Advanced(?) Psychological Battle
The psychological battle initiated by the information broker, Arze.
I face it head-on.
"Understood. Then I'll pay ten gold coins."
"Huh!?"
"Not enough? Then I'll double it to twenty coins."
"Wait, what!?"
Arze starts to panic.
A sudden counterattack, indeed.
It seems she never intended to receive ten gold coins from the start.
If she had, she would have eagerly snatched them up.
"What’s wrong? I’m simply paying for the information I trust."
"Still, isn’t that excessive!? Aren’t you a merchant!? Shouldn’t you be more skeptical!?"
"Of course. As you said, I am a merchant. Merchants select whom to trust to secure profit. The result of my choice is this twenty gold coins."
"Ugh…"
Twenty gold coins are equivalent to an average citizen's annual income.
Though this sum was entrusted to me by my father for emergencies, I never expected to use it here.
Now, she can't afford to lie to me.
If she did, the Gallard Company would go all out to crush her—that pressure must be palpable for Arze.
Seeing the twenty gold coins resting in my palm, Arze finally concedes.
"F-fine! I lose!"
"Lose, you say?"
"I’ll amend the original terms. This time’s information will cost three copper coins—or rather, as punishment for trying to deceive you, I’ll make it a free service."
"Generous of you."
"Heh, you’re one to talk."
Arze laughs more openly this time.
Indeed, a cute girl suits a smiling face.
Melancholic expressions or frightened looks are unnecessary.
"That’s a lovely smile, Arze."
"W-what now?"
Perhaps embarrassed to show her true expression, her voice wavers slightly.
"Your previous demeanor felt somewhat contrived. But that laugh just now—it was genuine, wasn’t it?"
"!"
"You tried to toy with me… but here’s my advice: don’t waste your efforts. Your opponent is far too formidable."
"… Yeah. I’m realizing that now."
"Good. By the way, why don’t we team up?"
"T-team up…?"
My proposal leaves Arze wide-eyed in surprise.
"I’m planning to start a new business in this town but don’t have any connections with information brokers yet. I’d like you to be the first."
"Me? With the Gallard Company!?"
"From your actions, I see you’re an honest person who can’t lie. If you truly wanted to deceive me, you would’ve quietly pocketed the gold coins."
"...…"
Arze falls silent.
Was this too abrupt?
Perhaps she’s already contracted with another trading company.
… Damn. I hadn’t considered that possibility.
"I appreciate the offer, but I can’t accept."
"I see."
She declines me outright.
It seems likely she’s already in an exclusive agreement with another trading company.
Smart, cute, and charming—it’s no surprise a major company wouldn’t let her slip by.
… Though I could always crush her current employer and claim her for myself.
"Oh, right, I still owe you the information."
"Ah, right."
I had forgotten.
The reason she said not to do business in this town.
This place is practically a sacred ground for merchants—a perfect place for business. So what could the reason be?
While waiting for her to speak, a pleasant fragrance suddenly wafts by.
It’s from Arze, who has leaned in close to me.
So this is… her scent.
"Be wary of Zarfin."
She whispers softly into my ear, sending a shiver down my spine.
Does she know my ears are my weak spot and intentionally went for the surprise attack!?
"Well, that’s all I’ll say. Let’s meet again if fate allows."
With that, Arze waves and scampers off.
"What a remarkable girl…"
"E-ear… It was the ears…"
"Huh? Ears? What about ears, Lucina?"
"Nothing, just talking to myself."
Connie tilts her head, clearly not understanding, but Lucina seems to have realized my weakness.
More importantly… who is Zarfin?
What do you think about this chapter?
