Vol 3 Chapter 8 (1/2)

Chapter 8

Chapter 3 Episode 8

Editor: SniperIRL

Proofreader: mr.tanen

Western Continent Calendar August 9, 2812: (Towards the peninsula 8)

While gazing at the tea that the maid had prepared, Ryouma narrowed his eyes.

”Please enjoy it. It is made with the specialty tea leaves of Kirantia.”

The high-grade tea leaves were being carefully processed. The mellow fragrance when the tea was being poured from the teapot into the cup entered Ryouma's nose.

Matching with the cookies presented, the way the tea was served was indeed a masterpiece.

”This is... Delicious! The tea leaves  are great, but the way you brew it is perfect! Furthermore, it fits perfectly with the sweet cookies... I can tell that the one who prepared all this has reached an expert level.”

Although he could not properly word it like a gourmet enthusiast would, Ryouma’s tongue had good taste in general.

There was also the fact that his grandfather was a hobbyist when it came to tea.

Besides, delicious things are delicious no matter who eats or drinks them.

Not only that, the sisters, who tried it, also widened their eyes in amazement.

”Oh, my! Do you understand it? It seems like Baron-sama has a very refined taste.”

Simone smiled with admiration.

”Refined is it? Well, for me, at least I can judge if it's something delicious or not.”

”I see... It seems like the other world is a great place is it not?”

Ryouma desperately suppressed his surprise. He couldn’t declare the truth of her words right then.

(This woman... How much does she know?)

”What do you mean?”

Ryouma asked such question without changing his complexion.

”I did not think it was something that needed to hidden... From the way Baron-sama displays refined conduct, resourcefulness, and ingenuity... It was not something an ordinary commoner should have. And no matter how much I probe, I cannot find anything about your past. There is no information of you before your guild registration. Naturally, such a thing is impossible to happen... Even if I cannot grasp the full knowledge of it, with my intelligence network, I should get at least a little bit of information. Even if the target of such an investigation was a royal family member. Yet, you are different, nothing comes out even after investigating you as deep as I could... It is as if you had appeared in this world all of a sudden... see? Not only that, Baron-sama registered at the guild within Ortomea Empire’s capital city. Perhaps, you were summoned by Ortomea? That is what crossed my mind.”

”I see... Since you’ve uncovered that much, I guess there's no point in hiding it.”

Ryouma said those words while showing resignation.

(d.a.m.n it... This is bad, I guess I have no choice but to kill her... Although I wouldn’t want to kill a woman if I had a choice...)

It was not like Ryouma wanted to put on airs. But, he did not have the distorted hobby of happily killing women either.

(But then again... She's good... Her intelligence network that is...)

Since Ryouma’s past couldn’t be investigated, she had predicted that Ryouma was a summoned person.

This meant that she had absolute confidence in her intelligence network.

”Well... To be honest, I was not entirely sure when I said you were an otherworlder. I do think that the possibility is high, but... Usually, a su

mmoned person would be unable to escape, since the summoner would put a Gea.s.s magic immediately on them.”

”I see... So then, since you know that much, what are you going to do? Are you hostile towards me?”

Thirst for blood surged from Ryouma's body.

Of course, this was an attempt to threaten her. If he was seriously going to kill her, he would have silently thrusted his hand into her throat.

A few seconds pa.s.sed, and it seemed that Simone also understood Ryouma's intentions. Despite having been showered by Ryouma's killing intent directly, she did not show any reaction.

”No... I have no such intentions. I am speaking honestly like this because I wanted to show you the value of our intelligence network, and also as a proof that we do not hold any hostility against Baron-sama.”

It is true that talking honestly about the information one holds about one's opponent shows that the former doesn’t bear hostility.

If Simone had any hostility towards against Ryouma, she wouldn’t have disclosed such information.

”Hoohou, I see... For the sake of talking heart-to-heart is it?”

Ryouma then erased his murderous aura.

”As expected... You are so strong, to the point I was unable to move my body...”

”It seems you still had some room for it though?”

”That is because I knew that Baron-sama was not serious...”

Simone showed a mysterious smile, just like a mischievous child would.

”I see... But, it seems like the person hiding behind the wall does not think the same as you though? I can feel their presence, you know?”

”It couldn’t be helped. Since I also have considered that this might have been some devious scheme by Mistel’s henchmen. Please excuse me for that...”

Saying that, Simone bowed her head deeply.

Along with that, the strong presence from behind the wall disappeared.

”Is that the man who guided us before?”

”Yes, he is my aide and also bodyguard... Ah come to think of it, I also should apologize for having taken the swords as well.”

”I don't mind. I'm not someone who's obsessed with such a thing, and as a side note, you can relax.”

Listening to Ryouma's words, Simone sat on the sofa, relaxing her body while showing a bitter smile.

”Then, let us start our negotiation shall we? I have grasped some of Baron-sama’s intentions by coming here. Baron-sama wants to purchase some supplies until the Wortenia peninsula becomes self-sufficient. Am I right?”

Simone's eyes were smiling. However, her aura and behavior changed completely the moment they began the negotiation.

Her gaze turned sharp like a sword.

”Indeed... You're right, and in the future, I'm planning on performing trade by making a port in the peninsula. In the time to come, I want to leave the selling and procurement of goods to the Christoph firm as our exclusive partner.”

Hearing Ryouma's statement, Simone's expression changed.

She probably did not consider that far.

”That is... Indeed a magnificent plan... If it can be realized, the peninsula would be able to obtain a very abundant financial resource and not some semi-permanent wealth... Why did you ask us for help?”

Simone's voice was trembling. It couldn’t be helped.

If Ryouma's story could be made into a reality, then the Christoph firm that would be helping him would be given special privileges and would be able to garner a huge fortune that couldn’t be compared to the other firms’ current businesses.

If it were a trader with little to no power, such a plan would be deemed impossible. However, inside Simone's mind, the appearance of a port being built on the Wortenia peninsula clearly emerged.

”However, to do that, a lot of time and money would be needed... Furthermore, this is not something that can be left halfway through. In other words, as you provide some funds, we would also share the same fate.”