Chapter 10 The Foolish Noble Lost A Major Business Partner
In the capital city, Pharmacist Leaf took a new step forward.
Meanwhile, in the northern part of the capital city, there was a territory called [Votslak Territory].
This place had a scary forest called [Abyss Wood] to the north, where terrifying monsters lurked.
The lord of Votslak Territory, Orokan Fahn Votslak, was in charge of managing this forest.
Now, Orokan was alone in his office, smiling to himself.
There was a huge pile of coins on the table.
"Hehehe! Just as I suspected! Those old people from Dead End Village are quite rich indeed!"
This money was obtained by selling medicine to the old people of Leaf's hometown, Dead End Village, at an outrageously high price.
They were selling it for five times its original.
Normally, you wouldn't buy something at that high of a price, but if there's no competition and the old people who can't even make it to town have the money, he thought they'd definitely buy it even at such a high price.
"Ghufufu! Bullseye! My business skills are really something, aren't they?"
With a mesmerized expression at the sight of the pile of coins, Orokan chuckled.
Even though he's tricking the old people to get their money, he's still smiling.
"I'll keep squeezing out money from them in the future. Haha... those old people don't have much time left anyway. They don't need money that much... so I'll collect it and put it to good use... it's much more meaningful than letting gold coins rot in a drawer! Haha! Hahaha!"
...So, Orokan doesn't feel any guilt about tricking the elderly folks like this.
"Still, things have really turned around for me! Ever since I became the lord, there's been a drastic decrease in monster appearances, and I even managed to snag that pretty young lady from the village. Plus, I kicked out that kid who was an apprentice at the apothecary. Everything's going so smoothly for me, it's almost scary!"
The Votslak family is also known as the Monster Watchers.
They were originally just commoners living on the outskirts.
But a few generations ago, Orokan's grandfather bravely fought monsters for the villagers.
His bravery was recognized, and he was granted noble status, along with this land as a fiefdom from the royal family.
The noble status comes from protecting the kingdom from the threat of monsters.
...But on the flip side, if the Votslak family can't protect the land from monsters anymore, they would be destroyed.
That's why both his grandfather and father fought desperately for the sake of the villagers and the country.
But when it came to Orokan's turn, suddenly "the monsters stopped attacking for some reason".
The reason is that, thanks to the [Leaf's Magic Monster Repellent,] monsters no longer attack the village....
But Orokan foolishly took credit for it, thinking it was because of himself.
"Everything is going smoothly! I am a genius chosen by the god! Hehehe! Ahahaha!"
...And that was the extent to which Orokan could boast.
"Orokan-sama"
"Hmm? What is it?"
One of his subordinates entered the room.
While he was polishing coins, the subordinate delivered a report.
"We received a message from the village head of Ein village regarding the defense reinforcement proposal we discussed the other day. They want a response."
"Defense reinforcement? What's that about?"
Though surprised, the subordinate reported,
"W-Well, there have been several incidents of monster attacks in Ein village since the other day."
"Ein village... Hmm, where was that again?"
"...It's the closest village to Abyss Wood. For some reason, monsters have started lurking around since the other day."
"Hmm," Orokan replied casually.
"Is it mating season, perhaps? They've just increased a bit. They'll settle down soon."
"But it's unusual... Since Orokan-sama took over, there have been zero monster sightings..."
"Ugh, you're such a bother. Today, we have an important guest coming. I don't have time to worry about some village."
After that, Orokan was scheduled to meet with a major business partner.
He stood up, checking his appearance in the mirror.
"Reporting damage from a small village won't profit us. What matters is the arriving guest!"
Just then, another subordinate entered the room to report.
"Orokan-sama, the guest has arrived."
"Ah! Right! I'm coming!"
Orokan left the room feeling excited.
His subordinate came in with reports of damage in the village, saying, "Orokan-sama! If we don't act now, there will be no turning back!" But...
"You, you're fired."
"What?! Why?!"
"You've interfered with my work. You're fired. Pack up and disappear."
"Oh, come on..."
Without hesitation, Orokan fired his subordinate and left the scene.
He then arrived at the reception room.
"Well, well, if it isn't [Jasmine-dono]! Long time no see!"
Waiting in the reception room was a beautiful woman in a red suit, Jasmine Kuu.
She is the Guild Master of the world's largest merchant guild, the Silver Phoenix Guild.
With her voluminous hair, ample bosom, and the skill to rise to Guild Master at a young age, she possessed influence and power that impacted the world.
She was certainly a business partner Orokan wanted to continue being friendly with in the future...
From generations past, he can't let the connection with this guild, which has somehow persisted, end in his time.
So, no matter what, he must never upset Jasmine.
...But Jasmine was frowning unhappily.
"What's, what's wrong, Jasmine-dono?"
"...Just get straight to the point."
After glaring at Orokan, she said,
"Our guild is cutting ties with the Votslak territory."
...For a moment, he had no idea what she was talking about.
At first, he thought it was a misunderstanding because the content was so unbelievable.
"...That's all. I'm busy. Goodbye."
Seeing Jasmine about to leave the room without even looking at him, Orokan finally realizes he's in trouble.
That is, the talk of cutting ties from earlier is true, as he understood from her indifferent attitude.
"P-please wait, Jasmine-samaaaaa!"
Orokan stood in front of Jasmine, blocking her path with both hands spread wide.
He didn't know what was happening, but it was clear that he was about to be rejected right now.
And for Votslak territory... losing connection with her would be a fatal blow.
"Why are you suddenly cutting ties? Did I do something wrong!?"
"Oh, you stepped on the tiger's tail and touched the dragon's scale."
"Tiger... dragon...?"
It suddenly got too abstract to follow.
Jasmine took a deep breath and explained.
"Do you want to know why I was dealing with your territory?"
"Is it because of the talented me being here and the juicy story?"
"No, not at all. ...What's with that inflated self-esteem of yours? You have no talent. None at all."
"What!? What are you saying!?"
His head almost boiled for a moment.
But before he could voice his anger, Jasmine explained.
"You angered my benefactor. That's why I've decided to end our deal."
"Benefactor?"
"Yeah. Arthur-shi from Dead End Village."
"Dead End... Village?"
It's a remote village, on the other side of Abyss Wood.
Right now, Orokan's wife, Dokuonna, is staying there, selling medicine to the old people at a high price.
"I owe my life to the village head there, Arthur-shi."
"A benefactor in that village?"
"Yeah. I'm not here for business with the Votslak territory. I have matters with Arthur-shi and his spouse, Merlin-shi. This place is just a stopover."
So, Jasmine set up shop here as a supply point before reaching her destination.
Her target person wasn't Orokan.
"Wh-why are the people in that village mad at me!? I'm selling medicine to help the elderly so they don't suffer!"
He hasn't mentioned that it costs way more than usual because that would make Jasmine even angrier.
...Well, actually, he doesn't think it's making the old people angry at all.
"You know, it's my fiancée Dokuonna who takes care of the health in that village! She's the granddaughter of the Medicine God Asclepius!"
Jasmine sighed heavily.
"I heard that girl already had a fiancé?"
"W-well..."
"Was it Leaf Chemist-kun? Dokuonna was supposed to be with him originally... until you took her away, right?"
"Uh... y-yes... I-I mean..."
...Orokan's biggest flaw was that he only cared about money and young women.
In that village, if he had shown even a little interest in the elderly folks...
Or perhaps, if he had cared more about Dokuonna's ex-fiancé...
"The elderly people in that village really, really love Leaf Chemist-kun."
"W-What, what did you SAYYYYY!?"
That was news to him.
If Jasmine's statement is correct, this is bad. Really bad!
He would be seen as taking away a woman (Dokuonna) from a man (Leaf) whom the elderly people cherish.
If the wealthy merchant Jasmine's benefactor loves him...
It would mean that he had caused harm.
...This is terrible.
Could it be that such an insignificant commoner was actually such an important person...!
Orokan deeply regretted it.
Instead of driving Leaf out of the village at that time, he should have at least offered him money!
He also wanted to keep Dokuonna, who became his woman, away from her ex-fiancé!
Feeling like he's changing, he doesn't want that to happen, ever!
But it was a mistake! Darn it! ...Orokan regretted greatly as he held his head in his hands.
Looking down coolly at Orokan's state, Jasmine declared,
"The elder people are very upset. I owe them a lot. As long as they don't forgive you, I can't continue doing business with you."
With a swift motion, Jasmine returned the favor and started to leave.
"Wa-wait, PLEASEEEE!"
He had to stop her somehow!
Orokan grabbed onto Jasmine's legs, crying and bowing his head.
"I apologize for hurting your benefactors! So, please...!"
"...I don't want you bowing to me. It's Arthur-shi and the others who are angry. If they say it's okay, then maybe I can reconsider."
Yes...!
Orokan saw a slim chance.
Basically, he just need to bring Dokuonna's ex-fiancé and apologize.
He can just formally cancel the engagement. Keep seeing each other behind the scenes as usual, and if needed, he can make Dokuonna as a his mistress!
Yes! That's it...! There's a glimmer of hope...!
But...
"Orokan-sama~♡"
...At the worst possible moment, the worst person returned to him.
That's right... Dokuonna.
She doesn't know Jasmine... And...
"I took money from those old geezers in the village~♡"
...She loudly boasted. She didn't realize there were guests, all she wanted was praise for her accomplishments.
"Hehe~♡ I sold medicine to those stupid old geezer at five times the usual price~♡"
Oh no.
It's been found out! Orokan slowly looks at Jasmine.
"Hoo~..."
In that icy glare, it seemed like she only saw Orokan as an enemy.
"Ah...no...this...not...liek that..."
"...Enough. I'm leaving. Unpleasant."
With a swift turn, Jasmine left.
"Wa-wait for MEEEEEEE!"
But Jasmine vanished in an instant, using a magic tool from her pocket to teleport to a specific place.
"Ah...no...not like this..."
Orokan's misdeeds against the elderly had been exposed.
Now...no one would want to deal with him again.
"What's wrong, Orokan-samaa?"
...This foolish woman.
She didn't understand the situation at all...
"You...stupid WOMAAAAAAAN!"
SLAP! Orokan slapped Dokuonna's cheek hard.
"Ahh! Wh-what are you doing!?"
"Stop it, stop it! It's all your fault! You're the one to blame!"
"Huh!? I don't understand what you're saying!?"
As the two argued ugly, they were interrupted even further...
"So, Orokan-sama, I have a message for you!"
"What!? I'm busy! Deal with it later!"
His subordinate, pale-faced, spoke to him.
"It's the Monster Parade! A huge horde of monsters is attacking the Votslak territory!!!!"
...The misery of the foolish man and the foolish woman continues.
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