kscans

Chapter 51 - A Business Negotiation of Schemes

"It is an honor to meet you for the first time, Your Great Majesty, the Queen."

The merchants who arrived looked like perfectly upstanding individuals. Which, of course, made them all the more suspicious.

"Welcome. We are pleased to receive you as our first visitors."

Adolnel and the chief of the Dark Elves responded on my behalf. Apparently, when there's a large gap in status, the important person doesn't speak directly but has their retainers act as intermediaries. The etiquette of human society is so tedious.

"We thank you kindly for your warm welcome."

We're not welcoming you at all. Look, the Dark Elf chief might have a composed expression, but he's not even trying to hide his displeasure. It's impressive, really, how these merchants can remain so composed. If they really are just merchants, that is.

Just as Adolnel said, are they really part of some organization?

"First, please accept this. It is a tribute from us, carefully selected for Her Majesty the Queen."

They opened their luggage and spread out a number of treasures.

"This is...!?"

"Incredible!"

Adolnel and the others gasped in surprise at the sight of the treasures. Apparently, they were quite amazing. The merchants looked smugly at the astonished group, as if to say, Yeah, we're awesome. Then they turned their gaze to me, their eyes asking, How about it? Impressive, right?

"Hmm."

But it just didn't register with me. Well, they look valuable, but honestly, I have no idea what they're worth. I'd lived as a monster for a long time, and I came from a different world to begin with, so I had no frame of reference for the value of amazing treasures from another world.

Also, I was quite poor in my past life, so I couldn't tell a good pot or painting from a bad one. The only thing I could recognize as valuable were jewels, but... jewels were a sore spot. Back then, all the luxury items I ever saw were fakes. The paintings my father bought, claiming he'd sell them for a high price, the vases, the gems—they were all, shockingly, fakes. I can't even begin to describe how much I struggled to pay back the loans he took out to buy them.

But that's beside the point. Remembering my hand-to-mouth existence in my past life just makes me sad. In any case, because I was poor back then, the words 'art' and 'treasure' meant nothing to me. So honestly, instead of being impressed, my first thought was, Is that thing even real? Once bitten, twice shy, and all that.

"...Th-They are... wonderful treasures, are they... not?"

Perhaps my sad experience worked to my advantage, because the merchants were perplexed by my lukewarm reaction.

"Y-Yes, that's right, our tribute isn't just treasure! You lot, bring them in!"

At the merchant's call, some particularly burly employees brought in a group of people bound in chains.

"These slaves are a tribute for Her Majesty the Queen, as she is a vampire. Please feel free to drink their blood, toy with them, or use them as you please."

Oh, wow, they went there. I get that I'm a vampire, so offering humans as food isn't entirely out of left field, but still, they're fellow humans, aren't they?! I'm sure for villains, other people, especially slaves, are completely disposable, but as a former human, seeing it in person is a real turn-off. See? Even Adolnel is radiating an aura of utter contempt.

"We have a fine selection, from young children to beautiful women."

It's not about having a varied menu. I'm just straight-up repulsed. Sigh, these merchants are completely missing the mark. Or maybe a typical evil ruler or vampire would be pleased with this? But my sensibilities are completely different. What should I do about this?

"...We are grateful for your valuable tribute. Now then, what is your request?"

As I was wondering what to do, Adolnel responded with a mechanical tone.

"We request permission to begin conducting business in this country."

Their request was surprisingly modest.

"This nation is predominantly comprised of races hostile to humans—no, races that hate humans. Are you aware of this when you make such a statement?"

"That is precisely why there is a business opportunity. No other merchant would dare attempt such a thing. If we have Her Majesty's permission, we would like to open a shop immediately."

Ah, I see. They think that if I grant them permission, it will act as a deterrent to some extent. The undead won't attack unless I order them to, and if I say I've given my permission, the other monsters won't dare attack them rashly, as it would tarnish my name. So they brought a mountain of tribute for their own safety. I get it.

"In that case..."

"That would be..."

Adolnel and the merchants began to hash out the details of their mutual circumstances and demands. From what I could hear, it didn't seem like they were trying to deceive us. It seemed they simply wanted to get a head start by opening a shop as quickly as possible.

"But they're being way too composed."

That was it. Even if they had guards, their opponent was a monster that had destroyed a nation. A few guards wouldn't make a difference. Even if they judged that they could negotiate with an intelligent opponent, we were the ones who had turned the former residents into undead. You'd think they would be wary of suffering the same fate.

And yet, these merchants showed none of the fear that a normal human would feel. Even when Adolnel pressed them on their demands, they'd put on a show of being cornered, saying things like, "W-Well, that is..." or "You drive a hard bargain," as if they were trying to gain a favorable negotiation by exploiting a weakness and failing. But something was off. How should I put it? I sensed an air of confidence about them. They didn't have the desperate air of merchants who had come into the heart of a territory ruled by a vampire and human-hating races, risking their lives to make a business succeed.

"...They're looking down on me."

I'm pretty sure their real goal isn't to do business within the country. I just have a feeling.

"Your Majesty, what is your decision?"

"Hmm?"

After they finished their discussion, Adolnel turned to me for the final decision. I was a bit surprised to be called 'Your Majesty' for a moment, but of course. She couldn't very well call me 'my lady' in front of humans from outside.

"Hmm, I guess it's fine?"

"Oh! Thank you very much!"

The merchants rejoiced at my noncommittal reply. But in the next moment, they froze.

"If I don't like it, I can just crush you. Your shop and everything in it, just... pop."

"Eh?"

They looked at me as if asking whether I meant I would demolish the shop and prohibit their business, so I corrected their misunderstanding.

"I mean I'll smash everything into a pulp and flatten the land. It's a pain to investigate every time something seems suspicious, right? If I just make it so it was never there to begin with, I can save myself the trouble. Don't you think so?"

"...Ha, haha. Yes, of course."

My words finally made the merchants realize they were in a vampire's den, and the atmosphere changed. Though their faces still held pleasant smiles, I could feel fear creeping into their aura. Of course they'd be afraid. They probably thought they could just hide their shady dealings well enough, but then I tell them the moment I suspect anything, I'll kill them without question, evidence be damned. It's only natural they'd be shocked. But that's what it means to deal with an evil vampire, I think.

Yep, the professor at the castle was right. A vampire can't afford to be looked down on. You have to intimidate them with overwhelming bloodlust.

"I hope your business goes well."

I offered the merchants a bright smile and a word of encouragement.

"W-We will do our utmost..."

And so, my first interaction with outside visitors came to a safe conclusion.