Chapter 17: Request from Eleanor

7 HOURS AGO 1 COMMENT

Translator: Soafp

[The skill level of “Automatic HP Recovery” has been increased.]

　By the time I got back to town, I had been killing enemies again, but my level had not increased much.

　Well, I reached level 10, so there was no need for me to be in such a hurry.

　Anyway, having achieved our goal, we returned to Eleanor’s tent.

　On the way back to Eleanor’s tent, we were often accosted by people, but we passed them up because we had other business to attend to.

　There was no time to be bothered, as I had other things to do as well.

“Welcome back, Sensei, Iorin.”

“You’re early, as expected.”

“We’re back, Fino, Eleanor.”

　The first to greet us upon our return was a group of people we often see in this tent.

　In the back, it seemed that Kanbei was preparing to settle the bill.

　But I was surprised that both Fino and Eleanor, who must be very busy people, were so willing to help us out.

　–Well, I don’t have such a carefree personality that I would consider it that convenient.

　Well, either way, Eleanor is not trying to bring disadvantage to our side.

　I guess I will have to listen to what she has to say to find out what she intends to do.

“Well, Quon-san. This is your first time ordering custom-made items, isn’t it?”

“Hmm?　Yeah, well, …… that’s true.”

“In such a case, the agreement should be made in the form of a contract drawn up by a player with the “Secretary” skill. That way, there will be no more disputes later, and a record will be kept.”

“I see. That’s solid. So, the “secretary” is him?”

“That’s right, Kambei.”

“Yes, Miss.”

　At Eleanor’s urging, Kanbei steps forward and spreads a sheet of parchment on the desk in front of us.

　Apparently, this is the contract. There is nothing on it at the moment, but it appears that an agreement regarding items and money to be provided by this company is to be written on the parchment.

　Looking into the parchment, instead of writing something on it, a window appears above it.

　There are two windows, the right window of which was marked ‘custom-made’ equipment.

“So what kind of distribution is this?　You get more items than I do, right?”

“Well, sure. Well, for now, I’ll offer you seven Omori spider silk threads.”

“As for me, I will be making a kimono, hakama, haori, and hachikin made of Omori spider silk.”

“Aiyo. Well, of course, the processed goods are more expensive, so the Quon need to put in the money as well.”

“Of course. So, how much are we talking about?”

“Right ……”

　Muttering, Kanbei begins to play the abacus.

　The four types of equipment items are placed in the window on the right, and the threads I give out are placed in the window on the left.

　Apparently, the skill is making the threads amount to a monetary value.

　The price that is missing at the moment is listed —- in addition, the amount of the request fee and the special handling fee are also listed in the left-hand window.

　By the way, did they make that abacus on purpose?

　It is true that the structure itself is not that difficult, but I raised my eyebrows and wondered if it is not necessary to go that far.

　However, Kanbei didn’t seem to notice my gaze as he finished his calculations, making a pleasant sound.

　Apparently, he also handles the abacus in real life. It was a very fast calculation.

“The boss material is made to order, and it is the highest grade of cloth equipment in the current situation. Iori is one of the best cloth craftsmen in the market. Naturally, the price will be high.”

“…… Well, now I understand the background. How much?”

“The main equipment, kimono and hakama, cost 70,000 each. Hachikin, is 50,000, and haori, which is treated as an ornament, is 30,000. That makes a total of 220,000.”

“That’s a lot of money.”

　It was not an amount I could not afford to pay, but it was enough to send nearly half of the money I had flying.

　This was understandable since Kanbei had explained the situation to me beforehand, but it was a far cry from my current equipment.

　This may be due to the fact that the ranks of the items themselves have not increased due to the slow pace of the strategy, and only the currency in circulation has continued to increase, causing inflation.

　I was silent, thinking this inwardly, and then Iori, looking slightly panicked, raised her voice.

“U-uhm, Quon-san has been very helpful to me, and this is sort of a request from me. I’ll be happy to discuss the amount with you, okay?”

“I don’t care. I’d be more interested if you could make me a good product without any strings attached. As for the price, that’s fine with me.”

“Is that so?　In that case, I would be happy to put my skills to work on it for you. ……”

　However, I will have to purchase weapons from now on.

　It will not be custom-made, but Fino is supposed to be a very good blacksmith.

　If that is the case, I would need to spend a good amount of money to purchase one.

　I have a little more than 250,000 left in my pocket,……, I think this would be enough for one, but it would probably be hard on the pocketbook.

　As if reading my emotions, Eleanor was raising her voice with a small smile on her face.

” Quon-san, you are going to purchase weapons from Fino, right?”

“Yeah, that’s right,……”

“As I thought. Fino, bring out what he plans to purchase.”

“Hmm, here it is.”

　Saying this, Fino took out a dagger and a small dagger of almost the same design as the one I am using now.

　However, there is a slight difference in the design. Apparently, this is the steel equipment Fino was talking about.

“May I take a look?”

” By all means.”

　I pulled out the dagger I had received, slightly unnerved by Fino’s response, which still sounded as unenthusiastic as ever.

　The first thing that catches my eye is the beautifully polished blade. The blade has a beautifully shining curved blade.

　The blade is gently curved without even the slightest distortion, so it will cut through its target without any discomfort when used.

　Satisfied with the perfection of the arrangement, I once again [“identify”] the performance of the weapon.

■[Weapon:Sword] Steel sword

　Attack Power: 26(+3)

　Weight: 16

　Durability: 120%.

　Granted effect: Increased attack power (small) Increased durability (small)

　Creator: Fino

[Weapon: Sword] small steel dagger

　Attack power: 18(+2)

　Weight: 10

　Durability: 120%.

　Granted effect: Increased attack power (small) Increased durability (small)

　Creator: Fino

“This is ……”

“Hmm, I’m proud of it.”

　I stare intently at Fino’s chest-thumping figure once, and then return my gaze to the sword once more.

　It seems as if she may have skipped a few steps in the performance.

　I wondered if this was really the same kind of weapon, and once again checked the performance of my current weapon.

■[Weapon sword:] Black Iron Sword

　Attack Power: 18

　Weight: 8

　Durability: 76%.

　Granted effects: None

　Creator: Fino

■[Weapon: Sword], small dagger of black iron

　Attack power: 10

　Weight: 5

　Durability: 88%.

　Granted effects: None

　Creator: Fino　

　In addition to its bare-bones performance, the increase in performance due to the granting effect is excellent.

　With this, that big wolf, which could only do effective damage with thrusts before, may be easily slashed through.

　This is certainly a gem that I would like to have. But–

“…… this is pretty expensive, isn’t it?”

“Hmmm, about 170,000 for the big sword and 100,000 for the small sword?”

“Gunu…….”

　Not enough. Just barely short.

　I thought that the little brat who was following Hisana around had a lot of money,…… but I guess that means he needed a good amount of money to get a good product.

　But what is going on? Would it somehow be enough if I sold off the spider material I had just acquired – just as I was thinking this, Eleanor was speaking up.

“Hey, Quon-san. Are you going to accept my request?”

“What?　A request?”

“Yes. The total fee is 100,000, plus 50,000 up front and 50,000 for contingencies.”

“…… such generosity. So, what’s the nature of your request?”

　I ask Eleanor, who is smiling somewhat wryly, slightly wary.

　Perhaps noticing my wariness, she waved her hands in the air and broke into an amorous smile.

“It’s nothing strange. I’m asking you to take us to the next town.”

“To the next town?　Does that mean, in essence, that you want me to defeat that wolf?”

“That’s the short answer. Although we are also leveling up, our combat skills are not as good as those of the combatants, since we have a limited number of skills. That’s why we hire escorts to get us to the next town.”

“You want me to be your escort?”

　I am satisfied with Eleanor’s explanation and returned a nod of the head.

　I’m having a hard time with the number of skills I have at the moment.

　I think it’s hard to beat the bosses in the production jobs, which require special skills.

　Well, I guess that’s why they have a scale of funds that is unmatched by combat jobs.

　That is why they can hire guards with their money.

“I see. But why are you telling me this?　I believe you’ve had some interaction with Hisana as well?”

” Part of it is that I’ve been so busy. There wasn’t much point in moving on, because we were busy laying the groundwork. But now that we’re almost done, it’s time to move on. And–“

　Eleanor’s gaze, once she breaks off, shoots into my eyes.

　Her deep golden eyes are somewhat joyful, yet they seem to be aiming at their prey.

　I asked her a question, feeling somewhat uncomfortable under her gaze, which had a unique atmosphere.

“…… And what?”

“The second boss is currently stalled. I was just wondering if you might be able to defeat it easily …….”

The second boss is currently stalled. I was just wondering if you might be able to capture it easily …….

“I think you’re thinking too high of me again.”

　I shrug my shoulders and chuckle.

　I have no intention of asserting that I can win against a boss I have never seen before.

　But, well, if it were against that wolf, I would be able to say that I could win.

　In other words, this request is not so difficult, but it is a story with enough merit for us.

“I understand. I will accept the request.”

“I see. That’s great!　Well then, Kanbei, please settle the bill. And Quon-san.”

　Eleanor, who instructed Kanbei with a snap of her hand, turns her gaze toward me once again.

　Then, with a soft smile on her mouth, she held out her hand to us.

“I think you and I are going to be friends for a long time. Let’s not be shy with each other.”

“…… So you’re saying I should treat you the same way I treat everyone else?”

“Yes. I hope you and I will be able to cooperate with each other. It’s just a hunch, but …… my hunch is pretty good, you know?”

“I see. A woman’s intuition. That’s a scary thing, but …… you’re right.”

　She is a brilliant person in every respect: financial resources, personal connections.

　If she is as good as she seems to be, there is no harm in forming an alliance with her.

　Convinced of this, I shook her hand without hesitation.

“Please take care of me, Eleanor.”

“Yes, it’s my pleasure. It’s nice to meet you, Quon.”

　We shake hands firmly and form an alliance.

　If I can get her backup in the future, it will make it easier for me to fight.

　To do that, I must first get rid of that dog, Koro.

　With the two swords in my hands that Kanbei had brought with the receipt, I made up my mind to move on to the next town.