3 bar menu

47. Carrot and Stick

「It’s me.」

「…Not againnnnnnnnnnn!!!」

Although she appeared neat and prettier than the two of them were used to seeing, there was no mistaking the girl. It was Shizuku, the werewolf who single-handedly defeated Guran and his forces.

「Don’t scream.」

「Weren’t you supposed to have left Kinui!?」

「I just left for a while . I came back because there is something I want you to stock up on.」

「Stock up? Why me!」

「Marge’s order. He said even when your hand was cut off, you didn’t let go of the money. Even when you were cornered, you never pleaded to exchange your money for your life.」

「O-Obviously! Which idiot would willingly give away hard earned money!」

Shizuku entered the room while looking at the yelling Guran, and sat down on a nearby chair.

「That’s exactly it. You’re a vulgar, twisted sleazebag, and you’re also balding.」

「Kuhhh!」

「However, when it comes to protecting the money at hand, you can be trusted more than anyone else. Thus you’re perfect for purchasing things. That’s why Marge chose you.」

Guran gritted his teeth and then snorted.

「So damn rude! Go home! Did you think I would lend a hand to you guys!?」

「Aren’t you forgetting something? All your property belongs to Marge. We did not give up on it, but just left it with you.」

「Uh, well…」

「Marge said that if you cooperate, you can keep it. All you have to do is do some business with that money and send some of the profits to us. However, if you go on any reckless ventures or do anything dangerous, I’ll come for you.」

Seeming to understand the meaning, Guran banged on the desk.

「So you want me to invest again! And that guy gets to earn the profits without doing anything!」

「For now, buy and collect what is written here and bring it to the mayor’s house. From there, it will be handed over to us.」

Guran still had a defiant look in his eyes, but when he learned that even the mayor was in Marge’s hands, his shoulders slumped in disappointment.

「My…my business…」

「Oh, I have one more task to entrust to you.」

Shizuku took out a lump of ore. Guran jumped out of his chair and picked up the black stone with shimmering silver in his hands.

「I-I-I-Is this mithril ore!?」

「Do you know the Rinono Jewelry Store?」

「Yeah, that cocksure woman.」

「Rinono is highly trusted by precious metal merchants. You can do business through her to convert this and other minerals into cash.」

Hearing Shizuku’s words, Guran began making rapid calculations in his head.

「Through Rinono…the premium…market price… Uhohohohohoho!」

「…Gross. Are you going to do it or not?」

「I’ll do it! I mean, I will humbly do it!」

◆◆◆

I was listening to Shizuku’s report after returning from Kinui on the same hill as the meeting the other day.

「It went well, Marge.」

「Well done.」

It’s safe to say that it went almost exactly as I planned. With this, we will be able to stably exchange goods from the dungeon for cash while also purchasing seeds and food from outside the village.

Rinono is a discerning craftsman who runs the shop by herself. It would be difficult to suddenly be asked to sell large amounts of ore and raw stones. In that respect, Guran is more used to doing business with large numbers of people.

We provide the funds and commodities.

Rinono provides discernment and trust.

Guran provides business experience.

Each of us will be able to contribute what we have and maximize profits.

「Won’t Guran be making money too?」

「It’s better to capture and use the enemy than to kill them. To do that, you need not only a stick, but also a carrot.」

「I see, so that’s how you expand your influence…」

「For now, the groundwork has been laid. Now we just have to wait for the results.」

The scenery of the village spreading out below us was changing little by little. First, a waterway was drawn from the Farthest Ends of Blue, and the dead wheat fields were reused as rice paddies. We were also constructing a mountain path to collect the fallen leaves that accumulate in the forest and use it as fertilizer.

The werewolves were diligently using the skills I lent them and were steadily progressing on various tasks.

「This may be the first time I’ve ever seen everyone work so enthusiastically.」

「And I have to live up to those expectations.」

「You can do it, I’m sure.」

While we were doing this, there was no way for us to know that an alchemist was approaching the village.

About two months passed without incident.