.
These were all difficult conditions for me, who had fallen penniless on the continent of Tivat, to satisfy. But surprisingly, I knew only one person who satisfied both conditions. It was nothing short of a miracle. All the steps I took now were to meet that person.
Thinking like that, I wandered through the winding alley and stopped in front of a house. I was sure it was this building. At least that’s what she said in her note.
Being careful not to mistake the room, I knocked on one of the doors on the first floor of the building. A clear sound like “Tap,” Rang out.
And after a while, the door opened with the sound of ‘yes~’.
The first thing that filled my field of vision was her trademark conical hat. No matter where you are, that cone hat will stand out. In addition, clear and soft skin, eyes with a light green jade glow, and delicate facial features.
She was a pretty woman. Although the clothes that hugged her body were a bit provocative, everyone would agree that she was beautiful.
As soon as she saw me, she pretended to know me.
“Oh, is that you? “For some reason, he said he hasn’t heard from me lately.”
Her name was ‘Mona’, I think her full name was a little longer, but I couldn’t remember. He was a skilled astrologer and wizard that I had recently hired. If she was like that, even if she acted as my agent, she wouldn’t be in trouble.
In the first place, Mona probably knew more about the Tivart continent than me, and since she was an excellent astrologer, there was a high possibility that she had a good mind. In many ways, she could be said to be the talent I needed.
I first greeted her with a quick glance and then spoke to her.
“Can I come in first? “I think the story will be a bit long.”
“Hmm, story? Well, there’s nothing that can’t be done…….”
Then Mona glared at me with a slightly harsh look. Her eyes were wary.
“…… “Aren’t you thinking something strange?”
“No, what on earth can I do when I have no power…” “If you can move around without an escort, you must have some level of skill, right?”
In response to my protest that it was unfair, Mona slightly nodded her head as if that was the case. Only then did she open her door wide and make a gesture as if to ask me to come in.
Strangely, he has been wary of me since last time. Why is that? Since it was an unknown problem to me, I felt strangely uncomfortable.
I sighed deeply and entered Mona’s house. Then, I was greeted by neatly organized shelves and strange tools whose purpose I could not figure out.
As I passed the shelves leading from the entrance and entered a little further, I found what could be called a living room and reception room. There was only a table and a couple of chairs sitting there alone.
Mona didn’t seem to be particularly interested in interior design. If not, it could be because she just moved. I sat down with that sentiment in mind.
Mona sat across from me with an elegant posture. She tilted the teapot, which appeared to have been boiled beforehand, in front of me. Then she sipped at the cup prepared at my seat and the tea was poured. It was a fragrant yet soothing scent.
“…… So?”
While pouring tea, Mona asked in a relaxed voice.
“What is this ‘story’ that you haven’t even touched your nose in for a few days, and now you want to tell it?”
I muttered, “Hmm.” Thinking about it, it was understandable that Mona would be embarrassed. After depositing 1 million mora as an advance payment, she disappeared and was not seen as an employee for several days. But if he comes to you out of the blue and has something to say, you might be confused and have no idea what he’s going to say.
However, I also had circumstances, so I had no choice. I was thinking about what to say, and found it difficult to get the story out.
“Well, this may be a bit of a difficult request… ….”
Mona, who was sipping her tea with her legs crossed, stopped moving for a moment. She looked at me with her eyes mixed with some suspicion.
To resolve her doubts, I delivered her most important information first.
“Come somewhere with me for a month.”
And silence. Mona said nothing for a moment, and then she slowly put down the teacup.
The sound of tea utensils clashing echoed in the silent living room. Mona pointed at me with her thin index finger.
“…… With you?”
Did I make it difficult to say something? I didn’t know Mona’s intention in asking her question, but I decided to answer her question.
I nodded. Mona then pointed to herself.
“Me?”
This time, I nodded. Then Mona fell silent again. Her body gradually began to tremble.
As Mona’s face gradually heated up, I realized that she had misunderstood something. But it was already too late.
“This, this…” … !”
“…… Hey, Mona? “I don’t know what it is, but you’re misunderstanding.”
Water droplets floated around Mona. It was the power of the elements. Mona’s ‘eyes of God’ radiated blue light, revealing that she was one of the beings chosen by God.
I quickly tried to dissuade her, but it didn’t seem to reach Mona’s ears.
“…… Beast, pervert! “You were targeting me after all!”
Then, a water droplet was shot like a cannonball.
The water droplet that was shot out with a thud sound was transformed into a massive weapon thanks to its terrifying speed.
I’m in big trouble, I thought, leaning down with my upper body on the table. Then, a cool popping sound was heard from behind, along with the sound of water droplets exploding.
It was a power that would not kill. But at least there was enough impact to make one place tingle for a while. Mona seemed to have restrained herself in her own way.
However, from the perspective of the victim, I did not feel the slightest sense of gratitude for restraining myself. Even I was a helpless ordinary person.
“Hey, are you crazy?! “I’m a normal person!”
“A grown man and a woman have been asking each other for a month to go somewhere, and then they still say it?! Okay, so from the destiny I saw then…….”
No, it’s just the two of us? When did I add that premise? Even if it was just the two of us, it was an upward journey. As Fisl and I have already visited alone, mixed dormitories for men and women for the purpose of escorting were common on the continent of Tivat.
Even the man is a helpless ordinary person. Just looking at it now, I was no match for Mona.
“Not just the two of us! Four people! Because it’s a commercial trip!”
At my urgent voice, the elemental power that had been vibrating around me stopped and began to subside. I knew now was my opportunity.
“They said they had to leave for Liyue and needed more escorts! In the meantime, you leave me with one task, is that such a problem?!”
When I shouted in anger, Mona fell silent. For a moment, the water droplets floating around Mona began to disappear one by one.
It was an amazing sight any time I saw it. For people with ‘God’s eyes,’ it would be as natural as moving their hands and feet. And I am a helpless ordinary person who has to flop down on the table at the simple gesture of my hand or foot.
Mona cleared her throat with a red face. He seemed embarrassed.
“Well, then you shouldn’t have said it sooner…” ….”
I growled in response to Mona’s voice coming out softly as if she was embarrassed.
“…… But does that mean you use elemental power? To ordinary people who have no power?”
“Well, that’s…” The power was adjusted appropriately. Even if I got hit, I aimed for the arm just enough to cause a bruise, and to avoid getting hurt as much as possible…….”
Mona began to hesitate and make excuses for her reasons. Of course, since it was literally just an excuse, my fierce gaze did not go away.
In the end, Mona had to bow her face and recite her words of apology.
“Ah, anyway, I’m sorry for using too much force… It’s my fault.”
Only then did I take a deep breath and raise my upper body, which had been placed close to her table. Is this the sadness of the weak? It was a sad thing.
Mona shrugged her shoulders slightly, as if she was discouraged by my still nervous gaze. Still, he seemed to know my mistake.
“Anyway, what on earth is that ‘fate’ you saw? “Didn’t you say that just now?”
I asked Mona without looking at her with suspicion. She just heard clearly. ‘So, from the destiny I saw then… ….’ A voice says something. There was no other reason why Mona was overly wary of me.
However, Mona raised her head as if embarrassed by my question. Her face was bright red. She threw up her hand in a panic.
“Oh, it’s nothing! Well, there are some types of fate that cannot be talked about carelessly. So, don’t worry about it…….”
She continued speaking in a trembling voice, and avoided my gaze in a strangely calm voice. It seemed burdensome to receive my gaze directly.
I sighed again. It was ‘fate’, actually, I wasn’t sure, but I couldn’t help but think that Mona was like that. Because Mona was the expert there.
However, it felt like incomplete combustion. The sudden humiliation suffered by Mona and the unresolved questions. It was the perfect situation to get annoyed.
In times like this, I definitely had to get paid. I decided to push Mona.
“…… So, what is the answer?”
Mona flinched at the sound of my subdued voice and her body trembled. She scratched her chin and let out an ahahahaha laugh, as if she was a little troubled.
“I guess I should say that a month is too long… “I also have work to do in Mond.”
“3 Million mora.”
When Mona mentioned the amount of money she was owed, her body trembled again.
I didn’t stop there and continued with additional hits.
“I’m an ordinary person with no power, so I need an escort… I wish there was someone with the ‘eyes of God’ who can’t compete with someone like me… ….”
Mona ended up shaking. She seemed to realize that no matter what she did, she couldn’t get out of this.
Then why attack ordinary people? I scoffed to myself.
Mona eventually had to scream and admit her defeat.
“…… Oh, I see! You can do it! If!”
Only then was I able to smile with satisfaction. Yes, this was a great appointment.
Mona was a professional with great pride. Her pride was evident during our last meeting. Of course, she was anxious that her self-esteem was sometimes shaken by the lure of money, but at least she had faith that she would not waste money.
And her brain, the knowledge she saw and heard while traveling the world as an astrologer, and her brain as an outstanding magician were by far the best among the people I knew. At this level, no matter how blind I am to making money, I won’t do anything that could result in loss.
Thinking like that, I started to bring out the details.
“Okay, but I have something else to ask of you. I’m planning to take Mond’s special products to Liyue to sell, but I haven’t decided on the details yet…….”
Growl.
I tilted my head to the sound of a sense of déjà vu. That can’t be possible?
However, I realized that my judgment was wrong when I saw Mona’s face, which seemed to have calmed down a little, turning bright red.
No, that can’t be possible. I thought about it again, but I didn’t understand, so I asked.
“…… Mona, where did you spend the 1 million mora you took last time?”
Then Mona seemed hesitant. However, when I urged her with my eyes, she eventually opened her mouth as if she had no choice.
“Well, the astrologer’s workshop requires a lot of tools… So, I started buying various tools needed for the workshop, and before I knew it… ….”
I sighed and washed my face dry, which was already the third time since I saw Mona.
Can I leave the money to Mona?
Thinking that I should check Mona’s financial situation often, I was able to complete the preparations for her second trip to Liyue.
Now all that was left was to leave.
Liwol-ro where Sister Kamu, Tartaglia, and Mr. Jongryeo are waiting.