Chapter 159

“Can you procure all of this?”

I handed Carson, the black market merchant, a memo densely packed with writing.

Since there’s a lead time for gathering the goods, the earlier you place an order, the better.

That’s why I visited the black market merchant’s shop as soon as I returned to the surface.

“Hehe, let me take a look and give you a quote.”

Gleefully rubbing his hands together at the sheer volume of the order, Carson started reading down the memo.

Then…

“What?! A-All this?”

He stared at me with a surprised expression.

“Of course.”

“A-Again with this many weapons…? And these are a blacksmith’s tools…”

Unable to contain his curiosity any longer, Carson finally asked me,

“…Are you perhaps setting up a blacksmith’s workshop?”

I frowned and narrowed my eyes.

“Listen here, Carson.”

“Yes?”

“I’ve been dealing with you because I prefer clean transactions. If you’re going to pry into unnecessary matters, I’ll leave right now. It also means there will be no more business between us ever again.”

“Gasp!”

Realizing his blunder, Carson hurriedly said,

“Oh my, Master! I was overcome by curiosity, please forgive my slip-up. I promise I’ll never make such a mistake again.”

“Hmm.”

“Please, Master!”

I deliberately paused, pretending to ponder.

He was the one dying of anticipation, not me.

His expression clearly showed his anxiety over losing a big customer.

To simply let it slide without getting anything in return would be naive.

I chuckled inwardly.

“You think you can make up for such a mistake with mere words?”

“Master, please be merciful…”

“A service.”

“Yes…?”

“My anger won’t subside with just words, you need to show some sincerity, at least in the form of a service.”

“ What kind of service…”

“A 50% discount.”

“What?”

“If you give me a 50% discount on one of the items I want on that list, I’ll let it slide and continue our business. So, what do you say?”

“Hmm…”

“If I don’t get an answer within five seconds, I’ll consider it a rejection and leave.”

I made a gesture as if to turn away.

Applying psychological pressure.

“Oh dear, alright. Alright, please continue doing business with me, Master.”

Carson finally gave in.

He probably had already done the math in his head.

Even though he knew I’d pick the most expensive item, he must have calculated that the profit from the deal was still much greater.

He was right, of course.

This wasn’t the end of our dealings.

However…

Carson didn’t know he was about to suffer a loss he could have never imagined.

’ He didn’t see it.’

I smiled inwardly, pleased with myself.

Carson had asked me a question after looking at the list of items for the blacksmith’s workshop.

It meant that he hadn’t seen the most expensive item written at the very bottom.

“It’s a deal. I want a 50% discount on the item listed at the very bottom.”

“Okay, okay. I understand, Master. The item listed at the very bottom…the item…?!”

Carson’s eyes bulged in shock.

His body started trembling.

“Oh, oh, oh, oh…O-ri… Ha-r…Con…? 5, 5, 5kg?!”

His voice came out like a flickering candle.

He was so shocked that his face turned pale in an instant, and cold sweat was pouring down his forehead.

I knew why.

Because I knew exactly how much orichalcum was worth on the black market.

3,000 gold per kilogram, no discounts.

Orichalcum was a rare metal, so its value was ludicrously high.

That’s why there were very few weapons made entirely of orichalcum.

It was simply too expensive.

But even just a bit of orichalcum mixed in would make a weapon an unrivaled masterpiece.

Just a touch of that metal, whose strength far surpasses that of mere iron, was enough.

Ran had requested an orichalcum alloy for that very reason.

‘Steel simply won’t do.’

‘Why not?’

‘Do you think arrows for a large ballista, one powerful enough to take down an ogre or a troll in one shot, and a battering ram, capable of smashing through the toughest gates, can be made of mere steel?!’

‘I see. Tell me what you need.’

‘Orichalcum.’

‘Orichalcum? Okay, I understand. How much do you need?’

‘wait, are you sure? That’s incredibly expensive…’

‘Don’t worry. I’m really rich.’

‘Umm, then…maybe…just 1, 1kg?’

‘Hmm, will that be enough? Even if you’re mixing it to make an alloy.’

‘Th-Then…3kg…?’

‘You’re sure that’ll be enough?’

‘5, 5kg! That will be enough!’

My thoughts came to a stop.

Anyway…

5kg of orichalcum is an astronomical sum of 15,000 gold.

And at a 50% discount, that would be 7,500 gold.

Still a huge fortune, even with the discount.

Suffering such a significant loss…?

Anyone would have a mental breakdown and lose sleep.

“W-Wait a moment, Master! Th-This is too…”

As if he had suddenly snapped out of the shock, Carson hurriedly spoke.

“Too much? But you were the one who accepted the terms, Carson.”

“Th-That’s true…but I didn’t confirm everything…”

“That’s just your carelessness.”

“N-No, but still, this is…”

“So, you’re going back on your word? I misjudged you. To think you’d act so petty, something even a three-year-old wouldn’t do. You’re trash.”

I shook my head and looked at him with a blatant look of contempt.

As if I was looking at human garbage.

The attack was very effective.

Carson’s gaze fell to the floor, ashamed and embarrassed.

I stared at him for a moment, then turned around.

Just as I grabbed the doorknob…

“W-Wait, Master! That’s not what I meant…Of course, I’ll give it to you. It just…pained me a little…hehehe.”

His forced laughter was pitiful.

I had to show some compassion at this point.

I turned back, a smirk on my face.

“Well…If you’re saying so, let’s continue our business.”

That’s how I managed to squeeze an immense profit out of the crafty black market merchant.

* * *

Things went smoothly.

First, the materials for the blacksmith’s workshop arrived, and then the ores for weapon production.

By now, enough time had passed that she might have finished the workshop and begun hammering.

The new weapons had also been delivered, and training for group combat had already begun.

The atmosphere was good.

We, the residents of the 10th floor, were the saviors of the 11th floor. So, we started off on good terms with those people.

There didn’t seem to be any problems with building a solid sense of unity as a single group.

“We’re set for now.”

I muttered, looking at the calendar.

It’s almost vacation time.

Nearly two months off.

But of course, even if it’s a vacation, I can’t relax.

I always have things to do.

Moreover…

“It’s the only time I can go outside…”

Strictly speaking, it wasn’t the *only* time.

But vacation was the only time I could freely move about outside, so it wasn’t wrong to say that.

It meant that I had to take care of anything I needed to take care of outside during this time.

“Hmm.”

I unfolded the map and started rolling a pen, pondering over my schedule.

The principles were simple.

Things I could do at my current level.

Things that would make me stronger.

Things that would bring additional benefits.

“This seems perfect.”

My gaze settled on the central continent of the map.

Coincidentally, it was the place where Blade and his gang, whom I had just dealt with, had been notorious.

The Red Wolf gang had disappeared, but not all bandits in that region were gone.

Other bandit gangs were still active, committing atrocities.

Furthermore…

There were also many other types of bandits.

On Lake Elrine, a vast lake in the center of the central continent, there were even pirates.

It was an unavoidable environment.

Security in the Empire, the Kingdom, and near the Holy City was nearly perfect.

Because they had powerful military forces.

On the other hand, the central continent was a region where many small countries were intertwined.

The borderlines were complex, and the military forces were weak, making it an ideal breeding ground for bandits.

That’s the place.

That was my target.

Or rather, bandit hunting.

Bandits are usually treated like experience points, but they’re not to be taken lightly here.

Countless users had met their game over after recklessly charging in without proper information or intelligence about their targets.

But the fact that they were formidable meant they were worthy opponents to gain experience and improve one’s skills.

It was an advantage.

As long as I avoid those who are absurdly strong, that is.

And there’s one more added benefit.

“Bounties are quite lucrative.”

I smiled faintly.

Most of the bandits in the central continent have bounties on their heads, although the amounts vary depending on their notoriety.

This means we could gain real combat experience and earn bounty rewards as well.

This would probably be even more helpful to Camian.

His financial situation wasn’t exactly great right now.

And he wouldn’t accept my support anyway, so having him earn money legitimately was the best option.

“Okay, then…”

Having made my decision, I started writing down names.

Me, Camian, Annette.

Three wouldn’t be nearly enough.

Even if we targeted the weakest bandit gangs.

That’s why party composition is important.

“And…”

Dolph, Godwin, Dan.

Those were my employees.

Dolph probably wouldn’t be very helpful in terms of combat, but Godwin and Dan would be quite useful.

Especially Godwin.

Dolph was good for driving the carriage and doing odd jobs.

Someone had to do it anyway.

Now there are six.

“Plus…”

Allen.

The Benesse family spear technique is perfect for one-on-many combat, so he would be a great help.

Now there are seven.

“Hmm, I guess those are all my connections for now.”

Of course, these weren’t all of my acquaintances.

I had my fiancee, Regina, Hiresia, Elaine, Riviera, and more.

I had a lot of strong connections.

But that’s the problem, the fact that they were “strong”.

You can only improve your skills if you face opponents who are either on your level or slightly stronger than you.

Calling any of those people would disrupt the balance.

That’s why I excluded them from my options.

“Well…I guess that should be enough.”

I have the weapon of information.

Using that, I should be able to handle even some difficult opponents.

“So, let’s do it that way…and lastly…”

A visit to my family’s home.

I wrote a short phrase.

It was only right to go back to my family home and greet my parents, as their son.

Especially since they had given me an enormous amount of support.

Moreover…

“ I feel like there’s something more…”

It was just a feeling.

I had a feeling that there was something more to the Celtrine family than meets the eye.

Maybe they’re not just a rich family with little importance.

Of course, it might just be a feeling.

But there was no harm in investigating, while I was dropping by their home.

“Okay, finalized.”

Thump.

I closed my notebook.

* * *

“…Bandit extermination?”

Annette’s eyes widened in surprise.

While Camian looked a bit flustered, but he seemed to have an idea.

“I see. That’s how Senior is going to get stronger.”

“During the vacation.”

I chuckled.

“Alright, I’ll join you.”

Camian nodded resolutely.

Annette was bewildered.

“Bu-But Camian…you have to go back to your family home, don’t you?”

“I don’t think even that Senior would take away that much time.”

“Take out ‘even that Senior’ would you, jerk?”

I chuckled.

“I have to go back to my family home too you know? A month will be enough. You guys wouldn’t have anything to do if you went back to your homes early anyway, right?”

“I agree.”

Camian agreed readily.

He was eager to get stronger, and since I presented him with a solution, his eyes were shining brightly, full of energy.

“I-I’m not that committed…but I’ll help.”

Annette said hesitantly.

I know it’s because of Camian.

Still, it’s always good to have help.

I chuckled and said,

“ Okay, thanks for accepting, everyone.”

“Bu-But…won’t three of us be a bit lacking?”

Annette asked a reasonable question.

“Of course it is.”

“Then…?”

“There are…excellent…party members.”

“I knew it.”

Annette’s eyes sparkled.

I could see exactly what she was thinking.

She must have thought that someone from my dazzling network of contacts at the ball would be joining us.

But…

Why can’t she see the hesitation welling up within my conscience?

……Don’t be disappointed when you see them later.

* * *

“These are excellent party members.”

No hesitation from this guy.

Is it because he’s a burden and has no conscience?

“Oh, as expected of the Team Leader.”

Allen exclaimed with an excited expression.

“In the name of justice, on this path Team Leader has chosen, this Allen Benesse gladly joins you!”

“Thank you.”

With that, I’ve successfully secured the consent of all party members.

All that remains is to proceed as planned.

But before that…

‘I need to see her.’

Family home.

I wasn’t planning to go back alone.

I was going to return with my fiancee, to proudly show everyone in my family and the territory that our engagement was intact.

So…

I need to see her and talk to her.

Leaving Allen, I headed towards Regina.