164 - The Great Merchant Tres
――I saw the sea.
I watched as I slowly sank to the deep, dark bottom of the ocean, the light fading away from me.
The sea was filled with countless tiny, glittering red lights drifting about, and there was no sign of any living creatures around.
Once I reached the bottom, I gathered those tiny lights toward myself.
I took my time slowly, and once the tiny lights grew few, I ascended once more.
Then, a voice called out.
'Your duty is finished――'
A silhouette bathed in sunlight called out in a voice like a woman's. I felt as though my name had been called, but I could not make it out.
And then, I said something.
'Next time――'
Then, the silhouette reached out a hand. As I extended my own arm to take it, I saw that it was terribly filthy. It was tattered, and my arm, emerging from the sea's surface, was encrusted with moss, a type of shellfish, and coral.
My heart began to race. Looking at the surface of the sea, the reflection of a monster appeared.
And the other person smiled.
'Good work――'
When my name was called again, my arm crumbled, my body collapsed, and I sank back into the sea. Shattering into pieces, I sank once more to the bottom of the ocean in a hideous form――.
――When I woke up, it was still dark outside.
Outside the window, the lights of the city were visible here and there.
The girl, her breathing ragged, moved her head and reached for the pocket watch on the bedside table. Taking the golden pocket watch in her hand, she opened the lid to check the time.
The open lid emitted light, allowing her to confirm the time.
Sitting up, she steadied her ragged breathing and brushed away the hair clinging to her face from night sweats with her hand.
"Haa, haa... four o'clock. It's too late to go back to sleep now."
Placing her left hand on her forehead, the girl, Vera Tres, looked around the room. It was not her familiar private room on the ship, but her own room in the manor.
The room was cleaned, but it lacked any sense of being lived in.
As she stood up, she pinched her nightgown. She was drenched in sweat.
"It's been happening often lately. Before, I'd see it maybe once a year."
Vera had seen the nightmare she'd been plagued by many times before. Each time, she had woken up in a panic.
(I wonder when I first saw it.)
Shaking her head, she took off her nightgown, leaving her in her underwear, and headed to the bathroom in the room to take a shower.
Her black hair was long in the parts she wore in two-side-ups, reaching down to her waist. Other than that, it was about shoulder length. Her well-proportioned body possessed beautiful curves.
Even with such a body, she had various complaints. But her greatest complaint was her modest chest, unlike her younger sister's.
(Sigh, if it were just a bit larger, maybe he would have looked my way...)
Looking in the mirror in the bathroom, purple eyes stared back at her. She touched her white skin with her finger.
Despite spending most of the year at sea, her skin never tanned. She had been told many times that she was different from other people.
However, she was not treated as a monster.
Rather, sailors even called her the Goddess of Fortune. After all, no matter how many dangerous situations they encountered, the ship mysteriously never sank as long as she was aboard.
In sea areas inhabited by dangerous monsters, they were not attacked if she was present. She herself thought it was a coincidence, but those around her did not.
Now, entrusted with an important ship by her father and working for the sake of the family――Vera Tres was the daughter of one of the most prominent merchant houses in Beim.
"...I have to go shopping today. We set sail next week... and it seems there's an important cargo this time, so I'll definitely be told to board."
Muttering this, she took off her underwear and took a shower――.
"Vera Tres?"
Visiting Launo-san's office with Miranda, I muttered that name upon seeing it in the report I had received.
I had become famous as a Holy Knight and such, but in exchange, I had lost a significant amount of my available funds.
Still, it seemed to have been worth it, as my treatment at the guild had changed. However, having no money is difficult. It greatly restricts my future actions.
Of course, I wouldn't struggle to make a living, but since I needed money on the scale of a national budget, I absolutely had to seek support.
I had requested an investigation for that purpose from the information broker, Launo-san.
Miranda was silently scanning through other documents.
Launo-san explained things to me with a sleepy expression, scratching his head.
"To fulfill your request, the Tres family is probably the best bet. It's not that they have adventurers they're supporting, but they're merchants of Beim――well, one of the merchants who runs this city. They mainly make profits through trade."
They were great merchants owning several large transport ships, and it seemed they were a famous family in Beim.
What was strange was that despite being merchants of Beim, they didn't have exclusive contracts with adventurers.
With a scale like that, it wouldn't be odd if they supported several promising parties. Yet, the Tres family did not do that.
Launo-san explained.
"They operate on a wide scale, but that's not the only issue. When you send out ships, they often sink due to storms, accidents, or monsters. But the Tres family has a high success rate. Apparently, there's a considerable difference compared to others. Because of that trust, they have wide connections with other merchant houses. That's why they're one of the top merchants in Beim. To the point where no fool would try to mess with them."
I looked at the documents.
I had been looking for a merchant house that would support me, and while the Tres family was the top candidate, the report stated they were also the least likely to agree.
"Do you think they have no intention of supporting me?"
Launo-san laughed, resting his arm on the back of the sofa.
"To put it bluntly, with a reputation like yours, I don't know if they'd even entertain you if you pitched yourself. After all, people like Zain or Rolfis are small fry as business partners from the perspective of the Treses. Even if you used exclusive sales rights for both nations as a gift, I don't know if they'd move."
From the Orb, the Fourth Head sounded troubled.
'It would be a problem if we did that. Monopolies have merits, but the drawbacks are also great... Even so, I underestimated Beim. Merchants really are unpredictable.'
The Seventh Head considered other reports.
'As expected, the Tres family is the best. Others would be relatively easy since they want Lariel's fame, but here, there's not much merit in securing Lariel. No, there's a possibility of clashing with other merchants.'
Both Zain and Rolfis were dealing with merchant houses different from the Tres family.
Pushing aside those merchant houses, and further, the conflict with local merchants based in Zain or Rolfis... the Tres family likely wouldn't be interested.
Moreover, currently, they were conducting large transactions with other countries. They were a merchant house that didn't need my fame or connections.
"...As for the others, the support amounts and conditions are all similar. One thousand gold coins a year. Request fees are separate."
Launo-san laughed.
"If you contract with a famous party, there are many merchant houses that would pay double. The adventurers they usually use are probably secured for much cheaper amounts. This is strictly on the condition that they want to keep you guys exclusively. And this is just a prediction. If things go poorly, the conditions could be even worse."
With my reputation, it seemed this was the limit.
(Just as Tanya-san said, they might be valuing individual martial prowess over ability as a mercenary.)
If they're going to use someone as a bodyguard, they'd prefer someone strong even if they're dim-witted.
A warrior over a strategist.
That's why Tanya-san said that merchants would reach out after the dragon slaying.
Having finished reading the documents, Miranda turned her gaze toward me.
"So, if there's a possibility, it's with that girl, Vera? Lariel, think you can bring her down?"
To Miranda's casual question, I shook my head, holding both palms out toward her.
"I don't know what you're talking about. Bring her down? You mean defeat her? Even I have quite a bit of resistance to punching or slashing girls."
Launo-san looked at Miranda.
"The point is that if there's a possibility, it's with that daughter. Though it's infinitely low. After all, no romantic rumors have been heard. Besides, I hear she spends more time living on ships than on land now. I heard from sailors that the Goddess of Fortune isn't a target for romance."
Hearing 'Goddess of Fortune', I tilted my head.
"Goddess of Fortune?"
Launo-san said, "It's just a rumor," noting that it was uncertain information, before continuing.
"No matter how difficult the voyage, if Vera is there, it succeeds――not only the sailors believe that. The people of the Tres family do too. That's why she's the Goddess of Fortune."
I pondered, resting my hand on my chin while looking at the documents.
(If I can get support, this place seems the best... with other merchant houses, dealings with other adventurers or mercenary groups would arise. It's not bad, but I hate the idea of my movements being restricted.)
As I fell into thought, Miranda chuckled, looking at my face.
"Come to think of it, we're using the sea route to the north, right? How about boarding the Tres family's state-of-the-art ship? We could shorten the travel time there and back."
Launo-san added.
"Now that you mention it, one just arrived at the port. It's a large ship that can reach high speeds. It was said to be Vera's exclusive ship, so that might be the one."
It meant that the talked-about Vera-san was aboard the Tres family's state-of-the-art ship, which they wouldn't want to sink.
"Well, regardless of whether you can bring her down, there might at least be an opportunity to talk about receiving support."
Then, the Fourth Head made an interested sound.
'Come to think of it, I've never tested if my skill is effective on ships. I've only tried it on boats.'
The Third Head said.
'Ah, that's a good idea. If you can increase the ship's speed, Lariel can provide something in return to the Tres family.'
The one who opposed the two opinions was the Fifth Head.
'You might get tied down, and it seems like it could lead to trouble, so stop it. Though just testing it seems fine. Still, a goddess in the Treses... I wonder if it's a coincidence, or if...'
The Fifth Head's words bothered me, but I gathered the documents and handed them to Miranda. Miranda traced Vera's name written in the documents with her finger.
"Interesting. Novem rejected Princess Anneliese before, but I wonder how it'll go this time."
Hearing that, Launo-san covered his mouth.
"Was that rumor true? And even Damian of Alamsars is living in your manor... what are you going to do next?"
I stood up and spoke to Launo-san.
"I'll pay the reward to Inis. Also, I won't do anything that big this time. I'm just completing a request."
I said it with a smile, but Launo-san didn't seem to believe me.
"I think dragon slaying is a big deal. Even knights have some who run away... well, if nothing happens, then that's fine. Also, pay the reward to me. If it's Inis, it'll disappear into rent and living expenses, and only a pittance will reach me."
Miranda laughed upon hearing that.
"No way. I want to stay on good terms with Inis. Besides, you should pay your rent and living expenses."
Launo-san gave a half-hearted reply, "What a pain. Besides, I'll manage even if I'm delinquent," and lay down on the sofa.
Internally, I thought.
(He's usually insincere, but his work is thorough.)
I was slightly curious about the person known as Launo-san.
――Novem had made his way to the Tres family's trading house.
Carrying the letter of introduction written by the guild, he had visited with Clara to ask if they could be allowed to board the ship.
Once led to a room in the back of the trading house, the person in charge appeared and greeted the two. He was a man in his thirties, dressed in a suit with a soft manner.
They sat on sofas, facing each other across a low table. Clara sipped her drink, appearing not to intend to participate in the conversation.
Novem conveyed his business to the man.
"I have heard that a ship heading north will be departing. That its travel speed is different from others. Would you be willing to take us aboard?"
Then, the person in charge spoke to Novem.
"I have confirmed the guild's letter of introduction. I never imagined I would be asked by the party of the rumored Holy Knight-dono. However, it is not a passenger ship. While the facilities are reasonably well-equipped, it wouldn't be a matter of simply taking you along for transport, would it? I believe it would be safer to board a ship provided by the guild."
The region where the land dragon subjugation request had been issued took too long by land. Crossing mountains was also necessary, making the land route completely unviable.
And with the ships provided by the guild, it would take too much time. Moreover, there was the risk of sinking.
(...Honestly, it would be possible for us to move on our own.)
Novem smiled.
"We are not seeking services. Our goal is the reduction of travel time. We are also willing to pay."
Then, the man pretended to think――.
"Unfortunately, I believe it would be difficult even if we received money. It is our state-of-the-art large ship. There are also top-secret technologies involved. If you absolutely must, why not board a different ship? Since it's our ship, and given the guild's introduction, the fee can be free."
From the smiling man, Novem felt a very strong will of rejection. Then, a knocking sound echoed in the room.
The man looked troubled, apologized, and stood up to head toward the door.
"What is it? While I am attending to a guest――"
The man's voice outside was faintly audible.
"――No, that matter is not my responsibility――"
It seemed there was an argument happening outside the room.
Clara finished her tea and looked at the door.
"It seems difficult. Do they really not want to let anyone near the Goddess of Fortune? Well, there are the rumors about Lariel-san too."
Hearing rumors about Lariel, it would be unthinkable for a parent with a precious daughter to let them on the same ship. That was why Novem and Clara had come to negotiate.
Novem thought it had ended in failure, but.
"...No, something is strange."
A panicked voice could be heard from beyond the door.
"――At this time? B-but, right now, there are no adventurers anywhere who will accept an escort――I understand. I will try asking. Please convey that to the Master as well."
Then, the door opened and the man entered. He seemed a bit more flustered than before, but his smile had not collapsed.
And then, the man spoke.
"Please excuse me for earlier. Also, the circumstances here have changed. If you will accept our request, we shall grant the previous matter. Of course, we will pay a corresponding amount as a reward."
Seeing the man's change in attitude, Novem smiled.
"Could you tell me the details?"
That is what he said――.