Chapter 42 - Hero VS Kingdom 4 (1/2)

Chapter 42 - Hero VS Kingdom (4)

There were 2,000 people, but a thousand of them were children who couldn’t work.Still, they were making great progress in carving out a small city at the middle of the small mountain.All the tasks that couldn’t be done through the power of the people was solved by Artpe.Of course, he used his Mana Strings.

“T...the mountain is collapsing.”

“It is being pulverized.”

“The forest······An entire forest is being swallowed up…...”

The Mana Strings consumed a lot of Mana.However, the large consumption rate became a problem only in battle where every minute and every second mattered.Since no one had chased after them yet, he had plenty of time.He had the luxury to be able to use the Mana Strings to his heart’s content.This was possible because his Mana recovery rate had increased compared to his days as a Demon.

Artpe used his Mana Strings every time his Mana recovered.He carved the mountain, dug up the ground or he processed the trees.He had had cut down the forest in its entirety.

Naturally, the townspeople started looking up to Artpe as if he was like a godlike figure.

“He isn’t human.”

“I’ve seen magicians before, but they weren’t like this.”

“Did you just see that? He extended his hand once, and twenty trees just fell.”

When the large-scale construction came to an end, the townspeople firmed the ground, and they started gathering the fallen trees to create building materials.They were doing minor tasks compared to what Artpe was doing.This resulted in a city being created at an incredible speed.

The ground was flattened in a half-day, and buildings started going up after another half-day.The people that weren’t of help in the construction were given the task of gathering food.They were sent out into the mountain.

Just the same, Artpe filled up the food stores when they didn’t bring back enough.

How did he do so?

“Customer, who do you think I am!”

He did it through the veteran merchant Mycenae of the Anywhere company.

“You are someone convenient to use in various situations.”

“If you were a little bit more circumspect with your words, I might have agreed with your sentiment!”

“Ah.I want you to leave behind your cheapest rations.I need enough for 3,000 meals.Tsk.I don’t have much money left after purchasing the Crystal Ball of Blessing…. I’ll have to empty out another Dungeon soon.”

“You just straight up ignored my words…....”

Dungeon merchants rarely appeared outside of a normal Dungeon.The rules changed a little bit when one bought a voucher from them.It was possible for one to trade with a Dungeon merchant outside.

In this particular case, Maetel and Artpe had cleared out the Dungeon located within this mountain.Mycenae found out about it since she designated herself as the merchant in charge of dealing with them.She had shown up like a phantom that was haunting them, and Artpe had pulled her outside of the Dungeon to make a deal.

“You are young, yet I’ve never met a customer with so little manners.In five years, I’m sure you will make many women cry thanks to your unruly heart.”

“I’ll probably be the one crying.Maetel would have beaten me with a club before it could reach that point.”

“Hmmm.”

Mycenae narrowed her eyes as she glared at him.

“As expected, you like her?”

“Are you trying to meddle in the love life of a customer?”

“If you don’t have particular feeling towards her, I might put some of my spit on you to call dibs.”

“By the time I grow up, the spit you put on me would have dried up, and there would be no trace of it left.”

Artpe snorted when he saw Mycenae’s ears flutter around.If one took compliments from merchants at face value, it’ll lead one to bankruptcy in the end.

However, his face hardened a little bit at her next words.

“I really want to hold the title of being a lover of a hero at least once.”

For a brief moment, Artpe froze in place when he heard her words.Should he dodge the statement?Should he deny it?He mulled over it, but there was only one answer he could give from the start.

She wasn’t fishing for information.She was sure of her own claim.He had always had a feeling in the past that Mycenae knew about their status as heroes.If he denied the claim, it would cause unnecessary difficulties for both sides.

In the end, Artpe shrugged his shoulders as he replied towards Mycenae.

“That’s right.We were quite skillful in keeping it a secret up until now.”

“Of course,However, I’ve already realized it from the outset.Haven’t our meetings been quite coincidental after our first meeting?I tried very hard not to unnecessarily arouse your attention.”

“Why are you bringing this up right now?”

He had a decent idea on why, but Artpe spoke in a sullen manner.Mycenae chuckled as she spoke.

“I believe you have a modicum of trust in me now.I want to establish a firm cooperative relationship.Moreover…You already know this, right?It doesn’t matter which Dungeon you enter.I drop everything I have going on to beat all the other merchants in showing up in front of you.It was my way of keeping both your identities a secret.In truth, I deserve thanks for doing such a task.”

“Didn’t you do it to monopolize the trades with us, since we are heroes with bright futures?Wasn’t it an attempt to increase your profit?”

“Of course, that is my ultimate goal.”

Mycenae boldly acknowledged that fact.Then she added more to her explanation.

“However, I also do not want the Demon King to take over the world.This is why I tried my best to protect the two heroes from being solicited by unnecessary people.It is a task where my practical interests and doing the right thing intersects.”

“Hmmm······.”

“In truth, I confirmed my suspicions when I saw all of this today.”

Mycenae spoke as she pointed towards the construction site of the small city.A large number of people were embarking on a new life.Everyone thought the construction of the city would be difficult, but Artpe’s complete support had made the job much easier.Thanks to his help there were very few people that complained.

“I thought you only went around smashing Dungeons, but you are doing very hero-like tasks.Every person here has absolute trust in you, and they rely on you.This also made me confident that I could trust and rely on you, customer.”

“It is very unexpected to hear such words from a Dungeon Merchant.Don’t you guys put profit above all else?”

“All the more reason to put my trust in you”

Mycenae let out an alluring laugh as she spoke.

“Customers like you let out an always radiant light, and many people get tangled in that light.It isn’t a coincidence that heroes are the bane of the Demon King,In a chaotic world, the only ones able to bring the hearts of the people together are the heroes.”

“Hoong.”

Heroes unite the hearts of the people?Heroes weren’t religious leaders.If one discounted their abilities, heroes were normal human beings.Other people did as they liked by relying on the heroes.It was a one-sided and disgusting relationship.He didn’t have such a relationship with the people here, so it seemed she was under some delusion.

“······yes, it would be convenient to have someone I can trust too.”

However, Artpe didn’t have to go out of his way to shatter such delusions.She could package her sweet words in every which way, but in the end, it was a business relations.

This was why this relationship had to based strictly on profits and losses.Emotions didn’t have to enter into the calculations.He erased the countless thoughts he had been thinking.He let out a light laugh as he extended his hand towards Mycenae.

“Soul Contract.I’m sure you came here prepared with one.”

“Of course.I had a very hard time, since the efficacy of the contract had to be high.I had a very hard time coming up with a story for the headquarters of the company…...”

“A cost of the contract is usually split between the two parties.However, since you’ve suggested it first, you should take on an additional 10% of the cost.I’ll pay 40%.”

“Your calculations are always precise·····.”

Mycenae pouted as she brought out the contract.Artpe put his index finger on it, and he dragged it across the contract.The basic outline of the contract had already been created.As his fingers scanned over the contract, conditions were modified, added and deleted.

“It isn’t just me.You are forbidden to talk about anyone I deem to be an ally.From this point on, that will me Maetel, Sienna, Silpennon, Leseti and me.”

“However, once you start encountering more and more people, there is a danger of me being in breach of contract without meaning to.”

“If it is a situation where they will find out even if you don’t open your mouth, the contract will make the proper judgement.If you are careful with your words and actions, you won’t be in breach of contract.”

“Then I needed something that would count as profit for me.I want you to sell 10% of the items you gain in Dungeons exclusively to me.”

“Of course, Maetel and any of my other party members have to agree to sell it to you.It has to be a unanimous decision.Also, I won’t sell any items that I choose not to sell to you to other merchants. If you don’t have the purchasing power, you have to find a suitable owner to sell the items to.”

“Since this is an exclusive contract, could you give me a grace period to come up with the funds?Moreover, the 3rd Clause must…..”

Artpe and Mycenae pitted their heads against each other with the contract between them.They were precise in their calculations, and they double checked each clause.The townspeople were busy constructing the city, but when they caught sight of the young magician, they thought he was quite talented in picking up women.

“······also, I have an additional addendum.”

In a flash, Mycenae raised her head from the contract to look at Artpe.When he met her eyes, her eyes were very serious.They were clear and deep.He was a bit surprised by them.He wondered if the conversation up until now had been a set up for this moment.

“What is it?”