Chapter 158 - The Road to Reciprocity
I’ve gathered the information I needed.
The red armor gleamed in the light streaming through the window. The captain of the female mercenary company wore a slender suit of armor that clung to her body, but the elaborate design with a flowing cloak gave it a noble and impressive look. I admired it for a moment before the conversation resumed.
"Can I ask you some questions? I’ve heard many rumors about the Kikyo Society, and I’d like to verify a few things."
"Sure, go ahead."
I’ve asked a lot, so I’ll try to be accommodating with any easy questions.
"Now that I’ve seen you in person, I have no doubt about your strength, but some things are hard to believe. For instance, repelling a large Retnark army with a small force, the conflict with the Adventurer Guild, and the legendary healer Rosabel’s affiliation. These are hard to accept at face value. I’m not doubting you, but can you confirm these for me?"
Hmm, confirming those things is easier said than done. There’s no way to prove them here and now.
"Rosabel is indeed with us, and you can meet her if you like. As for the rest, you’ll have to take my word for it."
"I’d like to hear your side."
I asked with a hint of jest, but the class president was serious.
What if she has some way of detecting lies? Or maybe she’s confident in her ability to discern the truth.
Well, I don’t lie, but if she starts doubting me, this conversation is over. I can’t affiliate with someone who accuses me of lying. I don’t know how she judges things, but if she wants to know, I’ll tell her.
"Sure, I’ll give you a brief rundown. First, the battles against Retnark were real, but we weren’t the only ones fighting. How you evaluate our contribution is up to you. Second, the conflict with the Adventurer Guild was real, but it was with a group of delinquent adventurers, not legitimate ones. The corrupt guild leader has been arrested, and the issue with the national headquarters has been resolved. It’s not as big a deal as you might think.
"We don’t need to exaggerate these things. I genuinely believe they weren’t that significant. The gossip magazines are making a bigger fuss than necessary. I enjoy a bit of flair, but I prefer fair evaluations.
"As for Rosabel, she’s with us, and you can meet her. Proving she’s the real Rosabel might be a bit tricky, though."
"...You’re being quite modest, but I understand."
Modesty, huh? It’s common for personal and public evaluations to differ. There’s no point in dwelling on it, and it’s really not that important.
The class president seemed to carefully consider my explanations, but I’m not sure if she’s convinced.
"So, anything else?"
"There are still many things, but for now, one more. Can you show me your strength?"
Knowing each other’s capabilities is the quickest way to mutual understanding. But not here.
As I pondered, a voice came from behind.
"Onee-sama, showing the Physical Enhancement Magic should be enough, don’t you think?"
If they can judge our strength from that, it would be fine.
Angelina and Valeria are using magic, but they’re already exerting a level of power that intimidates the surroundings.
"I understand that your guards aren’t at full strength, but..."
Their perception is a bit off. The Kikyo Society’s core members are a cut above the rest, and the executives are in a league of their own. It would be good if they understood that.
"Valeria, show them what you can do at seventy percent."
As I spoke, Valeria’s presence in her duffle coat intensified dramatically, as if accompanied by sound effects.
Until now, she had already stood out among the mercenaries, but her presence suddenly skyrocketed. The deliberate surge of magic was palpable even to those not skilled in magic perception. This show of power was a bit of a waste, but it served its purpose.
The female mercenaries surrounding us, who had been standing at attention, were taken aback and braced themselves.
"I hope this makes it clear. This isn’t even at full strength, and Angelina is on par with her. Our executives are all at this level."
"...So, this level of strength is necessary to survive in this city?"
"I guess so. If you want to do things your way, it’s probably essential. But I think you’re doing well."
Indeed, the captain appears strong to me. She’s at least on par with our regular members. She must have what it takes to lead a mercenary company and be hired by a frontier baron. They can’t be weak.
"Alright, let’s get to the main point. What’s your purpose? I want to know why you came to this city from another country. I assume you’re not just here to be hired by us or to join the Kikyo Society."
I have no idea what the Rose Madder Mercenary Corps wants. They were valued and well-treated by their noble employer in Donditch, so there must be a compelling reason for them to leave.
"No, we’re not here to join you. The purpose of our visit is that the frontier baron wishes to establish a trade agreement with the Kikyo Society. With Retnark’s collapse and the cessation of their attacks, we were sent to negotiate."
"A trade agreement, huh. What exactly?"
A trade proposition from a foreign noble? We’ve certainly come a long way.
"The baron is interested in exchanging materials. We offer refined magic ores, and you provide healing potions."
"Be more specific. What’s the context?"
Magic ores come in various qualities. I don’t want to deal with low-quality materials. Healing potions also come in different types and ranks. If the trade isn’t mutually beneficial, there’s no point. Also, I’m wary of any hidden motives. I want to avoid any deals that might harm our allies in Exembra or Brenark.
"There are some sensitive details, so I request that this conversation remains confidential. Drasena, please bring the gifts and documents here."
One of the mercenaries behind us lifted a large box and brought it to Angelina. She checked it and placed it next to me. It looked heavy.
"What’s this?"
"The contents of the box are a gift from the frontier baron. Regardless of the outcome of our talks, we hope you’ll accept it."
It’s a form of a gag order, but I have no intention of spreading this information. If they’re satisfied with this, it’s fine. We’re in the business of trust.
I peeked inside the box. It contained ingots of magic ores.
Hmm, there’s a variety. From what I can see, there’s mithril, carmine ore, orichalcum, and even some rare minerals in small quantities. These are all valuable. If they’re serious about this trade, this gift is a sample as well.
Magic ores are strategic materials. They’re used not only in armaments but also in magic devices. I doubt a noble can export them without the central government’s permission. A small amount as a gift might be acceptable, but a trade of this scale could be problematic. They’re taking a significant risk, which speaks to their commitment.
"I’ll accept it. I’ll keep this conversation confidential. Now, let’s get to the main point."
Enough preliminaries.
The captain, who seemed a bit tense, nodded and continued.
"What we need are potions that can cure poisoning. We need as many as possible, from high to low ranks. We’ve heard rumors that the Kikyo Society, led by healers like Rosabel and Colette, produces and distributes large quantities of healing potions through underground channels. We’re not questioning the ethics of this. If it’s true, we’d like you to supply us with antidotes. Ideally, we’d like you to produce more of the types we need in the future."
I understand what they want, but the reason for needing such a large quantity is still unclear. I prompted her to continue.
"From the materials and the gift, it’s clear that the frontier baron’s territory has many mines. The region has prospered through mining and refining, but it faces a significant health issue that is not common in other regions."
Based on what she’s saying, it sounds like a case of mining pollution. Without proper treatment of wastewater and exhaust, heavy metals and toxic substances can spread.
If it’s a large-scale operation, even magical tools might not be able to contain the issue, or it might have gone unnoticed until now.
If the health problem is widespread and severe, the local healers might not be enough, especially if they’re affected by the toxins too. Healers can’t cure every condition, and each has their specialty. Even with magic, there are limits.
Additionally, they might want to keep this issue secret from other nobles, merchants, and rivals. Dealing with it discreetly makes sense.
"I understand the situation, but how much do you need? And considering the ongoing mining operations, I doubt the healing potions will keep up with the demand."
"We have a plan in place to address the issue. Gradually, we’ll install specialized new magic devices in the facilities. However, we can’t ignore the existing damage, and the device installation will take time."
So, they’re using healing potions as a temporary measure until a long-term solution is in place. It’s a well-thought-out plan.
Relying on a foreign underground organization for such a sensitive issue isn’t surprising. If their enemies were aware, it would be difficult to investigate. However, the severity of the situation also raises questions.
"Where did you hear about us? It’s hard to believe you’d bring such a serious matter based on mere rumors. And why are you willing to share this secret with us? We could exploit it for leverage."
Indeed, the Kikyo Society is a criminal organization. We don’t care what happens to people in distant places. We’d choose the most beneficial option.
Information leaks are also a concern. We’ve been dealing with the Healer Guild, and they seem to be profiting from it. It’s worth confirming this.
"I’m not worried about the secret. The frontier baron is highly trusted by the central government. No matter what rumors spread, it won’t be a problem."
She seems quite confident. Indeed, the central government might not be concerned about a foreign underground organization. I don’t know much about the frontier baron, but I doubt he’s a weak noble.
"As for the source of our information, I don’t have that knowledge. What I’m telling you is hearsay. The frontier baron must have a solid reason, but I can’t elaborate."
Fair enough. A mercenary company wouldn’t have all the details.
My main concern is whether this trade is beneficial for the Kikyo Society.
What they want are healing potions, specifically those that cure poisoning. I’m confident we can provide them. Rosabel and Colette would be happy to produce them in large quantities as part of their disciples’ training. I could even participate in the production of high-rank potions.
Even if supplying the Healer Guild reduces our inventory, it might not significantly impact our profits. Rosabel’s legendary status isn’t for nothing, and our brand thrives on exclusivity. Information leaks could even be used to drive up wholesale prices, given the high margins.
This trade would increase our profits by adding magic ore ingots to our inventory.
We’d need to negotiate the exchange rates, but we’re not about to sell at a loss. Given the scale of the demand, the amount of ingots we could receive is substantial.
We could use these materials to establish new trade connections with merchants and blacksmith guilds. They could also serve as a cover for the materials I produce through magic, masking their origin. This could open new trading opportunities with other countries, which would be beneficial.
I don’t see any significant drawbacks.
The logistics of the trade can be handled through front companies, minimizing risks. We don’t need to disclose the details to the local authorities or commercial guilds. The frontier baron would likely use cover operations, and we can piggyback on that. Our former criminal associates would be useful in such endeavors.
This trade seems promising for the Kikyo Society. Helping a troubled party while making a profit is a win-win. There’s no downside, and it would significantly boost our resources for organizational growth. Threatening us for leverage is less profitable and riskier.
Even if it’s a trap, it wouldn’t be a significant loss. Our stock of healing potions is plentiful, and any attempt to trap us would be met with severe retaliation. The Kikyo Society is busy, but we don’t shy away from necessary actions.
The red-armored captain, now more relaxed, waited for my decision. She has a class president-like face. I should consider gifting her glasses someday.
"Ingrid, right? There are details to iron out, but as the president, I’m willing to consider this proposal. Can we meet again tomorrow?"
"Any time is fine. We’re here for this purpose. But thank you..."
I looked her in the eye, straight and earnest.
"...However, if you try to deceive or betray us, there will be consequences. Whether you’re a frontier baron or anyone else, we will crush you. Don’t underestimate us."
I cut her off, delivering a clear warning. I also let her feel a surge of my overwhelming magical power, which some might describe as terrifying.
I liked the Rose Madder Mercenary Corps. They seem competent, and I don’t want them to become our enemies. If they do, they’ll face no mercy. This warning is both a threat and a friendly gesture, emphasizing that it’s better to be our ally.
Don’t underestimate us, and it’s better to be on our side. That’s the message I wanted to convey. I also wanted to make sure their employer understood.
"Tomorrow, I’ll send someone from the practical department to handle the details. For now, we’re done."
We left the mercenaries behind and exited the room.
The specific exchange rates and trade volumes can be discussed with the Secretariat and Healing Unit later. I’ll also have the Intelligence Unit verify the information. We’ll monitor the mercenary company’s movements and consider sending a team to Donditch for a more thorough investigation.
If this goes well, we’ll establish a connection with Donditch. Building trust could lead to new profitable opportunities, as we currently have no connections with foreign countries. This could be a valuable starting point. Considering the potential benefits, this trade could become increasingly important.
Even if it’s a prospect, this deal will likely strengthen the Kikyo Society in many ways.