Chapter 51 - The Negotiator, Mist (1/2)

The Negotiator, Mist

After successfully negotiating with her, Mist and I entered the main street together.

We’ve only spoken few words with each other.

But, there is no problem.

I have only asked her for help on shopping.

This is just a temporary contractual relationship.

She knows about it too.

That’s what I thought, but…

[Where is Hati-dono’s inn?]

She’s trying to open up a conversation.

[………..]

There’s no reason for me not to answer.

I answered the name of the inn I’m staying at.

[Ah, so we were staying in the same inn?]

We’re staying in the same inn?

I don’t think I’ve seen her face there before…

Did we just not come across each other?

[With the money I have right now, I don’t see any reason to go towards those cheap inns.]

The woman laughed.

[I also can’t find a single room in those inns. I can’t sleep without being in a single room.]

[When did that happen?]

[Eh? Umm— That’s been always the case for a very long time.]

I feel that her reply is just hastily constructed just now.

It seems that she may also have another reason.

There must be something that makes it difficult for her to share a room with others.

Just like me who wants to hide Pigimaru.

However, I don’t intend to pursue any more.

The woman points towards the signboard of the tool shop with her finger.

[If you’re finding tools for raiding ruins and traveling, it would be better to get them on this shop.]

I am about to enter the store.

However, Mist didn’t move.

She looks like she’s pondering about something.

[I’m sorry, can you wait for a while? I have to go check some things.]

Mist then went to the back of the store.

After just a while, she came back.

[Sorry for the wait.]

[What did you check out?]

[I rechecked whether this is indeed the store. However— I don’t feel comfortable with this store, or rather, I think this store may be conducting some sneaky deals. However, Hati-dono entrusted the negotiating to me. I must thoroughly fulfill my duty.]

I caught a glimpse of her seriousness on her voice.

It’s just that, I feel that she’s too strict…

[Well then, let’s go in.]

I wonder what she had in her mind earlier.

We entered the store.

The atmosphere in here kind of reminds me of those shops that deals with outdoor supplies.

There’s also that unique smell of wood wafting in.

Mist bent down towards one of the products and checked its price tag.

[They’re a lot higher than the market price.]

The shopkeeper approached while he have a smile on his face.

[I don’t know where you both came from, but it’s harder to acquire things in here compared to the capital. There are quite a few items that can’t be made in Mills. It’s just that the recent recruitment have increased the demand for these tools.]

[If you had anticipated that there would be a demand, then why didn’t you just stock up on these items?]

The shopkeeper shook his head.

[There’s a professional circumstances in here as well. I don’t think amateurs would know about it. If you look at the state of the shelves, you would know that these tools are more demanding than expected and there isn’t enough stock at all. That’s why, I’m frantically waiting for when the goods would finally arrive. Do you understand? That’s why, the current price is reasona—]

[There were some boxes that had same name as these items piled up in the back of your shop though?]

[Y- You went to look at the back of my shop without permission?]

[I just saw it when I were passing by before.]

[Those were just empty boxes, you know?]

[Is that so? Although they were empty, those were quite heavy for just boxes huh…]

[Why do you touch other people’s merchandise without permission?]

[I’m sorry. When I tried to pass through them, those boxes were blocking the back alley.]

[Wha-?]

[I’m sorry if I was being rude, moving them aside without permission.]

[T- They were certainly blocking the back alley… But there are rarely any people who walks through that path…]

[By the way…]

Mist stands up.

[You mention that it was merchandise before— I was just touching empty boxes right? Why were you so nervous?]

[Nghh….]

The shopkeeper looks like he’s in quite a disadvantage.

The next thing that came out of his mouth though was a sigh.

[You’re already used to this, huh?]

Mist’s expression loosens up.

[I was traveling right now, so I need to save up as much as possible.]

[I understand… So in short, you want to have the some price cut?]

[Yeah, that’s right. If I had a bit more money, I would have been fine just buying it as is— but right now, my pouch is a bit desolate…]

[Hmm…]

The shopkeeper thinks about it.

Mist glanced at me.

[I went here today to get some luggage for two people. I think I had contributed a bit for some profits for this store.]

[Tsk! It can’t be helped… then, how about I give you a discount if you purchase in bulk? But, I also have some terms I want for myself.]

[What is it?]

[Never tell this story to the other mercenaries. If they were to know what I’m trying to do, my business won’t rise. If they were to know how I handle my shop— Well, have you heard about that other tool shop who had stocked up on the items but failed, which is really unusual if you think about it. No matter why that happened, this is a great opportunity for me to earn. Do you understand? If the rumor about this were to come out, I would never sell my stuff to you two here in Mills. I would also make sure to have the other shops know about you two, being troublesome customers.]

[Yeah, I swear we won’t leak it out.]

[Okay, we have come to an agreement then.]

The shopkeeper is grumbling while he goes back to the corner.

[Damn it, I should have brought in those boxes when I had the chance… I slacked a bit after knowing the profit that I could yield from here.]

I see, he’s trying to make it like there are shortage of goods.

Currently, there are only Mist and I in this store.

There are only two of us who had quickly returned after the registration in the plaza.

There were no other customers.

The first things that Mist had bought were the tools that she needed.

After that were the tools that I have to buy.

The price of what we’re buying after subtracting the discount was almost a third of what’s written on the price tag.

He really was trying to overprice too much…