Chapter 427: Confirmation Matters
“…Everything is going smoothly.”
I averted my gaze and took a sip of water. The Nabeyaki Udon is hot!
“Wow, such polite language.”
Dinoss turned away with a look of distaste.
“I hear that various new products are being released in Naruadeid?”
“Ugh.”
The butler’s smile pierced my chest!
“Basically, they’re selling seedlings and leaving the distribution and market expansion to other trading companies.”
Like potatoes and high-yield wheat.
“The country is competing for something called Spirit Lamps.”
“Guh!”
So that’s what it is!
“What I’ve been hearing is that both the heads of the Merchant Guild and the Shipping Guild in Naruadeid, as well as the young trading company president—who is also the lord—are involved. We can infer from the products we handle, but they’re doing a good job of looking the other way.”
Sorry, that lord is me.
It’s just a case of being mistaken for Soleil. If the butler is mentioning my name, maybe I should do something about it.
“…If you’re having trouble dealing with the twins, just call for me.”
The butler smiled as he said this.
What happens if I call?
“Well, they’re working hard.”
Not in the business sense, though.
“Don’t take too many risks, okay?”
“I’ve declared that if it comes down to it, I’ll abandon everything and run.”
I couldn’t respond with a “yes” to Dinoss.
I feel bad for everyone worrying about me, but I can’t promise I won’t take risks. Besides, what I want to spread is something that attracts heroes—it’s a “dangerous thing.”
I think it’ll be fine if it spreads to a certain extent or if Shulm makes it easier to import. My sister prefers to call people to her rather than going out herself.
It seems that Shulm’s nearby merchants are making jewelry and clothing for their trading company in Naruadeid. If I could get the Shipping Guild to create a ridiculously overpriced direct route to Shulm…
As soon as my sister gets her hands on it, I could lower the price and eliminate its rarity. Various unhelpful thoughts swirl in my mind.
Tomatoes come from a territory at the tip of the Talia Peninsula. Potatoes and the cabbages we’re currently growing are from Naruadeid. Since Naruadeid gathers various things, it’s not strange for it to spread from there.
But I should also sell to places a bit farther away. It would be good to bring them to trading posts in the northern lands since we need to expand.
“If you end up unable to abandon them, just take everyone and run. The higher-ups are dangerous, but they won’t bother with the underlings.”
Retze finished his udon and placed his chopsticks down with a clatter.
I even made chopstick rests. The first one is shaped like a Daifuku, and I want to make one shaped like Rishu too, but I can’t find the right color.
“I see. I was worried that you might abandon your allies, but your Teleportation is out of the ordinary.”
“Well, in Karn’s Country, they’re currently recruiting citizens.”
Dinoss added to the butler’s words.
“But don’t let your guard down, okay? If your doppelgänger shows up, you might not be able to borrow the help of the surrounding spirits.”
I had only been thinking about my sister, but I need to consider that too. I was startled by Retze’s words.
I had only been thinking about others, but I need to plan for the spirits’ escape too! Especially Blue Lizard-kun, what should I do about the ones possessing objects?
“Don’t try to save everyone; just escape while you can use Teleportation, alright?”
Huh?
“What is it?”
Retze looked back at me, probably with a strange expression.
“Well, I don’t need the help of the surrounding spirits for Teleportation.”
“Huh?”
The voice that leaked out wasn’t from Retze, but from the butler.
“Huh? Are you thinking that my doppelgänger is devouring the surrounding spirits and can’t assist with Teleportation? That’s what I thought.”
Retze seems to think that even if I do something with the spirits’ help, they won’t be visible. Even if I use Teleportation or Storage, he probably believes the spirits are assisting me.
“Wait a minute. The Hero’s abilities don’t show a presence, but the Gods who granted me protection are helping through their retainers, right?”
“Is that so?”
I don’t sense anything like that.
“Is that so? Come on.”
“So, are the Gods using the Hero’s body itself, which was created by them, as a medium…?”
“Is that so?”
I returned the same words to Dinoss that I had said to the butler.
When I use the abilities I received at first, I don’t feel much presence from the Gods. But in the explanation of Severance, it was said that if that Ball of Light gains power, the effect of Severance will also increase, so maybe I’m just used to the presence and can’t tell anymore?
“It’s your own body, so shouldn’t you think about it a bit more!?”
Dinoss said, half in tears.
“Well, if I think too deeply about it, I feel like I’ll reach a scary conclusion.”
“And leaving it like that, how is that okay!?”
He opened his hands as if trying to grasp something, bending his fingers upward.
“Certainly, the idea of having my body remade isn’t pleasant. But at least you should understand what situation you’re in and what you can and can’t do.”
Retze, feeling hot from the Nabeyaki Udon, opened his jacket.
“I’ll confirm it.”
If the Gods do something, will it affect me too? Especially that Ball of Light!