Chapter 270: Types of Contracts
First, I needed to fill my stomach, so I started preparing for the campfire.
I took out the dumpling wrappers I had made from my bag. I wet a few sheets to stick them together, then grated some garlic and spread it on thick. Next, I sliced some bacon from the block and grabbed the cheese—
“Karn, give me the melting type of cheese.”
“Which one?”
“The one that’s exposed and slightly yellowish.”
Karn pulled out various cheeses from the bag, and the butler chimed in.
Even though he said “exposed,” it was still wrapped in cloth. Some were originally wrapped in chestnut leaves, while others had nettles stuck to their surfaces.
I arranged the cheese on top of the bacon and ground some pepper over it. After rolling it up from the edge, I placed it in the hot sandwich maker.
I tossed some dried vegetables into the soup and grilled the huge sausage that Dean handed me. How much does he love meat?
“Ah, damn it. This is going to make me want some alcohol.”
Dinoss said as he picked up a second dumpling wrapper.
The dumpling wrappers were crispy, the cheese melted and stringy, and the saltiness of the bacon blended perfectly. If I made it with spring roll wrappers, it would be even crispier.
The bacon and salted meat here were quite salty, probably for preservation, making it tricky to balance the flavors. The ones I made were also on the salty side for portability.
“Dean’s meat and sausage are really tasty. Where did you get them?”
“I bought them in the Fortress City, sourced from a farm.”
Crispy and juicy. The char on the sausage was pure justice.
For a while, we enjoyed a blissful dinner.
And then, it was time for a lecture.
“Alright, now that our stomachs are settled, let’s continue.”
Across the campfire sat Dinoss and the butler.
Ash gently held my hand. On my other side, Retze was either trying to prevent my escape or planning to squeeze me again, keeping close.
“Um, what should I talk about?”
“About the Black Spirit—and no, let’s not limit it to that. What contracts do you currently have?”
Dinoss asked.
“I have contracts with a Spirit and a Black Spirit. The only Demon Beast I have is a pill bug. Also, there’s the Changeling I was introduced to by the butler for business purposes—”
“Even if there are issues with their personality, they are easy to bind through contracts. It’s unlikely that what they shouldn’t say will show on their face.”
As all eyes turned to him, the butler explained with a calm expression.
According to him, even if bound by a contract, they can’t speak but might show their emotions on their faces. Like when someone is tortured and wants to talk but can’t… Wait, is that common?
“I made a regular contract with an ordinary person for business to avoid the hassle of face-to-face negotiations. I also have contracts with their servants and people I frequently encounter during meetings.”
It’s a pain, but I’m thorough.
“Is your business about vegetables?”
“Mainly vegetables, but that’s not all. On rainy days, I plan to sell dyed goods as well. I’m looking for workers for fieldwork through an agent. It’s starting to take shape, I think? I’ve left the gathering and management of workers to others.”
“Those mysterious vegetables that sometimes appear in your cooking? They’re delicious.”
Dinoss looked a bit relieved.
“Yeah. Oh, the potatoes are done. This is what I’ll be selling.”
I cut them with a knife, making a cross on top.
“Feel free to add salt, and butter or cheese, or have it with bacon.”
“Sure.”
“This one can grow in slightly colder areas, so I thought it might work where wheat can’t be cultivated. Since it grows underground, the chances of harvesting it are higher even if the surface is ravaged during war.”
I explained while eating.
“Ouch! But it’s good.”
Deliciousness is justice.
“While it’s great that hunger is decreasing, is the Hero doing alright? Also, avoid selling anything possessed by a Spirit, okay?”
Retze asked.
“Ah, thanks. As for the Spirit, I’ve made a light contract first to prevent it from being consumed by the Hero. Before it can forcibly drain my power, I set up a buffer to allow for escape. This is also the will of the Gods, and the Spirits come to me, so I’m actively pursuing it.”
“That’s why there are so many Spirits around you, Lord Jean.”
The butler said as he offered me some tea.
Are there really that many? I always tell Kanum and everyone else to keep their distance when we’re together.
“How many do you currently have contracts with? If it’s two or three per day—”
“Ordinary Spirits, probably around twenty-four million?”
There are times when the retainers of the contracted Spirits automatically stick around, and even without contracts, I often make requests, so I don’t think this number holds much significance.
The Spirits had attached themselves to the notebook I had been writing in without me realizing. No, did they just come into being? Either way, every time a new Spirit is named, it starts writing it down for me. So convenient.
By the way, the recent names are recorded with the date and number. When I settle down at home, I do it that way. When I’m out, I use the location and number. The second time I visit a place, it’s location, date, and number. For the Black Spirit, I add a “K” before the number.
“…”
Just when I thought it had gotten quiet, Dinoss froze after asking, the butler paused while changing the tea leaves, Dean stopped mid-bite of his sausage, and Chris had a serious expression on his face.
Looking to my side, Ash was as usual, while Retze wore a troubled look.
“The Black and White Shahira, Baylis, and I completed contracts all at once while I was half-Spirit. If there are many special Spirits, it might be different, but even with that number, it can be supported by Magic Power. There’s no need to be surprised.”
Karn said with a sly grin.