Chapter 13 (1/2)
The smell of the reckless match in the other world
“I haven’t introduced myself yet. I’m Jephthah Solo, a solo imperial trader. Number one merchant in the free city of Marishera. I have come to Erishe today to deliver the slaves. I was just about to bring over the slaves here.” [Jephthah]
Imperial trader……eh does that mean, a merchant employed by the country? This is bad, he is a super big-shot.
He’s also a sales person for the slave trading house!? For some reason I felt like punching myself…….te there should be a limit to that! If I am dealing with the person with elves then the end result is all right!
“Yes. Well then, will you be bringing the free elf slaves here today?” [Ayase]
“No……I did say so earlier but the elves were already under reservations. There are already 8 customers waiting even at my place….. Judging from the state of the country now, if you were to make a regular reservation, you might to need to wait for at least 5 years.” [Jephthah]
I am not able to determine if 8 people are considered a high number or a low number. The price is amazingly high but the numbers should be gradually increasing soon I guess. I wonder how much is one actually.
However, 5 years of waiting is seriously amazing. I wonder how popular are the elves here. I am the person who loves elves the most in this world!
I think I might need to withdraw that statement now seeing how popular they are.
“But, a match in that kind of situation? If I win, you will be handing the elf to me? It depends on the content of the match, ah, but I will not be able to provide the money immediately.” [Ayase]
“No, if you win, money is not needed. In return, if you lose then there will be a suitable penalty waiting for you. –So how about it?” [Jephthah]
How about it? I don’t even know the content of the match so I don’t know what I should be doing…..
Generally most of the “tempting deal” always leads to horrible ending. I’m a j.a.panese who grew up in a world full of lessons so don’t look down on me! Rather, it is usually the one from the black company’s side who will be offering the “tempting deal”!
But I will listen to the story for the time being! I am not sure what kind of match it will be but there might be a loophole somewhere.
“Then please explain to me the contents of the match. If there is no chance of victory at all, then I wouldn’t be able to go along even if I will be able to achieve my dream.” [Ayase]
“The content of the game is, to put it simply, a gift showdown. The person whom you will be impressing will be the mayor of Erishe. If the other party is satisfied with your gift then you win. If not then I win. It’s simple isn’t it?” [Jephthah]
It’s simple isn’t it? Not! Isn’t that bribery?
Moreover if I will be the only one who will be doing the gifting then if there should be anyone investigating this, I will be the only one getting arrested. He has suggested a severe proposal indifferently.
“I see……So will it be alright if I just gift the mayor as Jirou Ayase, an individual right?” [Ayase]
“Yes please do so. I will pa.s.s the message to the mayor so please be rest a.s.sured.” [Jephthah]
“….In other words, Jephthah-san will be introducing me to the mayor then I will be gifting him and if the mayor is happy with it, it will be my win. It’s that kind of match, am I right?” [Ayase]
“Yes it is.” [Jephthah]
I’m not sure what kind of relations.h.i.+p does Solo household have with Erishe’s mayor but if my gifting strategy goes well, I will be getting an elf. It made me think that accepting this might even be good and tempting enough. For now, I will be gifting using my own name but if it goes well, Jephthah-s.h.i.+ will be the one getting all the profit.
That’s how the story goes. Underhanded. Imperial trading is seriously underhanded.
However, if I did it poorly I might end up giving him something strange instead. That seems like a higher possibility to me….…Or it could be possible that the mayor is a virtuous person so he doesn’t accept bribes?
Otherwise, he wouldn’t approach a stranger like me with this kind of conversation.
He’s trying to make use of an ignorant, useless person who wants an elf. It’s that kind of conversation isn’t it?……
In the first place, I’m not sure how heavy the crime of bribery is in this country. If it’s a death penalty then it’s a big gamble regardless of how you think about it.
So, in order to win this match, I will need to investigate the mayor first. It is necessary to think of a good gift (bribe) that will also serve as a convenience for business in future.
And if it fails, it will just appear like I was doing this alone without permission and Jephthah-s.h.i.+ will be forsaking me.
This case is similar to the situation of cutting off the lizard’s tail.
U~mu……So how about this.
“…..Please let me know what will the penalty be if I lost.” [Ayase]