kscans

Chapter 47 - Negotiation?

The day I went drinking with Kaede-chan, we parted ways before nine and I went home. The next day, I woke up before noon, ate an onigiri for breakfast, and started getting ready to go out.

Today was for negotiating the sale of Healing Potions at the Guild headquarters, so naturally, I was going as Eleanor-san. I took off my clothes, drank a TS Potion, put on my black robe, and inserted my colored contacts. Then, after confirming I had one hundred Level 2 Healing Potions in my bag, I left the house.

As usual, I canceled my invisibility at a suitable spot, hailed a taxi, and headed for the Guild headquarters.

After a short ride, the taxi stopped in front of a certain building. Next to the entrance was a stone sign that read "Guild Headquarters," so this had to be the place.

I paid the driver, got out of the taxi, and entered the building. Inside, unlike the other branches, there was only a single reception desk. Actually, it looked just like a regular company office.

Not quite sure what to do, I approached the lone receptionist to ask for directions.

"Hello. I was told to meet with the headquarters director."

"Welcome. I’m sorry, but may I have your name, please?"

It felt strange saying it myself, but I figured even this receptionist must know of the famous Eleanor-san. This must just be for confirmation.

"Eleanor Ocean."

"Yes. Please wait a moment."

The receptionist began typing on her computer, katakata, to verify my appointment.

"You, over here."

As I watched the receptionist at her computer, a voice came from my left. I turned towards the sound and saw a man in his forties with glasses looking at me.

"And who might you be?"

I’d never seen this person before, so I asked.

"You must be Eleanor Ocean, here to sell Healing Potions. I’ve been assigned to handle this."

Is that so?

"Is this person the headquarters director?" I asked the receptionist.

"N, no."

Apparently not.

"I was told I was supposed to meet with the headquarters director, though?"

"That doesn’t matter. I’m here under instructions from someone higher up. I’m not free either, so I’d appreciate it if you’d hurry."

Like I care. Also, I’m the customer here. Why are you acting so high and mighty?

"Well, it doesn’t matter to me."

As long as I can sell my potions, I don’t care who it is. I couldn’t care less about the Guild’s internal squabbles.

"This way."

The man said only that and entered a nearby room.

"Seems that’s the deal, so I’m going in. Cancel the director. Oh, and it’s not my fault."

I told the receptionist, who seemed to have no idea what was going on, and left her to head for the room. I walked straight in to find the man with the glasses from before and an elderly man sitting side by side on a sofa.

Seriously, who are you? This guy can’t be the director… no way.

"Have a seat."

The man from before told me, so I sat on the sofa opposite them.

"Let’s get straight to it. Hand over the Healing Potions."

The moment I sat down, the old man held out his hand.

"How direct of you."

Not even a greeting, huh. And more importantly, who are you people?

"Just give them here."

"Why?"

"They might be fakes."

How rude.

"Do you two have Appraisal?"

"We don’t need it. We’ll know by drinking one."

Huh? Drinking one?

"How much are you offering?"

"How much? That comes later."

Are you an idiot?

"I can’t hand them over without negotiating a price first. And who are you, anyway? Are you from the headquarters?"

"Y, you, that’s no way to speak to Shindo-sensei!" the man with the glasses shouted in a panic.

"Seriously, who? How am I supposed to know anyone from the Guild?"

Is he stupid?

"I am Shindo, of the House of Representatives."

Ah, it was me who was the idiot. He said "sensei," so he must be a politician. Still, I’ve never heard of him.

"I see… I apologize. I was ignorant. But why is Shindo-sensei here? I came to sell Healing Potions to the Guild headquarters."

"You won’t be selling to the Guild. You’ll sell to a company I’m associated with."

Ehhh… I’m getting a really bad feeling about this. This whole thing is definitely shady.

"As long as they sell, I don’t mind where. How much are you offering?"

"One million."

The man with glasses stated the amount with brimming confidence.

"Is that for Level 1 Healing Potions?"

Surely not.

"You came to sell Level 2 Healing Potions, did you not? That’s what I’m talking about, of course."

Are you serious?

"I was told the market price for a Level 2 Healing Potion is three million yen. Your price is considerably lower."

"What do you expect when we’re buying from a suspicious witch like you? You have no credibility, so it’s only natural."

What a rude old man, hey!

"I’m sorry, but I cannot sell them for one million yen. It would be problematic to go that far below the market rate."

I might accept a little less, but one million is out of the question. I’d rather sell the Level 1 versions to Satsuki-san for five hundred thousand.

"You have an endless supply anyway, don’t you? Just hurry up and hand them over."

This guy is really getting on my nerves.

"Nonaka-kun, calm yourself."

Shindo-sensei reined in the bespectacled man, whose name was apparently Nonaka.

"But…"

"It’s fine, it’s fine. Eleanor-kun, you are not a citizen of this country, correct? You are an illegal resident. However, because I have pulled strings with the police and the Guild, you haven’t run into any problems. In other words, I can do whatever I please with you with a single snap of my fingers."

Oh really.

"Is that so. Thank you for that. But I still cannot sell them."

"Why not? You can create potions, can’t you? Or you can procure them from people in Frontier. You’d still make a substantial profit even at one million."

"I have no idea what you’re talking about. They were just dropped by a Slime."

Making potions with Alchemy is impossible. What is he on about?

"Is that so. Let me be clear, you will not be able to sell Level 2 Healing Potions to the Guild. I will stop you."

Is this guy a big shot among the politicians? Still, I don’t know him.

"I see. Then it can’t be helped. I didn’t have much stock to begin with, so I will give up."

Forget the Level 2 Healing Potions. I’ll just make my money with the Level 1 potions and Item Bags.

"No stock? How many do you have?"

"About five, I suppose."

That’s a lie! I only brought a hundred with me today, but I actually have five hundred! Making them is fun, you know.

"Prepare about fifty. In that case, I will buy them for one and a half million."

Idiot!

"No, that number is utterly impossible. It seems this conversation is going nowhere, so I will be taking my leave."

I thought this was a waste of time and stood up.

"Are you sure about that? We will have to detain you…"

What a pathetic threat.

"Detain? Me? You will? Heh…"

I looked at Shindo-sensei with a laugh.

"I am serious."

"Fufu. Go on and try. I’ll slaughter all of you."

I’m a witch, you know. I’ll eat you up.

"Do you intend to make an enemy of our country?"

"Thanks to you, yes. Let’s see… shall I use my magic to close this country’s Gates for you?"

Of course, I can’t do anything of the sort. Eleanor-san can’t even use the Fire Magic that Nanapon can.

"……………You are from Frontier."

"No. I am not. I am simply a witch."

"……………"

"Kusukusu. It makes no difference to me. Now then, good day."

I quickly left the room. Then, I went back to the receptionist from before.

"Ah…"

The receptionist noticed me approaching and let out a small voice.

"Hello there. The man from earlier told me not to sell, so I’ve decided not to sell the Level 2 Healing Potions. Could you please relay that to the headquarters director?"

Can’t be helped. I’m not going to sell them just to be lowballed. And besides, they pissed me off.

"Eh? Eh?"

"A response?"

"Ah, yes. I understand."

"Excellent. Well then, farewell."

I swiftly exited the building and looked for a taxi. As if on cue, a taxi pulled up in front of the building.

Without hesitation, I got in.

"Taxis these days are so convenient. They come even when you don’t call. And to even provide a girl next to you, what service."

Though she’s a bit old to be called a girl.

"We provide good service, yeah? So? Where to?"

"You did properly memorize the local geography, didn’t you? Harry."

"Of course I did."

In that taxi were two A-rank adventurers from some other country.