Chapter 99: Selling Various Things to Fleur
The next morning, we promptly visited the Rashiyu Trading Company Raven Branch. Nil accompanied us but had to wait at the entrance since she couldn’t enter the shop.
“Good morning, Lord Shu, Lady Rio.”
“Good morning.”
As we returned Fleur’s greeting, her expression gradually shifted to one of curiosity.
“What brings you here today?”
Perhaps it was the serious demeanor we adopted as we approached her that prompted Fleur to inquire about our purpose.
“I have a bit of a consultation for you, Fleur.”
“A consultation…? Well then, let’s have a seat.”
We moved to the same seats she had suggested last time. Once we faced Fleur again, we began to explain our situation.
“Are you aware that the Mimina Trading Company is somewhat desperately scrambling for funds?”
“Yes, I am aware. I’ve heard it’s due to the costs associated with repairing the lumberyard.”
Fleur glanced briefly at Nil, who was waiting at the entrance.
“In that case, this should be straightforward. I have a workshop that has been quite helpful to us, and I was wondering if we could do something about it.”
“Hmm…”
Thus, I proposed that we sell off a large quantity of materials and items we had on hand, and use the profits to request a loan for the workshop.
“I see. So that’s the situation. If that’s the case…”
A smile crept onto Fleur’s lips as she took a moment to gather her thoughts.
“We would be more than happy to assist. With the Mimina Trading Company’s reckless financial maneuvers diminishing their influence, this is a prime opportunity for us to absorb other workshops into our company and grow.”
“Ah, thank you very much.”
I couldn’t help but feel a bit overwhelmed by Fleur’s enthusiastic declaration. She seemed incredibly eager, which was a great relief for us.
“Since there are likely larger items involved, shall we head directly to the warehouse?”
With that, we stood up to make our way to the trading company’s warehouse, and two other staff members followed us from behind. After exiting the shop, we headed toward the warehouse at the back, where Nil also decided to join us. The entrance to the warehouse was spacious, allowing Nil to enter without issue.
“This should be fine.”
Although it was a different location from the warehouse where we had previously delivered lumber, it seemed to be about the same size. I could see monster fangs, claws, and bones scattered about, indicating that this was a dismantling area. It seemed like a good place to bring out the big items. Let’s start with something substantial.
“Alright, I’ll bring out the Earth Dragon.”
“Huh?”
“It’s quite large, so please stand back.”
The B Rank Murder Raptor had been worth over twenty million, and I suspected the Earth Dragon would fetch several hundred million due to its size. I had no idea how much damage the Mimina Trading Company had incurred, so I wouldn’t hold back.
“W-wait a moment!”
“Yes, what is it?”
“Could it be…un-dismantled?”
“Oh, that’s right. I had some trouble taking it down, so it’s quite battered as well.”
“…Could I see it for just a moment?”
“Of course.”
I glanced at Rio, who nodded, and opened the Dimensional Box.
“Um, is this it?”
I pulled out the head of the Earth Dragon from the depths of the box. I had stored it there after defeating it by severing its neck, but I must have been at my limit because I hadn’t taken it out until now. The head rolled onto the ground, being about three times the size of the now-shrunken Nil. Since it had been kept in the time-stopping Dimensional Box, it was still fresh, and blood dripped from its neck.
“R-Ranbel, collect the blood! Walgu, go call for backup immediately!”
““Y-yes!””
The moment Fleur saw the blood dripping from the Earth Dragon’s head, her complexion changed, and she shouted orders to the two staff members. One ran off to fetch a large container, while the other dashed outside to summon help. Meanwhile, Nil approached the head of the Earth Dragon, opened her mouth wide, and—
“Wha—!?”
“Eh!?”
“Ahhh!?”
After our surprised exclamations, Fleur’s scream echoed through the warehouse. Yet, Nil continued to devour the Earth Dragon’s head with apparent delight. I hadn’t expected her to bite into it so suddenly, but considering it was stronger than the Great Dragon, the meat must have been delicious.
“Well, a little bit is fine, I suppose.” Since she had shrunk, her appetite had adjusted accordingly, so I doubted she would consume everything.
“You really do have quite the appetite, don’t you?”
She had devoured her meals at the inn with the same vigor.
“Lord Shu, is this really alright!?”
Fleur looked back and forth between the diminishing meat of the Earth Dragon’s head and me, seeking reassurance. I nodded, indicating that there was no problem. I had warned Nil to only eat the meat around the neck.
Ranbel returned with the container to collect the blood, looking flustered by the situation, which was rather amusing.
“Wuffu~”
After a while, seemingly satisfied, Nil let out a small noise and returned to my side, rolling over to lie down. Her mouth was covered in blood, so I decided to clean her up. As for the Earth Dragon’s head, it was now only missing the meat around the neck, which was exactly as I had instructed. She might have simply been full, but it was clear that her reduced size meant she was eating less.
“It seems she’s satisfied now.”
“Ah, yes… Well then…”
As Ranbel set up the container to collect the blood, I heard the sound of many footsteps approaching, likely from Walgu, who had gone to call for backup.
“Fleur, I’ve brought the reinforcements!”
As soon as everyone who had rushed to help saw the Earth Dragon’s head, they let out a collective scream. It seemed they had hurried to assist without being informed about what they were coming to dismantle.