I ordered Kai to escort them to the Mansion, then returned to the Mansion ahead of them.
It was time to meet the Merchant.
I had quite a bit to prepare.
First, I had to sort out what could be purchased by default and what items I would sell.
Of course, the items for sale had already been decided.
They were the five Magic Artifact rings I had made this time.
I didn’t know exactly how much I could get for them, but at the very least, I would demand more than the value of a Low-Grade Mana Stone.
As for things to buy, honestly, there didn’t seem to be anything in particular.
What I needed right now was money, and perhaps a gift for the Marquess, but there was no way such fine goods would be brought to this remote Outskirts Garrison.
Still, I couldn’t help but have a bit of hope.
Knock, knock.
“A guest has arrived.”
At Kai’s words, I replied that I understood, gathered up the rings, and left my room.
In the Reception Room, I could see a man waiting.
“Greetings, Lord. My name is Adolphe, head of the Adolphe Trading Company.”
“It’s good to see you. No, to be precise, ‘it’s been a long time’ might be more fitting.”
“Pardon? I believe this is my first time meeting you, Lord…”
“Look closely at my face.”
As I said so, Adolphe studied my face intently.
Normally, if a commoner were to stare at a noble like that, it would be treated as a crime, but since I had told him to do so, he looked without hesitation.
After gazing at me for a while, he suddenly flinched in surprise and exclaimed,
“Sol?”
“It’s been a while.”
Seeing that he recognized me, I invited him to take a seat. As soon as we sat, he spoke again.
“It hasn’t even been a few years, has it? Sol—no, I suppose I should call you Lord now.”
“That’s right. It feels both like just yesterday and yet a long time ago.”
“I never imagined the famous Battlefield Butcher was the same Lord I’d once met. I assumed it was someone else with the same name, since you were a 2nd Circle mage back then, but the Battlefield Butcher was renowned as a 4th Circle mage.”
“Is that so?”
“No matter how talented and exceptional a mage you are, advancing through the circles usually takes several months, sometimes years. Yet you rose two circles in just four or five months.”
Adolphe praised my abilities and talent effusively. He regretted not having managed to recruit me back then.
We chatted lightly, catching up and reminiscing about what had happened since we last met.
As the conversation moved along, it was time to get down to business.
“To be honest, our Trading Company hardly ever comes out to this place—maybe once or twice a year, if that. There’s no particular specialty, and nothing much to gain, so we only really come to sell our goods.”
“I’m sorry about that. There isn’t much to buy, you see.”
“Not at all. In fact, I’m surprised at your capability, Lord. Didn’t you bring in a Blacksmith and have them exchange the villagers’ farming tools for better ones at low prices, increasing productivity? That’s far more than simply selling tools—it’ll have a lasting effect.”
As expected of a Merchant, his calculations were quick. I’d been thinking the same myself.
“I think I’ll have to start coming here more often. If it’s you, Lord, I sense things will be different from now on.”
His eyes sparkled faintly.
He was the same person who had once offered me an Inn and bought me drinks to try and recruit me.
Back then, I’d been nothing more than a mere Mercenary, but now I was a Lord, so he’d be all the more interested.
“How about setting up a branch here? I’d be glad to have at least one Trading Company in town.”
Having a Trading Company come in was beneficial in many ways.
Not only could I purchase goods from afar, but selling local products would also become much easier.
On top of that, once the Trading Company established itself, Mercenaries would naturally start coming here, and eventually, if a Mercenary Guild formed, even the Inn business would benefit.
“If you’ll grant permission, I’ll bring my people and establish a branch right away.”
“You’re more than welcome.”
Thus, the pleasant atmosphere continued.
Though the location for the branch hadn’t been decided yet, I promised to give him a prime spot once the castle walls and fortress were built and the Village was newly arranged.
Upon hearing this, Adolphe gave instructions to his attendant, who brought in several items.
Among them was wine.
Two bottles were wines I recognized—good taste at a fair price—while the last was something I’d never seen before.
“This is wine from the western region. It’s quite strong, but the taste and aroma are excellent. I’m giving it as a token of appreciation.”
“I won’t refuse. Thank you—I’ll enjoy it.”
Receiving such a gift brought a smile to my face.
Although I still had matters to attend to, it seemed Adolphe thought our meeting was over and began to rise from his seat.
“Wait, there’s something I’d like to show you.”
“…Pardon?”
“Come with me for a moment.”
I led Adolphe outside the Mansion, and we walked together toward the sandy beach before us.
Adolphe looked puzzled, but curiosity seemed to win over, and he followed close behind.
We stood together in the middle of the sand.
I asked him,
“How much do rings inscribed with Fireball usually go for?”
“If it’s a Fireball ring, you can fetch at least 10 gold. Given the current state of the Londinium Empire, you might even get up to 15 gold.”
“So, even though it’s a single-use item, it fetches quite a price.”
“Yes. Given the times, you could get a bit more.”
It was a profitable deal. So I asked another question.
“And if that Fireball could be used twice?”
“In that case, the price would more than double. Right now, there are some Fireball rings on the continent that can be used twice—they go for about 40 gold.”
I smiled faintly.
“And if it could be used three times?”
Adolphe looked quite surprised by the question, but answered it sincerely nonetheless.
“I’d say at least 100 gold.”
Suppressing a growing smile, I handed him a ring.
“Try it out. This one can be used three times.”
His expression changed to one of shock as he carefully took the ring and slipped it onto his hand.
Facing forward, he raised his hand and called out,
“Fireball! Fireball! Fireball!”
In an instant, three fireballs burst forth and flew out into the distant sea.
Bang, bang, bang!
Since they exploded underwater, the flames weren’t too large, but it was more than enough to prove they were true Fireballs.
“Huh…!”
He stared at his trembling hand, then very carefully removed the ring and handed it back to me.
“Well? What do you think?”
As I infused the ring with mana, I asked him again.
“It definitely works three times. This is an incredible item.”
“I wasn’t asking about the item itself. My question is, can you sell it for the proper price?”
Hearing this, Adolphe’s face turned almost ashen.
But only for a moment—his face then became resolute, and he replied with confidence.
“I can make it happen.”
I handed him the ring.
“Try selling this one first. If you can get the proper price, I’ll give you the rest to sell as well.”
“W-was that only one…?”
He quickly realized what I meant by ‘the rest,’ and looked as if he might faint.
“That’s not something I’ll reveal. Maybe if our relationship becomes even closer in the future.”
At my words, Adolphe nodded repeatedly.
If he wanted our relationship to grow closer, he’d have to work hard. Very hard.
On the walk back from the sandy beach to the Mansion, Adolphe was silent. He was probably thinking hard about where and how best to sell the ring.
I figured he’d manage just fine.
When we reached the front of the Mansion, he took a money pouch containing 100 gold from his pocket and handed it to me.
“I’ll give you this as an advance. I’ll bring the rest of the payment next time.”
“I’m counting on you.”
I nodded.
Ah.
It occurred to me then that I’d forgotten to discuss the most important thing: the brokerage fee.
But true to his quick-witted nature as a Merchant, he spoke up right away.
“For this transaction, I’ll take no commission. Instead, why not decide the rate for future transactions once this one is complete and I return?”
“That’s fine with me.”
He was an excellent Merchant. It was as good as asking me to judge his value by his abilities. Honestly, that made me feel more secure as well.
With that, my meeting with Adolphe ended.
I looked forward to our future dealings.
***
I began thinking about the gift for the Marquess.
“What in the world could possibly be worth five hundred gold?”
I had no choice but to worry.
The Marquess surely had several times more than anything I owned. Giving a gift to someone like that was naturally a burden.
And I couldn’t think of anything suitable.
“A gift for someone who already has everything…”
Sometimes, when I’m really stuck like this, I remember smartphones. I used to just look things up easily at times like this, but now, with nothing of the sort, it was only natural that my head hurt.
Still, if I’m briefly reminded of a smartphone, I suppose I really have adjusted to this world.
I sat in front of the fireplace in the Reception Room, lost in thought.
Behind me, Lamia and Remia bustled about their chores. Each time they came back inside from the Mansion’s grounds, I’d hear the same thing.
“It really has gotten cold now.”
“I just want to finish up and soak in warm water.”
The two of them rubbed their hands together and went back and forth.
“It sure has. No kidding.”
It was true—the weather was getting colder.
Everyone’s clothes were getting thicker, and I was wearing an extra layer myself.
A winter-appropriate item, huh…
The Marquess truly had everything. He probably even had plenty of mages on staff.
“Should I just make him a heater?”
Even a single heater makes a huge difference in winter.
That thought became the foundation for my plan.
‘If I keep Fire Magic going with one Magic Stone and Wind Magic with another, wouldn’t warm air blow constantly?’
A very simple method.
It was something I sometimes used on the battlefield as well. After casting Fireball or similar spells, you could use wind-type magic to send waves of hot air toward the enemy.
“Should I give it a try?”
Even if it turns out poorly, it’s fine. I can just use it myself.
I called Smith.
“I’d like you to make a Gem Box that can hold two gems, like a case.”
“Understood, Lord. I’ll make one right away.”
“Make it with a bit of care, since it’s a gift. It’ll be going to a noble.”
“In that case, I’ll have it ready by tomorrow morning.”
“I’m counting on you.”
I gave Smith my request and went to my room.
***
The next morning, Smith, his eyes bloodshot, came to me and held out the Gem Box.
The square Gem Box was made of wood.
What impressed me was that the wooden box wasn’t plain, but decorated with patterns that made the contents look even more beautiful.
I took it and got to work right away.
Since it was for the Marquess, I couldn’t use a mere Low-Grade Magic Stone.
At the very least, it had to be mid-grade.
I split the Gem Box in half, drawing a Magic Circle for Fire Magic on the left and a Magic Circle for Wind Magic on the right.
Then I placed the Magic Stones and infused them with a Skill.
Fwoosh!
A light glowed, signaling the Magic Circles were functioning properly.
I looked at the finished product, feeling satisfied.
A gentle warm breeze blew from the Gem Box.
Not too hot, but not too weak—a pleasant warmth.
What made it special was that, as long as you had mana, it could run continuously.
After a short while, my room was warm and cozy.
“This should make a fine gift.”
With that, my decision was made.
All that was left was to head to the Marquess’s estate.
The date for the visit came sooner than expected.