Volume 2 Chapter 27 The Town is Slowly Regaining Its Former Self
Early the next morning, I found myself and Lene brought to a place I couldn't quite understand by Lord Reichner──it was the port.
"The new ship is under repair, huh? I guess we should be thankful that only the bow was severely damaged."
Lord Reichner seemed to have patiently convinced the townsfolk, who were anxious about the possibility of that tentacle reappearing, by explaining that the instigator of the commotion had left the area.
The port was regaining its former vibrancy.
It seemed he didn't mention the fact that he was a Dark Mage, though.
"Wait, what? That ship's flag..."
"Hmm? What's wrong, Lene?"
Lene was focused on a medium-sized ship docked at the port.
No, more precisely, it was the flag.
That looks... familiar.
Which country is it from?
"That's a merchant ship belonging to the merchant guild of the royal capital, Growthmont, in the Goldmont Kingdom."
"...Does that mean they've resumed trade with overseas?!"
Lord Reichner mentioned it casually, but if that were true, it was excellent news for us, and I couldn't help but get a bit excited, raising my voice.
I see now; I understood why we were brought here.
If trade with Goldmont has resumed, there's a possibility that the materials for the <Magic Stone of Diamond>──the <Heimun Grass>──are being imported as well.
"That's right. This will be the first batch. Well, the plan was for that new ship to set sail for Growthmont in a few days, but it might have to be postponed... Ah, over here. It's not the ship."
Lord Reichner headed towards the market instead of the ship, so we hastily changed our direction.
The market was teeming with an energy unlike anything I'd seen before.
I mean, things had been picking up since the harbor was rebuilt, but this was on another level.
"...Ah, Heimun grass."
As we followed Lord Reichner, who was greeting everyone, down the central street of the market, Lene spotted something with eagle eyes.
Oh, no mistake about it.
They were selling the Heimun grass, stems and all.
And quite a lot of it too.
"Oh my, Elf lady. Do you need this? It just arrived today from Goldmont. They say it makes your body strong if you drink it as tea."
"A, um, no, that is..."
Lene seemed completely out of her element with this kind of transaction.
There was no other choice, so I stepped forward in her place.
As the older woman merchant had said, Heimun grass is commonly used to make tea.
That's why it circulates even in the south of the continent.
But enchanters wouldn't use it that way.
It's a valuable material for the <Magic Stone of Diamond>.
"I'd like to buy a lot, how much would you let me have?"
"Oh, you'd buy that much? Well then... I'll let you have this half amount."
"Alright, I'll take it."
Lene wasn't the one negotiating with the merchant, but I was, and the deal was done.
You can't let others get their hands on it if you buy it all up.
You have to keep your purchases reasonable.
"Will you be able to stock up on this again in the future?"
It may be a long shot, but I pleaded with the merchant woman for her help.
Even if I had bought more than usual, it was probably a stretch for a mere customer like me to make such a request.
"Hmm... well, considering you seem like a big spender, I'll see what I can do. Just don't complain if it doesn't work out, alright?"
"Yes, please do your best if it's possible."
I bowed deeply from my tall stature and added that reminder.
I didn't know when the next shipment from Goldmont would arrive, but I needed to keep a close eye on the market information.
"Looks like you made it."
Lord Reichner, who seemed to have finished his greetings, returned.
It's no wonder the people trust him in times like this.
"Thank you very much, Lord Reichner. I didn't expect it to be this easy to get."
"Hahaha, I wanted to surprise everyone by keeping the resumption of overseas trading under wraps until the last moment, but it seems that worked out nicely."
Lord Reichner laughed heartily at our confusion.
He truly is a mischievous lord.
"Thanks to you, my lord, we're now able to obtain goods from abroad, and I can finally trade like before. Thank you!"
The merchant woman bowed deeply in gratitude.
For them, gaining access to foreign goods undeniably expanded their business potential.
"No, no, the real heroes of the harbor's restoration are these two."
As Lord Reichner pointed us out, the merchant woman's eyes widened in surprise.
Ah, the merchant from the neighboring shop had the same reaction.
I shot a questioning glance at Lord Reichner, wondering, "Wasn't it unfair to the residents?" and he shrugged lightly, winking at me.
Truly, he is a playful and charming lord.
"Is that so! Then, I should tell you what you requested before the merchant ship sets sail!"
"Are you sure! Thank you very much!"
"Nonsense, you're the hero of this town, the one who helped rebuild the harbor. It would be a sin to treat you poorly!"
The merchant woman bared her teeth and let out a hearty laugh.
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